Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 1.430-1.510 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.460. The company issued revenue guidance of $12.2 billion-$12.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $12.4 billion.

Hormel Foods Trading Up 0.2%

HRL stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $25.36. 3,704,868 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,889,793. Hormel Foods has a 12-month low of $21.03 and a 12-month high of $32.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.17, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.07 billion. Hormel Foods had a net margin of 3.95% and a return on equity of 9.41%. The business’s revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.35 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hormel Foods will post 1.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on HRL. Zacks Research upgraded Hormel Foods from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Hormel Foods from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Hormel Foods in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Piper Sandler restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $26.00 price objective (up from $25.00) on shares of Hormel Foods in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $27.00 target price on shares of Hormel Foods and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $27.43.

More Hormel Foods News

Here are the key news stories impacting Hormel Foods this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 adjusted EPS topped consensus, giving the quarter a net positive read despite tougher comps; adjusted EPS of $0.34 beat the Zacks consensus of $0.32. This EPS beat helps justify the stock’s upside reaction. Hormel Foods Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Increase Y/Y
• Positive Sentiment: Management reiterated full‑year adjusted EPS guidance for FY2026 (range $1.430–$1.510) and provided revenue guidance, which reduces near‑term forecast uncertainty and supports investor confidence. HORMEL FOODS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2026 RESULTS
• Positive Sentiment: Segments showing strength — Foodservice and International performance — and the company’s turnaround actions are starting to show in higher profit and revenue versus the prior year, which some investors view as confirmation the recovery plan is working. Hormel Posts Higher Profit, Sales Amid Turnaround
• Neutral Sentiment: Leadership is investing in tech/digital capabilities with the appointment of a first Chief Technology Officer — a strategic move that could improve supply chain and margin execution over time but has no immediate earnings impact. Hormel Foods Appoints Donald Monk as Company’s First Chief Technology Officer
• Neutral Sentiment: Company released the earnings slide deck and hosted an earnings call — useful for detail on cost actions and channel performance but not a market mover by itself. Hormel Foods Corporation 2026 Q1 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Quarterly revenue missed some street expectations (reported $3.03B vs. higher consensus), reflecting weaker U.S. retail demand as consumers trade down to cheaper options — a near‑term headwind for top‑line growth. Hormel misses quarterly sales estimates on weak retail demand
• Negative Sentiment: Margins tightened and volumes declined year‑over‑year, and EPS was slightly below last year’s $0.35 — these operational pressures create uncertainty about margin recovery and could weigh on multiple expansion. Hormel (HRL) Reports Q1 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst commentary frames the quarter as a “mixed start” to FY2026 — beat on EPS but weak retail trends and tighter margins keep upside limited unless volume/margin trends improve. Hormel Foods: A Mixed Start To FY2026

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in Hormel Foods during the first quarter worth approximately $310,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 1.8% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 57,500 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,779,000 after purchasing an additional 993 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP lifted its holdings in shares of Hormel Foods by 40.8% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 24,583 shares of the company’s stock valued at $761,000 after purchasing an additional 7,129 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 214.4% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,731 shares of the company’s stock valued at $143,000 after purchasing an additional 3,226 shares during the period. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in Hormel Foods by 76.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 103,616 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,134,000 after buying an additional 44,906 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.99% of the company’s stock.

Hormel Foods Company Profile

Hormel Foods Corporation is a global branded foods company primarily engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of value-added, high-quality meat and food products. The company’s portfolio spans a range of categories including refrigerated and frozen meats, pantry staples, specialty foods and shelf-stable items. Through manufacturing facilities located across North America and international markets, Hormel Foods supplies retail grocers, foodservice operators, convenience stores and e-commerce platforms.

Among its best-known brands, Hormel Foods produces SPAM® canned meats, Jennie-O® turkey products, Skippy® peanut butter and Applegate® natural and organic meats.