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U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 18, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies130
  • 7D0.9%
  • 3M2.4%
  • 1Y-3.6%
  • YTD5.5%

In the last week, the Food industry is flat overall, with Smithfield Foods standing out by going down 7.5%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 3.6% in the last year. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 21% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 18 Aug 2026US$417.6bUS$588.7bUS$11.1b18x37.6x0.7x
Thu, 16 Jul 2026US$398.5bUS$571.6bUS$9.0b16.8x44.2x0.7x
Sat, 13 Jun 2026US$405.3bUS$571.3bUS$11.4b17.9x35.5x0.7x
Mon, 11 May 2026US$411.1bUS$569.2bUS$10.5b16.2x39x0.7x
Wed, 08 Apr 2026US$414.7bUS$557.8bUS$10.1b20.5x40.9x0.7x
Fri, 06 Mar 2026US$426.4bUS$556.6bUS$10.1b23.3x42.4x0.8x
Sun, 01 Feb 2026US$420.5bUS$550.1bUS$13.8b21.2x30.4x0.8x
Tue, 30 Dec 2025US$390.9bUS$555.9bUS$14.5b20.1x27x0.7x
Thu, 27 Nov 2025US$426.6bUS$569.1bUS$17.3b20.9x24.7x0.7x
Sat, 25 Oct 2025US$433.5bUS$552.2bUS$16.2b18.3x26.7x0.8x
Mon, 22 Sep 2025US$439.8bUS$556.3bUS$16.5b18.2x26.6x0.8x
Wed, 20 Aug 2025US$444.3bUS$553.6bUS$16.2b20.9x27.5x0.8x
Fri, 18 Jul 2025US$447.2bUS$547.8bUS$24.0b19.1x18.7x0.8x
Sun, 15 Jun 2025US$445.6bUS$548.1bUS$23.4b19.2x19x0.8x
Tue, 13 May 2025US$434.3bUS$468.0bUS$22.7b19.1x19.2x0.9x
Thu, 10 Apr 2025US$422.5bUS$471.5bUS$24.5b16.9x17.2x0.9x
Sat, 08 Mar 2025US$452.9bUS$471.6bUS$24.4b18.3x18.6x1x
Mon, 03 Feb 2025US$439.8bUS$478.3bUS$22.2b20.3x19.8x0.9x
Wed, 01 Jan 2025US$442.1bUS$464.3bUS$21.6b19.9x20.5x1x
Fri, 29 Nov 2024US$471.7bUS$459.4bUS$21.2b19.9x22.2x1x
Sun, 27 Oct 2024US$477.0bUS$462.0bUS$22.5b17.8x21.2x1x
Tue, 24 Sep 2024US$497.6bUS$461.6bUS$22.2b19.7x22.4x1.1x
Thu, 22 Aug 2024US$487.3bUS$461.1bUS$22.2b20.4x22x1.1x
Sat, 20 Jul 2024US$473.9bUS$472.7bUS$24.4b18.1x19.4x1x
Mon, 17 Jun 2024US$455.3bUS$473.6bUS$25.1b14.5x18.1x1x
Wed, 15 May 2024US$494.2bUS$474.0bUS$24.3b15.6x20.3x1x
Fri, 12 Apr 2024US$475.4bUS$472.1bUS$24.7b16.8x19.2x1x
Sun, 10 Mar 2024US$473.4bUS$477.1bUS$24.9b15.1x19x1x
Tue, 06 Feb 2024US$477.4bUS$483.8bUS$25.0b15.8x19.1x1x
Thu, 04 Jan 2024US$502.3bUS$489.9bUS$25.6b17.1x19.6x1x
Sat, 02 Dec 2023US$478.4bUS$490.4bUS$25.5b15.9x18.8x1x
Mon, 30 Oct 2023US$457.1bUS$489.2bUS$26.1b17.1x17.5x0.9x
Wed, 27 Sep 2023US$496.8bUS$491.2bUS$26.2b18.3x18.9x1x
Fri, 25 Aug 2023US$512.9bUS$491.0bUS$26.3b16.2x19.5x1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

19.5x


Total Market Cap: US$512.9bTotal Earnings: US$26.3bTotal Revenue: US$491.0bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.7x202420252026
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 37.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 24.7x.
  • The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.90x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Food industry have declined 25% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 6.2% 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 Market0.11%
Consumer Staples0.17%
Food0.87%
Agricultural Products1.99%
Packaged Foods and Meats0.56%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaged Foods and Meats industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 27.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.9%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 10.6% 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 17.4x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Packaged Foods and Meats industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 22% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 11% per year.
  • In contrast, the Agricultural Products industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 15% 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$62.181.1%
+US$829.6m		0.5%PE22.6x
DAR Darling IngredientsUS$67.677.7%
+US$763.8m		118.1%PE17.9x
PPC Pilgrim's PrideUS$28.778.5%
+US$538.1m		-39.9%PE12.6x
TSN Tyson FoodsUS$58.612.5%
+US$508.8m		4.5%PE35.8x
BG Bunge GlobalUS$114.912.0%
+US$434.2m		42.6%PE21.9x

Latest News

PPC
US$28.77
Pilgrim's Pride
7D
8.5%
1Y
-39.9%
CALM
US$80.44
Cal-Maine Foods
7D
-1.9%
1Y
-26.1%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 16

Cal-Maine Foods: Depressed Egg Prices, Yet A Fundamentally Stronger Business

Summary Cal-Maine Foods remains a Buy as valuation discounts its transformation toward value-added products despite weak egg prices. CALM is investing heavily in prepared foods and specialty eggs, targeting over 60% prepared foods capacity growth by H1 FY28 to reduce commodity exposure. Despite a sharp YoY revenue decline and suspended dividend, CALM's debt-free balance sheet and ongoing buybacks provide capital flexibility. Intrinsic value is estimated well above the current levels, reflecting significant re-rating potential as investments advance and fundamentals change. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LWAY
US$24.75
Lifeway Foods
7D
-17.4%
1Y
-18.9%
DAR
US$67.67
Darling Ingredients
7D
7.7%
1Y
118.1%
TSN
US$58.61
Tyson Foods
7D
2.5%
1Y
4.5%
BYND
US$11.63
Beyond Meat
7D
-25.4%
1Y
-84.7%
Narrative Update • Aug 14

BYND: Reverse Split And Product Expansion Will Shape A Bullish Reset

Analysts lifted their fair value estimate for Beyond Meat to $15.0 from $0.5, citing a less severe projected revenue decline, a slightly lower future P/E assumption, and a higher discount rate. Together, these factors indicate a recalibrated view of the stock's risk and earnings potential.
AGRO
US$9.26
Adecoagro
7D
-4.1%
1Y
0.7%
HRL
US$24.02
Hormel Foods
7D
-2.8%
1Y
-15.1%
HSY
US$181.06
Hershey
7D
-0.9%
1Y
1.5%
MDLZ
US$62.18
Mondelez International
7D
1.1%
1Y
0.5%
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
ADM
US$81.29
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
1.0%
1Y
36.2%
KHC
US$24.75
Kraft Heinz
7D
-0.7%
1Y
-9.2%
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$15.54
Conagra Brands
7D
5.2%
1Y
-18.1%
SFD
US$22.61
Smithfield Foods
7D
-7.5%
1Y
-11.4%
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.
BG
US$114.91
Bunge Global
7D
2.0%
1Y
42.6%
GIS
US$37.98
General Mills
7D
1.9%
1Y
-23.0%
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