Conagra Brands (CAG)
NYSEConsumer StaplesPackaged FoodsSnapshot 2026-09-04
$15.48-0.90%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEConsumer StaplesPackaged FoodsSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CAG
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within consumer staples on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks CAG against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 1 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated weak grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=2094).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 50% of the last 2 guided quarters · -29.3% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Maintain adjusted EPS in the range of $1.70 to $1.85 for fiscal 2026 as reaffirmed across multiple quarters.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management reaffirmed adjusted EPS guidance between $1.70 and $1.85 for fiscal 2026 consistently from 2025-Q3 through 2026-Q3. Actual adjusted EPS was $1.72 in fiscal 2026, matching the guidance range. The trajectory is delivering against this EPS target.
“The company is narrowing its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted EPS of approximately $1.70, at the low end of its $1.70 to $1.85 range”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $1.85”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $1.85”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $1.85”
“The company is narrowing its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted EPS of approximately $1.70, at the low end of its $1.70 to $1.85 range”
Sustain adjusted operating margin within approximately 11.0% to 11.5% for fiscal 2026 as reiterated across multiple quarters.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management consistently reaffirmed adjusted operating margin guidance between 11.0% and 11.5% for fiscal 2026. The actual adjusted operating margin was 11.3% for fiscal 2026, consistent with guidance. The trajectory is delivering against this margin target.
Target organic net sales growth in the range of negative 1% to positive 1% for fiscal 2026, reaffirmed multiple times.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management reaffirmed organic net sales growth guidance of (1)% to 1% for fiscal 2026. Actual organic net sales declined slightly by 0.4% in fiscal 2026, indicating limited progress relative to the target.
Continue disciplined capital expenditure management targeting approximately $450 million annually as stated in multiple disclosures.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 5 quarters. Management targeted capital expenditures around $450 million annually for fiscal 2026, with actual reported capex rising from $314 million in 2026-Q1 to $423 million in 2026-Q2 and guidance increasing to approximately $550 million by 2026-Q3. The trajectory shows some increase but remains within disciplined range.
Focus on reducing net debt and maintaining net leverage ratio near 3.8x as reiterated in multiple quarters.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 5 quarters. Management emphasized reducing net debt and maintaining net leverage near 3.8x. Net debt declined from approximately $8.0 billion in 2025-Q4 to $7.1 billion in 2026-Q4 (11.9% reduction). Net leverage ratio was 3.83x at fiscal 2026 year end, slightly above prior year 3.6x. The trajectory shows delivering on debt reduction and leverage targets.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.14x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated neutral grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 57% for the rest of the cohort, n=2083).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, the broad stock market, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
15 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated volatile grew net income 53% of the time over the next year (vs 51% for the rest of the cohort, n=947).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Adjusted operating margin near the high end of its ~11.0% to ~11.5% range”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted operating margin between ~11.0% and ~11.5%”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted operating margin between ~11.0% and ~11.5%”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Adjusted operating margin between ~11.0% and ~11.5%”
“Adjusted operating margin near the high end of its ~11.0% to ~11.5% range”
“Organic net sales change near the midpoint of its (1)% to 1% range”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Organic net sales change of (1)% to 1% compared to fiscal 2025”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Organic net sales change of (1)% to 1% compared to fiscal 2025”
“The company is reaffirming its fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting: Organic net sales change of (1)% to 1% compared to fiscal 2025”
“Organic net sales change near the midpoint of its (1)% to 1% range”
“Capital expenditures of approximately $550 million”
“Capital expenditures were $423 million compared to $389 million in the prior year period”
“Capital expenditures were $314 million compared to $304 million in the prior year period”
“Capital expenditures of approximately $450 million”
“The company ended the year with net debt of $7.1 billion, representing an 11.9% reduction in net debt versus the prior year, resulting in a 3.83x net leverage ratio”
“The company ended the quarter with net debt of $7.3 billion, representing a 10.1% reduction in net debt versus the prior year period, resulting in a 3.83x net leverage ratio”
“The company ended the quarter with net debt of $7.6 billion, representing a 10.1% reduction in net debt versus the prior year period, resulting in a 3.83x net leverage ratio”
“The company ended the quarter with net debt of $7.6 billion, representing a 12.3% reduction in net debt versus the prior year period, resulting in a 3.55x net leverage ratio”