Tyson Remains Optimistic About FY2013 Results Despite Near-Term Challenges

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) today told investors at the Goldman Sachs 17 ^th Annual Agribusiness Conference that its second fiscal quarter has been more challenging than anticipated due to margin compression in its Beef and Pork segments; however, the company remains optimistic about its results for the full year.

James Lochner, Tyson's chief operating officer, said, "Margins have been compressed throughout the past month as the value of beef has fallen more than the price of cattle. Historically, adjustments occur that allow for a spread between the revenue and the cattle cost. We run our plants for margin, not market share."

Tyson's pork business also experienced some margin compression in the current quarter, although there have been signs of improvement recently, Lochner said. "We expect to continue our strong performance in the back half of the year," he said.

Meanwhile, Tyson's Chicken segment has continued to do well. The company has said it expects a strong performance, particularly in the second half of the fiscal year, leading to continued optimism that the company's full-year results will be better than fiscal 2012.

"Demand is strong, and we're seeing signs of consumers trading from beef to chicken," Lochner said. "Even with pricing up substantially year over year, chicken is a good value for consumers, and food service continues to promote chicken heavily."

Lochner announced that Tyson is launching a new line of all natural chicken under the new NatureRaised Farms ™ brand. The product line will include a variety of fresh products produced from cage-free chickens raised without the use of antibiotics or added hormones and fed a 100% vegetarian diet. NatureRaised Farms ™ brand fresh chicken will be available for sale to retailers in April, and is just one example of how the company is growing offerings in higher margin, value-added products.

Dennis Leatherby, Tyson's executive vice president and chief financial officer, told investors at the conference there is value in the diversity of Tyson's multi-protein, multi-channel, multi-national business. 

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