, /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) today announced its Board of Directors approved a $1.12 per share dividend on the common shares of the Company. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Friday, November 13, 2026.
About The J.M. Smucker Co.
At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America. We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers®, Dunkin'®, Café Bustelo®, Jif®, Uncrustables®, Smucker's®, Hostess®, Milk-Bone®, and Meow Mix®. Through our unwavering commitment to producing quality products, operating responsibly and ethically and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com.
The J.M. Smucker Co. is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin'®, which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Co. for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, and in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin'® restaurants.
Campbell's just slashed a dividend it had held steady for years, while its rival moved in the opposite direction. Before you chase the higher yield, the numbers behind each payout tell a very different story about which stock actually protects…
Campbell’s (NASDAQ:CPB | CPB Price Prediction) or J.M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM): which pantry staple offers steadier income for those focused on retirement right now? The dividend picture changed this fall. On September 3, 2026, Campbell’s cut its quarterly dividend 36% to $0.25 per share from $0.39 so it could pay down debt faster. Smucker moved in the opposite direction. It raised its payout to $1.12 in July, then lifted its fiscal 2027 outlook after quarterly results topped expectations.
Current Yield: Campbell’s Still Pays More Per Dollar
The cut leaves Campbell’s with a forward annual payout of $1. At $19.69, that works out to a yield of about 5.1%. Smucker’s forward payout of $4.48 at $127.91 yields about 3.5%. On raw income, Campbell’s wins. That high yield also flagged the cut months before it happened. In May, Jim Cramer pointed to Campbell’s 7.56% yield and warned, “People, you don’t get those kinds of deals unless people are worried that the dividend will need to be cut.” That instinct, that a double-digit yield usually hides a problem, is exactly the pattern we broke down in a free report on the seven warning signs of a dividend trap.
Coverage and Balance Sheet: Smucker Has the Cushion
Campbell’s guided fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS to $1.65 to $1.80, down from $2.17. That puts even the reduced dividend at roughly 58% of midpoint earnings. Smucker’s raised guidance to $10.50-$11.00, which covers its payout at about 42%. The two stocks trade at similar multiples, about 11x for Campbell’s and 12x for Smucker, so investors pay almost nothing extra for Smucker’s better coverage.
Smucker’s cash flow widens the gap. Smucker raised its free cash flow target to about $1.1B and reached a three-times leverage ratio in the first quarter while working toward about $500 million of debt paydown this year. Coffee, which grew 13%, and Uncrustables are funding the payout. The risks are coffee price swings, mid-single-digit inflation, and guidance that includes a $0.60 net benefit from tariff refunds that won’t come back next year.
Campbell’s has $11.49B in total liabilities against $3.85B of equity. It expects interest expense to rise about $25 million because of the La Regina acquisition, and a $500 million bond comes due in March. Operating cash flow fell 8.13% to $1.039B, and management expects a “fairly sharp decline” in first-quarter EPS.
Track Record: Smucker Keeps Raising
Smucker’s quarterly dividend has climbed from $0.15 in 1999 to $1.12, and its payment history back to 1999 shows no reduction in the regular payout. Campbell’s held at $0.39 for seven quarters before the cut. Its record also shows an earlier reduction, from $0.225 to $0.1575 in 2001. Share prices moved in the same direction. Campbell’s is down 32.5% over one year and 47.24% over ten. Smucker is up 26.36% and 35.12% over the same periods.
Verdict: Smucker Pays the Steadier Dividend
For retirees who count on rising income, Smucker wins clearly. It has better coverage, a falling debt load, a free cash flow target raised to roughly $1.1B, and a payout that kept growing through tariffs and the Hostess losses. Its CEO said the company is “increasing our net sales, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow outlook for the fiscal year.”
Campbell’s appeals mainly to contrarian income investors seeking a higher 5.1% yield and willing to take on turnaround risk. Its CEO admitted “our performance is not where it needs to be,” and the company’s guidance calls for adjusted EBIT to fall 12% to 7% this year.
Coming up for Campbell’s: how it refinances the March bond (management is “strongly considering” a hybrid security) and whether Snacks steadies. For Smucker, the questions are whether buybacks begin and whether coffee momentum lasts after the tariff refunds roll off.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Investors looking for stocks in the Food - Miscellaneous sector might want to consider either Smucker (SJM - Free Report) or Celsius Holdings Inc. (CELH - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.
Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.
Smucker and Celsius Holdings Inc. are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #4 (Sell), respectively, right now. This means that SJM's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.
Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.
The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.
SJM currently has a forward P/E ratio of 11.90, while CELH has a forward P/E of 19.87. We also note that SJM has a PEG ratio of 1.72. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. CELH currently has a PEG ratio of 2.00.
Another notable valuation metric for SJM is its P/B ratio of 2.37. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CELH has a P/B of 6.01.
These metrics, and several others, help SJM earn a Value grade of B, while CELH has been given a Value grade of D.
SJM is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that SJM is likely the superior value option right now.
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Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Brokerage analysts are in charge of determining a company's growth and profitability expectations, or earnings estimates. These analysts work together with company management to evaluate all factors that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.
Investors also need to look at what a company will earn down the road. This is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.
When a stock receives upward earnings estimate revisions, it will likely get even more positive changes in the future. For instance, if an analyst raised their earnings outlook last month, they'll probably do so again this month, and other analysts will follow.
Harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions is where the Zacks Rank comes in. The Zacks Rank is a unique, proprietary stock-rating model that utilizes changes to a company's quarterly earnings expectations to help investors build a winning portfolio.
Four primary factors make up the Zacks Rank: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each is given a raw score that's recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank, and with this data, stocks are then classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell."
The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.
Because stock prices react to revisions, buying stocks with rising earnings estimates can be very profitable. Focus List stocks offer investors a great opportunity to get into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.
Focus List Spotlight: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded food, beverage, pet food and pet snack products in North America. Its operations are primarily concentrated in the United States, with additional international activities, mainly in Canada.
On August 29, 2024, SJM was added to the Focus List at $114.73 per share. Shares have increased 11.07% to $127.43 since then, and the company is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.74 to $10.71. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of 13.8%.
Moreover, analysts are expecting SJM's earnings to grow 17.1% for the current fiscal year.
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J.M. Smucker's Donettes posts double-digit U.S. retail growth, but a 7% drop in Sweet Baked Snacks sales highlights the challenges ahead of a broader recovery.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
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Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded food, beverage, pet food and pet snack products in North America. Its operations are primarily concentrated in the United States, with additional international activities, mainly in Canada.
SJM is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. SJM has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 17.1% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2027, eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.74 to $10.71 per share. SJM boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
Two beloved pantry brands sit on opposite ends of the stock chart right now, and that gap creates a surprising tension between which one looks better on paper and which one actually puts more cash in a retiree's pocket.
McCormick (NYSE:MKC | MKC Price Prediction) or J.M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM): which household staple makes the stronger income case right now for an investor who needs retirement income? The stock charts point one way and the dividend math points the other. McCormick shares are down 32.53% year to date at about $44.90. Smucker is up 27.82% at roughly $121.20. Because of that gap, McCormick now has the higher yield, so the income choice comes down to more than which brands you like.
Dividend Profile: McCormick Takes the Income Crown McCormick pays $0.48 a quarter, a $1.92 annualized forward dividend, for a yield of 4.19%. The board approved a 7% raise in November 2025. That made it the 40th consecutive year of increases. In the payment record, the quarterly amount rises from $0.37 in 2022 to $0.39, $0.42, $0.45 and now $0.48.
Smucker yields 3.68% on a $4.48 forward dividend. It recently lifted the quarterly payout to $1.12 from $1.10, a raise of about 1.8%. Smucker’s best argument here is coverage. Its forward dividend is about 42% of the center of its raised fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance of $10.50 to $11.00. McCormick’s is about 62% of the center of its $3.05 to $3.13 range. Part of that boost is temporary, though: Smucker’s guidance includes a net $0.60 per share tariff refund benefit. McCormick wins this round on yield, pace of raises and a four-decade run, and its coverage is still reasonable.
Business Durability: Flavor Pricing Power Protects the Payout McCormick sells branded and industrial flavor. A jar of spice costs little, so a trusted brand can hold its price. In the third quarter, adjusted gross margin expanded 180 bps to 39.3%, and adjusted EPS of $0.86 beat the $0.76 consensus. The weak spot is debt. Short-term borrowings rose to $2.1B from $890.5M, and leverage was near 2.9 times ahead of the Unilever (NYSE:UL) Foods deal, which is targeted to close in mid-2027. Management promised to keep “supporting our dividend consistent with our history.”
Smucker’s portfolio has more exposure to categories facing private-label competition and changing demand, and its acquisitions have cost it. The Hostess deal led to roughly $980M in impairments, and Sweet Baked Snacks fell 7% last quarter. Coffee drives results, and management called the commodity “very volatile.” Uncrustables strength and a return to three times leverage help, but McCormick’s pricing power is the better protection for a dividend.
Valuation and Track Record: Smucker Owns This Round Smucker trades at a forward P/E of 12, against 14 for McCormick. McCormick’s trailing P/E of 8 is distorted by GAAP items and isn’t a useful comparison. Smucker has also posted the better returns:
Price Return McCormick Smucker 1 Year -28.72% 24.43% 5 Years -37.25% 18.29% 10 Years 16.21% 24.8% Smucker’s beta of 0.266 is also well below McCormick’s 0.641. Smucker wins this round clearly.
Verdict: McCormick Is the Income Investor’s Pantry Staple McCormick has the stronger income profile for someone living on dividends. It pays the higher yield, raises its dividend faster and has the longer record of increases. Its flavor business also has the pricing power to keep funding those raises after the Unilever Foods deal. McCormick’s yield has rises as its shares fell. The main thing to watch is how quickly it pays down debt after the deal.
Smucker is the better fit for total-return investors who want a cheaper stock, lower volatility and turnaround momentum, and who will accept slower dividend growth in exchange. For income, McCormick wins.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Key Takeaways Uncrustables posted 12% sales growth in Q1 fiscal 2027, with record sales, volume and household reach.
New fridge-friendly sandwiches and morning protein flavors are fueling Uncrustables' growth.
J.M. Smucker is accelerating Alabama capacity expansion as Uncrustables' household penetration hits 27%.
The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM - Free Report) continues to build momentum in its Uncrustables business, driven by growing consumer demand, expanding distribution and product innovation. The frozen handheld sandwich brand remains a key growth platform, with investments in brand development and manufacturing capacity supporting the company's efforts to broaden its consumer reach.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Uncrustables delivered 12% net sales growth at the total-company level, driven by a double-digit increase in volume/mix. The brand achieved record quarterly sales, volume and household penetration, reflecting the benefits of brand-building initiatives, distribution gains and consumer-focused innovation.
Product innovation continues to support this growth trajectory. The recently launched fridge-friendly Uncrustables sandwiches are resonating with consumers, supported by marketing efforts across social, influencer and digital channels. The company has also introduced Beamin' Berry Blend and Burstin' Blueberry flavors under its morning protein platform. These additions are generating incremental growth and expanding the brand's presence in morning consumption occasions.
Uncrustables' household penetration reached 27%, indicating expansion opportunities. To support the brand's growth, Smucker is accelerating plans to bring the second phase of its McCalla, Alabama, manufacturing facility online toward the end of fiscal 2027. Uncrustables also delivered double-digit growth in Away From Home, benefiting from expanding distribution across convenience stores and other channels.
Uncrustables' growth trajectory remains supported by innovation, distribution expansion and additional manufacturing capacity. With volume growth expected in fiscal 2027, these initiatives are central to sustaining the brand's momentum. The pace of further expansion will depend on continued consumer demand, successful product launches and the execution of planned capacity additions.
SJM Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have rallied 19% over the past year against the industry’s decline of 20.5%.
SJM Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SJM trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.10, below the industry’s average of 13.79.
SJM’s Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SJM’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 17.1% and 1.9%, respectively.
Stocks to ConsiderLamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW - Free Report) , a leading global producer of frozen potato products, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lamb Weston’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies a decline of 0.8% and growth of 6.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. LW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.1%, on average.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , a prepared-foods company focused on fresh, ready-to-eat and deli products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter surprise of 121.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and EPS indicates respective increases of 30.3% and 66.7% from the year-ago period.
Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF - Free Report) , a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS implies growth of 188.2% and 104%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Some stocks demand to be watched. I love to watch my portfolio and constantly refresh my headlines for guidance, tweaks, and whatever a single analyst said about it this morning. I get caught up looking at my brokerage app a lot.
But there's a smaller category of companies that have earned something rarer: the right to be ignored. Put money into them, and the business itself proves its worth, whether or not you check the price.
These four, which cost $2,500 each for a combined $10,000, are the kind I'd buy and then genuinely forget I owned for a while.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Archer-Daniels-Midland Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM -3.10%) has paid a dividend without interruption for more than 94 years and raised it for 53 straight years. That kind of streak isn't an accident of good luck. This streak makes it a Dividend King, a company that has delivered 50 or more consecutive years of annual dividend increases.
This is what happens when a business sits at the center of the global food supply chain, processing the corn, soybeans, and wheat that eventually become everything from cooking oil to livestock feed to the ingredients inside products with far flashier logos than ADM's own.
People need to eat regardless of what the market is doing that week, and ADM gets paid at nearly every step of turning raw crops into the food that ends up on a plate. That's not a business model that requires daily supervision. It requires patience.
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Moneyball Superscore
57/100
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-3.10
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-2.56
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$
79.89
2. J.M. Smucker J.M. Smucker (SJM +0.35%) just extended its dividend growth streak to 25 consecutive fiscal years, a milestone the company hit while also leaning harder into what's actually working inside its portfolio. Its Away From Home business posted double-digit sales growth recently, powered largely by Uncrustables, the frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that have become one of the more improbable growth stories in packaged food, according to Food Business News.
Smucker has also been willing to make hard calls on underperforming pieces of the business rather than propping them up indefinitely, which is exactly the kind of discipline I want from a company I'm not planning to check in on every quarter. The jam and coffee aisle isn't exciting. It's also not going anywhere.
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Moneyball Superscore
59/100
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0.35
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0.42
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$
119.83
3. Brown-Forman Brown-Forman (BFB -0.56%), the maker of Jack Daniel's, has paid a regular quarterly dividend for 82 consecutive years and raised it for 42 straight ones, a run that's survived Prohibition's aftermath, multiple recessions, and now a stretch of tariff pressure on American spirits exports.
What I find reassuring isn't that the business has been immune to hard years recently; it's how the company has responded to them. Brown-Forman continued to generate strong free cash flow and returned capital to shareholders through both dividends and buybacks, even as sales growth cooled. A company that keeps the checks coming during its own tougher stretches is exactly the kind I don't feel the need to babysit.
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4. Kroger Kroger (KR +0.38%) just raised its dividend by 11%, extending a streak of 20 consecutive years, with the payout compounding at roughly 13% annually since the company reinstated it in 2006. Grocery shopping is about as close to a nonnegotiable household expense as exists, and Kroger sits behind a huge share of that spending every single week, in good economies and bad ones.
The company has leaned into that durability by pairing steady dividend growth with consistent share buybacks, funded by free cash flow that doesn't swing wildly with trends. It's not a stock that really needs much of a PR push or a catalyst. The catalyst is dinner, every night, for millions of households.
What ties these four together isn't anything exciting; in fact, it's the opposite. Each one sits in a part of the economy that doesn't pause, go out of style, or depend on any single product cycle working out.
ADM feeds the supply chain, Smucker sits in the pantry, Brown-Forman sits in the liquor cabinet, and Kroger sits at the register. Put $2,500 into each, let the dividends reinvest, and the most useful thing an investor could do for the next few years might just be opening a different app entirely.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded food, beverage, pet food and pet snack products in North America. Its operations are primarily concentrated in the United States, with additional international activities, mainly in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 10.83; value investors should take notice.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.76 to $10.71 per share. SJM boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
The J. M. Smucker Company is reiterated as a Buy, with shares materially below intrinsic value and a robust technical setup. SJM posted strong Q1 results, with adjusted EPS of $3.24 (including $0.84 in tariff refunds) and 5% revenue growth. Management raised FY27 adjusted EPS guidance to $10.50–$11.00 and improved the free cash flow outlook, supporting long-term shareholder value.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded food, beverage, pet food and pet snack products in North America. Its operations are primarily concentrated in the United States, with additional international activities, mainly in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. SJM has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 17.1% for the current fiscal year.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.76 to $10.71 per share. SJM boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
Campbell's just slashed a dividend it had protected for 25 years, and Smucker carries some of the same warning signs that preceded the cut. Before you assume the Folgers maker is safe, here is what the cash flow and debt…
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J.M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM | SJM Price Prediction) and Campbell’s (NASDAQ:CPB) sell pantry staples to the same shoppers, so which one should an investor saving for retirement own right now? Campbell’s answered half the question on September 3, 2026, when it cut its quarterly dividend 36%, from $0.39 to $0.25 per share. The remaining question is whether Smucker’s payout faces the same fate.
What Actually Broke Campbell’s Dividend The business broke first. Fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS fell to $2.17 from $2.91, and operating income dropped 37% to $852M. Snacks did the most damage: organic sales fell 6% and segment operating earnings sank 34%, capped by a $117M impairment on Cape Cod and Kettle Brand. Meanwhile, total liabilities sit at $11.49B against $3.85B of equity. With fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guided to just $1.65 to $1.80, the old $1.56 annual payout left almost no cushion. The CEO put it bluntly: “Our performance is not where it needs to be… taking decisive action to improve it… resetting our dividend.”
Income winner: Smucker. Campbell’s trailing yield of 7.86% reflects a payout that no longer exists; the forward annualized figure is $1. Smucker just raised its quarterly dividend to $1.12 from $1.10, continuing uninterrupted quarterly records dating to 1999.
Smucker’s Earnings Trajectory Is Pointing Up Smucker’s fiscal first quarter delivered adjusted EPS of $3.24 against a $2.22 estimate, with revenue up 5.0% to $2.22B. U.S. Retail Coffee sales rose 13% to $807.8M. Management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $10.50 to $11.00 and free cash flow to roughly $1.1B. Campbell’s, by contrast, lowered guidance again, now calling for net sales of -4% to -2%.
One caveat: Smucker’s quarter included a roughly $115M tariff refund, worth about $0.84 per share, that will not repeat. Growth winner: Smucker, even after stripping that out.
Stress-Testing Smucker Against Campbell’s Failure Smucker bears real scars. GAAP EPS over the trailing twelve months is just $2.13, below its $4.42 trailing dividend, largely because of a $961.7M Hostess impairment. Sweet Baked Snacks still fell 7% last quarter. That is the same category rot that sank Campbell’s snacks unit.
Cash tells a better story. Operating cash flow swung to $425.7M from -$10.6M, and net interest expense fell 18% as debt came down. A year ago, management targeted “three times leverage profile by the end of fiscal year 27.” The market has sorted the two: Smucker is up 27.47% year to date while Campbell’s is down 27.02%. Over ten years, Smucker gained 24.34% while Campbell’s lost 49.65%. Risk winner: Smucker.
Early Warning Signs Smucker Holders Should Track Smucker avoids Campbell’s outcome by meeting three marks: free cash flow near $1.1B, leverage reaching its target on schedule, and Hostess stabilizing without another write-down. Red flags would include a guidance cut once the tariff windfall expires, coffee tariffs squeezing margins again, or a skipped raise at the next annual dividend review (we listed seven of these warning signs, the ones that showed up at Campbell’s before the cut, in a free dividend trap guide). Campbell’s cut followed repeated guidance reductions, including a mid-year slash from $2.40-$2.55 to $2.15-$2.25. That pattern is the signal to watch.
Verdict: Smucker’s Payout Holds Both stocks trade near 12 times forward earnings, so Campbell’s apparent discount buys shrinking earnings and a smaller check. Analysts agree: Campbell’s has 4 Strong Sell ratings and a $20.79 target, while Smucker has 8 Strong Buys and a $141.44 target.
Smucker wins all three dimensions on the data reviewed here. Its dividend holds: adjusted earnings guidance runs well above the $4.48 forward payout, cash flow is rising, and debt is falling. Campbell’s now fits a turnaround profile, with a $500M cost program running through fiscal 2030. It reads as a cautionary case study for income investors.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Smucker (SJM - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 7.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Smucker due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for The J. M. Smucker Company before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
SJM Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Coffee Sales and PricingThe J.M. Smucker posted first-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings per share of $3.24, up 71% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.21. Net sales increased 5% year over year to $2,219.3 million, topping the consensus estimate of $2,105 million. Growth was driven by higher net price realization, favorable volume/mix and tariff refunds received during the quarter.
SJM’s first-quarter adjusted gross profit increased 28% year over year to $950.2 million. Adjusted gross margin expanded to 42.8% from 35.2% in the prior-year quarter, driven by tariff refunds, higher net price realization and favorable volume/mix. Excluding the $115 million benefit from tariff refunds, adjusted gross margin still improved 240 basis points, reflecting underlying progress in profitability.
Adjusted operating income increased 46% year over year to $540.7 million, with adjusted operating margin improving to 24.4% from 17.5%. The rise reflected higher adjusted gross profit, partially offset by increased selling, distribution and administrative expenses, including higher marketing and administrative investments.
Smucker continued to invest in its largest growth platforms during the quarter. Uncrustables delivered 12% net sales growth at the total company level, driven by double-digit volume/mix growth, record quarterly volume and increased household penetration. Cafe Bustelo also posted strong momentum, with total company net sales increasing 23%. Management noted that the brand continues to expand household penetration and remains focused on increasing its presence in the at-home coffee category.
SJM Reports Segment PerformanceSJM’s U.S. Retail Coffee segment generated net sales of $807.8 million, up 13% year over year. Higher pricing contributed 10 percentage points of growth, while volume/mix increased 2 percentage points, driven by Dunkin’ and Café Bustelo. Segment profit rose 124% to $300 million, aided by tariff refunds and pricing actions.
The U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads segment posted net sales of $499.3 million, up 3% year over year. Growth was supported by Uncrustables, while peanut butter and fruit spreads faced pressure. Segment profit increased 13% to $129.7 million.
The U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment recorded net sales of $371.7 million, up 1% year over year, supported by cat food growth. Segment profit declined 2% to $98.9 million due to higher costs and increased marketing spending.
Sweet Baked Snacks sales decreased 7% to $236.5 million, pressured by lower volume/mix in snack cakes and breakfast products.
Away From Home sales rose 3% to $203.7 million, supported by Uncrustables and fruit spreads. Segment profit increased 19% to $61.2 million, reflecting tariff refunds and favorable volume/mix.
Smucker Raises Fiscal 2027 OutlookSmucker raised its fiscal 2027 outlook following the better-than-expected first-quarter performance. The company now expects net sales to decline 1% to 2% compared with its previous outlook for a 3% to 4% drop. Adjusted earnings per share guidance was increased to $10.50-$11.00 from $9.75-$10.25. The updated outlook reflects stronger momentum, improved sales expectations and a net benefit of approximately $60 million related to tariff refunds after planned investments in selling, distribution and administrative expenses.
The company also raised its free cash flow outlook to approximately $1,100 million from $1,000 million. Management expects adjusted gross profit margin of approximately 38.75% and capital expenditures of $325 million for fiscal 2027.
SJM generated operating cash flow of $425.7 million in the quarter compared with cash used for operating activities of $10.6 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow improved to $337.3 million from negative $94.9 million, reflecting higher earnings and lower working capital requirements. The company reduced debt by approximately $230 million during the quarter and reached its leverage target of at or below 3.0X net debt to adjusted EBITDA earlier than expected. Management remains focused on debt reduction while maintaining investments in growth initiatives, dividends and potential share repurchases.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Smucker has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for value investors.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Smucker has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
The J.M. Smucker Co. portfolio features brands consumers love across coffee, pet, and snacking. The portfolio of leading brands has always delivered on the needs and preferences of consumers and continues to do so this fall with new flavors and formats celebrating all things autumn. Brands including Hostess® snacks, Milk-Bone® dog treats, and Uncrustables® sandwiches have seasonally inspired offerings, now available. , /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) has established a legacy of nearly 130 years by delivering on the needs of consumers and being there for every occasion. While the fall season officially began on September 22, consumers' celebration of all things' autumn has been in full swing, and the Smucker portfolio is doing its part.
Here are just a few of the fall offerings from Smucker brands.
Hostess®: Fall and Halloween celebrations extend beyond the trick to the treats, which is reflected in the seasonally inspired offerings from the Hostess® brand. The lineup is highlighted by Frightfully Frosted Donettes® mini donuts featuring the delicious, classic chocolate frosting consumers know and love and an unexpected twist with an orange cake center. This new treat adds to the fun, complementing returning favorites including Spooky Chocolate Cake Twinkies® and Pumpkin Spice Flavored Twinkies®, Maple Glazed Donettes®, and ScaryCakes Cupcakes as well as Iced Pumpkin Flavored Cupcakes. Milk-Bone®: The Milk-Bone® brand makes every season special for pet parents and their dogs and it's continuing to deliver meaningful innovations that help consumers celebrate. This year's fall lineup includes a mix of festive flavors and format such as Spooky Biscuits, Soft & Chewy Mini's Graveyard Bones, Dipped Toffee Artificially Flavored Biscuits, Milk-Bone Dunkin' Maple Bacon Flavored Biscuits, MaroSnacks® Halloween Dog Treats, and Pup-Kin Spice Dog Biscuits. Uncrustables®: The beloved frozen sandwich, now fridge friendly so consumers can skip the thaw time and enjoy it straight from their refrigerator at home, is getting into the season with limited-edition seasonal packaging. The new Uncrustables® "fallin' for flavor" graphics adorn the brand's peanut butter and honey spread sandwiches. For more information on The J.M. Smucker Co. and its family of brands, please visit jmsmucker.com.
About The J. M. Smucker Co.
At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America. We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day including Folgers®, Dunkin'®, Café Bustelo®, Jif®, Uncrustables®, Smucker's®, Hostess®, Milk-Bone® and Meow Mix®. Through our unwavering commitment to producing high quality products, operating responsibly and ethically and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com.
The J. M. Smucker Co. is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin'®, which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Co. for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin'® restaurants.
Key Takeaways SJM enters FY27 with higher earnings expectations as Uncrustables and Cafe Bustelo deliver solid growth. Adjusted gross margin rose 760 basis points, or 240 basis points excluding the $115 million tariff refund. SJM expects fiscal 2027 sales to fall 1%-2% as Sweet Baked Snacks and Pet Foods still need more progress. The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM - Free Report) enters fiscal 2027 with stronger earnings expectations and two brands delivering double-digit growth, but the portfolio is not advancing evenly. The current fiscal-year EPS estimate has risen 7.2% in the past four weeks.
The investment question is whether Uncrustables, Cafe Bustelo and better underlying profitability can outweigh continued weakness in Sweet Baked Snacks and limited companywide revenue growth.
SJM's Growth Engines Keep Building ScaleUncrustables delivered 12% total-company net sales growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, driven by double-digit volume/mix growth. The brand also reached record quarterly volume, net sales and household penetration.
Cafe Bustelo increased net sales 23%, including an 8% contribution from volume/mix. With Uncrustables household penetration at 27% and additional capacity planned at the McCalla, AL, facility, these platforms have room to become a larger part of Smucker's growth mix.
Smucker's Margin Recovery Strengthens the Earnings CaseAdjusted gross margin improved 760 basis points in the first quarter. Excluding the $115 million tariff-refund benefit, adjusted gross margin still expanded 240 basis points, showing that the improvement was not entirely refund-driven.
Lower green coffee costs are expected to support profitability, though Smucker plans to pass deflation through to consumers. That trade-off should pressure reported coffee sales as pricing resets, even as the company targets a healthier underlying cost structure.
SJM Still Needs Broader Revenue GrowthSmucker now expects fiscal 2027 net sales to decline 1%-2%, with volume/mix approximately flat. The midpoint improvement in guidance reflects better expectations for U.S. Retail Coffee and U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads, but not broad-based expansion.
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Packaged-food peers show that this backdrop is not unique. General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) reported flat organic net sales in its fiscal 2027 first quarter, while The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC - Free Report) posted a 1.3% decline in second-quarter 2026 organic net sales. For SJM, the key issue remains whether its strongest brands can offset weaker parts of the portfolio.
Smucker's Snack and Pet Businesses Need More ProgressSweet Baked Snacks sales fell 7% in the first quarter as volume/mix reduced sales by 8 percentage points. U.S. retail channels improved modestly and Donettes posted double-digit growth, but convenience-channel pressure and prior SKU rationalization continued to weigh on the segment.
Pet Foods sales rose just 1%, while segment profit declined 2%. Meow Mix sales increased 4%, Milk-Bone returned to volume/mix growth and Pup-Peroni gained 5%, yet broader pet-category progress is still needed for the segment to become a more dependable contributor.
SJM's Valuation Balances Opportunity and Execution RiskSJM trades at 11.4X forward 12-month earnings, below 14.2X for its Zacks sub-industry and 16.8X for the sector. The relative discount gives investors some valuation support as earnings expectations improve.
The multiple is also close to SJM's five-year median of 11.9X. That means the shares are not unusually cheap relative to their own history, leaving earnings delivery, margin follow-through and wider portfolio stabilization central to the valuation case.
SJM's Mixed Style Profile Keeps Execution in FocusSJM's setup supports a patient rather than one-sided reading. Growth brands are scaling, underlying margins are improving and earnings expectations have moved higher, but fiscal-year sales are still projected to decline and several businesses need better volume performance.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with a Growth Score of A, VGM Score of A, Value Score of B and Momentum Score of F. The strong Growth and VGM scores and favorable Value score sit alongside weak momentum. Within the Zacks framework, that mix keeps the focus on execution and broader operating improvement rather than on valuation alone. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways SJM raised fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance to $10.50-$11.00 after a 71% first-quarter earnings increase. Smucker improved its sales outlook to a 1%-2% decline, while companywide volume/mix is expected to stay flat. SJM lifted free cash flow guidance to about $1.1 billion and reduced debt by roughly $230 million. The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM - Free Report) entered fiscal 2027 with stronger earnings momentum after first-quarter results exceeded expectations and management raised its full-year sales, adjusted earnings and free cash flow outlooks.
The next test is durability. Better profitability, lower coffee costs and expanding brands support the earnings case, but companywide sales are still expected to decline and growth remains concentrated in a few businesses.
SJM's Earnings Beat Reset Fiscal 2027 ExpectationsFirst-quarter adjusted earnings rose 71% year over year to $3.24 per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.21. Net sales increased 5% to $2.22 billion, supported by higher pricing and favorable volume/mix.
Tariff refunds also lifted the quarter. SJM received about $115 million of refunds, contributing 84 cents per share to adjusted earnings, making the underlying operating improvement important when assessing earnings durability.
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Smucker Raises Its Full-Year Earnings OutlookManagement lifted fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings guidance to $10.50-$11.00 per share from $9.75-$10.25. The sales outlook improved to a decline of 1%-2% from the prior forecast for a 3%-4% drop.
The revised guidance reflects stronger momentum and better sales expectations, but it still assumes roughly flat companywide volume/mix. That keeps the focus on whether growth platforms can offset lower coffee pricing and portfolio weakness.
SJM's Cash Flow Outlook Adds Financial FlexibilityFree cash flow guidance increased to approximately $1.1 billion from $1 billion after first-quarter free cash flow reached $337.3 million. SJM also reduced debt by roughly $230 million during the quarter.
Those actions helped the company reach its target of no more than 3.0X net debt to adjusted EBITDA earlier than planned. The stronger cash outlook supports growth investment while leaving room for further debt reduction and shareholder returns.
Smucker's Underlying Margins Show ImprovementAdjusted gross margin expanded 760 basis points in the first quarter. Excluding tariff refunds, the increase was still 240 basis points, indicating profitability improved beyond the one-time benefit.
Lower green coffee costs are expected to support fiscal 2027 cost deflation, although SJM plans to pass some savings to consumers through lower pricing. Higher administrative, marketing and pre-production spending will also limit how much cost relief reaches earnings.
SJM Must Convert Investment Into Broader Volume GrowthSelling, distribution and administrative expenses are projected to rise about 8% in fiscal 2027. Marketing is expected to equal 5.7% of sales, up about $45 million from fiscal 2026, while the second phase of the McCalla, AL, facility is set to support more Uncrustables capacity.
General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) reported flat organic net sales in its fiscal 2027 first quarter while continuing to invest in brands and innovation. The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC - Free Report) posted a 1.3% decline in second-quarter 2026 organic net sales and raised planned investment spending, showing why brand support must translate into sustainable volume.
SJM's Growth Score Reflects Rising ExpectationsThe bottom line is that Smucker's raised outlook improves the fiscal 2027 earnings setup, but durable growth still requires wider volume participation. Uncrustables and Cafe Bustelo are expanding, while Sweet Baked Snacks and parts of Pet Foods need more consistent improvement.
SJM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with a Growth Score of A, VGM Score of A, Value Score of B and Momentum Score of F. Favorable growth, composite and value characteristics contrast with weak momentum, leaving execution and broader operating progress central to the stock's near-term profile. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Quarterly financial reports play a vital role on Wall Street, as they help investors see how a company has performed and what might be coming down the road in the near-term. And out of all of the metrics and results to consider, earnings is one of the most important.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.
Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market; Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Philip Morris?The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Philip Morris (PM - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) 29 days from its next quarterly earnings release on October 20, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $2.34 a share.
Philip Morris' Earnings ESP sits at +3.41%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.34 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.26. PM is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
PM is part of a big group of Consumer Staples stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Smucker (SJM - Free Report) as well.
Smucker is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on November 24, 2026. SJM's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.55 a share 64 days from its next earnings release.
Smucker's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.81% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.51.
PM and SJM's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 11.58; value investors should take notice.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.67 to $10.62 per share. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Staples stock. SJM has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 2.9% over the past four weeks.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.67 to $10.62 per share. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
California State Teachers Retirement System raised its position in shares of The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM – Free Report) by 10,950.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,894,200 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 13,768,467 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned 13.03% of J. M. Smucker worth $1,563,098,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in J. M. Smucker by 36.3% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 168,591 shares of the company’s stock worth $16,258,000 after purchasing an additional 44,935 shares during the period. Castleark Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of J. M. Smucker in the first quarter worth $5,746,000. Poehling Capital Management INC. lifted its position in shares of J. M. Smucker by 403.5% during the 4th quarter. Poehling Capital Management INC. now owns 22,238 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,175,000 after purchasing an additional 17,821 shares during the last quarter. Delta Global Management LP acquired a new position in shares of J. M. Smucker during the first quarter valued at about $1,951,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in J. M. Smucker in the first quarter valued at about $4,071,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.66% of the company’s stock.
J. M. Smucker Stock Performance Shares of SJM opened at $120.98 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.54, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.27. The J. M. Smucker Company has a 12 month low of $88.25 and a 12 month high of $135.89. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $120.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $109.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.
J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 26th. The company reported $3.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.22 by $1.02. J. M. Smucker had a return on equity of 19.85% and a net margin of 2.51%.The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.90 earnings per share. J. M. Smucker’s quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. J. M. Smucker has set its FY 2027 guidance at 10.500-11.000 EPS. Research analysts forecast that The J. M. Smucker Company will post 10.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. J. M. Smucker Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $1.12 per share. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.7%. This is a positive change from J. M. Smucker’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. J. M. Smucker’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 209.35%.
Insider Activity at J. M. Smucker In related news, CFO Tucker H. Marshall sold 18,482 shares of J. M. Smucker stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.05, for a total transaction of $2,440,548.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 38,699 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,110,202.95. This trade represents a 32.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jill R. Penrose sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.69, for a total value of $583,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 15,795 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,843,118.55. This trade represents a 24.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 33,987 shares of company stock worth $4,261,991. 2.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SJM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on J. M. Smucker from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Wall Street Zen raised J. M. Smucker from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of J. M. Smucker from $137.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of J. M. Smucker from $125.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of J. M. Smucker from $123.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $136.25.
Get Our Latest Analysis on J. M. Smucker
J. M. Smucker Profile (Free Report)
The J. M. Smucker Company is a food and beverage manufacturer headquartered in Orrville, Ohio. Founded in 1897 by Jerome Monroe Smucker, the company began with apple butter and has expanded into a diversified portfolio of branded consumer products sold primarily through retail and foodservice channels.
Its offerings include coffee products under brands such as Folgers, Café Bustelo and Dunkin’ packaged coffee; fruit spreads and related products under the Smucker’s brand; peanut butter and other foods under Jif; and frozen handheld snacks under the Uncrustables brand.
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Jill Penrose disposed of shares valued at $192,005 to cover withholding taxes tied to restricted stock vesting, leaving her with 17,089 total shares worth $2.25 million.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. SJM has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.1% for the current fiscal year.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.67 to $10.62 per share. SJM boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 12.38; value investors should take notice.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.71 to $10.62 per share. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
The disposition involved the sale of 84,821 shares at a weighted-average price of $131.39 per share, totaling $11.1 million. The shares traded represented 38% of the insider's total equity stake before the filing.
Consumer staples stocks were supposed to be dead money in a market where investors are looking for alpha in the artificial intelligence trade. But the sector has had some notable winners. The Coca-Cola Company NYSE: KO is up 26% in 2026 as of Sept. 1, more than double the gains made in the S&P 500.
J. M. Smucker Today
SJM
J. M. Smucker
$131.86 +0.44 (+0.34%)
As of 03:12 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
$88.25▼
$135.893.40%
61.72
$136.25
However, another name has done even better. The J.M. Smucker Co. NYSE: SJM stock is up 34% in 2026 and spiked approximately 12% following the company's first-quarter earnings report for its 2027 fiscal year (FY2027).
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At first glance, this looks like a clear case of a company that shattered profit expectations. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.24 were a whopping $1.02 higher than the $2.22 forecasted, a 45% beat.
But that's misleading for one reason. The beat included a one-time 84-cent-per-share benefit from tariff refunds.
Take that away, and the beat was only about 26%. That's still an impressive gain, but some analysts question its durability in future quarters.
J.M. Smucker Earnings Show More Than a Tariff RefundMoving past the EPS number, the company generated revenue of $2.22 billion. That was higher than the $2.13 billion forecast and 5% above the $2.11 billion recorded in the prior year.
However, Smucker noted that the gains were largely due to pricing, not volume. In this case, higher coffee prices drove over 4% of that sales growth.
The price-versus-volume dynamic is not new to Smucker. Many consumer staples companies have been under the same pressure. That's not bullish for long-term demand, a fact the company confirmed with full-year net sales guidance that calls for a 1% to 2% decline.
So why do analysts continue to move their price targets higher? The answer to that is on the company's balance sheet.
Smucker's Debt Reduction Strengthens the Bull CaseIn 2023, Smucker paid approximately $5.6 billion to acquire Hostess, the parent company of iconic treats like Twinkies. That cash-and-stock deal included Smucker assuming approximately $900 million of net debt, at a rich adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 17.2x.
Smucker took on new debt to finance the deal, raising the company's leverage ratio and prompting both Moody's and S&P to take negative rating action. To that end, the company set a goal of achieving net debt-to-EBITDA leverage below 3x. This quarter shows Smucker hit 2.9x—down from 3.8x a year ago—nearly a year ahead of schedule.
That deleveraging is showing up elsewhere in the numbers as well. Free cash flow swung to $337.3 million from negative $94.9 million a year ago, and operating cash flow flipped from -$10.6 million to $425.7 million.
This is arguably the most important part of the J.M. Smucker earnings report for long-term investors. Debt reduction does not generate the same headline excitement as an EPS beat, but it can materially change how investors value a consumer staples company. Lower leverage gives Smucker greater financial flexibility and reduces the pressure from the Hostess acquisition.
With leverage now near target, management is discussing share buybacks for the first time in years, alongside a dividend that was just raised to $1.12 per share quarterly from $1.10. That increase extended the company's consecutive years of dividend increases to 27.
Overall, the company's balance sheet shows the real story of the earnings report isn't a sugar high from tariffs. It's a company that exercised discipline and is now being rewarded for its efforts.
J.M. Smucker Stock Technical Analysis Signals Strong MomentumThe technical picture mirrors the fundamental one: real strength, but with a "priced for perfection" wrinkle. SJM shares have essentially doubled off their April lows near $90, powering well above the rising 50-day simple moving average (currently around $118) in a textbook uptrend.
The post-earnings gap pushed shares to an intraday high near $134 before settling around $132, and higher-than-average daily volume confirms real conviction behind the move, albeit slightly below the stock's average daily volume.
The one flag for short-term traders: the 14-day RSI sits near 70, a traditional overbought threshold, after spending much of the past month climbing steadily alongside price. That combination—a parabolic-looking run into a level that's historically preceded by consolidation—suggests the easy money on the earnings pop may already be made, even if the longer-term trend remains firmly intact.
For investors who missed the initial earnings move, that distinction matters. A pullback toward the 50-day SMA could offer a more attractive risk-reward setup than chasing SJM after a double-digit post-earnings surge. Conversely, a sustained move above $134 on strong volume would signal that buyers remain willing to pay a premium for the company's improving financial position.
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Should You Invest $1,000 in J. M. Smucker Right Now?Before you consider J. M. Smucker, you'll want to hear this.
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Marshall H. Tucker, Chief Financial Officer of The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM -0.89%), disposed of 18,482 shares of common stock on Aug. 28, 2026, as disclosed in a recent SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$2.4 millionShares sold (directly held)18,482Post-transaction shares40,225Post-transaction shares (directly held)38,699Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)1,526Post-transaction value$5.32 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($132.05); post-transaction value based on Aug. 28, 2026, market close ($132.34).
Key questionsWhat were the mechanics of this equity disposal?
Marshall H. Tucker exercised 18,482 stock options with an exercise price of $125.82 and sold the underlying shares in multiple open-market transactions at prices ranging from $131.83 to $132.33.How does this impact the CFO's overall equity exposure?
The sale was limited to the shares acquired through the exercise of the option, leaving the executive's prior direct position of 38,699 common shares intact, along with an indirect holding of 1,526 shares.What was the market environment at the time of the sale?
The transaction was executed when the stock was priced at $132.05, which closely tracked the Aug. 28, 2026, market close of $132.34.Does the insider maintain a significant residual interest in the company?
The reporting person retains a total beneficial ownership of 40,225 shares, which represents approximately 0.0376% of the company's outstanding equity based on recent market capitalization data.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-28)$132.34Market Capitalization$14.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$9.2 billionNet Income (TTM)$229.5 millionCompany SnapshotThe J. M. Smucker Company manufactures and markets a diversified portfolio of branded food and beverage products, including coffee, peanut butter, fruit preserves, and pet food, generating the majority of its revenue through three principal U.S. retail divisions: Pet Foods, Coffee, and Consumer Foods.The company operates a branded consumer packaged goods business model, leveraging established market positions and distribution networks to deliver products across retail channels, with revenue generation driven by volume sales, pricing strategies, and product innovation across its portfolio.The company primarily serves retail consumers through grocery stores, mass merchandisers, and e-commerce platforms, with customer bases spanning households seeking premium coffee and spreads as well as pet owners purchasing branded pet food products.The J. M. Smucker Company is a leading international packaged foods enterprise with approximately $9.2 billion in TTM revenue and a market capitalization of $14.1 billion. The company maintains a competitive position through its portfolio of iconic, long-established brands and vertically integrated operations spanning production, marketing, and distribution. With 8,000 employees and headquarters in Orrville, Ohio, Smucker demonstrates resilience in the consumer defensive sector, evidenced by a 24.01% one-year share price appreciation.
What this transaction means for investorsThe size of Marshall Tucker's sale of J.M. Smucker stock may alarm investors at first glance, since the share amounts were equal to 46% of the equity stake before the filing.
However, a closer look reveals the move was an options exercise that left his direct and indirect stock holdings intact. This likely means this was a portfolio management decision, rather than a sign Tucker had turned bearish on the consumer staples stock.
Right now, Smucker is not giving investors any obvious reasons to sell. Its brand portfolio, which includes Hostess, Jif, and coffee brands such as Folgers, is widely recognized and recession-resistant. Also, its stock has risen by 24% over the last year, beating the S&P 500.
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131.16
Furthermore, its dividend yield is 3.3%, well above the S&P 500's average of 1%. It has also risen for 25 straight years, another factor that could attract income investors. Amid these conditions, insiders should probably be more inclined to buy shares instead of sell.
On August 26, 2026, JM Smucker Co SJM released its 8-K filing, announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2026. The company reported a notable increase in sales and adjusted earnings, demonstrating resilience against ongoing market challenges.
JM Smucker Co is a leading packaged food company that primarily sells through the US retail channel, with approximately 75% of its fiscal 2026 revenue coming from retail pet foods, coffee, and frozen handheld/spreads segments. The company operates well-known brands such as Folgers, Dunkin', and Cafe Bustelo in its coffee category, which contributes 37% of its sales. The pet foods segment holds brands like Milk-Bone and Meow Mix, accounting for 18% of sales. The acquisition of Hostess Brands in fiscal 2024 has further strengthened its presence in the snack and convenience store categories.
In the latest earnings report, JM Smucker Co SJM achieved net sales of $2.2 billion, reflecting a 5% increase, or $106.0 million, compared to the prior year. This growth was primarily driven by higher net pricing and increased volume/mix for key products such as Uncrustables® sandwiches. The net income per diluted share was reported at $3.03, contrasting with a net loss per share of $0.41 from the prior year. The adjusted earnings per share showed a significant increase of 71%, reaching $3.24, bolstered by $0.84 in tariff refunds received during the quarter. Despite these accomplishments, the company is grappling with challenges including inflationary pressures and evolving consumer habits.
Financially, JM Smucker Co SJM bolstered its cash provided by operating activities to $425.7 million, an increase from cash used for operating activities of $10.6 million the previous year. Free cash flow also showed a strong recovery, reaching $337.3 million compared to negative $94.9 million in the prior year. The company updated its full-year outlook, predicting a net sales decrease of 1.0 to 2.0 percent, with adjusted earnings per share projected to range from $10.50 to $11.00. The company's adjusted earnings per share estimate aligns with the provided analyst forecast of $8.45, making the reported $3.24 considerably higher.
Key MetricsFY27 Q1FY26 Q1Change (%)Net Sales$2,219.3 million$2,113.3 million5%Operating Income$511.6 million$45.6 millionn/mAdjusted EPS$3.24$1.9071%Free Cash Flow$337.3 million($94.9 million)n/mGuruFocus Valuation CheckAccording to GuruFocus's proprietary data, JM Smucker Co SJM has a GF Score of 65 out of 100, indicating an above-average rating for the company. The calculated GF Value stands at $117.06, rendering the current price of $125.45 as approximately 7.2% overvalued. For investors, the GF Score coupled with a profitability rank of 6 out of 10 suggests moderate potential, yet a growth rank of only 1 out of 10 indicates significant headwinds in growth prospects.
The company's financial strength score of 4 out of 10 raises concerns, particularly in light of net insider activity where insiders sold $5.5 million in shares while only acquiring $0.1 million. This could signal caution to potential investors. Despite the undervaluation of stock based on the GF Value, the mixed signals regarding financial stability and insider activity suggest careful consideration is warranted before investment.
For a deeper dive, visit the JM Smucker Co stock page on GuruFocus.
Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from JM Smucker Co for further details.
GuruFocus context: GuruFocus’ GF Value™ estimates fair value near $117.06 (7.2% overvalued); its GF Score™ is 65/100; 11 gurus currently hold the stock, with 4 adding and 6 trimming positions in recent quarters — guru 13F data Simply Wall St and Morningstar don’t have. See the full JM Smucker Co SJM research.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
The owner of Jif peanut butter and Folgers coffee said it now expects net sales to decline 1% to 2% in its fiscal 2027, compared with a prior forecast for net sales to decline 3% to 4%.
The J.M. Smucker Company’s Dividend: Too Sweet to Ignore?J. M. Smucker NYSE: SJM said its fiscal 2027 first-quarter performance reflected momentum in its coffee, Uncrustables, pet snacks and selected sweet baked snacks businesses, while management maintained a cautious view on consumer demand, commodity costs and freight inflation for the remainder of the year.
During the company’s earnings question-and-answer session, Chief Executive Officer Mark Smucker said the company’s portfolio and ongoing brand investments support its long-term growth outlook. Chief Financial Officer Tucker Marshall said the company’s guidance incorporates higher underlying cost inflation and conservative volume assumptions for coffee.
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Tariff Refund Supports Investment and Debt Reduction SJM Surges 9%, But Hostess Weakness Clouds OutlookMarshall said the company received an $0.84 per-share benefit from tariff refunds during the first quarter. J. M. Smucker plans to reinvest part of that benefit through selling, distribution and administrative expenses, including higher administrative expenses, incremental marketing and pre-production costs tied to its McCalla, Alabama, facility supporting Uncrustables.
The company expects a roughly $0.60 full-year benefit from the tariff refunds after accounting for incremental costs and spending, according to Marshall. He said the company also intends to use remaining earnings or cash to reduce debt.
5 Under-the-Radar Consumer Staples Stocks With Pricing PowerMarshall said J. M. Smucker remains on track to pay down approximately $500 million of debt during fiscal 2027 and has already reached its targeted 3x leverage ratio in the first quarter, ahead of expectations. The company remains committed to its quarterly dividend, which it recently increased, and now has flexibility to consider share repurchases, he said.
Coffee Outlook Remains Cautious Despite First-Quarter Growth Management said coffee delivered strong first-quarter results across its key brands, although the company continues to expect low-single-digit volume declines for the full fiscal year. Smucker cited continued volatility in green coffee commodities, category conditions and the consumer environment as reasons for maintaining a prudent outlook.
Smucker said Café Bustelo grew 23% during the quarter, supported by its Game Face marketing campaign tied to soccer. He described the brand as having significant opportunity for distribution expansion in the central and western U.S. regions, noting that it is now the sixth-largest brand in the category and that the company aspires to move it into the top four.
The company had considered a coffee list-price decline near the end of the fiscal year because the base coffee commodity is lower than a year earlier. However, Smucker said commodity prices have not crossed the thresholds needed to support a list-price reduction and have not shown sustained deflation. Instead, the company has passed some deflation through to consumers through trade spending and promotions.
Folgers grew during the quarter and posted approximately flat volume and mix, Marshall said. Smucker also said Folgers, one of the company’s more affordable coffee brands, performed well around promotional activity tied to America’s 250th anniversary during July.
Underlying cost inflation, excluding the effects of green coffee tariffs and tariff refunds, is now expected to be in the mid-single digits. Marshall said the increase from the company’s earlier expectations is largely attributable to freight, commodities and other ingredients.
Uncrustables Growth Accelerates, McCalla Costs Rise J. M. Smucker raised its outlook for Uncrustables to high-single-digit growth for fiscal 2027, compared with its prior expectation for mid-single-digit growth after the brand reached its $1 billion ambition in the previous fiscal year.
Marshall said the stronger outlook is driven primarily by U.S. retail channels, with improvement also coming from away-from-home sales. The company is increasing pre-production expenses to bring capacity online earlier at its McCalla, Alabama, facility. As a result, margins in the frozen handheld and spreads segment may decline modestly during the next few quarters, although Marshall said the overall margin profile remains strong.
Smucker said demand has been supported by the rollout of “fridge-friendly” Uncrustables, which can be kept thawed in a refrigerator for five days, as well as new flavors, limited-time offerings, higher-protein products and expanded distribution. The company is also building its convenience-store presence and growing its away-from-home business.
The second phase of the McCalla facility has already been built, Smucker said, and will focus on the brand’s core crimped soft-bread format. Activating the capacity will require staffing and operational startup.
Pet and Sweet Baked Snacks Show Mixed Trends In pet snacks, Smucker said Pup-Peroni posted 5% net sales growth and 7% growth in the quarter, supported by a brand refresh, marketing and customer events. Milk-Bone returned to volume growth, aided by innovation in soft and chewy products and marketing support. Jerky Treats declined during the period.
Smucker said the company remains positive on dog snacks and continues to focus on growing Milk-Bone’s relevance in treating occasions. The company’s broader pet strategy remains centered on consumables, including dog snacks and cat food, rather than pet technology products or devices.
In sweet baked snacks, management said Hostess performed in line with expectations as the company continues its stabilization efforts. Donettes performed well, particularly in larger bag sizes and mini churro donut innovation, while Suzy Q’s innovation also showed positive performance.
However, Smucker said convenience-store traffic remains challenged. He suggested lower gasoline prices could eventually improve traffic by encouraging more consumers to enter stores after fueling, though he said the outcome remains uncertain. Marshall said the sweet baked snacks business is expected to decline by low single digits for the full year, with larger declines in the first half as the company laps prior-year SKU rationalization and a more stable back half.
Management also said it is supporting Jif through refreshed packaging, new marketing focused on snacking occasions and the launch of Jif Simply products with two or three ingredients. Smucker said the company does not view softness in the peanut butter category as structural and continues to see opportunities in both peanut butter and fruit spreads.
About J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM)The J. M. Smucker Company is a diversified food and beverage manufacturer and marketer known for a portfolio of well-established consumer brands. The company's main business activities include the production and distribution of fruit spreads, peanut butter, coffee and coffee filters, as well as pet food and pet snacks. Smucker's core product lines serve both retail and foodservice customers through grocery chains, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience outlets and e-commerce channels.
Among its leading brands are Smucker's® fruit spreads, Jif® peanut butter, Folgers® and Dunkin'® coffees, and Café Bustelo® coffee.
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Folgers coffee maker J.M. Smucker (SJM.N) on Wednesday forecast a smaller-than-expected decline in annual sales, benefitting from steady demand for its ready-to-eat meals and coffee.
Shares of the company rose about 4% premarket, after J.M. Smucker raised its annual profit forecast on the back of tariff-related refunds.
Here are some details:
Budget-conscious consumers, pressured by still-high inflation, are increasingly opting to eat at home rather than dining out, lifting demand for essential goods such as coffee and jams.
Easing coffee prices, which surged due to higher green coffee costs and tariffs in recent years, pushed J.M. Smucker to lower prices.
The company's quarterly gross profit increased to $504.9 million, which included tariff refunds of $115.0 million.
The company forecast annual net sales to decrease by 1% to 2%, compared with its prior forecast of a 3% to 4% decline.
It expects full-year adjusted earnings to be between $10.50 and $11 per share, compared with its prior expectation of $9.75 to $10.25.
The Jif peanut butter maker's net sales for the quarter ended July 31 stood at $2.22 billion, beating analysts' average estimate of $2.13 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Excluding tariff refunds, it earned $3.24 per share on an adjusted basis during the first quarter, surpassing estimates of $2.22.
Smucker (SJM - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.24 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.21 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.9 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +46.61%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this food maker would post earnings of $2.65 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.77, delivering a surprise of +4.53%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Smucker, which belongs to the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, posted revenues of $2.22 billion for the quarter ended July 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.42%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.11 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Smucker shares have added about 28.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.2%.
What's Next for Smucker?While Smucker has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Smucker was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.54 on $2.23 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $9.98 on $8.87 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Food - Miscellaneous is currently in the bottom 13% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Campbell's (CPB - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026. The results are expected to be released on September 3.
This maker of canned soup, Pepperidge Farm cookies and V8 juice is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.40 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -35.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.
Campbell's' revenues are expected to be $2.15 billion, down 7.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The J.M. Smucker Co.'s fiscal 2027 first-quarter results “exceeded our expectations,” CEO Mark Smucker said. As a result, the parent of Jif peanut butter, Folgers coffee, and Milk-Bone dog treats lifted its full-year outlook, and investors are buying shares before the bell.
The J. M. Smucker Company remains a Buy, supported by strong FY'27 results, boosted guidance, and a solid margin of safety in valuation. SJM delivered $337.3M in free cash flow and 71% higher Adj. EPS, with tariff refunds and improved cost structure driving performance. Guidance upgrades include Adj. EPS of $10.50–$11.00 and $1.1B FCF, while balance sheet strength enables potential buybacks and sustained dividend growth.
Smucker (SJM - Free Report) reported $2.22 billion in revenue for the quarter ended July 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 5%. EPS of $3.24 for the same period compares to $1.90 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +5.42% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.21, the EPS surprise was +46.61%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Smucker performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net Sales- Sweet Baked Snacks: $236.5 million versus $241.95 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -6.6% change.Net Sales- U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads: $499.3 million versus $483.18 million estimated by three analysts on average.Net Sales- U.S. Retail Coffee: $807.8 million versus $737.61 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.6% change.Net Sales- U.S. Retail Pet Foods: $371.7 million versus $371.56 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1% change.Net sales- Away From Home: $203.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $202.95 million.Net sales- Other: $100.3 million compared to the $91.25 million average estimate based on two analysts.Segment Profit- Sweet Baked Snacks: $29.9 million compared to the $32.68 million average estimate based on two analysts.Segment Profit- U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads: $129.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $108.12 million.Segment Profit- U.S. Retail Coffee: $300 million compared to the $180.1 million average estimate based on two analysts.Segment profit- Other: $19.3 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $14.56 million.Corporate administrative expenses: $-98.3 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $-84.5 million.Segment profit- Away From Home: $61.2 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $53.11 million.View all Key Company Metrics for Smucker here>>>
Shares of Smucker have returned +2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's no change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
J M Smucker Co (NYSE:SJM) raised its full-year profit and sales forecasts on Wednesday after first-quarter results topped Wall Street estimates, sending shares of the packaged foods maker up 3.4%.
The company posted adjusted earnings of $3.24 per share for its fiscal first quarter, far outpacing the $2.22 analysts had expected and marking a 71% jump from a year earlier. Revenue rose 5% to $2.2 billion, also ahead of the $2.13 billion consensus estimate.
Coffee was the standout segment, with net sales climbing 13% to $807.8 million. Frozen Handheld & Spreads grew 3% to $499.3 million, Pet Foods rose 1% to $371.7 million and Away From Home added 3% to reach $203.7 million. Sweet Baked Snacks was the lone decliner, down 7% to $236.5 million.
Gross profit more than doubled to $979.6 million, up 106% from a year ago, while gross margin expanded to 44.1%. Free cash flow came in at $337.3 million, well above the $115 million analysts had projected.
For the full year, Smucker now expects adjusted earnings of $10.50 to $11 per share, up from its prior outlook and above the $10.05 consensus. The company narrowed its projected net sales decline to a range of 1% to 2%, an improvement from the 3% to 4% drop it had previously forecast. Free cash flow guidance was lifted to approximately $1.1 billion from $1 billion, while capital expenditure guidance was trimmed slightly to $325 million.
Analysts at Jefferies noted management's updated guidance implies earnings of $10.15 per share when excluding an estimated $0.60 tariff benefit net of SD&A investment.
Key Takeaways SJM delivered Q1 EPS of $3.24, beating estimates, with sales rising 5% to $2.2 billion.Coffee sales grew as U.S. Retail Coffee revenues rose 13%, aided by pricing and volume/mix gains. Uncrustables and Cafe Bustelo posted strong growth, supporting brand momentum and household gains. The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM - Free Report) delivered a strong start to fiscal 2027, supported by improved profitability, pricing actions and momentum across key brands.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.24, up 71% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.21.
Net sales increased 5% year over year to $2,219.3 million, topping the consensus estimate of $2,105 million. Growth was driven by higher net price realization, favorable volume/mix and tariff refunds received during the quarter.
SJM Expands Profitability in Q1SJM’s first-quarter adjusted gross profit increased 28% year over year to $950.2 million. Adjusted gross margin expanded to 42.8% from 35.2% in the prior-year quarter, driven by tariff refunds, higher net price realization and favorable volume/mix. Excluding the $115 million benefit from tariff refunds, adjusted gross margin still improved 240 basis points, reflecting underlying progress in profitability.
Adjusted operating income increased 46% year over year to $540.7 million, with adjusted operating margin improving to 24.4% from 17.5%. The rise reflected higher adjusted gross profit, partially offset by increased selling, distribution and administrative expenses, including higher marketing and administrative investments.
Smucker Highlights Brand MomentumSmucker continued to invest in its largest growth platforms during the quarter. Uncrustables delivered 12% net sales growth at the total company level, driven by double-digit volume/mix growth, record quarterly volume and increased household penetration.
Cafe Bustelo also posted strong momentum, with total company net sales increasing 23%. Management noted that the brand continues to expand household penetration and remains focused on increasing its presence in the at-home coffee category.
SJM Reports Segment PerformanceSJM’s U.S. Retail Coffee segment generated net sales of $807.8 million, up 13% year over year. Higher pricing contributed 10 percentage points of growth, while volume/mix increased 2 percentage points, driven by Dunkin’ and Café Bustelo. Segment profit rose 124% to $300 million, aided by tariff refunds and pricing actions.
The U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads segment posted net sales of $499.3 million, up 3% year over year. Growth was supported by Uncrustables, while peanut butter and fruit spreads faced pressure. Segment profit increased 13% to $129.7 million.
The U.S. Retail Pet Foods segment recorded net sales of $371.7 million, up 1% year over year, supported by cat food growth. Segment profit declined 2% to $98.9 million due to higher costs and increased marketing spending. Sweet Baked Snacks sales plunged 7% to $236.5 million, pressured by lower volume/mix in snack cakes and breakfast products.
Away From Home sales rose 3% to $203.7 million, supported by Uncrustables and fruit spreads. Segment profit increased 19% to $61.2 million, reflecting tariff refunds and favorable volume/mix.
Smucker Raises Fiscal 2027 OutlookSmucker raised its fiscal 2027 outlook following the better-than-expected first-quarter performance. The company now expects net sales to decline 1% to 2% compared with its previous outlook for a 3% to 4% drop.
Adjusted earnings per share guidance was increased to $10.50-$11.00 from $9.75-$10.25. The updated outlook reflects stronger momentum, improved sales expectations and a net benefit of approximately $60 million related to tariff refunds after planned investments in selling, distribution and administrative expenses.
The company also raised its free cash flow outlook to approximately $1,100 million from $1,000 million. Management expects adjusted gross profit margin of approximately 38.75% and capital expenditures of $325 million for fiscal 2027.
SJM Strengthens Cash Flow PositionSJM generated operating cash flow of $425.7 million in the quarter compared with cash used for operating activities of $10.6 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow improved to $337.3 million from negative $94.9 million, reflecting higher earnings and lower working capital requirements.
The company reduced debt by approximately $230 million during the quarter and reached its leverage target of at or below 3.0X net debt to adjusted EBITDA earlier than expected. Management remains focused on debt reduction while maintaining investments in growth initiatives, dividends and potential share repurchases.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have rallied 22.6% over the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 12.6%.
Better-Ranked Stocks to ConsiderThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) is a distributor of specialty food and center-of-the-plate products across the United States, Canada and the Middle East. CHEF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 10.6% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
The Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , a leading beverage company that develops, markets and distributes coconut water and other plant-based beverages, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Vita Coco Company’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) , a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients derived from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling’s current fiscal-year sales suggests 11.5% growth from the prior-year levels. The consensus estimate for current fiscal-year EPS stands at $6.98, which implies a substantial improvement from the year-ago period. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
U.S. stocks traded lower midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 150 points on Wednesday.
The Dow traded down 0.30% to 53,419.33 while the NASDAQ declined 0.27% to 26,081.96. The S&P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.07% to 7,671.71.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Industrials shares jumped by 1% on Wednesday.
In trading on Wednesday, consumer discretionary stocks fell by 0.7%.
Top Headline
J.M. Smucker Co (NYSE:SJM) shares gained around 3% on Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its FY27 guidance above estimates.
JM Smucker reported quarterly earnings of $3.24 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.22 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $2.219 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.131 billion.
Equities Trading UP
Cre8 Enterprise Ltd (NASDAQ:CRE) shares shot up 180% to $7.20 after the company reported a year-over-year increase in the number of customers served in H1 2026. Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch Co (NYSE:ANF) got a boost, surging 34% to $146.02 after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results and raised its FY26 guidance above estimates. YY Group Holding Ltd (NASDAQ:YYGH) shares were also up, gaining 72% to $1.98 after the company announced a supplemental agreement canceling its $5.94 million Second Convertible Note Tranche and Warrants. Trending
Equities Trading DOWN
Greenland Mines Ltd (NASDAQ:GRML) shares dropped 44% to $5.40 after the company announced a proposed public offering. Shares of Wetour Robotics Ltd (NASDAQ:WETO) were down 36% to $18.15 after the company announced it entered into an agreement with Rodman & Renshaw to sell up to $75 million of shares. Qfin Holdings Inc – ADR (NASDAQ:QFIN) was down, falling 15% to $9.77 after the company reported a year-over-year decrease in second-quarter financial results. Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded down 0.1% to $82.34 while gold traded down 0.9% at $4,652.60.
Silver traded down 1.1% to $67.93 on Wednesday, while copper fell 1.5% to $6.6115.
Euro zone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 gained 0.3%, while Spain’s IBEX 35 Index rose 0.5%, London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2%, Germany’s DAX gained 0.6%, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.7%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 0.62%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rising 0.56%, China’s Shanghai Composite rising 0.59% and India’s BSE Sensex falling 0.24%.
Economics
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, rose by 3.7% year-over-year in July, against economist forecasts of 3.6%, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said Wednesday.U.S. gross domestic product rose at a 1.5% annualized rate in the second quarter, matching forecasts.Personal income rose $115.1 billion, or 0.4% on the month, double the 0.2% economists expected and twice June’s pace.Personal spending was up 0.2%, rising to $36.3 billion in July.U.S. durable goods orders climbed by 1.1% month-over-month to $339.3 billion in July.The volume of mortgage applications declined by 1% in the third week of August.U.S. crude inventories climbed by 0.095 million barrels to 428.9 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 21, versus market estimates of a 0.6 million-barrel rise. Photo via Shutterstock
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Release Date: August 26, 2026For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points JM Smucker Co
Shares of J.M. Smucker (SJM +0.38%) rose on Wednesday after the peanut butter and jelly maker reported higher-than-expected earnings and lifted its full-year financial outlook.
Image source: Getty Images.
Tasty growth J.M. Smucker's net sales grew 5% year over year to $2.2 billion in its fiscal 2027 first quarter, which ended on July 31.
The gains were driven primarily by price increases and higher sales volumes in several key product lines.
"We delivered volume growth across the Uncrustables, Café Bustelo, Meow Mix, and Milk-Bone brands," CEO Mark Smucker said during a conference call with analysts. "We continue to prioritize resources behind these platforms, which represent our largest growth opportunities."
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These sales gains, along with tariff refunds, helped drive the consumer-packaged goods company's adjusted earnings up 71% to $3.24 per share.
J.M. Smucker's free cash flow also improved to $337.3 million, up from negative $94.9 million in the year-ago quarter.
Higher profits mean larger dividends for shareowners These results and healthy ongoing sales trends prompted management to update its full-year financial targets.
Net sales are now projected to decline by 1% to 2% in fiscal 2027, compared to a previous forecast of down 3% to 4%. The expected decrease is due to the company's decision to pass on savings from lower coffee costs to its customers through price reductions.
J.M. Smucker also guided for adjusted earnings per share of $10.50 to $11 and free cash flow of roughly $1.1 billion, up from $9.75 to $10.25 and $1 billion, respectively.
This robust cash flow production is enabling the packaged food leader to pay down debt, while also rewarding shareholders with rising cash payouts and stock buybacks.
J.M. Smucker raised its quarterly cash dividend to $1.12 per share in July, marking its 25th straight year of dividend increases.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends J.M. Smucker. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
One of the more delicious developments on the stock exchange on Wednesday was the latest quarterly earnings report from J.M. Smucker (SJM +0.38%). The storied food company delivered a convincing beat-and-raise quarter, but this was tempered somewhat by a large one-off payment from the U.S. federal government.
Still, there's much that was impressive about Smucker's opening frame of its new fiscal year. Let's sit at the table, grab some utensils, and tuck into this one.
Image source: Getty Images.
Outperformance, even when accounting for the tariff payoutSmucker's first quarter of fiscal 2027 was topped by a net sales figure of $2.2 billion, representing a 5% improvement over the same period of 2026.
Breaking that down by reporting segment, Smucker's No. 1 in terms of revenue also posted the hottest growth. This is U.S. retail coffee, with net sales of almost $808 million; aided by both higher volumes and increased prices -- particularly for the Cafe Bustelo and Dunkin brands -- that figure was 13% higher year over year.
The U.S. retail frozen handheld and spreads business, which houses the jams and other condiments Smucker is most readily identified with, was the No. 2 revenue generator. Higher pricing also benefited this business, as its net sales climbed 3% higher to slightly over $499 million. Also rising 3% was the company's "away from home" (i.e., sales to institutions and non-retail outlets); net sales came in at almost $204 million in the first quarter of 2027. Trailing behind and wagging its tail was U.S. retail pet foods, inching 1% higher to almost $372 million.
The one laggard was sweet baked snacks. Net sales for these offerings slumped due to softness in the snack cakes and breakfast sub-categories. Higher pricing for snack cakes and donuts couldn't save the day; overall net sales declined by 7% to under $237 million.
Top-line items such as unallocated corporate revenue and intersegment eliminations comprised the remainder of Smucker's overall net sales for the period.
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Big spendingMoving all the way down the profit and loss statement, Smucker's bottom-line leap was more impressive than any of those sales gains. Net income not under generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP, or adjusted) rocketed 70% higher to almost $347 million.
That shakes out to $3.24 per share, but we have to attach a note to that number. $0.84 of it is due to the refunds Smucker received from the U.S. government for tariffs it paid last year. These were imposed by the Trump administration but were quashed by the Supreme Court in February, putting the feds on the hook to return the considerable funds that many American companies spent. In Smucker's case, it had to pay increased duties for imports of raw materials such as coffee beans.
Guiding for moreSo the aforementioned convincing beats weren't as powerful as they first appeared. The consensus analyst estimate for adjusted profitability was $2.21 per share, and that for net sales was a shade over $2.1 billion. Still, if we strip that $0.84 tariff payback out of the equation, the $2.40 we're left with is still notably above the collective pundit projection. So kudos to Smucker for its better-than-expected performance.
A tip of the hat is also due the company for raising its full-year net sales guidance, indicating that the quarter wasn't just a one-time, tariff-return-enhanced blowout. Management continues to expect a decrease in the metric for fiscal 2027 compared to the previous year, but a more modest one. The new forecast is for a dip of 1% to 2%; the preceding estimate was a decrease of 3% to 4%.
Meanwhile, adjusted net income should land at $10.50 to $11 per share; formerly, Smucker was estimating $9.75 to $10.25 per share. The updated range, however, includes a roughly $0.60-per-share benefit from the tariff refund (the company aims to reinvest some of it in marketing and distribution).
While the company showed impressive growth this past quarter, at least some of its potential is dependent on price increases -- and this is a sensitive time for such moves, given consumer anxiety about rising costs. I also don't see continued and notable upside in volumes for any of Smucker’s businesses, even the well-performing coffee division.
To me, this stock is a steady, safe income play, as it’s a dependable cash generator that consistently raises its shareholder payout. These days, it has a streak of dividend raises spanning 25 years. In fact, Smucker's quarterly disbursement qualifies as a high-yield dividend, as the yield is currently 3.4%.
J.M. Smucker's NYSE: SJM share price has rallied strongly since spring on a series of strong results, improving operational quality, and rotation back to high-yielding staples. The rally accelerated following the release of its Q1 fiscal year 2027 results, putting the market on track to cross a critical pivot point. The pivot is near $134.50, the highest price point set since the market gapped lower in late 2023. It is a likely target for strong resistance, representing a significant overhang that could cap gains.
However, the company shows clear strategic momentum and could break through. The question is what happens next, and a full price recovery is possible. In that scenario, the market signals a major change in dynamic in which selling pressure eases and accumulation drives share prices higher over time. Technically, the market could advance by an amount equal to the magnitude of the existing trading range, about $40, but this won’t happen all at once or quickly.
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The more likely outcome is a slow grind higher, with periodic stopping points for market consolidations and corrections, and the first trigger point isn’t all that high. It aligns with the top of the open price gap and may also be a strong point of market resistance.
Institutional and Analyst Tailwinds Remain StrongWall Street sentiment toward SJM was already favorable heading into the earnings release. MarketBeat tracks 19 analysts, with 10 Buy ratings and nine Holds, giving the stock a consensus Moderate Buy rating.
While SJM’s consensus price target showed no upside potential ahead of the release, the trend is upward. Summer activity included several boosted or reiterated price targets, pushing the high end to $142. A move to $142 would put this market above the high end of the open price window and well on its way to a more complete recovery.
Institutional activity reflects strong confidence in the value, outlook, and dividend payments, with the group owning more than 80% of the stock and continuing to accumulate shares. MarketBeat data reveals a greater than $2-to-$1 balance over the trailing 12-month period and a sharp spike in early Q3 ahead of the earnings report. Institutional activity foreshadowed the strong release, spiking to a multi-year high while sellers were virtually non-existent.
The J.M. Smucker Company Advances on Organic Strength and Pricing PowerSmucker’s posted a solid quarter, with strength across most segments supporting a 5% year-over-year (YOY) revenue gain. Revenue outperformed the consensus by a healthy 420 basis points, driven by pricing and volume/mix. Pricing improved by 4% and volume and mix by 1%, with most of the gains in the Coffee segment. Coffee grew by 13%, outpacing all others by a wide margin. Sweet Snacks is the weak link, declining 7% YOY but still contributing to margin.
Margin is one of the report's highlights. The company widened its margin significantly, helped by pricing, lower costs and approximately $115 million in tariff refunds. Key details include $425.7 million in cash flow and $337.3 million in free cash flow versus last year’s cash outflows and a 71% increase in adjusted earnings per share (EPS). EPS also outperformed the consensus by a wide margin, providing confidence in the new guidance.
Guidance is a catalyst for higher share prices. The company raised its revenue and earnings targets, now expecting revenue to decline by only 1% to 2% at the low end and earnings to come in well above prior forecasts. The new low-end target is above the prior high and the pre-report consensus, and may be cautious given the company’s momentum. Either way, the outlook is improved, including for dividend payments, and the dividend is substantial.
J. M. Smucker Dividend Payments3.39%
$4.48
27 Years
4.12%
209.35%
Sep. 1
SJM Dividend History
Institutional interest in this and other consumer staples stocks is driven by the dividend. The 2025/2026 sell-offs created deep-value opportunities while lifting yields to historical highs, and institutions are gobbling up shares. For SJM, the yield is running near 3.5% as of late August, and it is a reliable payment. Annualized distributions are running below 50% of the earnings forecast, cash flow is improving, and the company continues to reduce debt. Smucker still carries meaningful leverage, but improving cash flow and ongoing debt reduction support its ability to maintain financial health, sustain operations, and continue its streak of distribution increases. At 27 years, the company is a Dividend Champion on its way to becoming a Dividend King.
The company's biggest risk is integrating Hostess into its portfolio. More challenging than previously thought, the impact is reflected in the sweet segment performance. The upshot is Smucker's constructive engagement with activist Elliott Investment Management, which has focused on improving sales, profitability and capital discipline.
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J.M. Smucker Co (NYSE:SJM) on Wednesday reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its FY27 guidance above estimates.
JM Smucker reported quarterly earnings of $3.24 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.22 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $2.219 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.131 billion.
J.M. Smucker raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings guidance to $10.50 to $11 per share from $9.75 to $10.25. The company also lifted its sales forecast to between $8.87 billion and $8.96 billion from $8.69 billion to $8.78 billion. Both forecasts exceeded estimates of $10.05 per share and $8.76 billion, respectively.
“Our first quarter results exceeded our expectations for both net sales and adjusted earnings per share, demonstrating continued momentum across the Company,” said Mark Smucker, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chair of the Board. “Our performance reflects the strength of our differentiated portfolio, disciplined execution against our strategic priorities, and the investments we continue to make in our brands and capabilities.”
J.M. Smucker shares gained 1.3% to trade at $132.53 on Thursday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on J.M. Smucker following earnings announcement.
Evercore ISI Group analyst David Palmer maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $125 to $150. Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey maintained the stock with an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $129 to $144. RBC Capital analyst Nik Modi maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $135 to $150. Trending
Considering buying SJM stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. SJM has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 9.1% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2027, five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.20 to $9.98 per share. SJM boasts an average earnings surprise of +1.5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
In its upcoming report, Smucker (SJM - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $2.21 per share, reflecting an increase of 16.3% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $2.11 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 0.4%.
Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 0.2% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.
Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Smucker metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Sales- Sweet Baked Snacks' will reach $241.95 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -4.4%.
Analysts predict that the 'Net Sales- U.S. Retail Pet Foods' will reach $371.56 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +1%.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net Sales- U.S. Retail Coffee' reaching $737.61 million. The estimate points to a change of +2.9% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus estimate for 'Segment Profit- Sweet Baked Snacks' stands at $32.68 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $34.20 million.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Segment Profit- U.S. Retail Pet Foods' of $100.06 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $101.30 million.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Segment Profit- U.S. Retail Coffee' will likely reach $180.10 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $134.20 million in the same quarter last year.
View all Key Company Metrics for Smucker here>>>
Over the past month, Smucker shares have recorded returns of +6.3% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.8% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), SJM will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
