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CAG vs HRL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Conagra Brands (CAG) vs. Hormel Foods (HRL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both CAG and HRL operate in the consumer staples food sector, offering defensive characteristics amid broader market volatility.
- CAG has experienced sharper recent price declines, trading near multi-year lows following earnings that missed expectations and prompted narrowed guidance.
- HRL demonstrates greater price stability with a lower beta and upcoming earnings release scheduled for late May 2026.
- Both companies have introduced new products in recent weeks, with CAG focusing on licensed snacks and HRL launching extensions like the SPAM Dog.
- Dividend yields remain attractive for both, though CAG carries higher leverage compared to HRL's stronger balance sheet metrics.
- Market sentiment reflects caution for packaged food stocks due to input cost pressures and competitive dynamics in recent market activity.
Introduction
Conagra Brands (CAG) and Hormel Foods (HRL) represent established players in the packaged food industry, making their comparison relevant for investors seeking exposure to consumer staples. This analysis examines their business profiles, recent stock behavior, and relative positioning in the current market environment. The comparison appeals to traders monitoring sector rotation, income-focused investors evaluating dividend sustainability, and those assessing defensive equities amid economic uncertainty.
CAG Overview and Recent Performance
Conagra Brands manufactures and markets branded food products across frozen, snacks, and refrigerated categories. In recent weeks, shares have traded near 30-year lows amid earnings results that showed revenue slightly exceeding estimates but adjusted earnings per share missing targets, leading to narrowed fiscal 2026 outlook. Stock performance reflected these developments with notable declines over the prior 90-day period. New product activity at industry expos highlighted expanded snack offerings, including licensed items, while analyst commentary noted ongoing pressures from costs and competition influencing sentiment.
HRL Overview and Recent Performance
Hormel Foods produces a range of meat, poultry, and prepared food products with iconic brands. Recent market activity shows more measured price movements compared to peers, supported by a lower beta profile. The company declared quarterly dividends and introduced the SPAM Dog product extension. With second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings slated for release on May 28, 2026, attention centers on foodservice demand and protein strategies. Broader sector cost challenges have tempered enthusiasm, though the stock has maintained relative resilience in recent trading sessions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Conagra Brands emphasizes a broader portfolio including frozen and snack items, while Hormel Foods maintains focused strength in proteins and ready-to-eat products. Recent momentum favors HRL for relative price stability versus CAG’s sharper drawdowns. Growth drivers for both include product innovation, yet CAG faces elevated leverage considerations compared to HRL’s conservative balance sheet. Sector exposure remains similar within staples, though input cost sensitivity differs by protein versus diversified categories. Market sentiment appears more cautious toward CAG following guidance revisions, while HRL benefits from anticipation around its upcoming earnings.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency and relative stability in recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic preference to HRL due to its lower volatility profile and steadier positioning ahead of earnings. CAG presents potential value considerations from depressed levels but carries higher near-term uncertainty tied to cost pressures and guidance. This assessment reflects data patterns rather than forward projections.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CAG is a StrongBuy and HRL is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CAG’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileHRL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CAG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- HRL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CAG’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HRL’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CAG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- HRL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CAG (@Food: Major Diversified) experienced а +5.61% price change this week, while HRL (@Food: Major Diversified) price change was +4.78% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Major Diversified industry was +2.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.04%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.68%.
Reported Earning Dates
CAG is expected to report earnings on Jul 15, 2026.
HRL is expected to report earnings on Aug 27, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food: Major Diversified (+2.21% weekly)Companies in this industry usually make a diverse range of agricultural and/or processed food. Some prominent names in this segment are Mondelez International, which makes chocolates, biscuits, cookies etc. The Kraft Heinz Company specializes in ketchups, sauces, fruit drink pouches and many more. General Mills, Inc. sells flour and cereal. Kellogg is famous for its snacks and breakfast cereal. And so on down the line. As more and more consumers are looking for healthier options in food in recent years, several legacy food companies have responded by revamping brands to include organic and no-added-sugar versions, and/or acquiring healthy food firms, and even streamlining operations.
| CAG | HRL | CAG / HRL | |
| Capitalization | 6.57B | 13.6B | 48% |
| EBITDA | 938M | 1B | 93% |
| Gain YTD | -17.017 | 7.265 | -234% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.12 | 29.12 | 35% |
| Revenue | 11.2B | 12.2B | 92% |
| Total Cash | 55.1M | 860M | 6% |
| Total Debt | 7.33B | 2.86B | 257% |
CAG | HRL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 27 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 5 Undervalued | 12 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 92 | 84 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 97 | 29 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CAG's Valuation (5) in the Food Major Diversified industry is in the same range as HRL (12) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry. This means that CAG’s stock grew similarly to HRL’s over the last 12 months.
CAG's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Food Major Diversified industry is in the same range as HRL (100) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry. This means that CAG’s stock grew similarly to HRL’s over the last 12 months.
HRL's SMR Rating (84) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is in the same range as CAG (92) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew similarly to CAG’s over the last 12 months.
HRL's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is in the same range as CAG (63) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew similarly to CAG’s over the last 12 months.
HRL's P/E Growth Rating (29) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is significantly better than the same rating for CAG (97) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew significantly faster than CAG’s over the last 12 months.
| CAG | HRL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 39% | 3 days ago 73% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 56% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 40% | 3 days ago 40% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 43% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 40% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 3 days ago 43% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 46% | 3 days ago 41% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 61% | N/A |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 37% |
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CAG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CAG has been closely correlated with GIS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 76% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CAG jumps, then GIS could also see price increases.
HRL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HRL has been loosely correlated with GIS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 46% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HRL jumps, then GIS could also see price increases.