NASDAQ$MZTI

Marzetti Company/The · Q4 2024 earnings

Q4 2024 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Lancaster Colony reported a significant increase in operating income and net income for Q4 2024, driven by reduced restructuring charges and improved gross profit, despite a slight decline in net sales.

Lancaster Colony Corporation reported a strong fourth quarter for fiscal year 2024, with consolidated net sales declining slightly by 0.4% to $452.8 million. Despite the modest sales decline, gross profit increased by $4.4 million to $97.6 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 21.6%. Operating income saw a substantial increase of $30.2 million to $41.7 million, primarily due to a significant reduction in restructuring and impairment charges compared to the prior year. Net income rose to $34.8 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, up from $9.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the prior year.

  • Consolidated net sales saw a slight decrease of 0.4% to $452.8 million, primarily due to the exit of perimeter-of-the-store bakery product lines.
  • Gross profit increased by $4.4 million to $97.6 million, with the gross profit margin improving by 110 basis points to 21.6% due to cost savings programs.
  • Operating income surged by $30.2 million to $41.7 million, largely benefiting from a $22.3 million net reduction in restructuring and impairment charges.
  • Diluted earnings per share significantly improved to $1.26 from $0.33 in the prior-year quarter, reflecting the strong increase in net income.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$453M

Previous: $455M-0.4%
EPS (adj)

$1.26

Previous: $1.19+5.9%
Capital Expenditures

-$15.6M

Previous: $11.3M-237.4%
Free Cash Flow

$18.5M

Previous: $30.4M-39.1%
Net Income

$34.8M

Previous: $9.17M+280.0%
Operating Income

$41.7M

Previous: $11.5M+263.3%
Gross Profit

$97.6M

Previous: $93.2M+4.8%
Stock-Based Comp

$2.44M

Previous: $2.16M+13.0%

Revenue & EPS history

Lancaster Colony · Revenue · Quarterly

$453M

Q4 2024-0.4%vs Q4 2023
Beat estimate in 5 of 13 quarters(38%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Lancaster Colony · $462M total across 2 segments · Q1 2024

  • Retail
    $242M
  • Foodservice
    $219M

Forward guidance

For fiscal year 2025, Lancaster Colony anticipates continued sales growth in the Retail segment, driven by its licensing program and new product introductions, including expanded Texas Roadhouse offerings and gluten-free garlic bread. The Foodservice segment expects sales volume growth from quick-service restaurant customers. The company plans to drive margin improvement through cost savings programs and does not foresee significant commodity cost inflation or deflation.

Tailwinds

  • Retail segment sales are anticipated to continue benefiting from volume growth led by the licensing program.
  • Increased sales are expected from new products, flavors, and sizes introduced in fiscal 2024.
  • The partnership with Texas Roadhouse has expanded to include their popular dinner rolls, introduced with a regional pilot test.
  • Continued positive sales momentum is expected for New York BRAND® Bakery frozen garlic bread products, driven by the introduction of a gluten-free garlic bread and volume growth for Marzetti® refrigerated dressings.
  • Foodservice segment sales volume is expected to be led by growth from select quick-service restaurant customers in the mix of national chain restaurant accounts.
  • The company expects to drive margin improvement through its cost savings programs.

Headwinds

  • External factors, including U.S. economic performance and consumer behavior, may impact demand.
  • Price and product competition could affect financial results.
  • Adverse changes in freight, energy, or other costs of producing, distributing, or transporting products could impact profitability.
  • The impact of customer store brands on branded retail volumes remains a potential challenge.
  • The potential for loss of larger programs or key customer relationships could negatively affect performance.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2024

Historical avgQ4 2024

-0.6%

Avg return

Earnings day

-0.1%

Avg return

5 days after

-0.5%

Avg return

30 days after

43%

28 / 65 earnings

Positive

+18.0%

Q4 2022

Best reaction

-15.6%

Q3 2025

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q3 2026-6.7%-8.6%-14.0%
Q2 2026-7.7%-11.0%-5.2%
Q1 2026+9.2%+9.0%+4.0%
Q3 2025-15.6%-16.3%-13.2%
Q2 2025+8.7%+13.3%+15.3%
Q1 2025-2.4%+3.4%+0.5%
Q4 2024-12.2%-15.2%-8.0%
Q3 2024+0.0%+1.2%-3.1%
Q2 2024+10.2%+5.2%+12.2%
Q1 2024-0.1%-0.9%-2.3%
Q4 2023-11.5%-9.6%-8.5%
Q3 2023+2.8%+1.7%-4.3%
Q2 2023-3.7%-4.5%-1.7%
Q1 2023+13.9%+18.3%+15.3%
Q4 2022+18.0%+15.4%+8.7%
Q3 2022-11.2%-7.9%-19.9%
Q2 2022-3.6%-1.6%+2.0%
Q1 2022-5.5%-4.4%-11.5%
Q4 2021-1.5%-3.0%-7.8%
Q3 2021-1.1%+0.4%+1.5%
Q2 2021+0.8%+3.6%+0.8%
Q1 2021-4.8%-4.9%-2.9%
Q4 2020+3.2%+4.7%+6.4%
Q3 2020+5.1%+8.4%+15.3%
Q2 2020-2.0%-0.5%-4.3%
Q1 2020+11.4%+11.9%+13.4%
Q4 2019-7.1%-5.3%-8.0%
Q3 2019-4.8%-3.2%-4.9%
Q2 2019+0.3%+0.1%+0.4%
Q1 2019+2.1%+8.3%+13.8%
Q4 2018+6.1%+6.2%+4.8%
Q3 2018-1.1%-1.7%-1.4%
Q2 2018-0.9%-2.4%-7.0%
Q1 2018+9.9%+5.2%+6.1%
Q4 2017-6.4%-5.3%-5.2%
Q3 2017-2.7%-4.7%-3.0%
Q2 2017-13.0%-11.8%-9.9%
Q1 2017-4.0%-4.6%+3.8%
Q4 2016+5.5%+6.1%+3.5%
Q3 2016+6.3%
Q2 2016-12.7%
Q1 2016+9.0%
Q4 2015+2.1%
Q3 2015-3.4%
Q2 2015-4.1%
Q1 2015+1.2%
Q4 2014-5.2%
Q3 2014-8.0%
Q2 2014+2.4%
Q1 2014-4.9%
Q4 2013-3.8%
Q3 2013+0.1%
Q2 2013-1.1%
Q1 2013-0.6%
Q4 2012+5.2%
Q3 2012+0.0%
Q2 2012+0.2%
Q1 2012+2.6%
Q4 2009-2.0%
Q4 2011-2.0%
Q3 2011+1.3%
Q2 2011+0.2%
Q4 2010-0.2%
Q1 2011-0.2%
Q3 2010+2.6%

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