CPO Ingredion, Inc.

- Raises 2007 Full-Year EPS Outlook to $2.10-$2.30 from $1.84-$2.01 WESTCHESTER, Ill., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Corn Products International, Inc. (NYSE:CPO), a leading global provider of agriculturally derived ingredients for diversified markets, today reported record quarterly diluted earnings per share of $0.66 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, a 113 percent increase compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.31 a year ago. Net income of $50 million in the first quarter of 2007 improved 114 percent versus $23 million last year. Net sales of $762 million in the first quarter of 2007, a record quarterly level, improved 24 percent versus $615 million in the prior-year period. The higher net sales were predominantly due to favorable price/product mix. The acquisitions of SPI Polyols, Getec and DEMSA contributed approximately $18 million. Gross profit of $146 million in the first quarter of 2007 increased 58 percent versus $93 million a year ago. Gross margins expanded to 19.2 percent compared with 15.1 percent last year. Significantly higher North American results, primarily from increased pricing, drove the improvement. Corn costs increased significantly, while energy costs declined. Operating income of $88 million in the first quarter of 2007 grew 90 percent versus $46 million last year. Operating margins widened to 11.5 percent from 7.5 percent in 2006. Net financing costs in the first quarter of 2007 of approximately $10 million compared with $7 million in the prior-year period. The first-quarter effective tax rate of 34.0 percent compared favorably with 38.9 percent in 2006, reflecting a change in the earnings mix. Overall, the Company's diluted earnings per share increase of 35 cents in the first quarter of 2007 was attributable to 30 cents per share from operating margins, 5 cents per share from the change in the annual effective tax rate, 3 cents per share from volumes and 1 cent per share from foreign currency translation. Higher financing costs reduced earnings per share by 2 cents, while increased shares outstanding and a lower minority interest each negatively impacted earnings per share by 1 cent. "It is gratifying not only to start the year in such an impressive way, but also to set records for quarterly net sales, earnings and margins in the process," said Sam Scott, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Corn Products International. "All three geographic regions contributed to this excellent performance." Regional Business Segment Performance Regional results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 were as follows: North America Net sales of $468 million increased 24 percent versus $376 million in 2006 due to improved price/product mix. Volumes and foreign currency translation were slightly unfavorable. Operating income of $61 million jumped 150 percent from $24 million last year. All three country businesses contributed to the strong performance. South America Net sales of $200 million increased 33 percent compared with $151 million a year ago primarily due to improved price/product mix and volumes, along with favorable foreign currency translation. Operating income of $25 million improved 27 percent from $20 million in the prior year. Brazil and the Andean region turned in strong performances. Lower results in the Southern Cone were principally due to a continuation of high corn and energy costs. Asia/Africa Net sales of $94 million grew 7 percent versus $88 million last year as a result of currency appreciation, particularly the South Korean won and the Thai baht, as well as favorable volumes and price/product mix. Operating income of $14 million rose 10 percent versus $13 million in the prior year due to growth in Pakistan and Thailand, partially offset by lower South Korea results. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow The Company maintained a strong balance sheet and excellent liquidity as of March 31, 2007. Cash provided by operations for the first quarter of 2007 was $58 million compared with $5 million in the prior year. The change was attributable to an increase in net income and an improvement in working capital. As previously announced, the Company paid $66 million in cash during the quarter to acquire the food business of SPI Polyols in the US and the shares of an SPI unit that held the 50 percent of a Brazilian polyols joint venture, Getec, not already held by Corn Products International. 2007 Outlook "Given our first quarter strength and increasing confidence about the rest of the year, we have raised our EPS expectations," said Scott. "We now anticipate a 29 to 41 percent increase in diluted EPS in 2007, or $2.10 to $2.30, versus $1.63 in 2006. Our prior 2007 EPS guidance was $1.84 to $2.01. "While we don't see the first quarter as a sustainable level, we still anticipate solid EPS growth for the balance of the year," he noted. "Our higher outlook stems from the very strong first-quarter performance by our North American region, which we had already said would be the major profit driver in 2007. We continue to expect improved results in South America and Asia/Africa." Scott said the Company has been able to pass through higher corn costs more rapidly than expected in its international markets. "We believe our business models in North America and internationally continue to work well in today's environment of higher, and likely more volatile, corn prices," Scott said. "As always, we have risks related to co-product values, the corn basis and any possible sharp move, up or down, in corn prices during the balance of the year. "Overall, we are excited about prospects for delivering another year of stellar earnings growth," Scott said. Conference Call and Webcast Corn Products International will conduct a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time) to be hosted by Sam Scott, chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Cheryl Beebe, vice president and chief financial officer. The call will be broadcast in a real-time webcast. The broadcast will consist of the call and a visual presentation accessible through the Corn Products International web site at http://www.cornproducts.com/. The "listen-and-view-only" presentation will be available to download approximately 60 minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available at http://www.cornproducts.com/. Individuals without Internet access may listen to the live conference call by dialing 719.457.2646. A replay of the audio call will be available through Friday, May 4 by calling 719.457.0820 and using passcode 5259684. About Corn Products International Corn Products International is one of the world's largest corn refiners and a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients and industrial products derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. The Company, headquartered in Westchester, Ill., is the number-one worldwide producer of dextrose and a leading regional producer of starch, high fructose corn syrup and glucose. In 2006, Corn Products International reported record net sales and diluted earnings per share of $2.62 billion and $1.63, respectively, with operations in 15 countries at 35 plants, including wholly owned businesses, affiliates and alliances. For more information, visit http://www.cornproducts.com/. Forward-Looking Statement This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company intends these forward looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for such statements. These statements include, among other things, any predictions regarding the Company's future financial condition, earnings, revenues, expenses or other financial items, any statements concerning the Company's prospects or future operation, including management's plans or strategies and objectives therefor and any assumptions underlying the foregoing. These statements can sometimes be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "project," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "continue," "pro forma," "forecast" or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. All statements other than statements of historical facts in this release or referred to in this release are "forward-looking statements." These statements are subject to certain inherent risks and uncertainties. Although we believe our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, stockholders are cautioned that no assurance can be given that our expectations will prove correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from the expectations conveyed in these statements, based on various factors, including fluctuations in worldwide markets for corn and other commodities, and the associated risks of hedging against such fluctuations; fluctuations in aggregate industry supply and market demand; general political, economic, business, market and weather conditions in the various geographic regions and countries in which we manufacture and/or sell our products; fluctuations in the value of local currencies, energy costs and availability, freight and shipping costs, and changes in regulatory controls regarding quotas, tariffs, duties, taxes and income tax rates; operating difficulties; boiler reliability; our ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses; labor disputes; genetic and biotechnology issues; changing consumption preferences and trends; increased competitive and/or customer pressure in the corn-refining industry; the outbreak or continuation of serious communicable disease or hostilities including acts of terrorism; stock market fluctuation and volatility; and our ability to maintain sales levels of HFCS in Mexico. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement. If we do update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections. For a further description of these risks, see Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q or 8-K. This news release also may contain references to the Company's long term objectives and goals or targets with respect to certain metrics. These objectives, goals and targets are used as a motivational and management tool and are indicative of the Company's long term aspirations only, and they are not intended to constitute, nor should they be interpreted as, an estimate, projection, forecast or prediction of the Company's future performance. Corn Products International, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, Change 2007 2006 % Net sales before shipping and handling costs $816.7 $665.8 23% Less: shipping and handling costs 54.8 51.0 7% Net sales $761.9 $614.8 24% Cost of sales 615.7 522.1 18% Gross profit $146.2 $92.7 58% Operating expenses 57.6 47.7 21% Other income(expense), net (0.8) 1.2 -167% Operating income $87.8 $46.2 90% Financing costs, net 9.9 6.6 50% Income before income taxes $77.9 $39.6 97% Provision for income taxes 26.5 15.4 $51.4 $24.2 112% Minority interest in earnings 1.4 0.8 75% Net income $50.0 $23.4 114% Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 74.5 74.1 Diluted 76.2 75.4 Earnings per common share: Basic $0.67 $0.32 109% Diluted $0.66 $0.31 113% CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions, except share and per share amounts) March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $87 $131 Accounts receivable - net 369 357 Inventories 340 321 Prepaid expenses 16 12 Deferred income tax assets 12 16 Total current assets $824 $837 Property, plant and equipment - net 1,382 1,356 Goodwill and other intangible assets 428 381 Deferred income tax assets 2 1 Investments 6 33 Other assets 60 54 Total assets $2,702 $2,662 Liabilities and equity Current liabilities Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt 64 74 Deferred income taxes 14 14 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 417 429 Total current liabilities $495 $517 Non-current liabilities 150 147 Long-term debt 494 * 480 Deferred income taxes 120 121 Minority interest in subsidiaries 18 19 Redeemable common stock (529,300 and 1,227,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively) stated at redemption value 18 44 Share-based payments subject to redemption 6 4 Stockholders' equity Preferred stock - authorized 25,000,000 shares- $0.01 par value, none issued -- -- Common stock - authorized 200,000,000 shares- $0.01 par value - 74,790,474 and 74,092,774 issued at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively 1 1 Additional paid in capital 1,077 1,051 Less: Treasury stock (common stock; 1,074,519 and 1,017,207 shares at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively) at cost (30) (27) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (217) (223) Retained earnings 570 528 Total stockholders' equity $1,401 $1,330 Total liabilities and equity $2,702 $2,662 *Includes $255 million of Senior Notes due July 15, 2007 that will be repaid at maturity with net proceeds from the $300 million of long-term Senior Notes sold April 10, 2007 CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended March 31, (In millions) 2007 2006 Cash provided by operating activities: Net income $50 $23 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities: Depreciation 31 28 Increase in trade working capital (32) (56) Other 9 10 Cash provided by operating activities 58 5 Cash used for investing activities: Capital expenditures, net of proceeds on disposal (32) (37) Payments for acquisition (net of cash acquired of $7) (59) -- Other -- 1 Cash used for investing activities (91) (36) Cash used for financing activities: Proceeds from borrowings, net 2 9 Issuances (repurchases) of common stock, net (5) 3 Dividends paid (8) (7) Cash (used for) provided by financing activities (11) 5 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (44) (26) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 131 116 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $87 $90 Corn Products International, Inc. Supplemental Financial Information (Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts) I. Geographic Information of Net Sales and Operating Income Three Months Ended March 31, Change 2007 2006 % Net Sales North America $467.8 $376.3 24% South America 200.4 150.9 33% Asia/Africa 93.7 87.6 7% Total $761.9 $614.8 24% Operating Income North America $61.1 $24.4 150% South America 25.0 19.7 27% Asia/Africa 14.3 13.0 10% Corporate (12.6) (10.9) 16% Total $87.8 $46.2 90% II. Estimated Sources of Diluted Earnings Per Share for the Quarter ended March 31 The following is a list of the major items that impacted our first quarter results. The amounts are calculated on a net after tax basis and attempt to estimate total business effects. Earnings Per Share Three Months Diluted Earnings Per Share - March 31, 2006 $0.31 Change Volumes 0.03 Operating margin 0.30 Foreign currency translation 0.01 Financing costs (0.02) Minority interest (0.01) Effective tax rate 0.05 Shares outstanding (0.01) Net change 0.35 Diluted Earnings Per Share - March 31, 2007 $0.66 III. Capital expenditures Capital expenditures, net of proceeds on disposals, for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, were $32 million and $37 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the full year 2007 are estimated to be $145 million. IV. Non-GAAP Information The Company uses certain key metrics to better monitor our progress towards achieving our strategic business objectives. Among these metrics is the Total Debt to Capitalization Percentage, which is not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that this non-GAAP information provides investors with a meaningful presentation of useful information on a basis consistent with the way in which management monitors and evaluates the Company's operating performance. The information presented should not be considered in isolation and should not be used as a substitute for our financial results calculated under GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP amounts are susceptible to varying interpretations and calculations, and the amounts presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Our calculations of the Total Debt to Capitalization Percentage at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows: Total Debt to Capitalization Percentage March 31, December 31, (Dollars in millions) 2007 2006 Short-term debt $64 $74 Long-term debt 494 480 Total debt (a) $558 $554 Deferred income tax liabilities 120 121 Minority interest in subsidiaries 18 19 Redeemable common stock 18 44 Share-based payments subject to redemption 6 4 Stockholders' equity 1,401 1,330 Total capital $1,563 $1,518 Total debt and capital (b) $2,121 $2,072 Debt to capitalization percentage (a/b) 26.3% 26.7% DATASOURCE: Corn Products International, Inc. CONTACT: Investor, Dave Prichard, +1-708-551-2592, or Media, Mark Lindley, +1-708-551-2602, both of Corn Products International, Inc. Web site: http://www.cornproducts.com/

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