Results of Operations

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549   FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 16, 2012 SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Virginia   1-15321   52-0845861     (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)     200 Commerce Street Smithfield, Virginia   23430     (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)   Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (757) 365-3000 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):     o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Section 2 – Financial Information Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On May 16, 2012, Smithfield Foods, Inc. (the "Company") announced that C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer, and Robert W. Manly, executive vice president and chief financial officer, of the Company, will make a presentation at the BMO Capital Markets 2012 Farm to Market Conference in New York, New York. The slides to be used at the conference are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated by reference herein. The press release contains certain non-GAAP financial information about the Registrant. The Registrant has reconciled the non-GAAP financial measure to the GAAP financial measure, which is contained within the presentation. The non-GAAP financial measure in the presentation uses a financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP as a starting point. The GAAP measure is adjusted by the impact of certain significant items to arrive at the non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure reflects an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed together with our financial results computed in accordance with GAAP, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our historical financial performance and projected future operating results. This combined view of GAAP and non-GAAP measures also provides greater transparency of underlying profit trends and better comparability of results across periods. Additionally, investors frequently request information from management regarding significant items and management believes, based on feedback it has received during earnings calls and discussions with investors, that these non-GAAP measures enhance investors' ability to assess our historical performance and to project future financial performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be a substitute for the comparable GAAP measure and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management also uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures, to understand, manage and evaluate our businesses and in planning for and forecasting financial results for future periods Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d) Exhibits     99.1 Slides to be used in the Company’s presentation at the BMO Capital Markets 2012 Farm to Market Conference on May 16, 2012. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.       Date: May 16, 2012   /s/ Michael H. Cole     Michael H. Cole     Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99.1 Slides to be used in the Company’s presentation at the BMO Capital Markets 2012 Farm to Market Conference on May 16, 2012. 4