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Hormel Foods Fights Pork Industry Woes, Sells Fremont Facility
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Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) concluded the divestiture of its Fremont processing facility to Wholestone Farms, LLC. The deal, which was announced in August, was worth $30 million, conditional on certain inventory and administrative adjustments.
The deal includes a processing facility along with a multiyear contract between the two entities to supply pork inputs to Hormel Foods. Further, Hormel Foods’ management earlier stated that the Fremont facility will continue to serve as a vital part of its supply-chain structure. Incidentally, Hormel Foods is committed toward strengthening its supply-chain network, with focus on all areas right from procurement to shipment. This is likely to result in efficient optimization.
Clearly, Fremont facility’s sale to Wholestone Farms reflects Hormel Foods’ strategy to keep pace with the evolving pork industry dynamics. Well, an unstable tariff environment has made things tough for Hormel Foods. Evidently, higher tariffs in core markets weighed on fresh pork export volumes, sales and profits at Hormel Foods’ International division during the fourth and third quarters of fiscal 2018. Also, lower pork market weighed on pricing in the Refrigerated Foods segment.
The company expects global trade uncertainties to remain a hurdle for fresh pork exports. Management also highlighted that domestic pork prices have declined due to abundant supply of other meat products. Additionally, commodity market volatility is a persistent headwind for the company. This weighed on the company’s organic volumes and sales during the fourth quarter. Commodity market conditions have been impaired mainly due to lower harvest levels and industry margins.
Nonetheless, strong demand for popular brands like Hormel Black Label bacon, SPAM, Muscle Milk and Wholly Guacamole dips are expected to continue driving the company’s revenues. In fact, gains from popular brands drove performance in the Refrigerated Foods and International categories during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The company is focusing on effective advertising and innovations to further bolster brand strength. Additionally, it engages in strategic buyouts to boost portfolio. In this respect, the buyouts of Columbus, Fontanini and Ceratti businesses have been yielding.
Such upsides along with Hormel Foods’ focus on supply-chain optimization are likely to continue boosting investors’ confidence in this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock that has rallied 27% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 2.2%
United Natural Foods (UNFI - Free Report) has long-term earnings per share growth rate of 7.2% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Lamb Weston (LW - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has long-term earnings per share growth rate of 11%.
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And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
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Hormel Foods Fights Pork Industry Woes, Sells Fremont Facility
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) concluded the divestiture of its Fremont processing facility to Wholestone Farms, LLC. The deal, which was announced in August, was worth $30 million, conditional on certain inventory and administrative adjustments.
The deal includes a processing facility along with a multiyear contract between the two entities to supply pork inputs to Hormel Foods. Further, Hormel Foods’ management earlier stated that the Fremont facility will continue to serve as a vital part of its supply-chain structure. Incidentally, Hormel Foods is committed toward strengthening its supply-chain network, with focus on all areas right from procurement to shipment. This is likely to result in efficient optimization.
Clearly, Fremont facility’s sale to Wholestone Farms reflects Hormel Foods’ strategy to keep pace with the evolving pork industry dynamics. Well, an unstable tariff environment has made things tough for Hormel Foods. Evidently, higher tariffs in core markets weighed on fresh pork export volumes, sales and profits at Hormel Foods’ International division during the fourth and third quarters of fiscal 2018. Also, lower pork market weighed on pricing in the Refrigerated Foods segment.
The company expects global trade uncertainties to remain a hurdle for fresh pork exports. Management also highlighted that domestic pork prices have declined due to abundant supply of other meat products. Additionally, commodity market volatility is a persistent headwind for the company. This weighed on the company’s organic volumes and sales during the fourth quarter. Commodity market conditions have been impaired mainly due to lower harvest levels and industry margins.
Nonetheless, strong demand for popular brands like Hormel Black Label bacon, SPAM, Muscle Milk and Wholly Guacamole dips are expected to continue driving the company’s revenues. In fact, gains from popular brands drove performance in the Refrigerated Foods and International categories during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The company is focusing on effective advertising and innovations to further bolster brand strength. Additionally, it engages in strategic buyouts to boost portfolio. In this respect, the buyouts of Columbus, Fontanini and Ceratti businesses have been yielding.
Such upsides along with Hormel Foods’ focus on supply-chain optimization are likely to continue boosting investors’ confidence in this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock that has rallied 27% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 2.2%
Don’t Miss These Solid Food Stocks
Chefs’ Warehouse (CHEF - Free Report) , with long-term earnings per share growth rate of 19%, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
United Natural Foods (UNFI - Free Report) has long-term earnings per share growth rate of 7.2% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Lamb Weston (LW - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has long-term earnings per share growth rate of 11%.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>