Hormel Foods stock steadies after Q3 sales miss
Published on 08/29/2026 at 11:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Hormel Foods Corporation (US4404521001) is trading through a mixed fiscal third quarter that left adjusted EPS at $0.37 and net sales at $2.96 billion on August 27, 2026, while shares closed at $21.57 on August 28, 2026. The latest report also cut the full-year revenue view to $12.1 billion-$12.2 billion and lifted the adjusted EPS range to $1.45-$1.51.
Sales miss, EPS beat
The quarter showed a clear split between the top and bottom line. Revenue fell 2.4% year over year from $3.03 billion, while adjusted EPS improved to $0.37 from $0.35 and beat the $0.35-$0.36 expectation range.
That combination matters because the market is still weighing weaker demand against margin work and a firmer earnings bridge. Operating cash flow reached $240.6 million, up 54% in the same update, which gives the company more room to absorb the softer sales trend.
Guidance now matters more
The revised fiscal 2026 outlook is the bigger numbers story for investors. Hormel now sees revenue of $12.1 billion-$12.2 billion, down from $12.2 billion-$12.5 billion, while adjusted EPS was raised to $1.45-$1.51 from $1.40-$1.50.
Consensus has also moved into a cautious lane. The current average target sits at $26.83, while one recent call lifted a target to $30.00 and another reduced its view to $23.00, leaving the stock in a wider valuation debate after the earnings reset.
CFO change ahead
Hormel also named Ash Bhumbla as EVP and CFO, effective September 8, 2026, adding a second angle for investors watching execution after the quarter. The finance handoff comes after interim CFO Paul Kuehneman stepped into the role in October 2025.
For now, the key test is whether the company can turn the $0.37 adjusted EPS result into a steadier sales path, especially after the 2.4% revenue decline and the narrower $12.1 billion-$12.2 billion revenue outlook.
Spam, brands and protein
Hormel's shelf-stable brands still anchor the business, with Spam remaining one of its best-known products across retail and food-service channels. That consumer-facing mix gives the company a defensive profile, but this quarter showed that volume and pricing are still doing the heavy lifting.
Hormel Foods stock closed at $21.57 on August 28, 2026, up 1.36% on the session, with a market cap of $11.87 billion and a 52-week range of $19.70-$26.60.
Fact box
Company: Hormel Foods Corporation
ISIN: US4404521001
Ticker: HRL
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 28, 2026, 4:03 p.m. ET): $21.57 USD
Market cap: $11.87 billion (as of August 28, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Consumer Staples / Packaged Foods
Index membership: S&P 500
