After reaching an important support level, Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. CALM surpassed resistance at the 20-day moving average, suggesting a short-term bullish trend.The 20-day simple moving average is a well-liked trading tool because it provides a look back at a stock's price over a 20-day period. Additionally, short-term traders find this SMA very beneficial, as it smooths out short-term price trends and shows more trend reversal signals than longer-term ...

Cal-Maine Foods (CALM 2.46%), the nation's largest egg producer, missed on earnings but announced an agreement to acquire breakfast food manufacturer Echo Lake Foods. Investors weren't sure what to make of it all. In a volatile day for broader markets, shares of Cal-Maine fell 8% at the open, soared as high as up 6% mid-day, and were up about 3% heading into the close.A busy quarterEgg prices have been in the news due to the impact of bird flu, but Cal-Maine is trying its best to remain focused on business ...

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (CALM) reported earnings per share of $10.38 in third-quarter fiscal 2025 (ended March 1, 2025). This represents a significant improvement from earnings of $3.00 in the year-ago quarter, driven by robust demand and elevated egg prices.Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.Egg prices have been high as supply remains constrained due to the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (“HPAI”). Cal-Maine achieved records for a total of dozens sold ...

Core Viewpoint - Cal-Maine Foods, the largest US egg producer, is under investigation by the Justice Department for potential antitrust violations related to egg price increases, leading to a decline in its stock price by over 4% in after-hours trading [1]. Company Performance - Cal-Maine reported nearly doubled sales of $1.42 billion in its fiscal third quarter ending March 1, primarily driven by higher egg prices, which averaged $4.06 per dozen, up from $2.25 per dozen a year ago [4][7]. - The company sold a record 331.4 million dozen eggs in the third quarter, marking a 10% increase from the same period last year [6]. - Despite the significant increase in sales, Cal-Maine's revenue fell short of Wall Street's forecast of $1.43 billion [4]. Financial Metrics - The net income for Cal-Maine in the third quarter more than tripled to $508.5 million compared to the same period last year, translating to a profit of $10.38 per share, which was below analysts' expectations of $10.72 per share [7]. Industry Context - Egg prices have reached record highs, with one dozen Grade A eggs averaging $5.90 in February, a 10.4% increase from the previous year, surpassing January's record of $4.95 [3]. - The surge in egg prices is largely attributed to a bird flu epidemic that has resulted in the culling of over 166 million birds, primarily egg-laying chickens [3][5].

Core Viewpoint - Cal-Maine Foods is under investigation by the Justice Department regarding potential antitrust violations related to egg pricing, which has been a significant factor in U.S. inflation concerns [1][2]. Financial Performance - Cal-Maine reported a nearly doubled net sales of $1.42 billion for the fiscal quarter ending March 1, although this figure fell slightly short of Wall Street expectations [1][2]. - The company experienced a 145% increase in conventional egg sales compared to the same period last year, driven by a 121% surge in prices for conventional eggs, contributing to a $557.4 million increase in net sales [2]. Sales and Pricing Trends - In the last quarter, Cal-Maine sold 331.4 million dozen eggs, marking a 10% year-over-year increase [3]. - Egg prices peaked in February, with wholesale large white eggs reaching over $8 per dozen, before declining to $3.27 per dozen by mid-March [3][7]. Market Context - The surge in egg prices and subsequent shortages have been largely attributed to a bird flu outbreak that has led to the depopulation of 30.3 million birds this year [7]. - Grocery chains, including Walmart and Trader Joe's, have implemented nationwide limits on egg purchases due to the strained supply chain [7]. Stock Performance - Following the announcement of the investigation, Cal-Maine's shares fell 4% in after-hours trading, closing down 3.3% at $90.33, resulting in a 12.2% decline since the beginning of the year [5]. Investigation Details - The Justice Department's investigation aims to determine if there has been any anticompetitive conduct among egg producers [1][6]. - Cal-Maine has stated it is cooperating with the investigation but cannot predict its duration or potential financial impact [2].

Production and Market Position - Cal-Maine Foods has a total flock of approximately 48.9 million layers and 12.3 million pullets and breeders, making it the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the U.S.[94] - In fiscal 2025, the average number of layer hens increased by 14%, and total chicks hatched rose by 24% compared to the prior-year quarter[103]. - Cage-free egg revenue represented approximately 19.2% of total shell egg revenue for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025[105]. - The company has engaged in proactive measures to mitigate the tight egg supply situation, including increasing breeder flocks by 33%[103]. - Ten states have passed legislation mandating cage-free requirements for egg production, affecting approximately 27% of the U.S. population[104]. Financial Performance - In Q3 fiscal 2025, the company recorded a gross profit of $716.1 million, up from $218.6 million in Q3 fiscal 2024, driven by a significant increase in net average selling prices of shell eggs and total dozens sold[111]. - The net average selling price per dozen for Q3 fiscal 2025 was $4.060, compared to $2.247 in the prior-year period, reflecting a 80.5% increase[112]. - Total net sales for Q3 fiscal 2025 reached $1.4 billion, a 101.6% increase from $703.1 million in Q3 fiscal 2024[118]. - Shell egg sales accounted for 94.9% of total net sales in Q3 fiscal 2025, with conventional egg sales increasing by $602.8 million, or 145.7%, compared to Q3 fiscal 2024[119][123]. - For the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, total net sales were $3.2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion for the same period in fiscal 2024, marking an 87.4% increase[120]. - Gross profit for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, was $1.3 billion, compared to $355.1 million for the same period in 2024, reflecting higher net average selling prices[130]. Cost and Expenses - The company’s farm production costs per dozen produced decreased by 5.7%, or $0.06, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower feed costs[114]. - Egg purchases and other costs of sales increased by $163.8 million quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to higher shell egg prices and increased volumes purchased[114]. - Total cost of sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 1, 2025, was $701.6 million, a 44.8% increase compared to $484.5 million for the same period in 2024[126]. - Selling, general, and administrative expenses totaled $79.97 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 1, 2025, a 21.1% increase from $66.02 million for the same period in 2024[132]. - Processing, packaging, and warehouse costs increased by 17.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to the same period in fiscal 2024, due to a 13.5% increase in the volume of processed dozens[129]. Income and Taxation - Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was $635.7 million, compared to $162.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2024[142]. - Income tax expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was $154.9 million, with an effective tax rate of 23.4%[146]. - For the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, pre-tax income was $1.1 billion, a significant increase from $208.0 million for the same period in fiscal 2024[147]. - Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, was $877.6 million, or $17.99 per basic share, compared to $164.6 million, or $3.38 per basic share, for the same period in fiscal 2024[151]. - The effective tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, was 23.8%, compared to 21.5% for the same period in fiscal 2024[150]. Cash Flow and Capital Management - Cash flows from operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, provided $811.7 million, up from $237.6 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2024[153]. - Working capital increased to $1.5 billion at March 1, 2025, compared to $1.0 billion at June 1, 2024, while the current ratio decreased to 3.9 from 5.5[152]. - The company paid dividends of $160.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, compared to $43.0 million in the same prior-year period[155]. - A new $500 million share repurchase program was approved on February 25, 2025, allowing the company to repurchase shares at management's discretion[157]. - The company anticipates that its current cash balances and projected cash flows will be sufficient to fund capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months[163]. Strategic Investments and Acquisitions - The company completed a strategic investment with Crepini LLC, capitalizing the new venture with approximately $6.75 million for a 51% interest[108]. - The acquisition of ISE America, Inc. included assets with a capacity of approximately 4.7 million laying hens, enhancing market reach in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states[107]. - The company acquired the assets of Fassio Egg Farms, Inc. in Q2 fiscal 2024, enhancing its market presence in Utah and the western U.S. for cage-free eggs[110]. - Cash paid for business acquisitions was $116.2 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended March 1, 2025, primarily related to the ISE acquisition[154]. Future Outlook and Expansion - Ongoing expansion projects are expected to add approximately 1.1 million cage-free layer hens and 250,000 pullets, with a projected investment of $60 million[103]. - The company expects to complete construction projects for cage-free production capacity in calendar 2025, adding approximately 1.1 million cage-free layer hens and 250 thousand pullets[162].

Financial Performance - Quarterly net sales reached $1.4 billion, with net income of $508.5 million, or $10.38 per diluted share, compared to $703.1 million and $146.7 million, respectively, in the same quarter last year[11] - Cal-Maine Foods reported net sales of $1,417,685,000 for the 13 weeks ended March 1, 2025, a significant increase from $703,076,000 in the same period last year, representing a growth of approximately 101%[37] - The gross profit for the same quarter was $716,115,000, compared to $218,572,000 in the prior year, indicating a gross profit margin increase from 31.1% to 50.5%[37] - The net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods for the 39 weeks ended March 1, 2025, was $877,573,000, a substantial increase from $164,647,000 in the same period last year[37] Production and Sales - The average number of layer hens increased by 14% year-over-year, and the breeder flocks grew by 33% compared to the prior-year quarter[3] - A record 331.4 million dozen shell eggs were sold, representing a 10.2% increase from 300.8 million dozen in the third quarter of fiscal 2024[13] - The net average selling price per dozen eggs was $4.060, up from $2.247 a year ago, reflecting higher market prices due to reduced supply from HPAI[12] - Farm production costs per dozen were 5.7% lower than the prior-year period, primarily due to favorable commodity pricing for key feed ingredients[16] Acquisitions and Investments - The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Echo Lake Foods for approximately $258 million, expected to close by the end of fiscal 2025[6] - Echo Lake Foods generated annual revenues of approximately $240 million in 2024, with a five-year CAGR of about 10%[6] - The acquisition of Echo Lake Foods is expected to be accretive to Cal-Maine Foods' earnings starting in fiscal 2026, with significant operational synergies anticipated[7] - The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Echo Lake Foods, aiming to diversify its product mix and reduce financial volatility[29] Shareholder Returns - The company approved a $500 million share repurchase program and declared a cash dividend of approximately $170 million, or $3.46 per share[3] - Cal-Maine Foods has a new share repurchase program authorized for up to $500 million, although no shares were repurchased during the third quarter of 2025[25][24] Financial Position - Cash and short-term investments increased to $1,240,373,000 as of March 1, 2025, up from $812,377,000 on June 1, 2024[39] - The total assets of Cal-Maine Foods reached $3,081,569,000, compared to $2,184,761,000 in the previous year, reflecting a growth of approximately 41%[39] Regulatory and Compliance - The company is cooperating with a civil investigative demand related to an antitrust investigation into nationwide egg price increases[26] - The company expects support from the USDA, which announced up to $1 billion in investments to address issues affecting the domestic egg supply[27] Share Statistics - The weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share was 48,971,000 for the quarter, slightly up from 48,884,000 in the previous year[37] Biosecurity Measures - The company has invested over $70 million in biosecurity technology and measures since 2015 to combat ongoing HPAI threats[3]

Core Viewpoint - Cal-Maine is the leading U.S. egg producer, benefiting from a vertically integrated approach in a fragmented market, but faces challenges due to the increasing demand for cage-free eggs [1] Company Overview - Cal-Maine operates as the largest egg producer in the United States, utilizing a vertically integrated business model [1] Market Dynamics - The company has capitalized on its position in a fragmented market, which has allowed it to maintain a competitive edge [1] - There is a growing consumer demand for cage-free eggs, which is testing the company's adaptability to changing market preferences [1]

Core Viewpoint - CalMaine Foods, Inc. (CALM) is outperforming the agriculture products industry, with significant growth in stock price and earnings driven by high egg prices and demand [1][4][9]. Financial Performance - CALM's stock has increased by 49.1% over the past year, while the agriculture industry has declined by 8.4% [4]. - The company reported earnings per share of $4.47 in Q2 fiscal 2025, a substantial increase from $0.35 in the same quarter last year, with sales rising 82.5% to $955 million [9][10]. Return Metrics - Return on equity stands at 33.7%, significantly higher than the sector average of 10.4% and the S&P 500's 31.1% [6]. - Return on assets is at 27.1%, compared to the sector's 5.2% and the S&P 500's 8.3%, indicating efficient asset utilization [6]. Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CALM's earnings in 2025 and 2026 has increased by 82.6% and 34.4%, respectively, reflecting positive analyst sentiment [7]. Growth Drivers - CALM is investing $60 million in new capital projects to expand cage-free capacity, which includes adding production capacity for 1.1 million cage-free layer hens and 250,000 pullets by late summer 2025 [11]. - The company is also expanding its egg product processing facility in Georgia with a $15 million investment to produce extended shelf-life liquid egg products [12]. - Recent acquisitions, including assets from Deal-Rite Feeds, Inc., will help lower production costs and improve efficiencies [13]. Market Conditions - High egg prices are driven by supply constraints due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which have led to the depopulation of 30.3 million birds this year [10][15]. - The USDA has initiated a $1 billion strategy to combat HPAI and stabilize egg prices, which includes funding for biosecurity and financial relief for affected farmers [16]. Strategic Initiatives - CALM is diversifying its product offerings by investing in ventures like Meadowcreek Foods and Crepini Foods, aiming to reach major retailers with value-added egg products [14]. - The company's expansion into specialty egg production and cage-free operations positions it for long-term growth and competitive advantage [17].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government is taking measures to address the egg shortage by importing eggs and investing in the egg production industry, which is expected to positively impact Cal-Maine Foods' costs and profits [1][4][6]. Group 1: Egg Shortage and Government Response - The Biden administration has ordered the culling of over 140 million egg-laying hens due to avian flu concerns, leading to a significant decrease in egg supply and rising prices [2]. - Turkey plans to sell 420 million eggs to the U.S. this year, which is six times the amount imported in 2024, but this will only replace the output of approximately 1.4 million U.S. hens [3]. Group 2: Government Investment - The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced a plan to invest up to $1 billion to address the egg crisis, including $100 million for new vaccines, $400 million in subsidies for affected egg producers, and $500 million for biosecurity measures [4]. - The government is also considering expanding the list of countries from which eggs can be imported, moving beyond Turkey to include three or four additional countries [5]. Group 3: Implications for Cal-Maine Foods - The influx of government subsidies and spending to promote egg production is likely to lower costs for Cal-Maine Foods and improve its profitability, although the exact impact remains uncertain [6].