Ahead Of Dr Pepper Snapple Q4 Results

(RTTNews) - Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc.'s (DPS) continuous "improving capabilities surrounding marketing return on investment, trade promotion effectiveness and the organization-wide depth and breadth of RCI initiatives" contribute significantly to its growth and improvements in productivity.

DPS is the leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. The company manufactures, bottles and distributes Dr Pepper, 7UP, Mott's, Snapple, Canada Dry and other favorites as well as new innovations like Dr Pepper TEN.

For fiscal 2015, raised its core earnings guidance to a range of $3.92 - $3.98 per share, compared to last year's core EPS of $3.65. Previously, the company expected earnings of $3.85 - $3.93 per share. FY15 net sales growth is expected to be about 2%. Wall Street analysts are looking for earnings of $4.01 per share on revenue of $6.26 billion for 2015.

Collectively, foreign currency translation and transaction are now expected to negatively impact net sales and core EPS growth by about 2% and 5%, respectively.

Based on strong year-to-date performance, the company now expects total company sales volume for the full year to be up about a point, with carbonated soft drinks or CSDs flat and growth coming from its non-carb portfolio.

The company's fourth-quarter results are due to be released before the bell on Wednesday, February 17, with analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimating earnings of $0.98 per share on revenue of $1.53 billion. Analysts' estimate typically exclude certain special items.

In the previous quarter, the company reported net income of $202 million or $1.05 per share compared to $188 million or $0.96 per share in the prior year period. Core EPS were $1.08, up 10%, compared to $0.98 in the prior year period.

Net sales increased to $1.63 billion from $1.58 billion generated a year ago.

Income from operations rose to $337 million from $316 million last year. Core income from operations for the quarter was $347 million, up 9%, or 21.3% of net sales compared to 20.1% in the prior year period.

DPS President and CEO Larry Young said, "We gained both dollar and volume share in the CSD and shelf-stable juice categories in Nielsen measured markets, and we're seeing financial benefits from our marketing investments and innovation. Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) continues to underpin how we operate on a daily basis, and we have a long runway of further improvement opportunities."