J+J Snack Foods: reports Q3/2014 sales and earnings

Pennsauken / NJ. (jj) J+J Snack Foods Corporation, a leading niche snack food and beverage company, announced sales and earnings for the third quarter ended June 28, 2014. Sales increased eight percent to 257,1 million USD from 237,0 million USD in last year´s third quarter. Net earnings increased twelve percent to 23,7 million USD in the current quarter from 21,2 million USD last year. Earnings per diluted share increased 13 percent to 1,26 USD for the third quarter from 1,12 USD last year. Operating income increased ten percent to 35,7 million USD in the current quarter from 32,4 million USD in the year ago quarter. For the nine months ended June 28, 2014, sales increased six percent to 666,0 million USD from 629,8 million USD in last year´s nine months. Net earnings increased 13 percent to 49,6 million USD in the nine months from 44,1 million USD last year. Earnings per diluted share increased to 13 percent to 2,64 USD for the nine months from 2,33 USD last year. Operating income increased eleven percent to 74,0 million USD from 66,6 million USD in the year ago period. Gerald B. Shreiber, J + J´s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, «All of our business groups contributed to our record quarter. We had particular strong sales growth in our food service soft pretzel category led by our newer products such as pretzel rolls and sticks. Our ICEE group also had record sales and earnings and our retail grocery group had higher earnings as well».