tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Hormel Foods (HRL)
NYSE:HRL
Advertisement

Hormel Foods (HRL) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
2,156 Followers

Top Page

HRL

Hormel Foods

(NYSE:HRL)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$25.00
▲(2.71% Upside)
Hormel Foods' overall stock score reflects a balanced view of its financial performance, technical indicators, valuation, and earnings call insights. The company's strong brand performance and strategic initiatives are positive, but challenges in profitability and cash flow efficiency, along with a high P/E ratio, weigh on the score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth across all segments indicates strong brand performance and market demand, supporting long-term business stability.
Strategic Initiatives
Strategic initiatives like Transform and Modernize enhance operational efficiency and prepare the company for sustained growth and market expansion.
Dividend Stability
Consistent dividend increases reflect strong financial health and commitment to shareholder returns, enhancing investor confidence.
Negative Factors
Profitability Challenges
Persistent profitability challenges due to input cost inflation and supply chain issues could hinder long-term financial performance.
Brazil Market Struggles
Struggles in the Brazil market may limit international growth potential, affecting overall revenue diversification and expansion.
Turkey Supply Constraints
Ongoing supply constraints in turkey products could disrupt operations and increase costs, affecting profitability and market competitiveness.

Hormel Foods (HRL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Hormel Foods Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International & Other. It provides various perishable products that include fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamoles, and bacons; and shelf-stable products comprising canned luncheon meats, nut butters, snack nuts, chilies, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hashes, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, and others. The company also engages in the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded pork, beef, poultry, and turkey products, as well as offers nutritional food products and supplements, desserts and drink mixes, and industrial gelatin products. It sells its products primarily under the SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel, Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Jennie-O, Café H, Herdez, Black Label, Sadler's, Columbus, Gatherings, Herdez, Wholly, Columbus, Planters, NUT-rition, Planters Cheez Balls, Corn Nuts, etc. brand names through sales personnel, independent brokers, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Geo. A. Hormel & Company and changed its name to Hormel Foods Corporation in January 1995. Hormel Foods Corporation was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Austin, Minnesota.
How the Company Makes MoneyHormel Foods generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by selling branded and private label processed meats, turkey products, and other food items. The Refrigerated Foods segment, which includes products like deli meats and bacon, accounts for a significant portion of the company's sales. The Grocery Products segment, featuring items such as chili and peanut butter, also contributes considerably to revenue. Hormel further capitalizes on the growing demand for protein alternatives and health-oriented products, which is evidenced by its investment in plant-based food options. Additionally, the company benefits from strategic partnerships with retailers and foodservice providers, enabling widespread distribution of its products. Seasonal promotions, brand loyalty, and consumer trends toward convenience foods also play a crucial role in driving Hormel's earnings.

Hormel Foods Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Analyzes revenue from different business segments, revealing which product lines or services are driving growth for Hormel Foods. This helps investors assess the company's diversification and potential vulnerabilities or strengths in specific markets.
Chart InsightsHormel Foods' International segment shows a recovery trajectory, with recent quarters reflecting steady growth after a dip in early 2023. The latest earnings call highlights strong performance in exports and China, aligning with the high single-digit growth forecast. Meanwhile, the US Retail segment faces challenges, with growth slowing, yet innovations and brand leadership offer potential upside. The US Foodservice segment is rebounding, supported by mid-single-digit growth expectations. Despite macroeconomic pressures and higher commodity costs, Hormel's strategic initiatives aim to bolster margins and drive future growth.
Data provided by:The Fly

Hormel Foods Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 04, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with strong net sales growth and brand performance offset by significant profitability challenges, market struggles in Brazil, and continued supply constraints in Turkey. Strategic initiatives and product innovations were highlighted as future growth drivers, but near-term pressures remain.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Net Sales Growth
Net sales exceeded $12 billion for the full year of fiscal 2025, representing a 2% organic growth over the prior year, supported by gains across all three segments.
Strong Brand Performance
Leading brands like Jennie-O, Applegate, Holy Guacamole, and Spam contributed strong growth for the year, with Planters brand growing net sales year over year despite previous production disruptions.
International Segment Success in China
China business was the biggest contributor to the international segment's top-line performance and achieved strong bottom-line performance.
Transform and Modernize Initiative Benefits
Initiative helped offset margin pressures and laid the foundation for future growth, including distribution network expansion and administrative expense review.
Innovative Product Launches
New product formats like SPAM Musubi and innovations in the bacon category demonstrated successful consumer engagement and market expansion.
Dividend Increase and Financial Stability
Returned a record $633 million to shareholders, marking sixty consecutive years of dividend increases, and maintained a strong financial position with ample liquidity.
Negative Updates
Profitability Challenges
Profit was pressured by higher commodity input costs, supply chain impacts of avian illnesses, and unforeseen incidents like a chicken product recall and fire at a facility.
Brazil Market Struggles
The Brazil market faced challenges, negatively impacting the international segment's ability to meet growth objectives.
SG&A and Impairment Charges
Recorded noncash impairment charges totaling $235 million in international and retail segments. Adjusted SG&A expenses increased due to higher employee and external expenses.
Turkey Supply Constraints
Turkey supply constraints due to avian illnesses impacted commodity prices and supply chain operations, with expectations of continued constraints through 2026.
Company Guidance
During Hormel Foods Corporation's Fourth Quarter Earnings Call, the company outlined its guidance for fiscal 2026, anticipating organic net sales growth of 1% to 4% and adjusted operating income growth of 4% to 10%. Key metrics highlighted include expected gross margin expansion driven by pricing actions, mix improvements, and productivity from ongoing initiatives. The company anticipates adjusted earnings per share to range between $1.43 and $1.51, with pork input costs predicted to decrease compared to fiscal 2025, though beef and nut costs are expected to remain elevated. Hormel Foods also plans to reinvest savings from recent restructuring and administrative cost reductions to support brand marketing and technology enhancements. Despite expecting first-quarter earnings to decline compared to the prior year, due to pricing and cost challenges, Hormel is confident in its growth trajectory for the remainder of 2026, aligning with its strategic focus on a balanced, protein-centric portfolio.

Hormel Foods Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Hormel Foods exhibits a mixed financial performance. While the balance sheet shows improved leverage ratios, the income statement and cash flow analysis reveal challenges in profitability and cash generation. Declining margins and cash flow efficiency pose potential risks to future financial stability.
Income Statement
70
Positive
Hormel Foods shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The TTM Gross Profit Margin is 15.63%, which is lower than previous years, indicating a decline in profitability. The Net Profit Margin has also decreased to 3.95% in the TTM, down from 6.75% in 2024, reflecting reduced efficiency in converting revenue into profit. Revenue growth has been inconsistent, with a notable increase in the TTM but negative growth in prior years. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have similarly declined, suggesting challenges in operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with some areas of concern. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio has improved significantly in the TTM to 0.25, indicating reduced leverage compared to previous years. However, the Return on Equity has decreased to 5.39% in the TTM, down from 10.07% in 2024, suggesting lower profitability from shareholders' equity. The Equity Ratio remains strong, indicating a solid capital structure, but the declining ROE could be a potential risk.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals some weaknesses. The Free Cash Flow Growth Rate is negative in the TTM, indicating a decline in cash generation. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio has decreased to 0.61 in the TTM, suggesting less cash is being generated from operations relative to net income. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio has also declined, reflecting challenges in maintaining cash flow efficiency.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue12.11B11.92B12.11B12.46B11.39B
Gross Profit1.89B2.02B2.00B2.16B1.93B
EBITDA1.01B1.37B1.34B1.58B1.38B
Net Income478.20M805.04M793.57M999.99M908.84M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets13.39B13.43B13.45B13.31B12.70B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments703.59M766.62M753.20M998.26M634.69M
Total Debt2.86B2.86B3.31B3.30B3.32B
Total Liabilities5.48B5.43B5.71B5.77B5.72B
Stockholders Equity7.92B7.99B7.73B7.54B6.97B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow534.35M1.01B777.64M857.28M771.73M
Operating Cash Flow845.25M1.27B1.05B1.13B1.00B
Investing Cash Flow-298.59M-236.91M-689.54M-258.04M-3.63B
Financing Cash Flow-614.00M-1.03B-600.06M-486.68M1.52B

Hormel Foods Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price24.34
Price Trends
50DMA
23.15
Positive
100DMA
25.03
Negative
200DMA
27.16
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.23
Negative
RSI
69.23
Neutral
STOCH
70.63
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HRL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 24.34 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 22.81, above the 50-day MA of 23.15, and below the 200-day MA of 27.16, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.23 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 69.23 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 70.63 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for HRL.

Hormel Foods Risk Analysis

Hormel Foods disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Hormel Foods reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Hormel Foods Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$9.44B7.7031.76%1.81%24.67%
73
Outperform
$16.98B21.9013.92%2.84%1.64%-1.83%
68
Neutral
$13.39B28.026.02%4.77%1.55%-40.81%
67
Neutral
$8.81B14.7515.64%5.27%6.40%6.17%
66
Neutral
$14.83B9.4424.20%9.85%119.48%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
49
Neutral
$10.68B-17.44%4.36%-0.66%-326.55%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HRL
Hormel Foods
24.34
-7.50
-23.56%
CPB
Campbell Soup
29.60
-11.66
-28.26%
SJM
JM Smucker
100.11
-13.11
-11.58%
MKC
McCormick & Company
63.30
-14.72
-18.87%
PPC
Pilgrim's Pride
39.74
-1.26
-3.07%
JBS
JBS
14.35
2.21
18.20%

Hormel Foods Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Hormel Foods Announces Corporate Restructuring Plan
Neutral
Nov 4, 2025

On November 4, 2025, Hormel Foods Corporation announced a corporate restructuring plan aimed at reducing administrative expenses and aligning its workforce with future needs while continuing to invest in growth. The plan involves a voluntary early retirement program, closing open roles, and reducing certain positions, affecting approximately 250 corporate and sales roles by the end of 2025. The restructuring is expected to incur charges of $20 million to $25 million, mainly related to pension benefits and severance payments, with most costs occurring in late 2025 and early 2026. This move is part of Hormel Foods’ strategy to balance cost discipline with reinvestment in critical areas like technology and innovation, ensuring competitiveness and responsiveness to consumer needs.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Hormel Foods Announces CFO Departure and Interim Appointment
Neutral
Oct 29, 2025

On October 29, 2025, Hormel Foods announced the departure of Jacinth Smiley as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 26, 2025, with Paul Kuehneman appointed as the interim CFO. The company also provided a fourth-quarter update, highlighting strong top-line results driven by sustained demand across its retail, foodservice, and international businesses, despite challenges like inflation and avian influenza. Hormel expects net sales growth toward the top end of its guidance range but anticipates adjusted earnings per share to be slightly below expectations due to these challenges.

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 05, 2025