Conagra Brands Reports Fourth Quarter Results

CHICAGO, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal year 2025, which ended on May 25, 2025. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights

• Fourth quarter:
  • Reported net sales decreased 4.3%; organic net sales decreased 3.5%
  • Reported operating margin was 11.5%; adjusted operating margin was 13.8%
  • Reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter was $0.53; adjusted earnings per share (EPS) decreased 8.2% to $0.56
• Full year fiscal 2025:
  • Reported net sales decreased 3.6%; organic net sales decreased 2.9%
  • Reported operating margin increased 467 basis points to 11.8%; adjusted operating margin decreased 188 basis points to 14.1%
  • Reported diluted EPS for fiscal 2025 increased 233.3% to $2.40; adjusted EPS decreased 13.9% to $2.30
• The company is providing fiscal 2026 guidance to reflect:
  • Organic net sales growth of (1)% to 1% compared to fiscal 2025
  • Adjusted operating margin between ~11.0% and ~11.5%
  • Adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $1.85

CEO Perspective
Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "I'm proud of the Conagra team for their hard work throughout fiscal 2025 as we navigated an environment that proved to be more challenging than we anticipated. We entered the year focused on returning volume to growth and delivered consistent progress through the first half. This resulted in a return to absolute volume growth in domestic retail in the second quarter, best-in-class market share performance, and first half EPS in line with our plan. While the second half was impacted by higher than expected inflation, foreign exchange headwinds, and supply constraints, our long-term value creation strategy remains unchanged."

He continued, "In fiscal 2026, we expect elevated inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty to persist but remain focused on proactively managing the business by investing in our high-potential frozen and snacks domains, prioritizing volume strength, and further enhancing supply chain resiliency while continuing disciplined cost management and focus on cash flow. We believe that these actions will enable Conagra to deliver sustainable growth and stronger margins over time, creating meaningful long-term value for our stakeholders."

Total Company Fourth Quarter Results
In the quarter, reported net sales decreased 4.3% to $2.8 billion reflecting:

• a 3.5% decrease in organic net sales;
• a 0.6% decrease from the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 0.2% decrease from the unfavorable impact of M&A.

The 3.5% decrease in organic net sales was driven by a 1.0% negative impact from price/mix and a 2.5% decrease in volume, primarily due to lower consumption trends. In the quarter, the company gained volume share in categories including frozen desserts, microwave popcorn, refrigerated whipped topping, and pudding.

Gross profit decreased 12.1% to $707 million in the quarter and adjusted gross profit decreased 10.7% to $717 million versus the prior year as productivity was more than offset by lower net sales, the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage. Gross margin decreased 228 basis points to 25.4% in the quarter, and adjusted gross margin decreased 184 basis points to 25.8%.

Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), which includes advertising and promotional expense (A&P), decreased 17.2% to $333 million in the quarter and adjusted SG&A, which includes A&P, decreased 10.8% to $333 million primarily due to lower incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter. A&P decreased 14.7% to $62 million compared to the prior year quarter.

Net interest expense was $102 million in the quarter. Compared to the prior-year period, net interest expense decreased 2.8% or $3 million due to a reduction in total debt.

The average diluted share count in the quarter was 480 million shares.

In the quarter, net income attributable to Conagra Brands was $256 million, or $0.53 per diluted share. Adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands was $270 million, or $0.56 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA, which includes equity method investment earnings and pension and postretirement non-service income, was $544 million in the quarter.

Total Company Fiscal 2025 Results
For the full fiscal year, net sales decreased 3.6% to $11.6 billion reflecting:

• a 2.9% decrease in organic net sales;
• a 0.4% decrease from the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 0.3% decrease from the unfavorable impact of M&A.

For the full fiscal year, gross profit decreased 9.9% to $3.0 billion and adjusted gross profit decreased 10.4% to $3.0 billion as higher productivity was more than offset by lower net sales, the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage. Gross margin decreased 180 basis points to 25.9% and adjusted gross margin decreased 194 basis points to 25.7%.

For the full fiscal year, EPS increased 233.3% to $2.40 primarily due to wrapping non-cash goodwill and brand impairment charges in the prior year, and adjusted EPS decreased 13.9% to $2.30.

Grocery & Snacks Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Net sales for the Grocery & Snacks segment decreased 2.1% to $1.2 billion in the quarter, reflecting: 

• a 3.3% decrease in organic net sales; and
• a 1.2% increase from the favorable impact of M&A.

The decrease in organic net sales was driven by a price/mix decrease of 1.7% of and a volume decrease of 1.6%. 

Operating profit for the segment increased 19.6% to $210 million in the quarter and adjusted operating profit decreased 11.7% to $226 million as higher productivity and lower SG&A were more than offset by lower net sales and the negative impact cost of goods sold inflation. In addition, we wrapped a $7 million net benefit from insurance proceeds in the prior year related to lost sales from our fiscal 2023 canned meat recall. 

Refrigerated & Frozen Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Reported and organic net sales for the Refrigerated & Frozen segment decreased 4.4% to $1.1 billion in the quarter driven by a price/mix decrease of 2.3% and a volume decrease of 2.1%.

Operating profit for the segment was $127 million and adjusted operating profit decreased 10.1% to $171 million as higher productivity and lower SG&A were more than offset by lower net sales and the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation.

International Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Net sales for the International segment decreased 13.8% to $230 million in the quarter, reflecting:

• a 7.3% decrease from the unfavorable impact of M&A;
• a 7.3% decrease from the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 0.8% increase in organic net sales.

On an organic net sales basis, price/mix increased 4.7% and volume decreased 3.9%.

Operating profit for the segment increased 35.6% to $35 million in the quarter and adjusted operating profit increased 22.7% to $35 million as higher productivity and lower SG&A more than offset the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation.

Foodservice Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Net sales for the Foodservice segment decreased 4.0% to $280 million in the quarter, reflecting:

• a 4.3% decrease in organic net sales; and
• a 0.3% increase from the favorable impact of M&A.

The decrease in organic net sales was driven by a price/mix increase of 3.3% and a volume decrease of 7.6%. 

Operating profit and adjusted operating profit for the segment decreased 20.8% to $32 million in the quarter as higher productivity was more than offset by lower net sales, the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage.

Other Fourth Quarter Items
Corporate expenses decreased 2.2% to $82 million in the quarter and adjusted corporate expense decreased 6.7% to $78 million in the quarter driven by lower incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

Pension and post-retirement non-service income was $17 million in the quarter compared to $12 million of income in the prior-year period. The increase was due to a non-cash settlement gain recognized in connection with our purchase of an annuity contract with a third-party insurance provider. Adjusted pension and post-retirement non-service income increased $3 million to $4 million in the quarter.

In the quarter, equity method investment earnings increased 23.4% to $57 million and adjusted equity method investment earnings increased 30.9% to $61 million driven by the results from the company's joint venture, Ardent Mills, reflecting improved commodity revenue, partially offset by continued lower volume trends as seen throughout the industry.

In the quarter, the effective tax rate was 12.7% compared to 5.8% in the prior-year. The adjusted effective tax rate was 22.3% compared to 21.1% in the prior-year period.

In the quarter, the company paid a dividend of $0.35 per share.

Cash Flow and Debt Update
For the full fiscal year, the company generated $1.7 billion in net cash flows from operating activities compared to $2.0 billion in the prior year period. Capital expenditures were $389 million compared to $388 million in the prior year period, and free cash flow was $1.3 billion compared to $1.6 billion in the prior year. Dividends paid increased 1.5% versus the prior year to $669 million.

The company ended the year with net debt of $8.0 billion, representing a 4.4% reduction in net debt versus the prior year, resulting in a 3.6x net leverage ratio at fiscal year-end.

Dividend Update
The company announced on July 9, 2025 that its Board of Directors had approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.35 per share of Conagra common stock which will be paid on August 28, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 30, 2025, reflecting an annualized dividend rate of $1.40 per share.

Outlook
The company is providing the following guidance for fiscal 2026:

• Organic net sales growth of (1)% to 1% compared to fiscal 2025
• Adjusted operating margin between ~11.0% and ~11.5%
• Adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $1.85
• Interest expense of approximately $400MM
• Equity earnings contribution of approximately $200MM
• Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 23%
• Pension income of approximately $25MM
• Capital expenditures of approximately $450MM
• Free cash flow conversion of ~90%
• Net leverage ratio of approximately 3.85x
• The 53^rd week is expected to add $0.05 to adjusted EPS

The company also expects cost of goods sold inflation to continue at an elevated level into fiscal 2026. Guidance anticipates core inflation to be approximately 4%. In addition, the company expects an impact to fiscal 2026 from previously announced U.S. tariffs. While the tariff situation remains fluid, guidance contemplates a 50% tariff rate on imported tin plate steel and aluminum, a 30% rate on limited imports from China, and a 10% reciprocal rate on imports from certain other countries. Combined, these tariffs are expected to increase cost of goods sold by approximately 3% annually, prior to mitigating actions including accelerated cost savings initiatives, sourcing alternatives, and targeted pricing actions. Taken together, the company expects total cost of goods sold inflation of approximately 7%.

The inability to predict the amount and timing of the impacts of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, and other items impacting comparability makes a detailed reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures impracticable. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of these items, which could be material to future results. Please see the end of this release for more information.

Items Affecting Comparability of EPS
The following are included in the $0.53 diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $0.09 per diluted share of net expense related to brand impairment charges
• Approximately $0.06 per diluted share of net benefit related to a valuation allowance adjustment
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net benefit related to anticipated legal matter recoveries
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net expense related to restructuring plans
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net benefit related to a pension settlement gain
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to Ardent Mills restructuring activities

The following are included in the $1.18 of diluted loss per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $1.77 per diluted share of net expense related to goodwill and brand impairment charges
• Approximately $0.06 per diluted share of net expense related to restructuring plans
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net benefit related to a pension valuation adjustment
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to corporate hedging derivative gains
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to fire related insurance recoveries

Please note that certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

Discussion of Results and Outlook
Conagra Brands will issue pre-recorded remarks prior to hosting a live Q&A conference call and webcast at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time today to discuss the company's results and outlook. The live audio webcast Q&A conference call, pre-recorded remarks, transcript of the pre-recorded remarks, and presentation slides will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The Q&A conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants and using passcode 5130344. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time. A replay of the Q&A conference call will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations until July 10, 2026.

About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company's portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers' ever-changing food preferences. Conagra's brands include Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie Callender's®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Angie's® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what's right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2025 net sales of nearly $12 billion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. 

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained in this document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expected future financial performance or position, results of operations, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and other statements that are not historical facts. You can identify forward-looking statements by their use of forward-looking words, such as "may", "will", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "should", "seek", or comparable terms.

Readers of this document should understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations and beliefs concerning future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and factors relating to our business and operations, all of which are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, among other things: risks associated with general economic and industry conditions, including inflation, reduced consumer confidence and spending, declining benefits or increased limitations under government food assistance programs for consumers, rising unemployment, recessions, increased energy costs, supply chain challenges, increased tariffs and taxes, labor shortages, and geopolitical conflicts; risks related to the availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and transportation, weather conditions, health pandemics or outbreaks of disease, actual or threatened hostilities or war, or other geopolitical uncertainty; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations; risks related to the effectiveness of our hedging activities and ability to respond to volatility in commodities; risks related to the ultimate impact of, including reputational harm caused by, any product recalls and product liability or labeling litigation, including litigation related to lead-based paint and pigment and cooking spray; risks related to our ability to execute operating and value creation plans and achieve returns on our investments and targeted operating efficiencies from cost-saving initiatives, and to benefit from trade optimization programs; risks related to our ability to deleverage on currently anticipated timelines, and to continue to access capital on acceptable terms or at all; risks related to the Company's competitive environment, cost structure, and related market conditions; risks related to our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences including health and wellness perceptions and the success of our innovation and marketing investments; risks associated with actions by our customers, including changes in distribution and purchasing terms; risks related to the seasonality of our business; risks associated with our contract manufacturing arrangements and other third-party service provider dependencies; risks associated with actions of governments and regulatory bodies that affect our businesses, including the ultimate impact of new or revised regulations or interpretations including to address climate change; risks related to the Company's ability to execute on its strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social, and governance matters, including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon pricing or carbon taxes; risks related to a material failure in or breach of our or our vendors' information technology systems and other cybersecurity incidents; risks related to our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and develop qualified personnel; risks of increased pension, labor or people-related expenses; risks and uncertainties associated with intangible assets, including any future goodwill or intangible assets impairment charges; risks relating to our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; risks relating to acquisition, divestiture, joint venture or investment activities; the amount and timing of future dividends, which remain subject to Board approval and depend on market and other conditions; the amount and timing of future stock repurchases; and other risks described in our reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this document, which speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no responsibility to update these statements, except as required by law.

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This document includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, organic net sales, adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating profit, adjusted SG&A, adjusted corporate expenses, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands, free cash flow, net debt, net leverage ratio, and adjusted EBITDA. Management considers GAAP financial measures as well as such non-GAAP financial information in its evaluation of the company's financial statements. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate year-over-year comparisons by removing non-recurring items and other items impacting comparability such as the impacts of foreign exchange, divested businesses and acquisitions, as well as the impact of any 53rd week, as noted in more detail for each measure below. We also believe the below financial measures are used by investors and analysts to assess the company's operating performance and financial position. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the company's diluted earnings per share, operating performance and financial measures as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Organic net sales excludes, from reported net sales, the impacts of foreign exchange, divested businesses and acquisitions, as well as the impact of any 53rd week to provide a more transparent view of year-over-year comparability. All references to changes in volume and price/mix throughout this release are on an organic net sales basis.

Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow conversion is free cash flow divided by adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc. We use this non-GAAP financial measure to provide additional information about the amount of cash available for debt repayment, dividend distributions, acquisition opportunities, and share repurchases after all of the company's business needs and obligations are met.

References to adjusted items throughout this release refer to measures computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of items impacting comparability. Items impacting comparability are income or expenses (and related tax impacts) that management believes have had, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the earnings of the applicable business segment or on the total corporation for the period in which the item is recognized, and are not indicative of the company's core operating results. We exclude these items that we believe affect comparability of underlying results from period to period and may obscure trends in our underlying profitability.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we revised our calculation methodology for Adjusted SG&A to include advertising and promotional (A&P) expense. Prior-year periods have been recast to reflect this new calculation methodology. Please refer to the tables in this press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measures using the updated calculation method to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP which include information about A&P expense in the footnotes. 

References to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) refer to net income attributable to Conagra Brands before the impacts of discontinued operations, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation, and amortization. For adjusted EBITDA, we exclude items resulting from infrequently occurring events or items that we believe significantly affect the year-to-year assessment of the company's operating results.

Hedge gains and losses are generally aggregated, and net amounts are reclassified from unallocated corporate expense to the operating segments when the underlying commodity or foreign currency being hedged is expensed in segment cost of goods sold. The net change in the derivative gains (losses) included in unallocated corporate expense during the period is reflected as a comparability item, Corporate hedging derivate gains (losses). Since our hedging contracts are generally for future periods, this adjustment facilitates year-over-year comparisons of cost of goods sold, matching the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged for the period.

Note on Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our fiscal 2026 guidance includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (organic net sales growth, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EPS, net leverage ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate) that are presented on a forward-looking basis. Historically, the company has calculated these non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of certain items such as, but not limited to, foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring expenses, the extinguishment of debt, hedging gains and losses, impairment charges, legacy legal contingencies, and unusual tax items. Reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not provided because the company is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort, due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the timing and financial impact of such items. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

For more information, please contact:
MEDIA: Mike Cummins
312-549-5257
Michael.Cummins@conagra.com
INVESTORS: Matthew Neisius
402-240-3226
IR@conagra.com

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.