CHICAGO, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal year 2025, which ended on May 25, 2025. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted.Highlights Fourth quarter: Reported net sales decreased 4.3%; organic net sales decreased 3.5% Reported operating margin was 11.5%; adjusted operating margin was 13.8% Reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $0.53; adjusted earn ...

June 2025 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference 1 Disclaimer not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as: (i) an offer, solicitation or invitation to subscribe for, sell or issue, underwrite or otherwise acquire any securities or financial instruments, nor shall it, or the fact of its communication, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into any contract or commitment whatsoever with respect to such securities or financial instruments, or ...

Market Overview - Volatility has returned to Wall Street, driven by tariff fears and high inflation impacting consumer sentiment [1][2] - Consumer sentiment index dropped to 50.8 in May, a 2.7% decline from April, marking one of the lowest points in 75 years [5] - Since January, consumer sentiment has decreased by nearly 30%, with short-term inflation expectations rising to 7.3% in May from 6.5% [6] Federal Reserve and Inflation - The Federal Reserve is unlikely to implement interest rate cuts in the near term, maintaining a cautious stance despite signs of easing inflation [8] - The consumer price index rose by only 0.2% in April, with a year-over-year increase of 2.3%, the smallest since February 2021 [7] Tariff Impact - President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs raised concerns about a potential global trade war, leading to market sell-offs [9][11] - A recent 90-day trade truce with China has temporarily calmed the situation, delaying additional tariffs [10] Investment Opportunities - Recommended focus on safe-haven stocks, particularly low-beta consumer staples with high dividend yields [3][4] - Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) has an expected earnings growth rate of 13.7% for the current year and a dividend yield of 3.09% [14] - Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD) has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.3% and a dividend yield of 3.80% [16] - Zevia PBC (ZVIA) shows a significant expected earnings growth rate of 38.7% for the current year [17]

Conagra Brands (CAG) Conference Summary Company Overview - Conagra Brands is one of the largest packaged food companies in the US, with a diverse portfolio including frozen snacks and shelf-stable products, serving retail, food service, and international markets. Notable brands include Marie Callender's, Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, and Slim Jim [2][4]. Key Points and Arguments Portfolio Transformation - Over the past ten years, Conagra has transformed from a diversified global holding company to a branded pure play focused on North America. This involved modernizing existing brands, acquiring new businesses, and divesting underperforming assets [4][5]. - The current portfolio has a significant focus on organic net sales from retail, particularly in frozen and permissible snacking, which now constitutes about two-thirds of retail sales [5][6]. Consumer Trends and Market Environment - The company has observed a shift towards conservatism among consumers due to prolonged inflation and economic uncertainty. This trend affects all income groups, particularly lower-income consumers [9][10]. - The current environment is characterized by cautious spending, with consumers prioritizing value and quality in their purchases [10][11]. Promotional Strategy - Conagra has reduced promotional activities compared to pre-COVID levels, focusing on high-quality merchandising rather than deep discounting. This strategy aims to drive volume growth through quality products [12][14]. - The competitive landscape remains rational, with a collective industry focus on improving volume trends after experiencing declines [16][18]. Input Costs and Inflation - The company faces significant input cost pressures, particularly from tariffs on tinplate and aluminum, with a 25% tariff impacting costs. Mitigation strategies include negotiating with suppliers and exploring alternative sourcing [20][22]. - Inflation is projected at 4% for the fiscal year, up from an initial estimate of 3%. The company is actively managing costs and exploring pricing strategies to offset inflationary pressures [26][27][54]. Frozen and Snacking Segments - The frozen food segment is experiencing a return to volume growth, driven by consumer demand for convenience and quality. The company aims to educate consumers on the benefits of frozen foods, which are perceived as high-quality and cost-effective [33][35][38]. - In the snacking category, Conagra has focused on permissible snacking options, such as meat snacks and popcorn, which have shown strong growth despite broader industry softness. The company has expanded its portfolio to include various meat snack brands [39][41][46]. Future Outlook and Guidance - The company is optimistic about maintaining volume growth and improving margins, despite ongoing supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures. The focus remains on optimizing trade management and promotional investments [49][52][54]. - Conagra plans to provide further guidance for fiscal year 2026 in the upcoming earnings call, with expectations of navigating through current uncertainties [60][62]. Capital Allocation and Debt Management - Conagra emphasizes a balanced approach to capital allocation, prioritizing debt paydown while also considering investments in business modernization and strategic acquisitions. The recent divestiture of Chef Boyardee aligns with this strategy [67][72]. - The company has successfully reduced leverage and aims to continue generating free cash flow to support debt reduction and strategic growth initiatives [64][66]. Additional Important Insights - The company has experienced supply chain disruptions, particularly in its frozen vegetable and chicken businesses, but is on track to recover by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026 [75][78]. - Innovations, such as the Banquet Mega Chicken Filet, have driven demand and contributed to supply challenges, highlighting the importance of product development in meeting consumer needs [79][80].

Core Viewpoint - The current market environment favors stable earnings and strong cash flow, making Nomad Foods (NOMD) an attractive investment opportunity in the frozen food sector [1]. Company Overview - Nomad Foods is a leading player in the European frozen food market, owning brands such as Birds Eye, Iglo, Findus, and Aunt Bessie's, which provides it with durable pricing power and a loyal customer base [2]. - The company focuses on branded frozen foods across Western Europe, which has proven to be a lucrative business model during uncertain economic times [2]. Earnings Estimates and Growth - Recent earnings estimate revisions have garnered attention from analysts, with two analysts increasing their estimates for both the current and next year [3]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 EPS has risen from $1.95 to $2.15, and for 2025 from $2.11 to $2.31, indicating confidence in the company's near-term execution and long-term profitability [4]. - Nomad Foods is expected to grow earnings by over 11.4% this year and an additional 7% next year, which is strong for a consumer staples stock [4]. Valuation Metrics - Despite positive earnings revisions, Nomad Foods trades at a forward P/E of just 9.3x, significantly lower than the broader market and most consumer staples peers, presenting a compelling entry point for investors [5]. Cash Flow and Financial Health - The company has consistently converted a healthy portion of its earnings into free cash flow, allowing it to reinvest in growth, pay down debt, and return value to shareholders [6]. - Nomad Foods is positioned well in a market that rewards consistency and stability, making it an appealing investment choice [6].

Conagra Brands (CAG) Q3 2025 Earnings Call April 03, 2025 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning. Thank you for listening to our prepared remarks for the Conagra Brands third quarter fiscal twenty twenty five earnings. At 09:30 Eastern this morning, we will hold a separate live question and answer session on today's results, which you can access via webcast on our Investor Relations website. Our press release, presentation materials and the transcript of these prepared remarks are also available there. I'm joined ...

Conagra Brands (CAG) Q2 2025 Earnings Call December 19, 2024 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning. This is Melissa Napier from Conagra Brands Investor Relations. Thank you for listening to our prepared remarks for the Conagra Brands second quarter and first half fiscal twenty twenty five earnings. At 09:30 Eastern Time this morning, we will hold a separate live question and answer session on today's results, which you can access via webcast on our Investor Relations website. Our press release, presentation mate ...

Conagra Brands (CAG) Q4 2024 Earnings Call July 11, 2024 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning. This is Melissa Napier from Conagra Brands. Thank you for listening to our prepared remarks on Conagra Brands' fourth quarter and fiscal year twenty twenty four earnings. At 09:30 Eastern this morning, we will hold a separate live question and answer session on today's results, which you can access via webcast on our Investor Relations website. Our press release, presentation materials and a transcript of these prepar ...

Conagra Brands (CAG) Q3 2024 Earnings Call April 04, 2024 07:00 AM ET Speaker0Good morning. This is Melissa Napier from ConAgra Brands. Thank you for listening to these prepared remarks on our fiscal twenty twenty four third quarter earnings. At 09:30 Eastern Time this morning, we will hold a separate live question and answer session on today's results, which you can access via webcast on our Investor Relations website. Our press release, presentation materials and a transcript of these prepared remarks are ...