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CAG vs HRL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Conagra Brands (CAG) vs. Hormel Foods (HRL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Conagra Brands (CAG) recently cut its dividend by 50% in July 2026 to prioritize debt reduction, with the stock showing recovery in recent market activity amid mixed sales guidance.
- Hormel Foods (HRL) maintains a stronger balance sheet and consistent organic sales growth, supported by portfolio simplification and upcoming third-quarter results.
- CAG trades at a lower valuation with higher near-term yield but faces volume pressures and leverage concerns in the packaged foods sector.
- HRL offers greater stability and dividend sustainability, with less volatility compared to CAG's recent swings.
- Both companies operate in the consumer defensive packaged foods space, with CAG emphasizing broader grocery and snacks while HRL focuses on protein and branded meats.
- Relative performance in recent weeks highlights CAG's rebound potential versus HRL's steadier positioning ahead of earnings.
Introduction
Conagra Brands (CAG) and Hormel Foods (HRL) represent two established players in the packaged foods industry, making them relevant for investors seeking defensive exposure within consumer staples. This comparison examines their business models, recent stock behavior, and market positioning to assist traders and long-term investors evaluating relative performance and risk profiles. Participants in the sector often monitor these names for dividend characteristics, margin trends, and resilience to input cost fluctuations. The analysis draws on observable developments from recent market activity to provide a balanced view suitable for those assessing allocation decisions in a volatile equity environment.
CAG Overview and Recent Performance
Conagra Brands (CAG) is a major North American packaged food company with brands spanning grocery staples, snacks, and frozen items. In recent market activity, the stock has traded around the mid-teens following fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results that included a 50% dividend reduction to support balance sheet improvement. Organic net sales were approximately flat, with guidance pointing to modest declines in the next fiscal year. Sentiment has been influenced by the dividend adjustment and a new chief executive transition, contributing to price recovery in recent weeks despite broader year-to-date pressures. Institutional interest remains notable amid ongoing cost discipline efforts.
HRL Overview and Recent Performance
Hormel Foods (HRL) operates as a branded food company with emphasis on protein products, including meats and related items across retail, foodservice, and international channels. The stock has exhibited relative stability in recent market activity, with prices in the low-to-mid $20s range. Second-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed organic sales growth and adjusted earnings expansion, while the company advances portfolio simplification and prepares for third-quarter reporting. Leadership transition to a new chief executive later in 2026 has been noted without major disruption to operations. Overall positioning reflects resilience in core segments amid sector-wide input cost dynamics.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Conagra Brands (CAG) and Hormel Foods (HRL) differ in scale and focus within the packaged foods sector. CAG maintains a wider portfolio across snacks and grocery items but carries higher leverage, prompting recent dividend adjustments for deleveraging. HRL emphasizes protein categories with a more conservative balance sheet, supporting steadier dividend growth history. Recent momentum shows CAG experiencing sharper rebounds tied to corporate actions, while HRL displays lower volatility and consistent top-line expansion. Risk factors for CAG include volume sensitivity and margin contraction guidance; HRL faces typical meat input cost exposure. Market sentiment favors HRL for defensive qualities, whereas CAG offers potential value at compressed valuations. Sector exposure remains comparable, yet trade-offs center on growth consistency versus yield optimization.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, balance sheet stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a higher probability of favorable risk-adjusted characteristics to Hormel Foods (HRL). Its demonstrated organic growth trajectory and lower leverage profile provide a more predictable foundation amid sector headwinds compared to Conagra Brands (CAG)’s ongoing adjustment phase.
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 Hold and HRL is a Hold.
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 2 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HRL’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CAG’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
- HRL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
CAG (@Food: Major Diversified) experienced а -2.50% price change this week, while HRL (@Food: Major Diversified) price change was +1.88% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Major Diversified industry was -2.17%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.43%, and the average quarterly price growth was -9.22%.
Reported Earning Dates
CAG is expected to report earnings on Oct 01, 2026.
HRL is expected to report earnings on Dec 02, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food: Major Diversified (-2.17% 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 | 7.5B | 11.9B | 63% |
| EBITDA | -1.04B | 1B | -103% |
| Gain YTD | -4.585 | -4.915 | 93% |
| P/E Ratio | 10.12 | 34.97 | 29% |
| Revenue | 11.3B | 12.2B | 93% |
| Total Cash | 218M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.27B | 2.86B | 254% |
CAG | HRL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 86 | 64 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 5 Undervalued | 11 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 97 | 81 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 97 | 8 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 20 |
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 (11) 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 (81) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is in the same range as CAG (97) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew similarly to CAG’s over the last 12 months.
CAG's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Food Major Diversified industry is in the same range as HRL (62) 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 P/E Growth Rating (8) 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 (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 49% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 54% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 45% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 61% | 8 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 36% |
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