CONAGRA BRANDS
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Net interest expense increased $91 million to $131 million in the quarter. The increase was primarily driven by higher levels of debt outstanding compared to the prior-year period, which was largely a result of the net debt incurred in connection with the Pinnacle acquisition.
The average diluted share count of 487 million shares reflects an increase of 85 million shares versus the prior year period. The increase was driven by the shares issued in connection with the Pinnacle acquisition, partially offset by share repurchases executed during fiscal 2018.
In the quarter, net income attributable to Conagra Brands was $242 million or $0.50 per diluted share. Adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands was $251 million or $0.51 per diluted share in the third quarter, as compared to $245 million and $0.61, respectively, in the prior-year period. The increase in adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands was driven by higher operating profit, which was partially offset by higher interest expense, a higher tax rate, and lower earnings in the Ardent Mills joint venture. The decrease in adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was primarily driven by the previously-mentioned increase in share count.
Adjusted EBITDA, which includes equity method investment earnings and pension and postretirementnon-service income, increased 35.9% to $554 million in the quarter, driven by the addition of Pinnacle’s operating profit and growth in Legacy Conagra’s operating profit.
Grocery & Snacks Segment Third Quarter Results
Net sales for the Grocery & Snacks segment increased 2.9% to $863 million in the quarter. The Company’s focus on building a strong snacks business delivered strong results in the quarter. Net sales of businesses in the snacks portfolio grew 8.2%, led by Orville Redenbacher’s, Act II, Snack Pack, Slim Jim, and Duke’s branded products. Volume increased 2.1% behind the strong growth in snacks, and price/mix increased 0.8% in the period as favorable pricing and mix more than offset increased brand building investments with retailers, which were funded by shifting dollars from A&P.
Operating profit for the segment increased 10.2% to $194 million in the quarter, and adjusted operating profit increased 9.8% to $196 million. Net sales growth, lower SG&A, and the benefits of supply chain realized productivity more than offset higher transportation and input costs.
Refrigerated & Frozen Segment Third Quarter Results
Net sales for the Refrigerated & Frozen segment increased 3.3% to $711 million in the quarter, and organic net sales grew 2.4%. The acquisition of Sandwich Bros. of Wisconsin, which closed late in the third quarter last year, added 90 basis points to the net sales growth rate. Volume grew 3.5% behind strong growth across the frozen portfolio, including the Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice, Banquet, P.F. Chang’s, and Frontera brands. Price/mix decreased 1.1% as favorable pricing and mix were more than offset by increased brand building investments with retailers, which were funded by shifting dollars from A&P.
Reported and adjusted operating profit both grew 4.2% to $131 million and $132 million, respectively. Net sales growth and realized productivity more than offset unfavorable price/mix, higher SG&A, and higher transportation and input costs.
International Segment Third Quarter Results
Net sales for the International segment decreased 11.4% to $198 million in the quarter. The sale of the Canadian Del Monte business reduced the net sales growth rate by approximately 640 basis points, and the impact of foreign exchange unfavorably impacted the net sales growth rate by 415 basis points. Organic net sales decreased 0.9% as favorable price/mix of 1.1% was more than offset by volume declines, concentrated in certain lower-growth global markets, of 2.0%.