The Simply Good Foods Co. (NASDAQ:SMPL) is one of the 10 best small-cap consumer staples stocks to buy under $30. As of the close of play on March 20, The Simply Good Foods Co. (NASDAQ:SMPL) carried a moderately bullish consensus sentiment. The stock received coverage from 7 analysts, 4 of whom assigned Buy ratings and 3 gave Hold calls. The stock has a projected median 1-year price target of $27.40, yielding an upside of almost 94%. marilyn barbone/Shutterstock.com On March 16, Jefferies upgraded The ...

DENVER, March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Simply Good Foods Company (NASDAQ: SMPL) (“Simply Good Foods” or the “Company”), a leader in the Nutritional Snacking category, today announced it will report financial results for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 on Thursday, April 9, 2026. A press release will be issued that morning, followed by a live conference call beginning at 6:30 a.m. Mountain Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Participating on the call will be Joe Scalzo, President and Chief Executiv ...

Simply Good Foods upgraded by Jefferies on Quest brand’s momentum amid 'protein megatrend' Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Jefferies has upgraded shares of The Simply Good Foods Company (NASDAQ:SMPL), arguing that the company’s valuation does not fully reflect the strength of its Quest brand and broader exposure to growing demand for protein-focused products. The analysts see the company as well-positioned within the “protein megatrend,” with more than 85% of its sales tied to “Easy Prote ...

Core Viewpoint - The Simply Good Foods Company has seen a stock price increase following an upgrade from Jefferies, which highlights the company's growth potential driven by trends in protein consumption and convenient nutrition products [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Simply Good Foods has achieved an average revenue growth of about 10% annually over the past four years, largely due to the success of its nutrition bar and protein chip brand, Quest, which has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 17% [1][2] - The Atkins weight-management brand has experienced a decline of roughly 5%, indicating challenges within that segment [2] Group 2: Strategic Developments - The acquisition of OWYN has contributed to about 10% of fiscal 2025 sales, enhancing the company's presence in the plant-based protein market, although it has faced slower growth due to product quality concerns [2] - Jefferies has assigned EBITDA multiples of 10x to Quest and 8x to OWYN, leading to an implied equity value of approximately $2 billion, while excluding the Atkins brand from the valuation due to category headwinds [5] Group 3: Market Conditions - Increasing competition and inflation are beginning to pressure both growth and margins for Simply Good Foods, reflecting broader trends in the specialized protein-focused industry [3] - Revenue and earnings are expected to grow at compound annual rates of roughly 2% and 1%, respectively, from fiscal 2026 through fiscal 2028 [3] Group 4: Valuation Insights - Despite lower growth projections, Jefferies believes the current valuation, around five times forward EBITDA, underestimates the strength of the Quest brand and the strategic value of the company's portfolio [4][5] - The recent management change may introduce several strategic paths for the Atkins and OWYN brands, but the current valuation is seen as providing a meaningful margin of safety [5]

Core Insights - The Simply Good Foods Company has appointed Matt Siler as Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury, effective March 2, 2026, following the departure of Josh Levine on February 27, 2026 [1][2] Group 1: Leadership Changes - Matt Siler brings over two decades of institutional investing experience and has previously held roles in Investor Relations at TreeHouse Foods and Vital Farms [2] - The CFO of Simply Good Foods, Chris Bealer, expressed enthusiasm for Siler's appointment and wished Levine well in his future endeavors [2] Group 2: Company Overview - Simply Good Foods is a consumer-packaged food and beverage company based in Denver, Colorado, focusing on nutritional snacking with brands like Quest™, Atkins™, and OWYN™ [3] - The company aims to innovate and expand its healthy lifestyle platform through organic growth and external investment opportunities [3]

Core Insights - Simply Good Foods (SMPL) shares have decreased by 54% over the past year, currently priced at $17.05, compared to a 52-week high of $38.16, indicating significant market volatility [1] - The return of founder Joe Scalzo as CEO on January 19, 2026, has shifted market sentiment positively, with Reddit sentiment increasing from 60 to 72 out of 100, primarily due to insider buying activity [1] - Scalzo's return raises questions about whether he can effectively turn around the company or if he is merely a temporary leader in a struggling organization [1] Company Performance - Simply Good Foods has experienced a substantial decline in stock value, with shares falling to $17.05 from a high of $38.16 over the past year [1] - The company's CFO purchased $199,000 worth of shares, signaling confidence in the company's future [1] - Scalzo received 2 million stock options upon his return, which may align his interests with those of shareholders [1] Market Sentiment - The sentiment score for Simply Good Foods on Reddit has stabilized at a bullish 72 out of 100, reflecting a positive outlook among retail investors [1] - A notable Reddit post highlighted the bullish sentiment surrounding Scalzo's return and insider buying, accumulating 122 upvotes and 25 comments, indicating strong community engagement [1] - The market is currently evaluating Scalzo's potential impact on the company's future performance and overall strategy [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights Simply Good Foods (SMPL) as a strong candidate for value investors due to its favorable valuation metrics and strong earnings outlook [2][4][6]. Company Analysis - Simply Good Foods (SMPL) holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an A grade in the Value category, indicating it is a strong value stock [4]. - The stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 12.75, significantly lower than the industry average of 21.28, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - Over the past 12 months, SMPL's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 12.63 and 20.55, with a median of 17.34, indicating potential for growth [4]. - SMPL has a P/CF ratio of 15.31, which is attractive compared to the industry average of 25.01, further supporting the notion of undervaluation [5]. - The P/CF ratio has ranged from 15.19 to 23.95 over the past year, with a median of 20.34, reinforcing the company's solid cash outlook [5]. - Overall, the metrics suggest that Simply Good Foods is likely undervalued and stands out as one of the market's strongest value stocks [6].

Core Viewpoint - Simply Good Foods Company (NASDAQ:SMPL) is recognized as a promising investment in the natural and organic food sector, with recent ratings indicating a mix of Hold and Buy recommendations from major financial institutions [1][4]. Group 1: Ratings and Price Targets - Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a Hold rating on Simply Good Foods Company with a price target of $24.00 [1]. - Stifel Nicolaus updated its rating to Buy with a price target of $32.00, reflecting confidence in the company's growth potential [1]. Group 2: Leadership and Strategic Focus - The return of Joe Scalzo as CEO is viewed as a strategically significant move, with a focus on improving underperforming areas such as Quest bars and stabilizing the Atkins brand [3]. - The leadership aims to sustain growth for the Quest and OWYN franchises, indicating a clear strategic direction [3]. Group 3: Financial Health and Profitability - Simply Good Foods Company is noted for its financial flexibility, with a balance sheet that shows modest leverage and room for strategic actions, including disciplined mergers and acquisitions [4]. - Profitability is expected to gradually recover, with margins projected to bounce back toward the high-30% range, supporting a healthier balance between earnings growth and reinvestment [4]. Group 4: Company Overview - Simply Good Foods Company is a consumer packaged food and beverage company that develops, sells, and markets nutritional food and snacking items, including products under the Quest and Atkins brands [5].

Core Insights - The food and beverage industry is experiencing volatility, prompting companies to rehire former CEOs who previously led them during growth periods [1][2] - The return of familiar executives like Jim Koch, Joe Scalzo, and Jeffrey Ettinger indicates a preference for stability amid uncertainty [2][3] Company Strategies - Companies are bringing back former CEOs to navigate challenges, with examples including Boston Beer, Simply Good Foods, and Hormel Foods [2][4] - Simply Good Foods highlighted Joe Scalzo's instrumental role in the company's growth, emphasizing his familiarity with the brand and organization [5] Market Conditions - The food and beverage sector is facing significant challenges as consumer spending declines, leading to lower product volumes and increased pressure on sales and margins [3] - The trend of rehiring former CEOs may reflect underlying struggles with recent leadership, although some transitions are planned, such as Hormel's CEO retirement after 36 years [4]

Core Viewpoint - Simply Good Foods (SMPL) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which have a strong correlation with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for Simply Good Foods suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock prices [5]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions for Simply Good Foods - Simply Good Foods is projected to earn $1.95 per share for the fiscal year ending August 2026, with no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Simply Good Foods has increased by 2.5% [8].