UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 1-7275
CONAGRA
FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant, as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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47-0248710 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
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One ConAgra Drive |
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68102-5001 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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(Zip Code) |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Registrants telephone number, including area code (402) 595-4000
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $5.00 par value |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check
mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act.
Yes
x
No
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated
filer
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Non-accelerated filer
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting common stock of ConAgra Foods, Inc. held by non-affiliates on November 27, 2005 was approximately $11,392,110,768 based upon the closing sale price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.
At June 23, 2006, 510,839,377 common shares were outstanding.
Documents incorporated by reference are listed on page 1.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the Registrants definitive Proxy Statement filed for Registrants 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 2006 Proxy Statement) are incorporated into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
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a) General Development of Business
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (ConAgra Foods or the Company) is a leading packaged food company serving a wide variety of food customers. Over time, the Company, which was first incorporated in 1919, has grown through acquisitions, operations and internal brand and product development.
ConAgra Foods is in the process of implementing operational improvement initiatives that are intended to generate profitable sales growth, improve profit margins, and expand returns on capital over time. Various improvement initiatives focused on marketing, operating efficiency, and business processes have been underway for several years. Senior leadership changes during fiscal 2006 resulted in new priorities and increased focus on execution.
The Company currently has the following strategies:
· Reducing costs throughout the supply chain and the general and administrative functions.
· Increased and more focused marketing and innovation investments.
· Sales improvement initiatives focused on penetrating the fastest growing channels, better return on customer trade arrangements, and optimal shelf placement for the Companys most profitable products.
· Portfolio changes: The Company is divesting non-core operations that have limited the Companys ability to achieve its efficiency targets.
During fiscal 2006, the Company identified several operations as non-core, including Cooks Ham, seafood, and packaged meats and cheese. Divesting these will simplify the Companys operations and provide opportunities to be more efficient. During 2006, the Company completed the divestitures of its Cooks Ham and its seafood operations and expects to complete its divestitures of the packaged meats and cheese businesses in the first half of fiscal 2007.
Changes to the Companys portfolio have been ongoing for several years in support of the Companys efforts to focus on higher-margin, branded and value-added businesses. For example, during fiscal 2005, the Company completed the divestitures of its UAP International business, minority equity investment in Swift Foods and cattle feeding assets, specialty meats foodservice business, and Portuguese poultry business. These followed other divestitures prior to fiscal 2005, including the Companys chicken business, U.S. and Canadian crop inputs businesses of United Agri Products (UAP North America), Spanish feed business, canned seafood operations, and specialty cheese operations.
As the Company implements operating improvement initiatives, it occasionally incurs costs related to changes that are intended to make a more efficient cost structure, for example: reducing headcount and closing facilities. The Company also incurs costs to dispose of businesses, revalue assets, retire debt, resolve legal disputes, and other items that impact the comparability of operating results.
The Companys plans over the next several years include an estimate of at least $238 million of pretax restructuring costs, $130 million of which were incurred in fiscal 2006.
b) Financial Information about Reporting Segments
Historically, the Company reported its results of operations in three segments: the Retail Products segment, the Foodservice Products segment, and the Food Ingredients segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, due to changes in its management structure, the Company began reporting its operations in four reporting segments : Consumer Foods, International Foods, Food and Ingredients, and Trading and
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Merchandising. Fiscal 2005 and 2004 financial information has been conformed to reflect the segment change. The contributions of each reporting segment to net sales and operating profit, and the identifiable assets attributable to each reporting segment are set forth in Note 19 Business Segments and Related Information to the consolidated financial statements.
c) Narrative Description of Business
The Company competes throughout the food industry and focuses on adding value for customers who sell into the retail food, foodservice and ingredients channels. The Companys largest customer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, accounted for approximately 12% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2006, primarily in the Consumer Foods segment.
ConAgra Foods operations, including its reporting segments, are described below. The ConAgra Foods companies and locations, including distribution facilities, within each reporting segment, are described in Item 2.
Consumer Foods
The Consumer Foods reporting segment includes branded, private label and customized food products which are sold in various retail and foodservice channels. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes.
Major brands include Chef Boyardee ® , Marie Callenders ® , Healthy Choice ® , Orville Redenbacher ® , Slim Jim ® , Hebrew National ® , Kid Cuisine ® , Reddi-Wip ® , VanCamp ® , Libbys ® , LaChoy ® , The Max ® , Manwich ® , Davids ® , Ro*Tel ® , Angela Mia ® , Mama Rosa ® , Hunts ® , Wesson ® , Act II ® , Snack Pack ® , Swiss Miss ® , Pam ® , Egg Beaters ® , Blue Bonnet ® , Parkay ® , and Rosarita ® .
Food and Ingredients
The Food and Ingredients reporting segment includes commercially branded foods and ingredients, which are sold principally to foodservice, food manufacturing and industrial customers. The segments primary products include specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, blends and flavors which are sold under names such as ConAgra Mills ® , Lamb Weston ® , Gilroy Foods ® , and Spicetec ® to food processors.
Trading and Merchandising
The Trading and Merchandising reporting segment includes the sourcing, merchandising, trading, marketing and distribution of agricultural and energy commodities.
International Foods
The International Foods reporting segment includes branded food products which are sold principally in retail channels in North America, Europe and Asia. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes. Major brands include Orville Redenbachers ® , Act II ® , Snack Pack ® , Chef Boyardee ® , Hunts ® , and Pam ® .
Unconsolidated Equity Investments
The Company has a number of unconsolidated equity investments. The more significant equity investments are involved in barley malting and potato processing. The Company divested its minority equity interest investment in a fresh beef and pork joint venture in fiscal 2005. This joint venture was
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established in fiscal 2003 when the Company sold a controlling interest in its fresh beef and pork operations.
Discontinued Operations
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company completed its divestiture of its Cooks Ham business and the divestiture of its seafood operations. Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities divested are now classified as assets and liabilities held for sale within the Companys consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company announced that it would divest substantially all of its packaged meats and cheese operations. The Company expects to complete the dispositions of these businesses during the first half of fiscal 2007 and expects to have no significant continuing involvement in these businesses after the disposals. Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company initiated a plan to dispose of a refrigerated meals business with annual revenues of less than $70 million. The Company currently expects to complete the sale of these operations in fiscal 2007 and also expects to continue to supply certain ingredients to this business and purchase finished product from this business subsequent to its divestiture. Due to the Companys expected significant continuing cash flows associated with this business, the Company continues to include the results of operations of this business in continuing operations. The assets and liabilities of this business are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
The major brands in discontinued operations include Cooks ® , Louis Kemp ® , Decker ® , Singleton ® , Butterball ® , Eckrich ® , Armour ® , Ready Crisp ® , and Margherita ® .
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company initiated a plan to dispose of two aircraft. These long-lived assets are classified as assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
During fiscal 2005, the Company completed the divestitures of its UAP International and Portuguese poultry businesses. Also in fiscal 2005, the Company implemented a plan to exit the specialty meats foodservice business. In connection with this exit plan, the Company closed a manufacturing facility in Alabama, sold its operations in California and, in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, completed the sale of its operations in Illinois. Upon the sale of the Illinois operations, the Company has no further specialty meats operations. During fiscal 2004, the Company completed the divestitures of its chicken business, UAP North America business, and its Spanish feed business. Accordingly, the results of operations of the chicken business, UAP North America, UAP International, the Spanish feed business and Portuguese poultry business, and the specialty meats foodservice business are reflected in discontinued operations for all periods presented. Beginning September 24, 2004, the results of operations of the cattle feeding business are presented in discontinued operations.
General
The following comments pertain to each of the Companys reporting segments.
ConAgra Foods is a food company that operates in many different areas of the food industry, with a significant focus on the sale of branded and value-added consumer products. ConAgra Foods uses many different raw materials, the bulk of which are commodities. The prices paid for raw materials used in the products of ConAgra Foods generally reflect factors such as weather, commodity market fluctuations, currency fluctuations, tariffs, and the effects of governmental agricultural programs. Although the prices of
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raw materials can be expected to fluctuate as a result of these factors, the Company believes such raw materials to be in adequate supply and generally available from numerous sources. The Company uses hedging techniques to minimize the impact of price fluctuations in its principal raw materials. However, it does not fully hedge against changes in commodity prices and these strategies may not fully protect the Company or its subsidiaries from increases in specific raw material costs.
The Company experiences intense competition for sales of its principal products in its major markets. The Companys products compete with widely advertised, well-known, branded products, as well as private label and customized products. Some of the Companys competitors are larger and have greater resources than the Company. The Company has major competitors in each of its reporting segments. The Company competes primarily on the bases of quality, value, customer service, brand recognition, and brand loyalty.
Quality control processes at principal manufacturing locations emphasize applied research and technical services directed at product improvement and quality control. In addition, the Company conducts research activities related to the development of new products. Research and development expense was $54 million, $64 million, and $61 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Demand for certain of the Companys products may be influenced by holidays, changes in seasons or other annual events.
The Company manufactures primarily for stock and fills customer orders from finished goods inventories. While at any given time there may be some backlog of orders, such backlog is not material in respect to annual net sales, and the changes from time to time are not significant.
The Companys trademarks are of material importance to its business and are protected by registration or other means in the United States and most other markets where the related products are sold. Some of the Companys products are sold under brands that have been licensed from others. The Company also actively develops and maintains a portfolio of patents, although no single patent is considered significant to the business as a whole. The Company has proprietary trade secrets, technology, know-how processes, and other intellectual property rights that are not registered.
Many of ConAgra Foods facilities and products are subject to various laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Food and Drug Administration and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies relating to the quality of products, sanitation, safety, and environmental control. The Company believes that it complies with such laws and regulations in all material respects, and that continued compliance with such regulations will not have a material effect upon capital expenditures, earnings or the competitive position of the Company.
At May 28, 2006, ConAgra Foods and its subsidiaries had approximately 33,000 employees, primarily in the United States. Approximately 47% of the Companys employees are parties to collective bargaining agreements.
Foreign operations information is set forth in Note 19 Business Segments and Related Information to the consolidated financial statements.
The Company makes available, free of charge through its Internet web site at http://www.conagrafoods.com , its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company submitted
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the annual Chief Executive Officer certification to the NYSE for its 2006 fiscal year as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Corporate Governance rules.
The Company has also posted on its website its (1) Corporate Governance Principles, (2) Code of Conduct, (3) Code of Ethics for Senior Corporate Officers, and (4) charters for the Audit Committee, Corporate Affairs Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, Human Resources Committee, and Nominating Committee. Shareholders may also obtain copies of these items at no charge by writing to: Assistant Corporate Secretary, ConAgra Foods, Inc., One ConAgra Drive, Omaha, NE, 68102-5001.
The following factors could affect the Companys operating results and should be considered in evaluating the Company.
The Company must identify changing consumer preferences and develop and offer food products to meet their preferences.
Consumer preferences evolve over time and the success of the Companys food products depends on the Companys ability to identify the tastes and dietary habits of consumers and to offer products that appeal to their preferences. Introduction of new products and product extensions requires significant development and marketing investment. If the Companys products fail to meet consumer preference, then the return on that investment will be less than anticipated and the Companys strategy to grow sales and profits with investments in core products will be less successful.
If the Company does not achieve the appropriate cost structure in the highly competitive food industry, its profitability could decrease.
The Companys success depends in part on its ability to achieve the appropriate cost structure and be efficient in the highly competitive food industry. The Company is currently implementing profit-enhancing initiatives that impact its supply chain and general and administrative functions. These initiatives are focused on cost savings opportunities in procurement, manufacturing, logistics and customer service, as well as general overhead levels. If the Company does not continue to manage costs and achieve additional efficiencies, its competitiveness and its profitability could decrease.
The Companys success is also dependent on the successful implementation of its strategy to divest non-core operations that have limited the Companys ability to achieve its efficiency targets. The Company completed the divestitures of its Cooks Ham and its seafood operations during fiscal 2006 and expects to complete its divestitures of the packaged meats and cheese businesses in the first half of fiscal 2007. If the Company is not able to continue to successfully alter its asset portfolio to focus on higher-margin, branded and value-added businesses, its competitiveness and profitability could decrease.
Increased competition may result in reduced sales or margin for the Company.
The food industry is highly competitive, and increased competition can reduce sales for the Company due to loss of market share or the need to reduce prices to respond to competitive and customer pressures. Competitive pressures also may restrict the Companys ability to increase prices, including in response to commodity and other cost increases. The Companys profit margins could decrease if a reduction in prices or increased costs are not counterbalanced with increased sales volume.
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The consolidation of the Companys customers has resulted in large sophisticated customers with increased buying power.
The Companys customers, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs and food distributors, have consolidated in recent years and consolidation is expected to continue. These consolidations have produced large, sophisticated customers with increased buying power and negotiating strength who are more capable of resisting price increases and operating with reduced inventories. These customers may also in the future use more of their shelf space, currently used for Company products, for their private label products. The Company is implementing initiatives to counteract these pressures; however, if the larger size of these customers results in additional negotiating strength or less shelf space for Company products, the Companys profitability could decline.
The Company may be subject to product liability claims and product recalls, which could negatively impact its profitability.
The Company sells food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product contamination or spoilage, product tampering and other adulteration of food products. The Company may be subject to liability if the consumption of any of its products causes injury, illness or death. In addition, the Company will voluntarily recall products in the event of contamination or damage. In the past, the Company has issued recalls and has from time to time been involved in lawsuits relating to its food products. A significant product liability judgment or a widespread product recall may negatively impact the Companys profitability for a period of time depending on product availability, competitive reaction and consumer attitudes. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that Company products caused illness or injury could adversely affect the Companys reputation with existing and potential customers and its corporate and brand image.
Commodity price increases will increase operating costs and may reduce profits.
The Company uses many different commodities including wheat, corn, oats, soybeans, beef, pork, poultry, and energy. Commodities are subject to price volatility caused by commodity market fluctuations, supply and demand, currency fluctuations, and changes in governmental agricultural programs. Commodity price increases will result in increases in raw material costs and operating costs. The Company may not be able to increase its product prices to offset these increased costs, and increasing prices may result in reduced sales volume and profitability. The Company has many years experience in hedging against commodity price increases; however, hedging practices reduce but do not eliminate the risk of increased operating costs from commodity price increases.
The Companys information technology resources must provide efficient connections between its business functions, or its results of operations will be negatively impacted.
Each year the Company engages in several billion dollars of transactions with its customers and vendors. Because the amount of dollars involved is so significant, the Companys information technology resources must provide connections among its marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics, customer service, and accounting functions. If the Company does not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain the proper technology infrastructure and to maintain the related computerized and manual control processes, it could be subject to billing and collection errors, business disruptions or damage resulting from security breaches. In 2005, in connection with its implementation of Project Nucleus , the Companys information technology-linking initiative, the Company had short-term operational challenges during the third quarter of fiscal 2005. If future implementation problems are encountered, the Companys results of operations could be negatively impacted.
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If the Company fails to comply with the many laws applicable to its business, it may incur significant fines and penalties.
The Companys facilities and products are subject to many laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Food and Drug Administration, and other federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies relating to the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, labeling, quality, and safety of food products. The Companys failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject it to administrative penalties and injunctive relief, civil remedies, including fines, injunctions and recalls of its products. The Companys operations are also subject to extensive and increasingly stringent regulations administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which pertain to the discharge of materials into the environment and the handling and disposition of wastes. Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, including civil and administrative penalties and negative publicity.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
The Companys headquarters are located in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, certain shared service centers are located in Omaha, Nebraska, including a product development facility, customer service center, financial service center and information technology center. The general offices and location of principal operations are set forth in the following summary of ConAgra Foods locations.
The Company maintains a number of stand-alone distribution facilities. In addition, there is warehouse space available at substantially all of the Companys manufacturing facilities.
Utilization of manufacturing capacity varies by manufacturing plant based upon the type of products assigned and the level of demand for those products. Management believes that the Companys manufacturing and processing plants are well maintained and are generally adequate to support the current operations of the business.
The Company owns most of the manufacturing facilities. However, a limited number of plants and parcels of land with the related manufacturing equipment are leased. Substantially all of ConAgra Foods transportation equipment and forward-positioned distribution centers and most of the storage facilities containing finished goods are leased.
Information about the properties supporting each business segment follows.
CONSUMER FOODS REPORTING SEGMENT
General offices in Omaha, Nebraska, Edina, Minnesota and Naperville, Illinois.
Forty-five manufacturing facilities in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
FOOD & INGREDIENTS REPORTING SEGMENT
Domestic general, marketing and administrative offices in Omaha, Nebraska, Eagle, Idaho and Tri-Cities, Washington .
Forty-seven domestic production facilities (including two 50% owned facilities) in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New
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Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Washington; one international production facility in Chile; one international production facility in Puerto Rico; four manufacturing facilities in Australia (50% owned); four manufacturing facilities in Canada (three 50% owned); six manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom (five 50% owned); and three manufacturing facilities in The Netherlands (50% owned) .
TRADING AND MERCHANDISING SEGMENT
Domestic general, merchandising and administrative offices in Omaha, Nebraska and Savannah, Georgia. International general and merchandising offices in Canada, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Eighty-six domestic production facilities (including two 50% owned facilities) in Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
INTERNATIONAL FOODS REPORTING SEGMENT
General offices in Toronto, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Irvine, California.
Four manufacturing facilities in Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
In fiscal 1991, ConAgra Foods acquired Beatrice Company (Beatrice). As a result of the acquisition and the significant pre-acquisition contingencies of the Beatrice businesses and its former subsidiaries, the consolidated post-acquisition financial statements of the Company reflect significant liabilities associated with the estimated resolution of these contingencies. These include various litigation and environmental proceedings related to businesses divested by Beatrice prior to its acquisition by the Company. The litigation includes several public nuisance and personal injury suits against ConAgra Grocery Products and the Company as alleged successors to W. P. Fuller Co., a lead paint and pigment manufacturer owned and operated by Beatrice until 1967. The environmental proceedings include litigation and administrative proceedings involving Beatrices status as a potentially responsible party at 29 Superfund, proposed Superfund or state-equivalent sites; these sites involve locations previously owned or operated by predecessors of Beatrice that used or produced petroleum, pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, inks, solvents, PCBs, acids, lead, sulfur, tannery wastes, and / or other contaminants. Beatrice has paid or is in the process of paying its liability share at 28 of these sites. Reserves for these matters have been established based on the Companys best estimate of its undiscounted remediation liabilities, which estimates include evaluation of investigatory studies, extent of required cleanup, the known volumetric contribution of Beatrice and other potentially responsible parties and its experience in remediating sites. The reserves for Beatrice environmental matters totaled $104.9 million as of May 28, 2006, and $109.5 million as of May 29, 2005, a majority of which relates to the Superfund and state equivalent sites referenced above. Expenditures for these matters are expected to occur over periods of up to 20 years.
On June 22, 2001, the Company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000. The filing included restated financial information for fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The restatement, due to accounting and conduct matters at United Agri Products, Inc. (UAP), a former subsidiary, was based upon an investigation undertaken by the Company and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. The restatement was principally related to revenue recognition for deferred delivery sales and vendor rebates, advance vendor rebates, and bad debt reserves. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a formal order of nonpublic investigation dated September 28, 2001. The Company is cooperating with the SEC investigation, which relates to the UAP matters described
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above, as well as other aspects of the Companys financial statements, including the level and application of certain of the Companys reserves.
On April 29, 2005, the Company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004 and amended quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended August 29, 2004 and November 28, 2004. The filings included restated financial information for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004 and the first two quarters of fiscal 2005. The restatement related to tax matters. The Company provided information to the SEC Staff relating to the facts and circumstances surrounding the restatement.
On July 28, 2006, the Company filed an amendment to its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005. The filing amended Item 6. Selected Financial Data and Exhibit 12, Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges, for fiscal year 2001, and certain restated financial information for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, all related to the application of certain of the Companys reserves for the three years and fiscal year 1999 income tax expense. The Company has provided information to the SEC Staff relating to the facts and circumstances surrounding the amended filing.
The Company is currently conducting discussions with the SEC Staff regarding a possible settlement of these matters. Based on discussions to date, the Company estimates the amount of such settlement and related payments to be approximately $46.5 million. The Company recorded charges of $25 million and $21.5 million in fiscal 2004 and the third quarter of fiscal 2005, respectively, in connection with the expected settlement of these matters. There can be no assurance that the negotiations with the SEC Staff will ultimately be successful or that the SEC will accept the terms of any settlement that is negotiated with the SEC Staff.
Three purported class actions have been consolidated in the United States District Court for Nebraska, Berlien v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV292 filed on June 21, 2005, Calvacca v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV00318 filed on June 30, 2005, and Woods v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV493 filed on July 26, 2005. Each lawsuit is against the Company and its former chief executive officer. The lawsuits allege violations of the federal securities laws in connection with the events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. Each complaint seeks a declaration that the action is maintainable as a class action and that the plaintiff is a proper class representative, unspecified compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys fees and any other relief deemed proper by the court. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the actions.
Four derivative actions were filed by shareholder plaintiffs, purportedly on behalf of the Company, three of the actions were filed in the in United States District Court for Nebraska, Case No. 805CV342 and Case No. 805CV343 filed on July 15, 2005, and Case No. 405CV3183 filed on July 26, 2005 and the fourth action was filed on December 12, 2005 in the District Court for Douglas County, Nebraska, Case No. 1056-745. The complaints alleged that the defendants, directors and certain executive officers of the Company during the relevant times, breached fiduciary duties in connection with events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. The actions seek, inter alia, recovery to the Company, which was named as a nominal defendant in the action, of damages allegedly sustained by the Company and for reimbursement and restitution. Additionally, a derivative action was filed by a shareholder plaintiff, purportedly on behalf of the Company, in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in New Castle County on April 18, 2006. The complaint contains allegations of breach of fiduciary duties, waste, unjust enrichment, and false and misleading proxy statements against the defendants, directors of the Company at the relevant times and the current and former chief executive officers, in the compensation awarded to the former chief executive officer since 2002. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages alleged to have been sustained by the Company, attorneys fees and any other relief deemed proper by the court. The individuals named as defendants in the action believe the actions are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the allegations.
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Three purported class actions were filed in United States District Court for Nebraska, Rantala v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV349, and Bright v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al., Case No. 805CV348 on July 18, 2005 and Boyd v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al., Case No. 805CV386 on August 8, 2005. The lawsuits are against the Company and its directors and its employee benefits committee on behalf of participants in the Companys employee retirement income savings plans. The lawsuits allege violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in connection with the events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. Each complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, injunctive relief, attorneys fees and other equitable monetary relief. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the actions.
The Company is a party to a number of other lawsuits and claims arising out of the operation of its businesses. After taking into account liabilities recorded for all of the foregoing matters, management believes the ultimate resolution of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF JULY 28, 2006
Name |
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Title & Capacity |
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Age |
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Year First
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Gary M. Rodkin |
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President & Chief Executive Officer |
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54 |
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2005 |
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Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. |
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Executive Vice President, Legal and External Affairs and Corporate Secretary |
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54 |
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2005 |
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Frank S. Sklarsky |
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Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
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49 |
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2004 |
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Owen C. Johnson |
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Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer |
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60 |
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2001 |
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Jacqueline K. Heslop McCook |
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Executive Vice President, International and Chief Growth Officer |
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49 |
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2006 |
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John F. Gehring |
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Senior Vice President and Controller |
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45 |
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2004 |
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Christopher W. Klinefelter |
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Vice President, Investor Relations |
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39 |
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2000 |
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Scott E. Messel |
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Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary |
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47 |
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2004 |
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J. Mark Warner |
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Vice President, Internal Audit |
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40 |
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2006 |
|
|
The foregoing executive officers have held the specified positions with ConAgra Foods for the past five years, except as follows:
Gary M. Rodkin joined ConAgra Foods as President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2005. Prior to joining the Company, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America (a division of PepsiCo, Inc., a global snacks and beverages company) from February 2003 to June 2005. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America in 2002. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi-Cola North America from 1999 to 2002, and President of Tropicana North America from 1995 to 1998.
11
Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. joined ConAgra Foods in November 2005 as Executive Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs. In December 2005, he was named Executive Vice President, Legal and External Affairs, and in May 2006, was also appointed Corporate Secretary. From 2002 until joining ConAgra Foods, he was a partner at the Brunswick Group LLC (an international financial public relations firm). Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Secretary and General Counsel for PepsiCo, Inc. from 1998 to 2002.
Frank S. Sklarsky joined ConAgra Foods as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in November 2004. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sklarsky was Vice President, Corporate Financial Control at DaimlerChrysler Corporation (automobile manufacturing and related financial services) and served as Vice President, Product Finance from 2001 through 2004. From 2000 to 2001, he was Vice President, Finance, Dell Computer Corporation (a diversified technology provider).
Owen C. Johnson joined ConAgra Foods as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration in June 1998, was named Executive Vice President in 2001, and Executive Vice President, Organization and Administration and Corporate Secretary in May 2004. In May 2006, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.
Jacqueline K. Heslop McCook joined ConAgra Foods in March 2006 as Executive Vice President, International and Chief Growth Officer. Prior to joining the Company, she was President and CEO of The McCook Group from 2000 to 2006.
John F. Gehring joined ConAgra Foods in 2002 as Vice President of Internal Audit and became Senior Vice President in 2003. In July 2004, Mr. Gehring was named to his current position. Prior to ConAgra Foods, he was a partner at Ernst and Young LLP (an accounting firm) from 1997 to 2001.
Scott E. Messel joined ConAgra Foods in August 2001 as Vice President and Treasurer, and in July 2004 was named to his current position. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Treasurer of Lennox International (a provider of climate control solutions) from 1999 to 2001.
J. Mark Warner joined ConAgra Foods in July 2004. Prior to then, he was a partner with KPMG LLP (an accounting firm) from 2002 to 2004. Before that, he was with Arthur Andersen LLP (an accounting firm) from 1987 to 2002, in various roles, lastly as a Managing Partner.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF JULY 28, 2006
Name |
|
|
|
Title & Capacity |
|
Age |
|
Year First
|
|
||||
R. Dean Hollis |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Consumer Foods Group |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
||
Gregory A. Heckman |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Commercial Products Group |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
||
James H. Hardy, Jr. |
|
Executive Vice President, Product Supply |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
||
Albert D. Bolles |
|
Executive Vice President, Research & Development, and Quality |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
||
Douglas A. Knudsen |
|
President, Sales |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
||
Peter M. Perez |
|
Senior Vice President, Human Resources |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
12
R. Dean Hollis joined the Company in 1987. He was named President and Chief Operating Officer of ConAgra Frozen Foods in March 2000. In February 2005, he was named Executive Vice President, ConAgra Retail Foods Group, and to his current position in March 2006.
Gregory A. Heckman joined the Company in 1984. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Trade Group from 1998 to 2001, and was named President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Agricultural Products Company in 2002. He was named President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Foods Ingredients Group in early 2003, and to his current position in March 2006.
James H. Hardy, Jr. joined ConAgra Foods in June 2005 as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Manufacturing, and in December 2005 was named to his current position. He served as Vice President, Product Supply for Clorox Company (a diversified consumer products company) from 2001 to 2005.
Albert D. Bolles joined ConAgra Foods in March 2006 as Executive Vice President, Research & Development, and Quality. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Worldwide Research and Development for PepsiCo Beverages and Foods from 2002 to 2006. Before that, he was Senior Vice President, Global Technology and Quality and Chief Technical Officer for Tropicana Products Incorporated from 1993 to 2002.
Douglas A. Knudsen joined ConAgra Foods in 1977. He was named to his current position in May 2006. Prior to that, he was President, Retail Sales Development from 2003 to 2006, President, Retail Sales from 2001 to 2003, and was President, Grocery Product Sales from 1995 to 2001.
Peter M. Perez joined ConAgra Foods in his current position in December 2003. He was Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Pepsi Bottling from 1995 to 2000, Chief Human Resources Officer for Alliant Foodservice (a wholesale food distributor) in 2001, and Senior Vice President Human Resources of W.W. Granger (supplier of facilities maintenance and other products) from 2001 to 2003.
13
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ConAgra Foods common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker symbol: CAG. At the end of fiscal 2006, 511.1 million shares of common stock were outstanding and there were approximately 30,000 shareholders of record.
Quarterly sales price and dividend information is set forth in Note 20 Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) to the consolidated financial statements.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table presents the total number of shares purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the average price paid per share, the number of shares that were purchased as part of a publicly announced repurchase program, and the approximate dollar value of the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the share repurchase program:
Period |
|
|
|
Total Number
|
|
Average
|
|
Total Number of Shares
|
|
Maximum Number (or
|
|
||||||||||
February 27 through March 26, 2006 |
|
|
63,027 |
|
|
|
$ |
21.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
399,900,000 |
|
|
||
March 27 through April 23, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
399,900,000 |
|
|
|||
April 24 through May 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,652,242 |
|
|
|
$ |
202,900,000 |
|
|
|||
Total Fiscal 2006 Fourth Quarter |
|
|
63,027 |
|
|
|
$ |
21.39 |
|
|
|
8,652,242 |
|
|
|
$ |
202,900,000 |
|
|
1 Amounts represent shares delivered to the Company to pay the exercise price under stock options or to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted shares.
2 Pursuant to the share repurchase plan announced on December 4, 2003 of up to $1 billion. The Company has repurchased 30.8 million shares at a cost of $797 million through May 28, 2006. This program has no expiration date.
14
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
1 During fiscal 2003, the Company divested its fresh beef and pork business (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).
2 Amounts exclude the impact of discontinued operations of the former Agricultural Products segment, the chicken business, the feed businesses in Spain, the poultry business in Portugal and the specialty meats foodservice business, the packaged meats and cheese businesses, the seafood business, and the Cooks Ham business.
3 2004 amounts reflect the adoption of FIN 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which resulted in increasing long-term debt by $419 million, increasing other noncurrent liabilities by $25 million, increasing property, plant and equipment by $221 million, increasing other assets by $46 million and decreasing preferred securities of subsidiary company by $175 million.
15
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide a summary of significant factors relevant to the Companys financial performance and condition. The discussion should be read together with the Companys financial statements and related notes in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Results for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be attained in the future.
Executive Overview
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North Americas largest packaged food companies, serving grocery retailers, as well as restaurants and other foodservice establishments. Popular ConAgra Foods consumer brands include: Banquet ® , Chef Boyardee ® , Egg Beaters ® , Healthy Choice ® , Hebrew National ® , Hunts ® , Marie Callenders ® , Orville Redenbachers ® , Reddi-wip ® , PAM ® , and many others.
Fiscal 2006 diluted earnings per share were $1.03, including $1.15 per diluted share of income from continuing operations and a loss of $0.12 per diluted share from discontinued operations. Fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share were $1.23, with continuing operations contributing $1.09 per diluted share, and discontinued operations contributing $0.14 per diluted share. Several items affect the comparability of results of continuing operations, as discussed in Other Significant Items of NoteItems Impacting Comparability, below.
ConAgra Foods is in the process of implementing operational improvement initiatives that are intended to generate profitable sales growth, improve profit margins, and expand returns on capital over time. Various improvement initiatives focused on marketing, operating efficiency, and business processes have been underway for several years. Senior leadership changes during fiscal 2006 resulted in new priorities and increased focus on execution.
The Company currently has the following strategies and action plans:
· Reducing costs throughout the supply chain and the general and administrative functions: These initiatives are focused on cost savings opportunities in procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service as well as general overhead levels. The Company expects to reduce the number of manufacturing plants and number of employees over time as it implements these initiatives to be more efficient.
· Increased and more focused marketing and innovation investments: The Company is allocating its marketing resources differently by concentrating its investment behind the brands with the most significant opportunities and by utilizing more appropriate go-to-market strategies for all brands. The Company also expects to significantly improve its innovation pipeline by significantly reducing innovation cycle time and focusing on larger, more profitable opportunities. These types of actions are expected to improve marketing effectiveness and help improve product mix.
· Sales growth initiatives: The Company also has sales improvement initiatives focused on penetrating the fastest growing channels, better return on customer trade arrangements, and optimal shelf placement for the Companys most profitable products. These, along with the marketing initiatives, are intended to generate profitable sales growth.
· Portfolio changes: The Company is divesting non-core operations that have limited the Companys ability to achieve its efficiency targets. During fiscal 2006, the Company identified several operations as non-core, including Cooks Ham, seafood, packaged meats and cheese; divesting
16
these will simplify the Companys operations and enhance efficiency initiatives. During 2006, the Company completed the divestitures of its Cooks Ham and its seafood operations and expects to complete its divestitures of the packaged meats and cheese businesses in the first half of fiscal 2007.
Changes to the Companys portfolio have been ongoing for several years in an effort to focus on higher-margin, branded and value-added businesses. For example, during fiscal 2005, the Company completed the divestitures of its:
· UAP International business,
· minority equity investment in Swift Foods and cattle feeding assets,
· specialty meats foodservice business, and
· Portuguese poultry business.
These followed other divestitures prior to fiscal 2005, including the Companys chicken business, UAP North America business, Spanish feed business, fresh beef and pork operations, canned seafood operations, and specialty cheese operations.
Discontinued Operations. The results of operations for Cooks Ham, seafood, packaged meats, packaged cheese, and chicken operations, as well as UAP North America, UAP International, the Spanish feed business, Portuguese poultry business, and specialty meats foodservice business, are reflected in discontinued operations for all periods presented. Beginning September 24, 2004, the results of operations of the cattle feeding business are presented in discontinued operations.
Capital Allocation
In fiscal 2006, the Company repaid almost $900 million of debt and repurchased $197 million (approximately 8.7 million shares) of common stock using divestiture proceeds and cash generated from working capital improvements. At the end of fiscal 2006, the Companys debt-to-total-capital ratio was approximately 44%, down from 48% in the prior year (total capital is defined as the sum of notes payable, current installments of long-term debt, senior long-term debt, subordinated debt and common stockholders equity). At May 28, 2006, the Company had approximately $203 million remaining under the existing share repurchase authorization.
During fiscal 2006, the Company reduced its quarterly dividend to $0.18 per share from $0.2725 per share. The Company believes this represents a more sustainable dividend level and gives the Company more flexibility to pursue its growth objectives. The first dividend payment at the new rate was June 1, 2006, which was subsequent to fiscal 2006 year-end. Dividends paid during fiscal 2006 were $565 million, slightly ahead of $550 million paid in fiscal 2005.
The Company continues to assess its allocation of capital and periodically reviews the appropriateness and timing with respect to the continuation of the share repurchase program.
Other Significant Items of NoteItems Impacting Comparability
As the Company implements operating improvement initiatives, it occasionally incurs costs related to changes that are intended to make a more efficient cost structure, for example: reducing headcount and closing facilities. The Company also incurs costs to dispose of businesses, revalue assets, retire debt, resolve legal disputes, and in connection with other items that impact the comparability of operating results.
The Companys plans over the next several years include an estimate of at least $238 million of pretax restructuring costs, $130 million of which were incurred in fiscal 2006. The Company estimates that these
17
restructuring plans will result in cost savings of approximately $85 million in fiscal 2007 and significant cost savings and cost avoidance each year thereafter.
Items of note impacting comparability for fiscal 2006 include:
Reported within Continuing Operations
· a gain of approximately $329 million, $209 million after tax, from the sale of 15.4 million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock in August 2005,
· charges totaling $130 million, $81 million after tax, for restructuring charges related to programs designed to reduce the Companys ongoing operating costs,
· impairment charges totaling $83 million, $51 million after tax, related to a note receivable,
· impairment charges totaling $76 million, $73 million after tax, related to two equity method investments,
· charges totaling $30 million, $19 million after tax, related to early retirement of debt,
· a charge of $19 million, $12 million after tax, related to accelerated recognition of benefits in connection with departure of key executives,
· a charge of $17 million, $11 million after tax, reflecting the adjustment of a litigation reserve,
· a charge of $6 million, $4 million after tax, related to a plant closure in the Companys International Foods segment, and
· a favorable effective tax rate of 34%, versus the Companys expected effective tax rate of 36%, principally resulting from the implementation of state tax planning strategies and changes in estimates of state tax rates, and foreign and other tax credits, partially offset by the absence of income tax benefits for the impairments of equity method investments (noted above).
Reported within Discontinued Operations
· charges of approximately $241 million, $209 million after tax, primarily related to a goodwill impairment charge, and
· gains of approximately $116 million, $37 million after tax, from the divestiture of businesses.
Opportunities and Challenges
The Company believes that its initiatives will favorably impact future sales, profits, profit margins, and returns on capital. Because of the scope of change underway, there is risk that these broad change initiatives will not be successfully implemented. Competitive pressures, input costs and the execution of the operational changes, among other factors, will affect the timing and impact of these initiatives.
The Company has faced increased costs for many of its significant raw materials, packaging, and energy inputs. Inflationary pressures negatively impacted fiscal 2006 results, but to a lesser extent in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004. The Companys productivity and pricing initiatives are intended to mitigate the impact of inflation. When appropriate, the Company uses long-term purchase contracts, futures and options to reduce the volatility of certain raw materials costs.
Changing consumer preferences may impact sales of certain of the Companys products. The Company offers a variety of food products which appeal to a range of consumer preferences and utilizes innovation and marketing programs to develop products that fit with changing consumer trends. As part of these programs, the Company introduces new products and product extensions.
18
Consolidation of many of the Companys customers continues to result in increased buying power, negotiating strength and complex service requirements for those customers. This trend, which is expected to continue, may negatively impact gross margins, particularly in the Consumer Foods segment. In order to effectively respond to this customer consolidation, the Company is continually evaluating its go to market strategies and its customer service costs. The Company is implementing improved trade promotion programs to drive improved return on investment, and pursuing shelf placement and customer service improvement initiatives.
Historically, the Company reported its results of operations in three segments: the Retail Products segment, the Foodservice Products segment, and the Food Ingredients segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, due to changes in its management structure, the Company began reporting its operations in four reporting segments : Consumer Foods, Food and Ingredients, Trading and Merchandising, and International Foods. Fiscal 2005 and 2004 financial information has been conformed to reflect the segment change.
The Consumer Foods reporting segment includes branded, private label and customized food products which are sold in various retail and foodservice channels. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes.
The Food and Ingredients reporting segment includes commercially branded foods and ingredients, which are sold principally to foodservice, food manufacturing and industrial customers. The segments primary products include specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, blends and flavors.
The Trading and Merchandising reporting segment includes the sourcing, merchandising, trading, marketing and distribution of agricultural and energy commodities.
The International Foods reporting segment includes branded food products which are sold in retail channels principally in North America, Europe and Asia. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes.
19
2006 vs. 2005
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
6,600 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,716 |
|
|
|
(2 |
)% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
3,189 |
|
|
|
2,986 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
1,186 |
|
|
|
1,224 |
|
|
|
(3 |
)% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
604 |
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
11,579 |
|
|
|
$ |
11,504 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Overall, Company net sales increased $76 million to $11.6 billion in fiscal 2006, primarily reflecting favorable results in the Food and Ingredients and International Foods segments. Price increases driven by higher input costs for potatoes, wheat milling and dehydrated vegetables within the Food and Ingredients segment, coupled with the strength of foreign currencies within the International Foods segment enhanced net sales. These increases were partially offset by volume declines in the Consumer Foods segment, principally related to certain shelf stable brands and declines in the Trading and Merchandising segment related to decreased volumes and certain divestitures and closures.
Consumer Foods net sales decreased $116 million for the year to $6.6 billion. Sales volume declined by 2% in fiscal 2006, principally due to declines in certain shelf stable brands. Sales of the Companys top thirty brands, which represented approximately 84% of total segment sales during fiscal 2006, were flat as a group, as sales of some of the Companys most significant brands, including Chef Boyardee ® , Marie Callenders ® , Orville Redenbacher ® , Slim Jim ® , Hebrew National ® , Kid Cuisine ® , Reddi-Wip ® , VanCamp ® , Libbys ® , LaChoy ® , The Max ® , Manwich ® , Davids ® , Ro*Tel ® , Angela Mia ® and Mama Rosa ® grew in fiscal 2006, but were largely offset by sales declines for the year for Hunts ® , Wesson ® , Act II ® , Snack Pack ® , Swiss Miss ® , Pam ® , Egg Beaters ® , Blue Bonnet ® , Parkay ® , and Rosarita ® .
Food and Ingredients net sales increased $203 million to $3.2 billion, primarily reflecting price increases driven by higher input costs for potato, wheat milling and dehydrated vegetable operations. Net sales were also impacted, to a lesser degree, by a 4% increase in potato products volume compared to the prior year.
Trading and Merchandising net sales decreased $38 million to $1.2 billion. The decrease resulted principally from lower grain and edible bean merchandising volume resulting from the divestment or closure of various locations.
International Foods net sales increased $26 million to $604 million. The strengthening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar accounted for $24 million of the increase. Overall volume growth was modest as the 10% volume growth from the top six International brands (Orville Redenbacher ® , Act II ® , Snack Pack ® , Chef Boyardee ® , Hunts ® , and Pam ® ), which account for 55% of total segment sales, was offset by sales declines related to the discontinuance of a number of low margin products.
20
Gross
Profit
(Net Sales less Cost of Goods Sold)
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
1,854 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,903 |
|
|
|
(3 |
)% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
258 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
(4 |
)% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
2,810 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,828 |
|
|
|
(1 |
)% |
|
The Companys gross profit for fiscal 2006 was $2.8 billion, a decrease of $18 million, or 1%, from the prior year as improvements in the Foods and Ingredients and International Foods segments were more than offset by declines in the Consumer Foods and Trading and Merchandising segments. Gross profit includes $20 million of costs associated with the Companys restructuring plans in fiscal 2006, and $17 million of costs incurred to implement the Companys operational efficiency initiatives in fiscal 2005.
Consumer Foods gross profit for fiscal 2006 was $1.9 billion, a decrease of $49 million from fiscal 2005, driven principally by a 2% decline in sales volumes. Fiscal 2006 gross profit includes $20 million of costs related to the Companys restructuring plan, and fiscal 2005 gross profit includes $16 million of costs related to implementing the Companys operational efficiency initiatives. Gross profit was negatively impacted by increased costs of fuel and energy, transportation and warehousing, steel and other packaging materials in both fiscal 2006 and 2005.
Food and Ingredients gross profit for fiscal 2006 was $533 million, an increase of $25 million over the prior year. The gross profit improvement was driven almost entirely by the vegetable processing and dehydration businesses (including potatoes, garlic, onions and chili peppers) as a result of higher volume (both domestic and export), increased value-added sales mix and pricing improvements partially offset by higher raw product and conversion costs.
Trading and Merchandising gross profit for fiscal 2006 was $258 million, a decrease of $9 million over the prior year. Gross profit declined $28 million in the trading businesses driven almost entirely by a difficult fertilizer market. Gross profit for the agricultural businesses increased $19 million driven by stronger trading gains in livestock and stronger margins in merchandising grain and animal by-products.
International Foods gross profit for fiscal 2006 was $165 million, an increase of $15 million over the prior fiscal year. The increase was driven by the impact of stronger foreign currencies and improvements in pricing, product mix management and cost reduction initiatives.
Gross Margin
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
28 |
% |
|
|
28 |
% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
22 |
% |
|
||
International Foods |
|
|
27 |
% |
|
|
26 |
% |
|
||
Total Company |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
The Companys gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) for fiscal 2006 was down one percentage point compared to fiscal 2005, which reflects the costs incurred to implement the Companys restructuring plan, coupled with lower volumes and fewer opportunities in the energy markets. These
21
effects were partially offset by a favorable commodity trading environment within the Trading and Merchandising agricultural markets as well as improvements due to pricing and favorable foreign currency impacts within the International Foods segment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (includes General Corporate Expense) (SG&A)
SG&A expenses totaled $1.9 billion for fiscal 2006, an increase of $217 million over the prior fiscal year. Included in SG&A expenses for fiscal 2006 are the following items:
· charges of $109 million related to the Companys restructuring plan,
· charges of $83 million on the Swift & Company note impairment,
· charges of $30 million on the early retirement of debt,
· a charge of $19 million for severance of key executives,
· a charge of $17 million for patent-related litigation expense, and
· a charge of $6 million for the impairment of an international manufacturing facility.
Included in SG&A expenses for fiscal 2005 are the following items:
· a charge of $15 million for an impairment of a facility in the Food and Ingredients segment,
· a charge of $22 million on the early redemption of $600 million of 7.5% senior debt,
· a charge of $21.5 million in connection with matters related to an ongoing SEC investigation,
· a $10 million charge to reflect an impairment of a brand within the Consumer Foods segment,
· a benefit of $17 million for legal settlements in the Consumer Foods segment,
· a fire loss at a Food and Ingredients plant of $10 million, and
· a charge of $43 million for severance expense in connection with the Companys salaried headcount reduction actions.
Higher incentive compensation in fiscal 2006 was partially offset by operating cost efficiencies. Fiscal 2006 included a $6 million benefit from a reduction of estimated severance liabilities for the Companys salaried headcount reduction.
Operating
Profit
(Earnings before general corporate expense,
interest expense, net, gain on the sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common
stock, income taxes, and equity method investment earnings)
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
839 |
|
|
|
$ |
944 |
|
|
|
(11 |
)% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
(14 |
)% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
(1 |
)% |
|
Consumer Foods operating profit decreased $105 million for the fiscal year to $839 million. The decline resulted principally from lower gross profit, as discussed above, as well as $64 million of fiscal 2006 restructuring costs related to reducing SG&A. Costs of implementing the Companys operational efficiency initiatives related to SG&A reduced operating profit by $4 million in fiscal 2005. In addition, the
22
segment recognized $28 million of severance expense during fiscal 2005 and recognized a benefit of $6 million during fiscal 2006 due to reductions of estimated severance liabilities. Fiscal 2006 also reflects additional costs associated with the Companys information technology initiatives, partially offset by lower SG&A costs due to efficiency initiatives previously implemented.
Food and Ingredients operating profit increased $52 million to $358 million in fiscal 2006. Results for fiscal 2006 include $6 million of charges related to an asset impairment, facility exit costs and additional headcount reduction initiatives within the Companys restructuring plan. Exclusive of these items, operating profit improvement was principally driven by the improved gross margins as discussed above. Fiscal 2005 results included a charge of $15 million for a facility closure, a $10 million charge related to a fire at a Canadian production facility and a $4 million charge related to operational efficiency and salaried headcount reduction initiatives.
Trading and Merchandising operating profit decreased $28 million to $169 million in fiscal 2006, resulting from lower gross profit. Fertilizer merchandising profits declined due to difficult market conditions in fiscal 2006, offset in part by better results in merchandising of animal and grain by-products.
International Foods operating profit declined $1 million to $62 million in fiscal 2006, as the increase in gross profit was offset by costs associated with the closure of a production facility and additional advertising and promotion to drive growth within major global brands.
In fiscal 2006, net interest expense was $247 million, a decrease of $48 million, or 16%, over the prior fiscal year. Decreased interest expense reflects the Companys retirement of nearly $900 million of debt during fiscal 2006. Fiscal 2006 also benefited from the redemption of preferred securities of a subsidiary company in the third quarter of 2005, resulting in decreased interest expense of $8 million. These factors were partially offset by a reduced benefit from the interest rate swap agreements terminated in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. These interest rate swap agreements were put in place as a strategy to hedge interest costs associated with long-term debt and were closed out in fiscal 2004 in order to lock-in existing favorable interest rates. For financial statement purposes, the benefit associated with the termination of the interest rate swap agreements continues to be recognized over the term of the debt instruments originally hedged. As a result, the Companys net interest expense was reduced by $12 million during fiscal 2006 and $41 million during fiscal 2005. In addition, during the second quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company recognized approximately $14 million of additional interest expense associated with a previously terminated interest rate swap.
Gain on Sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation Common Stock
During fiscal 2006, the Company sold its remaining 15.4 million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $482 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $329 million. During fiscal 2005, the Company sold ten million shares of the Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $283 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $186 million.
Equity Method Investment Earnings (Loss)
Equity method investment losses of $50 million and $25 million were recognized in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively.
During fiscal 2005, the Company determined that the carrying values of its investments in two unrelated equity method investments were other-than-temporarily impaired and therefore recognized pre-tax impairment charges totaling $71 million ($66 million after tax). During fiscal 2006, the Company determined that the fair value of one of these equity method investments had declined further and
23
recorded additional impairment charges. The Company also determined that the carrying value of a third equity method investment was impaired and recorded an impairment charge to reduce that investment to its estimated fair value. These impairment charges totaled $76 million ($73 million after tax) in fiscal 2006. The extent of the impairments was determined based upon the Companys assessment of the recoverability of its investments based primarily upon the expected proceeds of planned dispositions of the investments.
The Companys share of earnings from the Companys remaining equity method investments, which include potato processing and grain merchandising businesses, declined by approximately $13 million from the comparable amount in fiscal 2005. Equity method investment earnings included income of approximately $7 million in fiscal 2005 from the fresh beef and pork investment which was divested during fiscal 2005.
Results of Discontinued Operations
Loss from discontinued operations was $62 million, net of tax, in fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2005, the Company recognized income from discontinued operations of $76 million, net of tax. Included in these amounts are:
· impairment charges of $241 million recorded in fiscal 2006 to reduce the carrying value of assets held for sale from the Companys discontinued packaged meats business to their estimated fair value less costs to sell,
· a gain on the disposition of the Companys Cook Ham business of $110 million in fiscal 2006,
· pre-tax earnings of $169 million from operations of discontinued businesses in fiscal 2006,
· income tax expense of $106 million in fiscal 2006,
· impairment charges of $59 million recorded in fiscal 2005 to reduce the carrying values of assets held for sale to their estimated fair values less costs to sell,
· net gains on the disposition of discontinued businesses of $26 million in fiscal 2005,
· pre-tax earnings of $147 million from operations of the discontinued business in fiscal 2005, and
· income tax expense of $38 million in fiscal 2005.
The effective tax rate (calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to pre-tax income from continuing operations, inclusive of equity method investment earnings) was 34% for fiscal 2006. In 2006, state income taxes included approximately $26 million of benefits related to the implementation of tax planning strategies and changes in estimates, principally related to deferred state tax rates. This was largely offset by the tax impact of impairments of equity method investments for which the Company does not expect to receive a significant tax benefit.
The effective tax rate was 42% in fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2005, the Company increased its estimate of the effective tax rate for state income taxes, resulting in an overall effective tax rate in excess of the statutory rate. The Company reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to the IRSs examination of the Companys tax returns for fiscal years 2000 through 2002. As a result of the resolution of these matters, the Company reduced income tax expense and the related provision for income taxes payable by $5 million during fiscal 2005.
The Company expects its effective tax rate in fiscal 2007, exclusive of any unusual transactions or tax events, to be approximately 36%.
Net income was $534 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006, compared to $642 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, in fiscal 2005.
24
On June 22, 2001, the Company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000. The filing included restated financial information for fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The restatement, due to accounting and conduct matters at United Agri Products, Inc. (UAP), a former subsidiary, was based upon an investigation undertaken by the company and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. The restatement was principally related to revenue recognition for deferred delivery sales and vendor rebates, advance vendor rebates, and bad debt reserves. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a formal order of nonpublic investigation dated September 28, 2001. The Company is cooperating with the SEC investigation, which relates to the UAP matters described above, as well as other aspects of the Companys financial statements, including the level and application of certain of the Companys reserves.
On April 29, 2005, the Company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004 and amended quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended August 29, 2004 and November 28, 2004. The filings included restated financial information for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004 and the first two quarters of fiscal 2005. The restatement related to tax matters. The Company provided information to the SEC Staff relating to the facts and circumstances surrounding the restatement.
On July 28, 2006, the Company filed an amendment to its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005. The filing amended to Item 6. Selected Financial Data and Exhibit 12, Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges, for fiscal year 2001, and certain restated financial information for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, all related to the application of certain of the Companys reserves for the three years and fiscal year 1999 income tax expense. The Company has provided information to the SEC Staff relating to the facts and circumstances surrounding the amended filing.
The Company is currently conducting discussions with the SEC Staff regarding a possible settlement of these matters. Based on discussions to date, the Company estimates the amount of such settlement and related payments to be approximately $46.5 million. The Company recorded charges of $25 million and $21.5 million in fiscal 2004 and the third quarter of fiscal 2005, respectively, in connection with the expected settlement of these matters. There can be no assurance that the negotiations with the SEC Staff will ultimately be successful or that the SEC will accept the terms of any settlement that is negotiated with the SEC Staff.
Three purported class actions have been consolidated in the United States District Court for Nebraska, Berlien v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV292 filed on June 21, 2005, Calvacca v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV00318 filed on June 30, 2005, and Woods v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV493 filed on July 26, 2005. Each lawsuit is against the company and its former chief executive officer. The lawsuits allege violations of the federal securities laws in connection with the events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. Each complaint seeks a declaration that the action is maintainable as a class action and that the plaintiff is a proper class representative, unspecified compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys fees and any other relief deemed proper by the court. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the actions.
Four derivative actions were filed by shareholder plaintiffs, purportedly on behalf of the Company, three of the actions were filed in the in United States District Court for Nebraska, Case No. 805CV342 and Case No. 805CV343 filed on July 15, 2005, and Case No. 405CV3183 filed on July 26, 2005 and the fourth action was filed on December 12, 2005 in the District Court for Douglas County, Nebraska, Case No. 1056-745. The complaints alleged that the defendants, directors and certain executive officers of the Company during the relevant times, breached fiduciary duties in connection with events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. The actions seek, inter alia, recovery to the Company, which was named as a nominal defendant in the action, of damages
25
allegedly sustained by the Company and for reimbursement and restitution. Additionally, a derivative action was filed by a shareholder plaintiff, purportedly on behalf of the Company, in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in New Castle County on April 18, 2006. The complaint contains allegations of breach of fiduciary duties, waste, unjust enrichment, and false and misleading proxy statements against the defendants, directors of the company at the relevant times and the current and former chief executive officers, in the compensation awarded to the former chief executive officer since 2002. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages alleged to have been sustained by the Company, attorneys fees and any other relief deemed proper by the court. The individuals named as defendants in the action believe the actions are without merit and intend to vigorously defend the allegations.
Three purported class actions were filed in United States District Court for Nebraska, Rantala v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al. Case No. 805CV349, and Bright v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al., Case No. 805CV348 on July 18, 2005 and Boyd v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., et. al., Case No. 805CV386 on August 8, 2005. The lawsuits are against the Company and its directors and its employee benefits committee on behalf of participants in the Companys employee retirement income savings plans. The lawsuits allege violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in connection with the events resulting in the Companys April 2005 restatement of its financial statements and related matters. Each complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, injunctive relief, attorneys fees and other equitable monetary relief. The Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the actions.
2005 vs. 2004
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
Fiscal 2004
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
6,716 |
|
|
|
$ |
6,554 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
2,986 |
|
|
|
2,898 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
1,224 |
|
|
|
907 |
|
|
|
35 |
% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
567 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
11,504 |
|
|
|
$ |
10,926 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Overall Company net sales increased $578 million to $11.5 billion in fiscal 2005, primarily reflecting favorable results in the Trading and Merchandising segment and a 4% increase in the top thirty brands of the Consumer Foods segment. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $214 million of incremental net sales due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Consumer Foods net sales increased $161 million for the year to $6.7 billion. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $120 million of incremental net sales due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations. Sales of the Companys top thirty brands, which represented approximately 84% of total segment sales during fiscal 2005, grew 4% as a group, as sales of some of the Companys most significant brands, including Banquet ® , Chef Boyardee ® , Marie Callenders ® , ACT II ® , Kid Cuisine ® , Libbys ® , Blue Bonnet ® , PAM ® , Parkay ® , Egg Beaters ® , Swiss Miss ® , Snack Pack ® , Hunts ® and Manwich ® , grew in fiscal 2005, despite the additional week included in results for fiscal 2004. Major brands posting sales declines for fiscal 2005 included Healthy Choice ® , Slim Jim ® , Hebrew National ® , and LaChoy ® . Although prior years sales and marketing initiatives positively impacted the Consumer Foods segment net sales for fiscal 2005, manufacturing challenges resulting from installation of new equipment, consolidation of plant locations and transfer of production across plant locations, and temporary disruptions from the implementation of Project Nucleus , the Companys information-based business process initiative, resulted in the disruption of the Companys ability to fill customer orders for certain products, primarily in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.
26
Food and Ingredients net sales increased $88 million to $3.0 billion in fiscal 2005 driven primarily by increased volume for potato and milled wheat products, with comparability impacted by an estimated $55 million of incremental sales in fiscal 2004 due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Trading and Merchandising net sales increased $317 million to $1.2 billion in fiscal 2005. The increase is due largely to higher market prices and increased volume in the fertilizer and grain merchandising operations and the inclusion of sales to United Agri Products, Inc. and Pilgrims Pride Corporation subsequent to the Companys divestitures of UAP North America and the chicken business in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. Stronger energy-related trading results in fiscal 2005 also contributed to the increase. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $28 million of incremental sales due to an additional week of operations.
International Foods net sales increased $11 million to $578 million in fiscal 2005. The improvement was driven by the strengthening of foreign currencies coupled with volume growth and improved pricing. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $11 million of incremental sales due to an additional week of operations and $10 million in sales from a Puerto Rican dairy business sold at the end of fiscal 2004.
Gross
Profit
(Net Sales less Cost of Goods Sold)
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
Fiscal 2004
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
1,903 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,979 |
|
|
|
(4 |
)% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
503 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
174 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
2,828 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,790 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
The Companys gross profit for fiscal 2005 was $2.8 billion, an increase of $38 million from the prior year. Fiscal 2005 gross profits were positively impacted by improved energy-related trading results, volume and margin improvements in the fertilizer merchandising operations and foreign currency hedging. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $52 million of incremental gross profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations. Gross profit was reduced by $17 million and $13 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively, due to costs incurred to implement the Companys operational efficiency initiatives.
Consumer Foods gross profit for fiscal 2005 was $1.9 billion, a decrease of $76 million from fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2005 was impacted negatively by higher production costs related to installation of new equipment, consolidation of plant locations and transfer of production across plant locations. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $37 million of incremental gross profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations. Costs of implementing the Companys operational efficiency initiatives reduced gross profit by $16 million and $11 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Food and Ingredients segment generated gross profit of $508 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of $5 million over the prior fiscal year. Improved gross profit was driven by increased volumes in the Companys potato products operations offset by lower results in the dehydrated vegetable business, which operated in a difficult cost and competitive environment. Fiscal 2004 results included an estimated $9 million of incremental gross profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Trading and Merchandising gross profit for fiscal 2005 was $267 million, an increase of $93 million over the prior fiscal year. The performance improvement was driven by stronger energy-related trading results as well as volume and margin improvements in the fertilizer merchandising operations. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $4 million of incremental gross profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
27
International Foods gross profit for fiscal 2005 was $150 million, an increase of $16 million over the prior fiscal year driven by pricing improvements, currency hedging and volume growth. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $3 million of incremental gross profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Gross Margin
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
Fiscal 2004
|
|
||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
28 |
% |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
19 |
% |
|
||
International Foods |
|
|
26 |
% |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
||
Total Company |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
26 |
% |
|
The Companys gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) for fiscal 2005 decreased one percentage point as compared to fiscal 2004, which reflects the impact of higher input costs and costs associated with the installation of new equipment, consolidation of plant locations and transfer of production across plant locations, combined with the resulting disruption of the Companys ability to fill customer orders for certain higher-margin products in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (includes General Corporate Expense) (SG&A)
SG&A expenses totaled $1.7 billion in each of fiscal 2005 and 2004. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $34 million in SG&A expense for the inclusion of an additional week of operations. Costs of implementing the Companys operational efficiency initiatives increased SG&A expenses by $4 million and $27 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company spent significantly less on advertising and promotion in fiscal 2005 than in the prior year. The Company also incurred lower incentive compensation expense in fiscal 2005 than in the prior year. Included in fiscal 2005 SG&A expenses are:
· a charge of $15 million for an impairment of a facility in the Food and Ingredients segment,
· a charge of $22 million on the early redemption of $600 million of 7.5% senior debt,
· a charge of $21.5 million in connection with matters related to an ongoing SEC investigation,
· a $10 million charge to reflect an impairment of a brand within the Consumer Foods segment,
· a benefit of $17 million for legal settlements in the Consumer Foods segment,
· a fire loss at a Food and Ingredients plant of $10 million, and
· a charge of $43 million for severance expense in connection with the Companys salaried headcount reduction actions.
The results for fiscal 2004 include $25 million of litigation expense related to a former choline chloride joint venture with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. that was sold in 1997, partially offset by a gain of $21 million recognized upon the sale of the Companys cost-method investment in a venture. In fiscal 2004, the Company established reserves of $25 million in connection with matters related to an SEC investigation (see Certain Legal Matters discussion).
Advertising and promotion expense was $321 million in fiscal 2005, below the $368 million spent in the prior year. The decline reflected the Companys implementation of disciplined analyses to evaluate marketing investments as well as overall cost control. The Companys marketing activities also included more than $2 billion spent with customers in the form of trade merchandising and trade promotions in fiscal 2005. Those amounts are reflected as a reduction of net sales in the Companys consolidated statements of earnings.
28
Operating
Profit
(Earnings before general corporate expense,
interest expense, net, gain on the sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common
stock, income taxes, and equity method investment earnings)
Reporting Segment |
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
|
Fiscal 2004
|
|
% Increase/
|
|
||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||
Consumer Foods |
|
|
$ |
944 |
|
|
|
$ |
956 |
|
|
|
(1 |
)% |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
(8 |
)% |
|
||||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
91 |
% |
|
||||
International Foods |
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
24 |
% |
|
Consumer Foods operating profit decreased $12 million for the 2005 fiscal year to $944 million. The decline in operating profit is reflective of reduced gross profit, as discussed above, partially offset by reduced expenditures for advertising and promotion. Costs of implementing the Companys operational efficiency initiatives reduced operating profit by $20 million and $31 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. Fiscal 2005 results reflect a $28 million charge in relation to the Companys salaried headcount reduction, a benefit of $17 million for favorable legal settlements, and a $10 million charge for an impairment of a brand and related assets. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $21 million of incremental operating profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Food and Ingredients operating profit declined $26 million to $306 million in fiscal 2005. The modest gross profit improvement and other operating cost efficiencies in fiscal 2005 were more than offset by the following charges: a $15 million charge for the impairment of a facility, a $10 million charge for a fire loss at a Canadian production facility, and a $4 million charge for operational efficiency and salaried headcount reduction initiatives. Also, fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $9 million of incremental operating profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
Trading and Merchandising operating profit in fiscal 2005 increased $94 million to $197 million, primarily reflecting improved gross profit from energy-related trading results and volume and margin improvements in the fertilizer merchandising operations. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $4 million of incremental operating profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
International Foods operating profit increased $12 million to $63 million in fiscal 2005. The increase in operating profit is reflective of the improved gross profit, as discussed above, partially offset by one-time costs associated with a plant closure. Fiscal 2004 results include an estimated $2 million of incremental operating profit due to the inclusion of an additional week of operations.
In fiscal 2005, net interest expense was $295 million, an increase of $20 million, or 7%, over the prior fiscal year. Increased interest expense reflects a reduced benefit from the interest rate swap agreements terminated in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. These interest rate swap agreements were previously put in place as a strategy to hedge interest costs associated with long-term debt and were closed out in fiscal 2004 in order to lock-in existing favorable interest rates. For financial statement purposes, the benefit associated with the termination of the interest rate swap agreements continues to be recognized over the term of the debt instruments originally hedged. As a result, the Companys net interest expense was reduced by $41 million during fiscal 2005 and $76 million during fiscal 2004. In addition, during the second quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company recognized approximately $14 million of additional interest expense associated with a previously terminated interest rate swap. The Company had previously deferred this amount in accumulated other comprehensive income as the interest rate swap was being used to hedge the interest payments associated with the forecasted issuance of debt. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, the
29
Company determined it was no longer probable such debt would be issued and immediately recognized the entire deferred amount within interest expense. The Company also earned less interest income in fiscal 2005 due to the transaction with Swift Foods in the second quarter of fiscal 2005 in which the Company took control and ownership of the net assets of the cattle feeding business, thereby terminating the line of credit provided by the Company to Swift Foods. These factors were partially offset by the Companys retirement of nearly $1.2 billion of debt during fiscal 2005.
Gain on Sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation Common Stock
During fiscal 2005, the Company sold ten million shares of the Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $283 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $186 million.
Equity Method Investment Earnings (Loss)
Equity method investment earnings (loss) decreased to a $25 million loss in fiscal 2005 as compared to earnings of $44 million in fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2005, the Company determined that the carrying value of its investments in two unrelated joint ventures were other-than-temporarily impaired and, therefore, recognized pre-tax impairment charges totaling $71 million ($66 million after tax). The extent of the impairments was determined based upon the Companys assessment of the recoverability of its investments, including an assessment of the investees ability to sustain earnings which would justify the carrying amount of the investments. In September 2004, the Company sold its minority interest equity investment in Swift Foods. Prior year results include approximately $16 million from the Companys investment in that joint venture. Income from the Companys other equity method investments, which include potato processing and grain merchandising businesses, did not substantially change from their fiscal 2004 amounts.
Results of Discontinued Operations
Earnings from discontinued operations were $76 million, net of tax, in fiscal 2005 and $285 million, net of tax, in fiscal 2004. The year-over-year change primarily resulted from:
· impairment charges of $59 million recorded in fiscal 2005 to reduce the carrying values of assets held for sale to their estimated fair values less costs to sell,
· net gains on the disposition of discontinued businesses of $26 million in fiscal 2005,
· pre-tax earnings of $147 million from operations of the discontinued business in fiscal 2005,
· income tax expense of $38 million in fiscal 2005,
· fiscal 2004 pre-tax impairment charges of $27 million recognized to write-down the long-lived assets of the UAP International and Portuguese poultry operations to net realizable value,
· net pre-tax income of $51 million recognized on the sales of the chicken business, UAP North America and the Spanish feed business in fiscal 2004, and
· profitable operations at the chicken business and UAP North America during the six-month period of fiscal 2004 prior to the divestitures, versus net operating losses incurred at the UAP International, cattle feeding and specialty meats businesses in fiscal 2005.
The Companys UAP North America and UAP International operations had a fiscal year-end of February, while the Companys consolidated year-end is May. Historically, the results of UAP North America and UAP International have been reflected in the Companys consolidated results on a three-month lag (e.g., UAPs results for December through February are included in the Companys consolidated results for the period March through May). Due to the disposition of UAP North America in
30
November 2003, a $24 million net-of-tax loss, representing the results for the three months ending November 2003, was recorded directly to retained earnings. If this business had not been divested, this net-of-tax loss would have been recognized in the Companys fiscal 2004 consolidated statement of earnings. Due to the disposition of UAP International in April 2005, $2 million net-of-tax income, representing the results for the three months ending April 2005, was recorded directly to retained earnings. If this business had not been divested, this net-of-tax income would have been recognized in the Companys fiscal 2005 and 2006 consolidated statements of earnings.
The effective tax rate (calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to pre-tax income from continuing operations, inclusive of equity method investment earnings) was 42% for fiscal 2005 and 37% in fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2005, the Company increased its estimate of the effective tax rate for state income taxes, resulting in an overall effective tax rate in excess of the statutory rate. The Company reached an agreement with the IRS with respect to the IRSs examination of the Companys tax returns for fiscal years 2000 through 2002. As a result of the resolution of these matters, the Company reduced income tax expense and the related provision for income taxes payable by $5 million during fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2004, the Company reached an agreement with the IRS with respect to the IRSs examination of the Companys tax returns for fiscal years 1996 through 1999. As a result of the resolution of these matters, the Company reduced income tax expense by $27 million in fiscal 2004. This was partially offset by the net tax impact related to the divestiture of certain foreign entities which increased income tax expense by approximately $21 million during fiscal 2004.
Net income was $642 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, in fiscal 2005, compared to $811 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, in fiscal 2004.
LIQUDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources of Liquidity and Capital
The Companys primary financing objective is to maintain a prudent capital structure while providing the flexibility to pursue its growth objectives. The Company currently uses short-term debt principally to finance ongoing operations, including its seasonal trade working capital (accounts receivable plus inventory, less accounts payable, accrued expenses and advances on sales) needs and a combination of equity and long-term debt to finance both its base trade working capital needs and its noncurrent assets.
Commercial paper borrowings (usually less than 30 days maturity) are reflected in the Companys consolidated balance sheets within notes payable.
At May 28, 2006, the Company had credit lines from banks that totaled approximately $2.2 billion. These lines are comprised of a $1.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions entered into in December 2005 and short-term facilities approximating $682 million. This new five-year credit facility replaced the Companys $1.05 billion revolving credit facility, which was terminated upon the closing of the new facility. The new five-year facility contains provisions substantially identical to those in the facility it replaced. The terms of the new five-year facility provide that the Company may request that the commitments available under the facility be extended for additional one-year periods on an annual basis. Borrowings under the new five-year facility bear interest at or below prime rate and may be prepaid without penalty. These rates are approximately .30 to .35 percentage points higher than the interest rates for commercial paper. The Company has not drawn upon the new five-year facility. As of May 28, 2006, the Company had $10 million drawn under the short-term loan facilities. The long and short-term facilities require the Company to repay borrowings if the Companys consolidated funded debt exceeds 65% of the consolidated capital base, as defined, or if fixed charges coverage, as defined, is less than 1.75 to 1.0, as such terms are defined in applicable agreements. As of the end of fiscal 2006, the
31
Companys consolidated funded debt was approximately 39% of its consolidated capital base and the fixed charges ratio was approximately 3.8 to 1.0.
The Company finances its short-term liquidity needs with bank borrowings, commercial paper borrowings and bankers acceptances. The average consolidated short-term borrowings outstanding under these facilities were $14 million and $119 million for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively. The highest period-end, short-term indebtedness during fiscal 2006 and 2005 was $73 million and $271 million, respectively.
The Companys overall level of interest-bearing debt totaled $3.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2006, compared to $4.5 billion as of the end of fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2006, the Company redeemed $500.0 million of 6% senior debt due in September 2006 and $250 million of 7.875% senior debt due in September 2010. In addition to these early retirements of debt, the Company made scheduled principal payments of debt and payments of lease financing obligations during fiscal 2006, reducing long-term debt by $149.0 million.
As of the end of both fiscal 2006 and 2005, the Companys senior long-term debt ratings were all investment grade ratings. A significant downgrade in the Companys credit ratings would not affect the Companys ability to borrow amounts under the revolving credit facilities, although borrowing costs would increase. A ratings downgrade would also impact the Companys ability to borrow under its commercial paper program by causing increased borrowing costs and shorter durations and could result in possible access limitations.
The Company also has a shelf registration under which it could issue from time to time up to $4 billion in debt securities.
In March 2006, the Company completed the divestitures of its Cooks Ham and its seafood businesses for cash proceeds of approximately $442 million. Subsequent to year end, the Company has entered into further negotiations with various potential purchasers of the packaged meats business. The Company has also entered into a formal agreement, subject to certain conditions, for the sale of the Companys packaged cheese business. Based on the most current negotiations, the Company expects to receive proceeds for these businesses with a value in the range of $650 million to $700 million. The Company expects to close these transactions during the first half of fiscal 2007.
The Company held, at May 28, 2006, subordinated notes in the original principal amount of $150 million plus accrued interest of $50.4 million from Swift Foods. Subsequent to year end, the Company reached an agreement to sell these notes for approximately $117.5 million, net of transaction expenses. The Company had recognized interest income of approximately $15 million from these notes in fiscal 2006.
Cash Flows
In fiscal 2006, the Company generated $124 million of cash, which was the net result of $1.1 billion generated from operating activities, $697 million generated from investing activities and $1.6 billion used in financing activities.
Cash generated from operating activities of continuing operations totaled $921 million for fiscal 2006 as compared to $794 million generated in fiscal 2005. The increased cash flow was primarily due to a decrease in working capital in fiscal 2006, partially offset by lower operating profits from the Companys continuing operations. Cash generated from operating activities of discontinued operations was approximately $147 million in fiscal 2006, as compared to $320 million in fiscal 2005. The decreased cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations primarily reflect the liquidation of the discontinued cattle feeding business in fiscal 2005. Cash flow from operating activities is one of the Companys primary sources of liquidity.
32
Cash generated from investing activities totaled $697 million for fiscal 2006, versus cash generated from investing activities of $296 million in fiscal 2005. Investing activities for fiscal 2006 include proceeds from the sale of the 15.4 million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $482 million, proceeds from the sale of the Companys Cooks Ham and seafood businesses for approximately $442 million, offset by capital expenditures of continuing operations of $263 million. Investing activities for fiscal 2005 include proceeds from the sale of ten million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $282 million, proceeds of $194 million from the sale of the Companys remaining interest in Swift Foods, and proceeds from other asset divestitures, offset by capital expenditures of continuing operations of $382 million.
Cash used in financing activities totaled $1.6 billion in fiscal 2006, as compared to cash used of $1.8 billion in fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2006, the Company redeemed $500 million of 6% senior debt due in September 2006 and $250 million of 7.875% senior debt due in September 2010. In addition to these early retirements of debt, the Company made scheduled principal payments of debt and payments of lease financing obligations during fiscal 2006, reducing long-term debt by $149 million. The Company also paid dividends of $565 million and repurchased $197 million of its common stock as part of its share repurchase program. During fiscal 2005, the Company retired $600 million of 7.5% senior debt and $175 million of preferred securities of a subsidiary company in advance of their respective dates of maturity. The Company also made scheduled payments of maturing long-term debt of $385 million. During fiscal 2005, the Company paid dividends of $550 million and repurchased shares of its outstanding common stock for $181 million.
The Company estimates its capital expenditures in fiscal 2007 will be approximately $450 million. Management believes that existing cash balances, cash flows from operations, divestiture proceeds, existing credit facilities, and access to capital markets will provide sufficient liquidity to meet its working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, additional share repurchases, and payment of anticipated quarterly dividends.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company uses off-balance sheet arrangements (e.g., operating leases) where the economics and sound business principles warrant their use. The Company periodically enters into guarantees and other similar arrangements as part of transactions in the ordinary course of business. These are described further in Obligations and Commitments below.
During fiscal 2005, the Company terminated its accounts receivable securitization program. As of the end of fiscal 2005, the Company did not have any outstanding accounts receivable sold.
As a result of adopting FIN 46R Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities , the Company has consolidated the assets and liabilities of several entities from which it leases property, plant and equipment. Certain of the entities from which the Company leases various buildings are partnerships (the partnerships), the beneficial owners of which are Opus Corporation or its affiliates. A member of the Companys board of directors is a beneficial owner, officer and director of Opus Corporation. Financing costs related to these leases were previously included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Effective with the adoption of FIN 46R, these financing costs are included in interest expense, net. As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has also consolidated the assets and liabilities of several entities from which it leases corporate aircraft. Due to the adoption of FIN 46R, the Company reflects in its balance sheet as of May 28, 2006: property, plant and equipment of $183 million, long-term debt of $192 million (including current maturities of $8 million), other assets of $12 million, and other noncurrent liabilities of $6 million. The Company has no other material obligations arising out of variable interests with unconsolidated entities.
33
As part of its ongoing operations, the Company enters into arrangements that obligate the Company to make future payments under contracts such as debt agreements, lease agreements, and unconditional purchase obligations (i.e., obligations to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices, such as take-or-pay contracts). The unconditional purchase obligation arrangements are entered into by the Company in its normal course of business in order to ensure adequate levels of sourced product are available to the Company. Capital lease and debt obligations, which total $3.6 billion at May 28, 2006, are currently recognized as liabilities in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. Operating lease obligations and unconditional purchase obligations, which total $832 million at May 28, 2006, are not recognized as liabilities in the Companys consolidated balance sheet, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
A summary of the Companys contractual obligations at the end of fiscal 2006 is as follows (including obligations of discontinued operations):
|
|
Payments Due by Period |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations |
|
|
|
Total |
|
Less than
|
|
2-3 Years |
|
4-5 Years |
|
After 5 Years |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt |
|
$ |
3,626.0 |
|
|
$ |
421.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
39.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
550.3 |
|
|
$ |
2,615.2 |
|
||
Lease Obligations |
|
680.4 |
|
|
103.6 |
|
|
|
189.8 |
|
|
|
114.2 |
|
|
272.8 |
|
|||||||
Purchase Obligations |
|
151.3 |
|
|
41.4 |
|
|
|
53.2 |
|
|
|
38.4 |
|
|
18.3 |
|
|||||||
Total |
|
$ |
4,457.7 |
|
|
$ |
566.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
282.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
702.9 |
|
|
$ |
2,906.3 |
|
||
The Companys total obligations of approximately $4.5 billion reflect a decrease of approximately $1.1 billion from the Companys 2005 fiscal year-end. The decrease was primarily a result of the repayment of certain long-term debt during fiscal 2006.
The Company is also contractually obligated to pay interest on its long-term debt obligations. The weighted average interest rate of the long-term debt obligations outstanding as of May 28, 2006 was approximately 7.5%.
Included in current installments of long-term debt (payments due in less than one year) is $400 million of 7.125% senior debt maturing October 2026 due to the existence of a put option that is exercisable by the holders of the debt from August 1, 2006 to September 1, 2006. Based on current market conditions, the Company does not expect the holders to exercise the put option, and therefore expects to reclassify the $400 million balance to senior long-term debt (payments due after 5 years) in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, once the put option has expired.
As part of its ongoing operations, the Company also enters into arrangements that obligate the Company to make future cash payments only upon the occurrence of a future event (e.g., guarantee debt or lease payments of a third party should the third party be unable to perform). In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the following commercial commitments are not recognized as liabilities in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. A summary of the Companys commitments, including commitments associated with equity method investments, as of the end of fiscal 2006, is as follows (including commitments of discontinued operations):
|
|
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Commercial Commitments |
|
|
|
Total |
|
Less than
|
|
2-3 Years |
|
4-5 Years |
|
After 5 Years |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Guarantees |
|
$ |
48.0 |
|
|
$ |
7.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
19.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.5 |
|
|
||
Other Commitments |
|
1.5 |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
|
$ |
49.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
19.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.5 |
|
|
||
34
The Companys total commitments of approximately $50 million include approximately $33 million in guarantees and other commitments the Company has made on behalf of the Companys divested fresh beef and pork business.
As part of the fresh beef and pork transaction, the Company has guaranteed the performance of the divested fresh beef and pork business with respect to a hog purchase contract. The hog purchase contract requires the divested fresh beef and pork business to purchase a minimum of approximately 1.2 million hogs annually through 2014. The contract stipulates minimum price commitments, based in part on market prices, and in certain circumstances also includes price adjustments based on certain inputs.
The Company accounts for certain contracts (e.g., physical commodity purchase/sale contracts and derivative contracts) at fair value. The Company considers a portion of these contracts to be its trading activities; specifically, those contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , and its related amendment, SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities (collectively SFAS No. 133). The following table represents the fair value and scheduled maturity dates of contracts outstanding as of May 28, 2006:
Fair Value of Contracts as of May 28, 2006
|
|
Gross Asset |
|
Gross Liability |
|
Net Asset |
|
Total
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source of Fair Value |
|
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prices actively quoted (i.e., exchange-traded contracts) |
|
$ |
1,102.8 |
|
|
$ |
38.1 |
|
|
$ |
(1,066.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(18.4 |
) |
|
|
$ |
36.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
19.7 |
|
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
||||
Prices provided by other external sources (i.e., non-exchange-traded contracts) |
|
88.2 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
(60.8 |
) |
|
(3.4 |
) |
|
|
27.4 |
|
|
|
(3.1 |
) |
|
24.3 |
|
||||||||||||
Prices based on other valuation models (i.e., non-exchange-traded contracts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Total fair value |
|
$ |
1,191.0 |
|
|
$ |
38.4 |
|
|
$ |
(1,127.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(21.8 |
) |
|
|
$ |
63.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
16.6 |
|
|
$ |
80.0 |
|
|
||||
In order to minimize the risk of loss associated with non-exchange-traded transactions with counterparties, the Company utilizes established credit limits and performs ongoing counterparty credit evaluations.
The above tables exclude commodity-based contracts entered into in the normal course of business, including physical contracts to buy or sell commodities at agreed-upon fixed prices, as well as derivative contracts (e.g., futures and options) used primarily to hedge an existing asset or liability (e.g., inventory) or an anticipated transaction (e.g., purchase of inventory). The use of such contracts is not considered by the Company to be trading activities as these contracts are considered either normal purchase and sale contracts or hedging contracts. The asset and liability amounts in this table reflect gross positions and are not reduced for offsetting positions with a counterparty when a legal right of offset exists.
The process of preparing financial statements requires the use of estimates on the part of management. The estimates used by management are based on the Companys historical experiences combined with managements understanding of current facts and circumstances. Certain of the Companys
35
accounting estimates are considered critical as they are both important to the portrayal of the Companys financial condition and results and require significant or complex judgment on the part of management. The following is a summary of certain accounting estimates considered critical by management of the Company.
The Companys Audit Committee has reviewed managements development, selection and disclosure of the critical accounting estimates.
Marketing Costs The Company incurs certain costs to promote its products through marketing programs which include advertising, retailer incentives and consumer incentives. The Company expenses each of these types of marketing costs in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting literature. The judgment required in determining when marketing costs are incurred can be significant. For volume-based incentives provided to retailers, management must continually assess the likelihood of the retailer achieving the specified targets. Similarly, for consumer coupons, management must estimate the level at which coupons will be redeemed by consumers in the future. Estimates made by management in accounting for marketing costs are based primarily on the Companys historical experience with marketing programs with consideration given to current circumstances and industry trends. As these factors change, managements estimates could change and the Company could recognize different amounts of marketing costs over different periods of time.
Advertising and promotion expenses of continuing operations totaled $337 million, $321 million, and $368 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Historically, the Company has entered into over 150,000 individual marketing programs resulting in annual costs in excess of $2 billion, which are reflected as a reduction of net sales. Changes in the assumptions used in estimating the cost of any of the individual marketing programs would not result in a material change in the Companys results of operations or cash flows.
Income Taxes The Company recognizes current tax liabilities and assets based on an estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current year for each of the jurisdictions in which the Company transacts business. As part of the determination of its current tax liability, management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating positions taken by the Company in its tax returns. The Company has established reserves for probable tax exposures. These reserves, included in current tax liabilities, represent the Companys estimate of amounts expected to be paid, which the Company adjusts over time as more information becomes available.
The Company also recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences (e.g., the difference in book basis versus tax basis of fixed assets resulting from differing depreciation methods). If appropriate, the Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be ultimately realized, based on the Companys assessment of estimated future taxable income, including the consideration of available tax planning strategies.
The calculation of current and deferred tax assets (including valuation allowances) and liabilities requires management to apply significant judgment related to the application of complex tax laws, changes in tax laws or related interpretations, uncertainties related to the outcomes of tax audits and changes in the Companys operations or other facts and circumstances. Further, management must continually monitor changes in these factors. Changes in such factors may result in changes to management estimates and could require the Company to adjust its tax assets and liabilities and record additional income tax expense or benefits.
Environmental Liabilities Environmental liabilities are accrued when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the associated amounts can be reasonably estimated. Management works with independent third-party specialists in order to effectively assess the Companys environmental liabilities.
36
Management estimates the Companys environmental liabilities based on evaluation of investigatory studies, extent of required cleanup, the known volumetric contribution of the Company and other potentially responsible parties and its experience in remediating sites. Environmental liability estimates may be affected by changing governmental or other external determinations of what constitutes an environmental liability or an acceptable level of cleanup. Managements estimate as to its potential liability is independent of any potential recovery of insurance proceeds or indemnification arrangements. Insurance companies and other indemnitors are notified of any potential claims and periodically updated as to the general status of known claims. The Company does not discount its environmental liabilities as the timing of the anticipated cash payments is not fixed or readily determinable. To the extent that there are changes in the evaluation factors identified above, managements estimate of environmental liabilities may also change.
The Company has recognized a reserve of approximately $107 million for environmental liabilities as of May 28, 2006. Historically, the underlying assumptions utilized by the Company in estimating this reserve have been appropriate as actual payments have neither differed materially from the previously estimated reserve balances, nor have significant adjustments to this reserve balance been necessary. The reserve for each site is determined based on an assessment of the most likely required remedy and a related estimate of the costs required to affect such remedy.
Employment-Related Benefits The Company incurs certain employment-related expenses associated with pensions, postretirement health care benefits and workers compensation. In order to measure the expense associated with these employment-related benefits, management must make a variety of estimates including discount rates used to measure the present value of certain liabilities, assumed rates of return on assets set aside to fund these expenses, compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, anticipated health care costs and employee accidents incurred but not yet reported to the Company. The estimates used by management are based on the Companys historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses third-party specialists to assist management in appropriately measuring the expense associated with these employment-related benefits. Different estimates used by management could result in the Company recognizing different amounts of expense over different periods of time.
The Company recognized pension expense of $96 million, $71 million and $76 million in fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which reflected expected returns on plan assets of $130 million, $131 million and $127 million, respectively. The Company contributed $36 million, $9 million and $66 million to the Companys pension plans in fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company anticipates contributing approximately $70 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2007.
One significant assumption for pension plan accounting is the discount rate. The Company selects a discount rate each year (as of its February 28 measurement date) for its plans based upon a hypothetical bond portfolio for which the cash flows from coupons and maturities match the year-by-year, projected benefit cash flows for the Companys pension plans. The hypothetical bond portfolio is comprised of high-quality fixed income debt instruments (usually Moodys Aa) available at the measurement date. Based on this information, the discount rates selected by the Company for determination of pension expense for fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004 were 5.75%, 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. The Company selected a discount rate of 5.75% for determination of pension expense for fiscal 2007. A 25 basis point increase in the Companys discount rate assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2006 would decrease pension expense for the Companys pension plans by $8.8 million for the year. A 25 basis point decrease in the Companys discount rate assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2006 would increase pension expense for the Companys pension plans by $9.3 million for the year. A 25 basis point increase in the discount rate would decrease pension expense by approximately $9.2 million for fiscal 2007. A 25 basis point decrease in the discount rate would increase pension expense by approximately $9.7 million for fiscal 2007. For its year-end pension obligation determination, the Company selected 5.75% for fiscal year 2006 and 2005.
37
Another significant assumption used to account for the Companys pension plans is the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. In developing the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for determining pension expense, the Company considers long-term historical returns (arithmetic average) of the plans investments, the asset allocation among types of investments, estimated long-term returns by investment type from external sources, and the current economic environment. Based on this information, the Company selected 7.75% for the long-term rate of return on plan assets for determining its fiscal 2006 pension expense. A 25 basis point increase/decrease in the Companys expected long-term rate of return assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2006 would decrease/increase annual pension expense for the Companys pension plans by approximately $4.2 million. The Company selected an expected rate of return on plan assets of 7.75% to be used to determine its pension expense for fiscal 2007.
When calculating expected return on plan assets for pension plans, the Company uses a market-related value of assets that spreads asset gains and losses (differences between actual return and expected return) over five years. As of May 28, 2006, the amount of unrecognized losses in Company pension plans was $182 million. The amount of net unrecognized losses will change each year as the actual return on plan assets varies from the expected rate of return and as other factors vary from actuarial assumptions used to estimate the expense. Assuming no further unrecognized gains or losses in future periods, these losses would be recognized in future years resulting in an increase in pension expense of $18 million in fiscal 2007.
The rate of compensation increase is another significant assumption used in the development of accounting information for pension plans. The Company determines this assumption based on its long-term plans for compensation increases and current economic conditions. Based on this information, the Company selected 4.25% for fiscal year 2006 and 2005 as the rate of compensation increase for determining its year-end pension obligation. The Company selected 4.25%, 4.5% and 4.5% for the rate of compensation increase for determination of pension expense for fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. A 25 basis point increase in the Companys rate of compensation increase assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2006 would increase pension expense for the Companys pension plans by approximately $2.1 million for the year. A 25 basis point decrease in the Companys rate of compensation increase assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2006 would decrease pension expense for the Companys pension plans by approximately $2.1 million for the year. The Company selected a rate of 4.25% for the rate of compensation increase to be used to determine its pension expense for fiscal 2007.
The Company also provides certain postretirement health care benefits. The Company recognized postretirement benefit expense of $18 million, $27 million, and $34 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The Company reflects liabilities of $340 million and $369 million in its balance sheets as of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, respectively. The postretirement benefit expense and obligation are also dependent on the Companys assumptions used for the actuarially determined amounts. These assumptions include discount rates (discussed above), health care cost trend rates, inflation rates, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. The health care cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Assumed inflation rates are based on an evaluation of external market indicators. Retirement and mortality rates are based primarily on actual plan experience. The discount rate selected by the Company for determination of postretirement expense for fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004 was 5.5%, 6.0% and 6.5%, respectively. The Company has selected a discount rate of 5.5% for determination of postretirement expense for fiscal 2007. A 25 basis point increase/decrease in the Companys discount rate assumption as of the beginning of fiscal 2007 would decrease/increase postretirement expense for the Companys plans by $0.7 million. The Company has assumed the initial year increase in cost of health care to be 9.5%, with the trend rate
38
decreasing to 5.0% by 2012. A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effect:
|
|
One Percent
|
|
One Percent
|
|
||||||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||||||
Effect on total service and interest cost |
|
|
$ |
2.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
(1.9 |
) |
|
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation |
|
|
32.0 |
|
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
|
The Company provides workers compensation benefits to its employees. The measurement of the liability for the Companys cost of providing these benefits is largely based upon actuarial analysis of costs. One significant assumption made by the Company is the discount rate used to calculate the present value of its obligation. The discount rate used at May 28, 2006 was 5.0%. A 25 basis point increase/decrease in the discount rate assumption would not have a material impact on workers compensation expense.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (including property, plant and equipment), Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets The Company reduces the carrying amounts of long-lived assets, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets to their fair values when the fair value of such assets is determined to be less than their carrying amounts (i.e., assets are deemed to be impaired). Fair value is typically estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the particular asset(s) being tested for impairment as well as to select a discount rate to measure the present value of the anticipated cash flows. When determining future cash flow estimates, the Company considers historical results adjusted to reflect current and anticipated operating conditions. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment by the Company in such areas as future economic conditions, industry-specific conditions, product pricing and necessary capital expenditures. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different impairment amounts (or none at all) for long-lived assets, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.
The Company utilizes a relief from royalty methodology in evaluating impairment of its brands/trademarks. The methodology determines the fair value of each brand through use of a discounted cash flow model that incorporates an estimated royalty rate the Company would be able to charge a third party for the use of the particular brand. As the calculated fair value of the Companys goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets significantly exceeds the carrying amount of these assets, a one percentage point increase in the discount rate assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the Companys goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets would not result in a material impairment charge.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS No. 123R), Share-Based Payment . SFAS No. 123R will require the Company to measure the cost of all employee stock-based compensation awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards and to record that cost as compensation expense over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award (generally over the vesting period of the award). Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will have an impact on the Companys results of operations, although it will have no impact on the Companys overall financial position. SFAS No. 123R is effective beginning in the Companys first quarter of fiscal 2007. Management is in the process of implementing the provisions of this statement and estimates that the adoption will reduce diluted earnings per share by $0.02 to $0.04 in fiscal 2007.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 . SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Inventory Pricing , for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage), requiring that those items be recognized as current-period expenses. This statement also requires that allocation of fixed production
39
overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The statement is effective for inventory costs incurred beginning in the Companys fiscal 2007. Management does not expect this statement to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections , which changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. Previously, most voluntary changes in accounting principles required recognition via a cumulative effect adjustment within net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005; however, SFAS No. 154 does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Income Tax Uncertainties , which defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax-return positions in the financial statements as more-likely-than-not to be sustained by the taxing authority. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, the Companys fiscal 2008. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this interpretation will have on the Companys results of operations.
The Company enters into many lease agreements for land, buildings and equipment at competitive market rates, and some of the lease arrangements are with Opus Corporation or its affiliates. A director of the Company is a beneficial owner, officer and director of Opus Corporation. The agreements relate to the leasing of land, buildings and equipment for the Company in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company occupies the buildings pursuant to long term leases with Opus Corporation and other investors, which leases contain various termination rights and purchase options. Leases commencing in 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001 and 2002 required annual lease payments by the Company of $15.8 million for fiscal year 2006. As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated certain of the Opus affiliates from which it leases property, plant and equipment. These leases were previously accounted for as operating leases. The Company has entered into construction contracts with Opus Corporation or its affiliates, which relate to the construction of improvements to various properties occupied by the Company; payments made by the Company to Opus Corporation or its affiliates with respect to these agreements totaled $1.6 million for fiscal 2006 and $52.9 million for fiscal 2005. The Company purchases property management services from Opus Corporation; payments made by the Company to Opus Corporation or its affiliates for these services totaled $1.4 million for fiscal year 2006. Opus Corporation had revenues in excess of $1.25 billion in 2005.
Sales to affiliates (equity method investees) of $2.6 million, $1.7 million, and $2.2 million for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively are included in net sales. The Company received management fees from affiliates of $13.5 million in fiscal 2006 and $14.1 million in both fiscal 2005 and 2004. Accounts receivable from affiliates of $5.5 million and $7.1 million are included in receivables at May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, respectively.
This report, including Managements Discussion & Analysis, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on managements current views and assumptions of future events and financial performance and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Readers of this report should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect the Companys actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking
40
statements, including those set forth in Item 1A of this report. These factors include, among other things, future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results, availability and prices of raw materials, product pricing, competitive environment and related market conditions, operating efficiencies, access to capital, actions of governments and regulatory factors affecting the Companys businesses and other risks described in the Companys reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this report which speak only as of the date of this report.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The principal market risks affecting the Company are exposures to price fluctuations of commodity and energy inputs, interest rates and foreign currencies. These fluctuations impact raw material costs of all reporting segments, as well as the Companys trading activities.
Commodities The Company purchases commodity inputs such as wheat, corn, oats, soybean meal, soybean oil, meat, dairy products, sugar, energy, and packaging materials to be used in its operations. These commodities are subject to price fluctuations that may create gross margin risk. The Company enters into commodity hedges to manage this price risk using physical forward contracts or derivative instruments. The Company has policies governing the hedging instruments its businesses may use. These policies include limiting the dollar risk exposure for each of its businesses. The Company also monitors the amount of associated counter-party credit risk for all non-exchange-traded transactions. In addition, the Company purchases and sells certain commodities, such as wheat, corn, soybeans, soybean meal, soybean oil, oats and energy, in its Trading and Merchandising segment. The Companys trading activities are limited in terms of maximum dollar exposure, as measured by a dollar-at-risk methodology and monitored to ensure compliance.
41
The following table presents one measure of market risk exposure using sensitivity analysis. Sensitivity analysis is the measurement of potential loss of fair value resulting from a hypothetical change of 10% in market prices. Actual changes in market prices may differ from hypothetical changes. In practice, as markets move, the Company actively manages its risk and adjusts hedging strategies as appropriate. Fair value was determined using quoted market prices and was based on the Companys net derivative position by commodity at each quarter-end during the fiscal year. The market risk exposure analysis excludes the underlying commodity positions that are being hedged. The commodities hedged have a high inverse correlation to price changes of the derivative commodity instrument.
Effect of 10% change in market prices (based upon positions at the end of each fiscal quarter):
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||
Processing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Grains |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
$ |
11.7 |
|
$ |
16.3 |
|
Low |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
||
Average |
|
6.1 |
|
12.3 |
|
||
Meats |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
0.6 |
|
22.8 |
|
||
Low |
|
0.3 |
|
0.3 |
|
||
Average |
|
0.5 |
|
7.2 |
|
||
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
42.8 |
|
32.3 |
|
||
Low |
|
1.5 |
|
18.6 |
|
||
Average |
|
18.1 |
|
24.8 |
|
||
Packaging |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
||
Low |
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
||
Average |
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
||
Trading Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Grains |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
45.4 |
|
22.6 |
|
||
Low |
|
15.0 |
|
14.8 |
|
||
Average |
|
28.1 |
|
17.5 |
|
||
Meats |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
6.0 |
|
16.3 |
|
||
Low |
|
- |
|
0.9 |
|
||
Average |
|
3.8 |
|
5.4 |
|
||
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
16.5 |
|
9.0 |
|
||
Low |
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
||
Average |
|
8.0 |
|
2.6 |
|
||
Interest Rates The Company may use interest rate swaps to manage the effect of interest rate changes on its existing debt as well as the anticipated issuance of debt. At the end of fiscal 2006 and 2005, the Company did not have any interest rate swap agreements outstanding, as all of the Companys interest rate swap agreements were terminated in the second quarter of fiscal 2004.
As of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, the fair value of the Companys fixed rate debt was estimated at $3.8 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, based on current market rates primarily provided by outside
42
investment advisors. As of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would decrease the fair value of the Companys fixed rate debt by approximately $257 million and $344 million, respectively, while a one percentage point decrease in interest rates would increase the fair value of the Companys fixed rate debt by approximately $293 million and $394 million, respectively. With respect to floating rate debt, a one percentage point change in interest rates would not have a material impact on the Companys reported interest expense.
Foreign Operations In order to reduce exposures related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company may enter into forward exchange or option contracts for transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency for certain of its processing and trading operations. This activity primarily relates to hedging against foreign currency risk in purchasing inventory, capital equipment, sales of finished goods and future settlement of foreign denominated assets and liabilities.
The following table presents one measure of market risk exposure using sensitivity analysis for the Companys processing and trading operations. Sensitivity analysis is the measurement of potential loss of fair value resulting from a hypothetical change of 10% in exchange rates. Actual changes in exchange rates may differ from hypothetical changes. Fair value was determined using quoted exchange rates and was based on the Companys net foreign currency position at each quarter-end during the fiscal year. The market risk exposure analysis excludes the underlying foreign denominated transactions that are being hedged. The currencies hedged have a high inverse correlation to exchange rate changes of the foreign currency derivative instrument.
Effect of 10% change in exchange rates:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
|
|
($ in millions) |
|
||||
Processing Businesses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
$ |
18.0 |
|
$ |
24.3 |
|
Low |
|
12.9 |
|
16.8 |
|
||
Average |
|
16.7 |
|
20.1 |
|
||
Trading Businesses |
|
|
|
|
|
||
High |
|
0.6 |
|
0.4 |
|
||
Low |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Average |
|
0.2 |
|
0.2 |
|
||
43
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
|
|
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MAY |
|
|||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net sales |
|
$ |
11,579.4 |
|
$ |
11,503.7 |
|
$ |
10,926.3 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cost of goods sold |
|
8,769.2 |
|
8,675.3 |
|
8,136.6 |
|
|||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
1,937.6 |
|
1,720.7 |
|
1,699.8 |
|
|||
Interest expense, net |
|
246.6 |
|
295.0 |
|
274.9 |
|
|||
Gain on sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock |
|
329.4 |
|
185.7 |
|
|
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, equity method investment earnings (loss) and cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
955.4 |
|
998.4 |
|
815.0 |
|
|||
Income tax expense |
|
309.7 |
|
408.0 |
|
319.3 |
|
|||
Equity method investment earnings (loss) |
|
(49.6 |
) |
(24.9 |
) |
43.5 |
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
596.1 |
|
565.5 |
|
539.2 |
|
|||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
|
(62.3 |
) |
76.0 |
|
285.2 |
|
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting, net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
Earnings per sharebasic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
(0.12 |
) |
0.15 |
|
0.54 |
|
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
Earnings per sharediluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
(0.12 |
) |
0.14 |
|
0.54 |
|
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
$ |
1.23 |
|
$ |
1.53 |
|
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
44
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MAY |
|
|||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net derivative adjustment, net of tax |
|
6.6 |
|
(0.8 |
) |
31.5 |
|
|||
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period |
|
(13.8 |
) |
114.7 |
|
90.5 |
|
|||
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income |
|
(73.4 |
) |
(115.2 |
) |
|
|
|||
Currency translation adjustment |
|
15.1 |
|
26.6 |
|
44.6 |
|
|||
Minimum pension liability, net of tax |
|
(0.3 |
) |
(1.2 |
) |
12.7 |
|
|||
Comprehensive income |
|
$ |
468.0 |
|
$ |
665.6 |
|
$ |
990.6 |
|
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
45
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Dollars in millions except share data)
|
|
May 28, 2006 |
|
May 29, 2005 |
|
||||||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
$ |
331.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
207.6 |
|
|
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $27.8 and $30.1 |
|
|
1,180.9 |
|
|
|
1,260.8 |
|
|
||
Inventories |
|
|
2,132.5 |
|
|
|
2,153.6 |
|
|
||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
889.0 |
|
|
|
631.3 |
|
|
||
Current assets held for sale |
|
|
256.3 |
|
|
|
521.5 |
|
|
||
Total current assets |
|
|
4,790.3 |
|
|
|
4,774.8 |
|
|
||
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Land and land improvements |
|
|
142.5 |
|
|
|
135.1 |
|
|
||
Buildings, machinery and equipment |
|
|
3,770.3 |
|
|
|
3,693.6 |
|
|
||
Furniture, fixtures, office equipment and other |
|
|
809.4 |
|
|
|
792.2 |
|
|
||
Construction in progress |
|
|
144.0 |
|
|
|
166.0 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
4,866.2 |
|
|
|
4,786.9 |
|
|
||
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(2,590.7 |
) |
|
|
(2,421.9 |
) |
|
||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
2,275.5 |
|
|
|
2,365.0 |
|
|
||
Goodwill |
|
|
3,446.1 |
|
|
|
3,451.5 |
|
|
||
Brands, trademarks and other intangibles, net |
|
|
799.5 |
|
|
|
801.0 |
|
|
||
Other assets |
|
|
233.5 |
|
|
|
798.4 |
|
|
||
Noncurrent assets held for sale |
|
|
425.5 |
|
|
|
852.1 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
$ |
11,970.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
13,042.8 |
|
|
LIABILITIES AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Notes payable |
|
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
8.5 |
|
|
Current installments of long-term debt |
|
|
421.1 |
|
|
|
117.3 |
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
|
868.9 |
|
|
|
781.6 |
|
|
||
Advances on sales |
|
|
103.2 |
|
|
|
149.6 |
|
|
||
Accrued payroll |
|
|
310.9 |
|
|
|
269.7 |
|
|
||
Other accrued liabilities |
|
|
1,248.0 |
|
|
|
1,247.4 |
|
|
||
Current liabilities held for sale |
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
65.6 |
|
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
|
2,964.8 |
|
|
|
2,639.7 |
|
|
||
Senior long-term debt, excluding current installments |
|
|
2,754.8 |
|
|
|
3,949.1 |
|
|
||
Subordinated debt |
|
|
400.0 |
|
|
|
400.0 |
|
|
||
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
1,197.6 |
|
|
|
1,189.2 |
|
|
||
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale |
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
|
7,320.4 |
|
|
|
8,183.4 |
|
|
||
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 16) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stockholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock of $5 par value, authorized 1,200,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
shares; issued 566,214,311 and 565,942,765 |
|
|
2,831.1 |
|
|
|
2,829.7 |
|
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
764.0 |
|
|
|
761.6 |
|
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
|
2,454.6 |
|
|
|
2,438.1 |
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
(21.8 |
) |
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
||
Less treasury stock, at cost, common shares 55,352,988 and 47,841,291 |
|
|
(1,375.7 |
) |
|
|
(1,209.3 |
) |
|
||
|
|
|
4,652.2 |
|
|
|
4,864.1 |
|
|
||
Less unearned restricted stock |
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
|
(4.7 |
) |
|
||
Total common stockholders equity |
|
|
4,650.0 |
|
|
|
4,859.4 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
$ |
11,970.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
13,042.8 |
|
|
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
46
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MAY
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Common Stock |
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
Retained Earnings |
|
Accumulated
|
|
Treasury Stock |
|
EEF Stock and Other |
|
Total |
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 25, 2003 |
|
|
565.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,828.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
737.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,103.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
(159.4 |
) |
|
$ |
(686.4 |
) |
$ |
(178.6 |
) |
$ |
4,644.6 |
|
Stock option and incentive plans |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
67.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18.8 |
) |
93.9 |
|
143.2 |
|
|||||||
Fair market valuation of EEF shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48.4 |
|
|
|
|||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44.6 |
|
|||||||
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(418.6 |
) |
|
|
(418.6 |
) |
|||||||
Loss recognized directly in retained earnings (see Note 2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23.8 |
) |
|||||||
Unrealized gain on securities, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
90.5 |
|
|||||||
Derivative adjustment, net of reclassification adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.5 |
|
|||||||
Minimum pension liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|||||||
Dividends declared on common stock; $1.028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(542.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(542.1 |
) |
|||||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
811.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
811.3 |
|
|||||||
Balance at May 30, 2004 |
|
|
565.8 |
|
|
|
2,829.2 |
|
|
|
755.7 |
|
|
|
2,349.2 |
|
|
|
19.9 |
|
|
(1,123.8 |
) |
(36.3 |
) |
4,793.9 |
|
|||||||
Stock option and incentive plans |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
95.9 |
|
17.2 |
|
133.9 |
|
|||||||
Fair market valuation of EEF shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
|||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.6 |
|
|||||||
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(181.4 |
) |
|
|
(181.4 |
) |
|||||||
Income recognized directly in retained earnings (see Note 2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|||||||
Unrealized loss on securities, net of reclassification adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|||||||
Derivative adjustment, net of reclassification adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|||||||
Minimum pension liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|||||||
Dividends declared on common stock; $1.078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(554.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(554.8 |
) |
|||||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
641.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
641.5 |
|
|||||||
Balance at May 29, 2005 |
|
|
565.9 |
|
|
|
2,829.7 |
|
|
|
761.6 |
|
|
|
2,438.1 |
|
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
(1,209.3 |
) |
(4.7 |
) |
4,859.4 |
|
|||||||
Stock option and incentive plans |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.6 |
|
2.5 |
|
36.9 |
|
|||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|||||||
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(197.0 |
) |
|
|
(197.0 |
) |
|||||||
Unrealized loss on securities, net of reclassification adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(87.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(87.2 |
) |
|||||||
Derivative adjustment, net of reclassification adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|||||||
Minimum pension liability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|||||||
Dividends declared on common stock; $0.998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(517.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(517.3 |
) |
|||||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533.8 |
|
|||||||
Balance at May 28, 2006 |
|
|
566.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,831.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
764.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,454.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
(21.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,375.7 |
) |
$ |
(2.2 |
) |
$ |
4,650.0 |
|
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
47
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
CONAGRA FOODS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MAY
(
Dollars in millions)
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
(62.3 |
) |
76.0 |
|
285.2 |
|
|||
Income from continuing operations |
|
596.1 |
|
565.5 |
|
526.1 |
|
|||
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
311.2 |
|
286.9 |
|
269.8 |
|
|||
Gain on sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock, pretax |
|
(329.4 |
) |
(185.7 |
) |
|
|
|||
Undistributed earnings of affiliates |
|
(4.4 |
) |
(21.6 |
) |
(19.1 |
) |
|||
Non-cash impairments of investments |
|
158.8 |
|
73.4 |
|
|
|
|||
Non-cash impairments of fixed assets and casualty loss |
|
19.3 |
|
46.1 |
|
|
|
|||
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets and investments |
|
10.4 |
|
(9.7 |
) |
(44.2 |
) |
|||
Changes in amounts sold under the accounts receivable securitization, net |
|
|
|
|
|
(470.0 |
) |
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
|
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|||
Other items (includes pension and other postretirement benefits) |
|
55.8 |
|
116.6 |
|
63.3 |
|
|||
Change in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business acquisitions and dispositions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Accounts receivable |
|
40.0 |
|
(24.5 |
) |
(71.5 |
) |
|||
Inventory |
|
3.6 |
|
(52.5 |
) |
(151.6 |
) |
|||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
(90.5 |
) |
(116.5 |
) |
253.0 |
|
|||
Accounts payable and advances on sales |
|
59.4 |
|
(83.6 |
) |
226.7 |
|
|||
Other accrued liabilities and accrued payroll |
|
90.4 |
|
199.4 |
|
(108.0 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from operating activitiescontinuing operations |
|
920.7 |
|
793.8 |
|
487.6 |
|
|||
Net cash flows from operating activitiesdiscontinued operations |
|
146.6 |
|
319.6 |
|
93.4 |
|
|||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
1,067.3 |
|
1,113.4 |
|
581.0 |
|
|||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
(263.4 |
) |
(382.0 |
) |
(226.2 |
) |
|||
Sale of investment in Swift Foods and UAP preferred securities |
|
|
|
229.5 |
|
|
|
|||
Sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock |
|
482.4 |
|
282.5 |
|
|
|
|||
Sale of businesses |
|
18.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Sale of equity method investments |
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
69.5 |
|
|||
Sale of property, plant and equipment |
|
29.7 |
|
91.9 |
|
64.5 |
|
|||
Notes receivable and other items |
|
(13.4 |
) |
(10.5 |
) |
(0.1 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from investing activitiescontinuing operations |
|
265.8 |
|
211.4 |
|
(92.3 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from investing activitiesdiscontinued operations |
|
431.0 |
|
84.9 |
|
776.4 |
|
|||
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
696.8 |
|
296.3 |
|
684.1 |
|
|||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net short-term borrowings |
|
1.6 |
|
(22.1 |
) |
29.0 |
|
|||
Repayment of long-term debt |
|
(899.0 |
) |
(1,160.0 |
) |
(515.0 |
) |
|||
Repurchase of ConAgra Foods common shares |
|
(197.1 |
) |
(181.4 |
) |
(418.6 |
) |
|||
Cash dividends paid |
|
(565.3 |
) |
(550.3 |
) |
(536.7 |
) |
|||
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options |
|
18.9 |
|
103.8 |
|
118.0 |
|
|||
Other items |
|
0.8 |
|
(0.7 |
) |
(2.2 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from financing activitiescontinuing operations |
|
(1,640.1 |
) |
(1,810.7 |
) |
(1,325.5 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from financing activitiesdiscontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
(19.1 |
) |
|||
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
(1,640.1 |
) |
(1,810.7 |
) |
(1,344.6 |
) |
|||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
124.0 |
|
(401.0 |
) |
(79.5 |
) |
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
207.6 |
|
608.6 |
|
688.1 |
|
|||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
|
$ |
331.6 |
|
$ |
207.6 |
|
$ |
608.6 |
|
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
48
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Fiscal Year The fiscal year of ConAgra Foods, Inc. (ConAgra Foods or the Company) ends the last Sunday in May. The fiscal years for the consolidated financial statements presented consist of a 52-week period for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 and a 53-week period for fiscal year 2004.
Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ConAgra Foods and all majority-owned subsidiaries. In addition, the accounts of all variable interest entities for which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary are included in the Companys consolidated financial statements from the date such determination is made. All significant intercompany investments, accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates The investments in and the operating results of 50%-or-less-owned entities not required to be consolidated are included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of the equity method of accounting or the cost method of accounting, depending on specific facts and circumstances.
The Company reviews its investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investments may not be fully recoverable. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary might include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment, or, where applicable, estimated sales proceeds which are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the investment. Managements assessment as to whether any decline in value is other than temporary is based on the Companys ability and intent to hold the investment and whether evidence indicating the carrying value of the investment is recoverable within a reasonable period of time outweighs evidence to the contrary. Management generally considers the Companys investments in its equity method investees to be strategic long-term investments. Therefore, management completes its assessments with a long-term viewpoint. If the fair value of the investment is determined to be less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded based on the excess of the carrying value over the best estimate of fair value of the investment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition, including short-term time deposits, government agency and corporate obligations, are classified as cash and cash equivalents .
Inventories The Company principally uses the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or market for valuing inventories not hedged. Grain, flour and major feed ingredient inventories are hedged to the extent practicable and are principally stated at market, including adjustment to market of open contracts for purchases and sales.
49
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation has been calculated using primarily the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective classes of assets as follows:
Land improvements |
|
1 - 40 years |
|
Buildings |
|
15 - 40 years |
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
3 - 20 years |
|
Furniture, fixtures, office equipment and other |
|
5 - 15 years |
|
The Company reviews property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability of an asset considered held-and-used is determined by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, the assets carrying amount is reduced to its estimated fair value. An asset considered held-for-sale is reported at the lower of the assets carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives (e.g., brands or trademarks) are not amortized and are tested annually for impairment of value and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may be impaired. Impairment occurs when the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. If impaired, the assets carrying amount is reduced to its fair value. The Companys annual impairment testing is performed during the fourth quarter using a discounted cash flow-based methodology.
Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives (e.g., licensing arrangements with contractual lives or customer lists) are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may be impaired. Impairment occurs when the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. If impaired, the asset is written down to its fair value.
Derivative Instruments The Company uses derivatives (e.g., futures and options) for the purpose of hedging exposure to changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of each derivative is recognized in the balance sheet within current assets or current liabilities. For derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized immediately in the statement of earnings. For derivatives designated as a hedge of an existing asset or liability (e.g., inventory), both the derivative and hedged item are recognized at fair value within the balance sheet with the changes in both of these fair values being recognized immediately in the statement of earnings. For derivatives designated as a hedge of an anticipated transaction (e.g., future purchase of inventory), changes in the fair value of the derivatives are deferred in the balance sheet within accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent the hedge is effective in mitigating the exposure to the related anticipated transaction. Any ineffectiveness associated with the hedge is recognized immediately in the statement of earnings. Amounts deferred within accumulated other comprehensive income are recognized in the statement of earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings (e.g., when hedged inventory is sold). If it is determined that the occurrence of
50
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
an anticipated transaction is no longer probable, amounts deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income are immediately recognized in the statement of earnings.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments Unless otherwise specified, the Company believes the carrying value of financial instruments approximates their fair value.
Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Liabilities The Company records liabilities for the costs the Company is legally obligated to incur in order to retire a long-lived asset at some point in the future. The fair values of these obligations are recorded as liabilities on a discounted basis, and the cost associated with these liabilities is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related assets. Over time, the liability will increase, reflecting the accretion of the obligation from its present value to the estimated amount the Company will pay to extinguish the liability and the capitalized asset retirement costs will be depreciated over the useful lives of the related assets.
Environmental liabilities are accrued when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the associated amounts can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change. The Company does not discount its environmental liabilities as the timing of the anticipated cash payments is not fixed or readily determinable. Managements estimate of its potential liability is independent of any potential recovery of insurance proceeds or indemnification arrangements. The Company has not reduced its environmental liabilities for potential insurance recoveries.
Employment-Related Benefits Employment-related benefits associated with pensions, postretirement health care benefits and workers compensation are expensed as such obligations are incurred by the Company. The recognition of expense is impacted by estimates made by management, such as discount rates used to value these liabilities, future health costs and employee accidents incurred but not yet reported. The Company uses third-party specialists to assist management in appropriately measuring the expense associated with employment-related benefits.
Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss are transferred to customers upon delivery based on terms of sale and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized as the net amount to be received after deducting estimated amounts for discounts, trade allowances and product returns. The Company, principally in its Trading and Merchandising segment, receives cash advances on sales from customers in the ordinary course of business. These advances on sales are reflected in current liabilities until inventory is delivered to the customer based on terms of sale, at which time revenue is recognized. Changes in the market value of inventories of merchandisable agricultural commodities, forward cash purchase and sales contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized in earnings immediately.
Net Sales Gross profits earned from certain commodity trading activities (including trading and merchandising of crude oil, grain, fertilizer, and feed ingredients) within the Trading and Merchandising segment, which are included in net sales, total $276 million, $264 million, and $167 million for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Net sales and cost of goods sold, if reported on a gross basis for these activities, would be increased by $21.5 billion, $17.9 billion, and $14.0 billion for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
51
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Sales to Affiliates Sales to affiliates (equity method investees) of $2.6 million, $1.7 million, and $2.2 million for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, are included in net sales. The Company received management fees from affiliates of $13.5 million in fiscal 2006 and $14.1 million in both fiscal 2005 and 2004. Accounts receivable from affiliates of $5.5 million and $7.1 million are included in receivables at May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, respectively.
Marketing Costs The Company incurs various types of marketing costs in order to promote its products, including retailer incentives and consumer incentives. The Company recognizes the expense for each of these types of marketing costs as incurred. In addition, the Company incurs advertising costs, which are expensed in the year incurred. Advertising and promotion expenses totaled $336.7 million, $321.0 million and $367.8 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, inclusive of amounts related to discontinued operations.
Research and Development The Company incurred expenses of $54.1 million, $63.8 million, and $61.0 million for research and development activities in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation The Company has stockholder-approved stock option plans which provide for granting of options to employees for purchase of common stock at prices equal to the fair value at the time of grant. The Company accounts for its employee stock option plans in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees . Accordingly, no stock-based compensation expense is reflected in net income for stock options granted. The Company issues stock under various stock-based compensation arrangements, including restricted stock, other share-based awards and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. The value of restricted stock and other share-based awards, equal to fair value at the time of grant, is amortized, on a straight-line basis, as compensation expense over the vesting period. Stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses is recognized as compensation expense as earned. As these awards are ultimately settled in shares of the Companys stock, changes in the price of the Companys stock subsequent to the date of grant do not result in remeasurement of the award. In addition, the Company grants restricted share equivalents pursuant to plans approved by stockholders which are ultimately settled in cash based on the market price of the Companys stock as of the date the award is fully vested. The value of the restricted share equivalents is adjusted, based upon the market price of the Companys stock at the end of each reporting period and amortized as compensation expense over the vesting period.
52
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The following table illustrates the required pro forma effect on net income and earnings per share assuming the Company had followed the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation , for all outstanding and unvested stock options and other stock-based compensation for the years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004.
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net income, as reported |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in reported net income, net of related tax effects |
|
22.4 |
|
15.3 |
|
13.5 |
|
|||
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of related tax effects |
|
(33.9 |
) |
(32.9 |
) |
(31.8 |
) |
|||
Pro forma net income |
|
$ |
522.3 |
|
$ |
623.9 |
|
$ |
793.0 |
|
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Basic earnings per shareas reported |
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
Basic earnings per sharepro forma |
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
$ |
1.21 |
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
Diluted earnings per shareas reported |
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
$ |
1.23 |
|
$ |
1.53 |
|
Diluted earnings per sharepro forma |
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
Dividend yield |
|
4.1 |
% |
4.0 |
% |
4.0 |
% |
Expected volatility |
|
26.8 |
% |
21.4 |
% |
27.9 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate |
|
3.84 |
% |
3.48 |
% |
3.08 |
% |
Expected life of stock option |
|
6 years |
|
6 years |
|
6 years |
|
The weighted average fair value per option was $4.52, $4.14, and $4.22 for options granted during fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes . The Company recognizes current tax liabilities and assets based on an estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current year for each of the jurisdictions in which the Company transacts business. As part of the determination of its current tax liability, management exercises considerable judgment in evaluating positions taken by the Company in its tax returns. The Company has established reserves for probable tax exposures. These reserves, included in current liabilities, represent the Companys estimate of amounts expected to be paid, which the Company adjusts over time as more information becomes available.
The Company also recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences (e.g., the difference in book basis versus tax basis of fixed assets
53
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
resulting from differing depreciation methods). If appropriate, the Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be ultimately realized, based on the Companys assessment of estimated future taxable income, including the consideration of available tax planning strategies.
Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net income, currency translation adjustments, certain derivative-related activity, changes in the value of the Companys available-for-sale investments and changes in the minimum pension liability. When the Company deems its investments in foreign subsidiaries to be permanent in nature, it does not provide for taxes on currency translation adjustments arising from converting the investment in a foreign currency to U.S. dollars. When the Company determines that a foreign investment is no longer permanent in nature, estimated taxes are provided for the related deferred tax liability (asset), if any, resulting from currency translation adjustments. The Company reclassified $0.2 million and $14.3 million of foreign currency translation gains, and $7.1 million of foreign currency translation losses to net income due to the disposal of foreign subsidiaries in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The following is a rollforward of the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax (except for currency translation adjustment):
|
|
Currency
|
|
Net
|
|
Unrealized Gain
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance at May 25, 2003 |
|
|
$ |
(57.6 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(23.5 |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(78.3 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(159.4 |
) |
|
Current-period change |
|
|
44.6 |
|
|
|
31.5 |
|
|
|
90.5 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
179.3 |
|
|
|||||
Balance at May 30, 2004 |
|
|
(13.0 |
) |
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
90.5 |
|
|
|
(65.6 |
) |
|
|
19.9 |
|
|
|||||
Current-period change |
|
|
26.6 |
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
|||||
Balance at May 29, 2005 |
|
|
13.6 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
90.0 |
|
|
|
(66.8 |
) |
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
|||||
Current-period change |
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
(87.2 |
) |
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
|
(65.8 |
) |
|
|||||
Balance at May 28, 2006 |
|
|
$ |
28.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
13.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
2.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
(67.1 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(21.8 |
) |
|
The following details the income tax expense (benefit) on components of other comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net derivative adjustment |
|
$ |
5.1 |
|
$ |
(0.5 |
) |
$ |
19.3 |
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities |
|
(8.1 |
) |
65.9 |
|
55.4 |
|
|||
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) |
|
(41.3 |
) |
(66.2 |
) |
|
|
|||
Minimum pension liability |
|
3.2 |
|
(0.8 |
) |
7.8 |
|
|||
Use of Estimates Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as reflected in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
54
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year classifications. The Company has reclassified the fair value of certain derivative contracts for which it does not have the legal right of offset, which had previously been presented on a net basis, to a gross presentation within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other accrued liabilities. This change in presentation resulted in an increase to both prepaid expenses and other current assets and other accrued liabilities of $251.1 million at May 29, 2005.
Accounting Changes Effective February 22, 2004, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities , as revised December 2003 (FIN 46R). As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated the assets and liabilities of several entities from which it leases property, plant and equipment, resulting in a cumulative effect of change in accounting that reduced net income by $1.4 million (net of taxes of $0.9 million) in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. Certain of the entities from which the Company leases various buildings are partnerships (the partnerships), the beneficial owners of which are Opus Corporation or its affiliates. A member of the Companys board of directors is a beneficial owner, officer and director of Opus Corporation. Financing costs related to these leases were previously included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Effective with the adoption of FIN 46R, these financing costs are included in interest expense, net. As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has also consolidated the assets and liabilities of several entities from which it leases corporate aircraft. Due to the adoption of FIN 46R, the Company reflects in its balance sheet as of May 28, 2006: property, plant and equipment of $183 million, long-term debt of $192 million (including current maturities of $8 million), other assets of $12 million, and other noncurrent liabilities of $6 million. The Company has no other material obligations arising out of variable interests with unconsolidated entities.
Effective May 26, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations , which requires the Company to recognize the fair value of a liability associated with the cost the Company is legally obligated to incur in order to retire an asset at some point in the future. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the associated long-lived asset. Over time, the liability increases, reflecting the accretion of the obligation from its present value to the amount the Company estimates it will pay to extinguish the liability, and the capitalized asset retirement costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Application of this accounting standard resulted in a cumulative effect of a change in accounting that decreased net income by $11.7 million (net of taxes of $7.2 million), or $0.02 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Asset retirement obligations of $11.8 million, $12.7 million and $18.5 million are reflected in the Companys balance sheets at May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004, respectively. The majority of the Companys asset retirement obligations relate to various contractual obligations for restoration of leased assets at the end of lease terms.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS No. 123R), Share-Based Payment . SFAS No. 123R will require the Company to measure the cost of all employee stock-based compensation awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards and to record that cost as compensation expense over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award (generally over the vesting period of the award). Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will have an impact on the Companys results of
55
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
operations, although it will have no impact on the Companys overall financial position. SFAS No. 123R is effective beginning in the Companys first quarter of fiscal 2007. Management is in the process of implementing the provisions of this statement and estimates that the adoption will reduce diluted earnings per share by $0.02 to $0.04 in fiscal 2007.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 . SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Inventory Pricing , for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage), requiring that those items be recognized as current-period expenses. This statement also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The statement is effective for inventory costs incurred beginning in the Companys fiscal 2007. Management does not expect this statement to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections , which changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. Previously, most voluntary changes in accounting principles required recognition via a cumulative effect adjustment within net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005; however, SFAS No. 154 does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Income Tax Uncertainties , which defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax-return positions in the financial statements as more-likely-than-not to be sustained by the taxing authority. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, the Companys fiscal 2008. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this interpretation will have on the Companys results of operations.
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES
Packaged Meats and Cheese Operations
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company announced that it would divest substantially all of its packaged meats and cheese operations. The Company expects to complete the dispositions of these businesses during fiscal 2007 and expects to have no significant continuing involvement in these businesses after the disposals. Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Based upon the Companys estimates of proceeds from the sales of these businesses, the Company recognized goodwill impairment charges, net of recoveries, of $164.1 million ($148.2 million after-tax) in the second half of fiscal 2006 to reflect the net assets of these businesses at the lower of their carrying values or estimated fair value, less costs to sell, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets . The assets and liabilities expected to be divested are now classified as assets and liabilities held for sale within the Companys consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
56
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
Subsequent Events
In July 2006, subsequent to year end, the Company has entered into further negotiations with various potential purchasers of the packaged meats business. The Company has assessed the impact of these negotiations on its estimate of the proceeds to be received from the sale of the packaged meats business. Based on the most current negotiations, the Company recorded an additional pre-tax impairment charge of $76.3 million ($61.1 million after tax) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, to reflect the net assets of this business at its estimated fair value less costs to sell.
Subsequent to year end, the Company has entered into a formal agreement, subject to certain conditions, for the sale of the cheese business under which the Company expects to receive proceeds which exceed the carrying value of the net assets of this business. The Company expects to close this transaction in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
The estimates of proceeds were based upon a comprehensive analysis which included probability-weighted assessments of key variables which will affect the ultimate proceeds realized. The key variables considered included the nature of potential buyers, estimated future cash flows from the operations, and the valuation multiple that potential buyers may assign to the cash flows. While the Company believes its current estimate of proceeds is based on the best available information, future events, including, but not limited to, negotiations with potential buyers and future performance of the business, could significantly affect the amount of proceeds ultimately received. Accordingly, changes in the amount of proceeds could result in impairment charges greater or less than the amount currently estimated and recognized in the Companys financial statements.
Cooks Ham Business
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company completed its divestiture of its Cooks Ham business to Smithfield Foods, Inc. for proceeds of approximately $301.0 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $110.1 million ($38.0 million after tax). Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of this business as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities divested are now classified as assets and liabilities held for sale within the Companys consolidated balance sheets for the prior periods presented.
Seafood Business
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company completed the divestiture of its seafood operations for proceeds of approximately $141.3 million, resulting in no significant gain or loss. Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of this business as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities divested are now classified as assets and liabilities held for sale within the Companys consolidated balance sheets for the prior periods presented.
Chicken Business Divestiture
On November 23, 2003, the Company completed the sale of its chicken business to Pilgrims Pride Corporation (the chicken business divestiture). The Company has reflected the results of operations,
57
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
cash flows, assets and liabilities of the chicken business as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
The final sales price of the chicken business was subject to a purchase price adjustment based on determination of the final net assets sold, which occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. As part of the final purchase price adjustment, the Company paid $34 million to Pilgrims Pride. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $11.7 million ($7.1 million after tax) for this final settlement in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.
As part of the divestiture proceeds, the Company received 25.4 million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock valued at $246.1 million at the time of the divestiture. The common stock received was contractually restricted, such that the Company was unable to sell any portion of the shares within one year. After one year, 8.47 million shares could be sold. The remaining shares could be sold in future periods, but no more than 8.47 million shares could be sold in any twelve month period. Pilgrims Pride Corporation could waive these trading restrictions. The fair value of the Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock was based on an independent valuation as of the date of the transaction and was reflective of the common stocks trading restrictions. The contractual restrictions to the Companys ability to trade the stock for a period of greater than one year resulted in the treatment of the Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock as restricted stock, and, accordingly, the common stock was originally accounted for as a cost method investment. As the period of trading restriction for each tranche of stock lapsed, such that the shares could be traded within one year, the shares were reclassified from cost method investments to available-for-sale securities which were carried at market value, with changes in market value being recognized in other comprehensive income.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company sold ten million shares of the Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock for $282.5 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $185.7 million ($118.0 million after tax) and a net-of-tax reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income of $115.2 million.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company sold the remaining 15.4 million shares of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock to that company for $482 million. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $329.4 million ($209.3 million after tax) and a net-of-tax reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income of $95.3 million.
UAP North America and UAP International Divestitures
On November 23, 2003, the Company completed the sale of UAP North America to Apollo Management, L.P. (Apollo). In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company completed the disposition of the remaining businesses of its Agricultural Products segment (UAP International). Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of the entire Agricultural Products segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
As part of its disposition of UAP North America, the Company initially received $503 million of cash, $60 million of Series A redeemable preferred stock of UAP Holdings (the UAP Preferred Securities) and $61 million in the form of a receivable from Apollo. The Company collected the receivable balance in
58
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
the first quarter of fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2004 and 2005, UAP Holdings repurchased all of the preferred securities for cash.
As a result of the UAP North America divestiture, the Company recognized during fiscal 2004 a loss on disposition of businesses of $14.6 million and $43.8 million of income resulting from rebates UAP North America received from its suppliers subsequent to the divestiture date that relate to pre-divestiture operations. These amounts are included in the Companys results from discontinued operations.
The Company sold substantially all of the remaining assets of UAP International during fiscal 2005 for total proceeds of $43.3 million, resulting in a loss of $2.4 million. The Company had previously recognized impairment charges of $28.6 million and $9.7 million in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively, in order to reflect the assets of UAP International at their estimated fair value, less cost to sell, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets . Through the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company had not recognized any tax benefit related to these impairment charges, as management believed that the ultimate realization of these losses would not be tax deductible. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company implemented a tax planning strategy, concurrent with the disposition of the assets of UAP International, which effectively allowed the Company to reduce its taxable income in the United States by the amount of losses realized on the sale of a portion of UAP International. As such, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $20.8 million within results of discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.
The Companys UAP North America and UAP International operations had a fiscal year-end of February, while the Companys consolidated year-end is May. Historically, the results of UAP North America and UAP International have been reflected in the Companys consolidated results on a three-month lag (e.g., UAPs results for December through February are included in the Companys consolidated results for the period March through May). Due to the disposition of UAP North America in November 2003, a $23.8 million net-of-tax loss, representing the results for the three months ending November 2003, was recorded directly to retained earnings. If this business had not been divested, this net-of-tax loss would have been recognized in the Companys fiscal 2004 consolidated statement of earnings. Due to the disposition of UAP International in April 2005, $2.2 million net-of-tax income, representing the results for the three months ending April 2005, was recorded directly to retained earnings. If this business had not been divested, this net-of-tax income would have been recognized in the Companys fiscal 2005 and 2006 consolidated statements of earnings.
Spanish Feed and Portuguese Poultry Divestitures
In May 2004, the Company completed the sale of its Spanish feed business to the Carlyle Group for cash proceeds of $82.6 million, resulting in a gain from disposal of businesses of $33.6 million. During fiscal 2004, the Company wrote-down certain assets of the Portuguese poultry business by $17.2 million in order to reflect these assets at their fair value. The Company completed the sale of the Portuguese poultry business for cash proceeds of $3.6 million in fiscal 2005. The Company reflects the results of these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
59
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
Specialty Meats Divestiture
In fiscal 2005, the Company implemented a plan to exit the specialty meats foodservice business. The Company closed a manufacturing facility in Alabama, sold its operations in California and, in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, completed the sale of its operations in Illinois. Accordingly, the Company reflects the results of these businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities divested are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale within the Companys consolidated balance sheets for all periods prior to divestiture.
The Company recorded pre-tax impairment and related charges of $35.3 million in fiscal 2005 to reduce the carrying value of the assets to their expected fair value less costs to sell. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $2.9 million in fiscal 2005 and a pre-tax gain of $6.0 million in fiscal 2006 upon the ultimate disposition of these operations.
Fresh Beef & Pork Divestiture
In September 2002, the Company sold a controlling interest in its fresh beef and pork operations to a joint venture led by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated (Hicks Muse). The fresh beef operations sold to the joint venture included a beef processing business as well as a cattle feeding business. The Company reported its share of the earnings associated with its minority ownership of the joint venture as equity method investment earnings. The Company sold its remaining minority interest investment in the beef and pork processing business (Swift Foods) to Hicks Muse in September 2004.
Due to the purchase price of the cattle feeding business being entirely financed by the Company, the legal divestiture of the cattle feeding operation was not recognized as a divestiture for accounting purposes, and the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the cattle feeding business were reflected in continuing operations in the Companys financial statements prior to October 15, 2004. On September 24, 2004, the Company reached an agreement with affiliates of Swift Foods by which the Company took control and ownership of approximately $300 million of the net assets of the cattle feeding business, including feedlots and live cattle. On October 15, 2004, the Company sold the feedlots to Smithfield Foods for approximately $70 million. These transactions resulted in a gain of approximately $19 million (net of taxes of $11.6 million). The Company retained live cattle inventory and related derivative instruments and liquidated those assets in an orderly manner over the succeeding several months. Beginning September 24, 2004, the assets, liabilities and results of operations, including the gain on sale, of the cattle feeding business are classified as discontinued operations.
60
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
Summary results of operations of the packaged meats and cheese operations, the Cooks Ham business, the seafood business, the chicken business, the former Agricultural Products segment, the Spanish feed and Portuguese poultry businesses, the specialty meats foodservice business, and the cattle feeding business included within discontinued operations are as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net sales |
|
$ |
2,592.5 |
|
$ |
4,011.9 |
|
$ |
7,252.4 |
|
Long-lived asset impairment charge |
|
(240.9 |
) |
(59.4 |
) |
(26.9 |
) |
|||
Income from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes |
|
169.2 |
|
146.7 |
|
434.9 |
|
|||
Net gain from disposal of businesses |
|
115.5 |
|
26.3 |
|
51.1 |
|
|||
Income before income taxes |
|
43.8 |
|
113.6 |
|
459.1 |
|
|||
Income tax expense |
|
(106.1 |
) |
(37.6 |
) |
(173.9 |
) |
|||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
|
$ |
(62.3 |
) |
$ |
76.0 |
|
$ |
285.2 |
|
The effective tax rate for discontinued operations is significantly higher than the statutory rate due to the nondeductibility of certain goodwill impairments and dispositions.
Other Assets Held for Sale
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company initiated a plan to dispose of a refrigerated meals business with annual revenues of less than $70 million. The Company currently expects to complete the sale of these operations in fiscal 2007 and also expects to continue to supply certain ingredients to this business and purchase finished product from this business subsequent to its divestiture. Due to the Companys expected significant continuing cash flows associated with this business, the Company continues to include the results of operations of this business in continuing operations. The assets and liabilities of this business are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company initiated a plan to dispose of two aircraft. These long-lived assets are classified as assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented.
61
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)
The assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005 are as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts |
|
$ |
4.3 |
|
$ |
32.1 |
|
Inventories |
|
252.0 |
|
489.4 |
|
||
Current assets held for sale |
|
$ |
256.3 |
|
$ |
521.5 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
$ |
412.0 |
|
$ |
487.2 |
|
Goodwill and other intangibles |
|
13.5 |
|
364.9 |
|
||
Noncurrent assets held for sale |
|
$ |
425.5 |
|
$ |
852.1 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
$ |
42.9 |
|
Other accrued liabilities and advances on sales |
|
2.3 |
|
22.7 |
|
||
Current liabilities held for sale |
|
$ |
2.7 |
|
$ |
65.6 |
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
$ |
3.2 |
|
$ |
5.4 |
|
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale |
|
$ |
3.2 |
|
$ |
5.4 |
|
3. GOODWILL AND OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill by reporting segment is as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
3,253.0 |
|
$ |
3,264.7 |
|
International Foods |
|
89.4 |
|
82.2 |
|
||
Food and Ingredients |
|
87.8 |
|
88.2 |
|
||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
15.9 |
|
16.4 |
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
3,446.1 |
|
$ |
3,451.5 |
|
Other identifiable intangible assets are as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Gross
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Gross
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
||||||||||||
Non-amortizing intangible assets |
|
|
$ |
773.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
773.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Amortizing intangible assets |
|
|
41.9 |
|
|
|
15.5 |
|
|
|
39.8 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
$ |
815.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
15.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
813.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
12.2 |
|
|
Non-amortizing intangible assets are comprised of the following balances:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Brands/Trademarks |
|
$ |
752.6 |
|
$ |
752.5 |
|
Pension Intangible Asset |
|
19.1 |
|
19.5 |
|
||
Miscellaneous |
|
1.4 |
|
1.4 |
|
||
Total non-amortizing intangible assets |
|
$ |
773.1 |
|
$ |
773.4 |
|
62
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
3. GOODWILL AND OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
Amortizing intangible assets, carrying a weighted average life of approximately 16 years, are principally composed of licensing arrangements and customer lists. For fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized $2.5 million, $2.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of amortization expense. Based on amortizing assets recognized in the Companys balance sheet as of May 28, 2006, amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $3 million for each of the next five years.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $9 million to reflect a reduction in value of one of its brands, due to changes in the Companys strategy for the future use of the brand.
4. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is calculated on the basis of weighted average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of basic weighted average outstanding common shares adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock awards and other dilutive securities.
The following table reconciles the income and average share amounts used to compute both basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Net Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
$ |
596.1 |
|
$ |
565.5 |
|
$ |
539.2 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
(62.3 |
) |
76.0 |
|
285.2 |
|
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
|
|
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding |
|
518.1 |
|
516.2 |
|
527.2 |
|
|||
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock awards and other dilutive securities |
|
2.1 |
|
4.0 |
|
3.5 |
|
|||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
|
520.2 |
|
520.2 |
|
530.7 |
|
At the end of fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, there were 20.9 million, 6.9 million and 12.2 million stock options outstanding, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of shares contingently issuable upon exercise of the stock options because exercise prices exceeded the annual average market value of common stock.
5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COST REDUCTION EFFORTS
In February 2006, the Companys board of directors approved plans recommended by executive management to simplify the Companys operating structure and reduce its manufacturing and selling, general and administrative costs. Under these plans, the Company is moving its Grocery Foods headquarters from Irvine, California to Naperville, Illinois, further centralizing its shared services, reducing salaried headcount, and implementing other cost-reduction initiatives. These plans are expected to be substantially completed by fiscal 2008. The forecasted costs of all plans are $238.4 million, of which
63
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COST REDUCTION EFFORTS (Continued)
$129.8 million was recorded in fiscal 2006 (including charges of $79.4 million recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006). The Company will record expenses associated with its restructuring plans, including but not limited to, accelerated depreciation (i.e., incremental depreciation due to an assets reduced estimated useful life), inventory write-downs, severance and related costs, and plan implementation costs (e.g., consulting, employee relocation, etc.). The Company anticipates it will recognize the following pre-tax expenses associated with the projects identified to date in the fiscal 2006 to 2008 timeframe (amounts include charges recognized in the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2006):
|
|
Consumer
|
|
Food and
|
|
Trading and
|
|
International
|
|
Corporate |
|
Total |
|
||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation |
|
|
$ |
47.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
47.2 |
|
Inventory write-downs |
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
||||||
Pension/Postretirement |
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
||||||
Other (including plan shutdown costs) |
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
||||||
Total cost of goods sold |
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54.2 |
|
||||||
Accelerated depreciation |
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
19.1 |
|
||||||
Asset impairment |
|
|
21.2 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
||||||
Severance (and related) |
|
|
35.9 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
21.7 |
|
|
62.3 |
|
||||||
Contract termination |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
8.7 |
|
||||||
Pension/Postretirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
4.0 |
|
||||||
Plan implementation costs |
|
|
27.7 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.8 |
|
|
59.0 |
|
||||||
Other |
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
|
8.3 |
|
||||||
Total selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
100.6 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
|
184.2 |
|
||||||
Consolidated total |
|
|
$ |
154.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
6.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
76.8 |
|
|
$ |
238.4 |
|
Included in the above estimates are $140.3 million of charges anticipated to result in cash outflows and $98.1 million of anticipated non-cash charges. Severance payments are expected to be paid from a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Trust (VEBA) which was funded by the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 (see Note 18 for further discussion of VEBA).
64
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COST REDUCTION EFFORTS (Continued)
During the fiscal year 2006, the Company recognized the following pre-tax charges in its consolidated statements of earnings:
|
|
Consumer
|
|
Food and
|
|
Trading and
|
|
International
|
|
Corporate |
|
Total |
|
||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation |
|
|
$ |
13.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
13.3 |
|
Inventory write-downs |
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
||||||
Pension/Postretirement |
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
||||||
Other (including plan shutdown costs) |
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
||||||
Total cost of goods sold |
|
|
20.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
||||||
Accelerated depreciation |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
3.3 |
|
||||||
Asset impairment |
|
|
21.2 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
||||||
Severance (and related) |
|
|
34.0 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
58.3 |
|
||||||
Contract termination |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
||||||
Pension/Postretirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
4.1 |
|
||||||
Plan implementation costs |
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.7 |
|
|
21.0 |
|
||||||
Other |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
||||||
Total selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
64.5 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39.3 |
|
|
109.5 |
|
||||||
Consolidated total |
|
|
$ |
84.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
5.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
$ |
39.3 |
|
|
$ |
129.8 |
|
Included in the above are $83.4 million of charges anticipated to result in cash outflows and $46.4 million of non-cash charges. Associated with the above activity, as of the end of the fiscal 2006, the Company had a current liability recognized in its consolidated balance sheet of $69.1 million, primarily related to accrued severance costs.
Reflected in the above table are asset impairment charges of $22.8 million associated with a Consumer Foods manufacturing facility, a Food and Ingredients manufacturing facility, and certain other manufacturing equipment. Each facility was written down to its fair value based on discounted estimated cash flows of the facility over its expected holding period, including the anticipated proceeds associated with the manufacturing equipment, land and building which will be realized upon closure of the facility.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, as part of the Companys ongoing efforts to reduce general and administrative expenses, including salaried headcount, the Company announced the elimination of several hundred salaried jobs across the organization. The head count reductions were largely complete by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company recognized $42.7 million of severance expense, principally related to the Consumer Foods segment, during fiscal 2005 and recognized a benefit of $6.3 million during fiscal 2006 due to reductions in estimated severance liabilities. As of the end of fiscal 2006 and 2005, accruals of $2.2 million and $42.4 million, respectively, were reflected in other accrued liabilities in the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
65
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COST REDUCTION EFFORTS (Continued)
In fiscal 2004, the Company identified specific operating efficiency initiatives as part of an effort to improve the Companys cost structure, margins and competitive position. As a result of these specific initiatives, the Company recognized certain expenses during fiscal 2004 and 2005, including employee termination costs, accelerated depreciation on fixed assets, equipment/employee relocation costs, asset impairments and other related costs. The Company recognized $21.1 million and $61.8 million of expenses in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively, for these initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in the Consumer Foods segment in both fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004. The Company did not incur costs associated with these initiatives in fiscal 2006.
6. IMPAIRMENTS OF EQUITY AND DEBT INVESTMENTS
During fiscal 2005, the Company determined that the carrying value of its investments in two unrelated equity method investments was other-than-temporarily impaired and therefore recognized pre-tax impairment charges totaling $71.0 million ($65.6 million after tax). During fiscal 2006, the Company determined that the fair value of one of these equity method investments had declined further and recorded additional impairment charges. The Company also determined that the carrying value of a third equity method investment was impaired and recorded an impairment charge to reduce that investment to its estimated fair value. These impairment charges totaled $75.8 million ($73.1 million after tax) in fiscal 2006 (including charges of $23.5 million recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006). These pre-tax charges are reflected in equity method investment earnings (loss) in the consolidated statements of earnings. The extent of the impairments was determined based upon the Companys assessment of the recoverability of its investments based primarily upon the expected proceeds of planned dispositions of the investments.
The Company held, at May 28, 2006, subordinated notes in the original principal amount of $150 million plus accrued interest of $50.4 million from Swift Foods. During the Companys fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, Swift Foods effected changes in its capital structure. As a result of those changes, the Company determined that the fair value of the subordinated notes was impaired. From the date on which the Company initially determined that the value of the notes was impaired through the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company believed the impairment of this available-for-sale security to be temporary. As such, the Company had reduced the carrying value of the note by $35.4 million and recorded cumulative after-tax charges of $21.9 million in accumulated other comprehensive income as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2006. During the second half of fiscal 2006, due to the Companys consideration of current conditions related to the debtors business and changes in the Companys intended holding period for this investment, the Company determined that the impairment was other than temporary. Subsequent to year end, the Company reached an agreement to sell these notes for approximately $117.5 million, net of transaction expenses. Accordingly, the Company recognized impairment charges totaling $82.9 million in selling, general and administrative expenses (including charges of $36.2 million recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006) including the reclassification of the cumulative after-tax charges of $21.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive income during the second half of fiscal 2006.
66
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
7. INVENTORIES
The major classes of inventories are as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Raw materials and packaging |
|
$ |
986.0 |
|
$ |
912.8 |
|
Work in progress |
|
97.4 |
|
62.0 |
|
||
Finished goods |
|
924.4 |
|
1,055.9 |
|
||
Supplies and other |
|
124.7 |
|
122.9 |
|
||
|
|
$ |
2,132.5 |
|
$ |
2,153.6 |
|
8. CREDIT FACILITIES AND BORROWINGS
In December 2005, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion 5-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions. This new credit facility replaces the Companys $1.05 billion revolving credit facility, which was terminated upon the closing of the new facility. The new facility contains provisions substantially identical to those in the facility it replaces. The terms of the new facility provide that the Company may request that the commitments available under the facility be increased by up to an additional $500 million and that the term of the facility be extended for additional one-year periods on an annual basis.
At May 28, 2006, the Company had credit lines from banks that totaled approximately $2.2 billion, including the $1.5 billion 5-year revolving credit facility and short-term loan facilities approximating $682 million. The Company has not drawn upon the long-term revolving credit facilities. Borrowings under the long-term revolver agreements bear interest at or below prime rate and may be prepaid without penalty. As of May 28, 2006, the Company had $10 million drawn under the short-term loan facilities.
The Company finances its short-term liquidity needs with bank borrowings, commercial paper borrowings and bankers acceptances. The average consolidated short-term borrowings outstanding under these facilities were $14.3 million and $118.6 million for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively. The highest period-end, short-term indebtedness during fiscal 2006 and 2005 was $72.5 million and $270.5 million, respectively.
67
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
9. SENIOR LONG-TERM DEBT, SUBORDINATED DEBT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Senior Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
||
8.25% senior debt due September 2030 |
|
$ |
300.0 |
|
$ |
300.0 |
|
7.0% senior debt due October 2028 |
|
400.0 |
|
400.0 |
|
||
6.7% senior debt due August 2027 (redeemable at option of holders in 2009) |
|
300.0 |
|
300.0 |
|
||
7.125% senior debt due October 2026 (redeemable at option of holders in 2006) |
|
400.0 |
|
400.0 |
|
||
7.875% senior debt due September 2010 |
|
500.0 |
|
750.0 |
|
||
9.875% senior debt due November 2005 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
||
6.0% senior debt due September 2006 |
|
|
|
500.0 |
|
||
6.75% senior debt due September 2011 |
|
1,000.0 |
|
1,000.0 |
|
||
4.55% to 10.07% lease financing obligations due on various dates through 2024 |
|
208.0 |
|
232.4 |
|
||
Other |
|
70.7 |
|
78.5 |
|
||
Total face value senior debt |
|
3,178.7 |
|
4,060.9 |
|
||
Subordinated Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
||
9.75% subordinated debt due March 2021 |
|
400.0 |
|
400.0 |
|
||
Total face value subordinated debt |
|
400.0 |
|
400.0 |
|
||
Total debt face value |
|
3,578.7 |
|
4,460.9 |
|
||
Unamortized discounts/premiums |
|
(5.8 |
) |
(9.1 |
) |
||
Hedged debt adjustment to fair value |
|
3.0 |
|
14.6 |
|
||
Less current portion |
|
(421.1 |
) |
(117.3 |
) |
||
Total long-term debt |
|
$ |
3,154.8 |
|
$ |
4,349.1 |
|
The aggregate minimum principal maturities of the long-term debt for each of the five fiscal years following May 28, 2006, are as follows:
2007 |
|
$ |
421.1 |
|
2008 |
|
21.5 |
|
|
2009 |
|
17.9 |
|
|
2010 |
|
37.9 |
|
|
2011 |
|
512.4 |
|
Included in current installments of long-term debt is $400 million of 7.125% senior debt due October 2026 due to the existence of a put option that is exercisable by the holders of the debt from August 1, 2006 to September 1, 2006. If the put option is not exercised by the holders of the debt, the Company would reclassify the $400 million balance to senior long-term debt in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, when the put option has expired.
The most restrictive note agreements (the revolving credit facilities and certain privately placed long-term debt) require the Company to repay the debt if consolidated funded debt exceeds 65% of the
68
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
9. SENIOR LONG-TERM DEBT, SUBORDINATED DEBT AND LOAN AGREEMENTS (Continued)
consolidated capital base, as defined, or if fixed charges coverage, as defined, is less than 1.75 to 1.0, as such terms are defined in applicable agreements. As of the end of fiscal 2006, the Companys consolidated funded debt was approximately 39% of its consolidated capital base and the fixed charges ratio was approximately 3.8 to 1.0.
Net interest expense consists of:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Long-term debt |
|
$ |
311.9 |
|
$ |
349.1 |
|
$ |
335.1 |
|
Short-term debt |
|
0.4 |
|
0.8 |
|
7.2 |
|
|||
Interest income |
|
(34.9 |
) |
(27.0 |
) |
(49.6 |
) |
|||
Interest included in cost of goods sold |
|
(25.8 |
) |
(19.3 |
) |
(13.4 |
) |
|||
Interest capitalized |
|
(5.0 |
) |
(8.6 |
) |
(4.4 |
) |
|||
|
|
$ |
246.6 |
|
$ |
295.0 |
|
$ |
274.9 |
|
As noted in the above table, interest expense incurred to finance hedged inventories has been reflected in cost of goods sold.
Net interest paid was $304.9 million, $360.3 million and $334.2 million in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
In fiscal 2004, the Company received approximately $134 million from the termination of all of its interest rate swaps (see Note 17). The proceeds are not included in the net interest paid amount for fiscal 2004. The Companys net interest expense was reduced by $11.5 million in fiscal 2006 due to the net impact of previously closed interest rate swap agreements, as compared to $27.5 million in fiscal 2005.
The carrying amount of long-term debt (including current installments) was $3.6 billion and $4.5 billion as of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, respectively. Based on current market rates provided primarily by outside investment bankers, the fair value of this debt at May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005 was estimated at $3.8 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively.
During fiscal 2006, the Company redeemed $500.0 million of 6% senior debt due in September 2006 and $250 million of 7.875% senior debt due in September 2010. These early retirements of debt resulted in pre-tax losses of $30.3 million (including $26.3 million recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006), which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
In addition to these early retirements of debt, the Company made scheduled principal payments of debt and payments of lease financing obligations during fiscal 2006, reducing long-term debt by $149.0 million.
69
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
10. OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Other noncurrent liabilities consist of:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Legal and environmental liabilities primarily associated with the Companys acquisition of Beatrice Company (see Note 16) |
|
$ |
106.8 |
|
$ |
111.3 |
|
Postretirement health care and pensions |
|
630.5 |
|
615.8 |
|
||
Deferred taxes |
|
502.2 |
|
477.8 |
|
||
Other |
|
70.3 |
|
71.8 |
|
||
|
|
1,309.8 |
|
1,276.7 |
|
||
Less current portion |
|
(112.2 |
) |
(87.5 |
) |
||
|
|
$ |
1,197.6 |
|
$ |
1,189.2 |
|
11. CAPITAL STOCK
The Company has authorized shares of preferred stock as follows:
Class B$50 par value; 150,000 shares
Class C$100 par value; 250,000 shares
Class Dwithout par value; 1,100,000 shares
Class Ewithout par value; 16,550,000 shares
There were no preferred shares issued or outstanding as of May 28, 2006.
On December 4, 2003, the Company announced a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion. During fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, the Company repurchased approximately 8.7 million shares at a total cost of $197.0 million, 6.8 million shares at a total cost of $181.4 million and 15.3 million shares at a total cost of $418.6 million, respectively.
12. EMPLOYEE EQUITY FUND
In fiscal 1993, the Company established a $700 million Employee Equity Fund (EEF), a grantor trust, to pre-fund future stock-related obligations of the Companys compensation and benefit plans. The EEF supported employee plans that used ConAgra Foods common stock.
For financial reporting purposes, the EEF was consolidated with ConAgra Foods. The fair value of the shares held by the EEF was shown as a reduction to common stockholders equity in the Companys consolidated balance sheets. All dividends and interest transactions between the EEF and ConAgra Foods were eliminated. Differences between cost and fair value of shares held and/or released were included in consolidated additional paid-in capital.
During fiscal 2005, all remaining shares held by the EEF were issued, and the EEF was terminated.
70
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
13. STOCK PLANS
Stock option plans approved by the stockholders provide for granting of options to employees for purchase of common stock at prices equal to fair value at the time of grant. Options become exercisable under various vesting schedules (typically three to five years) and generally expire 10 years after the date of grant.
A summary of the outstanding and exercisable stock options during the three years ended May 28, 2006 is presented below:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Shares |
|
Weighted
|
|
Shares |
|
Weighted
|
|
Shares |
|
Weighted
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
(Shares in millions) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at beginning of year |
|
|
24.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.70 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
23.98 |
|
|
|
35.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
23.76 |
|
|
Granted |
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
22.88 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
27.43 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
21.90 |
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
$ |
20.27 |
|
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
|
|
$ |
21.94 |
|
|
|
(5.8 |
) |
|
|
$ |
20.47 |
|
|
Forfeited/Expired |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
$ |
25.54 |
|
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
$ |
26.10 |
|
|
|
(4.3 |
) |
|
|
$ |
25.19 |
|
|
Outstanding at end of year |
|
|
27.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.24 |
|
|
|
24.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.71 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
23.98 |
|
|
Options exercisable at end of year |
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.54 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.73 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.46 |
|
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of May 28, 2006:
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
Options Exercisable |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Range of Exercise Prices |
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Number
|
|
Weighted
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
(Shares in millions) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
$ 4.87 - $22.55 |
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
21.35 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
21.35 |
|
|
||
$22.56 - $23.19 |
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
22.96 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
22.97 |
|
|
||
$23.20 - $28.18 |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
25.80 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
$ |
25.64 |
|
|
||
$28.19 - $36.81 |
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
31.08 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
31.11 |
|
|
||
$ 4.87 - $36.81 |
|
|
27.6 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.24 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
24.54 |
|
|
||
In accordance with stockholder-approved plans, the Company issues stock under various stock-based compensation arrangements, including restricted stock, other share-based awards and stock issued in lieu of cash bonuses. Under each arrangement, stock is issued without direct cost to the employee. In addition, the Company grants restricted share equivalents pursuant to plans approved by stockholders which are ultimately settled in cash based on the market price of the Companys stock as of the date the award is fully vested. During fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company granted shares and share equivalents totaling 0.7 million, 1.9 million and 2.1 million, respectively, with a weighted average grant date value of $22.74, $27.50 and $23.95, respectively, under these arrangements. The compensation expense for the Companys stock-based awards totaled $36.3 million, $25.1 million and $21.8 million for fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. At May 28, 2006, the amount of deferred stock-based compensation granted, but to be recognized over future periods, was estimated to be $34.4 million.
71
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
13. STOCK PLANS (Continued)
At May 28, 2006, approximately 7.7 million shares were reserved for granting additional options, restricted stock, bonus stock awards, or other share-based awards.
14. PRE-TAX INCOME AND INCOME TAXES
Pre-tax income from continuing operations (including equity method investment earnings (loss)) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting consisted of the following:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
United States |
|
$ |
853.1 |
|
$ |
920.3 |
|
$ |
797.0 |
|
Foreign |
|
52.7 |
|
53.2 |
|
61.5 |
|
|||
|
|
$ |
905.8 |
|
$ |
973.5 |
|
$ |
858.5 |
|
The provision for income taxes includes the following:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Federal |
|
$ |
314.2 |
|
$ |
140.2 |
|
$ |
130.9 |
|
State |
|
11.0 |
|
11.7 |
|
30.3 |
|
|||
Foreign |
|
18.2 |
|
36.6 |
|
32.5 |
|
|||
|
|
343.4 |
|
188.5 |
|
193.7 |
|
|||
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Federal |
|
(2.6 |
) |
167.7 |
|
104.5 |
|
|||
State |
|
(13.5 |
) |
46.4 |
|
16.5 |
|
|||
Foreign |
|
(17.6 |
) |
5.4 |
|
4.6 |
|
|||
|
|
(33.7 |
) |
219.5 |
|
125.6 |
|
|||
|
|
$ |
309.7 |
|
$ |
408.0 |
|
$ |
319.3 |
|
Income taxes computed by applying statutory rates to income from continuing operations before income taxes are reconciled to the provision for income taxes set forth in the consolidated statements of earnings as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Computed U.S. federal income taxes |
|
$ |
317.0 |
|
$ |
340.7 |
|
$ |
300.5 |
|
State income taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit |
|
(5.7 |
) |
54.2 |
|
32.1 |
|
|||
Export, tax credits and domestic manufacturing
|
|
(11.7 |
) |
(11.1 |
) |
(14.5 |
) |
|||
Foreign tax credits |
|
(7.9 |
) |
|
|
(50.9 |
) |
|||
Divestitures of businesses |
|
|
|
|
|
72.3 |
|
|||
Impairment of joint ventures |
|
27.6 |
|
22.0 |
|
|
|
|||
IRS settlement, net |
|
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
(27.0 |
) |
|||
SEC settlement reserve |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
8.8 |
|
|||
Other |
|
(9.6 |
) |
(0.9 |
) |
(2.0 |
) |
|||
|
|
$ |
309.7 |
|
$ |
408.0 |
|
$ |
319.3 |
|
72
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
14. PRE-TAX INCOME AND INCOME TAXES (Continued)
In 2006, state income taxes include approximately $26.1 million of benefits principally related to changes in state income tax estimates.
Income taxes paid were $340.0 million, $296.7 million, and $346.6 million in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities consists of the following:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Assets |
|
Liabilities |
|
Assets |
|
Liabilities |
|
|||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
400.5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$389.5 |
|
|
Pension and other postretirement benefits |
|
204.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
229.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other liabilities that will give rise to future tax deductions |
|
121.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
74.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Accrued expenses |
|
21.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
34.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments |
|
30.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49.9 |
|
|
|||
Capital loss carryforward |
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Foreign tax credit carryforwards |
|
32.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
40.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
State tax credit and NOL carryforwards |
|
21.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
10.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Goodwill, trademarks and other intangible assets |
|
|
|
|
351.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
356.1 |
|
|
|||
Compensation related liabilities |
|
48.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
48.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other |
|
0.5 |
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
36.4 |
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|||
|
|
492.1 |
|
|
755.8 |
|
|
493.9 |
|
|
809.3 |
|
|
|||
Less: Valuation allowance |
|
(47.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(48.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|||
Net deferred taxes |
|
$ |
444.2 |
|
|
$755.8 |
|
|
$445.1 |
|
|
$809.3 |
|
|
||
At May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, net deferred tax assets of $190.6 million and $113.6 million, respectively, are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. At May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, net deferred tax liabilities of $502.2 million and $477.8 million, respectively, are included in other noncurrent liabilities.
The reserve for tax contingencies related to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) exams, state and local exams and international tax matters was $56.6 million at May 28, 2006 and $41.4 million at May 29, 2005.
The Company has approximately $43.0 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards ($18.2 million expire between fiscal 2007 and 2021 and $24.8 million have no expiration dates).
Substantially all of the Companys foreign tax credits will expire in 2013. State tax credits of approximately $5.7 million expire in various years ranging from fiscal 2007 to 2021.
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the portion of the net operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards and other deferred tax assets it believes will not be realized. The net impact on income tax expense related to changes in the valuation allowance for fiscal 2006, 2005 and
73
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
14. PRE-TAX INCOME AND INCOME TAXES (Continued)
2004 was a $0.9 million benefit, a $9.1 million charge and $0, respectively. The current year change relates to increases to the valuation allowances for state net operating losses as well as decreases to the foreign tax credits and capital loss valuation allowances.
During fiscal 2006, the Company, in connection with a comprehensive review of prior years state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, recorded deferred tax assets of approximately $12.9 million and corresponding valuation allowances of approximately $12.6 million.
The Company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of non-U.S. affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. Deferred taxes are provided for earnings of non-U.S. federal affiliates and associated companies when the Company plans to remit those earnings.
15. COMMITMENTS
The Company leases certain facilities and transportation equipment under agreements that expire at various dates. Rent expense under all operating leases for continuing operations was $182.6 million, $176.7 million and $170.8 million in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Rent expense under operating leases for discontinued operations was $10.7 million, $17.1 million and $49.5 million in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
A summary of noncancelable operating lease commitments for fiscal years following May 28, 2006, is as follows:
2007 |
|
$ |
103.6 |
|
2008 |
|
114.1 |
|
|
2009 |
|
75.7 |
|
|
2010 |
|
65.9 |
|
|
2011 |
|
48.3 |
|
|
Later years |
|
272.8 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
680.4 |
|
The Company had performance bonds and other commitments and guarantees outstanding at May 28, 2006, aggregating to $49.5 million. This amount includes approximately $33 million in guarantees and other commitments the Company has made on behalf of the divested fresh beef and pork business.
The Company enters into many lease agreements for land, buildings and equipment at competitive market rates, and some of the lease arrangements are with Opus Corporation or its affiliates. A director of the Company is a beneficial owner, officer and director of Opus Corporation. The agreements relate to the leasing of land, buildings and equipment for the Company in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company occupies the buildings pursuant to long term leases with Opus Corporation and other investors, which leases contain various termination rights and purchase options. Leases commencing in 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001 and 2002 required annual lease payments by the Company of $15.8 million for fiscal year 2006. As a result of adopting FIN 46R, the Company has consolidated certain of the Opus affiliates from which it leases property, plant and equipment. These leases were previously accounted for as operating leases. The
74
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
15. COMMITMENTS (Continued)
Company has entered into construction contracts with Opus Corporation or its affiliates, which relate to the construction of improvements to various properties occupied by the Company; payments made by the Company to Opus Corporation or its affiliates with respect to these agreements totaled $1.6 million for fiscal 2006 and $52.9 million for fiscal 2005. The Company purchases property management services from Opus Corporation; payments made by the Company to Opus Corporation or its affiliates for these services totaled $1.4 million for fiscal year 2006. Opus Corporation had revenues in excess of $1.25 billion in 2005.
16. CONTINGENCIES
In fiscal 1991, the Company acquired Beatrice Company (Beatrice). As a result of the acquisition and the significant pre-acquisition contingencies of the Beatrice businesses and its former subsidiaries, the consolidated post-acquisition financial statements of the Company reflect significant liabilities associated with the estimated resolution of these contingencies. These include various litigation and environmental proceedings related to businesses divested by Beatrice prior to its acquisition by the Company. The litigation includes several public nuisance and personal injury suits against ConAgra Grocery Products and the Company as alleged successors to W. P. Fuller Co., a lead paint and pigment manufacturer owned and operated by Beatrice until 1967. The environmental proceedings include litigation and administrative proceedings involving Beatrices status as a potentially responsible party at 29 Superfund, proposed Superfund or state-equivalent sites; these sites involve locations previously owned or operated by predecessors of Beatrice that used or produced petroleum, pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, inks, solvents, PCBs, acids, lead, sulfur, tannery wastes and/or other contaminants. Beatrice has paid or is in the process of paying its liability share at 28 of these sites. Reserves for these matters have been established based on the Companys best estimate of its undiscounted remediation liabilities, which estimates include evaluation of investigatory studies, extent of required cleanup, the known volumetric contribution of Beatrice and other potentially responsible parties and its experience in remediating sites. The reserves for Beatrice environmental matters totaled $104.9 million as of May 28, 2006 and $109.5 million as of May 29, 2005, a majority of which relates to the Superfund and state equivalent sites referenced above. Expenditures for these matters are expected to occur over a period of up to 20 years.
In certain limited situations, the Company will guarantee an obligation of an unconsolidated entity. Currently, the Company guarantees certain obligations primarily associated with leases entered into by certain of its equity method investees and divested companies. Under these arrangements, the Company is obligated to perform should the primary obligor be unable to perform. Most of these guarantees resulted from the Companys fresh beef and pork divestiture. The remaining terms of these arrangements do not exceed 9 years and the maximum amount of future payments the Company has guaranteed is approximately $47.6 million as of May 28, 2006. The Company has guaranteed the performance of the divested fresh beef and pork business with respect to the hog purchase contract. The hog purchase contract requires the fresh beef and pork business to purchase a minimum of approximately 1.2 million hogs annually through 2014. The contract stipulates minimum price commitments, based in part on market prices and, in certain circumstances, also includes price adjustments based on certain inputs. The Company does not have a liability established in its consolidated balance sheets for these arrangements as the Company has determined that performance under the guarantees is not probable.
75
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
16. CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
The results for fiscal 2004 include litigation expense related to a choline chloride joint venture with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DuPont) that was sold in 1997. Subsequent to the sale, civil antitrust lawsuits against DuPont, the Company and the venture were filed in various federal and state courts. In connection with the settlement of certain of these cases and the remaining civil actions, the Company recorded a $25 million pre-tax charge against earnings in fiscal 2004 as an additional reserve for these matters. The litigation expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
On June 22, 2001, the Company filed an amended annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000. The filing included restated financial information for fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The restatement, due to accounting and conduct matters at United Agri Products, Inc. (UAP), a former subsidiary, was based upon an investigation undertaken by the Company and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. The restatement was principally related to revenue recognition for deferred delivery sales and vendor rebates, advance vendor rebates and bad debt reserves. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a formal order of nonpublic investigation dated September 28, 2001. The Company is cooperating with the SEC investigation, which relates to the UAP matters described above, as well as other aspects of the Companys financial statements, including the level and application of certain of the Companys reserves.
The Company is currently conducting discussions with the SEC Staff regarding a possible settlement of these matters. Based on discussions to date, the Company estimates the amount of such settlement and related payments to be approximately $46.5 million. The Company recorded charges of $25 million and $21.5 million in fiscal 2004 and the third quarter of fiscal 2005, respectively, in connection with the expected settlement of these matters. There can be no assurance that the negotiations with the SEC Staff will ultimately be successful or that the SEC will accept the terms of any settlement that is negotiated with the SEC Staff.
The Company is a party to a number of lawsuits and claims arising out of the operation of its businesses. After taking into account liabilities recorded for all of the foregoing matters, management believes the ultimate resolution of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Costs of legal services are recognized in earnings as services are provided.
17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING
The Company is exposed to market risks, such as changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage volatility associated with these exposures, the Company may enter into various derivative transactions (e.g., futures and options) pursuant to established Company policies.
Commodity Price Management The Company is subject to raw material price fluctuations caused by supply conditions, weather, economic conditions and other factors. Generally, the Company utilizes commodity futures and options contracts to reduce the volatility of commodity input prices on items such as vegetable oils, proteins, dairy, grains and energy.
76
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING (Continued)
For derivatives designated as a hedge of an anticipated transaction (e.g., future purchase of inventory), changes in the fair value of the derivatives are deferred in the balance sheet within accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent the hedge is effective in mitigating the exposure to the related anticipated transaction. Any ineffectiveness associated with the hedge is recognized immediately in the statement of earnings. Amounts deferred within accumulated other comprehensive income are recognized in the statement of earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings (e.g., when hedged inventory is sold). If it is determined that the occurrence of an anticipated transaction is no longer probable, amounts deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income are immediately recognized in the statement of earnings.
Foreign Currency Management In order to reduce exposures related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company may enter into forward exchange or option contracts for transactions denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. This includes, but is not limited to, hedging against foreign currency risk in purchasing inventory and capital equipment, sales of finished goods and future settlement of foreign-denominated assets and liabilities.
Hedges of anticipated foreign currency-denominated transactions are designated as cash flow hedges. The gains and losses associated with these hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until the forecasted transaction impacts earnings. Forward exchange and option contracts are also used to hedge firm commitment transactions denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. The firm commitments and foreign currency hedges are both recognized at fair value within prepaid expenses and other current assets or other accrued liabilities. Gains and losses associated with firm commitment and foreign currency hedges are recognized within net sales, cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the transaction. Foreign currency derivatives that the Company has elected not to account for under hedge accounting are recorded immediately in earnings within sales, cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the transaction.
Interest Rate Management In order to reduce exposures related to changes in interest rates, the Company may use derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps. During fiscal 2004, the Company closed out all $2.5 billion of its interest rate swap agreements in order to lock-in existing favorable interest rates. These interest rate swap agreements were previously put in place as a strategy to hedge interest costs associated with long-term debt. For financial statement and tax purposes, the proceeds received upon termination of the interest rate swap agreements will be recognized over the term of the debt instruments originally hedged.
Of the $2.5 billion (notional amount) interest rate swaps closed out in fiscal 2004, $2 billion of the interest rate swaps had been used to effectively convert certain of the Companys fixed rate debt into floating rate debt. These interest rate swaps were accounted for as fair value hedges and resulted in no recognition of ineffectiveness in the statement of earnings as the interest rate swaps provisions matched the applicable provisions of the hedged debt. The remaining $500 million portion of the Companys interest rate swaps was used to hedge certain of the Companys forecasted interest payments on floating rate debt for the period from 2005 through 2011. These interest rate swaps were accounted for as cash flow hedges with gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income, to the extent the hedge was effective. During fiscal 2005, the Company determined it was no longer probable that the related
77
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING (Continued)
floating rate debt would be issued and therefore the Company recognized approximately $13.6 million of additional interest expense associated with this interest rate swap. Overall, the Companys net interest expense was reduced by $11.5 million in fiscal 2006 due to the net impact of previously closed interest rate swap agreements, as compared to $27.5 million in fiscal 2005.
The fair value of derivative assets is recognized within prepaid expenses and other current assets, while the fair value of derivative liabilities is recognized within other accrued liabilities. As of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, the fair value of derivatives recognized within prepaid expenses and other current assets was $401.1 million and $300.2 million, respectively, while the amount recognized within other accrued liabilities was $283.8 million and $266.9 million, respectively. As of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, there were no significant derivative-related amounts recognized in discontinued operations.
For fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, the ineffectiveness associated with derivatives designated as cash flow and fair value hedges from continuing operations was a gain of $4.8 million, a loss of $0.1 million, and a gain of $4.1 million, respectively. Hedge ineffectiveness is recognized within net sales, cost of goods sold or interest expense, depending on the nature of the hedge. The Company does not exclude any component of the hedging instruments gain or loss when assessing effectiveness.
Generally, the Company hedges a portion of its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months. The Company may enter into longer-term hedges on particular commodities if deemed appropriate. As of May 28, 2006, the Company had hedged certain portions of its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs through May 2008.
As of May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, the net deferred gain or loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income was a $14.3 million gain and a $7.7 million gain, net of tax, respectively. The Company anticipates a gain of $7.3 million, net of tax, will be transferred out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized within earnings over the next 12 months. The Company anticipates a gain of $7.0 million, net of tax, will be transferred out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized within earnings subsequent to the next 12 months.
Gains of $46.9 million and $1.8 million, net of tax, were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income from continuing operations in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively. For fiscal 2006 and 2005, no significant gains/losses were transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income into income (loss) from discontinued operations. Other than the terminated interest rate cash flow hedge cited above, the Company did not discontinue any cash flow or fair value hedges in fiscal 2006.
Commodity and Derivatives Trading The Company, in its Trading and Merchandising reporting segment, engages in trading of commodities and related derivative instruments, in the normal course of business.
The Company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts and over-the-counter option contracts as components of trading and merchandising strategies designed to enhance margins. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts, over-the-counter option contracts, forward cash purchase contracts, and forward cash sales contracts of energy and agricultural commodities, which have not been designated as cash flow hedges, are valued at market price. Changes in the market value of forward cash purchase and
78
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING (Continued)
sales contracts, exchange-traded futures and options contracts, and over-the-counter option contracts are recognized in earnings immediately. Unrealized gains and losses on forward cash purchase contracts, forward cash sales contracts, exchange-traded futures and options contracts, and over-the-counter option contracts represent the fair value of such instruments. Unrealized gains are included in the Companys balance sheets in inventory or prepaid and other current assets and unrealized losses are included in other accrued liabilities.
18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company and its subsidiaries have defined benefit retirement plans (plans) for eligible salaried and hourly employees. Benefits are based on years of credited service and average compensation or stated amounts for each year of service. The Company uses February 28 as its measurement date for its plans. The Company also sponsors postretirement plans which provide certain medical and dental benefits (other benefits) to qualifying U.S. employees.
The changes in benefit obligations and plan assets at February 28, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:
|
|
Pension Benefits |
|
Other Benefits |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
Change in Benefit Obligation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |
|
$ |
2,237.5 |
|
$ |
2,111.2 |
|
$ |
411.7 |
|
$ |
527.7 |
|
Service cost |
|
63.7 |
|
58.7 |
|
2.5 |
|
2.8 |
|
||||
Interest cost |
|
125.6 |
|
123.2 |
|
21.5 |
|
26.1 |
|
||||
Plan participants contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
6.3 |
|
||||
Amendments |
|
5.2 |
|
4.0 |
|
(8.1 |
) |
(87.0 |
) |
||||
Actuarial (gain) loss |
|
5.4 |
|
52.0 |
|
22.1 |
|
(10.6 |
) |
||||
Dispositions |
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
|
|
||||
Other |
|
0.3 |
|
0.3 |
|
0.2 |
|
0.2 |
|
||||
Benefits paid |
|
(109.4 |
) |
(111.9 |
) |
(55.5 |
) |
(53.8 |
) |
||||
Benefit obligation at end of year |
|
$ |
2,331.4 |
|
$ |
2,237.5 |
|
$ |
399.6 |
|
$ |
411.7 |
|
Change in Plan Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
|
$ |
1,892.5 |
|
$ |
1,875.0 |
|
$ |
5.9 |
|
$ |
6.6 |
|
Actual return on plan assets |
|
166.0 |
|
139.7 |
|
0.1 |
|
0.1 |
|
||||
Employer contributions |
|
30.8 |
|
9.2 |
|
47.4 |
|
46.7 |
|
||||
Plan participants contributions |
|
|
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
6.3 |
|
||||
Investment and administrative expenses |
|
(18.8 |
) |
(19.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
||||
Other |
|
0.3 |
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Benefits paid |
|
(109.4 |
) |
(111.9 |
) |
(55.5 |
) |
(53.8 |
) |
||||
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |
|
$ |
1,961.4 |
|
$ |
1,892.5 |
|
$ |
5.2 |
|
$ |
5.9 |
|
79
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Continued)
The funded status and amounts recognized in the Companys consolidated balance sheets at May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005 were:
|
|
Pension Benefits |
|
Other Benefits |
|
||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||
Funded status |
|
$ |
(370.0 |
) |
$ |
(345.0 |
) |
$ |
(394.4 |
) |
$ |
(405.9 |
) |
Unrecognized actuarial loss |
|
181.9 |
|
213.1 |
|
121.6 |
|
108.2 |
|
||||
Unrecognized prior service cost |
|
18.2 |
|
17.2 |
|
(76.5 |
) |
(81.3 |
) |
||||
Unrecognized transition amount |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
||||
Fourth quarter employer contribution |
|
6.5 |
|
1.5 |
|
9.0 |
|
10.3 |
|
||||
Accrued benefit cost |
|
$ |
(163.4 |
) |
$ |
(113.5 |
) |
$ |
(340.3 |
) |
$ |
(368.7 |
) |
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Accrued benefit cost |
|
$ |
(291.7 |
) |
$ |
(248.1 |
) |
$ |
(340.3 |
) |
$ |
(368.7 |
) |
Intangible asset |
|
19.3 |
|
19.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
109.0 |
|
115.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net amount recognized |
|
$ |
(163.4 |
) |
$ |
(113.5 |
) |
$ |
(340.3 |
) |
$ |
(368.7 |
) |
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations At February 28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Discount rate |
|
5.75 |
% |
5.75 |
% |
5.50 |
% |
5.50 |
% |
||||
Long-term rate of compensation increase |
|
4.25 |
% |
4.25 |
% |
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $2.2 billion and $2.1 billion at February 28, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at February 28, 2006 and 2005 were:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||
Projected benefit obligation |
|
$ |
2,329.2 |
|
$ |
2,237.5 |
|
Accumulated benefit obligation |
|
2,223.9 |
|
2,132.2 |
|
||
Fair value of plan assets |
|
1,958.8 |
|
1,892.5 |
|
||
80
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Continued)
Components of pension benefit and other postretirement benefit costs are:
|
|
Pension Benefits |
|
Other Benefits |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
||||||
Service cost |
|
$ |
63.7 |
|
$ |
58.7 |
|
$ |
61.7 |
|
$ |
2.5 |
|
$ |
2.8 |
|
$ |
3.8 |
|
Interest cost |
|
125.6 |
|
123.2 |
|
119.7 |
|
21.5 |
|
26.1 |
|
31.9 |
|
||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(129.6 |
) |
(131.1 |
) |
(127.1 |
) |
(0.3 |
) |
(0.3 |
) |
(0.6 |
) |
||||||
Amortization of prior service costs |
|
2.7 |
|
2.5 |
|
2.3 |
|
(12.9 |
) |
(9.6 |
) |
(0.8 |
) |
||||||
Amortization of transition asset |
|
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss |
|
18.9 |
|
10.1 |
|
5.3 |
|
8.1 |
|
8.1 |
|
2.4 |
|
||||||
Curtailment (gain) loss |
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
(0.6 |
) |
|
|
(2.8 |
) |
||||||
Benefit costCompany plans |
|
85.8 |
|
63.2 |
|
66.7 |
|
18.3 |
|
27.1 |
|
33.9 |
|
||||||
Pension benefit costmulti-employer plans |
|
10.5 |
|
8.0 |
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total benefit cost |
|
$ |
96.3 |
|
$ |
71.2 |
|
$ |
75.7 |
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
$ |
27.1 |
|
$ |
33.9 |
|
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions Used to Determine Net Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Discount rate |
|
5.75 |
% |
6.00 |
% |
6.50 |
% |
5.50 |
% |
6.00 |
% |
6.50 |
% |
||||||
Long-term rate of return on plan assets |
|
7.75 |
% |
7.75 |
% |
7.75 |
% |
4.50 |
% |
4.50 |
% |
13.7 |
% |
||||||
Long-term rate of compensation increase |
|
4.25 |
% |
4.50 |
% |
4.50 |
% |
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
The Company amortizes prior service costs and amortizable gains and losses in equal annual amounts over the average expected future period of vested service. For plans with no active participants, average life expectancy is used instead of average expected useful service.
To develop the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the pension plan, the Company considers the current level of expected returns on risk free investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class is then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption for the portfolio.
Included in the Companys postretirement plan assets are guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) entered into in 1981. In fiscal 2004, the Company changed its estimate of fair value of the GICs and modified the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets from 13.7% (the stated yield of the contracts) to 4.5% (the effective yield on the contracts when stated at fair value). These changes did not have a material impact on amounts recorded in the Companys consolidated financial statements.
81
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Continued)
The Companys pension plan weighted-average asset allocations and the Companys target asset allocations at February 28, 2006 and 2005, by asset category are as follows:
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
Target
|
|
||||||
Equity Securities |
|
|
61 |
% |
|
|
59 |
% |
|
|
50 - 80 |
% |
|
Debt Securities |
|
|
27 |
% |
|
|
28 |
% |
|
|
20 - 30 |
% |
|
Real Estate |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
0 - 8 |
% |
|
Other |
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
0 - 20 |
% |
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys investment strategy reflects the expectation that equity securities will outperform debt securities over the long term. Assets are invested in a prudent manner to maintain the security of funds while maximizing returns within the Companys Investment Policy guidelines. The strategy is implemented utilizing indexed and actively managed assets from the categories listed.
The investment goals are to provide a total return that, over the long term, increases the ratio of plan assets to liabilities subject to an acceptable level of risk. This is accomplished through diversification of assets in accordance with the Investment Policy guidelines. Investment risk is mitigated by periodic rebalancing between asset classes as necessitated by changes in market conditions within the Investment Policy guidelines.
Equity securities include common stock of the Company in the amounts of $104.1 million (5.3% of total pension plan assets) and $134.8 million (7.1% of total pension plan assets) at February 28, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Subsequent to February 28, 2006, pension plan consultants recommended reducing exposure to any individual stock to increase diversification of trust assets and decrease concentration and volatility associated with a single stock investment, among other considerations. This recommendation was approved by the Plan Administrator and all Company stock held in trust was acquired by the Company from the plans trust on May 4, 2006 in the amount of $116.2 million, which represented fair market value at the close of market on that date.
In May 2005, the Company created and funded a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Trust (VEBA) for the purpose of funding benefit payments to participants in the Companys postretirement benefit plans and severance payments to employees terminated under the Companys current salaried headcount reduction. The Company contributed $100.0 million and $75.0 million to the VEBA in May 2006 and May 2005, respectively, and reflects the remaining balances of $100.4 million and $75.0 million, respectively, in prepaid and other current assets at May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005.
On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Part D) was signed into law. The law allows for a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide benefits that are at least actuarially equivalent to the benefits established by the law. The Company provides retiree drug benefits that exceed the value of the benefits that will be provided by Medicare Part D, and the retirees out-of-pocket costs are less than they would be under Medicare Part D. Therefore, the Company has concluded that its plan is at least actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D plan and that it will be eligible for the subsidy. The Company has reflected the impact
82
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
18. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Continued)
of the subsidy by reducing its expense for health care costs by $7.7 million and $11.5 million in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively. The Company also reflected an unrecognized gain, which reduced its projected benefit obligation by $51.6 million at May 30, 2004.
The increase (decrease) in the minimum pension liability included in other comprehensive income was $(6.1) million and $4.8 million for the fiscal years ended May 28, 2006 and May 29, 2005, respectively.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the benefit obligation of the postretirement plans.
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at February 28 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
Initial health care cost trend rate |
|
9.5 |
% |
9.0 |
% |
||
Ultimate health care cost trend rate |
|
5.0 |
% |
5.0 |
% |
||
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
|
A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost rates would have the following effect:
|
|
One Percent
|
|
One Percent
|
|
||||||
Effect on total service and interest cost |
|
|
$ |
2.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
(1.9 |
) |
|
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation |
|
|
32.0 |
|
|
|
(27.7 |
) |
|
The Company currently anticipates making contributions of approximately $70 million to the pension plans in fiscal year 2007. This estimate is based on current tax laws, plan asset performance and liability assumptions, which are subject to change. The Company anticipates making contributions of $39.8 million to the postretirement plan in fiscal 2007.
The following table presents estimated future gross benefit payments and Medicare Part D subsidy receipts for the Companys plans:
|
|
|
|
Health Care and Life Insurance |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Pension Benefits |
|
Benefit Payments |
|
Subsidy Receipts |
|
|||||||||
2007 |
|
|
$ |
117.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
39.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
(4.0 |
) |
|
2008 |
|
|
116.4 |
|
|
|
40.7 |
|
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|||
2009 |
|
|
120.9 |
|
|
|
41.0 |
|
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
|
|||
2010 |
|
|
126.0 |
|
|
|
41.0 |
|
|
|
(4.6 |
) |
|
|||
2011 |
|
|
131.9 |
|
|
|
40.8 |
|
|
|
(4.7 |
) |
|
|||
Succeeding 5 years |
|
|
749.6 |
|
|
|
186.1 |
|
|
|
(24.6 |
) |
|
Certain employees of the Company are covered under defined contribution plans. The expense related to these plans was $25.9 million, $30.8 million and $31.6 million in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
83
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
19. BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION
Historically, the Company reported its results of operations in three segments: the Retail Products segment, the Foodservice Products segment, and the Food Ingredients segment. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, due to changes in its management structure, the Company began reporting its operations in four reporting segments: Consumer Foods, International Foods, Food and Ingredients, and Trading and Merchandising. Fiscal 2005 and 2004 financial information has been conformed to reflect the segment change. The Consumer Foods reporting segment includes branded, private label and customized food products which are sold in various retail and foodservice channels. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes. The Food and Ingredients reporting segment includes commercially branded foods and ingredients, which are sold principally to foodservice, food manufacturing and industrial customers. The segments primary products include specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, blends and flavors. The Trading and Merchandising reporting segment includes the sourcing, merchandising, trading, marketing, and distribution of agricultural and energy commodities. The International Foods reporting segment includes branded food products which are sold in retail channels principally in North America, Europe and Asia. The products include a variety of categories (meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks and desserts) across frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable temperature classes.
The Companys fiscal year ends the last Sunday in May. The fiscal years for the consolidated financial statements presented consist of 52-week periods for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, and a 53-week period for fiscal year 2004. The estimated impact on the Companys results of operations due to the extra week in fiscal 2004 is additional net sales of approximately $214 million and additional segment operating profit of approximately $35 million.
Intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. Operating profit for each segment is based on net sales less all identifiable operating expenses. General corporate expense, net interest expense, equity method investment earnings (loss), gain on sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock, and income taxes have been excluded from segment operations.
Operating profit for fiscal 2005 at the Consumer Foods segment includes a $17.0 million benefit for favorable legal settlements partially offset by a $10.0 million charge for an impairment of a brand and related assets. Operating profit for fiscal 2005 at the Food and Ingredients segment includes a $10.0 million casualty loss from a fire at a production facility and a $15.0 million charge for the impairment of a manufacturing facility. Operating profit in fiscal 2006 included a $6 million charge related to a plant closure in the International Foods segment.
During fiscal 2004, the Company divested a minority share in a venture, receiving approximately $31.4 million. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $21.2 million upon the divestiture, which is recognized as a reduction of corporate expenses.
General corporate expenses for fiscal 2006 included charges of $82.9 million for the impairment of the note receivable from Swift & Company, charges of $30.3 million related to early retirement of debt, charges of approximately $19 million of costs for the accelerated recognition of compensation in connection with the transition of certain executives, and a $17 million charge related to patent-related
84
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
19. BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION (Continued)
litigation. General corporate expenses for fiscal 2005 include charges of $22.0 million related to early retirement of debt and a charge of $21.5 million in relation to the pending matter with the SEC.
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Sales to unaffiliated customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
6,600.6 |
|
$ |
6,715.4 |
|
$ |
6,553.9 |
|
International Foods |
|
604.4 |
|
578.2 |
|
567.4 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
3,188.6 |
|
2,985.8 |
|
2,898.1 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
1,185.8 |
|
1,224.3 |
|
906.9 |
|
|||
Total |
|
$ |
11,579.4 |
|
$ |
11,503.7 |
|
$ |
10,926.3 |
|
Intersegment sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
153.9 |
|
$ |
99.6 |
|
$ |
23.7 |
|
International Foods |
|
|
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
198.6 |
|
204.1 |
|
176.9 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
19.8 |
|
35.7 |
|
31.4 |
|
|||
|
|
372.3 |
|
339.4 |
|
233.2 |
|
|||
Intersegment elimination |
|
(372.3 |
) |
(339.4 |
) |
(233.2 |
) |
|||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
6,754.5 |
|
$ |
6,815.0 |
|
$ |
6,577.6 |
|
International Foods |
|
604.4 |
|
578.2 |
|
568.6 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
3,387.2 |
|
3,189.9 |
|
3,075.0 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
1,205.6 |
|
1,260.0 |
|
938.3 |
|
|||
Intersegment elimination |
|
(372.3 |
) |
(339.4 |
) |
(233.2 |
) |
|||
Total net sales |
|
$ |
11,579.4 |
|
$ |
11,503.7 |
|
$ |
10,926.3 |
|
Operating profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
838.5 |
|
$ |
944.5 |
|
$ |
955.7 |
|
International Foods |
|
62.3 |
|
62.7 |
|
51.1 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
358.4 |
|
305.9 |
|
332.2 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
168.7 |
|
196.8 |
|
102.8 |
|
|||
Total operating profit |
|
1,427.9 |
|
1,509.9 |
|
1,441.8 |
|
|||
General corporate expenses |
|
(555.3 |
) |
(402.2 |
) |
(351.9 |
) |
|||
Gain on sale of Pilgrims Pride Corporation common stock |
|
329.4 |
|
185.7 |
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense, net |
|
(246.6 |
) |
(295.0 |
) |
(274.9 |
) |
|||
Income tax expense |
|
(309.7 |
) |
(408.0 |
) |
(319.3 |
) |
|||
Equity method investment earnings (loss) |
|
(49.6 |
) |
(24.9 |
) |
43.5 |
|
|||
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
596.1 |
|
565.5 |
|
539.2 |
|
|||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
|
(62.3 |
) |
76.0 |
|
285.2 |
|
|||
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting, net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
533.8 |
|
$ |
641.5 |
|
$ |
811.3 |
|
85
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005, and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
19. BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION (Continued)
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
Identifiable assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
6,269.6 |
|
$ |
6,572.6 |
|
$ |
6,711.0 |
|
International Foods |
|
352.0 |
|
357.4 |
|
343.8 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
1,616.1 |
|
1,598.8 |
|
1,636.2 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
1,478.2 |
|
1,357.8 |
|
1,416.9 |
|
|||
Corporate |
|
1,572.7 |
|
1,782.6 |
|
2,627.0 |
|
|||
Discontinued operations |
|
681.8 |
|
1,373.6 |
|
1,575.6 |
|
|||
Total |
|
$ |
11,970.4 |
|
$ |
13,042.8 |
|
$ |
14,310.5 |
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
91.0 |
|
$ |
135.3 |
|
$ |
108.6 |
|
International Foods |
|
2.9 |
|
4.7 |
|
9.7 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
75.1 |
|
76.4 |
|
65.9 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
10.8 |
|
24.4 |
|
7.1 |
|
|||
Corporate |
|
83.6 |
|
141.2 |
|
34.9 |
|
|||
Total |
|
$ |
263.4 |
|
$ |
382.0 |
|
$ |
226.2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Consumer Foods |
|
$ |
145.9 |
|
$ |
141.1 |
|
$ |
144.8 |
|
International Foods |
|
3.5 |
|
5.1 |
|
3.6 |
|
|||
Food and Ingredients |
|
69.2 |
|
72.0 |
|
75.0 |
|
|||
Trading and Merchandising |
|
9.9 |
|
12.8 |
|
12.6 |
|
|||
Corporate |
|
82.7 |
|
55.9 |
|
33.8 |
|
|||
Total |
|
$ |
311.2 |
|
$ |
286.9 |
|
$ |
269.8 |
|
The operations of the Company are principally in the United States. Operations outside of the United States are worldwide with no single foreign country or geographic region being significant to consolidated operations. Foreign net sales, including sales by domestic segments to customers located outside of the United States, were approximately $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The Companys long-lived assets located outside of the United States are not significant.
The Companys largest customer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, accounted for approximately 12% and 11% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively, primarily in the Consumer Foods segment.
86
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004
Columnar Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts
20. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
First Quarter |
|
Second Quarter |
|
Third Quarter |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
First Quarter |
|
Second Quarter |
|
Third Quarter |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net sales 1 |
|
$ |
2,700.2 |
|
$ |
3,025.7 |
|
$ |
2,878.9 |
|
$ |
2,974.6 |
|
$ |
2,630.6 |
|
$ |
3,118.2 |
|
$ |
2,756.3 |
|
$ |
2,998.6 |
|
Gross profit 1 |
|
668.7 |
|
727.1 |
|
714.8 |
|
699.6 |
|
626.5 |
|
806.9 |
|
710.2 |
|
684.8 |
|
||||||||
Income from continuing operations 1 |
|
324.9 |
|
127.8 |
|
92.7 |
|
50.7 |
|
115.7 |
|
203.3 |
|
159.4 |
|
87.1 |
|
||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 1 |
|
27.2 |
|
35.3 |
|
(124.4 |
) |
(0.4 |
) |
19.0 |
|
36.3 |
|
5.9 |
|
14.8 |
|
||||||||
Net income |
|
$ |
352.1 |
|
$ |
163.1 |
|
$ |
(31.7 |
) |
$ |
50.3 |
|
$ |
134.7 |
|
$ |
239.6 |
|
$ |
165.3 |
|
$ |
101.9 |
|
Earnings per share 2 : |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Basic earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Income from continuing operations 1 |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
$ |
0.40 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 1 |
|
0.05 |
|
0.07 |
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
0.07 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.03 |
|
||||||||
Net income |
|
$ |
0.68 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
$ |
0.10 |
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Income from continuing operations 1 |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
$ |
0.17 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 1 |
|
0.05 |
|
0.07 |
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
0.07 |
|
0.01 |
|
0.03 |
|
||||||||
Net income |
|
$ |
0.68 |
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
$ |
0.10 |
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
Dividends declared per common share |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
$ |
0.1800 |
|
$ |
0.2600 |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
$ |
0.2725 |
|
Share price: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
High |
|
$ |
26.15 |
|
$ |
24.75 |
|
$ |
21.80 |
|
$ |
23.26 |
|
$ |
28.11 |
|
$ |
28.13 |
|
$ |
30.00 |
|
$ |
28.25 |
|
Low |
|
22.15 |
|
21.94 |
|
20.05 |
|
19.50 |
|
25.76 |
|
25.59 |
|
26.62 |
|
25.90 |
|
1 Amounts differ from previously filed quarterly reports. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company began to reflect the operations of its packaged meats and cheese operations, the Cooks Ham business and the seafood business as discontinued operations. See additional detail in Note 2.
2 Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated independently for each of the quarters presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not agree with the total year.
87
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders ConAgra Foods, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 28, 2006 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended May 28, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of May 28, 2006 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended May 28, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated July 28, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on managements assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
July 28, 2006
88
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Omaha, Nebraska
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 29, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule for each of the fiscal years ended May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004 listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 29, 2005 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule for each of the fiscal years ended May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its methods of accounting for variable interest entities and asset retirement obligations in 2004.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
August 11, 2005 (July 28, 2006 as to Notes 2 and 19)
89
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Effective August 11, 2005, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of ConAgra Foods, Inc. dismissed Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte & Touche) as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, coinciding with the completion of the audit for the Companys fiscal year ended May 29, 2005.
During the 2004 and 2005 fiscal years, there were no disagreements with Deloitte & Touche on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Deloitte & Touches satisfaction, would have caused Deloitte & Touche to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report on the Companys consolidated financial statements for such years. There were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K except for a material weakness in internal control with respect to accounting for income taxes as reported by the Company in its Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005, incorporated herein by reference.
On July 15, 2005, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of KPMG LLP to audit the Companys financial statements for the fiscal year ending May 28, 2006.
No other items noted during 2006.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Companys management, with the participation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act as of May 28, 2006. Based on that evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of May 28, 2006.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As has been previously disclosed, in the course of performing the Companys evaluation under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Companys management determined that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed as of May 29, 2005. The material weakness related to accounting for income taxes. During fiscal 2006, the Company implemented a plan which resulted in the successful remediation and elimination of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting disclosed in the Form 10-K for fiscal year ended May 29, 2005.
Throughout the Companys 2006 fiscal year, management took the following steps in order to remediate the material weakness: (1) reorganized the tax department including hiring a new Vice President of Tax and other tax and tax accounting professionals, (2) implemented dual review procedures and engaged third party tax specialists to provide additional quality assurance, (3) designed and implemented enhanced control processes over accounting for income taxes including the general ledger account reconciliation processes, and (4) engaged third party tax specialists to assist in the analysis and application of tax planning strategies.
Except for changes related to the remediated material weakness described above, there has been no change during the Companys fiscal quarter ended May 28, 2006 in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
90
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of ConAgra Foods is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ConAgra Foods internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. ConAgra Foods internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of ConAgra Foods; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of ConAgra Foods are being made only in accordance with the authorization of management and directors of ConAgra Foods; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of ConAgra Foods assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluations of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of the changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of ConAgra Foods Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management assessed the effectiveness of ConAgra Foods internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006. In making this assessment, management used criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework , issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). As a result of this assessment, management concluded that, as of May 28, 2006, the Companys internal control over financial reporting was effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Managements assessment of the effectiveness of ConAgra Foods internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their report, below, expresses an unqualified opinion on managements assessment and on the effectiveness of ConAgra Foods internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006.
/s/ GARY M. RODKIN |
|
/s/ FRANK S. SKLARSKY |
Gary M. Rodkin |
|
Frank S. Sklarsky |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
July 28, 2006 |
|
July 28, 2006 |
91
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders ConAgra Foods, Inc.:
We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, managements assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of May 28, 2006 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended May 28, 2006, and our report dated July 28, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
July 28, 2006
92
None.
93
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Incorporated herein by reference to Corporate Governance, Board of Directors and Election, and Certain Legal Proceedings in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement. Information concerning Executive Officers and Other Significant Employees of the Company is included in Part I above. The Board of Directors maintains a standing Audit Committee. As of the date hereof, Stephen G. Butler, Mogens C. Bay, W.G. Jurgensen and Kenneth E. Stinson comprise the membership of the Audit Committee.
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller. This code of ethics is available on the Companys website at www.conagrafoods.com. If the Company makes any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code to the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller, the Company will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies on its website, www.conagrafoods.com.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference to Corporate GovernanceDirector Compensation and Transactions, Executive CompensationSummary Compensation Table, Executive CompensationOption Grants in Last Fiscal Year, Executive CompensationAggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values, Executive CompensationLong-Term Incentive PlansAwards in Last Fiscal Year, and Executive CompensationBenefit Plans, Retirement Programs and Employment Agreements in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated herein by reference to Voting Securities Owned by Certain Beneficial Owners, Voting Securities Owned by Executive Officers and Directors and Executive CompensationEquity Compensation Plan Information in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated herein by reference to Director Compensation and Transactions in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated herein by reference to Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement.
94
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a) List of documents filed as part of this report:
1. Financial Statements
All financial statements of the Company as set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule
|
|
Description |
|
Page
|
|
||
|
S-II |
|
|
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
|
97 |
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
98 |
|
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements, notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
All exhibits as set forth on the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
95
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ConAgra Foods, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 28 th day of July, 2006.
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ConAgra Foods, Inc. |
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/s/ GARY M. RODKIN |
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Gary M. Rodkin President and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ FRANK S. SKLARSKY |
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Frank S. Sklarsky Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
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/s/ JOHN F. GEHRING |
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John F. Gehring Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 28 th day of July, 2006.
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Gary M. Rodkin* |
Director |
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David H. Batchelder* |
Director |
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Mogens C. Bay* |
Director |
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Howard G. Buffett* |
Director |
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Stephen G. Butler* |
Director |
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John T. Chain, Jr.* |
Director |
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Steven F. Goldstone* |
Director |
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Alice B. Hayes* |
Director |
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W.G. Jurgensen* |
Director |
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Mark H. Rauenhorst* |
Director |
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Carl E. Reichardt* |
Director |
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Ronald W. Roskens* |
Director |
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Kenneth E. Stinson* |
Director |
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* Gary M. Rodkin, by signing his name hereto, signs this annual report on behalf of each person indicated. A Power-of-Attorney authorizing Gary M. Rodkin to sign this annual report on Form 10-K on behalf of each of the indicated Directors of ConAgra Foods, Inc. has been filed herein as Exhibit 24.
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By: |
/s/ GARY M. RODKIN |
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Gary M. Rodkin Attorney-In-Fact |
96
Schedule II
CONAGRA
FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For
the Fiscal Years ended May 28, 2006, May 29, 2005 and May 30,
2004
($ in millions)
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Additions (Deductions) |
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||||||||||||||||
Description |
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Balance at
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Charged to Costs and Expenses |
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Other |
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Deductions
Reserves |
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Balance at
Period |
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||||||||||||
Year ended May 28, 2006 |
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||||
Allowance for doubtful receivables |
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$ |
30.1 |
|
|
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4.9 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
2 |
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7.9 |
1 |
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$ |
27.8 |
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||
Year ended May 29, 2005 |
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||||
Allowance for doubtful receivables |
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$ |
25.4 |
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|
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3.4 |
|
|
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5.0 |
2 |
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3.7 |
1 |
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$ |
30.1 |
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||
Year ended May 30, 2004 |
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|
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||||
Allowance for doubtful receivables |
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$ |
32.3 |
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|
|
9.4 |
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|
|
(0.6 |
) 2 |
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15.7 |
1 |
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$ |
25.4 |
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||
1 Bad debts charged off, less recoveries.
2 Changes to reserve accounts related primarily to acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and foreign currency translation adjustments.
97
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders ConAgra Foods, Inc.:
Under date of July 28, 2006 we reported on the consolidated balance sheet of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 28, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended May 28, 2006, which are included in this May 28, 2006 Form 10-K of the Company. In connection with our audit of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement schedule. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audit.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
July 28, 2006
98
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number |
|
Description |
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Page No. |
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||
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3.1 |
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ConAgra Foods Certificate of Incorporation, as restated, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated December 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
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3.2 |
|
|
ConAgra Foods Bylaws, as amended |
|
101 |
|
|
10.1 |
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Form of Agreement between ConAgra Foods and its executives, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2006 |
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10.2 |
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ConAgra Foods Non-Qualified CRISP Plan, as amended and restated, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2005 |
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10.3 |
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ConAgra Foods Non-Qualified Pension Plan, as amended and restated, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2005 |
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|
|
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10.4 |
|
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ConAgra Foods Supplemental Pension and CRISP Plan for Change of Control, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004 |
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10.5 |
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ConAgra Foods Incentives and Deferred Compensation Change of Control Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004 |
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10.6 |
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ConAgra Foods 1990 Stock Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005 |
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10.7 |
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ConAgra Foods 1995 Stock Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005 |
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10.8 |
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ConAgra Foods 2000 Stock Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005 |
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|
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10.9 |
|
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Amendment dated May 2, 2002 to ConAgra Foods Stock Plans and other Plans, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2002 |
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10.10 |
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ConAgra Foods 2006 Stock Plan |
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114 |
|
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10.11 |
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ConAgra Foods Directors Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan |
|
124 |
|
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10.12 |
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ConAgra Foods Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan |
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126 |
|
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10.13 |
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Form of Stock Option Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 29, 2004 |
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10.14 |
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Employment Agreement between ConAgra Foods and Gary M. Rodkin, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 2005 |
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|
|
99
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10.15 |
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Stock Option Agreement between ConAgra Foods and Gary M. Rodkin, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 2005 |
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10.16 |
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Employment Agreement between ConAgra Foods and Robert Sharpe, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated July 13, 2006 |
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10.17 |
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Employment Agreement and amendments thereto between ConAgra Foods and Bruce C. Rohde, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2002 |
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10.18 |
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Agreement between ConAgra Foods and Bruce C. Rohde, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2005 |
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10.19 |
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Summary of Employment Terms between ConAgra Foods and Frank S. Sklarsky, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005 |
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10.20 |
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Employment and Separation Agreement between ConAgra Foods and Frank S. Sklarsky, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated July 13, 2006 |
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10.21 |
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Directors Compensation information, as described under the heading Corporate GovernanceDirector Compensation and Transactions in the Companys 2006 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference |
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10.22 |
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ConAgra Foods 2004 Executive Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of ConAgra Foods annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2004 |
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10.23 |
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Long-Term Revolving Credit Agreement between ConAgra Foods and the banks that have signed the agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of ConAgra Foods current report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2005 |
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12 |
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Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges. |
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134 |
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21 |
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Subsidiaries of ConAgra Foods, Inc. |
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135 |
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23.1 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP |
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136 |
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23.2 |
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP |
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137 |
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24 |
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Powers of Attorney |
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138 |
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31.1 |
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Section 302 Certificate |
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150 |
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31.2 |
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Section 302 Certificate |
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151 |
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32.1 |
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Section 906 Certificates |
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152 |
|
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K, certain instruments with respect to ConAgra Foods long-term debt are not filed with this Form 10-K. ConAgra Foods will furnish a copy of any such long-term debt agreement to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Items 10.1 through 10.22 are management contracts or compensatory plans filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K.
100
Exhibit 3.2
BYLAWS
OF CONAGRA FOODS, INC.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Principal Executive Office . The principal executive office of ConAgra Foods, Inc. (ConAgra) shall be located in the City of Omaha, County of Douglas, State of Nebraska. ConAgra may have such other offices as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of ConAgra may require from time to time.
Section 2. Principal Place of Business . The principal place of business may be, but need not be, identical with the location of the principal executive office. The resident agent of ConAgra shall be as designated in the Certificate of Incorporation of ConAgra (the Certificate of Incorporation).
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on a date and at an hour determined by the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of ConAgra or by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of ConAgra.
Section 3. Place of Meeting . The Board of Directors may designate Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, or such other place, either within or without the State of Nebraska, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or any special meeting.
Section 4. Notice of Meeting . Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice of a meeting of stockholders stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Executive Committee, or the Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the stockholder at the address listed on the stock transfer books of ConAgra with postage prepaid. ConAgra need not send notices to stockholders for whom ConAgra has no current address, and action taken without notice to such persons has the same force and effect as if notice had been given to them. ConAgra shall be deemed to have no current stockholder address when (1) notice of 2 consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such person during the period between such 2 consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least 2, payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such person at such persons address as shown on the records of ConAgra and have been returned undeliverable. If any such person shall deliver to ConAgra a written notice setting forth such persons then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such person shall be reinstated. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of meeting. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.
101
Exhibit 3.2
Section 5. Record Date . In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting; and (2) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (2) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 6. Voting Lists . The officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer ledger for shares of ConAgra shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be opened to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting in accordance with applicable law. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. The original or duplicate stock ledger shall be the only evidence detailing stockholders who are entitled to examine such list or to vote in person or by proxy at such election.
Section 7. Quorum . A majority of the outstanding shares of ConAgra entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, the Chairman or a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 8. Proxies; Voting . At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of ConAgra at or prior to the time of such meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the proxy, it shall be valid from the date of its execution until three years after its date of execution. All matters shall, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to ConAgra, as otherwise provided by law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to ConAgra or its securities, be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of ConAgra which are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.
Section 9. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders . Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by such corporations duly authorized officer, agent, or proxy as the By-Laws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors of such corporation may determine.
Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian, conservator, or other fiduciary may be voted by such person, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into the name of such person. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by such trustee, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote such shares held without a transfer of such shares into his name, as trustee.
102
Exhibit 3.2
Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his name if authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order of the court.
Persons whose stock is pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless the pledgor has effected the transfer on the books of ConAgra and has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee or his proxy may represent such stock and vote thereon.
Shares of its own stock belonging to ConAgra or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by ConAgra, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be accounted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of ConAgra or any subsidiary of ConAgra to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
Section 10. Notice of Stockholder Business . At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of ConAgra who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 4, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 10. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, a stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of ConAgra and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of ConAgra, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered or mailed and received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above. A stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the By-Laws of ConAgra, the language of the proposed amendment), and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on ConAgras books, of the stockholder proposing such business, and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (c) the class and number of shares of ConAgra which are owned of record and beneficially by the stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, (d) any material interest of the stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business, (e) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of ConAgra entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business and (f) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to (i) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of ConAgras outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (ii) otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal. Notwithstanding anything in the By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10. The Chairman of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10, and if such person should so determine, such person shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 11. Notice of Stockholder Nominees at an Annual Meeting . Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-Laws shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of ConAgra may be made at an annual meeting
103
Exhibit 3.2
of stockholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any stockholder of ConAgra who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 4, who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting and entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. For nominations to be properly brought at an annual meeting by a stockholder, a stockholder must have given timely notice in writing to the Secretary of ConAgra. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of ConAgra not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered or mailed and received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above. Such stockholders notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclose in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) (including such persons written consent to be named as a nominee and to serving as the director if elected); and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (i) the name and address, as they appear on ConAgras books, of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (ii) the class and number of shares of ConAgra which are owned of record and beneficially by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of ConAgra entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to (a) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of ConAgra s outstanding capital stock required to elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination. At the request of the Board of Directors any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of ConAgra that information required to be set forth in a stockholders notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of ConAgra unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the By-Laws. The Chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the By-Laws, and if such person should so determine, such person shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 12. Notice of Stockholder Nominees at a Special Meeting . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to ConAgras notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to ConAgras notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of ConAgra who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in Section 4, who shall be entitled to vote at the special meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in Section 11. In the event ConAgra calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in ConAgras notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice required by Section 11 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of ConAgra not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Sections 10, 11 and 12, a stockholder shall also comply with all
104
Exhibit 3.2
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in Sections 10, 11 and 12.
Section 13. Inspectors of Elections . The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve ConAgra in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law.
Section 14. Conduct of Meetings . The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts, as in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 15. Required Vote for Election of Directors . Each director shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that directors election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided, if the number of persons properly nominated to serve as directors exceeds the number of directors to be elected, then each director of the corporation shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. For purposes of this By-Law, a majority of votes cast shall mean that the number of shares voted for a directors election exceeds 50% of the number of votes cast with respect to the directors election; votes cast shall include votes to withhold authority and exclude abstentions with respect to the directors election.
If a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is an incumbent director, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, subject to acceptance by the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the tendered resignation, taking into account the Corporate Governance Committees recommendation, and publicly disclose (by a press release, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within 90 days from the date of certification of the election results. The Corporate Governance Committee in making its recommendation and the Board of Directors in making its decision may each consider any factors or other information that they consider appropriate and relevant. The director who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee or the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to his or her resignation.
If a directors resignation is accepted by the Board of Directors pursuant to this By-Law, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board of Directors may fill the resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 of Article III of these By-Laws or may decrease the size of the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of Article III of these By-Laws.
105
Exhibit 3.2
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers . The business and affairs of ConAgra shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these By-Laws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of ConAgra and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications . The number of directors of ConAgra, not less than nine nor more than sixteen, shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and may be altered from time to time by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware or stockholders of ConAgra. Until the annual election of directors by the stockholders in 2008, the directors shall be divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III, each such class, as nearly as possible, to have the same number of directors. The term of office of the class of directors elected in 2003 shall expire at the annual election of directors by the stockholders in 2006, the term of office of the class of directors elected in 2004 shall expire at the annual election of directors by the stockholders in 2007, and the term of office of the class of directors elected in 2005 shall expire at the annual election of directors by the stockholders in 2008, or in each case thereafter when their respective successors are elected by the stockholders and qualify. At each annual election of directors by the stockholders of ConAgra held after 2005, the directors chosen to succeed those whose terms are then expired shall be elected by the stockholders of ConAgra for a term ending at the annual election of directors by the stockholders following the annual election of directors by the stockholders at which the director was elected, or thereafter when their respective successors in each case are elected by the stockholders and qualify. Commencing with the annual election of directors by the stockholder in 2008, the classification of the Board of Directors shall terminate and all directors shall be of one class. It shall be a qualification for initial election of a person to the Board of Directors that such person shall have executed an insider trading agreement with the company, such agreement to become effective upon such persons election to the Board of Directors. It shall be a qualification for reelection of any director to the Board of Directors that such director, while a director, shall have at all times after April 10, 2002 been a signatory to and have been in full compliance with an insider trading agreement with the company. As used in the two preceding sentences, insider trading agreement shall mean an agreement, in such form as shall be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors, relating to the purchase or other acquisition, and the sale or other disposition, of securities of the company by directors of the company.
Section 3. Regular Meetings . A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on the same date as the annual meeting of stockholders. Three or more other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held during the year with such meetings on dates approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary shall designate the time and place of such meeting by notice to each director at least ten days before the meeting. In the event meeting dates are not approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, regular meetings shall be held on the third Thursday of January, May, July and September. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held either within or without the State of Delaware. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, for the holding of the regular meetings or additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chief Executive Officer, or a majority of the Board of Directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
Section 5. Notice . Notice shall be given three days in advance of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, or in emergency situations designated by the Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Executive Committee, or the Chief Executive Officer, 12 hours notice of a special meeting of the Board of Directors may be given, by
106
Exhibit 3.2
telegram, telephone, personal delivery, telecopier or other means of electronic transmission. Notices of other meetings of the Board of Directors may be given by mail or may (and, if three or fewer days notice is given, shall) be given by telegram, telephone, personal delivery, telecopier or other means of electronic transmission. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage prepaid. If notice is given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when transmitted. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 6. Quorum . A majority of the number of directors fixed in accordance with Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 7. Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or electronic transmissions delivered by all members of the Board of Directors, and such written consent or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors. A consent in lieu of meeting may be made either by one consent signed by all the directors or by individual consents signed by each director. The directors may also meet by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment as provided by Delaware law.
Section 8. Vacancies . Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum. Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires and until such directors successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the full Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 9. Compensation . By resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid expenses, if any, for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors. In addition, by resolution of the Board of Directors, each director may be paid an annual retainer fee and committee fees for services as director and may also receive a fee for attendance at regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving ConAgra in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 10. Directors Executive Committee . An Executive Committee of three or more directors may be designated by resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall designate one director as chairman of the committee, and may designate one or more directors as alternate members of the committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. During the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, the committee shall advise and aid the officers of ConAgra in all matters concerning its interests and the management of its business, and generally perform such duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors from time to time. The committee shall possess and may exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors while the Board of Directors is not in session, but specifically shall not have the authority of the Board of Directors in reference to:
1. Amending the Certificate of Incorporation.
2. Adopting a plan of merger or consolidation.
3. Recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of ConAgra.
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Exhibit 3.2
4. Recommending to the stockholders a voluntary dissolution of ConAgra or a revocation thereof.
5. Amending the By-Laws of ConAgra.
6. Any power which has been delegated to other committees in accordance with these By-Laws.
7. Electing any director or electing or removing any member of the Executive Committee or any principal officer, or
8. Declaring any dividend or authorizing any distribution on any shares of capital stock of ConAgra.
Section 11. Human Resources Committee . A Human Resources Committee shall be designated by a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of the Committee members to serve as Chairman.
Section 12. Audit Committee . An Audit Committee shall be designated by a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of the Committee members to serve as Chairman.
Section 13. Other Committees . One or more other Board of Directors committee members and chairman thereof may be designated by resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. Number and Status . The Board of Directors will elect a chairman of the Board of Directors, may elect a vice-chairman of the Board of Directors, and may elect such honorary (non-voting) directors as deemed advisable. The elected officers of ConAgra shall consist of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who shall also carry the legal title of president; one or more elected corporate Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the CEO); a Secretary; and may include a Chief Operating Officer. The CEO shall be nominated and elected by the Board of Directors. Other elected officers shall be nominated by the CEO and elected by a majority of the Board of Directors. Other corporate officers, including a Treasurer, and assistant corporate officers as may be deemed necessary by the CEO, may be appointed by the CEO and shall be confirmed by the Board of Directors. The CEO may also designate as many operating company officers as the CEO deems necessary to manage operating units of ConAgra; authority of such operating company officers shall relate only to businesses for which they have been assigned responsibility. No authority granted to such operating company officers shall conflict with authorities granted by these By-Laws or by resolutions of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Election and Term of Office . The officers of ConAgra to be elected or confirmed by a majority of the Board of Directors shall be elected and confirmed annually at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until the officers death, or resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided.
Section 3. Removal . Officers elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, or by the CEO with such action to be affirmed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Appointed corporate and operating company officers may be removed from office by the CEO or any officer designated by the CEO to have such authority. The acceptance of office by an officer shall constitute acceptance of this provision.
Section 4. Vacancies . A vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term. The CEO may fill vacancies of appointed corporate and operating company officers.
Section 5. Chairman of the Board of Directors . The chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and the Board of Directors, and shall have such other duties as may be assigned by resolution of the Board of Directors.
108
Exhibit 3.2
Section 6. Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors . The vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, may preside at meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of the chairman of the Board of Directors and the CEO, and shall have such other duties as may be assigned by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) . Subject to the authority of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (who shall also carry the legal title of president) shall be the highest ranking management officer of ConAgra, lead its business affairs and perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive. The CEO shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors in the absence of the chairman of the Board of Directors. The CEO (as president) may sign with the Secretary or any other elected officer, certificates for shares of ConAgra; and may sign (or authorize a designee to sign) deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments within authority granted by the Board of Directors (except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these By-Laws to some other officer or agent of ConAgra). The CEO shall assign job duties, responsibilities, and authorities to other officers of ConAgra, or designate others to do so. In the event of the CEOs inability to serve, CEO duties shall be temporarily fulfilled, pending action by the Board of Directors, first by the Chairman of the Board, or next in line by the Chairman of the Executive Committee, or next by the Chairman of the Audit Committee, or next by the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.
Section 8. Corporate Vice Presidents . Any elected Vice President may sign, with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of ConAgra. Each ConAgra vice president shall perform such duties and have such responsibility and authority as from time to time may be assigned by the CEO, an officer so authorized by the CEO.
Section 9. The Secretary . The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the stockholders meetings and of the Board of Directors meetings; (b) see that all notices are fully given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or required by law; (c) be custodian of ConAgra minutes and of the seal of ConAgra; (d) sign certificates for shares of ConAgra, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (e) supervise activities of transfer agents and registrars; and (f) in general perform duties incident to the office of the Secretary as from time to time may be assigned by the CEO or the Board of Directors.
Section 10. The Treasurer . The Treasurer shall perform duties incident to the office of the Treasurer in accordance with these By-Laws, and shall perform such other duties as, from time to time, may be assigned by the CEO, Board of Directors, or officer to whom the Treasurer reports.
Section 11. Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, by the CEO or by the Board of Directors.
Section 12. Salaries . The salaries of the elected and confirmed officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by those so authorized by the Board of Directors. No officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that such person is also a director of ConAgra.
ARTICLE V
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS, AND DEPOSITS
Section 1. Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of ConAgra, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2. Loans . No loans shall be contracted on behalf of ConAgra and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of ConAgra shall be executed on behalf of ConAgra only by those who are
109
Exhibit 3.2
authorized by the Board of Directors or by those whom the Board may designate to give such authorization. Such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 4. Deposits . All funds of ConAgra not otherwise employed shall be deposited to the credit of ConAgra in banks, trust companies, or other depositaries, approved in accordance with resolutions of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section 1. Certificates for Shares . Certificates representing shares of ConAgra shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman, President, or a Corporate Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, except that the signatures of any such Chairman, President, Corporate Vice President, Secretary or Assistant Secretary may be facsimiles, engraved or printed. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name and address of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of ConAgra. All certificates surrendered to ConAgra, or its agent, for transfer shall be canceled and a new certificate shall be issued only after the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed, or mutilated certificate a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to ConAgra as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Section 2. Transfer of Shares . Transfer of shares of ConAgra shall be made only on the stock transfer books of ConAgra by the holder of record thereof or by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by his attorney authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the transfer agent of ConAgra, and on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the person in whose name shares stand on the books of ConAgra shall be deemed by ConAgra to be the owner thereof for all purposes.
Section 3. Charge for Certificates . ConAgra may invoke a charge approximately equal to the cost of issuing a stock certificate for each certificate of stock to be issued or reissued in excess of the minimum number of certificates required, if the number of certificates requested by a stockholder is deemed by the Secretary to be unreasonable.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT
Section 1. Actions by Others . ConAgra shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of ConAgra) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of ConAgra, or is or was serving at the request of ConAgra as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of ConAgra, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was criminal. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of ConAgra, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was criminal.
Section 2. Actions by or in the Right of ConAgra . ConAgra shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of ConAgra to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of ConAgra, or is or was serving at the request of ConAgra, as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
110
Exhibit 3.2
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of ConAgra and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to ConAgra unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 3. Successful Defense . To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of ConAgra has been successful on the merits or otherwise, including, without limitation, the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
Section 4. Specific Authorization . Any indemnification under Section 1 and 2 of this Article (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by ConAgra only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in said Sections 1 and 2. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director, officer, employee or agent at the time of such determination (1) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
Section 5. Advance of Expenses . Expenses incurred by an elected officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by ConAgra in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or elected officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by ConAgra as authorized in this Article. Such expenses incurred by other officers, employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
Section 6. Right of Indemnity Not Exclusive . The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Section 7. Insurance . ConAgra may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of ConAgra, or is or was serving at the request of ConAgra as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such persons status as such, whether or not ConAgra would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article, Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise.
Section 8. Employee Benefit Plans . For purposes of this Article, references to other enterprises shall include employee benefit plans; references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of ConAgra shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of ConAgra which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of ConAgra as referred to in this Article.
Section 9. Invalidity of any Provisions of this Article . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Article shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article.
111
Exhibit 3.2
Section 10. Continuation of Indemnification . The indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the extent provided by or granted pursuant to this Article, these By-Laws, or the Certificate of Incorporation shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person. All rights to indemnification provided by or granted pursuant to this Article, these By-Laws, or the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to be a contract between ConAgra and each director, officer, employee, or agent of ConAgra who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article VII is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Article VII shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such directors, officer, employee or agent, or the obligations of ConAgra arising hereunder in respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
Section 11. Certain Claims . Notwithstanding Section 1 and Section 2 of this Article VII, ConAgra shall be required to indemnify a person described in the first sentence of Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VII in connection with an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such a person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by such person was authorized by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of ConAgra shall end on the last Sunday in May.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and ConAgra may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE X
SEAL
The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of ConAgra Foods, Inc. on the outer edge, and the words, Corporate Seal, in the center.
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Exhibit 3.2
ARTICLE XI
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of ConAgra under the provisions of these By-Laws or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or under the provisions of the laws of Delaware, a waiver thereof given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new By-Laws may be adopted by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
113
Exhibit 10.10
CONAGRA FOODS 2006 STOCK PLAN
SECTION 1
NAME AND PURPOSE
1.1 Name . The name of the plan shall be the ConAgra Foods 2006 Stock Plan (the Plan).
1.2. Purpose of Plan . The purpose of the Plan is to foster and promote the long-term financial success of the Company and increase stockholder value by (a) motivating superior performance by means of stock incentives, (b) encouraging and providing for the acquisition of an ownership interest in the Company by Participants and (c) enabling the Company to attract and retain the services of a management team responsible for the long-term financial success of the Company.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Definitions . Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:
(a) Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) Award means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan, including Awards combining two or more types of Awards in a single grant.
(c) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) Committee means the Human Resources Committee of the Board, or its successor, or such other committee of the Board to which the Board delegates power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
(f) Company means ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successor thereto) and its Subsidiaries.
(g) Eligible Director means a person who is serving as a member of the Board and who is not an Employee.
(h) Employee means any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(i) Fair Market Value means, on any date, the closing price of the Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on such other recognized market or quotation system on which the trading prices of the Stock are traded or quoted at the relevant time) on such date. In the event that there are no Stock transactions reported on such
114
Exhibit 10.10
exchange (or such other system) on such date, Fair Market Value shall mean the closing price on the immediately preceding date on which Stock transactions were so reported.
(j) Option means the right to purchase Stock at a stated price for a specified period of time. For purposes of the Plan, an Option may be either (i) an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or (ii) a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(k) Other Stock-Based Award means an award of a share of Stock or units of common stock to a Participant subject to such terms as the Committee may determine.
(l) Participant means any Employee, Eligible Director, or consultant (a non-employee who performs bona fide services to the Company) designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan.
(m) Plan means the ConAgra Foods 2006 Stock Plan, as in effect from time to time.
(n) Restricted Stock shall mean a share of Stock granted to a Participant subject to such restrictions as the Committee may determine.
(o) Stock means the Common Stock of the Company, par value $5.00 per share.
(p) Stock Appreciation Right means the right, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, to receive an amount in cash or Stock, as determined by the Committee, equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value, as of the date such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, of the number shares of Stock covered by the Stock Appreciation Right being exercised over (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Right.
(q) Subsidiary means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the voting power or of the capital interest or profits interest of such entity.
2.2 Gender and Number . Except when otherwise indicated by the context, words in the masculine gender used in the Plan shall include the feminine gender, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
SECTION 3
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
The only persons eligible to participate in the Plan shall be those Participants selected by the Committee.
115
Exhibit 10.10
SECTION 4
POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
4.1 Committee Members . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee comprised of no fewer than two members of the Board. Each Committee member shall satisfy the requirements for (i) an independent director for purposes of the Companys Corporate Governance Principles, (ii) an independent director under rules adopted by the New York Stock Exchange, (iii) a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (iv) an outside director under Section 162(m) of the Code.
4.2 Power to Grant . The Committee shall determine the Participants to whom Awards shall be granted, the type or types of Awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of any and all such Awards. The Committee may establish different terms and conditions for different types of Awards, for different Participants receiving the same type of Awards, and for the same Participant for each Award such Participant may receive, whether or not granted at different times.
4.3 Administration . The Committee shall be responsible for the administration of the Plan. The Committee, by majority action thereof, is authorized to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to provide for conditions deemed necessary or advisable to protect the interests of the Company, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration and interpretation of the Plan in order to carry out its provisions and purposes. Determinations, interpretations, or other actions made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive for all purposes and upon all persons.
4.4 Delegation by Committee . Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members. The Committee may delegate to an officer of the Company the authority to designate the recipients and the number of the Awards, provided that such authority cannot apply to Awards to executive officers, directors or the designee.
SECTION 5
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
5.1 Number . Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards under the Plan may not exceed 30,000,000 shares of Stock. The shares to be delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of treasury Stock or authorized but unissued Stock, not reserved for any other purpose.
5.2 Limitations . The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted to any one Participant under the Plan is 15% of the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for Awards under Section 5.1. A maximum of 50% of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be issued as Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
116
Exhibit 10.10
5.3 Cancelled, Terminated, Forfeited or Surrendered Awards . Any shares of Stock subject to an Award which for any reason are cancelled, terminated, lapsed or expired without the issuance of any stock shall again be available for Awards under the Plan; provided, the following shares of Stock may not again be made available for issuance as Awards under the Plan: (i) shares used to pay the exercise price of an outstanding Award, (ii) shares used to pay withholding taxes related to an outstanding Award, or (iii) shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right.
5.4 Adjustment in Capitalization . In the event of any Stock dividend or Stock split, recapitalization (including, without limitation, the payment of an extraordinary dividend), merger, consolidation, combination, spin-off, distribution of assets to stockholders, exchange of shares, or other similar corporate transaction or event, (i) the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for Awards under Section 5.1 and (ii) the number of shares and exercise price with respect to Options and the number, prices and dollar value of other Awards, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive.
5.5 Dividend Equivalent Rights . No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may at the time of a Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Award provide that any dividends declared on common stock or dividend equivalents be (i) paid to the Participant, (ii) accumulated for the benefit of the Participant and paid to the Participant only after the expiration of any restrictions, or (ii) not paid or accumulated.
117
Exhibit 10.10
SECTION 6
STOCK OPTIONS
6.1 Grant of Options . Options may be granted to Participants at such time or times as shall be determined by the Committee. Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: (i) Incentive Stock Options and (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Options, if any, to be granted to a Participant. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option agreement that shall specify the type of Option granted, the exercise price, the duration of the Option, the number of shares of Stock to which the Option pertains, the exercisability (if any) of the Option in the event of death, retirement, disability or termination of employment, and such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall determine. Only Participants who are Employees shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options. Options may also be granted in replacement of or upon assumption of options previously issued by companies acquired by the Company by merger or stock purchase, and any options so replaced or assumed may have the same terms including exercise price as the options so replaced or assumed.
6.2 Option Price . Nonstatutory Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall have an exercise price which is not less than the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted.
6.3 Exercise of Options . Options awarded to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee may impose, subject to the Committees right to accelerate the exercisability of such Option in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable for more than ten years after the date on which it is granted.
6.4 Payment . The Committee shall establish procedures governing the exercise of Options, which shall require that notice of exercise be given and that the Option price be paid in full in cash or cash equivalents, including by personal check, at the time of exercise or pursuant to any arrangement that the Committee shall approve. The Committee may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to make payment (i) by tendering, by either actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of Stock already owned by the Participant valued at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise (if such Stock has been owned by the Participant for at least six months) or (ii) by electing to have the Company retain Stock which would otherwise be issued on exercise of the Option, valued at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. As soon as practicable after receipt of a notice of exercise and full payment of the exercise price, the Company shall deliver to the Participant either by electronic means or by stock certificate or certificates the acquired shares of Stock. The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to pay the exercise price upon the exercise of an Option by irrevocably authorizing a third party to sell shares of stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon the exercise of the Option and remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire exercise price and any required tax withholding resulting from such exercise. The Committee may approve other methods of payment.
6.5 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of this Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of any Participant affected thereby, to cause any Incentive
118
Exhibit 10.10
Stock Option previously granted to fail to qualify for the Federal income tax treatment afforded under Section 421 of the Code.
6.6 No Repricing . Other than in connection with the change in capitalization (as described in Section 5.4 of the Plan), the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced without stockholder approval.
6.7 No Reload Grants . Options shall not be granted under the Plan in consideration for the delivery of Stock to the Company in payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation under any other Option.
SECTION 7
DIRECTOR AWARDS
7.1 Director Awards . Any Award or formula for granting an Award under the Plan made to Eligible Directors shall be approved by the Board. With respect to awards to such directors, all rights, powers and authorities vested in the Committee under Plan shall instead be exercised by the Board. The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted to Eligible Directors under the Plan is 5% of the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for Awards under Section 5.1.
SECTION 8
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
8.1 SARs In Tandem with Options . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants in tandem with any Option granted under the Plan, either at or after the time of the grant of such Option, subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall only be exercisable to the extent that the corresponding Option is exercisable, and shall terminate upon termination or exercise of the corresponding Option. Upon the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right, the corresponding Option shall terminate.
8.2 Other Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted to Participants separately from any Option, subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.
8.3 Limitations . The provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.6 and 6.7 of the Plan shall also apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
119
Exhibit 10.10
SECTION 9
RESTRICTED STOCK
9.1 Grant of Restricted Stock . The Committee may grant Restricted Stock to Participants at such times and in such amounts, and subject to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as it shall determine. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions, which may relate to continued employment with the Company, performance of the Company, or other restrictions, as the Committee may determine. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a written agreement setting forth the terms of such Award.
9.2 Removal of Restrictions . The Committee may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part at any time in its discretion.
SECTION 10
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS; CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON AWARDS
10.1 General . The Committee may grant Awards of Stock and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares. Such other stock-based awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive or vest with respect to, one or more shares of Stock (or the equivalent cash value of such Stock) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event, and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Such other stock-based awards may include the awards referenced in Sections 10.2 and 10.3.
10.2 Restricted Stock Units . Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company. Settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit upon expiration of the deferral or vesting period shall be made in Stock or otherwise as determined by the Committee.
10.3 Performance Shares . Performance shares are awards the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of which is subject to the satisfaction of one or more of the performance criteria established by the Committee. With respect to Participants covered by the Companys Executive Incentive Plan, the performance measures shall be those designated in such Executive Incentive Plan.
10.4 Certain Limitations on Awards . A maximum of 5% the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be issued as Restricted Stock, restricted stock units or performance shares having no minimum vesting period; subject to the foregoing, and except in the case of Change-in-Control, death, disability or termination of employment, no Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) based on performance criteria shall be based on performance over a period of less than one year, and no Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) that is conditioned on continued employment or the passage of time shall provide for vesting in less than pro rata installments over three years from the date of Award.
120
Exhibit 10.10
SECTION 11
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
11.1 General . The Board may from time to time amend, modify or terminate any or all of the provisions of the Plan, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.1. The Board may not change the Plan in a manner which would prevent outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan from being Incentive Stock Options without the written consent of the optionees concerned. Furthermore, the Board may not make any amendment which would (i) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, (ii) increase the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards under the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1, (iii) change the minimum exercise price for stock options as provided in Section 6.2, or (iv) extend the term of the Plan, in each case without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock entitled to vote thereon. No amendment or modification shall affect the rights of any Participant with respect to a previously granted Award, without the written consent of the Participant.
11.2 Termination of Plan . No Award shall be granted under the Plan subsequent to September 28, 2016, or such earlier date as may be determined by the Board. No termination of the Plan shall adversely affect any Award previously granted.
SECTION 12
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
12.1 Nontransferability of Awards . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no Awards granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
12.2 Beneficiary Designation . Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingent or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid or by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of his death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed in writing with the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, Awards outstanding at death may be exercised by the Participants surviving spouse, if any, or otherwise by his estate.
12.3 No Guarantee of Employment or Participation . Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate any Participants employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary. No individual shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to receive any future Awards.
12.4 Tax Withholding . The Company shall have the power to withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements on any Award under the Plan, and the Company may defer issuance of Stock until such requirements are satisfied. The Committee may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to elect,
121
Exhibit 10.10
subject to such conditions as the Committee shall impose, (i) to have shares of Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan withheld by the Company or (ii) to deliver to the Company previously acquired shares of Stock, in each case having a Fair Market Value sufficient to satisfy all or part of the Participants estimated total federal, state and local tax obligation associated with the transaction.
12.5 Change of Control . On the date of a Change of Control (as herein defined), all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable and all restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock and other Stock Based Awards shall lapse. Change of Control shall mean:
(a) Individuals who constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for the election by the Companys stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this Plan, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(b) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, in which the Company is not the surviving entity and with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated companys then outstanding voting securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
12.6 Agreements with Company . An Award under the Plan shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe. The terms and conditions of any Award to any Participant shall be reflected in such form of written document as is determined by the Committee or its designee.
12.7 Company Intent . The Company intends that the Plan comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3 under the Act, and any ambiguities or inconsistencies in the construction of the Plan shall be interpreted to give effect to such intention. If any provision of the Plan or an Award contravenes any regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the Code or could cause an Award to be subject to interest and penalties under Section 409A of the Code, such provision of the Plan or any Award shall be modified to maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
12.8 Unfunded Plan . The plan shall be unfunded. Bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Participants who are granted Awards under the Plan, but any such accounts will be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate any assets which may at any time be represented by Awards.
12.9 Requirements of Law . The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or securities exchanges as may be required.
122
Exhibit 10.10
12.10 Effective Date . The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the Board subject to approval by the Companys stockholders at the 2006 annual stockholders meeting.
12.11 Governing Law . The Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
123
Exhibit 10.11
CONAGRA
FOODS, INC. DIRECTORS UNFUNDED
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(Amended and Restated May 4, 2006)
ConAgra Foods, Inc., has established and hereby amends and restates the ConAgra, Inc., Directors Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan as the ConAgra Foods, Inc. Directors Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan with the following terms and conditions:
1. The Plan shall be named the ConAgra Foods, Inc. Directors Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (hereinafter described as the Plan).
2. A director may defer all or a proportion of his or her fees for the following year by giving written notice to ConAgra Foods, prior to December 31 st of the current year. Any person elected to the Board who is not a director on the preceding December 31 st may elect within thirty (30) days after his or her term begins to defer all or part of his or her fees earned after such election. The director shall elect that his or her deferrals be credited to his or her Interest Bearing Account or ConAgra Foods Common Stock Account (Stock Account), or a combination of the two. The election shall be subject to any limitations imposed by laws or regulations. Amounts credited to the directors Stock Account shall be a book entry by the Company payable in shares of ConAgra Foods Common Stock as provided in paragraph 4 of this Plan. Once per calendar year, director may also transfer all or a portion of the directors Interest-Bearing Account to the directors Stock Account, subject to any limitations imposed by laws or regulations; any such transfer shall be effective on first day of the month immediately following the election. All elections shall be made during ConAgra Foods insider trading windows.
3. ConAgra Foods shall establish and maintain two deferred compensation accounts for each director: (i) a Stock Account, to which there shall be credited as a book entry the portion of cash compensation which the director has elected to defer in the form of ConAgra Foods Common Stock and any transfers from the Interest-Bearing Account and (ii) an Interest-Bearing Account to which all other deferred cash compensation shall be credited.
If a director has elected to defer cash compensation in the form of ConAgra Foods Common Stock, a book entry in the amount of the number of full shares to be credited to the Stock Account for each quarter shall be determined on the basis of the closing price of the ConAgra Foods Common Stock on the last trading day of the quarter as reported for New York Stock ExchangeComposite Transactions, and any amount which would represent a fractional share shall be credited to the directors Interest-Bearing Account.
Dividend equivalents on shares credited to a directors Stock Account shall be credited by book entry at the end of each quarter to his or her Stock Account in the form of full shares of Common Stock; any amount which would represent a fractional share shall be credited to his or her Interest-Bearing Account.
The Interest-Bearing Account shall be credited on the first day of each month, with interest on the balance held in the fund for the prior period. The rate of interest to be credited shall be the daily prime rate of interest on such date as published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 Daily Update.
The Company shall at least annually supply the director participating in the Plan a statement of his or her total interest in the Plan.
4. Amounts deferred under the Plan together with accumulated interest, including interest accruing after the participant ceases to be a director, shall be distributed in twenty (20) semi-annual installments on January 1 and July 1 of each year after the year in which the participant in the Plan ceases to be a director, provided that a participant may also, upon becoming a participant in the Plan, elect to receive payment of deferred amounts, to begin no earlier than six months following
124
Exhibit 10.11
the election, (i) in a lump sum at a date certain or (ii) in semi-annual installments over a period elected by the participant commencing at the date certain elected by the participant. In addition, a participant may change his or her election as to the form and timing of payment if the following conditions are met:
(i) The new election may not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.
(ii) The new election must extend the deferral of the payment for a period of at least five (5) years.
(iii) The new election is made at least twelve (12) months before the first scheduled payment of the deferred amounts.
If the participant dies prior to the payment in full of all amounts due him or her under the Plan, the balance of the account shall be payable to his or her designated beneficiary in a lump sum. The beneficiary designation shall be revocable and should be made in writing in a manner provided by ConAgra Foods. Payment of the aggregate number of shares credited by book entry to a directors Stock Account shall be made in shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the participant is a specified employee as defined in Code § 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), the payment of, or the commencement of the payment of, amounts hereunder will be delayed for six (6) months, with any delayed amounts continued to be invested in accordance with the Plan. In addition, a participant shall have an opportunity to make a one time election on or before December 31, 2006, to change the form and timing of payment of the participants interest hereunder in accordance with the transitional rules provided by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to Code § 409A.
5. This Plan may be amended, suspended, terminated or modified by of the Board of Directors of the Company at any time provided that such amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall not affect the obligation of the Company to pay to the participants the amounts accrued or credited to said account up to December 31 st of the year in which said action is taken concerning the Plan by the Board of Directors.
6. Unless notified to the contrary, all notices under this Plan shall be sent in writing to the Company by mailing to the Office of the Secretary, ConAgra Foods, Inc., One ConAgra Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 All notices to the participants shall be sent to the address which is their record address for notices as directors of the Company unless a participant, by written notice, otherwise directs.
125
Exhibit 10.12
CONAGRA FOODS, INC.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
VOLUNTARY DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN
The ConAgra Foods, Inc. Amended and Restated Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) is adopted effective January 1, 2005. The Plan is established and maintained by ConAgra Foods, Inc. for the purpose of permitting certain key employees of the Company and of corporations which are related to the Company to defer the receipt of a portion of their income and/or participate in any appreciation in the value of Company Stock. Accordingly, ConAgra Foods, Inc. hereby adopts the Plan pursuant to the terms and provisions set forth below:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
126
acquisition by such person, entity or Group ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; or
127
ARTICLE II
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
Employees eligible to participate in the Plan shall be those employees of the Employer selected by, and at the sole and absolute discretion of, the Human Resources Committee of the Board (HR Committee). Each Participant shall continue to participate in the Plan until the earlier of the HR Committee determining the Employee shall no longer participate or the Participant no longer being employed by an Employer.
ARTICLE III
DEFERRALS
128
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENTS AND PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS
129
ARTICLE VI
ADMINISTRATION
6.1 Plan Administrator . The operation of the Plan shall be under the exclusive supervision of the Committee. It shall be a principal duty of the Committee to see that the Plan is carried out in accordance with its terms, and for the exclusive benefit of persons entitled to participate in the Plan without discrimination. The Committee shall have full and exclusive power to administer and interpret the Plan in all of its details; subject, however, to the requirements of ERISA and all pertinent provisions of the Code. For this purpose, the Committees powers will include, but will not be limited to, the following authority, in addition to all other powers provided by this Plan:
(i) to make and enforce such rules and regulations as the Committee deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;
(ii) to interpret the Plan, the Committees interpretations thereof in good faith to be final, conclusive and binding on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;
(iii) to decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan and to receive benefits provided under the Plan;
(iv) to approve and authorize the payment of benefits;
(v) to appoint such agents, counsel, accountants and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan; and
(vi) to allocate and delegate the Committees fiduciary responsibilities under the Plan and to designate other person to carry out any of the Committees fiduciary responsibilities under the Plan, any such allocation, delegation or designation to be in accordance with Section 405 of ERISA.
No Committee member shall be involved in a decision that only affects that members benefit under the Plan, if any.
6.2 Claims . A claim for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing by the Participant, or, if applicable the Participants executor or administrator or authorized representative, (collectively, the Claimant) to the Committee within sixty (60) days of the event by which the Claimant claims he or she is entitled to receive benefits under the Plan.
6.3 Claim Denials; Claim Appeals . If a claim for benefits under the Plan is denied, the Claimant shall be
130
Exhibit 10.12
notified, in writing, within sixty (60) days after the claim is filed. The notice shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and shall set forth: (i) the specific reason(s) for the denial; (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation as to why such information is necessary; and (iv) an explanation of the Plans appeal procedure.
Within sixty (60) says after receipt of the above material, the Claimant shall have a reasonable opportunity to appeal the claim denial to the Committee for a full and fair review. The Claimant may: (i) request a review upon written notice to the Committee; (ii) review pertinent documents; and (iii) submit issues and comments in writing.
A decision by the Committee shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of a request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which event a decision should be rendered as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after such receipt. The decision of the Committee shall be written and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, with specific references to the pertinent Plan provision on which the decision is based.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
ARTICLE VIII
PRE-JANUARY 1, 2005 DEFERRALS
For amounts deferred under the Plan prior to January 1, 2005, together with the earnings thereon (collectively the Grandfathered Amounts), the following provisions of this Article VIII shall apply. If a provision of this Article VIII does not otherwise provide, then the remaining provisions of the Plan shall govern the Grandfathered Amounts.
8.1 Definition of Change of Control . The term Change of Control means:
(i) The acquisition (other than from the Company) by any person, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), (excluding, for this purpose, the Company or its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
(ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (as of the date hereof the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of the Plan, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or
131
Exhibit 10.12
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated companys then outstanding voting securities, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
8.2 Definition of Disability . The term Disability means total and permanent disability as determined pursuant to the Companys long-term disability plan.
8.3 Distribution upon Disability or Retirement . Upon termination of employment because of Disability or Early or Normal Retirement, a Participants Account shall be paid over a ten (10) year period. The first payment shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of the Participants termination of employment with annual payments over the next nine (9) years. A Participants Account shall share in earnings and losses during the payout period. Notwithstanding the preceding, a Participant who is receiving his or her distribution in installments, or who expects to receive his or her distribution in installments, may request that the Committee distribute the Grandfathered Amounts in the Participants Account in one (1) lump sum payment. The Participant shall provide the Committee information regarding the reasons for requesting a lump sum distribution, supporting facts and documents and any other information requested by the Committee. The Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may grant the lump sum distribution if the facts and circumstances warrant such a distribution. Examples of when the Committee should determine that a lump sum distribution is warranted are financial hardships beyond the reasonable control of the Participant.
8.4 Distribution Upon Change of Control . Upon a Change of Control, the Grandfathered Amounts in the Participants Account shall be paid to the Participant in one (1) lump sum payment within thirty (30) days of the Change of Control.
8.5 Distribution Upon Elective Withdrawal By Participant . A Participant may elect to withdraw all of the Grandfathered Amounts held in his or her Account. In the event of such elective withdrawal of Grandfathered Amounts, the Participant shall receive a distribution of ninety percent (90%) of the Grandfathered Amounts in the Participants Account and forfeit the remaining ten percent (10%).
8.6 Distribution Upon Termination by Corporate Successor . The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by a transfer or sale of assets of the Company or by the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation or other entity, but the Plan shall be continued after such sale, merger or consolidated only if and to the extent that the transferee, purchaser or successor entity agrees to continue the Plan. In the event that the Plan is not continued by the transferee, purchaser or successor entity, then the Plan shall terminate and the Grandfathered Amounts in the Participants Account shall be distributed to the Participant in one (1) lump sum payment within thirty (30) days of such termination.
8.7 Distributions to Specified Employees . Distributions of Grandfathered Amounts may be distributed, as permitted by the Plan, to Specified Employees (as defined in Section 5.6) prior to the date which is six (6) months after the date of separation from service, or if earlier, the date of death of the Participant.
132
Exhibit 10.12
ARTICLE IX
409A COMPLIANCE
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
133
Exhibit 12
CONAGRA
FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in millions)
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
|||||
Earnings: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, equity method investment earnings and cumulative effect of changes in accounting |
|
$ |
955.4 |
|
$ |
998.4 |
|
$ |
815.0 |
|
$ |
825.9 |
|
$ |
795.9 |
|
Add/(deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Fixed charges |
|
373.2 |
|
407.9 |
|
394.7 |
|
412.6 |
|
535.6 |
|
|||||
Distributed income of equity investees |
|
21.8 |
|
24.5 |
|
24.4 |
|
16.7 |
|
16.4 |
|
|||||
Capitalized interest |
|
(5.0 |
) |
(8.6 |
) |
(4.4 |
) |
(3.9 |
) |
(6.0 |
) |
|||||
Preferred distributions of subsidiary |
|
|
|
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
(8.8 |
) |
(25.1 |
) |
|||||
Earnings available for fixed charges (a) |
|
$ |
1,345.4 |
|
$ |
1,422.2 |
|
$ |
1,226.2 |
|
$ |
1,242.5 |
|
$ |
1,316.8 |
|
Fixed Charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
281.5 |
|
$ |
322.1 |
|
$ |
324.5 |
|
$ |
328.4 |
|
$ |
417.2 |
|
Capitalized interest |
|
5.0 |
|
8.6 |
|
4.4 |
|
3.9 |
|
6.0 |
|
|||||
Interest in cost of goods sold |
|
25.8 |
|
19.3 |
|
13.4 |
|
15.3 |
|
20.8 |
|
|||||
Preferred distributions of subsidiary |
|
|
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
8.8 |
|
25.1 |
|
|||||
One third of rental expense (1) |
|
60.9 |
|
58.0 |
|
48.9 |
|
56.2 |
|
66.5 |
|
|||||
Total fixed charges (b) |
|
$ |
373.2 |
|
$ |
408.0 |
|
$ |
394.7 |
|
$ |
412.6 |
|
$ |
535.6 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b) |
|
3.6 |
|
3.5 |
|
3.1 |
|
3.0 |
|
2.5 |
|
(1) Considered to be representative of interest factor in rental expense.
134
Exhibit 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF CONAGRA FOODS, INC.
ConAgra Foods, Inc. is the parent corporation owning, directly or indirectly, 100% of the voting securities (unless otherwise noted) of the following subsidiaries principally engaged in the production and distribution of food products (unless otherwise noted) as of May 28, 2006:
|
|
Jurisdiction of |
Subsidiary |
|
Incorporation |
ConAgra Foods Canada, Inc. / Aliments ConAgra Canada Inc. |
|
Canada |
ConAgra Foods Export Company, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra Foods Food Ingredients Company, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods Company, Inc. (owns 100% of three domestic corporations, 100% of one domestic limited liability company, 82% of one domestic limited liability company, 50% of one domestic limited liability company, 29% of one domestic corporation and 19% of one foreign corporation) |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra Grocery Products Company, LLC (owns 100% of five domestic corporations, 100% of one foreign entity, 77% of one domestic corporation, 50% of one domestic corporation, 50% of one foreign corporation, 25% of one domestic corporation and less than 1% of four foreign corporations) |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra International Fertilizer Company (principally engaged in the agricultural chemicals business owns 99% of one foreign corporation) |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra International, Inc. (owns 23% of one domestic corporation, 100% of five foreign entities, 99% of eight foreign entities, 98% of three foreign entities, 90% of two foreign corporations, 81% of one foreign corporation, 54% of one foreign corporation, 50% of one foreign corporation, 30% of one foreign corporation, 12% of one foreign corporation and less than 1% of six foreign entities, all engaged principally in the worldwide commodities trading business, the agricultural chemicals business and the processing of malt) |
|
Delaware |
ConAgra Limited/ConAgra Limitée (owns 100% of one foreign corporation and 50% of two foreign corporations) |
|
Canada |
ConAgra Trade Group, Inc. (owns 100% of three domestic corporations) |
|
Delaware |
The corporations listed above are included in the consolidated financial statements, which are a part of this report.
135
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors
and Stockholders
ConAgra Foods, Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement Nos. 333-42420, 333-87937, and 333-101851 on Form S-3 and Nos. 333-70476, 333-46962, 333-46960, 333-44426, 333-78063, 333-64633, 33-50113, 33-48295, 33-28079, 2-81244, 2-96891, 33-15815, 333-17573, 33-52330, 333-17549, 33-63061 and 33-37293 on Form S-8 of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) of our reports dated July 28, 2006, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of May 28, 2006, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended May 28, 2006, and the related financial statement schedule, managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006 which reports appear in this May 28, 2006 Form 10-K of the Company.
/s/ KPMG LLP |
|
Omaha, Nebraska
July 28, 2006
136
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-42420, 333-87937, and 333-101851 on Form S-3 and Nos. 333-70476, 333-46962, 333-46960, 333-44426, 333-78063, 333-64633, 33-50113, 33-48295, 33-28079, 2-81244, 2-96891, 33-15815, 333-17573, 33-52330, 333-17549, 33-63061 and 33-37293 on Form S-8 of our report dated August 11, 2005 (July 28, 2006 as to Notes 2 and 19), relating to consolidated balance sheet of ConAgra Foods, Inc. as of May 29, 2005, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, common stockholders equity, cash flows and the financial statement schedule for each of the fiscal years ended May 29, 2005 and May 30, 2004 of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to changes in methods of accounting for variable interest entities and asset retirement obligations in 2004) appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of ConAgra Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended May 28, 2006.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP |
|
Omaha, Nebraska
July 28, 2006
137
Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Mogens C. Bay |
|
|
Mogens C. Bay |
|
138
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ David H. Batchelder |
|
|
David H. Batchelder |
|
139
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Howard G. Buffett |
|
|
Howard G. Buffett |
|
140
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Stephen G. Butler |
|
|
Stephen G. Butler |
|
141
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ John T. Chain, Jr. |
|
|
John T. Chain, Jr. |
|
142
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Steven F. Goldstone |
|
|
Steven F. Goldstone |
|
143
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Alice B. Hayes |
|
|
Alice B. Hayes |
|
144
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ W.G. Jurgensen |
|
|
W.G. Jurgensen |
|
145
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Mark H. Rauenhorst |
|
|
Mark H. Rauenhorst |
|
146
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Carl E. Reichardt |
|
|
Carl E. Reichardt |
|
147
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Ronald W. Roskens |
|
|
Ronald W. Roskens |
|
148
Exhibit 24 (continued)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned Director of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary M. Rodkin, Robert F. Sharpe, and Owen C. Johnson as his Attorney-in-Fact in his name, place and stead, to execute ConAgra Foods Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006, together with any and all subsequent amendments thereof, in his capacity as a Director and hereby ratifies all that any one or more of said Attorneys-in-Fact may do by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 14th day of July, 2006.
|
/s/ Kenneth Stinson |
|
|
Kenneth Stinson |
|
149
I, Gary M. Rodkin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of ConAgra Foods, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: July 28, 2006
/s/ GARY M. RODKIN |
|
Gary M. Rodkin |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
150
Exhibit 31.2
I, Frank S. Sklarsky, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of ConAgra Foods, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: July 28, 2006
/s/ FRANK S. SKLARSKY |
|
Frank S. Sklarsky |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
151
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Gary M. Rodkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of ConAgra Foods, Inc., certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge that ConAgra Foods, Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and that the information contained in such Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ConAgra Foods, Inc.
July 28, 2006
/s/ GARY M. RODKIN |
|
Gary M. Rodkin |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
I, Frank S. Sklarsky, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of ConAgra Foods, Inc., certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge that ConAgra Foods, Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2006 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and that the information contained in such Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ConAgra Foods, Inc.
July 28, 2006
/s/ FRANK S. SKLARSKY |
|
Frank S. Sklarsky |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to ConAgra Foods, Inc. and will be retained by ConAgra Foods, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
152