Why B&G Foods Inc. Fell 14% in October

Image Source: B&G Foods.

What happened

Shares of B&G Foods(NYSE: BGS) gave back 14% last month, according to data provided byS&P Global Market Intelligence,after the diversified food producer reported weak guidance in its third-quarter earnings report. As the chart below shows, the stock began falling in the run-up to the food-maker's Oct. 27 report and continued to slide after it.

BGS data by YCharts.

So what

B&G's report for the quarter past was actually better than expected. Following its acquisition last November of Green Giant fromGeneral Mills(NYSE: GIS), the shelf-stable food producer said revenue jumped 49%, increasing to $318.2 million, and adjusted EPS improved 43%, to $0.56, topping estimates at $0.52. Adjusted net income soared 64%, outpacing earnings per share (EPS), which were weighed down by additional shares authorized for the purchase of Green Giant.

B&G CEO Robert Cantwell said, "The results reflect very strong profitability," as gross margin jumped 270 basis points, but he also acknowledged overall poor sales performance from the company's base business. Excluding Green Giant, revenue in the quarter was down $7.7 million, or 3.7%.

Now what

Due to the weak performance in its legacy businesses, the parent of brands such as Cream of Wheat and Mrs. Dash lowered its full-year revenue guidance from $1.39-$1.42 billion to $1.38-$1.4 billion. It also cut EPS guidance from $2.11-$2.21 to $2.11-$2.17.

Falling sales in its base business stemmed from a combination of higher almond prices, general food deflation, and weakness in the syrup business due to a stronger dollar, which brought increased Canadian competition.

Going forward, B&G's revenue growth rate will moderate as it laps the Green Giant acquisition, which closed last November. In September, it acquired ACH Food Companies' spice and seasonings business, which includes the Spice Islands, Tone's, and Durkee brands, for $365 million. The move is the latest evidence of the company's ongoing effort to grow through acquisition.

B&G also increased its quarterly dividend 10.7% on Nov. 3, to $0.465 a share from $0.42, giving it a dividend yield of 4.4%.

Even after October's setback, the stock has still outperformed the market this year, gaining 20%. The challenges in its legacy business look temporary, and with its growth-by-acquisition strategy and rewarding dividend yield, I'd expect the stock to continue to be a good play for income investors.

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Jeremy Bowman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.