Dean Foods' first quarter proves profitable

Dean Foods Co's net income from continuing operations for the 2007 first quarter totaled $63.2 million, compared with $54.7 million in the 2006 first quarter.

Net sales for the first quarter totaled $2.6 billion, an increase of 5% from net sales for the first quarter of 2006. This was due to strong volume growth at the Dairy Group coupled with the pass-through of higher overall dairy commodity costs and continued sales growth at WhiteWave Foods.

Consolidated operating income in the first quarter was $154.2 million, versus $138.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. Long-term debt as of March 31, 2007, was approximately $3.36 billion.