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On Thursday, Stephens analyst Pooran Sharma reaffirmed an Equal Weight rating on Cal-Maine Foods (NASDAQ:CALM) stock, maintaining a $97.00 price target. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company currently trades at an attractive P/E ratio of 6.6 and shows excellent financial health with strong fundamentals. Sharma observed that egg prices, which had reached record highs, are beginning to show signs of decline. In recent days, retail shell egg prices have fallen approximately 9% from the peak levels earlier in March. This drop is attributed to a slowdown in retail demand as consumers face higher prices on the shelves.
Cal-Maine Foods, a major producer and distributor of fresh eggs, has been impacted by the fluctuations in egg prices. Despite market challenges, the company maintains strong financials with a projected 45% revenue growth for FY2025 and offers an impressive 7.07% dividend yield. The industry has noted a significant reduction in consumer momentum due to the increased prices, which are a result of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) creating supply constraints. The HPAI outbreak has led to wholesale egg prices soaring above $8 per dozen, compelling retailers to hike their prices, which in turn has dampened demand.
Eggs are often used by grocers as a loss leader to attract customers and promote the sale of more profitable items. However, the recent spike in egg prices has challenged this strategy. Despite the current trend of price declines, Sharma mentioned that the upcoming Easter holiday on April 20 might support a seasonal price rebound.
Sharma’s analysis indicates that if demand continues to weaken, egg prices are likely to keep falling. Nevertheless, the potential for a seasonal increase around Easter could influence pricing trends. Stephens will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the egg market and its impact on Cal-Maine Foods.
In other recent news, Cal-Maine Foods reported robust fiscal second-quarter earnings, surpassing analyst expectations. The company posted earnings per share of $4.47, significantly higher than the anticipated $2.96, and revenue of $954.7 million, exceeding the expected $722.04 million. This performance was driven by strong demand for shell eggs and higher market prices, with the average selling price per dozen eggs rising to $2.74 from $1.73 in the previous year. In addition to its financial results, Cal-Maine Foods expanded its operations by acquiring assets from Deal-Rite Feeds, Inc., including two feed mills in North Carolina, to reduce feed costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
Stephens maintained its Equal Weight rating on Cal-Maine Foods while raising the price target from $88 to $97, following the company’s strong quarterly results. The firm noted the impact of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on egg supply and pricing as factors contributing to the company’s earnings growth. Cal-Maine Foods plans to invest $60 million in new projects to expand its cage-free egg production capacity, aiming to add capacity for 1.1 million cage-free layer hens by late summer 2025. Additionally, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.49 per share, payable in February. These developments reflect Cal-Maine Foods’ strategic efforts to enhance production capabilities and manage costs in a competitive market.
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