Promising 2014 Ahead for This Leading Meat Processor

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Feb 13, 2014

Since 2009, Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN, Financial) has made a turnaround. It is an integrated producer, processor, and marketer of chicken and poultry-based food products. The company operates in four segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork and Prepared Foods. It supplies chicken products through food service, retail grocery stores, club stores and international distribution channels. Tyson is the largest protein processor in the U.S. (where the core business is chicken), and its common stock offers a good investment opportunity. This Springdale, Ark.-based company also makes corn and flour tortillas under the Mexican Original brand and through its subsidiary Cobb Vantress, a chicken breeding stock supplier.

Numbers at a Glance

Tyson is the largest publicly traded meat processor and marketer in the U.S., and the second largest in the world (behind only Brazilian JBS SA). In its first-quarter earnings (declared on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014), the company repurchased 4.6 million shares for $150 million. EPS were up 47% to $0.72 compared to $0.49 in the first quarter of the prior year. Sales were about $8.8 billion, which represents an increase of 4.7% over the first quarter of the prior year. Operating income increased 36% to $412 million, and overall operating margin was 4.7%. Adjusted earnings were of 72 cents per share. All these positive numbers contributed a net profit of $254 million, which is substantially higher than last year's $173 million. Tyson had a very good operating cash flow of $361 million. The company’s total capital expenditures in quarter one of fiscal year 2014 were just $140 million, and this gave more free cash flows which are used for the share repurchase program.

Positive Outlook

In fiscal 2014, the company expects to increase the overall domestic protein production (chicken, beef, pork and turkey) by 1% from fiscal 2013 levels. Grain supplies are expected to increase in fiscal 2014, which should result in lower input costs. Tyson expects fiscal 2014 capital expenditures to approximate $700 million, and approximate net interest expense will be $100 million. The company expects that grain supplies will increase in fiscal 2014, which should result in lower input costs. Tyson also expects sales to be around $36 billion, up 5% over fiscal 2013 backed by strong demand for the company’s products. The company is confident of achieving at least 10% earnings growth in fiscal 2015.

On Feb. 5, 2014, Tyson Foods announced the addition of a new line of breakfast items to its product offerings with Tyson® Day StartsTM products. In conjunction with the launch of Day StartsTM, the company is also partnering with Florida Orange Juice to help spread the word about the importance of consuming a healthful morning meal.

In June 2013, Tyson Foods Inc. announced the acquisition of assets of Circle Foods LLC, and on Jan 20, 2014, the company took over Warren, Mich.-based pizza maker Bosco's Pizza Company. These acquisitions will help to boost earnings in the coming quarters.

Head to Head

Tyson Foods faces stiff competition from Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD, Financial), Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL, Financial), and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC, Financial).

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Compared to its peers, Tyson has the diversification advantage as it provides the commodity raw pork, poultry and beef as well as value-added processed meat. From the above chart, it is clear that Tyson has the largest geographic reach in the U.S.

Wings Across the World

Tyson foods is the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 list with approximately 115,000 team members worldwide. It has 57 chicken plants, 13 beef plants, 9 pork plants and 25 prepared foods plants worldwide. The company has its wings in Brazil, India, China and Mexico.

In India at a Glance

Tyson partnered with Godrej India, and their joint venture Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd. was the first company to market fresh chilled chicken in India. The company is focused on serving the growing demand for quality poultry in India and have branded lines for chicken and vegetarian proteins. In India, Tyson markets its products in the name of Yummiez brand. Currently in India, Mumbai and Bangalore threre are two plants for Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd.

China

Tyson was impacted last year when an avian flu scare kept Chinese consumers away from chicken products. Despite this mishap, Tyson managed to provide positive numbers.

On a Concluding Note

Tyson Foods is diversified across the major meat types (poultry, pork and beef) and therefore, this leading meat processor is well positioned to meet changes in tastes for meat. Other remarkable advantages are its profit margins are normalizing, and it is continuing to innovate and invest in value-added businesses, which could bring even more shareholder value in the future.

Overall, Tyson Foods has a strong financial position, and enough room for its international exposure. Therefore, it can be said that this company will provide good food to its valued customers and pocketful of return to its investors in the near future.