Topic: How To Invest

Investing in stocks: Campbell spends to improve long-term prospects

Campbell Soup Co., New York symbol CPB, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. It is the world’s largest maker of canned soups. It also makes Prego canned pasta and sauces, Pepperidge Farm cookies and V8 vegetable juices.

In the year ended July 31, 2011, Campbell’s earnings fell 4.6%, to $805 million from $844 million a year earlier. Earnings per share were unchanged at $2.42 on fewer shares outstanding. If you exclude one-time charges related to a restructuring plan and charges related to the U.S. health-care law, earnings per share would have risen 2.8%, to $2.54 from $2.47. On this basis, the latest earnings beat the consensus earnings estimate of $2.49 a share.

Investing in stocks: Campbell spends to put new soups and sauces on shelves

Revenue rose just 0.6%, to $7.72 billion from $7.68 billion. That’s mainly because the company raised its prices to offset higher ingredient and promotional costs. The weaker U.S. dollar also enhanced the contribution of its overseas operations.

The company continues to spend heavily developing new soups and sauces. It’s also modernizing its plans with new equipment. These costs will likely cut Campbell’s fiscal 2012 earnings to $2.40 a share. However, these investments will improve the company’s long-term prospects.

We updated our advice on Campbell Soup in our September 9, 2011, Wall Street Stock Forecaster hotline, You can view it immediately view when you take a 1-month free trial to Wall Street Stock Forecaster, our newsletter written especially for Canadian interested in investing in stocks in the U.S. with a substantial margin of safety. Click here to get started right away.

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