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

U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 28, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies134
  • 7D1.7%
  • 3M1.4%
  • 1Y-4.6%
  • YTD6.0%

Over the last 7 days, the Food industry has remained flat, although notably J. M. Smucker gained 5.2%. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 7.1% in the last year. 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
Tue, 28 Jul 2026US$409.5bUS$571.2bUS$6.7b18x60.7x0.7x
Thu, 25 Jun 2026US$393.2bUS$571.3bUS$11.4b15.9x34.4x0.7x
Sat, 23 May 2026US$404.8bUS$571.6bUS$10.3b18.6x39.2x0.7x
Mon, 20 Apr 2026US$401.8bUS$557.8bUS$9.9b21.3x40.4x0.7x
Wed, 18 Mar 2026US$409.1bUS$556.3bUS$10.0b21.7x40.7x0.7x
Fri, 13 Feb 2026US$440.7bUS$556.2bUS$10.0b24.1x44.1x0.8x
Sun, 11 Jan 2026US$391.7bUS$555.7bUS$14.3b21.7x27.3x0.7x
Tue, 09 Dec 2025US$428.2bUS$570.8bUS$17.1b20.6x25.1x0.8x
Thu, 06 Nov 2025US$414.2bUS$559.4bUS$17.9b17.8x23.1x0.7x
Sat, 04 Oct 2025US$439.9bUS$553.4bUS$16.2b18x27.2x0.8x
Mon, 01 Sep 2025US$449.2bUS$554.9bUS$16.0b20.7x28.1x0.8x
Wed, 30 Jul 2025US$458.5bUS$548.0bUS$24.1b19.6x19x0.8x
Fri, 27 Jun 2025US$440.5bUS$548.6bUS$23.2b19.3x19x0.8x
Sun, 25 May 2025US$426.1bUS$468.1bUS$22.5b19.1x18.9x0.9x
Tue, 22 Apr 2025US$444.5bUS$472.3bUS$24.9b17.2x17.8x0.9x
Thu, 20 Mar 2025US$441.6bUS$471.5bUS$24.3b17.5x18.2x0.9x
Sat, 15 Feb 2025US$437.6bUS$475.9bUS$25.7b19.3x17x0.9x
Mon, 13 Jan 2025US$422.9bUS$461.6bUS$21.2b19.7x20x0.9x
Wed, 11 Dec 2024US$466.6bUS$464.4bUS$21.6b20.5x21.6x1x
Fri, 08 Nov 2024US$472.4bUS$460.6bUS$21.9b18.4x21.5x1x
Sun, 06 Oct 2024US$487.9bUS$462.1bUS$22.6b18.5x21.6x1.1x
Tue, 03 Sep 2024US$492.5bUS$461.5bUS$22.2b20.9x22.1x1.1x
Thu, 01 Aug 2024US$474.4bUS$461.7bUS$21.5b19.3x22.1x1x
Sat, 29 Jun 2024US$458.3bUS$473.4bUS$25.1b14.5x18.3x1x
Mon, 27 May 2024US$479.2bUS$474.0bUS$24.3b17.6x19.7x1x
Wed, 24 Apr 2024US$485.4bUS$478.2bUS$25.0b16.8x19.4x1x
Fri, 22 Mar 2024US$482.8bUS$473.0bUS$24.7b15.3x19.5x1x
Sun, 18 Feb 2024US$465.5bUS$478.2bUS$24.9b14.8x18.7x1x
Tue, 16 Jan 2024US$494.7bUS$490.0bUS$25.4b15.9x19.4x1x
Thu, 14 Dec 2023US$493.9bUS$490.1bUS$25.5b17.2x19.4x1x
Sat, 11 Nov 2023US$471.4bUS$490.1bUS$26.4b16x17.8x1x
Mon, 09 Oct 2023US$464.1bUS$494.5bUS$26.4b16.8x17.6x0.9x
Wed, 06 Sep 2023US$503.9bUS$491.4bUS$26.4b15.6x19.1x1x
Fri, 04 Aug 2023US$546.5bUS$490.6bUS$27.4b17.4x19.9x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

19.9x


Total Market Cap: US$546.5bTotal Earnings: US$27.4bTotal Revenue: US$490.6bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.2x202420252026
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 60.7x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 24.2x.
  • 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 37% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 5.2% 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 Market-0.74%
Consumer Staples0.74%
Food1.69%
Packaged Foods and Meats2.54%
Agricultural Products-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 26.4x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.2%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 14.9% 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 17.1x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Agricultural Products industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 26% 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
HSY HersheyUS$180.194.9%
+US$1.7b		-2.4%PE33.4x
JBS JBSUS$13.5512.6%
+US$1.6b		0.6%PE8.3x
TSN Tyson FoodsUS$60.714.7%
+US$954.3m		13.6%PE47.2x
SJM J. M. SmuckerUS$121.057.6%
+US$913.8m		11.4%PS1.4x
LW Lamb Weston HoldingsUS$53.1114.0%
+US$867.4m		-10.3%PE25.2x

Latest News

TSN
US$60.71
Tyson Foods
7D
4.7%
1Y
13.6%
MDLZ
US$60.67
Mondelez International
7D
0.7%
1Y
-12.8%
MKC
US$50.61
McCormick
7D
-3.1%
1Y
-29.3%
LW
US$53.11
Lamb Weston Holdings
7D
14.0%
1Y
-10.3%
GIS
US$36.61
General Mills
7D
-2.6%
1Y
-26.6%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 24

General Mills: A Dividend Cut Would Be An Opportunity, Not A Threat

Summary General Mills is rated Strong Buy, with compelling valuation and a solid cost-saving strategy despite rising macro risks. GIS targets $3 billion in cumulative cost savings by FY30, prioritizing balance sheet improvements and limiting buybacks to offset dilution. FY27 guidance anticipates organic net sales down 1.5% to up 0.5%, with Adj. Operating Profit declining 8–13%, mainly due to non-recurring factors. Macro headwinds, consumer trade-downs to private labels, and potential dividend pressures are key risks, but GIS’s turnaround and risk-reward remain attractive. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
JBS
US$13.55
JBS
7D
12.6%
1Y
0.6%
Narrative Update • Jul 24

JBS: Index Additions And Ongoing Litigation Will Shape Future Upside Potential

Analysts have revised their JBS fair value estimate from $18.81 to $18.25, reflecting updated assumptions about the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E. What's in the News for JBS JBS N.V. (NYSE:JBS) was added to the Russell 3000E Index, increasing its presence across a broad universe of U.S. equities.
ADM
US$83.19
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
-2.9%
1Y
51.9%
Narrative Update • Jul 23

ADM: Elevated P/E Assumptions Will Increase Downside Risk If Earnings Disappoint

Analysts have raised their Archer-Daniels-Midland fair value estimate to $60 from $50, reflecting updated views on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E after a series of recent price target increases across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street commentary on Archer-Daniels-Midland points to a mixed backdrop, with several firms adjusting price targets while keeping a cautious tone on the stock's risk and reward balance.
SJM
US$121.05
J. M. Smucker
7D
7.6%
1Y
11.4%
Narrative Update • Jul 23

SJM: Coffee Deflation And Hostess Review Will Eventually Undermine Earnings Resilience

The fair value estimate for J. M.
KHC
US$26.22
Kraft Heinz
7D
1.4%
1Y
-7.2%
DAR
US$60.53
Darling Ingredients
7D
-4.7%
1Y
76.2%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 21

Darling Ingredients: Simple Business, Complex Dynamics

Summary Darling Ingredients leverages animal by-products and recycled materials to supply animal feed, industrials, and biofuel producers, with a major focus on renewable diesel. DAR's Diamond Green Diesel (DGD) joint venture with Valero is a critical component of its profitability and is also expected to generate meaningful cash inflows to DAR. An increased collagen and peptides (Nextida) mix allows DAR's Food segment to expand margins, increasing profitability without requiring higher volumes. Regulatory changes, such as the IRA’s Section 45Z tax credit, have shifted the competitive landscape, favoring domestic renewable diesel producers like DAR. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
UTZ
US$14.08
Utz Brands
7D
89.0%
1Y
-0.07%
INGR
US$101.45
Ingredion
7D
-1.0%
1Y
-22.9%
New Narrative • Jul 21

Texture And Healthful Solutions Momentum Will Support A Stronger Long Term Outlook

Catalysts About Ingredion Ingredion supplies ingredient and solutions portfolios for food, beverage and industrial customers across global markets. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
HSY
US$180.19
Hershey
7D
4.9%
1Y
-2.4%
FLO
US$7.64
Flowers Foods
7D
-10.0%
1Y
-53.0%
Seeking Alpha • Jul 20

Flowers Foods: The Deal Behind Its First Dividend Cut In 24 Years

Summary Flowers Foods (FLO) faces headwinds after a $846.2M debt-financed acquisition and a recent dividend cut, challenging its historical stability. FLO's valuation is pressured by sector-wide derating tied to interest rates and internal factors, notably the costly Simple Mills acquisition. The dividend cut, ending a 24-year growth streak, signals diminished income appeal and has driven away income-focused investors. I rate FLO a hold, with fair value in the $8.35–10.57 range on $465–495M EBITDA at 7.5–8x, reflecting current business fundamentals. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
MZTI
US$107.48
Marzetti
7D
-2.5%
1Y
-40.7%
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.
BG
US$117.50
Bunge Global
7D
-2.5%
1Y
53.2%
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.