Supervalu disappoints Street
MINNEAPOLIS Supervalu put a positive spin on its latest quarterly numbers but Wall Street wasn't happy. Supervalu today reported net sales of $13.3 billion for the first quarter ended June 16. This compares to net sales of $5.8 billion for the same period last year, heavily impacted by the acquisition of the Albertsons properties it made last year. The company reported net earnings of $148 million compared to $87 million last year and diluted earnings per share of 69 cents compared to 57 cents last year, a 21% increase. The prior year results did not include operating results from the acquired properties.
Jeff Noddle, Supervalu chairman and ceo appraised the quarter in a positive light, saying, "As we pass the one year mark of the acquisition of Albertsons premier retail properties which transformed Supervalu into a $44 billion coast-to-coast retail powerhouse, we are on track. On all fronts, this was a highly successful first year, which sets the foundation for the next two years of our journey following the acquisition. Today's announcement of a double-digit increase in our first quarter earnings completes a full year of double-digit accretive results. We are now beginning to execute our business plans that will maximize the full potential of our transformed company including the delivery of synergies.
Today, by raising the bottom end of our fiscal 2008 diluted earnings per share guidance range by 5 cents, we now expect earnings per share in the range of $2.93 to $3.03 before one-time acquisition related costs of 20 cents. We are confident that our second year as a transformed company will continue to generate value for our shareholders."
However, Standard & Poors analyst Joseph Agnese said, in a research note, that Supervalu?s earnings per share came in three cents below the company's estimate. While results benefited from acquisitions and a more favorable retail food environment, Supervalu suffered a significant rise in interest expense and share count. He added that combined identical store sales grew 1.2%, but legacy identical-store idents that is, idents excluding the former Albertsons properties -- rose only 0.4%, both slightly below Standard & Poors expectations. From a high of almost $47 early today, Supervalu?s share price fell steeply to $42.35 by late afternoon before rallying slightly.