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Hormel (HRL) Up 1% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Hormel Foods (HRL - Free Report) . Shares have added about 1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Hormel due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Hormel Foods Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Sales Down Y/Y
Hormel Foods posted fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 earnings of 43 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents. The bottom line declined 9% year over year. Higher supply chain costs put pressure on the company’s bottom-line performance.
Net sales in the fourth quarter were $2,420.1 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,604 million. Moreover, the top line fell 3% year over year, while organic sales went down around 4%. Sluggishness in the U.S. foodservice channel as well as declines across the company’s Grocery Products, Jennie-O Turkey Store and Refrigerated Foods segments hampered top-line results. Moreover, total sales volumes were 1,209.4 million lbs, down 2% year on year. On an organic basis, volumes were down 3%. Channel-wise, net sales across U.S. retail, U.S. deli and International climbed up 7%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. However, net sales in U.S. foodservice channel declined 23%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses rose 3.8% to $190.7 million. Further, operating margin in the fourth quarter stood at 11.4%, down 140 basis points.
Segment Details
Sales in the Grocery Products unit declined nearly 1% to $580.6 million. Volumes were also down 1%. The segment’s sales were affected by lower inventory levels as well as production limitations, stemming from the pandemic on certain center store products and lower sales for MegaMex foodservice items. Nevertheless, demand for center store brands such as Herdez, SKIPPY and Hormel Compleats were strong. Profits in the unit improved 1% owing to growth in the nut butter portfolio.
Net sales in the Jennie-O Turkey Store segment dropped 6% to $373.4 million, with volumes declining 2%. Sales were marred by weak demand for foodservice products. Nevertheless, sales and volumes for Jennie-O lean ground products and whole birds remained strong. Segment profit tanked 21% due to contraction in foodservice earnings. Also, high supply chain costs associated with the pandemic dented profits.
The company’s Refrigerated Foods generated sales of $1,308.8 million, down 5% year over year. Also, volumes were down 4%. Gains from growth in retail and deli brands such as Applegate, Hormel Black Label and Columbus as well as the acquisition of Sadler's Smokehouse were offset by significant decline in foodservice sales.
Moreover, sales in the unit were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic-led production limitations along with reduced inventory levels. Segment profit decreased 17% due to sluggish foodservice sales, high supply chain costs related to pandemic and lower commodity profits.
International & Other sales increased 8% to $157.2 million, while volumes fell 1%. Notably, the company saw solid global demand for SPAM luncheon meat. Higher sales in China were also an upside. Segment profit improved 55% on better results in China along with branded export growth and higher income from the company’s partners in Europe, Philippines and South Korea.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,714.3 million and long-term debt of $1,044.9 million (excluding current maturities). In fourth-quarter fiscal 2020, Hormel Foods generated cash of $249.9 million from operating activities. Operating free cash flow amounted to $109.2 million. Management expects capital expenditures of $350 million for fiscal 2021.
In a separate release, the company announced a 5% hike in its annual dividend. As a result, the company new dividend rate currently stands at 98 cents per share. This marks the 55th consecutive year, in which the company raised its annual dividend. We note that on Nov 16, the company paid out its 369th straight quarterly dividend of 93 cents.
Other Details
Management is impressed with growth witnessed in the international unit, as well as across certain retail and deli brands. However, the company continues to support its distributors and operators community as foodservices channel remain sluggish. Management is also cautious regarding the economic uncertainties emerging out of the resurgence of COVID-19 in certain communities.
However, the company expects to meet such challenges on the back of its strong business fundamentals across retail, deli and foodservices channels. Additionally, management expects that majority of its supply chain expenses are temporary in nature and is likely to contract when the pandemic subsides.
Additionally, the company is on track with strategic investments for boosting capacity. During the fourth quarter, it carried out the Burke pizza toppings plant expansion. Additionally, the company is on track with the opening of a new dry sausage production facility for Columbus charcuterie products. Management also highlighted that it is focusing on expanding the capacity of its pepperoni business.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.18% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Hormel has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Hormel has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Hormel (HRL) Up 1% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Hormel Foods (HRL - Free Report) . Shares have added about 1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Hormel due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Hormel Foods Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Sales Down Y/Y
Hormel Foods posted fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 earnings of 43 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents. The bottom line declined 9% year over year. Higher supply chain costs put pressure on the company’s bottom-line performance.
Net sales in the fourth quarter were $2,420.1 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,604 million. Moreover, the top line fell 3% year over year, while organic sales went down around 4%. Sluggishness in the U.S. foodservice channel as well as declines across the company’s Grocery Products, Jennie-O Turkey Store and Refrigerated Foods segments hampered top-line results. Moreover, total sales volumes were 1,209.4 million lbs, down 2% year on year. On an organic basis, volumes were down 3%. Channel-wise, net sales across U.S. retail, U.S. deli and International climbed up 7%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. However, net sales in U.S. foodservice channel declined 23%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses rose 3.8% to $190.7 million. Further, operating margin in the fourth quarter stood at 11.4%, down 140 basis points.
Segment Details
Sales in the Grocery Products unit declined nearly 1% to $580.6 million. Volumes were also down 1%. The segment’s sales were affected by lower inventory levels as well as production limitations, stemming from the pandemic on certain center store products and lower sales for MegaMex foodservice items. Nevertheless, demand for center store brands such as Herdez, SKIPPY and Hormel Compleats were strong. Profits in the unit improved 1% owing to growth in the nut butter portfolio.
Net sales in the Jennie-O Turkey Store segment dropped 6% to $373.4 million, with volumes declining 2%. Sales were marred by weak demand for foodservice products. Nevertheless, sales and volumes for Jennie-O lean ground products and whole birds remained strong. Segment profit tanked 21% due to contraction in foodservice earnings. Also, high supply chain costs associated with the pandemic dented profits.
The company’s Refrigerated Foods generated sales of $1,308.8 million, down 5% year over year. Also, volumes were down 4%. Gains from growth in retail and deli brands such as Applegate, Hormel Black Label and Columbus as well as the acquisition of Sadler's Smokehouse were offset by significant decline in foodservice sales.
Moreover, sales in the unit were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic-led production limitations along with reduced inventory levels. Segment profit decreased 17% due to sluggish foodservice sales, high supply chain costs related to pandemic and lower commodity profits.
International & Other sales increased 8% to $157.2 million, while volumes fell 1%. Notably, the company saw solid global demand for SPAM luncheon meat. Higher sales in China were also an upside. Segment profit improved 55% on better results in China along with branded export growth and higher income from the company’s partners in Europe, Philippines and South Korea.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,714.3 million and long-term debt of $1,044.9 million (excluding current maturities). In fourth-quarter fiscal 2020, Hormel Foods generated cash of $249.9 million from operating activities. Operating free cash flow amounted to $109.2 million. Management expects capital expenditures of $350 million for fiscal 2021.
In a separate release, the company announced a 5% hike in its annual dividend. As a result, the company new dividend rate currently stands at 98 cents per share. This marks the 55th consecutive year, in which the company raised its annual dividend. We note that on Nov 16, the company paid out its 369th straight quarterly dividend of 93 cents.
Other Details
Management is impressed with growth witnessed in the international unit, as well as across certain retail and deli brands. However, the company continues to support its distributors and operators community as foodservices channel remain sluggish. Management is also cautious regarding the economic uncertainties emerging out of the resurgence of COVID-19 in certain communities.
However, the company expects to meet such challenges on the back of its strong business fundamentals across retail, deli and foodservices channels. Additionally, management expects that majority of its supply chain expenses are temporary in nature and is likely to contract when the pandemic subsides.
Additionally, the company is on track with strategic investments for boosting capacity. During the fourth quarter, it carried out the Burke pizza toppings plant expansion. Additionally, the company is on track with the opening of a new dry sausage production facility for Columbus charcuterie products. Management also highlighted that it is focusing on expanding the capacity of its pepperoni business.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.18% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Hormel has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Hormel has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.