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U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 07, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies137
  • 7D-0.6%
  • 3M-3.1%
  • 1Y-7.2%
  • YTD1.7%

The Food is pretty flat in the last 7 days, but Darling Ingredients has stood out, gaining 8.9%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 7.2% in the last year. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 22% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 07 Jul 2026US$404.7bUS$571.6bUS$9.1b16.6x44.4x0.7x
Thu, 04 Jun 2026US$398.9bUS$571.0bUS$10.3b17.9x38.8x0.7x
Sat, 02 May 2026US$413.4bUS$569.4bUS$10.1b20.9x40.8x0.7x
Mon, 30 Mar 2026US$410.4bUS$558.2bUS$9.8b19.9x42x0.7x
Wed, 25 Feb 2026US$432.6bUS$556.2bUS$10.0b24.6x43.3x0.8x
Fri, 23 Jan 2026US$406.0bUS$555.9bUS$14.4b21.3x28.2x0.7x
Sun, 21 Dec 2025US$393.7bUS$557.5bUS$14.5b19.9x27.1x0.7x
Tue, 18 Nov 2025US$422.0bUS$572.3bUS$17.2b19.5x24.6x0.7x
Thu, 16 Oct 2025US$433.6bUS$551.0bUS$16.3b17.9x26.7x0.8x
Sat, 13 Sep 2025US$446.1bUS$556.1bUS$16.2b18.8x27.6x0.8x
Mon, 11 Aug 2025US$451.3bUS$550.6bUS$16.1b20.4x28.1x0.8x
Wed, 09 Jul 2025US$453.3bUS$549.4bUS$23.2b20x19.5x0.8x
Fri, 06 Jun 2025US$429.6bUS$468.3bUS$22.4b19.2x19.1x0.9x
Sun, 04 May 2025US$438.2bUS$471.7bUS$23.5b19.1x18.7x0.9x
Tue, 01 Apr 2025US$450.8bUS$470.9bUS$24.6b17.7x18.3x1x
Thu, 27 Feb 2025US$457.0bUS$476.0bUS$25.7b18.3x17.8x1x
Sat, 25 Jan 2025US$428.0bUS$464.3bUS$21.8b20.1x19.6x0.9x
Mon, 23 Dec 2024US$444.4bUS$464.5bUS$21.6b19.8x20.6x1x
Wed, 20 Nov 2024US$458.9bUS$459.1bUS$21.5b19.1x21.4x1x
Fri, 18 Oct 2024US$489.5bUS$462.1bUS$22.6b18.3x21.6x1.1x
Sun, 15 Sep 2024US$499.1bUS$461.5bUS$22.3b19.6x22.4x1.1x
Tue, 13 Aug 2024US$481.1bUS$461.0bUS$22.2b18.7x21.7x1x
Thu, 11 Jul 2024US$454.2bUS$473.5bUS$25.1b15.7x18.1x1x
Sat, 08 Jun 2024US$471.1bUS$473.8bUS$25.1b14.9x18.8x1x
Mon, 06 May 2024US$481.9bUS$474.2bUS$24.0b15.7x20.1x1x
Wed, 03 Apr 2024US$487.9bUS$472.9bUS$25.0b15.9x19.5x1x
Fri, 01 Mar 2024US$471.1bUS$478.2bUS$24.9b15x18.9x1x
Sun, 28 Jan 2024US$487.1bUS$490.0bUS$25.5b16x19.1x1x
Tue, 26 Dec 2023US$489.0bUS$490.0bUS$25.5b16.7x19.2x1x
Thu, 23 Nov 2023US$479.2bUS$490.5bUS$25.6b15.8x18.7x1x
Sat, 21 Oct 2023US$455.3bUS$494.5bUS$26.4b16.6x17.3x0.9x
Mon, 18 Sep 2023US$509.2bUS$491.1bUS$26.4b18.8x19.3x1x
Wed, 16 Aug 2023US$526.3bUS$490.9bUS$26.3b16.5x20x1.1x
Fri, 14 Jul 2023US$537.6bUS$494.2bUS$26.2b17.1x20.5x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

20.5x


Total Market Cap: US$537.6bTotal Earnings: US$26.2bTotal Revenue: US$494.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 23.6x202420252026
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 44.4x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 23.6x.
  • 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 30% 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 Market0.79%
Consumer Staples-0.68%
Food-0.57%
Agricultural Products1.69%
Packaged Foods and Meats-1.15%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaged Foods and Meats industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 25.7x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.7%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 16.4% 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 16.7x.
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
DAR Darling IngredientsUS$57.898.9%
+US$753.3m		52.9%PE41.2x
KHC Kraft HeinzUS$24.822.6%
+US$747.0m		-4.8%PS1.2x
ADM Archer-Daniels-MidlandUS$77.931.4%
+US$510.9m		42.9%PE34.7x
CALM Cal-Maine FoodsUS$85.197.4%
+US$277.2m		-15.8%PE5.8x
LW Lamb Weston HoldingsUS$46.094.5%
+US$273.4m		-9.6%PE21.2x

Latest News

AVO
US$13.29
Mission Produce
7D
10.2%
1Y
12.3%
CALM
US$85.19
Cal-Maine Foods
7D
7.4%
1Y
-15.8%
GIS
US$36.12
General Mills
7D
-0.7%
1Y
-30.3%
Seeking Alpha • 23h

General Mills Earnings And A Tough Road Ahead

Summary General Mills remains a buy, with recent results suggesting potential for a durable rally despite ongoing headwinds from private label competition. GIS faces margin pressure as it prioritizes value and lower prices to retain price-sensitive consumers while exploring innovation and health-focused products for differentiation. Valuation is attractive, with a non-GAAP P/E of 10.58 and a 6.5% dividend yield, though dividend safety is a concern amid a tough economic environment. Execution of cost reduction and turnaround strategies is critical, as persistent headwinds and potential dividend cuts could impact share price performance. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
HRL
US$24.28
Hormel Foods
7D
-7.7%
1Y
-20.4%
SJM
US$111.66
J. M. Smucker
7D
-3.7%
1Y
7.9%
KHC
US$24.82
Kraft Heinz
7D
2.6%
1Y
-4.8%
Narrative Update • Jul 01

KHC: Heavier Brand Spending And Inflation Will Pressure Margins And Drive Repricing

The analyst price target for Kraft Heinz has been raised by $2 to reflect updated fair value assumptions, supported by recent Street research that highlights both ongoing investment in brands and operations, as well as concerns about cost inflation and earnings durability. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Kraft Heinz reflects a mixed picture, with some firms lifting price targets while others flag risks around margins, leverage, and the pace of earnings progress.
HSY
US$177.51
Hershey
7D
-2.2%
1Y
1.1%
Narrative Update • Jun 30

HSY: Confection Recovery And Easing Cocoa Costs Will Support Future Earnings Resilience

The analyst price target for Hershey has been trimmed by about $11 to reflect slightly lower fair value estimates, a modestly higher discount rate, and more cautious assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E multiples. Recent research points to softer scanner data and freight pressure in salty snacks, even as some analysts remain constructive on the confection category heading into the second half of 2026.
INGR
US$99.29
Ingredion
7D
4.1%
1Y
-27.1%
FRPT
US$54.09
Freshpet
7D
-10.8%
1Y
-20.4%
ADM
US$77.93
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
1.4%
1Y
42.9%
DAR
US$57.89
Darling Ingredients
7D
8.9%
1Y
52.9%
Narrative Update • Jun 29

DAR: Renewable Diesel Policy Support Expected To Drive Higher Margin Opportunities

Analysts have trimmed their average price target on Darling Ingredients to $61.22 from $70.00. This reflects updated assumptions around fair value, future P/E and profitability, while still citing supportive biofuel policy trends and higher margin opportunities, alongside commodity and execution risks.
SEB
US$4,431.80
Seaboard
7D
-3.5%
1Y
47.1%
FLO
US$8.61
Flowers Foods
7D
7.0%
1Y
-45.2%
SFD
US$24.55
Smithfield Foods
7D
-1.9%
1Y
1.8%
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.
LW
US$46.09
Lamb Weston Holdings
7D
4.5%
1Y
-9.6%
MDLZ
US$59.17
Mondelez International
7D
-1.6%
1Y
-14.0%
Narrative Update • Jun 23

MDLZ: Emerging Markets And Cocoa Supply Trends Will Support Future Returns

Mondelez International’s analyst price target has been nudged higher by a few dollars, with recent $1 to $3 increases across several firms reflecting analysts’ updated views on the company’s risk profile, earnings power, and appropriate P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Mondelez International has been active, with several firms adjusting price targets and one prominent downgrade.