Is J. M. Smucker Stock Underperforming the Dow?

Company Overview - The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM) is based in Orrville, Ohio, and specializes in manufacturing and marketing branded food and beverage products, with a market cap of $10.8 billion [1] - SJM's principal products include peanut butter, shortening and oils, fruit spreads, canned milk, baking mixes, ready-to-spread frostings, flour, baking ingredients, juices, and beverages [1] Market Position - SJM is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size and influence in the packaged foods industry [2] - The company boasts a strong portfolio of iconic brands such as Folgers, Dunkin', Milk-Bone, and Meow Mix, which contribute to its market leadership in coffee and pet foods [2] - The recent acquisition of Hostess Brands enhances SJM's presence in the sweet baked snacks segment, supporting future growth [2] Stock Performance - SJM's stock has experienced a decline of 16.3% from its 52-week high of $121.48, reached on March 10 [3] - Over the past three months, SJM stock has marginally declined, underperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average, which gained 5.5% during the same period [3] - In the longer term, SJM shares rose 6.2% over six months but fell 10.4% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average's gains of 14.7% and 10.5% respectively [4] - The stock has been trading below its 200-day moving average for the past year and below its 50-day moving average since mid-September [4] Financial Results - On November 25, SJM reported its Q2 results, with an adjusted EPS of $2.10, which fell short of Wall Street expectations of $2.12 [5] - The company's revenue for the quarter was $2.33 billion, surpassing Wall Street forecasts of $2.32 billion [5] - SJM expects its full-year adjusted EPS to be in the range of $8.75 to $9.25 [5] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a reasonably bullish outlook on SJM, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating from 18 analysts [6] - The mean price target for SJM is $118.19, indicating a potential upside of 16.2% from current price levels [6]