Kellogg (K) reported Q4 EPS of $0.94, $0.09 better than the analyst estimate of $0.85. Revenue for the quarter came in at $3.83 billion versus the consensus estimate of $3.66 billion.
The Company issued its initial financial guidance for 2023. The Company is projecting:
- Organic net sales growth of 5-7%, driven by price/mix growth and led by sustained momentum in snacks and emerging markets.
- Adjusted operating profit growth of 7-9% on a currency-neutral basis as margins stabilize amidst persistent cost inflation.
- Adjusted earnings per share decline of (2)-(4)% on a currency-neutral basis which includes a an approximate (7)% impact from the remeasurement of pension/post-retirement plans, reflecting last year's sharp decline in financial markets, and it also is impacted by a significant increase in interest expense due to higher interest rates.
- Net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $1.7-1.8 billion, with capital expenditure of about $0.7 billion including capital expenditure related to the pending separation. As a result, cash flow is expected to be $1.0-1.1 billion. This is below 2022 levels due solely to approximately $0.3 billion of up-front charges and capital expenditure related to the Company's pending separation, without which cash flow would be higher year on year.