General Mills Inc. (GIS:NYSE)

General Mills Inc. has introduced frozen fruit and yogurt smoothies under its Yoplait brand. The Yoplait Frozen Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies are available in three flavors: Triple Berry, Strawberry Banana and Strawberry Mango Pineapple. Each freezer package contains frozen fruit and real Yoplait yogurt.

General Mills Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended August 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported a operating profit of $692.9 million and net earnings of $420.6 million or $1.25 per diluted share on net sales of $3,518.8 million against operating profit of $471.0 million and net earnings of $278.5 million or $0.79 per diluted share on net sales of $3,497.3 million for the same period a year ago. Earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures was $601.0 million against $384.4 million for the same period a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $275.1 million against $225.9 million for the same period a year ago. Purchases of land, buildings, and equipment were $126.3 million against $128.6 million for the same period a year ago. The comparison was difficult, as the company's net sales grew 14% in last year's first quarter. Foreign currency translation reduced 2010 first-quarter sales growth by 2% points. Pound volume matched year-ago levels, reflecting the loss of 2 points of growth from divested product lines. Adjusted operating profit was $707.7 million against $562.4 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted net earnings were $429.9 million against $336.1 million for the same period a year ago. The company revised earnings guidance for the full year of 2009. The company also raised its 2010 full-year EPS guidance to a range of $4.40 to $4.45 per share excluding any impact from mark-to-market effects. Previously, the company's 2010 EPS guidance had been a range of $4.20 to $4.25 per share excluding any mark-to-market impact. The new EPS guidance for 2010 represents growth of 11% to 12% from comparable earnings of $3.98 in fiscal 2009.

The General Mills Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend at the prevailing rate of $0.47 per share, payable Nov. 2, 2009, to shareholders of record Oct. 12, 2009.