Core Insights - Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) reported a decline in both earnings and sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, reflecting a challenging consumer environment and lower volumes, partially offset by productivity gains and strong performance in certain growth categories [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were 45 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents, but down 35.7% year over year due to lower adjusted operating profit [2] - Net sales decreased by 6.8% year over year to $2,979.1 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,990 million, with a 3.9% headwind from M&A and a 3% decline in organic net sales [3][11] - Organic net sales fell 3% due to a 3% decline in volume, while price/mix remained flat, with management noting a 100-basis-point headwind from retailer purchasing patterns [4][11] - Adjusted gross profit declined 17.1% to $698 million, with adjusted gross margin contracting 292 basis points to 23.4% [5] Segment Performance - Grocery & Snacks segment net sales fell 8.5% year over year to $1,209 million, impacted by a 7.0% adverse M&A effect and a 1.5% decline in organic net sales [6] - Refrigerated & Frozen segment net sales decreased by 6.5% to $1,251 million, with a 5.1% drop in organic net sales [7] - International segment sales declined 5.4% to $230 million, reflecting a 4.1% M&A impact and a 2.9% fall in organic net sales [8] - Foodservice sales decreased 1.3% to $288 million, with organic performance reflecting a 4.2% benefit from price/mix, offset by a 4.0% volume decline [9] Financial Health - In the first half of fiscal 2026, Conagra generated net cash from operating activities of $331 million, with capital expenditures totaling $219 million, resulting in free cash flow of $113 million [12] - The company ended the second quarter with net debt of $7.6 billion and paid a dividend of 35 cents per share [12] Future Outlook - Conagra reiterated its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting organic net sales to range from a decline of 1% to growth of 1% compared to fiscal 2025, with adjusted EPS anticipated between $1.70 and $1.85 [13] - The outlook factors in continued elevated inflation in the cost of goods sold, with core inflation expected to be slightly above 4% [14] - Total cost of goods sold inflation is projected at approximately 7%, with measures expected to raise costs by roughly 3% annually before mitigation efforts [15]

Core Insights - Conagra Brands has experienced a 9.2% decline in share price over the past month, underperforming the S&P 500 [1][2] Financial Performance - For Q1 fiscal 2026, Conagra reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 39 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents, but reflecting a 26.4% year-over-year decline [3][4] - The company generated net sales of $2,632.6 million, a 5.8% decrease year-over-year, yet surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,609 million [5] - Organic net sales decreased by 0.6%, with a 0.6% positive impact from price/mix offset by a 1.2% decline in volume [6] Segment Performance - Grocery & Snacks segment net sales were $1,079.6 million, down 8.7% year-over-year, impacted by a 7.7% adverse effect from M&A [9] - Refrigerated & Frozen segment net sales decreased by 0.9% to $1,076.2 million, with a 1.1% headwind from M&A [10] - International segment net sales fell 18% to $212.3 million, driven by a 13.2% unfavorable impact from M&A [11] - Foodservice reported sales of $264.5 million, down 0.8% year-over-year, including a 1.0% headwind from M&A [12] Financial Health - Conagra ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $698.1 million and long-term debt of $7,222.6 million [14] - The company generated $120.6 million in net cash flows from operating activities, with capital expenditures of $146.8 million, resulting in a free cash flow of negative $26.2 million [14] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Conagra expects organic net sales growth to range from negative 1% to positive 1%, with adjusted earnings forecasted between $1.70 and $1.85 per share, down from $2.30 in fiscal 2025 [16] - Recent estimates for the company have been trending downward, indicating a potential in-line return in the coming months [19] Industry Context - Conagra Brands is part of the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, where competitor Lamb Weston reported a slight revenue increase of 0.3% year-over-year [20]

Core Insights - Conagra Brands, Inc. reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with both revenue and earnings exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates, although both metrics showed a year-over-year decline [1][12] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were 39 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents, but reflecting a 26.4% decline year over year [2] - Net sales totaled $2,632.6 million, down 5.8% year over year, yet exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,609 million [3] - Organic net sales decreased by 0.6%, with a 0.6% positive impact from price/mix offset by a 1.2% decline in volume [4] Profitability Metrics - Adjusted gross profit fell 11.3% to $644 million, with adjusted gross margin contracting 153 basis points to 24.4% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $441 million, down 16.4% year over year [6] Segment Performance - Grocery & Snacks segment reported net sales of $1,079.6 million, down 8.7% year over year, driven by a 7.7% adverse impact from M&A [7] - Refrigerated & Frozen segment saw net sales decrease by 0.9% year over year to $1,076.2 million, reflecting a 1.1% headwind from M&A [8] - International segment's net sales declined 18% year over year to $212.3 million, missing estimates due to a 13.2% unfavorable impact from M&A [9] - Foodservice segment reported sales of $264.5 million, down 0.8% year over year, with a 1.0% headwind from M&A [10] Financial Health - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $698.1 million and long-term debt of $7,222.6 million [13] - For fiscal 2026, Conagra projects EPS between $1.70 and $1.85 and organic growth between -1% and 1% [12][15] Dividend Declaration - Conagra declared a quarterly dividend of 35 cents per share, payable on November 26, 2025 [14]