Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND)

Beyond Meat's stock has experienced significant volatility and a substantial decline over the past six months. In October 2025, Beyond Meat finalized a debt-for-equity swap, issuing up to 326 million new shares to reduce its debt burden, which diluted existing shareholder value. The company announced preliminary third-quarter 2025 results, projecting net revenue of approximately $70 million, a 13% year-over-year decline. A Mizuho analyst lowered the price target for BYND to $1.50 from $2.00, citing weak fundamentals and significant equity dilution. Beyond Meat announced layoffs of 44 North American employees in August 2025 to cut costs. The second quarter of 2025 saw revenue fall nearly 20% to $75 million, missing analyst estimates.

The demand for Beyond Meat's products has shown a general weakening trend rather than distinct seasonality in the past year. The company has experienced consistent year-over-year revenue declines across multiple quarters. This decline is attributed to broader market shifts, including consumers' growing concerns about processed foods, skepticism over taste, and price sensitivity. Retail sales of refrigerated plant-based meat alternatives in the U.S. fell 17.2% and frozen alternatives fell 8.1% in the year leading up to August 2025.

Beyond Meat, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and sells plant-based meat products designed to mimic beef, pork, and poultry. Its major products include the Beyond Burger, Beyond Sausage, Beyond Beef, Beyond Meatballs, Beyond Steak, Beyond Chicken Tenders, and Beyond Popcorn Chicken. These products are sold through various channels, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, natural retailers, restaurants, foodservice outlets, and schools.

Beyond Meat's products are available in approximately 65 countries worldwide. The company has a significant presence in the United States, where its products were first launched in 2012. Internationally, Beyond Meat products are distributed across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Devault, Pennsylvania, in the U.S., and two facilities in the Netherlands to service its European, Middle Eastern, and African distribution networks.

Beyond Meat's brand reputation has faced significant challenges over the past year due to declining consumer interest and negative perceptions. McDonald's discontinued its test of the McPlant Burger in test markets due to unsuccessful results. In early 2024, Beyond Meat settled a $7.5 million class-action lawsuit that alleged the company overstated the protein content and quality of ingredients in its food. Google Trends data indicates a significant decline in interest for "Beyond Meats" from its all-time high in 2019. In response to feedback, Beyond Meat introduced a "fourth generation" Beyond Burger in early 2024, reformulated with avocado oil to lower saturated fat and sodium content.

Approximately 44.66% of Beyond Meat is owned by institutional shareholders, 23.92% by Beyond Meat insiders, and 31.42% by retail investors. Major institutional owners include Parkwood LLC, BlackRock Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, State Street Corp, Vontobel Holding Ltd, Geode Capital Management LLC, Two Sigma Investments, Lp, and Point72 Asset Management, L.P. Key individual owners and insiders include Ethan Brown, Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers XIV LLC, and Seth Goldman.