Tyson Foods Inc. reported the following results for the first quarter. Sales for the quarter were $9.182 billion, an increase from last year’s results of $9.152 billion. Operating income was up 27 percent to $982 million from $776 million, and net income increased from $461 million to $594 million.

Sales volume for all of the company’s segments increased from the previous year. Both the beef and pork segments reported record operating margins, with pork at 19.7% and beef at 8.5 percent.

“The year is off to the best start in company history with record earnings, record operating income and record cash flows,” said Tom Hayes, president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods. “Return on sales for each operating segment was in or above the normalized range. The tremendous returns generated in the Beef and Pork segments are providing fuel for growth in our value-added Chicken and Prepared Foods segments.

“Tyson Foods again led retail food manufacturers in both sales volume and sales dollars for the 13-week period corresponding with our fiscal first quarter. Not only did we lead in sales volume, according to IRI, we were the only company to show volume growth among the top 10 branded food companies.

“Due to our outstanding performance in Beef and Pork and strong market conditions in the first quarter, we are raising our annual earnings guidance to $4.90-5.05 per share. We expect the earnings cadence for the remainder of the fiscal year to follow more normal patterns, including the seasonality typical of our second quarter.

“We’re on a path toward what we expect to be our fifth straight year of record results. Our path won’t be linear, but our team is focused on delivering long-term growth and creating shareholder value.”

Tyson reported the following results for each of its market segments:

• Chicken – “Sales volume increased as a result of better demand for our chicken products, partially offset by a decrease in rendered product sales. Average sales price increased as a result of sales mix changes which offset general market price declines. Operating income decreased due to increased marketing, advertising and promotion spend and higher operating costs which included $23 million of compensation and benefit integration expense. Feed costs decreased $20 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.”
• Beef – “Sales volume increased due to improved availability of cattle supply and stronger domestic and export demand for our beef products. Average sales price decreased due to higher domestic availability of beef supplies and lower livestock cost. Operating income increased due to more favorable market conditions as we maximized our revenues relative to the decline in live fed cattle costs, partially offset by higher operating costs.”
• Pork – “Sales volume increased due to strong demand for our pork products and increased exports. Live hog supplies increased, which drove down livestock cost and average sales price. Operating income increased as we maximized our revenues relative to the live hog markets, partially attributable to stronger export markets and operational and mix performance, which were partially offset by higher operating costs.”
• Prepared Foods – “Sales volume increased due to improved demand for our prepared foods products. Average sales price decreased primarily due to a decline in input costs of approximately $100 million, partially offset by product mix changes. Operating income decreased due to higher operating costs at some of our facilities, increased marketing, advertising and promotion spend and $22 million of compensation and benefit integration expense. Additionally, Prepared Foods operating income was positively impacted by $127 million in synergies, of which $32 million was incremental synergies in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 above the $95 million of synergies realized in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The positive impact of these synergies to operating income was partially offset with investments in innovation, new product launches and supporting the growth of our brands.”

Full details of Tyson’s Q1 results can be found here.

Source: Tyson Foods Inc.