Restructuring Charges Move Dole to Loss

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Dole Food Company Inc. reported a loss in the third quarter, in part due to charges related to restructuring and overseas currency fluctuations. However, shares rose Monday in after-hours trading on the company’s adjusted results.

After the markets closed, the Westlake Village fruit and produce company reported a net loss of $53 million (-61 cents per share) from continuing operations for the quarter ended Oct. 9, compared with net income $31 million (35 cents) a year earlier.

Revenue rose 3 percent to $1.99 billion, with fresh vegetable sales up 9 percent, packaged food up 8 percent and fresh fruit down less than 1 percent.

Adjusted for currency fluctuations and charges related to restructuring European operations, per-share profit was 35 cents. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected per-share profit of 16 cents on revenue of $1.97 billion.

Dole began to downsize and restructure its European banana operations, which the company expects will result in savings of $34 million next year. However, the restructuring and charges for long-term receivables cost Dole $24 million in the quarter. The fresh fruit unit also was hurt by lower earnings in its European distribution business and higher banana fruit costs in North America and Europe.

“Despite challenging conditions in our fresh-fruit segment, we reported strong financial results for the third quarter,” said Chief Executive David A. DeLorenzo in a statement. “We believe our restructuring efforts will reduce our costs, improve our profitability and generally better align our operations with the current European market.”

Shares earlier closed down 41 cents, or 4 percent, to $9.96 on the New York Stock Exchange, but were up more than 2 percent in after-hours trading.

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