Fed’s Powell opens door to potential rate cuts at Jackson Hole
On Monday, Jefferies adjusted its outlook on J.M. Smucker (NYSE: SJM), a leading manufacturer of food products, by reducing the stock's price target to $116 from $120. The firm has chosen to maintain its Hold rating on the shares.
The adjustment reflects a mixed performance across the company's portfolio. J.M. Smucker has seen robust results from its Bustelo coffee, Uncrustables sandwiches, and Meow Mix cat food brands. However, these successes have been counterbalanced by less favorable outcomes in other areas, including Hostess baked goods, Dunkin' coffee products, and Milk-Bone dog treats.
The company's recent completion of a new Uncrustables production facility is expected to aid in expanding distribution capabilities. Additionally, the impact of inflation on coffee pricing has become apparent, alongside the corresponding elasticity in consumer demand. Despite these developments, volume sales of Hostess products have shown a consistent decline each quarter following the brand's acquisition.
The analyst from Jefferies anticipates that J.M. Smucker may face the need to lower its sales-based outlook once again. In light of these factors, the firm reiterated its Hold rating on the stock, signaling a cautious stance on the company's near-term prospects. The revised price target of $116 reflects the analyst's updated valuation of the stock amidst the mixed performance and market conditions.
In other recent news, J.M. Smucker Co. has made significant strides in its financial activities. The company declared a dividend of $1.08 per share, reflecting its stable financial position and commitment to delivering shareholder value. In a strategic shift to focus on its core brands, Smucker also sold its Voortman cookie brand to Second Name Brands for $305 million. This transaction is expected to reduce the company's adjusted earnings per share by about 25 cents, but contribute approximately 10 cents to the full-year earnings per share once completed.
Despite surpassing estimates in its first-quarter earnings for the fiscal year 2025, Smucker revised down its sales and earnings per share guidance. This led analyst firms TD Cowen and Citi to adjust their outlooks on the company, reducing the price target but maintaining a Buy rating. The company also faces challenges due to rising green coffee costs, which have resulted in a reduction in earnings per share and a $40 million reduction in full-year expectations for the Hostess brand.
These recent developments highlight the company's efforts to balance growth with shareholder returns, even amidst a competitive market landscape. However, both TD Cowen and Citi see potential for J.M. Smucker to achieve above-average earnings growth over time, reflecting a positive outlook for the company's future performance.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro provides additional context to Jefferies' outlook on J.M. Smucker (NYSE: SJM). The company's stock is currently trading near its 52-week low, with a P/E ratio of 15.09, suggesting it may be undervalued relative to its earnings. This aligns with the InvestingPro Tip that the stock's RSI indicates it's in oversold territory, potentially presenting a buying opportunity for value investors.
Despite the challenges highlighted in the article, SJM maintains a strong dividend profile. An InvestingPro Tip notes that the company has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years and has maintained payments for 54 years straight. With a current dividend yield of 4.04%, SJM may appeal to income-focused investors, even as it navigates mixed performance across its brand portfolio.
The company's profitability remains solid, with InvestingPro data showing a gross profit margin of 38.43% and an operating income margin of 17.75% for the last twelve months. This financial health supports the InvestingPro Tip that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips that could provide deeper insights into SJM's investment potential.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.