Sara Lee Corporation (Form: 8-K)  

 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   June 15, 2010

Sara Lee Corporation
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Maryland 1-3344 36-2089049
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
3500 Lacey Road, Downers Grove, Illinois   60515
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (630) 598-6000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Top of the Form

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

From time to time, representatives of Sara Lee Corporation have been asked for details regarding the impact of the euro/dollar exchange rate on the corporation’s earnings, and Sara Lee’s expenditures on commodities, by category. Sara Lee is filing this report to provide investors with greater details on those two topics. Sara Lee also will provide this information during its presentation at the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference in Paris, France which will be broadcast live via the Internet at 7:45 a.m. CDT (2:45 p.m. in Paris) on Tues., June 15, 2010 and can be accessed at www.saralee.com.

Impact of euro/dollar Exchange Rate

For the first nine months of fiscal 2010, Sara Lee generated approximately 25% of its net sales from continuing operations and 40% of its operating income from continuing operations in euros. As a general rule of guidance, a $0.03 change in the euro/dollar exchange rate has an approximately $10 million impact on Sara Lee’s reported operating income, which is the equivalent of approximately $0.01 of diluted EPS in fiscal 2011. In fiscal 2010, the average euro/dollar exchange rate is projected to be $1.39.

Commodity Costs and Outlook

The table below summarizes Sara Lee’s main commodities and expected fiscal 2010 spend, which is estimated to be approximately $3.9 billion.

         
    Fiscal 2010 spend
Commodity category   (in millions)
Coffee • Arabica, Robusta
  $ 1,000  
 
       
Ingredients • Flour, oils, sweeteners, dairy, etc.
  $ 950  
 
       
Meats • Pork, poultry, beef
  $ 900  
 
       
Packaging • Cartons, bags, trays, film
  $ 850  
 
       
Energy • Diesel, natural gas, electricity
  $ 200  
 
       
Total estimated fiscal 2010 commodity spend
  $ 3,900  
 
       

Sara Lee currently expects that input costs for meats, coffee and energy will increase in fiscal 2011 on a year-over-year basis. However, we believe that we can manage the impact of these fiscal 2011 commodity cost increases for several reasons: (i) we have a proven procurement track record that is underscored by long-term supplier agreements with strategic suppliers, (ii) we have developed the expertise and relationships to effectively hedge our commodity exposure to significantly reduce input cost volatility, and (iii) we have strong pricing architecture tools and disciplines in place that, combined with our category management skills, will help us protect our margins while at the same time helping our retail customers to grow their business.


Top of the Form

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 hereunto duly authorized.

         
    Sara Lee Corporation
          
June 15, 2010   By:   Helen N. Kaminski
       
        Name: Helen N. Kaminski
        Title: Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities