J M SmuckerNYSE: SJM

Food inflation has moderated, helping packaged food companies, though a more price-conscious consumer poses a risk to the industry. I have a buy rating on J.M. Smucker due to its compelling valuation metrics and expected EPS growth in the years ahead. But the firm faces challenges from high labor costs and integrating Hostess Brands effectively while the stock's technical situation is weak.

The J. M. Smucker Company shares fell after the $5.6 billion Hostess deal, creating concerns about leverage, and growth potential. The company now sees mediocre growth, flattish earnings, while the balance sheet is fully leveraged. Valuations have come down, but other than the cheapness and stability argument, J. M. Smucker investors have not much to look forward to in the near term.

The J.M. Smucker's (SJM) fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results reflect gains from favorable volumes and positive net price realization.

Shares of The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM) advanced Thursday after the food producer beat profit estimates as it cut costs, raised prices, and benefited from its purchase of Hostess Brands.

Shares of the food producer were on track for their largest daily increase in nearly four years.

While the top- and bottom-line numbers for Smucker (SJM) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended April 2024, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.

Smucker (SJM) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.66 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.32 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.64 per share a year ago.

Jif peanut butter maker JM Smucker topped Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by higher prices of condiments and frozen food as well as lower input costs, sending its shares up 2% before the bell.

ORRVILLE, Ohio , June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ending April 30, 2024.