Campbell's Is Dangerously Close to Getting Kicked Out of the S&P 500. Here's Why the High-Yield Dividend Stock Is a Buy Anyway.

Core Viewpoint - Campbell's has rebranded itself from Campbell Soup Company to The Campbell's Company to reflect its diverse portfolio beyond soups, which includes brands like Goldfish and Rao's pasta sauce [1] Company Overview - Campbell's market capitalization is currently less than $7 billion, making it one of the smallest components in the S&P 500, raising concerns about its continued inclusion in the index [2] - The company's stock has faced pressure due to weak performance in its snack segment, which has seen a 6% decline in sales, contributing to a reduced full-year guidance [4] Financial Performance - In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Campbell's snacks segment generated only $67 million in operating earnings from $914 million in revenue, resulting in a 7.3% operating margin, while meals and beverages produced $252 million in operating earnings from $1.65 billion in revenue, with a higher margin of 15.3% [4] - The company's fiscal 2026 earnings per share guidance is projected to be between $2.15 and $2.25, which exceeds its annual dividend payment of $1.56, indicating a potential for value [9] Brand Performance - The acquisition of Snyder's-Lance in 2018 has negatively impacted the snack segment, which is currently the worst-performing area of the business [5] - However, management remains optimistic about brands like Cape Cod and Kettle, which are expected to perform well in the long term due to their differentiation [5] - Over half of Campbell's condensed soup portfolio is experiencing growth, particularly cooking soups that are used as ingredients rather than standalone meals [6] Investment Perspective - Despite current challenges, Campbell's is viewed as a compelling value stock for investors seeking passive income, especially given its high dividend yield of 7.19% and low valuation [8][11] - The company is encouraged to focus on its high-margin meal brands to appeal to health-conscious consumers, which could reduce marketing costs and enhance profitability [11]