Why Smithfield Foods is on investors’ radar today

Smithfield Foods (SFD) is drawing attention after recent share price moves, with the stock showing mixed short term performance but a positive shift over the past 3 months and year to date.

The recent 1 day share price return of a 1.52% decline and 7 day share price return of a 2.99% decline contrast with a 90 day share price return of 5.52%. This pattern suggests momentum has been gradually building despite short term pullbacks.

If Smithfield Foods has you reassessing the food sector, it could be a good moment to widen your search across healthcare stocks as a very different source of ideas.

With shares at US$22.75, an indicated intrinsic discount of about 69% and a value score of 5, the key question is whether Smithfield Foods is genuinely undervalued or whether the market is already pricing in future growth.

Most Popular Narrative: 22.5% Undervalued

On the most followed view, Smithfield Foods’ fair value sits at $29.36, comfortably above the last close at $22.75, and that gap is all about earnings power.

Premiumization within core categories such as packaged lunch meat, dry sausage and value added case ready items is shifting mix toward higher margin everyday products and supporting sustained revenue growth and structurally higher net margins.

Rising consumer preference for convenient, flavorful at home meals, reinforced by successful innovation like sweet heat bacon and global flavored barbecue, is expanding branded volume and pricing power.

Curious what kind of revenue climb, margin profile and future earnings multiple are baked into that $29.36 fair value tag, and how tightly it all ties back to pork demand and product mix assumptions? The full narrative lays out the earnings roadmap line by line.

Result: Fair Value of $29.36 (UNDERVALUED)

However, the story could change if pork demand weakens at current price levels, or if hog disease and supply issues keep input costs higher for longer than expected.

Build Your Own Smithfield Foods Narrative

If the current storyline does not quite match how you see Smithfield Foods, you can review the same numbers yourself and build a fresh angle in just a few minutes, then Do it your way.

A good starting point is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards investors are optimistic about regarding Smithfield Foods.

Looking for more investment ideas?

If Smithfield Foods has sharpened your interest, do not stop here. Broaden your watchlist with a few focused sets of stocks that might fit your style.

• Spot potential bargains early by checking out these 3523 penny stocks with strong financials that combine lower share prices with solid financial underpinnings.
• Back themes you believe in by scanning these 109 healthcare AI stocks bringing technology into medicine and data driven care.
• Strengthen your income watchlist by reviewing these 13 dividend stocks with yields > 3% that aim to provide yields above 3%.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.