Sector: Consumer Staples|Industry: Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries|Market Cap: $17.13B|Employees: 5.7K
Brown-Forman Corporation is a global beverage alcohol company that manufactures, distills, bottles, imports, exports, markets, and sells a wide variety of beverage alcohol products under recognized brands. The company's core business revolves around its portfolio of over 40 spirit, ready-to-drink cocktail, and wine brands, with a primary focus on premium and above price points. Brown-Forman has a significant geographic presence, selling its products in over 170 countries, with the United States being its most important market.
Net sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2025, were $3.1 billion, a 4% decrease compared to the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to the negative impact of recent divestitures (Finlandia vodka and Sonoma-Cutrer wine) and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
Gross profit decreased by 6% to $1.8 billion, with gross margin declining 1.5 percentage points to 59.4%. This decrease was largely driven by higher input costs and the negative effect of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by favorable price/mix, the impact of JDCC, and the positive effect of acquisitions and divestitures.
Operating income decreased 13% to $902 million, primarily driven by higher costs, the absence of the gain on sale of the Finlandia vodka business, the negative effect of foreign exchange, and restructuring and other costs. This was partially offset by lower SG&A and advertising expenses, favorable price/mix, the franchise tax refund, and the gain on sale of the Alabama cooperage.