date:Mar 24, 2014
riod. The comparable decline largely reflects lower incentive and pension costs.
Equity method investment earnings were $11 million for the current quarter and $12 million in the year-ago period.
Net interest expense was $95 million in the current quarter and $71 million in the year-ago period; the increase reflects the incremental interest related to the debt incurred to fund acquisitions, principally Ralcorp.
Capital Items
Dividends for the current quarter totaled $105 million versus $101 m