Conagra Earnings Hit Record $87 Million

Food processor and distributor ConAgra Inc. reported record fiscal first-quarter earnings Thursday.

The company said earnings in the quarter ended Aug. 27 were $87 million, or 36 cents a share, up 13 percent from nearly $77 million, or 31 cents a share, the year before. Sales totaled $6.44 billion vs. $6.25 billion, up 3 percent.

ConAgra said all three of its industry segments - food inputs and ingredients, refrigerated foods and grocery products - achieved double-digit operating profit growth.

The fresh meat business contributed to the gain, as did the Healthy Choice line.