Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record third-quarter adjusted operating profit of $310 million, an 8.5% increase year-over-year, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 8.3% [4][24] - Consolidated sales for the third quarter were $3.7 billion, representing a 12.4% increase compared to the prior year [23][24] - Adjusted net income from continuing operations was a record $230 million, up from $203 million in the third quarter of 2024, with adjusted EPS increasing by 9.4% to $0.58 per share [24][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The packaged meats segment achieved an adjusted operating profit of $226 million, the second-highest third-quarter profit on record, with a margin of 10.8% [24][25] - Fresh pork segment adjusted operating profit was $10 million, down from the previous year, but sales increased by 12% to $2.2 billion, driven by a 12% increase in average selling price [25][27] - The hog production segment saw adjusted operating profit rise to $89 million, up from $40 million in the previous year, with sales increasing by 10.1% to $813 million [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The packaged meats segment's sales increased by 9.1% year-over-year, driven by a 9.2% increase in average selling price, despite flat sales volume [25] - The fresh pork segment experienced a 5% volume growth in the U.S. retail channel, attributed to consumer demand for quality protein [17][27] - The hog production segment benefited from improved commodity markets, with a significant increase in external grain and feed sales [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on five strategic growth priorities, including enhancing product mix and volume growth in packaged meats, maximizing net realizable value in fresh pork, and achieving a best-in-class cost structure in hog production [8][21] - The company aims to optimize operations and deliver efficiencies across manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution, while also evaluating synergistic M&A opportunities [21][22] - The vertically integrated model is emphasized as a competitive advantage, allowing the company to manage costs and supply effectively [23][45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the midpoint of the fiscal 2025 adjusted operating profit outlook by $25 million, reflecting strong year-to-date performance and a stable outlook [31][33] - The company anticipates total sales to increase in the low to mid-single-digit percent range compared to fiscal 2024, despite challenges from higher raw material costs and a cautious consumer spending environment [31][32] - Management expressed confidence in navigating the dynamic macro environment and maintaining profitability through disciplined execution of core strategies [21][34] Other Important Information - The company reported a strong balance sheet with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.8x and liquidity of $3.1 billion [30] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be between $350 million and $400 million, primarily due to project timing [30][72] - The company plans to pay $1 per share in annual dividends, reinforcing its commitment to return value to shareholders [30][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on packaged meats volume and pricing strategies - Management noted that despite a cautious consumer environment, retail sales were up 6%, with a focus on higher-margin items driving profitability [36][39] Question: Long-term margin recovery in packaged meats - Management expressed confidence in maintaining margins through effective pricing strategies and operational efficiencies, despite input cost pressures [39][40] Question: Impact of hog production reduction on availability - Management clarified that the reduction in hog production is strategic, aimed at removing high-cost farms while ensuring adequate supply for processing needs [45][46] Question: Expectations for beef trim markets - Management indicated that a recovery in beef markets is not expected until late 2027, positioning pork favorably in comparison [61][62] Question: Clarification on capital expenditure guidance - Management explained that the lower CapEx guidance is primarily due to project timing rather than a reduction in investment opportunities [72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record third-quarter adjusted operating profit of $310 million, an 8.5% increase year over year, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 8.3% [4][24] - Consolidated sales for the third quarter were $3.7 billion, representing a 12.4% increase compared to the prior year [23][24] - Adjusted net income from continuing operations was a record $230 million, compared to $203 million in the third quarter of 2024, with adjusted EPS increasing by 9.4% to $0.58 per share [24][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The packaged meats segment achieved an adjusted operating profit of $226 million, the second-highest third-quarter profit on record, with a margin of 10.8% [24][25] - Fresh pork segment adjusted operating profit was $10 million, down from the previous year, but sales increased by 12% to $2.2 billion, driven by a 12% increase in average selling price [26][27] - Hog production segment adjusted operating profit rose to $89 million, up from $40 million in the previous year, with sales increasing by 10.1% to $813 million [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The packaged meats segment saw a 9.1% increase in sales, driven by a 9.2% increase in average selling price, despite flat sales volume [25] - The fresh pork segment delivered 5% volume growth in the U.S. retail channel, supported by value-added case-ready items [18][27] - The hog production segment benefited from improved commodity markets, with a significant increase in external grain and feed sales [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on five strategic growth priorities, including enhancing product mix and volume growth in packaged meats, maximizing net realizable value in fresh pork, and optimizing operations across all segments [8][21] - The company aims to evaluate synergistic M&A opportunities across North America to support growth strategies [21] - The vertically integrated model is emphasized as a competitive advantage, allowing the company to manage costs and supply effectively [45][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the midpoint of the fiscal 2025 adjusted operating profit outlook by $25 million, reflecting strong year-to-date performance [31][33] - The company anticipates total sales to increase in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range compared to fiscal 2024, despite challenges from higher raw material costs and cautious consumer spending [31][32] - Management expressed confidence in navigating the dynamic macro environment and maintaining profitability through disciplined execution of strategies [21][33] Other Important Information - The company ended the third quarter with a strong balance sheet, with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.8 times and liquidity of $3.1 billion [30] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be between $350 million to $400 million, primarily for projects that drive growth [30][72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on packaged meats volume and pricing - Management noted that despite a cautious consumer environment, retail sales were up 6%, and the company is focusing on higher-margin items to drive profitability [36][39] Question: Long-term margin recovery in packaged meats - Management expressed confidence in maintaining margins through pricing strategies and operational efficiencies, despite input cost pressures [39][41] Question: Impact of hog production reduction on competitiveness - Management clarified that the reduction in hog production is strategic to remove high-cost farms and maintain adequate supply for processing needs [45][47] Question: Expectations for beef trim markets - Management indicated that a recovery in beef markets is not expected until late 2027, positioning pork favorably against beef prices [61][62] Question: Clarification on capital expenditures guidance - Management explained that the reduction in capital expenditures is primarily due to the timing of projects shifting into early 2026 [72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record third-quarter adjusted operating profit of $310 million, an 8.5% increase year over year, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 8.3% [10][23] - Consolidated sales for the third quarter were $3.7 billion, representing a 12.4% increase compared to the prior year [22] - Adjusted net income from continuing operations was a record $230 million, up from $203 million in the third quarter of 2024, with adjusted EPS increasing to $0.58 per share, a 9.4% rise from $0.53 [23][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The packaged meats segment achieved an adjusted operating profit of $226 million, the second-highest third-quarter profit on record, with a margin of 10.8% [23][24] - Fresh pork segment adjusted operating profit was $10 million, down from the previous year, but mitigated the impact of a compressed industry market spread [25] - Hog production segment adjusted operating profit increased to $89 million from $40 million year over year, driven by improved commodity markets [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Packaged meats sales increased by 9.1% to $2.1 billion, driven by a 9.2% increase in average selling price, while volume remained flat [24] - Fresh pork segment sales rose 12% year over year to $2.2 billion, primarily due to a 12% increase in average selling price [26] - Hog production segment sales increased by 10.1% to $813 million, despite a reduction in the number of hogs produced [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on five strategic growth priorities, including enhancing product mix and volume growth in packaged meats, maximizing net realizable value in fresh pork, and optimizing operations in hog production [7][16] - The packaged meats segment is positioned to capitalize on consumer demand for quality protein, with a strategy to improve product mix and drive innovation [8][10] - The company is evaluating synergistic M&A opportunities across North America to support growth strategies [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the midpoint of the fiscal 2025 adjusted operating profit outlook by $25 million, reflecting strong year-to-date performance [29][31] - The company anticipates total sales to increase in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range compared to fiscal 2024, despite challenges from higher raw material costs [30] - Management expressed confidence in navigating a dynamic macro environment and maintaining profitability through disciplined execution of strategies [20][31] Other Important Information - The company ended the third quarter with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.8 times, indicating a strong balance sheet [28] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be between $350 million to $400 million, primarily for projects that drive growth [28][29] - The company plans to pay $1 per share in annual dividends, reinforcing its commitment to return value to shareholders [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on packaged meats volume and pricing - Management noted that despite a cautious consumer environment, retail sales were up 6%, with unit share growth, indicating effective execution of their strategy [34][35] Question: Profitability outlook amid input cost pressures - Management expressed confidence in maintaining margins through pricing strategies and operational efficiencies, despite rising raw material costs [36][38] Question: Impact of hog production strategy on competitiveness - Management clarified that the reduction in hog production is aimed at removing high-cost farms, ensuring adequate supply for fresh pork and packaged meats [40][42] Question: Expectations for beef trim markets - Management indicated that a material recovery in beef is not expected until late 2027, positioning pork favorably in comparison to other proteins [58][60] Question: Clarification on capital expenditure guidance - Management explained that the lower CapEx guidance is primarily due to the timing of projects shifting into early 2026, rather than a reduction in investment opportunities [69]