Conagra Brands: Lower Bar, Not Yet a Higher Trajectory

Research evidence excerpt

Conagra Brands: Lower Bar, Not Yet a Higher Trajectory

Deutsche Bank

Research

Rating Company Date

Hold Conagra Brands 16 July 2026

North America Reuters Bloomberg Rating Hold

United States CAG.N CAG US Price target (USD) 12.00 Price at 15 Jul 26 14.09

52-week range 76.60 – 12.58

Consumer

Consumer Staples Valuation & Risks

Lower Bar, Not Yet a Higher Trajectory

Steve Powers

Key takeaways from CAG's FY4Q26 results Research Analyst

+1-212-250-5480 Overall, CAG's FY27 earnings reset (i.e., guidance for organic sales of -3% to -1%,

operating margins of 10.0%-10.5%, and EPS of $1.40-$1.50) and 50% dividend Christopher Barnes, CFA

reduction were intended to simultaneously lower market expectations, increase Research Analyst

financial flexibility, and create room for reinvestment. While the reset was a clear +1-212-454-0778

acknowledgment of the challenges facing the business, the stock's relatively

Angeline Goh muted reaction suggests investors may now view near-term expectations as Research Associate

increasingly achievable, reducing the risk of additional downside revisions over +1-212-250-4515

the next several quarters. Still, while the burden of proof may now be easing with

respect to FY27 delivery, it remains substantial in our view regarding Nikhil Jain, CFA

management's ability to demonstrate that today's investments will ultimately Research Associate

+1-212-250-3253

produce meaningfully stronger business performance in FY28 and beyond.

Stepping back, we broadly agree with management's stated priorities: restoring

margins, increasing investment behind brands and the supply chain, simplifying

the portfolio and organization, and rebalancing capital allocation. However,

today's results and follow-on discussion also highlighted how many blanks remain

to be filled in.