Cal-Maine Foods(US:CALM)2026-01-07 11:20Production and Flock Management - Cal-Maine Foods reported an increase of 2.6% in the average number of layer hens and a 12.7% increase in breeder flocks during Q2 of fiscal 2026 compared to the same period last year[92]. - The estimated table-egg layer flock as of December 1, 2025, was approximately 302.8 million, a decrease from 331.4 million in 2021[91]. - The company aims to add approximately 1.1 million cage-free layer hens and 250,000 pullets in fiscal 2026 as part of its expansion projects[92]. - The company’s total flock as of November 29, 2025, was approximately 49.3 million layers and 11.4 million pullets and breeders, the largest in the U.S.[84]. Financial Performance - The company recorded a gross profit of $207.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, down from $356.0 million in the same period of fiscal 2025, primarily due to a decrease in the net average selling price of shell eggs[102]. - Total net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 were $769.5 million, a decrease of 19.4% compared to $954.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2025[113]. - Shell egg sales represented 84.4% of total net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, down from 94.6% in the same period of fiscal 2025[114]. - Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $123.9 million, compared to $278.1 million for the same period of fiscal 2025[134]. - Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. for the second quarter ended November 29, 2025, was $102.8 million, or $2.14 per share, down from $219.1 million, or $4.49 per share, in the same period of fiscal 2025[142]. Sales and Pricing - Cage-free egg revenue represented approximately 33.3% of total shell egg revenue in Q2 of fiscal year 2026, up from 23.4% in the same quarter of fiscal year 2025[94]. - The net average selling price per dozen for shell eggs declined 26.5% to $2.014 in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 from $2.740 in the prior-year period, with conventional egg prices dropping 38.8% to $1.802[103]. - Specialty egg sales decreased by $1.3 million, or 0.4%, in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to a 0.8% decrease in prices[118]. - Egg products sales rose by $4.3 million, or 14.3%, in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by a 10.1% increase in the net average selling price[121]. - Conventional egg sales decreased by $231.8 million, or 21.0%, for the twenty-six weeks ended November 29, 2025, primarily due to a 19.4% decrease in prices[122]. Acquisitions and Investments - The company acquired assets of Clean Egg, LLC for approximately $23.7 million, which included 677,000 brown cage-free and free-range layers and pullets[96]. - The company acquired Echo Lake Foods, expanding its prepared foods product line, which contributed to a $61.2 million increase in prepared food sales compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2025[109]. - The company acquired ISE America, enhancing its market reach in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states with a capacity of approximately 4.7 million laying hens[101]. - The company completed a strategic investment in Crepini LLC, establishing a new egg products and prepared foods venture with a capital of approximately $6.75 million[99]. Costs and Expenses - Farm production costs per dozen produced increased by 2.8%, or $0.03, primarily due to higher facility costs[110]. - Total cost of sales decreased by 6.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, totaling $562.1 million compared to $598.6 million in the same period of fiscal 2025[124]. - Delivery expenses increased by 11.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to the acquisition of Echo Lake Foods[129]. - Farm production costs per dozen produced increased by 2.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, totaling $0.926[124]. Cash Flow and Capital Management - Net cash provided by operating activities for the twenty-six weeks ended November 29, 2025, was $373.4 million, up from $240.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2025, driven by increased cash collections and the addition of Echo Lake Foods[145]. - Cash used in investing activities was $246.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended November 29, 2025, primarily due to acquisitions of Echo Lake Foods and Clean Egg, compared to $247.4 million in the prior-year period[146]. - Cash paid for business acquisitions was $299.0 million in the twenty-six weeks ended November 29, 2025, related to Echo Lake Foods and Clean Egg, compared to $111.5 million in the prior-year period[146]. - Working capital decreased to $1.5 billion as of November 29, 2025, from $1.7 billion at May 31, 2025, while the current ratio increased to 8.0 from 6.4[144]. - The company expects its current cash balances and projected cash flows to be sufficient to fund cash needs for at least the next 12 months[154]. Shareholder Returns - Dividends paid increased to $180.5 million in fiscal 2026 from $87.8 million in the same prior-year period[147]. - A cash dividend of approximately $34.3 million, or $0.719 per share, is scheduled to be paid on February 12, 2026[153]. - The company repurchased 846,037 shares for approximately $74.8 million under its share repurchase program during the twenty-six weeks ended November 29, 2025[151].