Food Stocks That Will Weather the Drought

7. Hormel (HRL)

Company profile: Hormel, with a market value of $7.5 billion, is a major producer of meat and food products with an emphasis on branded, value-added consumer items. Pork and turkey are its major food sources.

Dividend Yield: 2.12%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 1.5% this year, but have a three-year, average annual return of 17%. Analysts give its shares no "buy" ratings, one "buy/hold," rating, nine "holds," one "weak hold," and one "sell," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. Analysts' consensus estimate is for earnings of $1.85 per share this year and $1.96 next year, representing 6% growth.

6. Dean Foods (DF)

Company profile: Dean, with a market value of $3 billion, is the leading U.S. dairy processor and distributor.

Dividend Yield: None.

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 47% this year, but have a three-year, average annual decline of 3.5%. Analysts give its shares two "buy" ratings and 10 "holds," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

Analysts' consensus earnings outlook is for $1.24 per share this year, rising 8% to $1.34 next year. Second-quarter sales declined 5.3% year-over-year, due to the pass through of what were then lower commodity costs.

5. Tyson Foods (TSN)

Company profile: Tyson, with a market value of $4.7 billion, is one of the world's largest meat protein companies, with products that include beef, chicken and pork.

Dividend Yield: 1%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 23% this year but have a three-year, average annual return of 12.5%. Analysts give its shares two "buy" ratings, two "buy/holds," eight "holds," two "weak holds," and one "sell," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

S&P, which has it rated "hold," says it expects "concerns about volume weakness, and the prospect of higher feed grain costs, (will) weigh on the stock near-term." Analysts' consensus estimate is for earnings of $1.81 per share this year and declining 13% to $1.58 next year.

4. Kellogg (K)

Company profile: Kellogg, founded in 1906 and with a market value of $18 billion today, is a leading global producer and marketer of cereal, cookies, crackers and other convenience foods. In May, it closed on its $2.7 billion agreement to buy Procter & Gamble's Pringles business.

Dividend Yield: 3.45%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 2.2% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 6.5%. Analysts give its shares three "buy" ratings, two "buy/holds," 18 "holds," and one "weak hold," according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

S&P has it rated "buy," with a $54 price target, which is a 6% premium to the current price. Analysts expect it will earn $3.35 per share this year and $3.60 next years, according to a survey of analysts by S&P.

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