Flowers Foods Affirms 2009 Profit, Sales Outlook

THOMASVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Bakery goods company Flowers Foods Inc. on Wednesday affirmed its 2009 profit and sales guidance, saying profit will likely rise from 2008.

The company said it expects 2009 profit of $1.37 to $1.48 per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters anticipate profit of $1.45 per share for the year.

In 2008, the company earned $1.28 per share.

Flowers Foods also said it expects sales growth of 13 percent to nearly 15 percent, or between $2.72 billion and $2.77 billion.

Analysts see sales of $2.73 billion.

Also on Wednesday, the company said its first-quarter profit rose nearly 5 percent, helped by more consumers eating at home to save cash.