Tyson Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2005 Results

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tyson Foods, Inc. , today reported $0.14 diluted earnings per share for the first fiscal quarter ended January 1, 2005, compared to $0.16 diluted earnings per share in the same quarter last year. Sales for the first quarter of fiscal years 2005 and 2004 were both $6.5 billion. Operating income was $129 million compared to $161 million and net income was $48 million compared to $57 million for the same period last year.

Pretax earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 include $12 million received in connection with vitamin antitrust litigation, a gain of $8 million from the sale of the Company's remaining interest in Specialty Brands, Inc. and $3 million of costs related to a prepared foods plant closing. The combined effect increased diluted earnings per share by $0.03.

Pretax earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 included $61 million of BSE-related charges and $25 million of costs related to prepared foods and poultry plant closings. The combined effect decreased diluted earnings per share by $0.16.

John Tyson, chairman and CEO, said, "The first quarter was extremely difficult for us this year. Nevertheless, our chicken business continued to perform well, our cash flow from operations was strong, and we reduced our debt by $292 million. At the same time, continued market restrictions for beef, as well as a lack of live cattle supplies, and a tougher pricing environment for pork combined to impact our earnings. As we said last quarter, we expect market conditions to remain challenging during the first half of our fiscal year. However, we do expect significant improvements in the second half of the year."

Outlook

Based upon the Company's outlook for fiscal year 2005, the Company now estimates its fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.30.

Segment Performance Review (in millions) Sales (for the first quarter ended January 1, 2005, and December 27, 2003) First Quarter Sales Sales Volume Avg. Sales 2005 2004 Change Price Change Chicken $2,066 $1,900 2.3% 6.2% Beef 2,795 3,135 1.0% (11.7)% Pork 845 736 (5.5)% 21.4% Prepared Foods 733 721 (5.5)% 7.6% Other 13 13 n/a n/a Total $6,452 $6,505 (0.1)% (0.7)% Operating Income (Loss) (for the first quarter ended January 1, 2005, and December 27, 2003) First Quarter Operating Margin 2005 2004 2005 2004 Chicken $104 116 5.0% 6.1% Beef (16) (29) (0.6)% (0.9)% Pork 15 49 1.8% 6.7% Prepared Foods 12 6 1.6% 0.8% Other 14 19 n/a n/a Total $129 $161 2.0% 2.5%

Chicken (32.0% of Net Sales, 80.6% of Total Operating Income - 1st Quarter 2005)

-- Improved pricing and product mix led to increased sales in the Chicken segment.

Chicken segment sales increased by 8.7% compared to the same period last year. Sales increases were primarily due to higher average selling prices, increased sales volumes and product mix improvements. Operating income was negatively impacted by losses of approximately $23 million from the Company's on-going commodity risk management activities related to grain purchases, compared to commodity risk management gains of approximately $13 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. However, these losses were offset by approximately $11 million in decreased grain costs as compared to the same period last year.

Beef (43.3% of Net Sales, (12.4)% of Total Operating Income - 1st Quarter 2005)

-- Sales in domestic and international fresh meats decreased due to restricted access to export markets, weaker domestic demand and competing protein supplies.

Beef segment sales decreased by 10.8% compared to the same period last year. The sales decrease from the same period last year primarily results from restrictions due to BSE that were in effect for the entire first quarter in fiscal 2005, while the same restrictions were only in effect for the latter part of the first quarter in fiscal 2004. Restrictions caused by BSE led to lower international sales volumes and lower average sales prices due to the mix of products allowed for export. Domestic sales were negatively impacted by other competing proteins and increased domestic beef finished product supplies, which caused lower average sales prices, partially offset by an increase in sales volume. Excluding $10 million received in connection with vitamin antitrust litigation in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 and BSE- related charges of $61 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, operating income decreased $58 million. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower domestic cattle supplies and restrictions on imports of Canadian cattle resulting in higher live cattle costs and lower plant utilization levels. Additionally, limited access to beef export markets has increased domestic finished product supplies, resulting in lower average sales prices. Sales and operating income were negatively impacted by approximately $14 million, as compared to $24 million for the same quarter last year, from net losses related to open mark-to-market futures positions from the Company's on-going commodity risk management activities related to its fixed forward boxed beef sales.

Pork (13.1% of Net Sales, 11.6% of Total Operating Income - 1st Quarter 2005)

-- Continued demand for pork products both domestically and internationally led to sales increases caused by higher average sales prices, but were offset by higher live prices resulting in decreased operating margins.

Pork segment sales increased by 14.8% compared to the same period last year. The increase in sales can be attributed to continued strong demand for pork products both domestically and internationally which resulted in a 21.4% increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a 5.5% decrease in volumes. Operating income was negatively impacted by higher live prices, which more than offset the increase in average sales prices. First quarter fiscal 2005 included $2 million received in connection with vitamin antitrust litigation.

Prepared Foods (11.4% of Net Sales, 9.3% of Total Operating Income - 1st Quarter 2005)

-- Higher average selling prices led to increased sales in the Prepared Foods segment.

Prepared Foods segment sales increased by 1.7% compared to the same period last year. Sales were positively impacted by higher average sales prices, partially offset by lower volumes. Excluding plant closing related accruals recorded in fiscal 2005 of $3 million and fiscal 2004 of $21 million, operating income decreased $12 million. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to increased raw material prices, which more than offset the increase in higher average sales prices.

TYSON FOODS, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended January 1, December 27, 2005 2003 Sales $6,452 $6,505 Cost of Sales 6,089 6,111 363 394 Selling, General and Administrative 231 208 Other Charges 3 25 Operating Income 129 161 Other Expense (Income): Interest 58 69 Other (5) 3 Income Before Income Taxes 76 89 Provision for Income Taxes 28 32 Net Income $48 $57 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Class A Basic 242 243 Class B Basic 102 102 Diluted 356 356 Earnings Per Share: Class A Basic $0.14 $0.17 Class B Basic $0.13 $0.15 Diluted $0.14 $0.16 Cash Dividends Per Share: Class A $0.040 $0.040 Class B $0.036 $0.036 Sales Growth (Decline) (0.8)% 12.1% Margins: (Percent of Sales) Gross Profit 5.6% 6.1% Operating Income 2.0% 2.5% Net Income 0.7% 0.9% Effective Tax Rate 36.6% 35.5% TYSON FOODS, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions) (Unaudited) January 1, October 2, 2005 2004 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $41 $33 Accounts receivable, net 1,168 1,240 Inventories 2,021 2,063 Other current assets 131 196 Total Current Assets 3,361 3,532 Net Property, Plant and Equipment 3,957 3,964 Goodwill 2,558 2,558 Other Assets 468 410 Total Assets $10,344 $10,464 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Current debt $364 $338 Trade accounts payable 1,006 945 Other current liabilities 1,070 1,010 Total Current Liabilities 2,440 2,293 Long-Term Debt 2,706 3,024 Deferred Income Taxes 691 695 Other Liabilities 165 160 Shareholders' Equity 4,342 4,292 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $10,344 $10,464 TYSON FOODS, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Periods Ended (In millions) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended January 1, December 27, 2005 2003 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net income $48 $57 Depreciation and amortization 126 119 Plant closing-related charges 3 22 Deferred income taxes and other (54) (65) Net changes in working capital 299 128 Cash Provided by Operating Activities 422 261 Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment (110) (124) Proceeds from sale of assets 9 3 Net investment in marketable securities 5 --- Net changes in other assets and liabilities 5 2 Cash Used for Investing Activities (91) (119) Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net change in debt (292) (114) Purchases of treasury shares (16) (9) Dividends (14) (14) Stock options exercised and other (1) 7 Cash Used for Financing Activities (323) (130) Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash --- 3 Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 8 15 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 33 25 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $41 $40

Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork and the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. Tyson has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.

A conference call to discuss the Company's financial results will be held at 9 a.m. Eastern today. To listen live via telephone, call 888-995-9566. A pass code and the leader's name will be required to join the call. The pass code is Tyson Foods and the leader's name is Louis Gottsponer. International callers dial 212-519-0800. The call also will be webcast live on the Internet at http://ir.tysonfoodsinc.com/ . Financial information, such as this news release, as well as other supplemental data, including Company distribution channel information, can be accessed from the Company's web site at http://ir.tysonfoodsinc.com/ . A telephone replay will be available until March 3 at 6 p.m. Eastern at 866-405-7283. International callers dial 203-369-0602.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this communication are "forward-looking statements" such as statements relating to expected earnings. These forward- looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may cause actual results and experiences to differ from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following: (i) fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, such as live cattle, live swine or feed grains; (ii) market conditions for finished products, including the supply and pricing of alternative proteins, and the demand for alternative proteins; (iii) risks associated with effectively evaluating derivatives and hedging activities; (iv) access to foreign markets together with foreign economic conditions, including currency fluctuations and import/export restrictions; (v) outbreak of a livestock disease which could have an effect on livestock owned by the Company, the availability of livestock for purchase by the Company, or the Company's ability to access certain markets; (vi) successful rationalization of existing facilities, and the operating efficiencies of the facilities; (vii) changes in the availability and relative costs of labor and contract growers; (viii) issues related to food safety, including costs resulting from product recalls, regulatory compliance and any related claims or litigation; (ix) adverse results from litigation; (x) risks associated with leverage, including cost increases due to rising interest rates or changes in debt ratings or outlook; (xi) changes in regulations and laws (both domestic and foreign), including changes in accounting standards, environmental laws and occupational, health and safety laws; (xii) the ability of the Company to make effective acquisitions, and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing operations; (xiii) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs; and (xiv) the effect of, or changes in, general economic conditions.