Core Insights - Smithfield Foods has launched a new national advertising campaign titled "We Speak Pork," aimed at highlighting the quality and flavor of its pork products [1][3]. Group 1: Campaign Details - The campaign features Ben Schwartz, an Emmy Award-winning writer and actor, as the voice for Smithfield's product portfolio, which includes bacon, Prime Fresh lunch meat, smoked hams, and pre-marinated pork tenderloins [2][3]. - The campaign is designed to appeal to Gen Z and Millennials, using bold visuals to showcase the versatility and convenience of Smithfield's products [4]. Group 2: Market Position - Smithfield holds the 1 market position in uncooked bacon and smoked ham in the U.S., and ranks in the top ten for uncooked breakfast sausage and packaged lunch meat [5]. - Smithfield Foods' brands, including Eckrich, Farmland, and Nathan's Famous, hold the 2 overall U.S. market position for branded packaged meats, with top-three shares in 15 of the 25 packaged meats categories [6]. Group 3: Brand Identity - Smithfield is recognized not only for high-quality pork products but also for its commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity, and safety standards in meat production [7]. - The company emphasizes its long-standing history, having been established in 1936, and its dedication to meeting consumer demand for quality protein [9].

Core Viewpoint - Smithfield Foods, Inc. has announced a quarterly dividend payment of $0.25 per share, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders [1] Company Overview - Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a leading American food company specializing in packaged meats and fresh pork products, with a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers [2]

Group 1 - Smithfield Foods is rated with a buy rating, indicating a positive outlook for the company's profitability in the coming years [1] - The company is focused on increasing its revenues, although specific targets or strategies are not detailed in the provided text [1] Group 2 - Daniel Mellado, an economist with a Master's Degree in Statistics, has experience in analyzing agricultural commodities and managing trading and data analysis teams [1] - Mellado's expertise includes developing strategies for algorithmic trading and analyzing financial statements, regulations, and macroeconomic variables to generate investment recommendations [1]

Core Viewpoint - Smithfield Foods, Inc. will release its financial results for Q2 of fiscal 2025 on August 12, 2025, before market open, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1] Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 will be released before market open on August 12, 2025 [1] - A conference call is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results [1] - A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online [1] Group 2: Conference Call Replay - A recorded replay of the conference call will be available approximately three hours after the call concludes [2] - The replay can be accessed online and via telephone with a specific pin number [2] - The replay will be available until August 19, 2025 [2] Group 3: Company Overview - Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a leading American food company specializing in packaged meats and fresh pork products [3] - The company has a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers [3] - Smithfield Foods aims to responsibly meet the global demand for quality protein [3]

Core Insights - Nathan's Famous has partnered with the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to launch a campaign that highlights the connection between the subway lines N, F, and Q, which lead directly to Coney Island, the brand's historical location [5][6][7]. Company Overview - Nathan's Famous, Inc. is a Russell 2000 Company that distributes its products across 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 20 foreign countries through various channels including product licensing and foodservice sales [10]. Campaign Details - The campaign, titled "Follow the (F)rank Line," runs from July 14 through August 10 and includes subway takeovers, digital signage, and social media content aimed at driving traffic to Nathan's flagship location [7][8]. - This initiative coincides with National Hot Dog Day on July 16 and builds on the brand's "100% Beef, 100% New York" platform launched in 2024 [5][8]. Strategic Partnership - Smithfield Foods holds a license agreement with Nathan's Famous, granting exclusive rights to manufacture, distribute, market, and sell Nathan's branded hot dogs and sausages in refrigerated consumer packages within the U.S. [6].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a solid total food sales growth of +2.8%/+3.2% year-over-year for the latest 4 weeks and 12 weeks, aligning with the long-term trend of low single-digit growth [1][6]. Core Insights - Total food sales growth is primarily driven by pricing, although there is a noted decline in volumes across most packaged food categories, with HSY being an exception due to pricing support [1][9]. - All companies within the coverage have lost market share in their top categories, indicating competitive pressures [1][10]. Department & Category Detail - Total food sales increased by +2.8% year-over-year in the latest 4 weeks, with private label products leading in most categories [2]. - Total equivalent (EQ) units decreased by -0.5% year-over-year, with branded products slightly outperforming private label products [2][5]. - Yogurt and packaged coffee showed the highest sales growth at +13.5% and +13.4% year-over-year, respectively, with private label sales growth strongest in snack/variety packs, meal combos, and packaged coffee [5][7]. Company Performance - CAG reported a sales decline of -1% year-over-year, driven by lower prices, while volumes remained flat [9]. - GIS experienced a -2% year-over-year sales decline, attributed to lower volumes [10]. - HSY saw a sales increase of +5% year-over-year, supported by higher prices and volumes [11]. - K reported a -3% year-over-year sales decline, primarily due to lower volumes [12]. - KHC's sales declined by -4% year-over-year, with lower volumes impacting performance [13]. - MDLZ reported a -1% year-over-year sales decline, driven by lower prices [14]. - SFD experienced a -1% year-over-year sales decline, although packaged lunchmeat showed strong growth [15].

Company Overview - Farmland, founded in 1959, is dedicated to delivering high-quality, flavorful meats and has a strong commitment to quality and craftsmanship [5] - The brand is part of Smithfield Foods, a leading American food company known for its packaged meats and fresh pork products [6] New Product Launch - Farmland has introduced a new Premium Ground Pork line with two flavor varieties: Original and Taco Style, designed for versatility in various dishes [2] - The company also launched Julienne Turkey, which is fully cooked and sliced, aimed at enhancing salads, wraps, and casseroles [3] Brand Commitment - The new campaign emphasizes the brand's mission of providing the best quality food, reaffirmed by the slogan "Our Best for Your Best" [4] - Farmland's products are now available at select retailers, reflecting the brand's ongoing commitment to quality since its inception [4]

Group 1 - Smithfield Foods is the largest producer of pork-based products globally and holds a top market share in several prepared food categories domestically [1] - The company has a beneficial long position in its shares, indicating confidence in its stock performance [2] - The founder of Tradition Investment Management, which publishes Building Benjamins, has a strong background in investment management and has been recognized for his performance [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial metrics or performance data for Smithfield Foods [1][2][3]

Core Insights - Seeking Alpha welcomes a new contributing analyst, Abdul-Rahman Bhery, who is encouraged to share investment ideas and insights [1] Group 1 - The new analyst has a strong background in equity research and investment analysis, holding certifications such as FMVA and FPWMP, which enhance skills in financial statement analysis and valuation modeling [2] - The analyst has participated in the CFA Research Challenge, gaining practical experience in equity analysis and industry research [2] - The focus of the analyst's research is primarily on the U.S. equity market, particularly in the consumer staples sector, which is viewed as offering resilient long-term investment opportunities [2] Group 2 - The analyst has experience preparing investment reports across various sectors, including healthcare, consumer staples, and industrials, which has improved the ability to evaluate companies across diverse industries [2] - The analyst holds a degree in Finance from Alexandria University, graduating in 2024 with a CGPA of 3.6, indicating a solid academic foundation in finance [2]

Financial Performance - Sales for the three months ended March 30, 2025, were $3,771 million, an increase of 9.5% compared to $3,444 million for the same period in 2024[8] - Gross profit for the same period was $510 million, up 40.9% from $362 million year-over-year[8] - Net income from continuing operations attributable to Smithfield was $224 million, representing a 96.5% increase from $114 million in the prior year[8] - Comprehensive income attributable to Smithfield for the three months ended March 30, 2025, was $267 million, compared to $105 million for the same period in 2024[9] - Operating profit for the consolidated entity was $321 million for Q1 2025, compared to $163 million in Q1 2024, marking a significant increase of approximately 96.3%[35] - Other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 30, 2025, was $43 million, compared to a loss of $24 million for the same period in 2024[99] Assets and Equity - Total assets as of March 30, 2025, were $11,146 million, a slight increase from $11,054 million at the end of 2024[12] - Total shareholders' equity increased to $6,225 million as of March 30, 2025, compared to $5,834 million at the end of 2024[12] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $928 million, down from $943 million at the end of 2024[12] - Accounts receivable increased to $680 million as of March 30, 2025, from $494 million as of December 29, 2024, indicating a rise of 37.6%[57] - Total inventories decreased slightly to $2,385 million as of March 30, 2025, from $2,412 million as of December 29, 2024[59] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - The company reported net cash flows used in operating activities of continuing operations of $(166) million for the three months ended March 30, 2025[14] - Capital expenditures for the same period were $79 million, compared to $92 million in the prior year[14] - The company completed its IPO on January 29, 2025, issuing 26,086,958 shares at $20.00 per share, raising net proceeds of $236 million[92] Segment Performance - The Packaged Meats segment generated sales of $2,024 million in Q1 2025, compared to $1,999 million in Q1 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of about 1.3%[35] - The Fresh Pork segment reported sales of $2,033 million in Q1 2025, up from $1,938 million in Q1 2024, indicating a growth of approximately 4.9%[35] - The Hog Production segment reported sales of $932 million in Q1 2025, compared to $706 million in Q1 2024, representing an increase of approximately 32%[35] - The Packaged Meats segment's operating profit was $266 million in Q1 2025, compared to $286 million in Q1 2024, showing a decline of about 7%[35] - The Fresh Pork segment's operating profit was $82 million in Q1 2025, down from $110 million in Q1 2024, showing a decrease of 25.5%[35] Strategic Initiatives - The company completed the acquisition of a dry sausage production facility for $38 million on July 30, 2024, to enhance its value-added packaged meats business[45] - The carve-out and distribution of European operations to WH Group was completed on August 26, 2024, marking a strategic shift in geographical focus[39] - The company will supply approximately 3.2 million hogs annually to Murphy Family Farms as part of its restructuring strategy[52] Derivative Instruments and Hedging - As of March 30, 2025, the total fair value of derivative instruments was $47 million, an increase from $15 million on December 29, 2024[63] - The notional volume of open derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedging relationships included 722,379,000 pounds of lean hogs and 37,180,000 bushels of corn[68] - For the three months ended March 30, 2025, the total derivative loss recognized in sales was $2 million, compared to a loss of $12 million for the same period in 2024[74] - The company recognized pre-tax gains of $45 million on commodity contracts in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 30, 2025[68] Legal and Contingent Liabilities - The company reported contingent liabilities of $141 million related to litigation matters[122] - The company made aggregate payments of $194 million to settle class claims in antitrust price-fixing litigation[124] - The company intends to vigorously defend against ongoing antitrust litigation claims, including those related to wage-fixing violations[127]