UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

For the transition period from _________to________

 

001-14704

(Commission File Number)

______________

TYSON FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.            Yes x      No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of March 31, 2007.

 

 

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

INDEX

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

4

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

 

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TYSON FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1:  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Tyson Foods, Inc. (the Company). Certain information and accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management of the Company believes the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Preparation of consolidated condensed financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Management believes the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals and adjustments related to plant closings and employee termination benefits as disclosed in Note 2, necessary to present fairly its financial position as of March 31, 2007, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006. Results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

 

RECLASSIFICATIONS

 

In fiscal 2007, the Company reclassified $12 million and $1 million in negative book cash balances for the three and six months ended April 1, 2006, from Net changes in working capital reported as Operating Activities to Other, net reported as Financing Activities in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows to conform with the current period presentation.

 

INVESTMENTS

 

The Company has investments in marketable debt securities of $113 million and $115 million as of March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, respectively, classified in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, with maturities up to 32 years. The Company has determined its marketable debt securities are available-for-sale investments. These investments are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is recorded in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses on sale of debt securities and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are recorded on a net basis in other income. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded in interest income.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company issued $1.0 billion of new 6.60% senior unsecured notes, which will mature on April 1, 2016. The Company’s short-term investment at September 30, 2006, included $750 million of proceeds from the new issuance and earnings of $20 million on the investment. These funds were on deposit in an interest bearing account with a trustee. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company used the proceeds for repayment of its outstanding $750 million 7.25% Notes, which were due October 1, 2006, and remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

 

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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006; therefore the Company expects to adopt FIN 48 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. The Company is in process of evaluating the potential impact of FIN 48.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This standard also responds to investors' requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" (SFAS No. 159). This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years; therefore, the Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2009. The Company is in process of evaluating the potential impacts of SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158 requires companies to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its consolidated balance sheet and to recognize changes in funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. This standard also requires companies to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its annual consolidated balance sheet, with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 158 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006; therefore, the Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 158 at the end of fiscal 2007. Based upon information available as of March 31, 2007, the Company expects an increase in assets of $6 million, a decrease in liabilities of $9 million, an increase in deferred income taxes payable of $6 million and an increase of $9 million to accumulated other comprehensive income when SFAS No. 158 is adopted.

 

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff published Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108). SAB 108 addresses quantifying the financial statement effects of misstatements, specifically, how the effects of prior year uncorrected errors must be considered in quantifying misstatements in the current year financial statements. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006; therefore, the Company expects to adopt SAB 108 at the end of fiscal 2007. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact of SAB 108.

 

NOTE 2: OTHER CHARGES

 

In July 2006, the Company announced its decision to implement a $200 million Cost Management Initiative as part of a strategy to return to profitability. The cost reductions include staffing costs, consulting and professional fees, sales and marketing costs and other expenses. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded charges of approximately $9 million for employee termination benefits resulting from the termination of approximately 400 employees. Of these charges, $4 million, $3 million, $1 million and $1 million were included, respectively, in the Chicken, Beef, Pork and Prepared Foods segments’ Operating Income and included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations in Other Charges in the period ending September 30, 2006. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recorded an additional $1 million for employee termination benefits. Of these charges, $0.5 million was included in each of the Chicken and Beef segments’ Operating Income and included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations in Other Charges. As of March 31, 2007, approximately $8 million of employee termination

 

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benefits had been paid. Employee termination benefits are expected to be paid through September 2007. No material adjustments to the accrual are anticipated at this time.

 

In February 2006, the Company announced its decision to close its Norfolk, Nebraska, beef processing plant and its West Point, Nebraska, beef slaughter plant. These facilities closed in February 2006. Production from these facilities was shifted primarily to the Company’s beef complex in Dakota City, Nebraska. Combined, these two facilities employed approximately 1,665 employees. In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded charges of $36 million for estimated impairment charges and $9 million of other closing costs. Additionally, in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded additional charges of $2 million related to estimated impairment charges. Other closing costs include $5 million for employee termination benefits and $4 million in other plant closing related liabilities. These amounts were reflected in the Beef segment’s Operating Income (Loss) and included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations in Other Charges. The Company has fully paid its estimated employee termination benefits and other plant closing related liabilities. No material adjustments to the total accrual are anticipated.

 

In January 2006, the Company announced its decision to close two of its processed meats facilities in northeast Iowa. The Independence and Oelwein plants, which produced chopped ham and sliced luncheon meats, closed in March 2006. Combined, these two facilities employed approximately 400 employees. Equipment from these facilities was removed and either sold or used at other Tyson locations, while the plants and related property are currently offered for sale. In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded charges of $12 million for estimated impairment charges and $2 million for employee termination benefits. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company reversed approximately $1 million related to employee termination benefits. These amounts were reflected in the Prepared Foods segment’s Operating Income (Loss) and included in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations in Other Charges. The Company has fully paid its estimated employee termination benefits. No material adjustments to the total accrual are anticipated.

 

NOTE 3: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company purchases certain commodities, such as grains, livestock and natural gas, in the course of normal operations. As part of the Company’s commodity risk management activities, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily futures and swaps, to reduce its exposure to various market risks related to these purchases. Contract terms of a financial instrument qualifying as a hedge instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts designated and highly effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative instrument is a hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be offset either against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings as a component of cost of sales.

 

The Company had derivative related balances of $14 million and $11 million recorded in other current assets at March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, respectively, and $32 million and $23 million in other current liabilities at March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, respectively.

 

Cash flow hedges: The Company uses derivatives to moderate the financial and commodity market risks of its business operations. Derivative products, such as futures and option contracts, are designated to be a hedge against changes in the amount of future cash flows related to commodities procurement. The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements to adjust the proportion of total long-term debt and leveraged equipment loans subject to variable interest rates. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest on a notional principal amount and to receive in return an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest for the same notional principal amount. These interest rate swaps are designated to be a hedge against changes in the amount of future cash flows associated with the Company’s variable rate interest payments. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements was not significant at March 31, 2007.

 

The effective portion of the cumulative gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Shareholders’ Equity and recognized into earnings in the same period or periods during which

 

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the hedged transaction affects earnings (for grain commodity hedges, when the chickens that consumed the hedged grain are sold). The remaining cumulative gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of the future cash flows of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in earnings during the period of change. Ineffectiveness related to the Company’s cash flow hedges was not significant during the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006.

 

Derivative products related to grain procurement, such as futures and option contracts that meet the criteria for hedge accounting, are considered cash flow hedges, as they hedge against changes in the amount of future cash flows related to commodities procurement. The Company does not purchase derivative products related to grain procurement in excess of its physical grain consumption requirements. The Company’s grain procurement hedging activities are for the grain commodity purchase price only and do not hedge other components of grain cost such as basis differential and freight costs. The after tax gains, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2007, related to cash flow hedges, were $16 million. These gains will be recognized within the next 12 months. Of these gains, the portion resulting from the Company’s open hedge positions was an after tax loss of $7 million as of March 31, 2007. The Company generally does not hedge cash flows related to commodities beyond 12 months.

 

Fair value hedges: The Company designates certain futures contracts as fair value hedges of firm commitments to purchase market hogs for slaughter and natural gas for the operation of its plants. From time to time, the Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge changes in fair value of receivables and purchase commitments arising from changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies; however, the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts was not significant as of March 31, 2007. The changes in the fair value of a derivative highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk (including gains or losses on firm commitments), are recorded in current period earnings. Ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the hedge instrument differs from the change in fair value of the hedged item. Ineffectiveness related to the Company’s fair value hedges was not significant during the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006.

 

During fiscal 2006, the Company discontinued the use of hedge accounting for certain financial instruments in place to hedge forward cattle purchases. Hedge accounting was discontinued to provide a natural offset to the gains and losses resulting from the Company’s derivatives tied to its forward fixed price sales of boxed beef, as this activity does not qualify for hedge accounting.

 

Undesignated positions: The Company holds positions as part of its risk management activities, primarily certain grains, livestock and natural gas futures, for which it does not apply hedge accounting, but instead marks these positions to fair value through earnings at each reporting date. Changes in market value of derivatives used in the Company’s risk management activities surrounding inventories on hand or anticipated purchases of inventories or supplies are recorded in cost of sales. Changes in market value of derivatives used in the Company’s risk management activities surrounding forward sales contracts are recorded in sales. The Company generally does not enter into undesignated positions beyond 18 months. The Company recognized pretax net gains in cost of sales of approximately $26 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006, respectively, and $67 million and $3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2007, and April 1, 2006, respectively, related to grain positions for which it did not apply hedge accounting.

 

The Company enters into certain forward sales of boxed beef and boxed pork and forward purchases of cattle at fixed prices. The fixed price sales contracts lock in the proceeds from a sale in the future and the fixed cattle purchases lock in the cost. However, the cost of the livestock and the related boxed beef and pork market prices at the time of the sale or purchase could vary from this fixed price. In order to mitigate a portion of this risk, as fixed forward sales and forward purchases of cattle are entered into, the Company also enters into the appropriate number of livestock futures positions. Changes in market value of the open livestock futures positions are marked to market and reported in earnings at each reporting date, even though the economic impact of the Company’s fixed prices being above or below the market price is only realized at the time of sale or purchase. In connection with these livestock futures, the Company recorded realized and unrealized net losses of $16 million and $21 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, which included an unrealized pretax loss on open mark-to-market futures positions of approximately $10 million as of March 31, 2007. Realized and unrealized net losses recorded for both the three and six months ended April 1, 2006, related to livestock futures positions were $20 million.

 

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NOTE 4:  INVENTORIES

 

Processed products, livestock (excluding breeders) and supplies and other are valued at the lower of cost or market. Livestock includes live cattle, chicken and swine. Cost includes purchased raw materials, live purchase costs, growout costs (primarily feed, contract grower pay and catch and haul costs), labor and manufacturing and production overhead, which are related to the purchase and production of inventories. Live chicken consists of broilers and breeders. Breeders are stated at cost less amortization. The costs associated with breeders, including breeder chicks, feed and medicine, are accumulated up to the production stage and amortized to broiler inventory over the productive life of the flock using a standard unit of production. Total inventory consists of the following (in millions):

 

 

NOTE 5:  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

The major categories of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation, at cost, are as follows (in millions):

 

 

NOTE 6:  OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Other current liabilities are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

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NOTE 7:  LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The major components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):

 

 

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in September 2010, totaling $1.0 billion that supports the Company’s short-term funding needs and letters of credit. On July 27, 2006, the unsecured revolving credit facility was amended to allow for maximum availability under the revolving credit facility of 50% of inventory, reduced by letters of credit issued and amounts outstanding under its term loan. The reduction of the availability is scheduled to lapse in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and return to $1.0 billion less outstanding letters of credit. At March 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $277 million issued primarily in support of workers’ compensation insurance programs and derivative activities. There were no draw downs under these letters of credit at March 31, 2007. At March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, there were no amounts drawn under the revolving credit facilities. The amount available as of March 31, 2007, was $599 million.

 

Lakeside Farm Industries, Ltd. (Lakeside), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has an unsecured three-year term agreement (Lakeside Term Loan) with the principal balance due September 2008. The agreement provides for interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 0.4 percent to LIBOR plus one percent depending on the Company’s debt rating. Interest payments are made at least quarterly.

 

The Company has a receivables purchase agreement with three co-purchasers to sell up to $750 million of trade receivables consisting of $375 million expiring in August 2007 and $375 million expiring in August 2009. The receivables purchase agreement has been accounted for as a borrowing and has an interest rate based on commercial paper issued by the co-purchasers. Under this agreement, substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are sold to a special purpose entity, Tyson Receivables Corporation (TRC), which is a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of the Company. TRC has its own creditors entitled to be satisfied out of all of the assets of TRC prior to any value becoming available to the Company as TRC’s equity holder. At March 31, 2007, there was $33 million outstanding under the receivables purchase agreement expiring in August 2007 and $33 million under the agreement expiring in August 2009.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company issued $1.0 billion of new senior unsecured notes, which will mature on April 1, 2016 (2016 Notes). The 2016 Notes carried an initial 6.60% interest rate, with interest payments due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company used $750 million of the proceeds for the repayment of its outstanding $750 million 7.25% Notes due October 1, 2006.

 

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As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K), on July 24, 2006, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (Moody’s) downgraded the Company’s credit rating applicable to its 2016 Notes from “Baa3” to “Ba1.” This downgrade increased the interest rate on the 2016 Notes from 6.60% to 6.85%, effective on the first day of the interest period during which the rating change required an adjustment to the interest rate (i.e., the issuance of the 2016 Notes). This downgrade will increase annual interest expense and related fees by approximately $5 million, including $2.5 million related to the 2016 Notes. Additionally, on July 31, 2006, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded the Company’s credit rating applicable to the 2016 Notes from “BBB” to “BBB-.” This downgrade did not result in an increase in the interest rate on the 2016 Notes, nor did it result in an increase in interest expense or related fees for other debt.

 

Also as disclosed in the Form 10-K, on September 18, 2006, Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (TFM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, guaranteed the 2016 Notes. This guarantee does not extend to the other unsecured senior notes of the Company. Moody’s and S&P did not change the July 2006 credit ratings applicable to the 2016 Notes. However, Moody’s issued a new credit rating of “Ba2,” and S&P issued a new credit rating of “BB+” related to the other unsecured senior notes not guaranteed by TFM. These new ratings did not impact the interest rate applicable to the 2016 Notes. However, other interest expense and related fees for other debt will increase by less than $3 million per year.

 

The revolving credit facility, senior notes, term loan and accounts receivable securitization contain various covenants, the most restrictive of which contain maximum allowed leverage ratios and a minimum required interest coverage ratio.

 

On July 27, 2006, the Company entered into a third amendment to its five-year credit revolving facility and the three-year Lakeside Term Loan. These amendments modified the minimum required interest coverage ratio, temporarily suspended the maximum allowed leverage ratios and implemented temporary minimum consolidated EBITDA requirements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2007.

 

The Company guarantees debt of outside third parties, which include a lease and grower loans, all of which are substantially collateralized by the underlying assets. Terms of the underlying debt range from one to 10 years and the maximum potential amount of future payments as of March 31, 2007, was $75 million. The Company also maintains operating leases for various types of equipment, some of which contain residual value guarantees for the market value for assets at the end of the term of the lease. The terms of the lease maturities range from one to seven years. The maximum potential amount of the residual value guarantees is approximately $71 million, of which, approximately $23 million would be recoverable through various recourse provisions and an undeterminable recoverable amount based on the fair market value of the underlying leased assets. The likelihood of payments under these guarantees is not considered to be probable. At March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, no liabilities for guarantees were recorded.

 

The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed $375 million of senior notes issued by TFM. Additionally, the Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed $195 million related to the Lakeside Term Loan.

 

As stated above, TFM has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s 2016 Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial information is provided for the Company, as issuer, and for TFM, as guarantor, as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for the guarantor.

 

The following financial information presents condensed consolidating financial statements, which include Tyson Foods, Inc. (TFI Parent); Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (TFM Parent); the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis; the elimination entries necessary to consolidate the TFI Parent, TFM Parent and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; and Tyson Foods, Inc. on a consolidated basis.

 

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NOTE 8:  CONTINGENCIES

 

Listed below are certain claims made against the Company and its subsidiaries. In the Company’s opinion, it has made appropriate and adequate reserves, accruals and disclosures where necessary and the Company believes the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals and reserves are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The Company believes it has substantial defenses to the claims made and intends to vigorously defend these cases.

 

Wage and Hour/ Labor Matters:  In 2000, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) conducted an industry-wide investigation of poultry producers, including the Company, to ascertain compliance with various wage and hour issues. As part of this investigation, the DOL inspected 14 of the Company's processing facilities. On May 9, 2002, a civil complaint was filed against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor v. Tyson Foods, Inc. The complaint alleges the Company violated the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at the Company's chicken-processing facility in Blountsville, Alabama. The complaint does not contain a definite statement of what acts constituted alleged violations of the statute, although the Secretary of Labor indicated in discovery the case seeks to require the Company to compensate all hourly chicken processing workers for pre- and post-shift clothes changing, washing and related activities and for one of two unpaid 30-minute meal periods. The Secretary of Labor seeks unspecified back wages for all employees at the Blountsville facility for a period of two years prior to the date of the filing of the complaint, an additional amount in unspecified liquidated damages and an injunction against future violations at that facility and all other chicken processing facilities operated by the Company. Although no date has been set, the trial of this matter is likely to occur within the next year.

 

Several private lawsuits are pending against the Company alleging that Tyson failed to compensate poultry plant employees for all hours worked, including overtime compensation, in violation of the FLSA. These lawsuits include M.H. Fox, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (Fox), filed on June 22, 1999 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and De Asencio v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (DeAsencio), filed on August 22, 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Each of these matters involves similar allegations that employees should be paid for the time it takes to engage in pre- and post-shift activities such as changing into and out of protective and sanitary clothing, obtaining clothing and walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas. Plaintiffs seek or have sought to act as class representatives on behalf of all current and former employees who were allegedly not paid for time worked. Plaintiffs seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees. In Fox, the District Court denied class certification on November 16, 2006 and ordered the cases of the ten named plaintiffs in the matter to proceed individually in the home jurisdictions of the named plaintiffs. In DeAsencio, plaintiffs appealed a jury verdict and final judgment entered in the Company’s favor on June 22, 2006 in the District Court. The appeal has been fully briefed and the parties are awaiting oral argument, which is scheduled for July 13, 2007 and, thereafter, a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

 

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In addition to Fox and DeAsencio, additional private lawsuits were filed against the Company since the beginning of fiscal 2007 which allege that Tyson failed to compensate poultry plant employees for all hours worked, including overtime compensation, in violation of the FLSA. These lawsuits are Sheila Ackles, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (N. Dist. Alabama, October 23, 2006); McCluster, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (M. Dist. Georgia, December 11, 2006); Dobbins, et al. v. Tyson Chicken, Inc., et al. (N. Dist. Alabama, December 21, 2006); Buchanan, et al. v. Tyson Chicken, Inc., et al. and Potter, et al. v. Tyson Chicken, Inc., et al. (N. Dist. Alabama, December 22, 2006); Jones, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., Walton, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. and Williams, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. (S. Dist. Mississippi, February 9, 2007); Balch, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (E. Dist. Oklahoma, March 1, 2007); Adams, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (W. Dist. Arkansas, March 2, 2007); and Atkins, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (M. Dist. Georgia, March 5, 2007). Similar to Fox and DeAsencio, each of these matters involves allegations that employees should be paid for the time it takes to engage in pre- and post-shift activities such as changing into and out of protective and sanitary clothing, obtaining clothing and walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas. Plaintiffs seek or have sought to act as class representatives on behalf of all current and former employees who were allegedly not paid for time worked. Plaintiffs seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees. On April 6, 2007, the Company filed a motion for transfer of the above named actions for coordinated pretrial proceedings before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

 

On November 21, 2002, a lawsuit titled Emily D. Jordan, et al. v. IBP, inc. and Tyson Foods, Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Ten current and former hourly employees of Tyson Fresh Meat’s (TFM) case-ready facility in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, filed a complaint claiming the defendants violated the overtime provisions of the FLSA by failing to pay employees for all hours worked. The suit further alleges employees should be paid for the time it takes to collect, assemble and put on, take off and wash their health, safety and production gear at the beginning and end of their shifts and during their meal period. Finally, the suit alleges the Company deducts 30 minutes per day from employees' paychecks regardless of whether employees obtain a full 30-minute period for their meal. Plaintiffs seek a declaration the defendants did not comply with the FLSA, and an award for an unspecified amount of back pay compensation and benefits, unpaid entitlements, liquidated damages, prejudgment and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and costs. On November 17, 2003, the District Court conditionally certified a collective action based on clothes changing and washing activities and unpaid production work during meal periods, since the plant operations began in April 2001. Approximately 573 current and former employees have opted into the class. Trial is set to begin on February 28, 2008.

 

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NOTE 9: PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

NOTE 10: INCOME TAXES

 

The effective tax rate for the three and six months of fiscal 2007 was 36.4% and 35.0%, respectively, as compared to 36.2% and 36.8% for the same periods of fiscal 2006. The effective rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 was reduced by such items as the Domestic Production Deduction (DPD) and general business credits, and was increased by certain nondeductible expense items. On October 22, 2004, the President signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. This law provides for repeal of the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (ETI) deduction and replacement with a DPD. Phase out of the ETI deduction for fiscal 2007 allowed the Company to take 60% of the prior law deduction for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and no deduction for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Company’s production income qualifies for the DPD which will be phased in through fiscal 2011 and provides for a deduction of between 3% and 9% of qualifying domestic production income. For fiscal 2007, the deduction will be 3% of qualified income. On December 20, 2006, the President signed into law the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 which provides for the retroactive extension of certain general business credits that expired on December 31, 2005. As a result, in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recognized $4 million of credits relating to fiscal 2006.

 

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NOTE 11:  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in millions, except per share data):

 

 

Approximately eight million of the Company’s option shares were antidilutive for both the three and six months ended March 31, 2007, respectively, and 19 million and 20 million were antidilutive for the three and six months ended April 1, 2006, respectively. These shares were not included in the dilutive earnings per share calculation.

 

The Company has two classes of capital stock, Class A Common Stock (Class A stock) and Class B Common Stock (Class B stock). Cash dividends cannot be paid to holders of Class B stock unless they are simultaneously paid to holders of Class A stock. The per share amount of cash dividends paid to holders of Class B stock cannot exceed 90% of the cash dividends paid to holders of Class A stock.

 

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The Company allocates undistributed earnings based upon a 1.0 to 0.9 ratio per share to Class A stock and Class B stock, respectively. The Company allocates undistributed earnings based on this ratio due to historical dividend patterns, voting control of Class B stockholders and contractual limitations of dividends to Class B stock.

 

NOTE 12:  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):

 

 

The related tax effects allocated to the components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):

 

 

NOTE 13:  SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company operates in five business segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and Other. The Company measures segment profit as operating income.

 

Chicken segment is involved primarily in processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products. The Chicken segment markets its products domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, hotel chains, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international markets throughout the world. The Chicken segment also includes sales from allied products and the Company’s chicken breeding stock subsidiary.

 

Beef segment is involved primarily in processing live fed cattle and fabricating dressed beef carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts and case-ready products. It also involves deriving value from allied products such as hides and variety meats for sale to further processors and others. The Beef segment markets its products domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, hotel chains, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international markets throughout the world. The Beef segment also provides raw materials for the Company’s Prepared Foods segment. Allied products are also marketed to manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and technical products.

 

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Pork segment is involved primarily in processing live market hogs and fabricating pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal cuts and case-ready products. This segment also represents the Company's live swine group and related allied product processing activities. The Pork segment markets its products domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, hotel chains, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international markets throughout the world. The Pork segment also provides raw materials for the Company’s Prepared Foods segment. It also sells allied products to pharmaceutical and technical products manufacturers, as well as live swine to pork processors.

 

Prepared Foods segment includes the Company's operations that manufacture and market frozen and refrigerated food products. Products include pepperoni, beef and pork pizza toppings, pizza crusts, flour and corn tortilla products, appetizers, prepared meals, ethnic foods, soups, sauces, side dishes, meat dishes and processed meats. The Prepared Foods segment markets its products domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, hotel chains, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international markets throughout the world.

 

Other segment includes the Company’s transportation and warehousing operations and other miscellaneous activities.

 

Information on segments and a reconciliation to income (loss) before income taxes are as follows, (in millions):

 

 

 

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The Beef segment had sales of $24 million and $23 million in the second quarter of fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively, and sales of $49 million and $41 million in the six months of fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The Pork segment had sales of $129 million and $108 million in the second quarter of fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively, and sales of $255 million and $232 million in the six months of fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The aforementioned sales from intersegment transactions, which were at market prices, were excluded from the segment sales in the above table.

 

NOTE 14:  CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2007, Tyson Limited Partnership converted 5.0 million and 10.7 million shares, respectively, of Class B stock to Class A stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

NOTE 15:  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

In April 2007, Tyson Limited Partnership converted approximately 0.2 million shares of Class B stock to Class A stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

Tyson Foods is the world’s largest meat protein company and the second largest food production company in the Fortune 500 with one of the most recognized brand names in the food industry. Tyson produces, distributes and markets chicken, beef, pork, prepared foods and related allied products. The Company’s operations are conducted in five segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and Other. Some of the key factors that influence the Company’s business are customer demand for the Company’s products, the ability to maintain and grow relationships with customers and introduce new and innovative products to the marketplace, accessibility of international markets, market prices for the Company’s chicken, beef and pork products, the cost of live cattle and hogs, raw materials and grain and operating efficiencies of the Company’s facilities.

 

Earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 were $68 million or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $127 million or $0.37 per diluted share in the same period last year. Earnings for the six months of fiscal 2007 were $125 million or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $88 million or $0.26 per diluted share in the same period last year. Operating loss for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2006 include charges of $59 million, or $0.11 per diluted share related to beef and prepared foods plant closings.

 

Sales and operating income for the six months of fiscal 2007 increased $354 million and $335 million, respectively, compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by higher average sales prices, increased sales volumes and improved operating efficiencies. Chicken segment operating results improved despite substantial increases in grain costs, which were partially offset by the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its grain purchases. The Company’s Beef and Pork operating results also improved, primarily driven by improved conversion costs due to prior year plant rationalizations and operating efficiencies. In addition to increased average sales prices, the Prepared Foods operating results were also positively impacted by lower raw material costs and product mix improvements. The Company also continued to realize cost savings in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 related to its Cost Management Initiative.

 

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Outlook

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company will begin seeing the full effects of higher grain costs. Grain prices will likely continue to be volatile over the next few quarters. However, the Company expects to help offset the higher grain costs through increased pricing. Cattle supplies should be adequate for the remainder of the fiscal year and capacity utilization should continue to improve, which will help sustain operating efficiencies. Seasonal hog supplies will tighten, causing a slightly lower capacity utilization, which will put pressure on operating margins. The Company expects continued savings in all segments under the Cost Management Initiative. The Company expects its fiscal 2007 diluted earnings to be in the range of $0.65 to $0.90 per share.

 

As part of strategic efforts to reduce its production of fresh, commodity chicken, the Company announced in March 2007 its plan to sell two of its Alabama poultry plants, as well as a related feed mill and two hatcheries. The Company expects to close on the sale near the end of May 2007. Approximately 1,200 employees are employed at Tyson locations involved in the sale, and many are expected to be given opportunities to work for the company acquiring the plants. The Company does not expect to incur significant charges related to the sale of these locations.

 

In April 2007, the Company announced a strategic alliance with ConocoPhillips to produce and market renewable diesel fuel. The alliance plans to use Tyson’s beef, pork and poultry by-product fat to produce a transportation fuel. The Company will begin making minimal capital improvements in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to begin pre-processing animal fat from some of its North American rendering facilities. Production is expected to begin in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2007 vs. Second Quarter of Fiscal 2006

 

Sales increased $250 million, or 4.0%. A 6.1% increase in average sales prices contributed to a $335 million increase in sales, partially offset by a 2.0% sales volume decline which resulted in a sales decrease of $85 million. Additionally, second quarter fiscal 2007 sales include realized and unrealized net gains of $10 million as compared to net losses of $60 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its fixed forward boxed beef and pork sales.

 

As a percent of sales, cost of sales decreased from 97.6% to 94.4%, primarily due to an increase in average sales prices. Cost of sales increased $40 million. A decrease in sales volume contributed to a $70 million decrease in cost of sales, offset by a $110 million increase in costs. The increase in costs is partially due to increased net grain costs of $42 million in the Chicken segment. The increase in net grain costs includes $90 million of increased grain costs partially offset by realized and unrealized net gains of $44 million as compared to net losses of $4 million in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its grain purchases. Costs also increased due to higher average live beef and live pork prices. Additionally, second quarter fiscal 2007 cost of sales includes realized and unrealized net losses of $27 million, compared to net gains of $41 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its forward futures contracts for live cattle and hog purchases, excluding the impact from the physical purchase transaction.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $31 million or 13.1%. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 3.8% to 3.2%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in corporate advertising expenses and sales promotions of approximately $16 million, as well as various other reductions. Additionally, the Company recorded a gain of $9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 related to the disposition of an aircraft. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $13 million related to personnel expenses and earnings-based incentive compensation.

 

Other charges decreased $59 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded $45 million in charges related to the closings of its Norfolk, Nebraska, beef processing plant and West Point, Nebraska, beef slaughtering plant, as well as $14 million in charges related to the closings of its Independence, Iowa, and Oelwein, Iowa, processed meats plants. Production from the Norfolk and West Point facilities was shifted primarily to the Company’s beef complex in Dakota City, Nebraska.

 

Interest expense decreased $3 million or 4.9%, primarily resulting from a 6.5% decrease in the Company’s average net indebtedness, partially offset by a slight increase in the overall weighted average borrowing rate from 7.1% to 7.4%.

 

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The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 was 36.4%, compared to 36.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 was reduced by such items as the Domestic Production Deduction (DPD), and general business credits, and was increased by certain nondeductible expense items. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the AJC Act) provides for repeal of the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (ETI) deduction and replacement with a DPD. Phase out of the ETI deduction for fiscal 2007 does not allow the Company to take a prior law deduction for the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The Company qualifies for a DPD equal to 3% of qualifying domestic production income.

 

Segment Results

 

Information on segments is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Chicken segment sales increased $23 million. The increase was due primarily to a 9.1% increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a 7.2% sales volume decline primarily due to planned productions cuts. Operating income increased $52 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased sales despite a decline in volumes, as well as operating cost reductions. Operating income was adversely impacted by increased net grain costs of $42 million. The change in net grain costs includes $90 million of increased grain costs, partially offset by realized and unrealized net gains of $44 million as compared to net losses of $4 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its grain purchases.

 

Beef segment sales increased $152 million. The increase was due primarily to a 3.1% increase in average sales prices and a 2.1% increase in sales volume. Operating income increased $212 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased average sales prices, increased sales volumes and improved conversion costs due to prior year plant rationalizations and operating efficiencies. Additionally, second quarter fiscal 2006 operating results include $45 million of plant closing related charges.

 

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Pork segment sales increased $76 million. The increase was due primarily to a 7.9% increase in average sales prices and a 2.4% increase in sales volume. Operating income increased $26 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased average sales prices, strong export sales, increased sales volumes and improved conversion costs due to operating efficiencies.

 

Prepared Foods segment sales increased $5 million. The increase was due primarily to a 3.5% increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a 2.6% sales volume decline. Operating income increased $11 million. Operating results were impacted positively by higher average sales prices, lower raw material costs and product mix improvements. Operating results for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 include a $6 million intangible asset impairment. Second quarter fiscal 2006 operating results include $14 million of plant closing related charges.

 

Six Months of Fiscal 2007 vs. Six Months of Fiscal 2006

 

Sales increased $354 million, or 2.8%. A 1.2% increase in sales volume contributed to a $221 million increase in sales and a 1.6% increase in average sales price resulted in an increase of $133 million. Additionally, sales for the first six months of fiscal 2007 include realized and unrealized net gains of $11 million as compared to net losses of $50 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its fixed forward boxed beef and pork sales.

 

As a percent of sales, cost of sales decreased from 96.1% to 94.6%, primarily due to an increase in average sales price. Cost of sales increased $151 million. An increase in sales volume contributed to a $239 million increase in cost of sales, partially offset by an $88 million decrease in costs. The decrease in costs is primarily due to operating efficiencies and cost reductions, partially offset by increased net grain costs of $25 million in the Chicken segment. The increase in net grain costs include $109 million of increased grain costs, partially offset by realized and unrealized net gains of $80 million as compared to net losses of $4 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its grain purchases. Additionally, the six months of fiscal 2007 includes realized and unrealized net losses of $32 million, compared to net gains of $30 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its forward futures contracts for live cattle and hog purchases, excluding the impact from the physical purchase transaction. Higher live hog prices also negatively impacted cost of sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $75 million or 16.0%. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 3.7% to 3.0%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in corporate advertising expenses and sales promotions of approximately $30 million, a decrease in information system service costs of approximately $5 million, as well as various other reductions. Additionally, the Company recorded a gain of $9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 related to the disposition of an aircraft. These decreases were partially offset by a bad debt recovery of $6 million received in fiscal 2006 and an increase of $3 million in the six months of fiscal 2007 related to personnel expenses and earnings-based incentive compensation.

 

Other charges decreased $57 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company recorded $45 million in charges related to the closings of its Norfolk, Nebraska beef processing plant and West Point, Nebraska beef slaughtering plant, as well as $14 million in charges related to the closings of its Independence, Iowa and Oelwein, Iowa processed meats plants.

 

Interest expense increased $4 million or 3.5% as compared to the same period last year, primarily resulting from an increase in the overall weighted average borrowing rate from 7.0% to 7.4%.

 

The effective tax rate for the first six months of fiscal 2007 was 35.0%, compared to 36.8% for the first six months of fiscal 2006. The year-to-date effective tax rate was reduced by such items as the ETI benefit, DPD, and general business credits, and was increased by certain nondeductible expense items. The AJC Act provides for the repeal of the ETI deduction and the replacement with a DPD. The phase out of the ETI deduction for fiscal 2007 allows the Company to take 60% of the prior law allowable deduction for transactions in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and no deduction for transactions occurring in the remainder of the year. On December 20, 2006, the President signed into law the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 which provides for the retroactive extension of certain general business credits that expired on December 31, 2005.

 

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Segment Results

 

Information on segments is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Chicken segment sales decreased $49 million. The decrease was due to a 3.0% decrease in sales volumes primarily as a result of planned production cuts, partially offset by a 1.8% increase in average sales prices. Operating income increased $2 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased average sales prices and operating cost reductions. Operating income was adversely impacted by increased net grain costs of $25 million. The change in net grain costs includes $109 million of increased grain costs, partially offset by realized and unrealized net gains of $80 million as compared to net losses of $4 million recorded in the same period last year from the Company’s commodity risk management activities related to its grain purchases.

 

Beef segment sales increased $297 million. The increase was due primarily to a 5.3% increase in sales volume, partially offset by a slight decrease in average sales prices. Operating income increased $253 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased sales volumes and improved conversion costs due to prior year plant rationalizations and operating efficiencies. Additionally, operating results for the six months of fiscal 2006 include $45 million of plant closing related charges.

 

Pork segment sales increased $111 million. The increase was due primarily to a 3.7% increase in average sales prices and a 3.5% increase in sales volume. Operating income increased $54 million. The operating results were positively impacted by increased average sales prices, strong export sales, increased sales volumes and improved conversion costs due to operating efficiencies.

 

Prepared Foods segment sales increased $4 million. The increase was due primarily to a 1.6% increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a 1.3% sales volume decline. Operating income increased $18 million. Operating results were impacted positively by higher average sales prices, lower raw material costs and product mix improvements. Operating results for the six months of fiscal 2007 include a $6 million intangible asset impairment. The operating results for the six months of fiscal 2006 include $14 million of plant closing related charges.

 

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

For the three months ended March 31, 2007, net cash totaling $18 million was provided by operating activities, an increase of $40 million from the same period last year. The change in net cash from operating activities was primarily due to an improvement in net income excluding the non-cash effect of deferred income taxes of $227 million, offset by the net change in the working capital effect of $152 million. The change in working capital was primarily due to the timing of cash receipts and cash payments.

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2007, net cash totaling $343 million was provided by operating activities, an increase of $171 million from the same period last year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to an improvement in net income excluding the non-cash effect of deferred income taxes of $369 million, offset by the net change in working capital effect of $166 million. The Company used cash primarily from operations and the sale of the short-term investment to pay down debt by $1.0 billion, to fund $94 million of property, plant and equipment additions, to pay dividends of $28 million and to repurchase $38 million of the Company’s Class A common stock in the open market. Capital spending for fiscal 2007 is expected to be approximately $300 million. In January 2007, the Company entered into a joint venture in Argentina, which will form a vertically integrated beef operation in the South American country. The joint venture is expected to produce both products for the domestic Argentine consumer and give Tyson access to European and other high value beef markets. Sales for the joint venture are expected to be in the annualized range of $30 million to $35 million. The Company continues to evaluate additional international and domestic growth opportunities.

 

Working capital was $1.4 billion at March 31, 2007, and $1.3 billion at September 30, 2006, an increase of $105 million. The current ratio at March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, was 1.7 to 1 and 1.5 to 1, respectively. At March 31, 2007, total debt was 39.1% of total capitalization, compared to 47.3% at September 30, 2006.

 

Total debt at March 31, 2007, was $2.9 billion, a decrease of $1.1 billion from September 30, 2006. Outstanding debt at March 31, 2007, consisted of $2.6 billion of debt securities, a $195 million term loan and other indebtedness of $139 million. The Company plans to use excess cash to pay down the $164 million portion of its debt due in fiscal 2007.

 

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in September 2010, totaling $1.0 billion that supports the Company’s short-term funding needs and letters of credit. On July 27, 2006, the unsecured revolving credit facility was amended to allow for maximum availability under the revolving credit facility of 50% of inventory, reduced by letters of credit issued and amounts outstanding under its term loan. The reduction of the availability is scheduled to lapse in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and return to $1.0 billion less outstanding letters of credit. At March 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $277 million issued primarily in support of workers’ compensation insurance programs and derivative activities. There were no draw downs under these letters of credit at March 31, 2007. At March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, there were no amounts drawn under the revolving credit facilities. The amount available as of March 31, 2007, was $599 million.

 

Lakeside Farm Industries, Ltd. (Lakeside), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has an unsecured three-year term agreement (Lakeside Term Loan) with the principal balance due September 2008. The agreement provides for interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 0.4 percent to LIBOR plus one percent depending on the Company’s debt rating. Interest payments are made at least quarterly.

 

The Company has a receivables purchase agreement with three co-purchasers to sell up to $750 million of trade receivables consisting of $375 million expiring August 2007 and $375 million expiring in August 2009. At March, 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, there was $66 million and $159 million, respectively, drawn under the receivables purchase agreement.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company issued $1.0 billion of new senior unsecured notes, which will mature on April 1, 2016 (2016 Notes). The 2016 Notes carried an initial 6.60% interest rate, with interest payments due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company used $750 million of the proceeds for the repayment of its outstanding $750 million 7.25% Notes due October 1, 2006.

 

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As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K), on July 24, 2006, Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (Moody’s) downgraded the Company’s credit rating applicable to its 2016 Notes from “Baa3” to “Ba1.” This downgrade increased the interest rate on the 2016 Notes from 6.60% to 6.85%, effective on the first day of the interest period during which the rating change required an adjustment to the interest rate (i.e., the issuance of the 2016 Notes). This downgrade will increase annual interest expense and related fees by approximately $5 million, including $2.5 million related to the 2016 Notes. Additionally, on July 31, 2006, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded the Company’s credit rating applicable to the 2016 Notes from “BBB” to “BBB-.” This downgrade did not result in an increase in the interest rate on the 2016 Notes, nor did it result in an increase in interest expense or related fees for other debt.

 

Also as disclosed in the Form 10-K, on September 18, 2006, TFM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, guaranteed the 2016 Notes. This guarantee does not extend to the other unsecured senior notes of the Company. Moody’s and S&P did not change the July 2006 credit ratings applicable to the 2016 Notes. However, Moody’s issued a new credit rating of “Ba2,” and S&P issued a new credit rating of “BB+” related to the other unsecured senior notes not guaranteed by TFM. These new ratings did not impact the interest rate applicable to the 2016 Notes. However, other interest expense and related fees for other debt will increase by less than $3 million per year.

 

S&P currently rates the 2016 Notes “BBB-,” with a negative outlook. Moody’s currently rates this debt “Ba1,” with a negative outlook. The pretax impact to earnings of a downgrade would be approximately $4 million annually, per rating agency, of which $2.5 million would be related to increased interest expense on the 2016 Notes.

 

The revolving credit facility, senior notes, term loan and accounts receivable securitization contain various covenants, the most restrictive of which contain maximum allowed leverage ratios and a minimum required interest coverage ratio.

 

On July 27, 2006, the Company entered into a third amendment to its five-year credit revolving facility and the three-year Lakeside Term Loan. These amendments modified the minimum required interest coverage ratio, temporarily suspended the maximum allowed leverage ratios and implemented temporary minimum consolidated EBITDA requirements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2007.

 

The Company’s foreseeable cash needs for operations and capital expenditures are expected to be met primarily through cash flows provided by operating activities. Additionally, at March 31, 2007, the Company had unused borrowing capacity of $1.3 billion, consisting of $599 million available under its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement and $684 million under its accounts receivable securitization.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006; therefore the Company expects to adopt FIN 48 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. The Company is in process of evaluating the potential impact of FIN 48.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This standard also responds to investors' requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" (SFAS No. 159). This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years; therefore, the Company expects to

 

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adopt SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2009. The Company is in process of evaluating the potential impacts of SFAS No. 157 and SFAS No. 159.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158 requires companies to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its consolidated balance sheet and to recognize changes in funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. This standard also requires companies to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its annual consolidated balance sheet, with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 158 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006; therefore, the Company expects to adopt SFAS No. 158 at the end of fiscal 2007. Based upon information available as of March 31, 2007, the Company expects an increase in assets of $6 million, a decrease in liabilities of $9 million, an increase in deferred income taxes payable of $6 million and an increase of $9 million to accumulated other comprehensive income when SFAS No. 158 is adopted.

 

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff published Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108). SAB 108 addresses quantifying the financial statement effects of misstatements, specifically, how the effects of prior year uncorrected errors must be considered in quantifying misstatements in the current year financial statements. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006; therefore, the Company expects to adopt SAB 108 at the end of fiscal 2007. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact of SAB 108.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Company considers accounting policies related to financial instruments, contingent liabilities, accrued self insurance, pension and other postretirement benefits, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, marketing and advertising costs, and income taxes to be critical policies. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

Certain information in this report constitutes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions in domestic and international markets, Company performance and financial results, including, without limitation, debt-levels, return on invested capital, value-added product growth, capital expenditures, tax rates, access to foreign markets and dividend policy. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Tyson undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Among the factors that may cause actual results and experiences to differ from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following: (i) fluctuations in the cost and availability of inputs and raw materials, such as live cattle, live swine, feed grains (including corn and soybean meal) and energy; (ii) the Company’s ability to realize anticipated savings from its Cost Management Initiative; (iii) market conditions for finished products, including competition from other global and domestic food processors, the supply and pricing of competing products and alternative proteins and the demand for alternative proteins; (iv) risks associated with effectively evaluating derivatives and hedging activities; (v) access to foreign markets together with foreign economic conditions, including currency fluctuations, import/export restrictions and foreign politics; (vi) outbreak of a livestock disease (such as avian influenza (AI) or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)), which could have an effect on livestock owned by the Company, the availability of livestock for purchase by the Company, consumer perception of certain protein products or the Company’s ability to access certain domestic and foreign markets; (vii) successful rationalization of

 

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existing facilities, and the operating efficiencies of the facilities; (viii) changes in the availability and relative costs of labor and contract growers and the ability of the Company to maintain good relationships with employees, labor unions, contract growers and independent producers providing livestock to the Company; (ix) issues related to food safety, including costs resulting from product recalls, regulatory compliance and any related claims or litigation; (x) changes in consumer preference and diets and the Company’s ability to identify and react to consumer trends; (xi) significant marketing plan changes by large customers or the loss of one or more large customers; (xii) adverse results from litigation; (xiii) risks associated with leverage, including cost increases due to rising interest rates or changes in debt ratings or outlook; (xiv) compliance with and changes to regulations and laws (both domestic and foreign), including changes in accounting standards, tax laws, environmental laws and occupational, health and safety laws; (xv) the ability of the Company to make effective acquisitions and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing operations; (xvi) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs; (xvii) the effect of, or changes in, general economic conditions; and (xviii) those factors listed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in the Company’s September 30, 2006, Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

MARKET RISKS

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates, as well as credit risk concentrations. To address certain of these risks, the Company enters into various derivative transactions as described below. If a derivative instrument is a hedge, as defined by SFAS No. 133, as amended, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be offset either against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value, as defined by SFAS No. 133, as amended, is recognized immediately in earnings as a component of cost of sales. Additionally, the Company holds certain positions, primarily in grain and livestock futures that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. These positions are marked to market, and the unrealized gains and losses are reported in earnings at each reporting date. The changes in market value of derivatives used in the Company’s risk management activities surrounding inventories on hand or anticipated purchases of inventories are recorded in cost of sales. The changes in market value of derivatives used in the Company’s risk management activities surrounding forward sales contracts are recorded in sales.

 

The sensitivity analyses presented below are the measures of potential losses of fair value resulting from hypothetical changes in market prices related to commodities. Sensitivity analyses do not consider the actions management may take to mitigate the Company’s exposure to changes, nor do they consider the effects such hypothetical adverse changes may have on overall economic activity. Actual changes in market prices may differ from hypothetical changes.

 

Commodities Risk: The Company is a purchaser of certain commodities, such as grains, livestock and natural gas in the course of normal operations. As part of the Company’s commodity risk management activities, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, primarily futures and swaps to reduce the effect of changing prices and as a mechanism to procure the underlying commodity. However, as the commodities underlying the Company’s derivative financial instruments can experience significant price fluctuations, any requirement to mark-to-market the positions that have not been designated or do not qualify as hedges under SFAS No. 133 could result in volatility in the Company’s results of operations. Contract terms of a hedge instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts designated and highly effective at meeting this risk reduction and correlation criteria are recorded using hedge accounting. The following table presents a sensitivity analysis resulting from a hypothetical change of 10% in market prices as of March 31, 2007, and September 30, 2006, on the fair value of open positions. The fair value of such positions is a summation of the fair values calculated for each commodity by valuing each net position at quoted futures prices. The market risk exposure analysis includes hedge and non-hedge positions. The following sensitivity analysis reflects the impact on earnings for changes in the fair value of open positions.

 

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Interest Rate Risk: At March 31, 2007, the Company had fixed-rate debt of $2.6 billion with a weighted average interest rate of 7.5%. The Company has exposure to changes in interest rates on this fixed-rate debt. Market risk for fixed-rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value, resulting from a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates would have increased the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate debt by approximately $65 million at March 31, 2007, and $87 million at September 30, 2006. The fair values of the Company’s debt were estimated based on quoted market prices and/or published interest rates.

 

At March 31, 2007, the Company had variable rate debt of $300 million with a weighted average interest rate of 5.9%. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates effective at March 31, 2007, would have a minimal effect on interest expense.

 

Foreign Currency Risk: The Company has non-cash foreign exchange gain/loss exposure from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of certain receivables and payable balances. The primary currency exchanges the Company has exposure to are the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso, the European euro, the British pound sterling and the Brazilian real. The Company periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge some of its foreign currency exposure. A hypothetical 10% change in foreign exchange rates would impact earnings by approximately $13 million at March 31, 2007, and $4 million at September 30, 2006.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: Refer to the Company’s market risk disclosures set forth in the 2006 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K, for a detailed discussion of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about concentration of credit risks, as these risk disclosures have not changed significantly from the 2006 Annual Report.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed, under the supervision and with the participation of Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act)). Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded, as of March 31, 2007, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure information required to be disclosed in reports the Company files or submits under the 1934 Act has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported in accordance with the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In the quarter ended March 31, 2007, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Refer to the discussion of certain legal proceedings pending against the Company under Part I., Item 1, Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, Note 8: Contingencies, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Listed below are certain additional legal proceedings involving the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

On October 23, 2001, a putative class action lawsuit, R. Lynn Thompson and Deborah S. Thompson, et al. vs. Tyson Foods, Inc., was filed in the District Court for Mayes County, Oklahoma, on behalf of all owners of Grand Lake O' the Cherokee's littoral (lakefront) property. The suit alleged the Company "or entities over which it has operational control" conduct operations in such a way as to interfere with the putative class action plaintiffs' use and enjoyment of their property, allegedly caused by diminished water quality in the lake. Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and costs. Simmons Foods, Inc. and Peterson Farms, Inc. were joined as defendants. On October 4, 2005, the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma reversed the decision of the District Court, holding the claims of plaintiffs were not suitable for disposition as a class action. This decision ultimately was upheld by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and remanded to the District Court with instructions the matter proceed only on behalf of the three named plaintiffs. On May 24, 2006, three of the plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Petition, which drops plaintiffs’ class allegations, but seeks injunctive relief, restitution and compensatory and punitive damages in an unspecified amount in excess of $10,000. The Company and the other Defendants have filed answers.

 

In May 2004, TFM met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) staff regarding alleged wastewater and late report filing violations under the Clean Water Act relating to the 2002 Second and Final Consent Decree that governed compliance requirements for TFM’s Dakota City, Nebraska, facility. During that meeting, TFM was verbally informed of USEPA’s intent potentially to assess stipulated penalties for those alleged violations, with a maximum penalty of approximately $338,000. No formal written demand for stipulated penalties pursuant to the Consent Decree has been presented at this time. TFM vigorously disputes these allegations. Additional discussions with USEPA regarding a potential settlement of this matter are expected.

 

On January 9, 2003, the Company received a notice of liability letter from Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific) concerning the Company’s alleged contributions of waste oil to the Double Eagle Refinery Superfund Site in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Double Eagle Site). On August 22, 2006, the United States and the State of Oklahoma filed suit against Union Pacific seeking in excess of $22 million to remediate the Double Eagle Site in the matter United States of America, et al. v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., in the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The Company joined a PRP Group on October 31, 2006, which is in settlement discussions with the United States and the State of Oklahoma. The Company’s participation in this PRP Group should prevent it from being sued for contribution and indemnification by Union Pacific. The Company’s payment likely will not exceed $625,586.20.

 

On June 19, 2005, the Attorney General of Oklahoma filed a Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma against the Company, three subsidiaries and other poultry integrators. Subsequently, a First Amended Complaint (Amended Complaint) was filed and served. The Amended Complaint asserts state and federal causes of action and seeks injunctive relief and damages (past and future) for alleged pollution to the Illinois River Watershed from the land application of poultry litter by the defendants, and contract growers who are not named in the Amended Complaint. The Company and other defendants have filed answers and motions to dismiss several of the claims. The Company and other defendants also have filed a third-party complaint that asserts claims against other persons and entities whose activities may have contributed to the pollution alleged in the Amended Complaint. The Company also has asserted various defenses to claims asserted in the Amended Complaint. Discovery must be completed by July 1, 2008, and trial is scheduled for January 2009.

 

In August 2004, the Company received a subpoena requesting the production of documents from a federal grand jury sitting in the Western District of Arkansas. The subpoena focused on events surrounding a workplace accident that resulted in the death of an employee at the River Valley Animal Foods rendering plant in Texarkana, Arkansas, on October 10, 2003. That workplace fatality had previously been the subject of an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) of the

 

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Department of Labor. On April 9, 2004, OSHA issued citations to the Company and Tyson Poultry, Inc., d/b/a River Valley Animal Foods, alleging violations of health and safety standards arising from the death of the employee due to hydrogen sulfide inhalation. The citations consist of five willful, 12 serious, and two recordkeeping violations. OSHA seeks abatement of the alleged violations and proposed penalties of $436,000. The OSHA proceeding was stayed pending the completion of the grand jury investigation. Since the receipt of the document subpoena, a number of company employees have provided grand jury testimony or informal interviews to government investigators. Federal officials have not yet indicated whether they intend to pursue any action against the Company in connection with this investigation.

 

In July 2002, certain cattle producers filed Herman Schumacher, et al. vs. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., et al. in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, seeking certification of a class of cattle producers and naming as defendants TFM and three other beef packers. Plaintiffs claimed that in 2001, during the first six weeks the USDA began its mandatory price reporting program, defendants knowingly used the inaccurate boxed beef cutout prices (cutout prices are determined by the USDA through a formula that averages the prices of the various box beef cuts reported by all packers) calculated and published by the USDA to negotiate the purchase of fed cattle from plaintiffs at prices substantially lower than would have been economically justified had plaintiffs known the accurate higher cutout prices. Plaintiffs contend defendants’ conduct constituted an unfair or deceptive practice or was engaged in for the purpose or with the effect of manipulating or controlling prices in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA), 7 U.S.C. §192. The USDA stated that during the period in question the beef packers correctly reported beef sales information to the USDA and TFM believes it acted appropriately in its dealings with cattle producers. Trial in this matter commenced on March 31, 2006, and a jury verdict was returned against TFM and two of the other three defendants. The jury verdict against TFM was for $4,000,000, but this amount was based on all sales and not just those of the class. TFM, together with the other defendants, filed a motion in the District Court seeking judgment as a matter of law.  That motion was denied.  On February 15, 2007, the District Court entered judgment against TFM and the other defendants. On March 12, 2007, TFM filed its Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

 

On January 12, 2006, the Delaware Chancery Court consolidated two previously filed lawsuits and captioned the consolidated action In re Tyson Foods, Inc. Consolidated Shareholder's Litigation. The Consolidated Complaint names as defendants the Tyson Limited Partnership and certain present and former directors of the Company. The Company also is named as a nominal defendant, with no relief sought against it. The lawsuit contains five derivative claims alleging the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by: (Count I) approving consulting contracts for Don Tyson and Robert Peterson in 2001 and for Don Tyson in 2004; (Count II) approving and inadequately disclosing certain "other compensation" paid to Tyson executives from 2001 to 2003; (Count III) approving certain option grants to certain officers and directors with alleged knowledge the Company was about to make announcements that would cause the stock price to increase; (Count IV) approving and not adequately disclosing various related-party transactions from 2001 to 2004 that plaintiffs allege were unfair to the Company; and (Count V) making inadequate disclosures that resulted in an SEC consent decree. The Consolidated Complaint asserts three additional derivative claims for: (Count VI) breach of the 1997 settlement agreement in Herbets v. Tyson, et al., No. 14231 (Del. Ch.); Count (VII) civil contempt of the court's order and final judgment in Herbets v. Tyson; and (Count IX) unjust enrichment regarding the benefits obtained by the defendants through the various transactions challenged in the Consolidated Complaint. The Consolidated Complaint also makes a putative class action claim that the Company's 2004 proxy statement contained misrepresentations regarding certain executive compensation (Count VIII). On March 2, 2006, Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the Consolidated Complaint. On February 6, 2007, the court entered an order granting in part the Defendants' motion, (1) dismissing Counts I, VII and VIII in their entirety, (2) dismissing Count III against directors who were not members of the Company's compensation committee, (3) dismissing Count IV with respect to plaintiffs' claims concerning related party transactions that were disclosed prior to February 16, 2002 and related party transactions that were reviewed by an independent committee; and (4) dismissing Count V except for plaintiffs' inadequate disclosure claims relating to Don Tyson's compensation addressed by an SEC consent decree.  The court declined to dismiss plaintiffs' remaining claims. The Company is in the process of responding to plaintiffs’ discovery requests.

 

Three separate wage and hour actions were also filed involving TFM's plants located in Lexington, Nebraska (Dimas Lopez, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., District of Nebraska, June 30, 2006), Garden City, Kansas (Adelina Garcia, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., District of Kansas, May 15, 2006), and Denison and Storm Lake, Iowa (Sharp, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., (W.D. Iowa, February 6, 2007).  The actions allege TFM failed to pay employees for all hours worked, including overtime compensation in violation of the FLSA and state laws, specifically for the time it takes to change into protective work

 

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uniforms, safety equipment and other sanitary and protective clothing worn by employees, and for walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas. Plaintiffs seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. The Garcia plaintiffs have sought leave to amend their complaint and add TFM’s Emporia, Kansas, plant to this action.

 

On April 2, 2002, four former employees of the Company’s Shelbyville, Tennessee, chicken processing plant filed the case of Trollinger et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The case was filed as a putative class action against the Company, raising allegations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Practices Act (RICO), and specifically alleged the Company, in conjunction with employment agencies and recruiters, engaged in a scheme to hire illegal immigrant workers in 15 of its processing plants to depress wages paid to hourly wage employees at those plants. On July 16, 2002, the District Court dismissed the case. Following appeal, on June 3, 2004 the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s decision and remanded the case for further proceedings. Discovery has been on-going since September 2004. In June 2005, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint. The second amended complaint included different plaintiffs, narrowed the list of plants at issue to eight and added the allegation the Company conspired with certain Hispanic civil rights groups to hire illegal immigrant workers. In addition, the second amended complaint added John Tyson, Richard Bond, Greg Lee, Archibald Schaffer III, Kenneth Kimbro, Karen Percival, Tim McCoy and Ahrazue Wilt, all of whom are current or former officers or managers of the Company, as defendants. On August 5, 2005, plaintiffs sought certification of a putative class of all hourly wage employees at the eight Company plants since 1998 who were legally authorized to be employed in the United States, which the defendants opposed. On October 10, 2006, the District Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On October 24, 2006, defendants filed with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals a petition for interlocutory review of the District Court’s class certification decision. That petition is pending. Discovery continues in the case, and a trial date of March 3, 2008, has been set by the Court.

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has engaged outside counsel to conduct a review of certain payments that have been made by its subsidiary in Mexico, including payments during certain relevant periods to individuals employed by Mexican governmental bodies. Although the review process is ongoing, the Company believes the amount of such payments has been immaterial and does not expect any material impact to its financial statements. The Company has contacted the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice to inform them of the Company’s review and its preliminary findings, and intends to cooperate fully with these governmental authorities.

 

Other Matters: The Company has approximately 107,000 employees and at any time has various employment practices matters. In the aggregate, these matters are significant to the Company, and the Company devotes significant resources to managing employment issues. Additionally, the Company is subject to other lawsuits, investigations and claims (some of which involve substantial amounts) arising out of the conduct of its business. While the ultimate results of these matters cannot be determined, they are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The risk factors listed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006, should be considered carefully with the information provided elsewhere in this report, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. These risks are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The table below provides information regarding purchases by the Company of its Class A stock during the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

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Item 5.  Other Information

On May 4, 2007, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the Company’s Cost Management Incentive Bonus Program (the “CMI Program”). The CMI Program provides an opportunity for members of the Company’s management team, including the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other named executive officers, to receive a one time cash bonus if certain cost savings goals are met during fiscal year 2007. The purpose of the amendment was to increase the potential bonus pool from $15 million to $20 million. Under the new amendment, amounts will be added to the Company’s bonus pools for officers and management if the cost savings goals for fiscal 2007, as described in the following schedule, are met:

 

 

 

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The following exhibits are filed with this report.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

TYSON FOODS, INC.

 

 

 

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