Heinz’s New Growth Plan Pays Off

Article Excerpt

H.J. HEINZ & CO. $46 (New York symbol HNZ; Income Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 316.9 million; Market cap: $14.6 billion; WSSF Rating: Above average) earned $227.0 million in its second fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2007, up 15.0% from $197.4 million a year earlier. Per-share earnings rose 20.3%, to $0.71 from $0.59, due to fewer shares outstanding. As part of its new growth plan, Heinz increased marketing spending in the quarter by 23%. That helped sales grow 13.6%, to $2.5 billion from $2.2 billion. If you disregard acquisitions and foreign exchange rates, sales rose 8.1%. The company’s plan to target developing countries like Russia, China and India for new growth is also proving successful. Sales in these countries rose 24% in the latest quarter. Heinz is a buy. buy…