Campbell’s (NASDAQ:CPB) Shares Gap Down on Disappointing Earnings

The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) shares gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $24.68, but opened at $23.65. Campbell’s shares last traded at $22.5480, with a volume of 6,302,488 shares changing hands.

The company reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.57 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter. Campbell’s had a net margin of 5.69% and a return on equity of 21.84%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.74 earnings per share. Campbell’s has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.150-2.250 EPS.

Campbell’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 2nd will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. Campbell’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 80.83%.

Key Headlines Impacting Campbell’s

Here are the key news stories impacting Campbell’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brand & category wins: Management noted Meals & Beverages strength (Rao’s surpassed $1B trailing‑12M sales) and in‑market consumption growth in core portfolios—evidence some product lines are resilient. Campbell’s Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Cost controls and stabilizing snack margins: Management signaled cost actions and Seeking Alpha noted signs of Q4 margin improvement and stabilization in snacks—these initiatives could help margins recover if sustained. Campbell’s signals Q4 margin improvement and cost controls as snacks margin stabilizes
• Positive Sentiment: Income story / institutional interest: The steep share decline has pushed yield higher and attracted institutional buyers per MarketBeat — that could support the stock as an income play for some investors. Campbell Soup Company Is High-Priority for Income Watch Lists
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call & disclosures published: Management’s full Q2 call transcript and slide deck are available for detail on assumptions and the cost plan—useful for judging cadence to recovery. The Campbell’s Co (CPB) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Supply‑chain & margin focus: Commentary on elevated supply‑chain initiatives may change the margin trajectory over time but is not an immediate earnings fix. Should Campbell’s Elevated Supply Chain Focus Under Cassandra Green Shift the Margin Story for CPB?
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings and revenue miss: Q2 EPS $0.51 vs. consensus ~$0.57 and revenue fell ~4.5% to $2.56B — results came in below expectations, pressuring the stock. Campbell’s (CPB) Lags Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance cut: CPB trimmed FY26 EPS guidance to $2.15–$2.25 vs. street ~2.42 — the lowered outlook is a key driver of the selloff. Campbell’s cuts annual forecasts amid macroeconomic pressures
• Negative Sentiment: Snack weakness, tariffs and competition: Management and coverage point to softer demand for pretzels/chips, tariff pressure and stronger peers (e.g., PepsiCo) taking share — structural challenges for the snacks segment. Tariffs land Campbell’s in a soup, stock hits 52-week low
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction & sentiment: Coverage highlights downgrades, bearish commentary (including Jim Cramer) and headlines calling a multi‑decade low — heavy volume and negative analyst revisions are amplifying downside pressure. Campbell’s (CPB) Stock Plunges to 23-Year Low Following Disappointing Q2 Results

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $30.00 target price on Campbell’s and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Barclays set a $27.00 price objective on Campbell’s in a research note on Friday, January 16th. DA Davidson reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $30.00 price objective on shares of Campbell’s in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Stephens reduced their target price on shares of Campbell’s from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Campbell’s from $30.00 to $28.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $31.35.

Insider Transactions at Campbell’s

In other news, EVP Charles A. Brawley III sold 11,550 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.14, for a total value of $325,017.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,777 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,231,884.78. The trade was a 20.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Anthony Sanzio sold 2,700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.51, for a total value of $71,577.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 25,264 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $669,748.64. The trade was a 9.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 19.78% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Campbell’s

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of CPB. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in Campbell’s during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Campbell’s by 66.8% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 961 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 385 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Campbell’s during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Campbell’s by 333.3% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 975 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sittner & Nelson LLC purchased a new position in shares of Campbell’s during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. 52.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Campbell’s Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $27.00 and a 200-day moving average of $29.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $6.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.89, a PEG ratio of 8.70 and a beta of -0.03.

Campbell’s Company Profile

Campbell’s (NASDAQ: CPB) is a leading manufacturer of shelf-stable foods and beverages, best known for its iconic soups and broths. Headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, the company offers a diverse portfolio of products designed to meet consumer demand for convenient, affordable meals and snacks. Since its founding in 1869, Campbell’s has grown through a combination of organic innovation and strategic acquisitions to expand its presence in the food industry.

The company’s brand portfolio includes Campbell’s Condensed Soups, V8 juices, Prego pasta sauces, Swanson broths and stocks, Pace salsas and dips, and Pepperidge Farm baked snacks.