Topic: Growth Stocks

The Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, June 12, 2009

Article Excerpt

GENERAL MILLS INC., $54.92, New York symbol GIS, rose 4% this week after the company announced that it expects to report earnings of $3.87 to $3.89 a share in its latest fiscal year, which ended May 31, 2009. That’s slightly higher than its previous forecast of $3.78 to $3.83. These figures exclude unusual items, mainly gains and losses on hedging contracts that General Mills uses to lock in prices for wheat, corn and other raw materials. General Mills is the second-largest cereal maker in the United States, after Kellogg. It also makes other foods, including yogurt, baking mixes and canned and frozen vegetables. The company raised its selling prices last year in response to rising raw-material costs. These costs have since stabilized, so General Mills will now look to new products to increase its sales instead of relying on higher prices. For example, the company continues to develop healthier versions of its foods, such as low-sodium soups and gluten-free cereals for people…