Before the opening bell on Wednesday, Campbell Soup Company (CPB) released its second quarter financial results. Here’s what the results mean for mutual fund investors.
Inside CPB’s Results
Earnings
The company reported earnings of $207 million, or 66 cents per share, down from $228 million, or 74 cents per share, last year. Excluding special items, EPS came in at 66 cents, which matched analysts’ view.
Revenue
Revenue dropped 2% to $2.23 billion from $2.28 billion. Analysts expected revenue of $2.23 billion.
Outlook
Looking forward, CPB expects to see FY2015 EPS between $2.32 and $2.38. Analysts expect to see EPS of $2.39.
Consumer Tastes Are Changing … and So Is Campbell’s Plan
Campbell Soup, which is best known for its soup products, announced a three-year restructuring plan that will be aimed at cost cutting and investing in new products. The company has been seeing sluggish sales in its soup business, and is now moving its focus to new consumer tastes, including organic and fresh foods.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in CPB may consider a mutual fund as an alternative to owning the individual stock. The funds below currently hold the largest stakes in CPB.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| LCEAX | Invesco Diversified Dividend | 1.95% |
| JVMAX | American Century Equity Income | 1.27% |
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx | 1.27% |
The Bottom Line
The funds listed above allow investors to gain exposure to CPB while remaining diversified. Investors interested in CPB may also be interested in Unilever (UL) and Kraft Foods (KRFT).