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U.S. Food Industry Analysis

UpdatedJul 24, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies134
  • 7D-0.6%
  • 3M-0.2%
  • 1Y-7.5%
  • YTD3.5%

The Food is pretty flat in the last 7 days, but Archer-Daniels-Midland has stood out, gaining 4.0%. Unfortunately though, the industry is down 7.5% over the past 12 months. As for the next few years, earnings are expected to grow by 23% per annum.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Fri, 24 Jul 2026US$410.9bUS$571.1bUS$6.8b17.9x60.8x0.7x
Sun, 21 Jun 2026US$388.7bUS$571.3bUS$11.4b17.1x34x0.7x
Tue, 19 May 2026US$401.8bUS$571.6bUS$10.3b18.4x38.9x0.7x
Thu, 16 Apr 2026US$404.0bUS$557.8bUS$9.9b21.1x40.7x0.7x
Sat, 14 Mar 2026US$405.5bUS$556.2bUS$10.0b22.2x40.4x0.7x
Mon, 09 Feb 2026US$435.5bUS$559.3bUS$11.5b23.1x38x0.8x
Wed, 07 Jan 2026US$383.1bUS$555.9bUS$14.5b19.8x26.5x0.7x
Fri, 05 Dec 2025US$423.8bUS$569.1bUS$17.3b20.4x24.5x0.7x
Sun, 02 Nov 2025US$416.8bUS$558.6bUS$17.8b17.8x23.5x0.7x
Tue, 30 Sep 2025US$438.6bUS$553.7bUS$16.5b18.3x26.6x0.8x
Thu, 28 Aug 2025US$451.7bUS$554.9bUS$16.0b21.1x28.3x0.8x
Sat, 26 Jul 2025US$462.0bUS$548.2bUS$24.1b19.8x19.2x0.8x
Mon, 23 Jun 2025US$447.4bUS$548.3bUS$23.4b19.3x19.1x0.8x
Wed, 21 May 2025US$434.4bUS$468.1bUS$22.5b19.1x19.3x0.9x
Fri, 18 Apr 2025US$438.1bUS$472.3bUS$24.9b17.5x17.6x0.9x
Sun, 16 Mar 2025US$439.8bUS$471.8bUS$24.4b17.1x18.1x0.9x
Tue, 11 Feb 2025US$432.6bUS$475.9bUS$23.9b19.3x18.1x0.9x
Thu, 09 Jan 2025US$433.1bUS$464.8bUS$21.8b19.7x19.9x0.9x
Sat, 07 Dec 2024US$465.7bUS$464.4bUS$21.6b19.9x21.5x1x
Mon, 04 Nov 2024US$472.1bUS$460.7bUS$21.8b17.8x21.6x1x
Wed, 02 Oct 2024US$495.1bUS$462.0bUS$22.4b18.8x22.1x1.1x
Fri, 30 Aug 2024US$490.9bUS$461.3bUS$22.4b19.9x21.9x1.1x
Sun, 28 Jul 2024US$469.4bUS$467.0bUS$23.7b18.9x19.8x1x
Tue, 25 Jun 2024US$460.3bUS$473.7bUS$25.1b15x18.3x1x
Thu, 23 May 2024US$490.2bUS$474.0bUS$24.3b17.4x20.1x1x
Sat, 20 Apr 2024US$471.0bUS$472.7bUS$24.8b16.7x19x1x
Mon, 18 Mar 2024US$472.5bUS$473.1bUS$24.5b15.2x19.3x1x
Wed, 14 Feb 2024US$464.7bUS$479.3bUS$25.3b14.7x18.3x1x
Fri, 12 Jan 2024US$494.8bUS$490.0bUS$25.4b15.9x19.5x1x
Sun, 10 Dec 2023US$487.1bUS$490.0bUS$25.5b16.4x19.1x1x
Tue, 07 Nov 2023US$473.3bUS$490.1bUS$26.4b16x17.9x1x
Thu, 05 Oct 2023US$483.9bUS$493.9bUS$26.0b18.4x18.6x1x
Sat, 02 Sep 2023US$508.2bUS$491.0bUS$26.4b16x19.2x1x
Mon, 31 Jul 2023US$549.8bUS$493.7bUS$26.3b17.5x20.9x1.1x
Price to Earnings Ratio

20.9x


Total Market Cap: US$549.8bTotal Earnings: US$26.3bTotal Revenue: US$493.7bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Food Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.1x202420252026
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 60.8x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 24.1x.
  • 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 36% 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-1.98%
Consumer Staples-3.72%
Food-0.65%
Agricultural Products4.03%
Packaged Foods and Meats-1.92%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Packaged Foods and Meats industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 26.2x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 22.3%, 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 17.0x.
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
ADM Archer-Daniels-MidlandUS$86.354.0%
+US$1.6b		55.6%PE38.5x
BG Bunge GlobalUS$122.305.6%
+US$1.3b		59.0%PE34.6x
UTZ Utz BrandsUS$14.0988.4%
+US$585.2m		-2.6%PS0.9x
DAR Darling IngredientsUS$63.403.6%
+US$352.8m		80.2%PE45.1x
LW Lamb Weston HoldingsUS$49.184.8%
+US$312.0m		-16.1%PE22.6x

Latest News

LW
US$49.18
Lamb Weston Holdings
7D
4.8%
1Y
-16.1%
GIS
US$35.55
General Mills
7D
-8.1%
1Y
-30.2%
Seeking Alpha • 9h

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
HRL
US$25.02
Hormel Foods
7D
-2.7%
1Y
-14.6%
Seeking Alpha • 23h

Hormel Foods: 24% Rally But Still Undervalued

Summary Hormel Foods remains a "Buy," leveraging strong brand power and a strategic focus on margin-accretive growth. HRL delivered Q2 net sales up 2.5% and adjusted diluted EPS up 14.3% year-over-year, beating consensus. Shares trade at a forward P/E of 15.8, a 13% discount to the estimated fair value P/E of 18 ($28/share). HRL offers a 4.8% yield, a robust balance sheet, and is poised for 6.5% forward EPS growth amid manageable risks. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
PPC
US$27.92
Pilgrim's Pride
7D
-3.8%
1Y
-41.0%
Narrative Update • Jul 22

PPC: Lower Earnings Expectations Will Set Up A Potential Rebound

Analysts have lowered their price target on Pilgrim's Pride to $41.92 from $54.25, citing updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, discount rate, and future P/E that point to a more conservative fair value outlook. What’s in the News for Pilgrim's Pride Pilgrim's Pride stock has recently fallen in recent trading sessions, with declines ranging from 1.02% to 4.76%, according to Zacks.
SJM
US$115.71
J. M. Smucker
7D
1.5%
1Y
6.5%
KHC
US$25.36
Kraft Heinz
7D
-3.3%
1Y
-11.9%
DAR
US$63.40
Darling Ingredients
7D
3.6%
1Y
80.2%
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$14.09
Utz Brands
7D
88.4%
1Y
-2.6%
AGRO
US$10.77
Adecoagro
7D
8.5%
1Y
14.8%
ADM
US$86.35
Archer-Daniels-Midland
7D
4.0%
1Y
55.6%
HSY
US$172.14
Hershey
7D
-1.5%
1Y
-6.4%
TSN
US$56.75
Tyson Foods
7D
-1.9%
1Y
5.1%
Narrative Update • Jul 15

TSN: Protein Mix And Beef Headwinds Will Shape Balanced Earnings Outlook

The analyst fair value estimate for Tyson Foods has been trimmed by $2 to $56, reflecting lower modeled revenue growth and profit margins as analysts weigh Beef segment pressure against solid Chicken performance and mixed price target revisions across the Street. Analyst Commentary Street research on Tyson Foods reflects a cautious but divided backdrop, with several bearish analysts trimming price targets on the stock even as others see support from the Chicken business and diversified protein exposure.
MDLZ
US$60.05
Mondelez International
7D
-2.2%
1Y
-14.4%
BG
US$122.30
Bunge Global
7D
5.6%
1Y
59.0%
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.
MKC
US$50.19
McCormick
7D
-5.1%
1Y
-29.8%
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.
SFD
US$26.10
Smithfield Foods
7D
1.9%
1Y
9.7%
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.