Campbell Soup stock falls on weak snacks and cautious analyst targets
Published on 09/09/2026 at 12:55 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Campbell Soup Company stock (ISIN US1280301048) is trading close to its 52-week low after the packaged food group reported an 8% drop in net sales in fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 on September 3, 2026 and analysts moved price targets toward the USD 20.00 level.
Weak Q4 2026 results and snacks drag on growth
According to Yahoo Finance, Campbell Soup reported an 8% year-over-year decline in net sales in fiscal Q4 2026, reflecting pressure in key categories as consumers traded down and promotional spending increased.
As Progressive Grocer reported on September 8, 2026, fiscal Q4 2026 sales fell 8% to USD 2.14 billion while sales across the snacks division, which includes brands such as Goldfish and Cape Cod, tumbled 12% versus the prior-year quarter.
The earnings release showed adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.39 in fiscal Q4 2026, which was USD 0.01 below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of USD 0.40 according to Zacks. In the same quarter a year earlier, earnings stood at USD 0.40 per share, underscoring a modest deterioration.
Adjusted gross profit margin in fiscal Q4 2026 fell 190 basis points to 28.6%, driven primarily by cost inflation and supply chain costs, partly offset by productivity improvements, according to Zacks. For investors, this margin compression is a central concern because it limits earnings leverage even when volumes stabilize.
Fiscal 2026 and 2027 guidance frame earnings risk
Fitch Ratings noted that Campbell Soup generated fiscal 2026 revenue of about USD 9.7 billion and EBITDA of roughly USD 1.5 billion, highlighting the company’s scale but also its exposure to inflation and competitive pressure in shelf-stable foods.Fitch Ratings
In its latest investor communication, Campbell Soup guided for fiscal 2027 earnings per share in a range of USD 1.65 to USD 1.80, signaling only modest growth from the current level.MarketBeat Zacks pointed out that the Most Accurate Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings recently fell to USD 1.75 per share, within this guidance range but below earlier expectations of USD 1.91 per share, after several downward revisions in the last week.Zacks
This shift in earnings expectations adds to the risk profile: analysts now see fiscal 2027 earnings growth constrained by weak snacks trends and margin headwinds, even as management aims to stabilize volumes.
Analysts cut price targets as stock hovers near 52-week low
On September 8, 2026, D.A. Davidson reiterated a Neutral rating on Campbell Soup stock and maintained its price target at USD 20.00, which implied around 6.5% downside from the prior close at the time of the report, according to MarketBeat.
As Investing.com reported on September 8, 2026, UBS lowered its price target on Campbell Soup shares to USD 19.00 while maintaining a Sell rating, and BofA Securities reiterated an Underperform rating with a USD 18.00 price target.
In the same overview, Jefferies reduced its price target to USD 20.00 from USD 22.00, citing pressure in the snacks division and overall margin compression, while BTIG maintained a Neutral rating, pointing to valuation relative to historical averages.Investing.com
Data compiled by MarketBeat show that Campbell Soup currently carries an average Reduce rating, with a consensus price target of USD 19.94; 13 analysts rate the stock Hold and six rate it Sell.
According to Yahoo Finance, Campbell Soup stock has declined about 37% over the past year and currently trades near its 52-week low of USD 20.37, with the 52-week high standing at USD 41.50. This puts the shares roughly half way below their peak over the last year, reflecting sustained investor skepticism.
Credit rating and balance-sheet resilience provide some support
Fitch Ratings affirmed Campbell Soup’s long-term issuer default rating at BBB- and its short-term rating at F3 with a Negative Outlook on September 8, 2026, citing high leverage compared with peers and margin pressure but also stable cash generation from a diversified portfolio.Fitch Ratings
Fitch highlighted that fiscal 2026 EBITDA of about USD 1.5 billion on revenue of roughly USD 9.7 billion supports the current rating but leaves limited headroom for further operational setbacks or large debt-funded transactions.Fitch Ratings
For investors, this means the balance sheet provides some resilience, but earnings and cash flow must improve to stabilize the rating outlook and support any re-rating of Campbell Soup stock.
Campbell Soup stock price and trading snapshot
Campbell Soup stock trades primarily on Nasdaq under the ticker CPB. As of September 8, 2026, the shares closed at around USD 21.87 on Nasdaq, close to the 52-week low of USD 20.37 and well below the 52-week high of USD 41.50, according to data cited by Investing.com. At this level, Campbell Soup’s market capitalization is in the mid-single-digit billions of USD, reflecting the reset valuation after the past year’s 37% share price decline.
Campbell Soup stock key data
- Company: Campbell Soup Company Inc.
- ISIN: US1280301048
- Ticker: CPB
- Trading venue: Nasdaq
- Price (as of September 8, 2026): 21.87 USD
- Market capitalization: Mid-single-digit billions USD (as of September 8, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer staples / Packaged foods
- Index membership: S&P 500
