Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL)

Hormel Foods' stock experienced a decline in 2025 due to tariffs, a chicken recall, and a plant fire, leading to a decrease in full-year earnings. The third quarter of fiscal year 2025 saw adjusted diluted earnings per share miss analyst estimates due to rising input costs, resulting in revised full-year EPS guidance. The fourth quarter of 2025 showed mixed results, with earnings surpassing expectations but net sales falling short. For fiscal year 2026, Hormel Foods anticipates top-line growth but expects continued earnings pressure in the first quarter, followed by a recovery, with adjusted EPS forecasted to grow. As of January 2, 2026, the stock price was $23.39 per share, representing a decline from the previous year, but saw a gain on January 13, 2026. Hormel Foods is a "Dividend King" with an increased annualized dividend, resulting in a dividend yield of over 5% as of January 2026. Analysts generally hold a "Buy" consensus rating for HRL, with an average price target of $28.

Hormel Foods Corp. stock has historically shown a seasonal tendency to perform well between October 25 and March 7, resulting in a geometric average return above the S&P 500 Total Return Index. This seasonal timeframe has outperformed the benchmark in 15 out of 20 periods. This stock performance seasonality does not directly correlate with the broader Consumer Staples sector's seasonal strength, which typically runs from April 25 to November 23.

Hormel Foods Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded meat and food products in the consumer packaged goods and food processing industry. The company operates through Retail, Foodservice, and International segments, focusing on value-added protein brands with a diverse product portfolio including meat products like SPAM and Hormel, nut butters and snacks like Skippy and Planters, Mexican foods like Herdez and Chi-Chi's, guacamole like Wholly Guacamole, chili and stews like Hormel Chili, convenience meals like Hormel Compleats, and other products like House of Tsang and Happy Little Plants.

Hormel Foods is headquartered in Austin, Minnesota, and has a global presence with products in over 80 countries. Its international operations are conducted through joint ventures, licensees, subsidiaries, and direct sales in markets including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea. Domestically, Hormel Foods has numerous production facilities and sales offices across the United States.

Hormel Foods received positive recognition for its brand reputation, including being named to Fast Company's 2025 Brands That Matter list for its "Here for the Snacks" Big Game campaign. The company was also named a Best for Vets Employer for the 13th consecutive year. Lisa Selk, Senior Vice President of Brand Fuel, was recognized as one of 2025's top women in grocery, and Haley Eggum, Brand Manager for Foodservice, was named one of 2025's most influential women in convenience services. Hormel Foods CEO Jim Snee was also a featured speaker at The Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum. However, the company's reputation was likely impacted by a chicken recall and a plant fire in 2025.

The Hormel Foundation is the largest single owner of Hormel Foods Corporation, holding approximately 46.62% to 47% of the company's total shares. Institutional investors collectively hold a significant stake, ranging from approximately 40.99% to 43.64% of the stock, with major shareholders including Vanguard Group Inc., State Street Corp, and BlackRock, Inc. Individual investors own approximately 8.78% to 10% of the company's shares, while insiders, excluding the Hormel Foundation, hold about 0.48% of the stock.