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Freshpet (FRPT)
NASDAQ:FRPT

Freshpet (FRPT) AI Stock Analysis

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FRPT

Freshpet

(NASDAQ:FRPT)

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Neutral 66 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$77.00
▲(10.47% Upside)
Freshpet's overall stock score reflects solid financial performance and positive technical indicators, tempered by valuation concerns and mixed earnings call sentiment. The company's growth prospects are promising, but potential overvaluation and competitive pressures warrant caution.
Positive Factors
Market Leadership
Dominant share in the gently cooked fresh segment provides structural shelf presence and brand recognition across retail channels. This category leadership supports pricing power, distributor support, and faster household adoption, creating a durable moat versus smaller entrants over the next several years.
Free Cash Flow Generation
Earlier-than-expected free cash flow conversion signals improving operational efficiency and funding capacity. Sustained FCF reduces reliance on external capital for capex and marketing, enabling reinvestment into production lines and margin-improving technology while supporting long-term growth execution.
Stable Margins & Profitability
Healthy gross margins and improving net margins reflect efficient production and cost control in a fresh product business. Persistent mid-to-high gross margins provide a buffer for reinvestment and marketing, making profitability sustainable even as the company scales distribution and absorbs incremental fixed costs.
Negative Factors
Slowing Revenue Growth
A durable slowdown in top-line growth pressures operating leverage and delays target margin expansion. If mid-teens volume growth is not reaccelerated, planned profitability and 2027 targets become harder to reach, potentially requiring higher marketing spend or price actions that compress long-term margins.
Intensifying Competition
New entrant activity and incumbent brand moves can erode shelf space and force promotional spending. Over time, heightened competition risks slower household penetration gains and margin pressure as Freshpet must defend premium positioning and invest more in marketing and innovation to retain share.
Cash Conversion & Rising Debt
Although operating cash flow is positive, sub-1 FCF conversion and growing debt reduce financial flexibility. Over the medium term this can constrain capex or strategic investments, increase interest exposure, and amplify risk if revenue growth slows or margin targets prove harder to attain.

Freshpet (FRPT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Freshpet Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFreshpet, Inc. manufactures and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company sells its products under the Freshpet brand; and Dognation and Dog Joy labels through various classes of retail, including grocery, mass, club, pet specialty, and natural, as well as online. Freshpet, Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.
How the Company Makes MoneyFreshpet generates revenue primarily through the sale of its fresh pet food products. The company has established a strong presence in the pet food market, capitalizing on the growing trend of pet owners seeking healthier and more nutritious food options for their pets. Key revenue streams include direct sales through retail partners, online sales, and subscription services. Freshpet has formed significant partnerships with major grocery chains and pet retailers, which helps to expand its distribution footprint and brand visibility. Additionally, the company invests in marketing and promotional campaigns to drive consumer awareness and demand for its products, further contributing to its earnings.

Freshpet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Net Sales by Retailer
Net Sales by Retailer
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

Freshpet Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 03, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 23, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook with several operational achievements such as positive free cash flow, strong growth in e-commerce, and market leadership. However, challenges include a deceleration in sales growth, competitive pressures, and reduced margin guidance. The company is optimistic about new technology investments and strategic adjustments.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Positive Free Cash Flow Achievement
Freshpet achieved positive free cash flow in the third quarter, a year ahead of the original 2026 target.
Strong E-Commerce Growth
Digital orders grew by 45%, highlighting significant growth in the e-commerce channel.
Market Leadership in Dog Food
Freshpet continues to be the #1 dog food brand in U.S. food with a 95% market share within the gently cooked fresh, frozen branded dog food segment.
New Production Technology
Introduction of new bag technology designed to improve product quality and margins, with the first production scale line expected to produce salable products in Q4.
Growing Household Penetration
Household penetration increased to 14.8 million households, up 10% year-over-year, with MVPs growing faster, representing 70% of sales.
Negative Updates
Deceleration in Sales Growth
Sales growth decelerated unexpectedly this year, prompting strategic adjustments.
Adjusted Gross Margin Decline
Adjusted gross margin decreased to 46% from 46.5% in the prior year period, primarily due to reduced leverage on planned expenses.
Competitive Market Challenges
Increased competition in the fresh pet food category, including new entrants like Blue Buffalo, poses challenges.
Lowered Full-Year Guidance
Net sales growth guidance was lowered to approximately 13%, and adjusted EBITDA guidance was reduced to $190 million to $195 million.
Company Guidance
During Freshpet's third quarter 2025 earnings call, management provided several key metrics and guidance updates. The company reported net sales of $288.8 million, marking a 14% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by volume growth. Despite a slowdown in sales growth, Freshpet achieved positive free cash flow in the third quarter, ahead of its original 2026 target. The company's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $54.6 million, up 25% from the previous year. Freshpet maintained a 46.0% adjusted gross margin for the quarter. Looking ahead, the company expects to be free cash flow positive for the full year and has adjusted its full-year net sales growth guidance to approximately 13%, with adjusted EBITDA anticipated to be between $190 million and $195 million. Capital expenditures for 2025 have been revised to approximately $140 million. Freshpet remains confident in achieving its fiscal 2027 targets, aiming for a 48% adjusted gross margin and a 22% adjusted EBITDA margin, contingent on achieving at least low teens sales volume growth.

Freshpet Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Freshpet demonstrates solid financial performance with consistent revenue growth and improving profitability. The balance sheet reflects a strong equity position and manageable debt levels, while cash flow generation is on an upward trajectory. Continued focus on operational efficiency and cash flow management will be crucial for sustaining growth and financial health.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Freshpet has shown consistent revenue growth, with a TTM growth rate of 3.4% and a significant increase from previous years. The gross profit margin is stable at around 40%, indicating efficient production processes. However, the net profit margin has improved to 11.4% in the TTM, reflecting better cost management and profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also shown positive trends, suggesting operational improvements.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is relatively low at 0.42, indicating a conservative capital structure. Return on equity has improved to 11.3% in the TTM, showcasing effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio remains strong, suggesting financial stability. However, the increase in total debt over the years could pose a risk if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Freshpet's operating cash flow has been positive and growing, with a strong operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.03 in the TTM. Free cash flow has turned positive, with a growth rate of 28.2%, indicating improved cash generation. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is below 1, suggesting room for improvement in converting profits into free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.08B975.18M766.89M595.34M425.49M318.79M
Gross Profit431.97M395.96M250.87M186.03M162.15M132.91M
EBITDA147.68M133.40M41.10M-15.72M5.82M19.21M
Net Income123.44M46.92M-33.61M-59.49M-29.70M-3.19M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.75B1.57B1.46B1.13B784.41M434.39M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments274.59M268.63M296.87M132.74M72.79M67.25M
Total Debt494.81M424.09M425.06M5.71M7.09M8.40M
Total Liabilities567.14M519.52M510.97M93.81M64.66M40.22M
Stockholders Equity1.18B1.06B953.45M1.03B719.75M394.17M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow43.10M-32.80M-163.15M-273.30M-321.45M-113.38M
Operating Cash Flow155.82M154.29M75.94M-43.23M647.00K21.19M
Investing Cash Flow-153.40M-187.09M-239.09M-233.36M-322.10M-162.46M
Financing Cash Flow-2.43M4.57M327.29M336.54M326.99M199.04M

Freshpet Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price69.70
Price Trends
50DMA
62.53
Positive
100DMA
57.80
Positive
200DMA
64.84
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.72
Negative
RSI
65.41
Neutral
STOCH
83.34
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FRPT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 69.7 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 65.89, above the 50-day MA of 62.53, and above the 200-day MA of 64.84, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.72 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 65.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 83.34 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for FRPT.

Freshpet Risk Analysis

Freshpet disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Freshpet reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Freshpet Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$1.94B13.2510.38%-2.23%57.16%
69
Neutral
$1.74B20.925.17%8.98%-26.29%
69
Neutral
$1.80B27.976.82%3.53%0.54%-24.42%
67
Neutral
$1.86B8.667.39%5.40%1.44%8.29%
66
Neutral
$3.40B30.5211.22%16.34%177.51%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
49
Neutral
$11.19B-9.34-17.44%4.45%-0.66%-326.55%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FRPT
Freshpet
69.70
-89.50
-56.22%
CENT
Central Garden Pet
33.83
-2.48
-6.83%
JJSF
J & J Snack Foods
95.00
-33.91
-26.30%
SJM
JM Smucker
104.86
3.12
3.07%
SMPL
Simply Good Foods
18.77
-18.72
-49.93%
NOMD
Nomad Foods
12.70
-4.33
-25.43%

Freshpet Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Freshpet Approves Retention Grant for COO Nicola Baty
Neutral
Dec 12, 2025

On December 8, 2025, Freshpet, Inc.’s Board of Directors approved a 2025 Retention Grant for COO Nicola Baty, consisting of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to address decreased valuation of her initial equity package. The grant aims to reinforce retention, focus on long-term performance, and align leadership with shareholder interests, with vesting conditions tied to continued employment and company performance goals.

The most recent analyst rating on (FRPT) stock is a Hold with a $68.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Freshpet stock, see the FRPT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Freshpet Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Nov 3, 2025

On November 3, 2025, Freshpet reported its third-quarter financial results, showcasing a 14% increase in net sales to $288.8 million compared to the previous year. The company achieved positive free cash flow and expects to maintain this trend throughout 2025, a year ahead of its initial projections. Despite a slight decrease in gross margin, Freshpet’s net income significantly rose due to a $77.9 million tax benefit and sustained profitability. The company has adjusted its 2025 guidance, lowering capital expenditure plans and revising sales growth expectations to reflect current market conditions. Freshpet remains optimistic about capturing future growth and increasing market share in the pet food industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (FRPT) stock is a Buy with a $75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Freshpet stock, see the FRPT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 09, 2025