McCormick stock gained 1.2 percent after Q3 beat evidence emerged
Published on 10/03/2026 at 23:16 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
McCormick stock (ISIN US5797802064) gained 1.20 percent to USD 44.67 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, after adjusted third-quarter EPS beat consensus by USD 0.10. The October 1 results delivered a mixed operating picture, with acquisition-led sales growth and sharply lower GAAP earnings.
Sales beat expectations
According to McCormick on October 1, 2026, third-quarter net sales reached USD 2.0248 billion for the period ended August 31, 2026, up 17.4 percent from the year-earlier quarter. Organic sales growth was 1.9 percent, showing that the McCormick de Mexico acquisition supplied a substantial share of the reported expansion.
The same release reported adjusted EPS of USD 0.86, compared with USD 0.85 in the third quarter of 2025, while GAAP diluted EPS fell to USD 0.36 from USD 0.84. Adjusted operating income increased to USD 358.5 million from USD 293.6 million, but special charges weighed heavily on reported earnings.
Analysts lower targets
MarketBeat reported on October 2, 2026, that Barclays cut its McCormick price target from USD 55 to USD 47 and retained an Equal Weight rating. The report also cited five Buy ratings and eight Hold ratings, alongside a consensus target of USD 55.30.
The target reductions reflect the tension in the results. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of USD 3.05 to USD 3.13, while management projects adjusted operating income growth of 16 percent to 20 percent. Organic sales growth of 1.9 percent remains the key counterweight to the headline 17.4 percent revenue increase.
Stock stays near yearly low
McCormick stock closed at USD 44.67 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, up USD 0.53 from the prior close of USD 44.14. Trading volume reached 5,448,690 shares, and the 52-week range stood at USD 43.25 to USD 72.41, placing the price USD 0.42 above the yearly low.
McCormick stock snapshot
The immediate investor calculation is straightforward: sales are expanding rapidly, but organic growth and GAAP profitability are much weaker than the reported top-line increase. The company also reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, giving the stock a defined earnings framework while analysts reassessed valuation after the quarterly release.
McCormick stock data
- Company: McCormick & Company, Incorporated
- ISIN: US5797802064
- Ticker: MKC
- Trading venue: NYSE
- Price (as of October 2, 2026): Closing price USD 44.67
- Market capitalization: USD 12.0 billion (as of October 2, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 43.25-72.41 (as of October 2, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Defensive / Packaged Foods
- Index membership: S&P 500 and S&P 400 MidCap
