Forbes Earnings Preview: Hormel Foods

By Narrative Science



Hormel Foods (HRL) reports its second quarter earnings on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

What to Expect:

The consensus estimate is 42 cents per share, up 5% from a year ago when Hormel reported earnings of 40 cents per share.

Despite not changing over the past month, the consensus estimate is down from three months ago when it was 43 cents. Analysts are expecting earnings of $1.82 per share for the fiscal year.

Revenue is projected to be 4.6% above the year-earlier total of $1.96 billion at $2.05 billion for the quarter. For the year, revenue is projected to roll in at $8.37 billion.

Trends to Watch For:

Profit has dropped year-over-year in each of the last two quarters. In the most recent quarter, profit dipped 13.7% year-over-year, and the figure dropped 3.2% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings:

The majority of analysts think investors should stand pat on Hormel, with eight of 11 analysts rating it hold. The average analyst rating of the stock has stayed unchanged from three months prior.

Competitors:

Hormel Foods is engaged in the production of a variety of meat and food products and the marketing of those products throughout the United States and internationally. One of Hormel's main competitors in the food products industry is General Mills (GIS). Other competitors in the consumer staples sector include: Smithfield Foods (SFD), Tyson Foods (TSN), and Zhongpin (HOGS).

Recent Price Movement:

Over the past quarter, the stock price has increased from $28.98 on February 21, 2012 to $29.44.

Earnings estimates provided by Zacks.

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