MARION, N.Y., July 31, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seneca Foods Corporation (NASDAQ:SENEA) (NASDAQ:SENEB) reported for the first quarter of 2016, net earnings of $3.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.1 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the fiscal first quarter of 2015.   Net sales for the first quarter ended June 27, 2015 decreased from the first quarter ended June 28, 2014 by 5.7%, or $13.8 million to $226.3 million.  The decrease is attributable to a sales volume decrease of $16.6 million partially offset by a favorable sales mix and higher selling prices of $2.8 million.  A major portion of the lower sales was due to a $7.7 million reduction in Canned Vegetable sales.    

Excluding a non-cash after-tax LIFO credit of $1.1 million, net earnings per diluted share were $0.19 during the quarter ended June 27, 2015 versus a net loss of $(0.03) during the quarter ended June 28, 2014, which included a non-cash LIFO credit of $0.2 million.

About Seneca Foods Corporation

Seneca Foods is North America’s leading provider of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities located throughout the United States. Its high quality products are primarily sourced from over 2,000 American farms.  Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries.   Products are also sold under the highly regarded brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms® and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips.  In addition, Seneca provides vegetable products under an alliance with General Mills Operations, LLC, a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., under the Green Giant label.   Seneca’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Stock Market under the symbols “SENEA” and “SENEB”. SENEA is included in the S&P SmallCap 600, Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Net Earnings Excluding LIFO Impact, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA

Net Earnings excluding LIFO, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide a basis for comparison to companies that do not use LIFO and enhance the understanding of the Company’s historical operating performance.  The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings and reported diluted earnings per share to net earnings excluding LIFO and diluted earnings per share excluding LIFO.

  Quarter Ended
  June 27, 2015 June 28, 2014
  Income Diluted Income Diluted
  (in millions) EPS (in millions) EPS
         
Net earnings, as reported:$ 3.0 $ 0.29 $ (0.1)$ (0.01)
         
LIFO charge, after tax at statutory federal rate$ (1.1)$ (0.10)$ (0.2)$ (0.02)
         
Net earnings, excluding LIFO impact$ 1.9 $ 0.19 $ (0.3)$ (0.03)
         
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding        
(in thousands)    9,960     10,873 
         


Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings to EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, non-cash charges and credits related to the LIFO inventory valuation method). The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

  Three Months Ended
EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA: June 27, 2015 June 28, 2014
  (In thousands)
 
Net earnings (loss)$ 2,968 $ (107)
Income tax expense  1,600   402 
Interest expense, net of interest income  1,372   1,069 
Depreciation and amortization  5,315   5,655 
Interest amortization  (74)  (75)
EBITDA  11,181   6,944 
LIFO credit  (1,637)  (349)
FIFO EBITDA$ 9,544 $ 6,595 


Forward-Looking Information

The information contained in this release contains, or may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers (including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates” or similar expressions) with respect to various matters.

Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:

  • general economic and business conditions;
  • cost and availability of commodities and other raw materials such as vegetables, steel and packaging materials;
  • transportation costs;
  • climate and weather affecting growing conditions and crop yields;
  • availability of financing;
  • leverage and the Company’s ability to service and reduce its debt;
  • foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;
  • effectiveness of the Company’s marketing and trade promotion programs;
  • changing consumer preferences;
  • competition;
  • product liability claims;
  • the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers;
  • changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, United States, foreign and local governmental regulations, including environmental and health and safety regulations; and
  • other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC. 
      

Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the filing of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Seneca Foods Corporation 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings (Loss) 
For the Periods Ended June 27, 2015 and June 28, 2014 
(In thousands of dollars, except share data) 
      
  Year-to-Date 
  Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015 
      
Net sales$226,258$ 240,043  
      
Plant restructuring income (note 2)$81$ -  
      
Other operating income (loss) net (note 3)$336$ (279) 
      
Operating income (note 1)$5,940$ 998  
Earnings from equity investment -  (366) 
Interest expense, net 1,372  1,069  
Earnings before income taxes$4,568$ 295  
      
Income taxes expense 1,600  402  
      
Net earnings (loss)$2,968$ (107) 
      
Earnings (loss) attributable to common stock (note 4)$2,925$ (110) 
      
Basic earnings (loss) per share$0.30$ (0.01) 
      
Diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.29$ (0.01) 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding basic 9,888,427  10,800,611  
      
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted 9,960,516  10,872,946  
      
Note 1: The effect of  the LIFO inventory valuation method on first quarter pre-tax results was to increase operating earnings by $1,637,000 for 
  the three month period ended June 27, 2015 and to increase operating earnings by $349,000 for the three month period ended June 28, 2014. 
Note 2: The three month period ended June 27, 2015 included a restructuring adjustment for a Midwest Plant of $81,000. 
Note 3: Other gain for the current year of $336,000 represents a $200,000 credit related to a contingency accrual for Prop 65, net gain on the sale of 
  unused fixed assets of $76,000 and a credit of $60,000 related to an environmental accrual. 
  Other loss for the prior year of $279,000 represents a $250,000 charge related to environmental accrual and net loss on the sale of 
  unused fixed assets of $29,000. 
Note 4: The Company uses the "two-class" method for basic earnings per share by dividing the earnings attributable to  common shareholders 
  by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period.  The diluted earnings per share includes the effect of 
  convertible shares for each period presented. 
  

 

Contact: 
Timothy J. Benjamin, Chief Financial Officer
315-926-8100