Business News

Pactiv Fourth Quarter EPS Rises 15 Percent, Sales Grow 19 Percent, Free Cash Flow Very Strong

Thursday 24. January 2008 - For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, Pactiv Corporation (NYSE: PTV) today announced that income from continuing operations was $59 million, or $0.45 per share, compared with $53 million, or $0.39 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2006. Sales rose 19 percent to $876 million from $738 million and included $121 million from the acquisition of Prairie Packaging.

“Our solid results in the fourth quarter reflect strong performance from Prairie Packaging, 1-percent volume growth in our base business, and our continued focus on expense control. We posted strong earnings per share growth despite higher raw material costs and a somewhat sluggish foodservice market. We expect to face an uncertain economic situation in 2008 with rising raw material costs; however, resin cost pass throughs will be implemented in the first quarter and fully effective in the second quarter,” said Richard L. Wambold, Pactiv’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Fourth quarter gross margin declined to 27.3 percent from 30.1 percent primarily reflecting unfavorable spread (the difference between selling prices and raw material costs). Operating margin was 13.6 percent in both years. Free cash flow in the quarter was $117 million compared with $104 million in 2006.

For the full year, income from continuing operations was $244 million, or $1.84 per share, compared with $277 million, or $1.98 per share. Results in 2006 included $49 million, or $0.35 per share, from a foreign exchange gain and a favorable tax liability adjustment. Excluding these items, income from continuing operations in 2006 was $228 million, or $1.63 per share. Sales of $3.25 billion rose 12 percent from $2.92 billion. Gross margin was 28.6 percent compared with 30.5 percent, while operating margin was 14.5 percent in both years.

Full year free cash flow was $183 million compared with $308 million in 2006, partially reflecting the impact of $73 million in higher capital expenditures. In addition, the Company has realized $23 million of cash related to tax deductions from stock based compensation that is recognized in the financing portion of the cash flow statement. In 2007, the Company repurchased 3.4 million shares of its common stock for $108 million.

Business Segment Results

Hefty Consumer Products

Fourth quarter sales of $340 million increased 20 percent from $284 million, and included $48 million from Prairie Packaging. Volume in the base business rose 2 percent driven by strength in tableware products and food bags.

Fourth quarter operating income rose 15 percent to $62 million from $54 million in 2006, as the addition of Prairie Packaging, as well as lower expenses, offset unfavorable spread. Operating margin was 18.2 percent compared with 19.0 percent.

For the full year, sales of $1.22 billion rose 13 percent compared with $1.09 billion, and included $117 million from Prairie Packaging. Operating income of $227 million rose 16 percent from $195 million in 2006. Operating margin was 18.6 percent versus 18.0 percent.

Foodservice/Food Packaging

Fourth quarter sales of $536 million increased 18 percent from $454 million in 2006 and included $73 million from the Prairie Packaging acquisition. Volume in the base business rose slightly in a sluggish market.

Fourth quarter operating income increased 12 percent to $58 million versus $52 million in 2006 as the addition of Prairie Packaging offset unfavorable spread. Operating margin was 10.8 percent compared with 11.5 percent in 2006.

For the full year, sales of $2.03 billion increased 11 percent from $1.83 billion, and included $175 million from Prairie Packaging. Operating income was $247 million compared with $244 million. Operating margin was 12.2 percent versus 13.3 percent.

Outlook

Full year 2008 sales are expected to grow between 10 and 14 percent. SG&A expense is estimated to be between $315 million and $325 million. The 2008 tax rate is expected to be 36.5 percent. Free cash flow for 2008 is anticipated to be in a range of $200 million to $220 million. Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $185 million, capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $150 million, and the cash tax rate is estimated to be approximately 27 percent.

As a part of its ongoing focus on cost control, the Company intends to implement a restructuring program in 2008, including asset rationalization and headcount reductions. The Company will take an estimated charge of $10 million after tax, or $0.08 per share, the majority of which will occur in the first quarter. Approximately $6 million of the total charge will be non-cash. Benefits of the restructuring are expected to be $0.05 per share in 2008 and $0.10 per share on an annualized basis. The 2008 benefits are included in the full year outlook.

Excluding restructuring charges, the Company has initiated a first quarter earnings per share outlook in a range of $0.30 to $0.33, and a full year outlook in a range of $2.00 to $2.10. The full year outlook includes non-cash pension income of $49 million pretax, $31 million after tax, or $0.23 per share.

“The forecasted weakness in the first quarter is driven by resin cost increases. We have substantially completed the implementation of cost pass through pricing that will improve margins sequentially in the second quarter. Overall, we expect to make good progress for the full year as our sales, earnings per share, and free cash flow are all estimated to show solid growth,” Wambold concluded.

Other

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP is shown in the attached “Regulation G GAAP Reconciliations” or in the attached “Operating Results by Segment”. The “Operating Results by Segment” also details the impact on sales of acquisitions.

Cautionary Statements

This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” such as those in the Outlook section, as well as “…resin cost pass throughs will be implemented in the first quarter and fully effective in the second quarter”. A variety of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations including a slowdown in economic growth, changes in the competitive market, increased cost of raw materials, and changes in the regulatory environment.

More detailed information about these and other factors is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K at page 54 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as revised and updated by Forms 10-Q and 8-K as filed with the Commission.