DALLAS, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) today announced that the company earned $0.52 per diluted share from continuing operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, as compared to $0.39 per diluted share from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2004. Net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2005 totaled $81.2 million, compared with $63.3 million in the prior year second quarter.
On an adjusted basis (as defined below), diluted earnings from continuing operations increased 36% to $0.53 per share, compared to $0.39 in last year's second quarter. Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the second quarter was $82.7 million compared to $63.3 million in the second quarter of 2004.
"Our second quarter results demonstrate further progress toward meeting our operational and strategic goals," said Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our Dairy Group turned in another strong quarter, and WhiteWave Foods posted significantly increased profitability. Additionally, we successfully completed the spin-off of TreeHouse Foods, signed a definitive agreement to divest our Marie's dressings and Dean's dips businesses, and lowered our future interest expense through an amendment of our bank credit facility."
Net sales for the second quarter totaled $2.6 billion, on par with the second quarter of 2004, primarily due to higher fluid dairy volumes and increased sales at WhiteWave Foods, which were offset by the pass-through of lower raw milk and butterfat costs in the Dairy Group.
Consolidated operating income from continuing operations in the second quarter totaled $173.5 million versus $147.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. Adjusted second quarter operating income totaled $175.9 million, a 19.5% increase compared to $147.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. The company's adjusted second quarter 2005 operating margin was 6.71%, up 110 basis points versus the second quarter of the prior year. The increase in the consolidated operating margin was primarily due to the positive impact of lower raw milk and butterfat costs and increased profitability at WhiteWave Foods. Included in operating income for the second quarter of 2005 is a $3.9 million charge ($0.02 net of tax), which represents one half of the total expense related to the accelerated vesting of stock units issued to key employees in January 2003. The balance of this expense, or approximately $0.02 per share net of tax, will be recognized in the third quarter of 2005. The acceleration of these stock units occurred because the price of the company's common stock achieved a price appreciation target that represents an increase of more than 50% from the stock price on the date of the grant. Offsetting second quarter expenses is a gain of $4.5 million recorded in the second quarter due to the favorable settlement of class action litigation related to high-fructose corn syrup purchases made by the company in prior years.
The company repaid $117.4 million of debt during the second quarter, bringing total debt repayments for the year to $269.1 million. Long-term debt as of June 30, 2005 was approximately $3.0 billion, including $56 million due within one year that is reported as part of current liabilities. At the end of the quarter, approximately $1 billion of the company's senior credit facility was available for future borrowings.