Tyson Foods has turned a profit in its chicken business while the beef segment continues to struggle due to declining cattle count and rising prices. Stock initially rose but retreated in later trading. Tyson Foods recorded $13.32 billion in sales, s...
Tyson Foods, the leading meat processor in the U.S., has finally turned a profit in its chicken business after three consecutive quarters of losses, as stated in the company's latest earnings report released on Monday. However, the beef segment of the company continues to face financial challenges despite increasing prices. According to the company, this trend is expected to persist throughout 2024.
The company's stock initially saw a rise of up to 5% in early trading on Monday, but later retreated to approximately 2.4% by late afternoon.
For the quarter ending in December, Tyson Foods recorded $13.32 billion in sales, a slight increase compared to the previous year but slightly below the $13.34 billion estimated by analysts polled by FactSet. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 69 cents, which is 19% lower than the same period last year but still exceeded Wall Street's consensus estimate of 41 cents.
The decline in earnings can be primarily attributed to lower profitability in the beef segment, which contributes nearly 40% of Tyson Foods' total revenue, as stated by the company.
The number of cattle in the U.S. has been decreasing for five consecutive years. Dry weather conditions have reduced grazing land availability, leading ranchers to reduce their herds due to increased feeding costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported that the cattle inventory at the start of this year dropped to 87.2 million, the lowest level since 1951.
The limited supply of cattle has resulted in higher beef prices for both meatpackers and consumers. In the first fiscal quarter, Tyson Foods experienced an average price increase of 10.5% for beef compared to the previous year. Despite a 4.1% decline in volume, the sales value increased by 6.5% from the previous year, surpassing $5 billion.
In conclusion, while Tyson Foods is witnessing profitability in its chicken business, the beef segment continues to face challenges due to the declining cattle count and rising prices.
Despite the rising retail prices, they were not sufficient to cover the costs for the meatpacker. Tyson's beef segment encountered a significant operating loss of $206 million in the December quarter, following a loss of $323 million in the previous three months. This contraction is particularly stark when compared to the $166 million profit recorded a year ago. For the entire fiscal year of 2024, the company anticipates a loss of up to $400 million.
Conversely, the average price of Tyson's chicken products has dropped by 3.9% compared to a year ago. This marks the third consecutive quarter of falling prices, which is a notable departure from the sharp spikes witnessed in 2022 and early 2023. The operating income for the chicken segment has reached $177 million, representing the first positive reading since the $69 million profits recorded in the December quarter of 2022. Chicken sales contribute approximately 30% to the company's total sales.
The positive earnings within the chicken business can largely be attributed to Tyson's efforts to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency over the past year. In 2023, the company announced plans to close six inefficient poultry plants, resulting in significant layoffs. The management is already witnessing the benefits of these actions.
As beef prices continue to rise, it is expected that consumer demand for chicken will increase due to its affordability. Consequently, Tyson predicts stronger performance in the chicken segment for 2024. They anticipate adjusted operating income for this segment to range between $500 million and $700 million this year. When considering all sectors, including beef, pork, and packaged foods, the overall operating income is projected to reach $1 billion to $1.5 billion for fiscal 2024.
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