Ieuan blog

Earnings Preview: H.J. Heinz

PORTLAND, Ore. – H.J. Heinz Co., which makes Ore-Ida potatoes and Classico pasta sauce but is best known for its ketchup, reports its second-quarter results before the stock market opens on Friday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The company's global performance.

Heinz has been putting a heavier emphasis on its growth overseas, where its sales have been propelled by nutritional beverages in India, infant formula in China and ketchup in Russia.

In the first quarter, emerging markets accounted for almost 18 percent of Heinz's total sales. Revenue has fallen in other key markets and is expected to be flat overall for the quarter.

Heinz said it expects its second-quarter performance will mirror its first but that its profit will grow faster in the second half of the year.

WHY IT MATTERS: Heinz is a major U.S. food maker that, like many other consumer goods makers, is looking for growth in emerging markets as the tough economy keeps a damper on established markets like Europe and North America.

WHAT'S EXPECTED: Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect Heinz to earn 76 cents per share on revenue of $2.67 billion.

LAST YEAR'S QUARTER: Last year, Heinz earned $231.4 million, or 73 cents per share, for the quarter. The company reported revenue of $2.67 billion.