August 06, 2025 a 08:38 am
HRL: Analysts Ratings - Hormel Foods Corporation
The Hormel Foods Corporation has a diversified product range that spans various sectors, from grocery products to refrigerated foods. As of August 2025, analyst sentiment appears cautious with a majority maintaining a 'Hold' position. Despite the company's consistent presence in the food industry, the transition towards a balanced recommendation landscape suggests the market's apprehension about future growth prospects.
Historical Stock Grades
Analyzing the data from the past months reveals a consistent 'Hold' sentiment among analysts. The most recent data from August 2025 indicates 9 'Hold' ratings dominating the sentiment. Despite the stable number of "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings, the overwhelming presence of 'Hold' ratings is noteworthy.
| Recommendation | Count | Score Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 1 | |
| Buy | 1 | |
| Hold | 9 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
The data shows a notable increase in 'Hold' ratings over the past months. Since April 2025, there has been a gradual stabilization of 'Hold' ratings indicating a cautious approach amongst analysts. Observing the monthly analysis:
- A minimal presence for 'Sell' and 'Strong Sell' has been consistent, demonstrating market hesitance to put a negative stamp on HRL.
- 'Strong Buy' and 'Buy' ratings remain steady with no significant increases.
- 'Hold' ratings surged to the highest levels, emphasizing market uncertainty or indecision.
Percentage Trends
The percentage distribution has shifted noticeably over the recent months, where there is clear dominance of 'Hold' ratings. The shift from decisive 'Buy' to a more restrained 'Hold' is evident:
- Strong Buy: Remained stable around 10% each month.
- Buy: Also stable, maintaining around 10%.
- Hold: Increased substantially to capture 80% to 90% of ratings.
- Sell and Strong Sell: Almost negligible, with no more than 10%.
Over the last year, there has been a marked movement from 'Buy' and 'Strong Buy' ratings towards 'Hold', indicating strategies are adapting to an uncertain market forecast.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
Recent analyst recommendations reveal ongoing stability but with minor positive adjustments. The latest adjustments depict a cautious yet slightly optimistic forecast.
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-22 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Stephens & Co. |
| 2025-04-15 | Neutral | Underperform | B of A Securities |
| 2025-02-18 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Stephens & Co. |
| 2025-01-22 | Overweight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
| 2025-01-21 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Recent adjustments in analyst opinions show slight movements towards a more neutral perspective. These analyses suggest gradual positive shifts in confidence levels.
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-15 | Neutral | Underperform | B of A Securities |
| 2025-01-22 | Overweight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
| 2024-08-13 | Buy | Neutral | Citigroup |
| 2024-05-31 | Neutral | Underweight | JP Morgan |
| 2023-03-30 | Hold | Buy | Argus Research |
Interpretation
The market perception of Hormel Foods Corporation reflects a stable but cautious optimism. Analysts overwhelmingly maintain 'Hold' recommendations, which may suggest a period of stability with limited growth expectations. The overall sentiment indicates market hesitancy driven by potential uncertainties in the sector. The incremental upgrades from 'Underperform' to 'Neutral' hints at a slow but steady confidence revival among investors. Stability in opinion shows analysts are waiting for more definitive financial performance indicators before making strong recommendations.
Conclusion
HRL displays a nuanced market perception with balanced recommendations across strong buy, buy, and hold. While the company's presence in diverse food products positions it favorably amidst pandemic-related market shifts, analysts suggest a conservative outlook. The increasing 'Hold' ratings against a backdrop of stable but moderate performance indicate that while growth potential exists, it is tempered by market volatility and cost pressures. Hence, Hormel Foods Corporation represents a strategic hold for investors cautious about short-term fluctuations but optimistic about long-term resilience.