Campbell Soup shares surged +5% before the bell Friday, following its report of fourth quarter earnings that surpassed analysts’ expectations.
For the quarter ended July 28, the food company raked in earnings-per-share of 42 cents (excluding certain items), beating the Street estimates by 1 cent, (based on Refinitiv poll of analysts).
Net sales from continuing operations increased +2% year-over-year to $1.78 billion.
In recent times, Campbell has been increasingly concentrating on its core soup and snack businesses, thereby divesting several of its international and fresh businesses, including Bolthouse Farms and Garden Fresh Gourmet salsa. Last month, the company expressed plans to sell Kelsen Group to a Ferrero affiliated company for $300 million. It is also selling its Arnott’s biscuits and some of its international divisions.
Apparently to cater an increasingly health-conscious population, Campbell launched new soup (with more chicken and tomatoes) and eliminated preservatives.
Soup sales in the U.S. were up in the recent quarter, which could potentially be a strong ray of hope for Campbell.