Lamb Weston Q1 2022 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Lamb Weston's Q1 2022 results showed a 13% increase in net sales to $984 million, driven by volume growth, but income from operations, net income, and diluted EPS declined significantly due to higher manufacturing and distribution costs, input cost inflation, and operational challenges.
Net sales increased 13% to $984 million, driven by volume growth.
Income from operations decreased 56% to $60 million due to higher costs.
Net income decreased 67% to $30 million, impacted by lower operating income and equity method investment earnings.
Diluted EPS decreased 67% to $0.20, reflecting the decline in net income.
Lamb Weston
Lamb Weston
Forward Guidance
Lamb Weston anticipates net sales growth above its long-term target, but expects net income and Adjusted EBITDA to be pressured due to inflation, operational challenges, and supply chain disruptions.
Positive Outlook
- Fiscal 2022 net sales growth will be above its long-term target of low-to-mid single digits.
- Net sales growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 will be driven largely by higher volume.
- Ongoing recovery in demand for frozen potato products.
- Favorable comparison to relatively soft shipments in the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
- Net sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2022 to reflect more of a balance of higher volume and improved price/mix as recent pricing actions are fully implemented in the market.
Challenges Ahead
- Net income and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures will be pressured for the remainder of fiscal 2022.
- Significant inflation for key production inputs, packaging and transportation compared to fiscal 2021 levels.
- Industrywide operational challenges, including labor availability, and upstream and downstream supply chain disruptions.
- Potato costs on a per pound basis will likely rise as the year progresses due to the extreme summer heat.
- Gross margins to remain below pre-pandemic levels through fiscal 2022.