Investing IdeasBrowse All StocksMarkets
Have your own idea? Try our Stock Screener
Header cover image

U.S. Packaged Foods and Meats Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 15, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies105
  • 7D0.8%
  • 3M5.8%
  • 1Y-8.6%
  • YTDn/a

In the last week, the Packaged Foods and Meats industry is flat overall, with Smithfield Foods standing out by going down 10%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 8.6% in the last year. Earnings are forecast to grow by 22% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Packaged Foods and Meats Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sun, 16 Aug 2026US$325.6bUS$396.3bUS$7.3b18.1x44.6x0.8x
Tue, 14 Jul 2026US$311.9bUS$392.2bUS$6.5b15.9x48.3x0.8x
Thu, 11 Jun 2026US$312.4bUS$391.9bUS$8.8b17.1x35.3x0.8x
Sat, 09 May 2026US$320.7bUS$389.5bUS$8.1b14.6x39.8x0.8x
Mon, 06 Apr 2026US$326.6bUS$388.5bUS$7.6b20x43x0.8x
Wed, 04 Mar 2026US$355.8bUS$387.1bUS$7.3b23.6x48.5x0.9x
Fri, 30 Jan 2026US$336.6bUS$388.2bUS$10.7b20.9x31.4x0.9x
Sun, 28 Dec 2025US$330.2bUS$394.0bUS$11.4b20.3x29x0.8x
Tue, 25 Nov 2025US$363.2bUS$407.0bUS$13.9b19x26.1x0.9x
Thu, 23 Oct 2025US$371.7bUS$399.6bUS$13.1b20.2x28.3x0.9x
Sat, 20 Sep 2025US$378.8bUS$403.4bUS$13.5b20.9x28x0.9x
Mon, 18 Aug 2025US$384.4bUS$402.3bUS$13.2b21x29.1x1x
Wed, 16 Jul 2025US$390.7bUS$393.2bUS$20.9b20x18.7x1x
Fri, 13 Jun 2025US$465.9bUS$393.6bUS$20.4b21.7x22.9x1.2x
Sun, 11 May 2025US$383.6bUS$313.6bUS$19.5b20.7x19.6x1.2x
Tue, 08 Apr 2025US$392.9bUS$313.4bUS$20.8b19.7x18.9x1.3x
Thu, 06 Mar 2025US$399.3bUS$313.6bUS$20.7b20.3x19.3x1.3x
Sat, 01 Feb 2025US$391.1bUS$317.1bUS$18.5b20.7x21.1x1.2x
Mon, 30 Dec 2024US$394.3bUS$303.2bUS$17.9b21.7x22x1.3x
Wed, 27 Nov 2024US$411.3bUS$298.3bUS$17.5b22.5x23.5x1.4x
Fri, 25 Oct 2024US$423.3bUS$297.6bUS$17.7b20.9x23.9x1.4x
Sun, 22 Sep 2024US$436.7bUS$297.0bUS$17.3b22.3x25.3x1.5x
Tue, 20 Aug 2024US$423.1bUS$296.5bUS$17.5b21.6x24.2x1.4x
Thu, 18 Jul 2024US$401.0bUS$303.0bUS$18.5b19.4x21.6x1.3x
Sat, 15 Jun 2024US$397.0bUS$303.8bUS$19.2b17.8x20.7x1.3x
Mon, 13 May 2024US$427.2bUS$304.0bUS$18.3b18.9x23.3x1.4x
Wed, 10 Apr 2024US$415.1bUS$297.3bUS$17.8b21.3x23.3x1.4x
Fri, 08 Mar 2024US$409.1bUS$299.3bUS$17.7b20.6x23.1x1.4x
Sun, 04 Feb 2024US$435.7bUS$311.2bUS$19.2b20.5x22.7x1.4x
Tue, 02 Jan 2024US$424.5bUS$310.2bUS$18.8b19.4x22.5x1.4x
Thu, 30 Nov 2023US$408.1bUS$310.7bUS$18.9b18.9x21.6x1.3x
Sat, 28 Oct 2023US$388.5bUS$309.4bUS$19.5b19.6x19.9x1.3x
Mon, 25 Sep 2023US$423.3bUS$306.0bUS$19.4b22.3x21.8x1.4x
Wed, 23 Aug 2023US$433.5bUS$306.3bUS$19.5b19.8x22.2x1.4x
Price to Earnings Ratio

22.2x


Total Market Cap: US$433.5bTotal Earnings: US$19.5bTotal Revenue: US$306.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Packaged Foods and Meats Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 27x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Packaged Foods and Meats industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 44.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 26.9x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.2x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 0.82x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Packaged Foods and Meats industry have declined 28% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 9.0% per year.
  • This means that although more sales are being generated, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Comparison

How does U.S. Packaged Foods and Meats compare with similar industries?

US Market0.58%
Consumer Staples1.39%
Food1.71%
Packaged Foods and Meats0.83%
Agricultural Products5.03%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
MDLZ Mondelez InternationalUS$63.611.6%
+US$1.3b		2.5%PE23.1x
GIS General MillsUS$39.206.3%
+US$1.3b		-21.0%PS1.1x
MKC McCormickUS$54.673.2%
+US$459.7m		-21.6%PE9.1x
HSY HersheyUS$184.221.0%
+US$375.7m		3.5%PE24.9x
FRPT FreshpetUS$72.768.7%
+US$281.1m		18.8%PE17.2x

Latest News

FRPT
US$72.76
Freshpet
7D
8.7%
1Y
18.8%
LWAY
US$25.82
Lifeway Foods
7D
-18.0%
1Y
-13.4%
AGRO
US$8.91
Adecoagro
7D
-5.7%
1Y
-2.2%
HRL
US$24.54
Hormel Foods
7D
-1.9%
1Y
-13.8%
HSY
US$184.22
Hershey
7D
1.0%
1Y
3.5%
MDLZ
US$63.61
Mondelez International
7D
1.6%
1Y
2.5%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 13

Mondelez: This Dividend Stock Still Has Room To Run

Summary Mondelez remains a compelling core holding-type stock, combining strong brands, global scale, and robust emerging market momentum. MDLZ delivered net revenue growth and positive volume/mix, with emerging markets driving 8%+ organic growth. With a BBB credit rating, a 3.2% well-covered dividend yield, and 12 years of dividend growth, MDLZ offers defensive income. Despite a forward P/E of 20.4, I maintain a 'Buy' rating, expecting low- to mid-teens annual total returns. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
KHC
US$25.51
Kraft Heinz
7D
0.8%
1Y
-7.8%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

KHC: Post 2026 Brand Investment And Inflation Risks Will Shape Turnaround Balance

Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Kraft Heinz higher, with the updated price target moving from roughly $24.21 to about $25.03. This change is supported by expectations for modestly better revenue growth and profit margins, even as they apply a slightly higher discount rate and slightly lower future P/E assumption in their models following recent sector and company specific research.
CAG
US$15.62
Conagra Brands
7D
3.4%
1Y
-18.5%
SFD
US$22.76
Smithfield Foods
7D
-10.4%
1Y
-10.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 12

SFD: Antitrust Case Will Be Outweighed By Branded Pork Expansion

Analysts now see Smithfield Foods as slightly less attractively priced, trimming their fair value estimate from about $31.36 to around $30.25 as they factor in a modestly higher discount rate, a slightly lower profit margin outlook, and a somewhat higher future P/E assumption. What’s in the News for Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods issued updated guidance for fiscal 2026.
DOLE
US$13.30
Dole
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-5.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 12

DOLE: Higher Discount Rate And Asset Impairments Will Shape Balanced Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Dole stock to $14 from $15, citing updated assumptions on discount rates and valuation multiples that modestly lower the estimated fair value. What’s in the News for Dole Dole plc reported impairment and asset write downs of property, plant and equipment lease assets of US$22,000 for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.
JBS
US$13.65
JBS
7D
-4.1%
1Y
-4.5%
SJM
US$121.39
J. M. Smucker
7D
1.0%
1Y
9.6%
GIS
US$39.20
General Mills
7D
6.3%
1Y
-21.0%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 10

General Mills Is Struggling, But If You Believe In The Turnaround It Is The Right Time To Buy

Summary General Mills, Inc. fundamentals are relatively weak, with high demand elasticity, compressing margins, and poor growth metrics. The goodwill impairment is also a strong sign that the firm's brands are losing their appeal. This needs to be changed to reignite growth. The firm, however, pays attractive, sustainable quarterly dividends, and this is the heart of the investment thesis. Today, I rate GIS as buy. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
VITL
US$10.90
Vital Farms
7D
-10.9%
1Y
-77.2%
Narrative Update • Aug 08

VITL: Index Shift And 2026 Guidance Will Shape Measured Risk Reward Profile

Analysts have raised their price target on Vital Farms from about $11.67 to $13.11, citing updated assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E in their valuation work. What’s in the News for Vital Farms Vital Farms reiterated earnings guidance for fiscal 2026 and expects net revenue in a range of US$775 million to US$800 million, based on company guidance.
MKC
US$54.67
McCormick
7D
3.2%
1Y
-21.6%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 05

McCormick: A Spicy Total Returns Opportunity

Summary McCormick & Company is rated "Buy," trading at a 19% discount to fair value, with visible earnings durability and a 40-year dividend growth streak. Q2 2026 results beat expectations, driven by the McCormick de México acquisition, organic growth, and margin expansion from pricing and supply chain savings. The pending $44.8 billion Unilever Foods acquisition could add top brands, boost distribution, and drive mid- to high-teens EPS accretion by year 3 post-close. MKC offers a 3.7% yield, robust dividend safety, and potential for 13%+ annual total returns through FY 2031, despite macro and integration risks. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
CALM
US$81.09
Cal-Maine Foods
7D
-4.7%
1Y
-26.7%