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ORRVILLE, Ohio - The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM), a leading manufacturer of food and pet products with a market capitalization of $12.27 billion, has promoted John Brase to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective today. According to InvestingPro data, the company currently trades near its Fair Value, suggesting the market is efficiently pricing its shares. Brase, who has been with the company since 2020, will maintain his oversight of several key segments including U.S. retail coffee and pet foods, as well as the company’s international and at-home businesses.
Brase’s promotion comes as a recognition of his significant contributions to the company’s performance and strategic execution. Since joining as COO, he has been credited with driving growth and operational improvements, with the company achieving 7.07% revenue growth over the last twelve months. His role in establishing the Company’s Transformation Office has been particularly crucial during a challenging period where InvestingPro analysis shows the company facing short-term profitability challenges, though analysts predict a return to profitability this fiscal year. This initiative has reportedly generated substantial cost savings and productivity gains, contributing to the company’s solid financial results and allowing for reinvestment in business growth.
In his expanded role, Brase will also engage in external activities and industry associations aimed at broadening the company’s influence among its stakeholders. He will continue to report directly to Mark Smucker, Chair of the Board and CEO, who lauded Brase’s impact on the company and emphasized the move as a step towards nurturing executive talent and ensuring long-term organizational prosperity.
Brase brings over thirty years of experience in the consumer goods sector to his new position, with a background spanning brand management, business operations, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership continuity and strategic advancement.
The J.M. Smucker Co. is known for its portfolio of brands such as Folgers, Jif, and Milk-Bone, which hold leading positions in various food and pet product categories. The company’s strategy focuses on delivering quality products, responsible and ethical operations, and growth that positively impacts society. InvestingPro data reveals the company’s strong dividend tradition, having maintained payments for 55 consecutive years, with a current yield of 3.75%. For detailed analysis and additional insights, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available for SJM and 1,400+ other top US stocks through InvestingPro.
This leadership change is based on a press release statement from The J.M. Smucker Co.
In other recent news, J.M. Smucker has been the subject of significant attention from financial analysts and the broader food industry. UBS initiated coverage of J.M. Smucker, assigning a Buy rating with a price target of $134. This reflects a positive outlook on the company’s market share stability and growth potential, despite anticipated challenges such as coffee inflation affecting earnings per share growth. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley also began coverage, rating the stock as Overweight with a $123 price target, citing the company’s strong brand portfolio and resilience against inflationary pressures. DA Davidson noted an acceleration in J.M. Smucker’s sales growth over the last four weeks, maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock. Additionally, J.M. Smucker declared a dividend of $1.08 per share, payable in June 2025, and announced a virtual Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for August 2025. In the broader industry context, J.M. Smucker is among several major food companies advocating for tariff exemptions on certain imports, aiming to mitigate the impact of tariffs on ingredients not available domestically. These recent developments highlight the active positioning and strategic moves by J.M. Smucker in the current market landscape.
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