Post Holdings Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2015

ST. LOUIS, May 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, reported results today for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Highlights:

• Adjusted EBITDA of $149.2 million; net sales of $1,052.7 million
• Completed the acquisition of MOM Brands, a leader in the RTE cereal value segment, on May 4, 2015; $50 million in run-rate cost synergies accelerated to the second full fiscal year after closing
• Provides update on avian influenza

Second Quarter Consolidated Operating Results

Second quarter net sales were $1,052.7 million, an increase of $614.7 million, or 140.3%, compared to the prior year. The sales increase was driven by businesses acquired after March 31, 2014 and the lapping of partial period results in second quarter 2014 from businesses acquired on February 1, 2014. On a comparable basis, net sales increased 3.8%, or $38.1 million, over the same period in fiscal 2014.

Gross profit increased $146.1 million to $275.5 million for the second quarter compared to the prior year. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the second quarter were $173.7 million or 16.5% of net sales. Second quarter 2015 SG&A expenses included $1.8 million of acquisition related transaction expenses, $1.7 million of which was related to announced transactions.

Adjusted EBITDA was $149.2 million for the second quarter, up $85.7 million compared to the prior year, primarily driven by businesses acquired after March 31, 2014 and the lapping of partial period results in second quarter 2014 from businesses acquired on February 1, 2014.

Other operating expenses, net were $15.7 million for the second quarter and primarily related to adjustments to the carrying value of land, building and equipment for a peanut butter manufacturing facility which were classified as assets held for sale. Other expense, net was $28.8 million for the second quarter and related to non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on interest rate swaps.

Net earnings available to common shareholders were $26.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted common share, for the second quarter. Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders were $58.7 million, or $0.87 per diluted common share. Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding was 67.6 million shares for second quarter 2015 compared to 33.6 million for the prior year quarter. The increase resulted from common stock issuances in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 of an additional 12.1 million and 7.5 million, respectively. Additionally, diluted shares outstanding includes 6.0 million shares related to Post's tangible equity units and 11.0 million shares related to the potential conversion of Post's convertible preferred stock, both of which are calculated on an "if-converted" basis.

Six Month Consolidated Operating Results

Net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2015 were $2,126.6 million, an increase of $1,391.6 million, or 189.3%, compared to the prior year. Gross profit increased $280.7 million to $524.6 million compared to the prior year period.

SG&A expenses for the six month period were $339.7 million or 16.0% of net sales and included $6.8 million of acquisition related transaction expenses, $6.7 million of which was related to announced transactions.

Adjusted EBITDA was $276.8 million for the six month period, up $157.4 million compared to the prior year period.

Other operating expenses, net were $23.2 million for the six month period and primarily related to adjustments to the carrying value of land, building and equipment for the Modesto, California manufacturing facility and a peanut butter manufacturing facility which were classified as assets held for sale. Other expense, net was $83.4 million for the six month period and related to non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on interest rate swaps.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the net loss attributable to common shareholders was ($75.3) million, or ($1.45) per diluted common share. Adjusted net earnings loss attributable to common shareholders was ($0.2) million, or $0 per diluted common share.

Consumer Brands

Consumer Brands includes the Post Foods ready-to-eat ("RTE") cereal brands and active nutrition brands.

Net sales were $378.5 million for the second quarter, up $68.4 million, or 22.1%, over the reported prior year second quarter. On a comparable basis, net sales were up 5.6%, or $20.0 million, over the same period in fiscal 2014, with active nutrition sales up 15.9% and RTE cereal sales up 0.6%. Segment profit was $46.3 million and $38.6 million for second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $66.9 million and $57.8 million for second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, net sales were $726.4 million, up $142.2 million, or 24.3%, over the reported prior year period. Segment profit was $77.6 million, compared to $86.0 million in the prior year period. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $121.4 million, compared to $120.0 million in the prior year period. Segment profit for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was negatively impacted by an inventory adjustment of $1.9 million resulting from acquisition accounting.

Michael Foods Group

Michael Foods Group includes the predominantly foodservice and food ingredient egg, potato and pasta businesses and the retail cheese business.

Net sales were $550.3 million for the second quarter, up $483.6 million over the reported prior year second quarter. On a comparable basis, net sales were up 1.8%, or $9.5 million, over the same period in fiscal 2014, with volume down 0.6%. Egg products sales were up 2.0%, on a comparable basis. Refrigerated potato products sales were up 5.3%, on a comparable basis, with volume down 2.5%. Pasta products sales were up 2.2%, on a comparable basis, with volume down 8.5%. Cheese and other dairy case products sales were down 0.5%, with volume down 2.8%. Segment profit (loss) was $39.8 million and ($1.2) million for second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $77.7 million and $8.1 million for the second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, net sales were $1,149.6 million, up $1,082.9 million over the reported prior year period. Segment profit was $81.9 million, compared to a loss of ($1.2) million in the prior year period. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $150.1 million, compared to $8.1 million in the prior year period.

Private Label

Private Label includes the Golden Boy peanut butter, other nut butters and dried fruit and nut businesses and the Attune Foods cereal, granola and snack businesses.

Net sales were $124.9 million for the second quarter, up $63.7 million over the reported prior year second quarter. On a comparable basis, net sales were up 8.3%, or $9.6 million, over the same period in fiscal 2014, with Golden Boy up 5.3% and Attune Foods up 21.2%. Segment profit was $10.4 million and $3.9 million for second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $16.9 million and $8.9 million for second quarter 2015 and 2014, respectively.

For the six months ended March 31, 2015, net sales were $252.7 million, up $168.3 million over the reported prior year period. Segment profit was $17.3 million, compared to $6.5 million in the prior year period. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $31.2 million, compared to $13.3 million in the prior year period. Segment profit for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was negatively impacted by an inventory adjustment of $1.3 million resulting from acquisition accounting.

Interest and Income Tax

Net interest expense was $59.8 million for the second quarter compared to $37.3 million for the prior year quarter. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, net interest expense was $119.9 million, compared to $66.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014. The increase for both the quarter and the six month period was driven by the issuance of approximately $2.4 billion in incremental debt in fiscal year 2014.

Income tax benefit was ($69.4) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to a benefit of ($19.3) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The effective income tax rate was 178.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to 51.3% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the income tax benefit was ($45.9) million, an effective income tax rate of 40.7%, compared to a benefit of ($20.7) million and an effective income tax rate of 50.0% for the six months ended March 31, 2014. The tax benefit recognized for the six month period fiscal 2015 loss is limited to the amount that would be recognized if the six month period ordinary loss were the anticipated ordinary loss for fiscal year 2015.

Update on Acquisition and Financing

On May 4, 2015, Post announced the completion of the acquisition of MOM Brands Company ("MOM Brands"), a leader in the RTE cereal value segment. Post management has updated its synergy achievement timeframe for the MOM Brands acquisition. Post now expects to realize approximately $50 million in run-rate cost synergies by the second full fiscal year following the closing of the MOM Brands acquisition, an acceleration from the third full fiscal year. Post management continues to believe the synergy estimate has potential for upside.

In connection with the MOM Brands closing, Post also closed its previously announced $700 million incremental senior secured term loan facility and issued approximately 2.45 million shares of its common stock to the former owners of MOM Brands as partial merger consideration. Post now has approximately 54.8 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Update on Avian Influenza and Outlook

As announced on April 28, 2015, Post has been impacted by avian influenza. The severity of the current avian influenza incident is highly unusual as the last significant outbreak in the U.S. was in the early 1980s. As of May 7, 2015, Post estimates approximately 14% of its egg supply has been affected.

Prior to the acquisition of MOM Brands, Post management had estimated fiscal 2015 Adjusted EBITDA to be between $540.0 million and $580.0 million. Post management has revised this guidance to include better than expected year-to-date performance, the completion of the acquisition of MOM Brands and the impact of avian influenza. Including MOM Brands at approximately $50.0 million and the expected impact of avian influenza at approximately $20.0 million for the remainder of fiscal 2015, Post management now estimates fiscal 2015 Adjusted EBITDA to be between $585.0 million and $610.0 million. However, it is important to note that the situation remains dynamic and if avian influenza continues to spread or the egg market reaction is more significant than Post's estimates, these expectations could change materially. To the extent new material information develops prior to Post's next quarterly earnings release, Post will provide further updates as soon as practical.

Post management expects fiscal 2015 capital expenditures, including MOM Brands, to be between $125.0 million and $135.0 million. This reflects approximately $40.0 million related to growth activities, mostly at Michael Foods for projects carried over from the prior year. Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be between $85.0 million and $95.0 million.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Certain financial measures in this release are non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes the use of such non-GAAP measures provides increased transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying operating performance of the Company and its segments and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. These measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. See the tables provided in this release for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call to Discuss Earnings Results and Outlook

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. During the call, Robert V. Vitale, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff A. Zadoks, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2015 outlook and respond to questions.

Interested parties may join the conference call by dialing (877) 540-0891 in the United States and (678) 408-4007 from outside the United States. The conference identification number is 23342813. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.postholdings.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, May 15, 2015, by dialing (800) 585-8367 in the United States and (404) 537-3406 from outside the United States and using the conference identification number 23342813. A webcast replay will also be available for a limited period on the Company's website in the Investor Relations section.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this release and on the conference call are forward-looking statements, including our expectations regarding the timing of realizing the run-rate cost synergies contemplated by the MOM Brands acquisition and the potential upside for such synergies; our Adjusted EBITDA outlook for fiscal 2015; our estimates for MOM Brands at approximately $50.0 million for the remainder of fiscal 2015; our estimates regarding the expected impact of avian influenza at approximately $20.0 million for the remainder of fiscal 2015; our estimate regarding the percentage of our egg supply affected by avian influenza; and capital expenditures expectations, including expectations for growth activities and maintenance. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include our ability to realize the synergies contemplated by the acquisition of MOM Brands; our ability to promptly and effectively integrate the MOM Brands business; our high leverage and substantial debt, including covenants that restrict the operation of our business; our ability to service outstanding debt or obtain additional financing, including secured and unsecured debt; the recent avian influenza outbreak in the U.S. Midwest; our ability to continue to compete in our product markets and our ability to retain market position; our ability to identify and complete acquisitions, manage growth and integrate acquisitions; changes in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations; significant volatility in the costs of certain raw materials, commodities, packaging or energy used to manufacture our products; our ability to maintain competitive pricing, introduce new products or successfully manage costs; our ability to successfully implement business strategies to reduce costs; impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangibles; the loss or bankruptcy of a significant customer; allegations that our products cause injury or illness, product recalls and product liability claims and other litigation; our ability to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences and trends; changes in economic conditions and consumer demand for our products; disruptions in the U.S. and global capital and credit markets; labor strikes, work stoppages or unionization efforts; legal and regulatory factors, including changes in advertising and labeling laws, food safety and laws and regulations governing animal feeding operations; our ability to comply with increased regulatory scrutiny related to certain of our products and/or international sales; the ultimate impact litigation may have on us, including the lawsuit (to which Michael Foods is a party) alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws in the egg industry; our reliance on third party manufacturers for certain of our products; disruptions or inefficiencies in supply chain; our ability to recognize the expected benefits of the closing of the Modesto, California and Boise, Idaho manufacturing facilities; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; consolidations among the retail grocery and foodservice industries; change in estimates in critical accounting judgments and changes to or new laws and regulations affecting our business; losses or increased funding and expenses related to qualified pension plans; loss of key employees; our ability to protect our intellectual property; changes in weather conditions, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other events beyond our control; our ability to successfully operate international operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; our ability to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including with respect to acquired businesses; business disruptions caused by information technology failures and/or technology hacking; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About Post Holdings, Inc.

Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, active nutrition, refrigerated and private label food categories. Through its cereal business, Post is a leader in the value segment of ready-to-eat cereal and offers a broad range of choices to meet the taste and nutrition needs of a variety of consumers. Post's cereal portfolio includes recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats®, Pebbles™, Great Grains®, Grape-Nuts®, Honeycomb®, Frosted Mini Spooners®, Golden Puffs®, Cinnamon Toasters®, Fruity Dyno-Bites®, Cocoa Dyno-Bites®, Berry Colossal Crunch® and Malt-O-Meal® hot wheat cereal. Post's active nutrition platform aids consumers in adopting healthier lifestyles through brands such as PowerBar®, Premier Protein®, Supreme Protein® and Dymatize®. Through its Michael Foods Group, Post supplies value-added egg products, refrigerated potato products, cheese and other dairy case products and dry pasta products to the private label retail, foodservice and ingredient channels and markets retail brands including All Whites®, Better'n Eggs®, Simply Potatoes® and Crystal Farms®. Post also manufactures private label cereal, granola, peanut butter and other nut butters, dried fruits and baking and snacking nuts. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com.