Key Takeaways Hormel Foods expects Q1 net sales of $3B with 2% organic growth and EPS near 33 cents.HRL reaffirmed fiscal 2026 outlook targeting 2-3% organic revenues and 5-7% profit growth.Hormel Foods targets margin gains via pricing discipline and its Transform and Modernize plan.Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) reported preliminary results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting modest sales growth and stable earnings. The early figures suggest that the company is progressing toward its fiscal-ye ...

Core Insights - The packaged foods industry has experienced a significant downturn over the past year, with several companies seeing declines of over 20% [1] - Despite the downturn, some companies in the industry continue to offer healthy dividends and have expanded forward guidance [1] - The analysis is primarily based on company fundamentals, industry-specific data, and broader economic trends, rather than solely on company presentations [1] Company Analysis - Company presentations are designed to present data in a favorable light, adhering to SEC regulations, and typically do not advise selling [1] - There is a noted collaboration with another author in the analysis of the industry [1] Market Context - The overall performance of the packaged foods industry indicates a challenging environment for investors, with many companies struggling to maintain their stock values [1]

Company Overview - McCormick is recognized as one of the few large-cap packaged food companies that has achieved consistent volume growth despite a challenging broader packaged food environment [4] Management Insights - Brendan Foley, Chairman, President, and CEO of McCormick, emphasizes that the company does not compete for calories but rather focuses on flavoring them [4] Future Plans - The company is expected to share more about its plans for the fiscal year, including the implementation of additional pricing strategies [4]

McCormick & Company (NYSE:MKC) 2026 Conference February 17, 2026 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsAndrew Lazar - Managing DirectorBrendan Foley - Chairman, President, and CEOMarcos Gabriel - CFONone - Video Narrator 1None - Video Narrator 2ModeratorMcCormick would like to remind you that today's discussion will refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures. The nature of those non-GAAP financial measures and the related reconciliations to the GAAP results are included in the company's materials. Additionally, ...

Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG), the packaged food company behind such mainstay supermarket brands as Birds Eye and Blue Bonnet, saw its share price slide on Tuesday after publishing a business update. The company reiterated its existing guidance for annual results, and investors showed their displeasure by trading the stock down by more than 4% on the day. Guiding for disappointment That morning, Conagra made a presentation at the annual Consumer Analyst Group conference. Ahead of the event, it offered a sne ...

Core Insights - General Mills has reduced its full-year sales and earnings forecast due to a challenging consumer environment, expecting organic net sales to decline between 1.5% and 2% this year, compared to a previous forecast of up to 1% growth [1][1] - Adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to decrease by 16% to 20%, a revision from the earlier estimate of a 10% to 15% decline [1][1] Company Performance - Shares of General Mills fell by 8% in late trading following the announcement of the revised forecasts [1][1] - The decline in General Mills' stock reflects broader pressures in the packaged food sector, with competitors like Mondelez International, Kraft Heinz, and Campbell's also experiencing stock drops of 5% to over 7% [1][1] Consumer Trends - The company attributes the decline in sales to weak consumer sentiment, heightened uncertainty, and significant volatility affecting consumer purchasing patterns [1][1] - Low- and middle-income consumers are particularly impacted by inflation and reduced government benefits, leading them to seek discounted products rather than purchasing at full price [1][1] - A recent survey indicated a 20-point gap in consumer sentiment between those with stock holdings and those without, highlighting the financial strain on lower-income groups [1][1]

Cheerios maker General Mills cut its annual sales and profit forecasts, citing weak consumer sentiment and a shift toward healthier and lower-cost food options that are pressuring demand for packaged products. "Weak consumer sentiment, heightened uncertainty, and significant volatility have weighed on category growth and impacted consumer purchase patterns, resulting in a slower pace and higher cost of volume recovery than initially expected," the company said in a statement ahead of its presentation at the ...

US equity futures woke up after President's Day and chose to resume their selloff (after a modest bounce on Monday's holiday failed to hold) dragged by Tech, as the risk-off moves on AI disruption fears continue. As of 8:15am ET, S&P 500 futures were down 0.5% with Nasdaq 100 contracts falling 1.0%. In premarket trading, all Mag 7 stocks are lower and Semis are being pressured with AVGO / NVDA lower by more than 1%. Pockets of outperformance (and higher absolute returns) can be found in Energy, Fins, Indu, ...

Lamb Weston is a global leader in frozen potato products, serving both retail and foodservice markets with a diversified brand portfolio.What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated Feb. 13, 2026, Liberty One Investment Management, LLC reduced its position in Lamb Weston (LW 0.93%) by 544,473 shares during the fourth quarter of 2025. The estimated transaction value is approximately $32.04 million, calculated using the average closing price for the period. The fund reported holding 416,166 shares at quarter ...

Core Viewpoint - Kraft Heinz expects annual capital spending of approximately $950 million in 2026, an increase from the previous year, following the decision to pause its plans to split into two entities due to challenging conditions in the food industry [1][1]. Group 1: Capital Spending and Financial Outlook - The company forecasts capital expenditure of about $950 million for fiscal 2026, compared to $801 million in the prior year [1][1]. - The decision to pause the split is anticipated to save Kraft Heinz $300 million in costs in 2026 [1][1]. Group 2: Strategic Focus and Investments - Kraft Heinz will concentrate on marketing and research, allocating $600 million to enhance its U.S. business, which has been affected by weak demand [1][1]. - The company plans to cut approximately 60 positions as of December 27, primarily outside the U.S. and Canada, following the elimination of about 600 jobs last year [1][1]. Group 3: Historical Context and Future Considerations - Last September, Kraft Heinz announced intentions to separate into two companies, one focused on groceries and the other on sauces and spreads, due to unmet growth expectations since its merger a decade ago [1][1]. - CEO Steve Cahillane indicated that while the split is currently on hold, it remains a possibility for the future, asserting that the challenges faced are "fixable and within our control" [1][1].