The J. M. Smucker Company has outperformed the broader consumer defensive sector, with its stock rising 12.4% over the past 52 weeks compared to a 1.9% return for the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF. Shares of the $11.8 billion food and beverage manufacturer have gained 11.4% year-to-date and 9.6% over the past three months, while the ETF returned 6.3% and 1.6% over the same periods. The stock surged 10.4% on June 9 after the company issued stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 earnings per share guidance of $9.75 to $10.25, with the midpoint of $10 exceeding analysts' consensus, and projected roughly 300 basis points of gross margin expansion to about 38%. J. M. Smucker also reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $2.77 and a 6% increase in net sales to $2.27 billion, driven by demand for Uncrustables, Hostess snacks, at-home coffee, and pet food. In contrast, rival General Mills has declined 27.2% year-to-date and 36.1% over the past 52 weeks. Analysts have a consensus Moderate Buy rating on J. M. Smucker with a mean price target of $123.18, a 13.8% premium to current levels.
The J. M. Smucker CompanyIssued stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 EPS guidance and reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings and sales.
General Mills IncMentioned as a rival that has declined significantly, contrasting with Smucker's outperformance.