Brown-Forman Stock: Is BF.B Underperforming the Consumer Staples Sector?

Company Overview - Brown-Forman Corporation, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is a manufacturer and seller of various alcoholic beverages, with a market cap of $14 billion [1] - The company's product portfolio includes whiskey, vodka, wines, tequila, bourbon, and gin, with a strong emphasis on premium spirits [1][2] Market Position and Performance - Brown-Forman is classified as a large-cap stock, highlighting its size and influence in the beverages - wineries & distilleries industry [2] - The company has a premium spirits portfolio, notably featuring iconic brands like Jack Daniel's, which supports premium pricing and high profit margins [2] - Despite its strengths, Brown-Forman's stock has experienced a decline of 45.2% from its 52-week high of $46.22, reached on December 5, 2024 [3] - Over the past three months, the stock gained 8%, outperforming the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP), which saw a 3.4% dip [3] Financial Performance - For Q2, Brown-Forman reported net sales of $1 billion, a decrease of 5.4% year over year, and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.47, down 14.5% year over year [5] - Over the past 52 weeks, the stock fell 34.4%, underperforming XLP's 5.2% losses, while it rose 7.2% over a six-month period, outperforming XLP's 4.4% losses [4] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a cautious outlook on Brown-Forman, with a consensus "Hold" rating from 18 analysts and a mean price target of $30.56, indicating a potential upside of 3.1% from current levels [6]