ConAgra Brands, IncNYSE: CAG
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods & Meats
$14.12
-1.64%
Vol: 8.3M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Conagra appoints John Brase as new CEO effective June 1; projects profitable growth
Conagra appointed John Brase as President and CEO effective June 1, 2026, replacing Sean Connolly after 10+ years. Brase brings 35+ years consumer goods experience. Company facing 20.2% 3-month stock decline and inflation pressures but highlighted Rao's brand surpassing $1B in trailing twelve-month sales. Project Catalyst plan reimagines operations. Morgan Stanley and Stifel cut PTs to $15 in April.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Conagra new CEO appointed and dividend raised; stock faces 20% decline over three months amid cost pressuresNegative▶
Conagra Brands appointed John Brase as President and CEO on April 1, 2026. Company announced cash dividend of $0.35 with ex-date April 30, 2026, and is expanding manufacturing operations in Fayetteville, Arkansas. However, stock down 20.2% over past three months with analyst price target cuts: Morgan Stanley and Stifel both cut targets to $15 from $17. Despite challenges, company shows early stabilization signs but execution risk remains high with current stock price at $14.23.
Apr 16Conagra announces sudden CEO transition with John Brase taking over June 1; stock fell 4.8%Negative▶
Conagra Brands announced on April 13 that John Brase will become President and CEO effective June 1, 2026, replacing Sean Connolly who led the company for over a decade. Brase brings 35+ years in consumer goods from Smucker. The surprise announcement triggered a 4.8% decline. Q3 2026 results released April 1 showed organic sales up 2.4% but reported sales down 1.9%. The company narrowed 2026 outlook with EPS at $1.70. BNP Paribas downgraded to Neutral from Outperform, cutting PT to $16 from $19. Stock trades at $14.23.
Apr 15Conagra announces CEO transition: John Brase succeeds Sean Connolly effective June 1, 2026; stock falls 4.22%.Negative▶
Conagra Brands announced John Brase will become President and CEO effective June 1, 2026, succeeding Sean Connolly who steps down after 11 years. Brase brings 35+ years consumer goods experience from J.M. Smucker Co. Stock fell 4.22% on announcement. Q4 earnings of $0.39 per share missed consensus estimates of $0.40, though revenue of $2.79B beat estimates despite 1.9% year-over-year decline. Hold consensus from 15 analysts with target of $17.33.
Apr 14Conagra Brands CEO Sean Connolly to step down; John Brase from J.M. Smucker appointed as successor effective June 1.Negative▶
Conagra announced on April 13 that John Brase will become President and CEO effective June 1, 2026, succeeding Sean Connolly. The leadership change sparked a 5.6% stock decline. Q3 FY 2026 showed return to 2.4% organic net sales growth, though adjusted EPS of $0.39 missed forecasts. FY 2026 guidance roughly flat organic net sales with adjusted EPS of ~$1.70.
Apr 13Conagra faces analyst downgrades; stock at $15.21 with Q1 revenue beat but YoY decline.Negative▶
Conagra reported Q1 2026 revenue beat at $2.79B but declined 1.9% YoY. BNP Paribas downgraded to Neutral with $16 target; Goldman Sachs cut target from $17 to $15 with Sell rating. FY 2026 EPS guidance 1.700 below consensus 1.720. Stock down 39% over one year.
Apr 10Conagra reports Q3 miss and slashes FY2026 guidance as margin pressure and input cost inflation weigh on earnings.Negative▶
Conagra reported Q3 EPS of $0.39 (missed $0.40 consensus) despite revenue of $2.79B beating estimates. The company narrowed FY2026 guidance expecting only $1.70 EPS versus $1.72 consensus. Headwinds include 7% COGS inflation and 14% lower Ardent Mills contribution. Goldman Sachs cut to Sell, BNP Paribas downgraded to Neutral. Stock down 16.5% in past month and 34.8% over past year.
Apr 9Conagra narrows 2026 guidance with flat organic sales outlook and margin pressure concernsNegative▶
Conagra narrowed fiscal 2026 guidance to roughly flat organic sales with adjusted EPS ~$1.70 at low end of $1.70-$1.85 range. Q3 organic sales increased 2.4% despite reported 1.9% decline. Refrigerated & Frozen up 3.9% vs 3% decline YoY. Snack brands (Slim Jim, Fatty, Duke's) up 6% in dollars. Faces 7% COGS inflation headwinds and lower Ardent Mills contribution. UBS lowered PT to $16 from $20. Declared $0.35 dividend ex-date April 30. Stock down 16.6% with mixed sentiment.
Apr 8Conagra Brands Q3 organic sales growth 2.4% offset by EPS decline; guides 2026 to flat organic salesNegative▶
Conagra Brands reported Q3 mixed results with organic sales growth of 2.4% but adjusted EPS decline amid rising input costs. Company narrowed FY2026 guidance to roughly flat organic net sales with lower adjusted earnings of ~$1.70/share. Analysts concerned about dividend sustainability with high yield (8.9%) creating pressure. Board declared $0.35 dividend.
Apr 7No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Apr 6Conagra Q3 FY2026 mixed; tightened FY guidance with lower EPS.Negative▶
Conagra reported Q3 FY2026 with reported sales -1.9% but organic +2.4%. EPS $0.42 (+40%), adjusted EPS $0.39 (-23.5%). Tightened FY2026 guidance: organic sales midpoint, EPS ~$1.70 at low end of $1.70-$1.85. UBS cut PT to $16.
Apr 3Conagra misses Q3 earnings expectations with margin compression while Jefferies cuts price target to $15.00.Negative▶
Conagra reported Q3 fiscal 2026 results on April 1 with net sales declining 1.9% YoY to $2.8 billion. Adjusted EPS of $0.39 missed estimates by $0.01 with a 23.5% decline YoY. Gross margin compressed to 23.6%. Jefferies cut price target to $15.00.
Apr 2Conagra reports Q3 FY26 results on April 1; net sales down 1.9% YoY; Morgan Stanley cuts target to $17, Goldman Sachs cuts to $15.Negative▶
Conagra reported Q3 FY26 net sales of $2.8B, down 1.9% YoY, with organic growth of 2.4%. Diluted EPS $0.42 but adjusted EPS missed estimates. Gross profit down 7.4% reflecting margin pressure from input costs. Updated FY26 guidance: organic sales near midpoint of -1% to +1%, adjusted EPS ~$1.70 at lower end of range. Morgan Stanley cut target from $19 to $17 (Equal Weight). Goldman Sachs cut from $17 to $15 (Sell). Declared $0.35 dividend.
Apr 1Conagra earnings today (April 1); Deutsche Bank cuts price target to $14; stock faces margin concerns.Negative▶
Conagra releases Q3 2026 fiscal results today. Deutsche Bank lowered target to $14 from $18 with Hold rating. Stock at $15.74 with 8.9% dividend yield. Expects adjusted EPS of $1.70-$1.85.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAGCONAGRA | $14.12 | -1.64% | -9.1% | 8.4x | 0.03 | $6.9B |
| MDLZMONDELEZ | $61.40 | -0.07% | +5.2% | 18.3x | 0.39 | $78.9B |
| HSYHERSHEY | $182.63 | -1.68% | -10.7% | 18.8x | 0.17 | $37.6B |
| KHCKRAFT | $22.53 | -0.60% | -3.9% | 10.6x | 0.05 | $26.8B |
| TSNTYSON | $63.84 | -0.36% | -0.7% | 14.6x | 0.43 | $22.6B |
| GISGENERAL | $34.83 | -1.37% | -6.3% | 10.7x | — | $18.8B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.