Tyson Foods Q4 Profit Climbs - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Meat products producer Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) posted higher fourth-quarter net income attributable to the company of $261 million, or $0.70 a share, from $185 million, or $0.51 a share, last year. On average, 12 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $0.69 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

For the quarter, the firm clocked sales of $8.89 billion, up 7%, compared with the prior-year figure of $8.315 billion, while ten analysts estimated revenues of $8.89 billion for the quarter.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2014, the company expects overall domestic protein production (chicken, beef, pork and turkey) to increase about 1% from fiscal 2013 levels. Grain supplies are likely to increase in fiscal 2014, which should result in lower input costs. Domestic chicken production is projected to grow 3% - 4% in fiscal 2014 compared with fiscal 2013.

Fiscal 2014 sales are expected to approximate $36 billion as it continues to execute its strategy of accelerating growth in domestic value-added chicken sales, prepared food sales and international chicken production.

Separately, Tyson Foods said it has created several new leadership roles to support future growth in its domestic and international protein and prepared foods businesses. In addition, the firm announced Jim Lochner's retirement in September 2014 after over a 30-year career at Tyson Foods and IBP, inc. Lochner has served since 2009 as its chief operating officer and overseen much of the turnaround during the last four years.

He would relocate to the company's fresh meats headquarters in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, where he would support the fresh meats business. Following retirement, Lochner would serve the company in an advisory capacity through the end of 2017.