General Mills announces $130M cost-reduction plan

General Mills Inc. (NYSE:GIS), a leading global food company currently trading near its 52-week low at $54.13, announced a comprehensive multi-year transformation initiative aimed at driving productivity and streamlining operations. With a market capitalization of nearly $30 billion and a P/E ratio of 11.8, the company appears to be trading at an attractive earnings multiple according to InvestingPro analysis. The plan, set to be largely completed by the end of fiscal 2028, is expected to incur total charges of approximately $130 million, with cash expenses accounting for around $120 million of that total. This investment represents a small fraction of the company’s robust annual EBITDA of $4.2 billion. InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is currently slightly undervalued, making this strategic initiative particularly interesting for value investors.

The initiative, approved on May 20, 2025, will mainly focus on enhancing end-to-end business processes and will involve targeted organizational actions. General Mills anticipates that these actions will result in significant cost savings over the long term, although the specifics of the savings were not disclosed in the filing.

In the short term, the company expects to record about $70 million of the total anticipated charges in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with the majority of these costs related to severance expenses. The precise costs and timing of these charges are subject to change based on various assumptions, and actual results may differ from current expectations.

The SEC filing also indicated that there may be additional charges or cash expenditures not currently anticipated that could arise as a result of, or in association with, the transformation efforts.

This announcement comes as many companies in the food industry are facing increased pressure to optimize operations and reduce costs amidst changing consumer preferences and competitive market dynamics.

General Mills, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is known for its portfolio of consumer brands, including Cheerios, Yoplait, and Betty Crocker. The company’s strategic move is aimed at ensuring long-term growth and profitability as it adapts to the evolving food industry landscape. Notably, the company has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 4.5%. For deeper insights into General Mills’ financial health and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 US equities with detailed analysis and actionable intelligence.

Investors and stakeholders are advised that the information regarding the transformation plan is based on a recent SEC filing by General Mills.

In other recent news, General Mills has made significant announcements and strategic moves. The company reported fiscal 2024 net sales of $20 billion, with an additional $1 billion from non-consolidated joint ventures, emphasizing its Accelerate strategy to expand brand presence and innovate. General Mills also announced the issuance of €750 million in notes due 2032, with a 3.600% interest rate, as part of its broader capital management strategy. This debt issuance aims to raise capital for various corporate purposes, including potentially refinancing existing debt and funding strategic investments.

Additionally, Citi analyst Thomas Palmer revised the price target for General Mills to $56, down from $57, maintaining a Neutral rating due to projected declines in operating profit for fiscal year 2026. UBS also initiated coverage with a Sell rating and a $54 price target, citing potential sales challenges and headwinds. The U.S. FDA’s decision to phase out synthetic dyes will impact General Mills, among other food companies, as they transition to natural alternatives to meet new regulatory standards.

In executive news, Dana McNabb has been promoted to oversee both the North America Retail and Pet segments, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on growth in the pet food category. This organizational change is part of General Mills’ efforts to adapt to evolving market trends and consumer needs. These developments highlight the company’s ongoing strategic adjustments and the challenges it faces in the current market environment.

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