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U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 14, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies133
  • 7D0.7%
  • 3M-0.8%
  • 1Y-5.6%
  • YTD2.5%

Last week, the Food industry hasn't moved much but Archer-Daniels-Midland is up 5.3% in that time. Unfortunately though, the industry is down 5.6% over the past 12 months. 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
Wed, 15 Jul 2026US$397.4bUS$571.6bUS$9.0b16.9x44.1x0.7x
Fri, 12 Jun 2026US$406.9bUS$571.3bUS$11.4b17.8x35.7x0.7x
Sun, 10 May 2026US$412.0bUS$568.9bUS$10.6b16.2x39x0.7x
Tue, 07 Apr 2026US$413.0bUS$557.7bUS$10.1b20.8x40.7x0.7x
Thu, 05 Mar 2026US$429.4bUS$556.6bUS$10.1b24x42.7x0.8x
Sat, 31 Jan 2026US$414.5bUS$550.1bUS$13.8b21.2x30x0.8x
Mon, 29 Dec 2025US$391.4bUS$556.0bUS$14.5b20.3x27x0.7x
Wed, 26 Nov 2025US$422.6bUS$569.0bUS$17.3b20.7x24.5x0.7x
Fri, 24 Oct 2025US$438.0bUS$552.2bUS$16.3b17.8x26.9x0.8x
Sun, 21 Sep 2025US$439.8bUS$556.3bUS$16.5b18.2x26.6x0.8x
Tue, 19 Aug 2025US$445.7bUS$554.6bUS$16.2b20.8x27.4x0.8x
Thu, 17 Jul 2025US$442.7bUS$547.6bUS$24.0b19.1x18.5x0.8x
Sat, 14 Jun 2025US$449.5bUS$548.1bUS$23.4b19.2x19.2x0.8x
Mon, 12 May 2025US$433.4bUS$468.0bUS$22.7b18.9x19.1x0.9x
Wed, 09 Apr 2025US$431.0bUS$471.4bUS$24.5b16.4x17.6x0.9x
Fri, 07 Mar 2025US$448.6bUS$471.6bUS$24.4b18.7x18.4x1x
Sun, 02 Feb 2025US$439.5bUS$478.3bUS$22.2b20.3x19.8x0.9x
Tue, 31 Dec 2024US$446.8bUS$464.4bUS$21.6b19.7x20.7x1x
Thu, 28 Nov 2024US$471.3bUS$459.5bUS$21.2b19.9x22.2x1x
Sat, 26 Oct 2024US$479.0bUS$462.0bUS$22.5b17.8x21.3x1x
Mon, 23 Sep 2024US$497.6bUS$461.6bUS$22.2b19.7x22.4x1.1x
Wed, 21 Aug 2024US$488.2bUS$461.0bUS$22.2b20.3x22x1.1x
Fri, 19 Jul 2024US$475.2bUS$472.7bUS$24.4b18.4x19.4x1x
Sun, 16 Jun 2024US$455.3bUS$473.6bUS$25.1b14.5x18.1x1x
Tue, 14 May 2024US$494.2bUS$474.0bUS$24.3b15.7x20.3x1x
Thu, 11 Apr 2024US$482.1bUS$472.1bUS$24.7b16.7x19.5x1x
Sat, 09 Mar 2024US$473.3bUS$477.1bUS$24.9b15.1x19x1x
Mon, 05 Feb 2024US$494.5bUS$491.0bUS$25.9b16.1x19.1x1x
Wed, 03 Jan 2024US$505.4bUS$489.9bUS$25.6b17.3x19.8x1x
Fri, 01 Dec 2023US$474.8bUS$490.4bUS$25.5b15.8x18.6x1x
Sun, 29 Oct 2023US$457.1bUS$489.2bUS$26.1b17.1x17.5x0.9x
Tue, 26 Sep 2023US$496.9bUS$491.2bUS$26.2b18.3x18.9x1x
Thu, 24 Aug 2023US$514.8bUS$491.1bUS$26.3b16.1x19.5x1x
Sat, 22 Jul 2023US$550.0bUS$494.2bUS$26.1b17.5x21x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

21x


Total Market Cap: US$550.0bTotal Earnings: US$26.1bTotal Revenue: US$494.2bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 23.8x202420252026
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 44.1x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 23.8x.
  • 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 Market-0.93%
Consumer Staples0.77%
Food0.69%
Agricultural Products1.46%
Packaged Foods and Meats0.48%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaged Foods and Meats industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 25.9x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 21.5%, 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 16.8x.
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
ADM Archer-Daniels-MidlandUS$82.045.3%
+US$2.0b		51.1%PE36.6x
BG Bunge GlobalUS$117.407.9%
+US$1.7b		56.6%PE33.2x
MDLZ Mondelez InternationalUS$59.861.2%
+US$885.7m		-11.5%PE29.5x
DAR Darling IngredientsUS$62.037.2%
+US$658.0m		68.7%PE44.2x
MKC McCormickUS$53.753.8%
+US$529.6m		-25.3%PE8.9x

Latest News

CPB
US$22.10
Campbell's
7D
-3.5%
1Y
-27.3%
ADM
US$82.28
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
5.2%
1Y
53.1%
KHC
US$25.08
Kraft Heinz
7D
-0.9%
1Y
-7.5%
DAR
US$61.83
Darling Ingredients
7D
6.2%
1Y
71.7%
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.
HSY
US$171.46
Hershey
7D
-2.6%
1Y
5.2%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 13

Hershey: A Cautious 'Buy' As Margins Begin To Recover (Upgrade)

Summary Hershey now offers an attractive risk-reward profile after a period of underperformance and carries a 3.3% yield. HSY is demonstrating net sales growth and gross margin recovery, driven by pricing and supply chain productivity. Management guides for acceleration in H2 2026, with innovation and expansion into premium chocolate and protein as key growth drivers. I view HSY as a cautious 'Buy' at a forward P/E of 20.6, below its historical average, offering an appealing long-term entry for investors. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
TSN
US$57.48
Tyson Foods
7D
-2.3%
1Y
9.0%
SJM
US$108.81
J. M. Smucker
7D
-3.9%
1Y
4.3%
MDLZ
US$58.80
Mondelez International
7D
-2.4%
1Y
-11.9%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 11

Mondelez: Bittersweet Valuation As Lower Cocoa Costs Are Already Baked In

Summary Mondelez remains a Hold as easing cocoa prices are already priced in, limiting near-term upside. Chocolate segment margins could recover by 2027 if cocoa prices stay low, but risks remain if prices rebound. Valuation likely offers limited upside at this point. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
AGRO
US$10.44
Adecoagro
7D
8.5%
1Y
11.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 09

AGRO: Cautious Downgrade And Rich P/E Will Restrain Future Upside

Analysts have revised their price target on Adecoagro to $10.50, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, margins, and a higher future P/E multiple, even as some recent research has turned more cautious on valuation. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Adecoagro has leaned more cautious, with bearish analysts highlighting valuation concerns even as the new US$10.50 price target reflects updated assumptions on growth and margins.
MKC
US$52.85
McCormick
7D
1.2%
1Y
-25.3%
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$24.81
Hormel Foods
7D
0.4%
1Y
-15.1%
FRPT
US$55.92
Freshpet
7D
3.4%
1Y
-22.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 07

FRPT: Pullback Sets Up Future Upside As Execution And Moat Hold Steady

Analysts have trimmed the Freshpet fair value estimate from $110.22 to $104.00, reflecting more cautious assumptions around growth, margins, and valuation multiples, even as recent research highlights both competitive risks and what some view as an attractive entry point after the stock's pullback. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Freshpet presents a split picture, with some bullish analysts viewing the recent pullback as an opportunity and others trimming price targets to factor in competitive pressures and sentiment toward smaller and mid-cap stocks.
GIS
US$36.46
General Mills
7D
-1.7%
1Y
-27.1%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 06

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
BG
US$116.63
Bunge Global
7D
5.2%
1Y
57.2%
Narrative Update • Jul 01

BG: Higher Margins And Completed Buyback Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have nudged their price target for Bunge Global to $150 from $145, citing updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate, and future P/E that collectively reshape their valuation view on the stock. What's in the News Bunge Global reported that from March 10, 2026 to March 31, 2026, it repurchased 0 shares for $0 million, and stated that this completed the buyback announced on March 10, 2026.
SEB
US$4,645.75
Seaboard
7D
4.4%
1Y
53.3%
JBS
US$11.83
JBS
7D
-3.0%
1Y
-8.9%
Narrative Update • Jun 26

JBS: Plant Closures And Poultry Expansion Will Reshape Future Earnings Profile

The analyst price target for JBS has shifted from $20.04 to $18.81 as analysts adjust their assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News for JBS JBS USA plans to close its beef processing facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania, and a value-added processing plant in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of a restructuring focused on modernizing operations and improving efficiency.