Hain Celestial Reports 4Q04 Results

MELVILLE, N.Y.—The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ:HAIN), announced its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30 (4Q04).

During 4Q04, net sales grew 17 percent to $137.4 million, compared with net sales of $117.8 million for the same quarter the previous year (4Q03). The company also reported net income of $5.1 million ($0.14 per share) in 4Q04, compared with net income of $6.8 million ($0.19 per share) in 4Q03.

Irwin Simon, president and chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased with the strong 17 percent sales growth we achieved in the fourth quarter, and similarly pleased to see the same 17 percent increase in net sales for the full year, a significant increase in a challenging year. We saw growth across our business units with standout results from Snacks, Canada and Europe, continued growth from Earth’s Best®, and renewed growth from our Westsoy® non-dairy brand. In addition, our new CarbFit™ brands have continued to become more familiar to our consumers and have become a balanced complement to our existing portfolio of healthy and natural foods.

“Looking ahead, our initiative to adjust prices upward across certain of our U.S. businesses is moving forward according to plan in the current first quarter. We are pleased with the performance of our recent acquisitions, the Ethnic Gourmet® and Rosetto® frozen food brands, and the JASON Natural Products whole body care products business. We are continuing to fold them into the Hain Celestial family of brands and are excited about their future. We are also delighted to announce that following the success in other regions of our McVeggie Burger manufactured exclusively for McDonald’s by Yves Veggie Cuisine, McDonald’s will begin a 50-store test of the McVeggie Burger in Manhattan in September. As we look forward to our Fiscal 2005, we are providing earnings guidance for the full year of $0.92—$1.01 per share on revenues of $650 to $670 million.”