General Mills scooped larger-than-expected earnings in the fiscal third quarter, and also raised its full-year guidance.
For the three months ended February 24, the consumer foods company had adjusted earnings of 74 cents a share, beating analysts’ expectations of 69 cents a share (based on FactSet poll).
Sales for the quarter rose +8% year-over-year to $4.2 billion. Organic sales grew by +1% during the quarter, beating Wall Street estimates of +0.6%.
Despite headwinds in Europe and Australia markets, General Mills’ 2018 acquisition of pet-food maker Blue Buffalo, strong sales performance in Asia and Latin America boosted the company’s overall performance. Its cost-cutting plan which includes cutting 625 jobs by this spring, also lifted profits, according to the company.
General Mills raised its fiscal 2019 outlook on earnings growth to a range of flat to up +1%, compared to its previous forecast of flat to down -3%. Analysts were expecting earnings decline of -1.2%.