Sysco Reports First Fiscal Quarter Net Earnings of $326 Million, Diluted EPS of $0.55

Produces Solid Operating Margin Performance of 5.5%


HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) today announced financial results for its 13-week first quarter ended September 26, 2009.



   First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Highlights

 * Sales were $9.1 billion, a decrease of 8.1% from $9.9 billion in
   the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
 * Operating income was $497 million, a decrease of 1.5% compared
   to $505 million in last year's first quarter.
 * Operating margin was 5.5%, an increase of 0.4 points from the
   prior year.
 * Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.55, an increase of 19.6%
   compared to $0.46 in last year's first quarter.
 * The first quarter results benefited from a $0.04 per share
   impact from the change in the value of corporate owned life
   insurance (COLI), and a $0.05 per share impact from the
   company's IRS settlement which was previously announced in
   August 2009.

"I am pleased with our solid operating performance this quarter," said Bill DeLaney, Sysco's chief executive officer. "In the midst of what continues to be an extremely challenging business environment, our operating companies managed expenses extraordinarily well. Our sales decline was largely caused by the impact of reduced consumer spending experienced by much of our customer base, as well as significant food cost deflation. Looking forward, we are encouraged by the stabilization of our volume trends in recent weeks and we remain committed to supporting our customers through this most difficult period in our industry's history."

First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Summary

Sales for the first quarter were $9.1 billion, a decrease of 8.1% compared to the same period last year. Food cost deflation, as measured by the estimated change in Sysco's cost of goods, was 3.4% percent for the quarter. Sales from acquisitions (within the last 12 months) increased sales by 0.6%. The impact of changes in foreign exchange rates for the quarter reduced sales by 0.5%.

Operating expenses declined $132 million, or 9.5%, for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year period. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily a result of declining payroll expense related to reduced headcount and lower incentive compensation, as well as a change in the value of COLI. These expense declines were partially offset by an increase in pension expense related to the company-sponsored pension plan, which was higher in the first quarter due to the impact of a market-related reduction in asset values underlying the plan. As a result, operating income fell 1.5% to $497 million during the first quarter.

Net earnings for the first quarter were $326 million, an increase of $49 million, or 17.8%, and diluted EPS was $0.55, an increase of $0.09, or 19.6%, compared to the prior year period. In addition to the items noted above, these results were favorably impacted by a one-time tax benefit related to the company's IRS settlement. The tax gain combined with non-taxable COLI gains favorably impacted the effective tax rate for the first quarter.

The impact of COLI, the IRS settlement and company-sponsored pension expense on Sysco's results of operations is outlined in the table below:



                                        Year-Over-Year Impact of
                                         Certain Expense Items -
                                             Better/(Worse)
                                      ----------------------------
                                      Operating    Net
 (000's)                               Income   Earnings     EPS
                                      ----------------------------
 Cash surrender value of COLI         $ 44,060  $ 44,060  $   0.07
 Tax settlement                              0    28,895  $   0.05
 Company-sponsored pensions            (10,428)   (7,307)   ($0.01)
                                      ----------------------------
 Net impact                           $ 33,632  $ 65,648  $   0.11
                                      ----------------------------

Capital Spending

Capital expenditures totaled $109 million for the first quarter. The primary areas for investments included facility replacements and expansions, technology, and additions and replacements to Sysco's fleet. Looking forward, the company projects fiscal 2010 capital expenditures will be in the range of $600 million to $650 million.

Conference Call & Webcast

Sysco's first quarter fiscal 2010 earnings conference call will be held on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST. A live webcast of the call, as well as a copy of this press release, will be available online at www.sysco.com in the Investor Relations section.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 186 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2009 that ended June 27, 2009, the company generated more than $36 billion in sales. For more information about Sysco visit the company's Internet home page at www.sysco.com.

The Sysco Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=747

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include statements regarding the apparent stabilization of volume trends and projections regarding capital expenditures. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on management's current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties that could impact sales volume include risks relating to sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment and decreases in consumer spending; the risk of interruption of supplies due to lack of long-term contracts, severe weather, work stoppages or otherwise; and labor issues. Capital expenditures may vary from those projected based on changes in business plans and other factors, including the timing and successful completion of acquisitions, construction schedules and the possibility that other cash requirements could result in delays or cancellations of capital spending. For a discussion of additional factors impacting Sysco's business, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



 Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
 (In Thousands, Except for Share and Per Share Data)

                                               13-Week Period Ended
                                           ---------------------------
                                             Sept. 26,      Sept. 27,
                                               2009           2008
                                           ------------   ------------

 Sales                                     $  9,081,426   $  9,877,429
 Cost of sales                                7,334,067      7,990,873
                                           ------------   ------------
 Gross margin                                 1,747,359      1,886,556
 Operating expenses                           1,250,031      1,381,804
                                           ------------   ------------
 Operating income                               497,328        504,752
 Interest expense                                33,800         26,410
 Other income, net                               (2,012)        (2,813)
                                           ------------   ------------
 Earnings before income taxes                   465,540        481,155
 Income taxes                                   139,335        204,341
                                           ------------   ------------
 Net earnings                              $    326,205   $    276,814
                                           ============   ============

 Net earnings:
  Basic earnings per share                 $       0.55   $       0.46
  Diluted earnings per share                       0.55           0.46

 Average shares outstanding                 591,568,212    602,257,425
 Diluted shares outstanding                 591,983,474    605,707,175

 Dividends declared per common share       $       0.24   $       0.22



 Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (In Thousands, Except for Share Data)

                                  Sept. 26,     June 27,     Sept. 27,
                                     2009         2009         2008
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
                                 (unaudited)               (unaudited)
 ASSETS
 Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents      $   851,036  $ 1,087,084  $   345,625
  Short-term investments              27,438           --           --
  Accounts and notes receivable,
   less allowances of $51,089,
   $36,078 and $46,493             2,575,293    2,468,511    2,873,502
  Inventories                      1,747,773    1,650,666    1,933,703
  Deferred taxes                      91,262           --      101,811
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                     69,013       64,418       69,065
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total current assets             5,361,815    5,270,679    5,323,706
 Plant and equipment at cost,
  less depreciation                3,014,341    2,979,200    2,876,081
 Other assets
  Goodwill                         1,529,066    1,510,795    1,421,460
  Intangibles, less amortization     116,731      121,089       83,709
  Restricted cash                    121,755       93,858       93,077
  Prepaid pension cost                48,750       26,746      256,017
  Other assets                       237,247      214,252      231,005
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total other assets               2,053,549    1,966,740    2,085,268
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total assets                    $10,429,705  $10,216,619  $10,285,055
                                 ===========  ===========  ===========

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
  EQUITY
 Current liabilities
  Accounts payable               $ 1,960,354  $ 1,856,887  $ 2,051,112
  Accrued expenses                   767,742      797,756      757,455
  Accrued income taxes               345,420      323,983      584,608
  Deferred taxes                          --      162,365           --
  Current maturities of
   long-term debt                      8,743        9,163        5,269
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total current liabilities        3,082,259    3,150,154    3,398,444
 Other liabilities
  Long-term debt                   2,468,783    2,467,486    1,974,053
  Deferred taxes                     616,142      526,377      717,587
  Other long-term liabilities        548,163      622,900      689,745
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total other liabilities          3,633,088    3,616,763    3,381,385
 Commitments and contingencies
 Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock, par value
   $1 per share, Authorized
   1,500,000 shares, issued none          --           --           --
  Common stock, par value $1 per
   share, Authorized
   2,000,000,000 shares, issued
   765,174,900 shares                765,175      765,175      765,175
  Paid-in capital                    764,902      760,352      727,558
  Retained earnings                6,724,058    6,539,890    6,185,935
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive loss               (233,932)    (277,986)     (98,308)
  Treasury stock at cost,
   173,860,981, 175,148,403 and
   164,083,709 shares             (4,305,845)  (4,337,729)  (4,075,134)
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total shareholders' equity       3,714,358    3,449,702    3,505,226
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total liabilities and
  shareholders' equity           $10,429,705  $10,216,619  $10,285,055
                                 ===========  ===========  ===========



 Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 (In Thousands)

                                               13-Week Period Ended
                                           ---------------------------
                                             Sept. 26,      Sept. 27,
                                               2009           2008
                                           ------------   ------------
 Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings                             $    326,205   $    276,814
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
   cash provided by operating activities:
    Share-based compensation expense             12,748         10,833
    Depreciation and amortization                93,906         94,351
    Deferred tax (benefit) provision           (207,546)       182,824
    Provision for losses on receivables           8,152         11,774
    (Gain) on sale of assets                       (157)           (20)
  Additional investment in certain assets
   and liabilities, net of effect of
   businesses acquired:
    (Increase) in receivables                  (100,167)      (165,659)
    (Increase) in inventories                   (86,167)      (100,650)
    (Increase) in prepaid expenses
     and other current assets                    (4,242)        (5,171)
    Increase in accounts payable                 89,669          6,269
    (Decrease) in accrued expenses              (33,896)      (149,281)
    Increase (decrease) in accrued
     income taxes                                56,113        (34,982)
    (Increase) in other assets                  (22,083)       (26,225)
    (Decrease) in other long-term
     liabilities and prepaid pension
     cost, net                                  (85,596)       (34,507)
    Excess tax benefits from share-based
     compensation arrangements                     (465)        (3,000)
                                           ------------   ------------
  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                                    46,474         63,370
                                           ------------   ------------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to plant and equipment             (109,405)       (80,046)
  Proceeds from sales of plant and
   equipment                                      1,346          1,023
  Acquisition of businesses, net of cash
   acquired                                      (8,334)       (13,534)
  Purchases of short-term investments           (27,217)            --
  (Increase) in restricted cash                 (27,897)          (490)
                                           ------------   ------------
  Net cash used for investing activities       (171,507)       (93,047)
                                           ------------   ------------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
  Other debt borrowings                           2,417          1,153
  Other debt repayments                          (2,593)        (1,581)
  Common stock reissued from treasury for
   share-based compensation awards               21,907         73,535
  Treasury stock purchases                           --       (118,389)
  Dividends paid                               (141,729)      (132,383)
  Excess tax benefits from share-based
   compensation arrangements                        465          3,000

                                           ------------   ------------
  Net cash used for financing activities       (119,533)      (174,665)
                                           ------------   ------------

 Effect of exchange rates on cash                 8,518         (1,585)
                                           ------------   ------------
 Net (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents                                  (236,048)      (205,927)
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
  of period                                   1,087,084        551,552
                                           ------------   ------------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end
  of period                                $    851,036   $    345,625
                                           ============   ============

 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
  information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
   Interest                                $     59,509   $     44,446
   Income taxes                                 334,833         42,425


 Sysco Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
 COMPARATIVE SEGMENT DATA  (Unaudited)
 (In Thousands)
                                              13-Week Period Ended
                                           ---------------------------
                                             Sept. 26,      Sept. 27,
                                               2009           2008
                                           ------------   ------------

 Sales:
  Broadline                                $  7,308,706   $  7,872,567
  SYGMA                                       1,150,861      1,228,235
  Other                                         742,877        895,740
  Intersegment                                 (121,018)      (119,113)
                                           ------------   ------------
 Total                                     $  9,081,426   $  9,877,429
                                           ============   ============
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Comparative Supplemental Statistical Information Related to Sales
 (Unaudited)
 Comparative Sysco Brand Sales and Marketing Associate-Served Sales
 data are summarized below.

                                              13-Week Period Ended
                                           ---------------------------
                                             Sept. 26,      Sept. 27,
                                               2009           2008
                                           ------------   ------------
 Sysco Brand Sales as a %
  of MA-Served Sales                           46.92%         49.44%
 Sysco Brand Sales as a %
  of Total Broadline Sales                     38.39%         40.85%
 MA-Served Sales as a %
  of Total Broadline Sales                     48.23%         48.58%
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------


            

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