Financial Performance - Net sales increased by 17.6% to $263.2 million for Q1 2025, compared to $223.8 million in the prior year period[3] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $12.7 million, a decrease from net income of $18.6 million in the prior year period[5] - Adjusted Gross Profit was $120.2 million, or 45.7% of net sales, compared to $101.5 million, or 45.3% of net sales, in the prior year[4] - Gross profit rose to $103,788 thousand, representing a 17.7% increase compared to $88,158 thousand in the prior year[26] - The company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $12,697 thousand for Q1 2025, compared to a net income of $18,602 thousand in Q1 2024[26] - Adjusted gross profit for Q1 2025 was $120,245 thousand, with an adjusted gross profit margin of 45.7%, slightly up from 45.3% in Q1 2024[30] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $35.5 million, up from $30.6 million in the prior year[7] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $35,534 thousand, which is 13.5% of net sales, compared to $30,579 thousand or 13.7% of net sales in Q1 2024[33] Expenses and Costs - SG&A expenses rose to $115.3 million, representing 43.8% of net sales, an increase of 820 basis points from 35.6% in the prior year[4] - Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $115,285 thousand, up 44.7% from $79,695 thousand in the same quarter last year[31] - The company incurred $10,680 thousand in distributor transition costs due to a change in distribution strategy[32] - The provision for loss on accounts receivable was $11,452 thousand, significantly higher than $4 thousand in the same period last year[29] - The company reported a depreciation and amortization expense of $21,827 thousand, up from $15,902 thousand in Q1 2024[29] Guidance and Future Plans - The company updated its 2025 guidance, expecting net sales between $1.12 billion and $1.15 billion, a growth of 15% to 18% from 2024[13] - Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 is now projected to be between $190 million and $210 million, down from at least $210 million previously[13] - The company plans capital expenditures of approximately $225 million, reduced from previous guidance of $250 million[13] - Freshpet aims to adapt its growth plans to current economic challenges while focusing on operational improvements for long-term success[2] Cash and Debt Position - Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, were $243.7 million, with total debt outstanding of $395.7 million[7] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $243,732 thousand, down from $257,894 thousand at the end of Q1 2024[29]

Core Insights - Freshpet, Inc. reported a net sales growth of approximately 17.6% for Q1 2025, reaching $263.2 million compared to $223.8 million in the prior year [4][9] - The company experienced a net loss of $12.7 million in Q1 2025, a significant decline from a net income of $18.6 million in the same period last year [8][9] - Freshpet has adjusted its 2025 outlook due to macroeconomic challenges, projecting net sales between $1.12 billion and $1.15 billion, a decrease from previous guidance [12][16] Financial Performance - Net sales increased by 17.6% to $263.2 million, driven by a volume gain of 14.9% and a favorable price/mix of 2.7% [4][9] - Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $103.8 million, maintaining a gross margin of 39.4%, while adjusted gross profit was $120.2 million, or 45.7% of net sales [5][9][30] - Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) rose to $115.3 million, increasing as a percentage of net sales to 43.8% from 35.6% in the prior year [6][9] Adjusted Metrics - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $35.5 million, up from $30.6 million in the prior year, reflecting improved adjusted gross profit despite higher SG&A [10][9] - Adjusted gross margin improved slightly to 45.7% from 45.3% year-over-year, indicating operational efficiency [5][30] - Adjusted SG&A expenses were $84.7 million, or 32.2% of net sales, compared to $70.9 million, or 31.7% of net sales, in the prior year [6][31] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of March 31, 2025, Freshpet had cash and cash equivalents of $243.7 million and total debt of $395.7 million [11][24] - Cash from operations for the quarter was $4.8 million, a decrease from the previous year, indicating tighter cash flow management [11][29] - The company plans to utilize its balance sheet to support ongoing capital needs related to its long-term capacity plan [11] Outlook - Freshpet has revised its 2025 guidance, now expecting net sales growth of 15% to 18% compared to the previous forecast of 21% to 24% [12][16] - The adjusted EBITDA guidance has also been lowered to a range of $190 million to $210 million, down from at least $210 million [12][16] - Capital expenditures are now projected at approximately $225 million, reduced from the previous estimate of $250 million [12][16]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Freshpet despite higher revenues, with the actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Freshpet is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.11 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 47.6%, while revenues are projected to be $259.92 million, an increase of 16.1% from the previous year [3]. - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 28.49% over the last 30 days, indicating a bearish sentiment among analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that the Most Accurate Estimate for Freshpet is lower than the consensus estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -57.87%, which complicates the prediction of an earnings beat [10][11]. - Freshpet currently holds a Zacks Rank of 5, further indicating a challenging outlook for surpassing the consensus EPS estimate [11]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Freshpet was expected to earn $0.44 per share but only achieved $0.36, resulting in a surprise of -18.18% [12]. - Over the past four quarters, Freshpet has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times [13]. Conclusion - Freshpet does not appear to be a strong candidate for an earnings beat, and investors should consider additional factors when evaluating the stock ahead of its earnings release [16].

BEDMINSTER, N.J., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freshpet, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRPT) (“Freshpet” or the “Company”) today announced it will report results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 on Monday, May 5, 2025 before market open. The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET on Monday, May 5, 2025. To participate on the live call, listeners ...

The stock market in general traded listlessly on Tuesday, but the trajectory of Freshpet (FRPT -2.87%) shares was particularly uninspiring. On the back of an analyst's price-target cut, the next-generation pet care specialist's stock closed the day nearly 3% lower. By contrast, the bellwether S&P 500 index essentially traded sideways.Time for a trimBefore market open that day, Piper Sandler prognosticator Michael Lavery reduced his fair value assessment on Freshpet to $145 per share. That was down from his ...

Group 1 - Freshpet's stock closed at $86.64, reflecting a slight increase of +0.25% from the previous trading day, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.08% [1] - Over the past month, Freshpet's shares have declined by 18.77%, underperforming the Consumer Staples sector, which gained 1.88% [1] Group 2 - Freshpet is expected to report an EPS of $0.20, a decrease of 4.76% from the same quarter last year, with anticipated revenue of $266.89 million, representing a 19.23% increase year-over-year [2] - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $1.44 per share and revenue at $1.19 billion, indicating increases of +87.01% and +21.66% respectively from the prior year [3] Group 3 - Recent changes in analyst estimates for Freshpet are seen as indicators of the company's business outlook, with positive revisions suggesting optimism [3][4] - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates estimate changes, currently ranks Freshpet at 3 (Hold), following a 7.01% decline in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate over the past month [5] Group 4 - Freshpet's Forward P/E ratio stands at 59.89, significantly higher than the industry's average Forward P/E of 16.48, indicating a premium valuation [6] - The Food - Miscellaneous industry, part of the Consumer Staples sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 162, placing it in the bottom 36% of over 250 industries [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Freshpet has experienced a significant decline in stock price, nearly 11% week-to-date, following a downgrade and price target cuts from analysts [1] Analyst Downgrade - Oppenheimer's Rupesh Parikh downgraded Freshpet's recommendation from outperform to perform, removing the previous price target of $140 per share [2] - The downgrade reflects management's subdued outlook and disappointing guidance, suggesting investors should wait for signs of improvement [3] Price Target Cuts - JPMorgan's Ken Goldman reduced his price target for Freshpet from $154 to $102, indicating the stock is fairly valued at this new level [4] - Stifel's Mark Astrachan lowered his target from $155 to $135, maintaining a buy recommendation [4] Business Strategy and Outlook - Despite recent challenges, Freshpet's focus on healthy pet food products is viewed as a solid business strategy, with potential for robust growth [5] - The stock may be considered a "buy on weakness" opportunity for investors [5]

J.P. Morgan analyst Ken Goldman cut the price forecast for Freshpet, Inc. FRPT from $154 to $102 while maintaining a Neutral rating.The analyst says that key concerns for the company include changing consumption trends (particularly among lower- and middle-income consumers and in terms of household penetration) and uncertainity about accuracy of consensus estimates for first-quarter FY25 and beyond.Meanwhile, Goldman cites the company’s strong revenue growth, which is among the best in U.S. consumer staples ...

Core Viewpoint - Freshpet, Inc. is under investigation for potential securities fraud and unlawful business practices following disappointing financial results that led to a significant drop in stock price [1][2]. Financial Performance - On February 20, 2025, Freshpet reported its financial results for Q4 and the full year ended December 31, 2024, which included sales and profits that did not meet consensus expectations [2]. - Following the announcement, Freshpet's stock price decreased by $24.18 per share, or 18.53%, closing at $106.38 per share on the same day [2]. Legal Investigation - Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Freshpet investors regarding possible securities fraud or other unlawful business practices by the company and its officers and/or directors [1]. - Pomerantz LLP is recognized for its expertise in corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation, having a long history of fighting for victims of securities fraud [3].

The Zacks Food-Miscellaneous industry is grappling with challenges stemming from a tough macroeconomic landscape, where inflation has strained consumer budgets and driven a shift toward private-label alternatives. In addition, rising input and operational expenses continue to weigh on profit margins. To navigate these headwinds, companies are focusing on cost efficiencies, investing in innovation and expanding their portfolios with health-conscious and budget-friendly offerings. These strategic initiatives ...