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General Mills Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales flat organically: Net sales rose 1 percent to $4.6 billion, with a 7-point benefit from the 53rd week. Organic net sales were flat, including a 1-point benefit from trade expense timing. Source
  • Operating loss driven by impairments: The operating loss of $2.1 billion reflected $1.8 billion of non-cash goodwill and brand intangible charges and a $1.0 billion non-cash valuation loss on the planned Brazil divestiture. Source
  • Adjusted operating profit rose 13 percent: Adjusted operating profit was $705 million, up 13 percent in constant currency, helped by a 7-point benefit from favorable trade expense timing. Adjusted operating margin was 15.3 percent. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 profit target set lower: The fiscal 2027 adjusted operating profit target is a decline of 8 to 13 percent in constant currency from the $2.8 billion fiscal 2026 base. Source
  • $3 billion cost savings target: The company targets $3 billion of cumulative cost savings over the four years through fiscal 2030, to help offset input cost inflation and fund growth investments. Source
  • North America Pet goodwill impaired: A $1.5 billion non-cash goodwill impairment was recorded for North America Pet, and $250 million of non-cash charges for the Nudges and True Chews brand intangibles, mainly on higher discount rates. Source
  • Brazil sale agreement signed: The company agreed to sell its Brazil business to Café Três Corações for a base price of R$800 million, subject to deductions and post-closing adjustments. Source

“With our price investment work behind us, our focus in fiscal 2027 is to improve our topline growth by driving a step change in the remarkability of our brands.”

Jeff Harmening, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic net sales Sourcefiscal 2027down 1.5 percent to up 0.5 percentNew
Adjusted operating profit, constant currency Sourcefiscal 2027down 13 percent to down 8 percentNew
Adjusted diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2027$3.00 to $3.20 per shareNew
Free cash flow conversion Sourcefiscal 2027approximately 95 percent of adjusted after-tax earningsNew
Net sales growth impact from divestitures, currency and 53rd week Sourcefiscal 2027reduces reported net sales growth by approximately 2 percentNew
Headwinds to operating profit and EPS growth Sourcefiscal 2027about 9 points on operating profit and 11 points on EPSNew
Cost savings in fiscal 2027 Sourcefiscal 2027at least $750 millionNew
Cumulative cost savings target Sourcefour years through fiscal 2030$3 billionNew
HMM productivity savings, annual rate Sourcethrough fiscal 2030roughly $2 billion cumulative; approximately 4 percent of cost of goods sold annuallyLowered from 5 percent of cost of goods sold
Global transformation and other efficiency savings Sourcethrough fiscal 2030$1 billion cumulativeNew
Restructuring and transformation charges and integration costs Sourcefiscal 2027$80 million to $85 millionNew
Supply chain restructuring charges, total Sourcemulti-year, through end of fiscal 2029approximately $101 millionRaised from approximately $96 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year financial targets were set out for fiscal 2027 on organic net sales, adjusted operating profit, adjusted diluted EPS and free cash flow conversion. Source
  • New guidance: A cumulative cost savings target of $3 billion through fiscal 2030 was announced. Source
  • Guidance lowered: The prior quarter expected HMM savings of 5 percent of cost of goods sold; the fourth-quarter release gives annual savings of about 4 percent.
  • Guidance raised: Estimated supply chain restructuring charges rose from about $96 million to about $101 million. Source
  • New: A non-cash pre-tax valuation loss of $1,032 million was recorded on the Brazil business held for sale. Source
  • New: A $1,500 million non-cash goodwill impairment was recorded for the North America Pet reporting unit. Source
  • New: Fiscal 2027 focus moves from base price investment to product innovation and renovation. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter sales flat organically: Net sales rose 1 percent to $4.6 billion, with a 7-point benefit from the 53rd week. Organic net sales were flat, including a 1-point benefit from trade expense timing. Source
  • Operating loss driven by impairments: The operating loss of $2.1 billion reflected $1.8 billion of non-cash goodwill and brand intangible charges and a $1.0 billion non-cash valuation loss on the planned Brazil divestiture. Source
  • Adjusted operating profit rose 13 percent: Adjusted operating profit was $705 million, up 13 percent in constant currency, helped by a 7-point benefit from favorable trade expense timing. Adjusted operating margin was 15.3 percent. Source
  • Quarterly EPS loss and adjusted EPS: Diluted loss per share was $3.74, against EPS of $0.53 a year ago. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.95, up 27 percent in constant currency. Source
  • Full-year sales down 5 percent: Full-year net sales were $18.4 billion, down 5 percent, with a 6-point headwind from divestitures and acquisitions and a 2-point benefit from the 53rd week. Source
  • Full-year adjusted operating profit down: Full-year adjusted operating profit was $2.8 billion, down 16 percent in constant currency, mainly on lower adjusted gross profit dollars. Adjusted operating margin was 15.3 percent. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America Retail sales fell: North America Retail fourth-quarter net sales fell 4 percent to $2.5 billion, including a 10-point divestiture headwind. Organic net sales essentially matched the year-ago result. Source
  • Retail quarterly profit rose 7 percent: Retail segment operating profit was $506 million, up 7 percent, on favorable price realization and mix and lower SG&A, partly offset by lower volume and higher input costs. Source
  • Retail full-year profit down 20 percent: Full-year North America Retail operating profit was $2.2 billion, down 20 percent, mainly on lower volume including the yogurt divestitures and higher input costs. Source
  • International sales and profit rose: International fourth-quarter net sales rose 16 percent to $858 million. Segment operating profit was $61 million, up 81 percent as reported. Source
  • Pet sales up, organic sales down: North America Pet fourth-quarter net sales rose 4 percent to $702 million, with a 7-point benefit from the 53rd week. Organic net sales were down 3 percent; operating profit rose 14 percent to $160 million. Source
  • Foodservice profit up on cost savings: North America Foodservice operating profit rose 22 percent to $101 million, on HMM cost savings and favorable price realization and mix, partly offset by input cost inflation. Source

“With plans to strengthen our remarkability and a sharp focus on efficiency and capital discipline, I’m confident we’re on the path to restoring profitable growth and driving shareholder value over the long term.”

Jeff Harmening, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Cat food grew double digits: In North America Pet, cat food net sales grew double digits in the quarter, dog food rose low-single digits, and pet treats fell low-single digits. Source
  • Pet media spending rose: Pet segment profit was supported by lower input costs and favorable price realization and mix, offset by higher SG&A, including a double-digit rise in media investment. Source
  • Full-year pet sales up 6 percent: Full-year North America Pet net sales rose 6 percent to $2.6 billion, including a 6-point benefit from the Whitebridge acquisition and a 2-point benefit from the 53rd week. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 innovation focus: Planned innovation covers better-for-you benefits such as protein and fiber, bold flavors, fun and indulgence, and pet humanization. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Quarterly gross margin up 240 basis points: Gross margin was 34.8 percent of net sales, up 240 basis points, on price realization, mix and mark-to-market effects, partly offset by higher input costs. Adjusted gross margin was 34.2 percent. Source
  • Trade timing lifted quarterly margin: Favorable trade expense timing added 60 basis points to adjusted gross margin in the quarter. Source
  • Full-year gross margin down 100 basis points: Full-year gross margin was 33.6 percent and adjusted gross margin 33.5 percent, both down 100 basis points on higher input costs, partly offset by price realization and mix. Source
  • Compensation costs rose in quarter: Certain compensation and benefits expenses increased in the quarter, including the effect of the 53rd week. Source

“we are laser focused on increasing our efficiency to help offset elevated inflation, fund our growth investments, and generate stronger earnings and cash flow,”

Jeff Harmening, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Demand and fiscal 2027 targets

  • Category growth expected below trend: Category growth in fiscal 2027 is expected to be consistent with recent trends and below the long-term historical rate, given a challenging consumer backdrop. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 profit target set lower: The fiscal 2027 adjusted operating profit target is a decline of 8 to 13 percent in constant currency from the $2.8 billion fiscal 2026 base. Source
  • Savings to offset inflation and investment: At least $750 million of savings is expected in fiscal 2027 to offset input cost inflation and continued investment in brand remarkability. Source

Cost savings and strategy

  • $3 billion cost savings target: The company targets $3 billion of cumulative cost savings over the four years through fiscal 2030, to help offset input cost inflation and fund growth investments. Source
  • HMM provides about $2 billion: About $2 billion of the target comes from the ongoing HMM productivity program, equal to annual savings of about 4 percent of cost of goods sold. Source
  • Transformation and supply chain redesign: The remaining $1 billion is expected from the global transformation initiative and other efficiency work, including supply chain network redesign. Source
  • Accelerate strategy restores organic growth: The Accelerate strategy invests in brands across product, packaging, brand communication, omnichannel execution and consumer value, aiming to restore profitable organic growth. Source

Impairments, Brazil sale and tax

  • North America Pet goodwill impaired: A $1.5 billion non-cash goodwill impairment was recorded for North America Pet, and $250 million of non-cash charges for the Nudges and True Chews brand intangibles, mainly on higher discount rates. Source
  • Share price decline triggered test: A sustained fall in market capitalization and stock price in the fourth quarter led to an interim impairment assessment, citing macroeconomic uncertainty and lower industry market multiples. Source
  • Brazil sale agreement signed: The company agreed to sell its Brazil business to Café Três Corações for a base price of R$800 million, subject to deductions and post-closing adjustments. Source
  • Yogurt gain offset part of charges: Full-year operating profit included a $1.0 billion gain on the yogurt divestitures, which partly offset the impairment and valuation charges. Source
  • Adjusted tax rate near 21 percent: The reported effective tax rate was 102.2 percent for the year because the goodwill charge was not deductible. The adjusted rate was 21.1 percent, against 20.6 percent last year. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow fell to $2.2 billion: Operating cash flow was $2.2 billion, down from $2.9 billion, mainly on payables and other current items. Free cash flow was $1.6 billion, 85 percent of adjusted after-tax earnings. Source
  • Capital spending lower: Capital investments were $540 million, down from $625 million a year ago. Source
  • Buybacks fell, dividends paid: Share repurchases were $500 million, against $1.2 billion a year ago. Dividends paid fell 2 percent to $1.3 billion, and average diluted shares fell 4 percent to 538 million. Source
  • Quarterly dividend declared at $0.61: The board declared a $0.61 quarterly dividend, payable August 3, 2026, to holders of record July 10, 2026. Dividends have been paid for 127 years without interruption. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 July 2026

  • Brazil sale expected to close: The Brazil sale to 3corações is expected to close in calendar 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Source
  • Supply chain actions finish by 2029: Supply chain restructuring actions are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2029. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Pound share held or gained, top 10 U.S. categories (North America Retail) Source65 percent of categories
Dollar share held or gained, priority businesses (North America Foodservice) Sourcenearly 90 percent
Dollar share held, dog and cat feeding (North America Pet) Sourceheld; about 80 percent of segment retail sales
Dollar share held or gained, priority businesses (International) Source45 percent

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Weaker consumer sentiment and significant volatility weighed on category volume and raised the share of purchases made on promotion. Source
  • Financial: Changes in estimated Brazil net proceeds could further affect the value of the disposal group and the loss on sale. Source
  • Operational: Retailer inventory changes and trade expense timing made Nielsen-measured retail sales differ from reported organic net sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said fourth-quarter adjusted results met its expectations. Source
  • Met: Management said the base price investment actions were completed in fiscal 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.