Conagra Brands, Inc. · CAG · FY2026 Q1 · Calendar Q4 2025
Conagra maintains FY2026 outlook as volume share improves
The supplied analysis supports a cautiously constructive view of Conagra's near-term execution: service recovery, volume-share gains, pricing and productivity offset a modest sales decline, while maintained guidance and debt reduction add support. The evidence remains mixed because inflation, tariffs and consumer pressure could constrain growth and margins.
Earnings scorecard
Reported versus consensusMarket reaction
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Transcript intelligence
What changed
Management highlighted completed divestitures, more than $400 million of Q1 net-debt reduction, a Q2 Baked Chicken modernization completion target, a 24% full-year effective tax-rate expectation and lower forecast interest expense after a $1 billion bond issuance.
Guidance delta
Management maintained FY2026 guidance: organic sales of -1% to +1%, adjusted operating margin of 11%-11.5%, and adjusted EPS of $1.70-$1.85.
Key takeaways
- Q1 organic net sales declined 0.6%, while portfolio volume share rose 44% on service recovery.
- Divestitures and capital discipline reduced net debt by more than $400 million in Q1.
- Inflation and tariff pressure remain elevated, but management cited pricing, productivity and supply-chain investments as offsets.
Management priorities
- Complete the Baked Chicken modernization project in Q2.
- Maintain $450 million of annual capital expenditure focused on supply-chain resiliency and frozen and snack growth.
- Use targeted pricing, productivity and tariff mitigation while continuing dividends, repurchases and debt reduction.
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Analyst 52W Price Targets
Latest persisted target per named analyst; persisted current price from FN2's market snapshot as of Oct 4, 2026. Not an FN2 forecast.
Firm-level rating actions
FMP grade actions identify the grading firm, not a named analyst.
| Firm | Rating | Prior rating | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barclays | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Oct 2, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Sector Perform | Sector Perform | Maintain | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI Group | In Line | In Line | Maintain | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Deutsche Bank | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Sep 18, 2026 |
| UBS | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| JP Morgan | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Maintain | Jun 5, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Underperform | Market Perform | Downgrade | Jun 3, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Underweight | Underweight | Maintain | May 18, 2026 |
| Stifel | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Apr 21, 2026 |
| BNP Paribas | Neutral | Outperform | Downgrade | Apr 9, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | Sell | Sell | Maintain | Apr 2, 2026 |
| TD Cowen | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Dec 22, 2025 |
| B of A Securities | Underperform | Underperform | Maintain | Dec 22, 2025 |
| Jefferies | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Dec 12, 2025 |
| Citigroup | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jun 28, 2024 |
| Credit Suisse | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Mar 31, 2023 |
| SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | May 11, 2020 |
| CFRA | Strong Buy | Buy | Upgrade | Mar 12, 2020 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Oct 30, 2017 |
| Bank of America | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Feb 12, 2016 |
| KeyBanc | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Jun 18, 2014 |
| S&P Capital IQ | Buy | Strong Buy | Downgrade | Dec 19, 2013 |
| Edward Jones | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Dec 13, 2012 |
Named analyst price targets
Upside is calculated against the persisted current price $13.36. FMP does not supply a rating on these named-analyst rows.
| Firm | Analyst | 52W target | Price when posted | Upside | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $14 | $13.46 | +4.8% | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $13 | $14.16 | -2.7% | Sep 29, 2026 |
| Deutsche Bank | Steve Powers | $13 | $15.12 | -2.7% | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $12.5 | $14.61 | -6.4% | Sep 14, 2026 |
| UBS | Peter Grom | $14 | $14.44 | +4.8% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $14 | $14.28 | +4.8% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Barclays | Analyst unavailable | $16 | $14.04 | +19.8% | Jul 8, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $16 | $13.89 | +19.8% | Jun 25, 2026 |
| Deutsche Bank | Steve Powers | $12 | $13.16 | -10.2% | Jun 18, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Megan Alexander Clapp | $13 | $12.66 | -2.7% | Jun 5, 2026 |
| Coker Palmer | Thomas Palmer | $14 | $12.66 | +4.8% | Jun 5, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $12 | $12.86 | -10.2% | Jun 3, 2026 |
| UBS | Peter Grom | $13 | $12.92 | -2.7% | Jun 2, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Megan Alexander Clapp | $15 | $14.53 | +12.3% | Apr 23, 2026 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Analyst unavailable | $15 | $14.84 | +12.3% | Apr 21, 2026 |
| BNP Paribas | Analyst unavailable | $16 | $15.55 | +19.8% | Apr 9, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Chris Carey | $15 | $16.98 | +12.3% | Mar 12, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $20 | $19.52 | +49.7% | Feb 13, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Megan Alexander Clapp | $18 | $17.38 | +34.7% | Jan 16, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $18 | $17.05 | +34.7% | Jan 5, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Alexia Howard | $18 | $17.48 | +34.7% | Dec 29, 2025 |
| UBS | Peter Grom | $18 | $17.26 | +34.7% | Dec 23, 2025 |
| Deutsche Bank | Steve Powers | $18 | $17.3 | +34.7% | Dec 22, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $19 | $17.36 | +42.2% | Dec 22, 2025 |
| Evercore ISI | David Palmer | $22 | $17.36 | +64.7% | Dec 22, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $20 | $17.35 | +49.7% | Dec 22, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Nik Modi | $22 | $17.74 | +64.7% | Dec 17, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $19 | $17.83 | +42.2% | Dec 12, 2025 |
| Jefferies | Analyst unavailable | $18 | $17.6 | +34.7% | Dec 11, 2025 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Analyst unavailable | $19 | $17.44 | +42.2% | Dec 11, 2025 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $16 | $17.52 | +19.8% | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Chris Carey | $20 | $19.3 | +49.7% | Oct 2, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Megan Alexander Clapp | $20 | $19.4 | +49.7% | Jul 11, 2025 |
| Bernstein | Alexia Howard | $21 | $19.4 | +57.2% | Jul 11, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Megan Alexander | $22 | $20.52 | +64.7% | Jul 7, 2025 |
| Evercore ISI | David Palmer | $26 | $20.99 | +94.6% | Jul 7, 2025 |
| Jefferies | Rob Dickerson | $30 | $32.31 | +124.6% | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Coker Palmer | Thomas Palmer | $33 | $32.31 | +147.0% | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Goldman Sachs | Leah Jordan | $36 | $29.82 | +169.5% | Aug 12, 2024 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Matthew Smith | $30 | $28.38 | +124.6% | Jul 12, 2024 |
| Barclays | Andrew Lazar | $34 | $31.09 | +154.5% | Apr 8, 2024 |
| Wells Fargo | Chris Carey | $32 | $30.64 | +139.5% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Matthew Smith | $32 | $30.64 | +139.5% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| Coker Palmer | Thomas Palmer | $32 | $30.64 | +139.5% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| Morgan Stanley | Pamela Kaufman | $32 | $30.64 | +139.5% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| CFRA | Arun Sundaram | $34 | $30.64 | +154.5% | Apr 4, 2024 |
| Evercore ISI | David Palmer | $32 | $29.06 | +139.5% | Apr 4, 2024 |
| RBC Capital | Nik Modi | $29 | $29.58 | +117.1% | Apr 1, 2024 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Matthew Smith | $43 | $35.96 | +221.9% | May 19, 2023 |
| Deutsche Bank | Steve Powers | $35 | $35.52 | +162.0% | Mar 20, 2023 |
| RBC Capital | Conagra Brands | $38 | $40.58 | +184.4% | Jan 6, 2023 |
| J.P. Morgan | Analyst unavailable | $43 | $41 | +221.9% | Jan 6, 2023 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $48 | $40.5 | +259.3% | Jan 6, 2023 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $45 | $40.66 | +236.8% | Jan 6, 2023 |
| Credit Suisse | Analyst unavailable | $40 | $39.97 | +199.4% | Jan 6, 2023 |
| Evercore ISI | Analyst unavailable | $42 | $38.77 | +214.4% | Dec 29, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Pamela Kaufman | $45 | $38.49 | +236.8% | Dec 20, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Steve Powers | $34 | $38.25 | +154.5% | Dec 6, 2022 |
| UBS | Cody Ross | $41 | $35.81 | +206.9% | Nov 18, 2022 |
| BNP Paribas | Analyst unavailable | $42 | $33.91 | +214.4% | Nov 15, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Pamela Kaufman | $34 | $33.83 | +154.5% | Jul 15, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Pamela Kaufman | $36 | $35.11 | +169.5% | Jan 14, 2022 |
| Citigroup | Wendy Nicholson | $37 | $32.96 | +176.9% | Jul 14, 2021 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Christopher Growe | $35 | $32.96 | +162.0% | Jul 14, 2021 |
| Barclays | Andrew Lazar | $39 | $32.96 | +191.9% | Jul 14, 2021 |
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Start freeCompany context
Snapshot as of publicationConagra Brands, Inc., a prominent manufacturer of packaged food products, conducts its business across North America through its various subsidiary companies. The firm organizes its extensive operations into four distinct segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks division primarily distributes non-perishable food items through various retail channels within the United States. In contrast, the Refrigerated & Frozen segment focuses on supplying temperature-sensitive food products to comparable U.S. retail outlets.…
Historical context
All CAG earningsConsumer Defensive peers this season
Latest reports in the same sector| Company | Quarter | EPS surprise | Market move | Headline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC McCormick & Company, Incorporated | FY2026 Q3 · Calendar Q4 2026 | +13.9% | -4.9% | McCormick reports strong Q3 growth while U.S. volumes remain soft |
| COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +3.2% | +2.9% | Costco’s growth broadens as warehouses and digital sales accelerate |
| GIS General Mills, Inc. | FY2027 Q1 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +4.6% | +1.0% | General Mills leans on mix, innovation and e-commerce amid pressure |
| KR The Kroger Co. | FY2026 Q2 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +2.8% | +2.7% | Kroger: Strong digital growth offsets softer sales outlook |
| CPB Campbell Soup Company | FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +1.1% | -7.0% | Campbell’s leans on savings and innovation amid pressured demand |
| BF-A Brown-Forman Corporation | FY2027 Q1 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +3.0% | — | Brown-Forman holds FY27 outlook as RTD innovation offsets barrel pressure |
Latest beats and misses
Who reports nextBeat on EPS
- ACNFY2026 Q4 · October 1, 2026+3.5% EPS+15.8% move
- MKCFY2026 Q3 · October 1, 2026+13.9% EPS-4.9% move
- NKEFY2027 Q1 · October 1, 2026+10.0% EPS-0.7% move
- CAGFY2027 Q1 · September 30, 2026+44.4% EPS-4.9% move
- FDSFY2026 Q4 · September 30, 2026+3.9% EPS+3.8% move
- JBLFY2026 Q4 · September 30, 2026+8.1% EPS-10.0% move
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Sources
- Earnings call transcript and parsed analysis · 2026-05-11T10:29:34.698584+00:00
- FN2 earnings calendar · 2026-07-26T00:37:12.209961+00:00
- Polygon adjusted daily market bars · 2026-10-04T14:20:44.810333+00:00
- Financial Modeling Prep analyst price-target consensus and quote snapshot · 2026-10-04T14:20:44.807681+00:00
Methodology
Reported and consensus figures come from FN2's earnings event records. Market reaction and volume are calculated from daily adjusted bars around the event; abnormal move subtracts the SPY move over the same window.
Analyst target low, average, and high values are derived at request time from each named analyst's latest persisted FMP target. The current-price marker comes from FN2's persisted market snapshot. They are sell-side estimates, not an FN2 valuation or recommendation.
Transcript intelligence is a structured synthesis of the current and prior earnings-call analyses. Missing values stay missing and are never estimated.
By FN2 Research · Updated · As of 2026-10-04. For educational purposes only; not investment advice.