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U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 18, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies134
  • 7D2.4%
  • 3M1.3%
  • 1Y-5.2%
  • YTD3.7%

Over the last 7 days, the Food industry has risen 2.4%, driven by gains in Mondelez International and Archer-Daniels-Midland of 3.7% and 6.8%, respectively. In the past year, the industry is down 5.2%. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 23% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.S. Food Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Sat, 18 Jul 2026US$408.5bUS$571.7bUS$7.1b17.4x57.2x0.7x
Mon, 15 Jun 2026US$408.4bUS$571.3bUS$11.4b17.9x35.8x0.7x
Wed, 13 May 2026US$408.5bUS$569.4bUS$10.7b17.9x38.1x0.7x
Fri, 10 Apr 2026US$413.8bUS$557.8bUS$9.9b21.4x41.6x0.7x
Sun, 08 Mar 2026US$424.0bUS$556.6bUS$10.0b23.4x42.2x0.8x
Tue, 03 Feb 2026US$420.5bUS$550.8bUS$13.6b21.1x31x0.8x
Thu, 01 Jan 2026US$390.7bUS$555.9bUS$14.5b19.6x27x0.7x
Sat, 29 Nov 2025US$431.3bUS$569.1bUS$17.3b21x25x0.8x
Mon, 27 Oct 2025US$432.2bUS$552.2bUS$16.3b18.4x26.6x0.8x
Wed, 24 Sep 2025US$437.7bUS$557.0bUS$16.6b18.9x26.4x0.8x
Fri, 22 Aug 2025US$449.5bUS$553.9bUS$16.2b21.3x27.8x0.8x
Sun, 20 Jul 2025US$450.9bUS$547.2bUS$24.0b19x18.8x0.8x
Tue, 17 Jun 2025US$445.4bUS$548.9bUS$23.4b19.6x19x0.8x
Thu, 15 May 2025US$429.7bUS$468.0bUS$22.5b19x19.1x0.9x
Sat, 12 Apr 2025US$435.8bUS$472.3bUS$24.9b16.6x17.5x0.9x
Mon, 10 Mar 2025US$462.9bUS$471.5bUS$24.4b18.7x19x1x
Wed, 05 Feb 2025US$436.3bUS$477.1bUS$22.4b19.5x19.5x0.9x
Fri, 03 Jan 2025US$444.9bUS$464.3bUS$21.6b20.1x20.6x1x
Sun, 01 Dec 2024US$473.3bUS$459.5bUS$21.2b20.5x22.3x1x
Tue, 29 Oct 2024US$477.0bUS$462.0bUS$22.5b18x21.2x1x
Thu, 26 Sep 2024US$495.3bUS$462.2bUS$22.2b19.2x22.3x1.1x
Sat, 24 Aug 2024US$487.0bUS$461.1bUS$22.3b20x21.9x1.1x
Mon, 22 Jul 2024US$468.1bUS$467.5bUS$24.2b18.7x19.4x1x
Wed, 19 Jun 2024US$458.9bUS$473.7bUS$25.1b14.9x18.3x1x
Fri, 17 May 2024US$489.0bUS$474.0bUS$24.3b17x20.1x1x
Sun, 14 Apr 2024US$472.0bUS$472.0bUS$24.7b16.4x19.1x1x
Tue, 12 Mar 2024US$477.7bUS$477.1bUS$24.9b15.2x19.2x1x
Thu, 08 Feb 2024US$477.2bUS$483.8bUS$25.0b15.7x19.1x1x
Sat, 06 Jan 2024US$498.9bUS$490.0bUS$25.4b16.7x19.6x1x
Mon, 04 Dec 2023US$483.1bUS$490.4bUS$25.5b15.9x18.9x1x
Wed, 01 Nov 2023US$462.5bUS$488.7bUS$26.1b17.2x17.7x0.9x
Fri, 29 Sep 2023US$491.1bUS$494.0bUS$26.2b18.6x18.8x1x
Sun, 27 Aug 2023US$517.6bUS$491.0bUS$26.3b16.4x19.7x1.1x
Tue, 25 Jul 2023US$551.8bUS$494.2bUS$26.1b17.5x21.1x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21.1x


Total Market Cap: US$551.8bTotal Earnings: US$26.1bTotal Revenue: US$494.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 23.9x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Food industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 57.2x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 23.9x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.91x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Food industry have declined 35% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 5.0% 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 Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.S. Consumer Staples industry?

US Market-2.02%
Consumer Staples0.57%
Food2.43%
Agricultural Products5.58%
Packaged Foods and Meats1.60%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaged Foods and Meats industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 26.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.0%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 15.0% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Agricultural Products industry, although it looks like investor sentiment has improved given that it's trading above its 3-year average of 16.9x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Agricultural Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 25% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 21% per year.
  • In contrast, the Packaged Foods and Meats industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 22% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

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

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
MDLZ Mondelez InternationalUS$61.003.7%
+US$2.8b		-12.6%PE30x
ADM Archer-Daniels-MidlandUS$85.906.8%
+US$2.6b		57.9%PE38.3x
KHC Kraft HeinzUS$25.884.1%
+US$1.2b		-7.0%PS1.2x
BG Bunge GlobalUS$119.154.2%
+US$937.1m		60.1%PE33.7x
GIS General MillsUS$37.974.8%
+US$934.0m		-24.2%PS1.1x

Latest News

JBSS
US$79.47
John B. Sanfilippo & Son
7D
-8.8%
1Y
20.0%
SMPL
US$11.08
Simply Good Foods
7D
-13.2%
1Y
-66.1%
GIS
US$37.97
General Mills
7D
4.8%
1Y
-24.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 17

GIS: Fiscal 2027 Cost Inflation Risk Will Pressure Earnings Profile

Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for General Mills to $31.00 from $35.00, reflecting higher discount rate assumptions and more cautious long term valuation multiples, even as recent research highlights better than feared earnings, margin resilience, and a mix of upward and downward revisions to Street price targets clustered around the low to mid $30s. Analyst Commentary Street research on General Mills has turned more mixed, with several firms adjusting price targets and ratings around recent earnings and the fiscal 2027 outlook.
MZTI
US$107.14
Marzetti
7D
-6.7%
1Y
-40.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

MZTI: Index Additions And Buybacks Will Support Future Share Upside

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Marzetti to $204 from $232, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins and a slightly higher discount rate. What’s in the News for Marzetti Marzetti was added to the Russell 2500 Value Benchmark, increasing its presence in a widely followed value-focused index.
ADM
US$85.90
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
6.8%
1Y
57.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 16

Update On Archer-Daniels-Midland: The Reasons Higher Highs Are On The Horizon

Summary Archer-Daniels-Midland Company is reiterated as a Buy, with the buy level raised to below $85 per share amid a robust bullish trend. Escalating geopolitical tensions, rising agricultural commodity and biofuel prices, and fertilizer shortages are driving higher earnings potential for ADM in 2026. ADM’s Quant Rankings are top-tier in its sector, and its dividend consistency is rated A+, supporting its investment appeal. Risks include potential risk-off market events, ample crop supplies, geopolitical ceasefires, and management issues that could pressure ADM’s valuation. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
KHC
US$25.88
Kraft Heinz
7D
4.1%
1Y
-7.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 16

KHC: Brand Reinvestment And 2026 Reorganization Will Support Future Share Repricing

The analyst price target for Kraft Heinz has been revised slightly lower to $32.80 from $33.73, as analysts factor in updated expectations for revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions following recent research. This research highlights both improved earnings visibility and ongoing concerns around leverage, inflation exposure, and the timing of any sales recovery.
MDLZ
US$61.00
Mondelez International
7D
3.7%
1Y
-12.6%
BG
US$119.15
Bunge Global
7D
4.2%
1Y
60.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

BG: Fair Outlook Balances Viterra Integration Benefits And Margin Improvement Expectations

Analysts have lifted their price target for Bunge Global to $121.60 from $93.50, citing updated assumptions that combine more modest revenue growth expectations with higher projected profit margins and a lower future P/E multiple. What’s in the News for Bunge Global Bunge Global received a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating after full-year earnings estimates were raised by 17.4% over the past three months, with the stock return of about 27.6% year to date compared with 5.9% for the Basic Materials sector, according to Zacks.
HSY
US$171.42
Hershey
7D
-1.3%
1Y
0.08%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

HSY: Recalibrated Expectations And Snacking Strength Will Shape Demand Resilience

Hershey's analyst price target has been trimmed, with the model's fair value estimate shifting from about $175 to about $170 as analysts weigh softer volume trends, less earnings upside from cocoa costs, and incremental cost pressures, while still maintaining supportive views on the confection category and the company's plans for the second half of 2026. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Hershey shows a mixed backdrop, with several bearish analysts trimming price targets and flagging execution and growth risks even as some others remain constructive on the confection category and the company’s long term plans.
DAR
US$63.10
Darling Ingredients
7D
3.7%
1Y
76.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

DAR: Policy Support And Higher Margin Expansion Will Test Execution Risks

Darling Ingredients' analyst price target has been adjusted higher from $61.22 to $63.11 as analysts factor in supportive renewable diesel policy, expected benefits at the Diamond Green Diesel unit, and the company's exposure to higher margin markets, alongside ongoing commodity and execution risks. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Darling Ingredients points to a mixed setup, with several firms acknowledging supportive renewable diesel policy while still highlighting execution and commodity related risks.
UTZ
US$7.21
Utz Brands
7D
-7.9%
1Y
-48.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 13

UTZ: Margin Execution And Brand Reach Will Support Future Earnings Upside

The consensus analyst price target for Utz Brands has decreased by $2, as analysts adjust their expectations to reflect updated views on discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Utz Brands highlights that, even with a reduced consensus target, some bullish analysts still see room for upside based on how the company could execute on its pricing, cost structure, and brand positioning.
MKC
US$51.70
McCormick
7D
-1.4%
1Y
-27.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 09

MKC: Flavor Solutions Execution And Q4 Consumer Volume Turnarounds Will Drive Repricing

McCormick's updated analyst price target moves from about $83 to roughly $74, as analysts factor in more moderate revenue growth and profit margins, even as some still highlight support from Flavor Solutions and marketing efforts in Consumer. Analyst Commentary Recent research on McCormick shows a mixed but constructive setup, with several bullish analysts still seeing room for upside even as price targets are recalibrated.
HRL
US$25.39
Hormel Foods
7D
2.7%
1Y
-12.9%
MAMA
US$17.20
Mama's Creations
7D
-9.7%
1Y
85.7%
SEB
US$4,535.81
Seaboard
7D
-2.8%
1Y
48.1%
SFD
US$25.77
Smithfield Foods
7D
4.5%
1Y
9.2%
Narrative Update • Jun 26

SFD: Antitrust Overhang Will Be Outweighed By Branded Pork Expansion

Analysts have raised their price target for Smithfield Foods to $31.36 from $29.36, citing updated assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E in their models. What’s in the News for Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is identified as one of several defendants in an ongoing federal antitrust class action involving alleged pork price fixing affecting commercial and institutional indirect purchasers in the United States, with Tyson Foods agreeing to a US$48,000,000 settlement while litigation continues against remaining defendants, including Smithfield Foods.