Campbell Soup profit falls 7 pct; revenue rises

On an adjusted basis, however, the company posted a profit and revenue growth in its fiscal second quarter that were better than Wall Street analysts expected.

Campbell, based in Camden, N.J., has struggled in recent years amid tough competition and declining consumption of canned soups. It's been working to revitalize its main business with new flavors and packaging designed to appeal to younger people. For example, instead of the company's iconic cans, the newest soups come in plastic pouches that can be torn open and microwaved.

Sales in the company's U.S. soup division rose 1 percent, while sales of sauces such as Prego pasta sauce were unchanged. Together, that division's sales rose 1 percent to $833 million. The company's ready-to-serve soup sales grew 8 percent, helped by Campbell's Chunky canned soups and new products. But the microwavable soups declined.

Sales in the company's global snacks division, which includes Pepperidge Farm cookies, rose 7 percent to $561 million.