The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ: CPB) experienced a significant decline in its stock price, reaching a new 52-week low of $25.54 during trading on Wednesday, following a downgrade from Wells Fargo & Company. The financial institution cut its price target from $30.00 to $28.00, maintaining an equal weight rating on the stock. Campbell’s shares closed at $25.61, with trading volume exceeding 1,913,009 shares.
Several other analysts have also reevaluated their positions on Campbell’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating with a target price of $26.00 in a research note on December 9. UBS Group followed suit on the same day, lowering its price objective from $28.00 to $26.00 and assigning a “sell” rating. Stifel Nicolaus set a target price of $30.00 while maintaining a “hold” rating. Other notable downgrades included Weiss Ratings, which reduced Campbell’s from a “hold (C-)” to a “sell (D+)” rating earlier this month. Barclays also weighed in, establishing a price objective of $27.00 on January 16.
As of now, the consensus view among analysts is mixed. Two analysts rate the stock as a buy, fourteen suggest a hold, while five recommend a sell. According to MarketBeat, Campbell’s currently holds an average rating of “reduce” with a consensus price target of $31.53.
Institutional Investor Activity
Recent trading activity reflects a shift in institutional investment. Berkshire Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Campbell’s valued at $1.27 million during the third quarter. Wedmont Private Capital significantly increased its stake by 840.4%, owning 68,808 shares worth approximately $2.14 million after purchasing an additional 61,491 shares.
Other notable institutional movements include XTX Topco Ltd, which acquired a new stake valued at about $1.15 million, and Rockefeller Capital Management L.P., which purchased shares worth around $403,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. also entered a new position during the third quarter, valued at approximately $77.94 million. Currently, institutional investors own 52.35% of Campbell’s stock.
Company Performance and Outlook
Campbell’s stock performance has been under scrutiny, with a 50-day moving average price of $27.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $29.81. The company reports a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.82, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Its market capitalization stands at approximately $7.59 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.20.
In its most recent earnings report on December 9, Campbell’s reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.77, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $0.73 by $0.04. The company recorded a net margin of 5.69% and a return on equity of 21.84%. However, revenue for the quarter was reported at $2.68 billion, marking a 3.4% decrease from the same quarter last year. For its fiscal year 2026, Campbell’s has set EPS guidance between $2.400 and $2.550, while analysts forecast an average EPS of $3.15 for the current year.
In a bid to return value to shareholders, Campbell’s has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.39, set to be paid on May 4. Investors on record as of April 2 will receive this dividend, translating to an annualized yield of 6.1% and a payout ratio of 80.83%.
Founded in 1869, Campbell’s Company is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, and is renowned for its wide array of shelf-stable foods and beverages, including its iconic soups and broths. Its portfolio features well-known brands such as Campbell’s Condensed Soups, V8 juices, and Pepperidge Farm baked snacks, reflecting its commitment to providing convenient and affordable meal options for consumers.
