General Mills(US:GIS)2025-12-17 12:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reported net sales for Q2 were $4.9 billion, down 7%, with a 6-point headwind from divestitures and acquisitions; organic net sales were down 1% [24] - Adjusted operating profit was $848 million, down 20% in constant currency, primarily due to lower volume and higher input costs [25] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $1.10, down 21% in constant currency [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America Retail organic net sales were down 3%, driven by unfavorable price mix, but organic volume growth modestly outpaced Nielsen measured retail volume growth [26] - North America Pet segment net sales were up 11%, with organic net sales up 1%, driven by favorable price mix [27] - North America Foodservice organic net sales were flat, with growth in frozen baked goods and cereal offset by a decline in bakery flour [28] - International segment organic net sales were up 4%, driven by growth in Brazil, China, India, and North Asia [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America Retail, the company held or grew pound share in eight of its top 10 U.S. categories, with Nielsen measured pounds up 1% in Q2 [8][26] - The North America Pet segment saw mid-single-digit growth in cat feeding, while dog feeding results were mixed [16][27] - Internationally, dollar share was held or grown in 54% of priority businesses, led by Häagen-Dazs and Nature Valley [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strengthening brand remarkability to restore organic sales growth, with investments in product innovation and brand building [3][4] - Key priorities include returning North America retail to volume growth, accelerating North America pet growth, and driving efficiencies to fund these investments [5][6] - The Remarkable Experience Framework guides brand investment decisions, focusing on product, packaging, brand communications, omnichannel execution, and value [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a change in consumer behavior, with lower and middle-income consumers increasingly making food purchases on promotion due to economic pressures [9] - The company expects to drive further improvement in organic sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2026, reaffirming its fiscal guidance [4][33] - Management anticipates Q3 operating profit to be down more than previously expected, but expects strong profit growth in Q4 [33] Other Important Information - The adjusted gross margin was 34.8% of net sales, down 150 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to higher input costs [30] - The company plans to launch several new products in the second half of fiscal 2026, focusing on consumer trends such as better-for-you benefits and bold flavors [13][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for organic net sales in the second half of fiscal 2026? - The company expects improved organic net sales driven by the expanded impact of remarkability investments and trade timing benefits in Q4 [33] Question: How is the company addressing the challenges in the North America retail segment? - The company is focused on delivering more value to consumers and amplifying elements of the remarkability framework to improve competitiveness [10] Question: What are the growth prospects for the North America pet segment? - The company is confident in its plans for the North America pet segment, expecting further acceleration in organic sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2026 [18]