May 28--The H.J. Heinz Co. today reported record profit and revenue for its recently concluded fiscal year, despite dips in both categories in the final three-month period.

For the year ended April 29, the Pittsburgh-based food manufacturer's net income totaled 923.1 million, or $2.90 a share, up 9.2 percent from $844.9 million, or $2.63 a share one year earlier.

Revenue during the 12-month period increased to more than $10.15 billion, up from just over $10 billion in fiscal year 2008.

"Heinz delivered record sales and profits in fiscal 2009, despite the difficult global environment," Heinz CEO William R. Johnson said in a statement. "Heinz brands around the world performed well, benefiting from the growing tend of at-home dining."

With the announcement of its record-setting year, the Heinz directors voted today to raise the company's common stock dividend by 2 cents a share on an annual basis to $1.68. The quarterly increase of a half-cent, to 42 cents is for shareholders of record as of June 24, and will be paid on July 10.

Heinz said that the company has increased its dividend nearly 56 percent since being adjust in fiscal 2003 for the spinoff of several divisions to Del Monte Foods.

"This dividend increase represents the ongoing confidence of management and the Heinz board in the future of Heinz," Johnson said.

The year's results were led by a 27.3 percent increase in sales in what Heinz calls its "rest of world" segment, which totaled nearly $468 million, up from $367.7 million.

The other driver was North American sales, up 4.1 percent to more than $3.1 billion from just over $3 billion in fiscal 2008.

The 5.6 percent drop in fourth-quarter sales was attributed to currency shifts. Profit fell nearly $20 million, to $175.1 million, or 55 cents a share, from $194.1 million, or $194.1 million, or 61 cents a share in the year-earlier quarter.

Heinz said that in fiscal 2010 it expects earnings per share to range between $2.60 and $2.70 a share.

Rick Stouffer can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7853.

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