Business News

Pactiv Posts 19 Percent Sales Increase in First Quarter

Wednesday 30. April 2008 - For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Pactiv Corporation (NYSE: PTV) today announced that income from continuing operations was $35 million, or $0.26 per share, compared with $57 million, or $0.43 per share, in 2007.

Excluding a charge of $0.07 per share related to the restructuring program announced in January, first quarter 2008 earnings per share were $0.33. Sales of $808 million increased 19 percent from $677 million, largely reflecting inclusion of sales of Prairie Packaging, which was acquired in June 2007.

“First quarter volume growth, which was primarily driven by our cups and cutlery acquisition, also included growth in most Consumer product lines. Foodservice volume excluding Prairie Packaging acquisition sales was down versus last year due to sluggish market conditions in the restaurant and foodservice industries,” said Richard L. Wambold, Pactiv’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“Our EPS was in line with our outlook but lower than last year because price increases to offset higher resin costs in our Consumer segment were not effective until mid-March. Price increases in the Foodservice/Food Packaging non-contract business were effective in January. These price increases, along with contract pricing adjustments, will help mitigate the impact of ongoing higher petrochemical costs as we move forward. We are experiencing slowing demand, particularly in the foodservice area, due to soft economic conditions; however, our underlying businesses remain solid,” Wambold continued.

First quarter gross margin was 26.0 percent compared with 30.4 percent in 2007, and operating margin was 11.5 percent compared with 15.2 percent. Both declines were driven by unfavorable spread (the difference between selling prices and raw material costs). Free cash flow in the first quarter was $2 million compared with $18 million last year due to higher capital expenditures to support growth in cups and cutlery.

Business Segment Results

Hefty Consumer Products

First quarter sales of $290 million rose 17 percent from $247 million, largely reflecting the inclusion of Prairie Packaging sales, as well as volume growth in most product lines. Operating income was $30 million compared with $54 million in 2007. Excluding the restructuring charge, operating income was $35 million, down as expected versus 2007 because price increases to offset higher raw material costs were not effective until mid-March. On the same basis, operating margin was 12.1 percent compared with 21.9 percent in the first quarter last year. Price increases are now fully implemented and will be reflected in second quarter results.

Foodservice/Food Packaging

First quarter sales were $518 million, up 20 percent compared with $430 million in 2007. The sales increase primarily reflects the inclusion of the Prairie Packaging acquisition and favorable pricing of approximately 4 percent. Operating income was $47 million compared with $50 million in 2007. Excluding the restructuring charge, operating income was $55 million. The increase over the first quarter of 2007 was primarily driven by the inclusion of Prairie Packaging and slightly favorable spread. On the same basis, operating margin was 10.6 percent compared with 11.6 percent in the first quarter of 2007.

Outlook

The outlook excludes restructuring charges. The second quarter EPS outlook is a range of $0.48 to $0.53. The full year EPS outlook has been widened to a range of $1.85 to $2.05, which is lower than earlier guidance of $2.00 to $2.10 because of more uncertain economic conditions and the potential impact of record high oil costs on raw material and other energy-related costs. The low end of the range assumes resin costs stay at current levels and volume remains sluggish. The high end of the range assumes that resin costs adjust downward throughout the year according to the Chemical Market Associates, Inc.’s forecast, as well as some improvement in economic conditions. The full year outlook includes non-cash pension income of $49 million pretax, $31 million after tax, or $0.23 per share. Full year 2008 sales are expected to grow between 9 percent and 12 percent. SG&A expense is estimated to be between $300 million and $310 million, slightly lower than the prior outlook. The 2008 tax rate is expected to be 36.5 percent. Free cash flow for 2008 is anticipated to be in a range of $180 million to $215 million, down from the earlier outlook 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.

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”.

Cautionary Statements

This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” such as those in the Outlook section, as well as “these price increases…..will help mitigate the impact of higher petrochemical costs….”. 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 21 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as revised and updated by Forms 10-Q and 8-K as filed with the Commission.