--(www.USEquityNews.com)-- 08/21/2008 - Consumer Goods industry alert provided by U.S. Equity News. H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) announced today that the Company achieved excellent first-quarter results as sales rose 14.9% and earnings per share increased 14.3% to $0.72. The superior growth was fueled by double-digit sales growth in North America and Europe, 35.8% sales growth in Emerging Markets and almost 30% growth in Heinz's Infant/Nutrition category. Record organic sales growth was evenly balanced between volume (+5.0%) and net pricing (+5.2%). Heinz Chairman, President, and CEO William R. Johnson said, "Heinz is off to a strong start in the fiscal year, with excellent growth in first-quarter sales, operating income and EPS. We achieved record organic sales growth, reflecting the strength of our Top 15 brands, dynamic growth in our Emerging Markets, higher marketing investments and benefits from increased focus on products for healthier lifestyles."
Lancaster Colony Corporation (NASDAQ: LANC) today reported results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. Chairman and CEO John B. Gerlach, Jr. said, "While mix and pricing actions allowed our specialty food operating margin to improve over the prior quarter level, food operations remained greatly challenged by markedly higher commodity costs. Our review of strategic alternatives for nonfood operations continued as we divested our last automotive operation. Our only remaining significant nonfood business is candles, and we do not expect further progress on our strategic evaluation of these operations under current market conditions. However, we will continue to review our options and may revisit our efforts as conditions improve."
AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE), the franchisor and operator of Popeyes(R) restaurants, recently reported results for its fiscal second quarter which ended July 13, 2008. Cheryl Bachelder, AFC Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We were pleased with our earnings performance for the second quarter. Our same-store sales continue to be impacted by the current economic environment; however, we believe our marketing and messaging helped us during the quarter as our comparable sales performance continued to outpace the chicken QSR segment. As we move into the second half of this year, we are excited to be rolling-out three new menu platforms designed to generate incremental sales with a focus on portability, value, and lunch occasions."
NutraCea (OTCBB: NTRZ), a world leader in stabilized rice bran (SRB) nutrient research and technology, recently announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008. The Company reported net revenues of $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to net revenues of $13.0 million for the second quarter of 2007. The net revenues for the second quarter of 2007 included a one-time license fee of $5.0 million (non-recurring) without which net revenues for the second quarter 2007 would have been $8,000,000. Sequentially, net revenues for the second quarter of 2008 rose 102% over first quarter 2008 net revenues of $5.1 million. The Company's two business segments, NutraCea and Irgovel, recorded net revenues of $3.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, for second quarter 2008.
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