Earnings Preview: Sara Lee Corp.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sara Lee Corp. reports earnings for its fiscal first quarter on Thursday before the market opens. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

OVERVIEW: Sara Lee Corp. is expected to update investors on its effort to shed peripheral businesses and focus on its core food and beverage products.

Sara Lee, based in Downers Grove, Ill., announced in September that it was selling its personal care products business to Unilever NV for $1.88 billion. The company has also said it has received "significant interest" in selling its household products unit and is pursuing sales options.

While there doesn't appear to be any deal on the horizon to sell the entire unit, Procter & Gamble is reportedly eyeing the air freshener component of the business.

Sara Lee, which makes products such as Jimmy Dean sausages, Hillshire Farm deli meats and its namesake breads, is retooling after seeing its profits slip.

The company has been one of the weakest performers in the food industry as it continued to carry several business segments in the less profitable personal care and home products line and wants to focus more on food.