Revenue during the quarter went up marginally by 2.68 percent to $1,055.16 million from $1,027.63 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 11 basis points over the previous year period to 32.94 percent. Total expenses were 89.79 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 91.05 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 126 basis points in operating margin to 10.21 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $107.76 million, compared with $92.02 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted operating income for the quarter stood at $111.93 million compared to $113.59 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted operating margin contracted 44 basis points in the quarter to 10.61 percent from 11.05 percent in the last year period.

"We are pleased with the overall financial results our broad portfolio delivered in 2016, with continued strong growth in our coffee creamers and beverages and diversified plant-based product portfolios in the Americas and Europe. Our Fresh Foods platform, however, continues to struggle with the after effects of our fourth quarter 2015 SAP implementation, and improving Fresh Foods performance is a key focus area," said Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our teams are focused on delivering even stronger results in 2017, while we continue to work toward closing our pending merger with Danone. We remain confident in the underlying strength of our market-leading brands positioned in on-trend and growing categories, and continue to believe our pending merger with Danone will create the perfect strategic alliance to maximize the long-term global growth of our brands and optimize the profit potential of WhiteWave’s businesses."

The company has spent $307.76 million cash to meet investing activities during the year as against cash outgo of $957.49 million in the last year. It has incurred net capital expenditure of $290.50 million on net basis during the year, up 16.42 percent or $40.97 million from year ago.

Cash flow from financing activities was $10.66 million for the year, down 98.32 percent or $625.25 million, when compared with the last year.

Cash and cash equivalents stood at $45.83 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 18.69 percent or $7.22 million from $38.61 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Working capital increases sharply
The WhiteWave Foods Company has recorded an increase in the working capital over the last year. It stood at $103.30 million as at Dec. 31, 2016, up 4,078.80 percent or $100.83 million from $2.47 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Current ratio was at 1.17 as on Dec. 31, 2016, up from 1 on Dec. 31, 2015.

Debt remains almost stable
Total debt of The WhiteWave Foods Company remained almost stable for the quarter at $2,140.34 million, when compared with the last year period. Total debt was 47.89 percent of total assets as on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with 50.38 percent on Dec. 31, 2015. Debt to equity ratio was at 1.50 as on Dec. 31, 2016, down from 1.76 as on Dec. 31, 2015. Interest coverage ratio improved to 5.85 for the quarter from 4.71 for the same period last year.