Earning Preview: McCormick & Company revenue is expected to increase by 4.10%, and institutional views are moderately positive

Earnings Agent01-15

Abstract

McCormick & Company will release its quarterly results on January 22, 2026 Pre-Market. This preview synthesizes last quarter’s performance and the market’s current quarter forecasts, including revenue, margins, net profit, and adjusted EPS expectations, alongside recent institutional commentary and segment highlights from January 01, 2026 to January 15, 2026.

Market Forecast

Based on McCormick & Company’s latest guidance framework and market models, current-quarter revenue is projected at USD 1.85 billion with an estimated year-over-year increase of 4.10%, EBIT is forecast at USD 0.33 billion with an estimated year-over-year increase of 6.39%, and adjusted EPS is expected at USD 0.88 with an estimated year-over-year increase of 14.11%; no consensus gross profit margin or net margin forecast is available. The Consumer retail channels and Food manufacturers and foodservice channels together remain the primary growth engine, with a constructive outlook on price-mix resilience and cost normalization. The most promising segment is Consumer retail, estimated to continue leading growth on price/mix and merchandising, while Food manufacturers and foodservice maintain steady volume recovery.

Last Quarter Review

McCormick & Company delivered revenue of USD 1.72 billion, a gross profit margin of 37.46%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of USD 0.23 billion, a net profit margin of 13.07%, and adjusted EPS of USD 0.85, with year-over-year revenue growth of 2.69%, EBIT growth of 1.80%, and EPS growth of 2.41%. A notable highlight was quarter-on-quarter net profit growth of 28.86%, reflecting improved operating leverage and ongoing cost efficiencies through supply chain optimization. Main business performance featured Consumer retail revenue of USD 0.97 billion and Food manufacturers and foodservice revenue of USD 0.75 billion, supported by stable demand and balanced pricing actions.

Current Quarter Outlook

Consumer Retail

Consumer retail remains the core driver for McCormick & Company this quarter. Price discipline and optimized promotional strategies in North American spice and seasoning aisles are expected to support revenue momentum despite cautious pantry-stocking behavior. Shelf resets and merchandising initiatives with large retail partners should underpin mix improvement, helping sustain a higher-value product blend. Cost normalization in packaging and logistics continues to filter through, potentially bolstering segment margins even if volumes show modest variability across regions.

The company’s premium and convenient formats—such as single-serve seasonings and recipe kits—are positioned to capture incremental basket value. Private-label competition has become more rational relative to early 2025, reducing price gaps and allowing branded differentiation to work more effectively at point-of-sale. International consumer markets are likely to add incremental growth via expanding distribution in EMEA and APAC, where seasoning adoption and product familiarity have been progressing steadily.

Food Manufacturers and Foodservice

The Food manufacturers and foodservice segment is expected to provide solid, consistent growth, supported by normalizing demand from quick-service restaurants and continued menu innovation. McCormick & Company’s co-developed flavor solutions for large food manufacturers remain a backbone of predictable volumes, with pipeline activity suggesting better run-rate orders compared with mid-2025. Input cost stabilization—especially in select agricultural commodities—should help preserve margin structure for this channel.

Operational execution in flavor systems, sauces, and condiments continues to align with customers’ reformulation needs, improving stickiness and contract renewal rates. The segment’s geographic diversification provides a buffer against localized demand softness, while the company’s R&D investments in clean-label and regional flavor profiles aim to improve mix quality. Should the company secure additional large-scale foodservice programs, the channel could outpace internal projections in the back half of the fiscal year.

Stock Price Drivers for This Quarter

Stock performance this quarter will likely hinge on three elements: revenue trajectory versus guidance, margin progression, and EPS delivery relative to estimates. Revenue elasticity to promotional cadence is a key variable; stronger-than-expected retail throughput could create positive revisions. Gross margin resilience requires that price/mix continue to offset lingering cost pressures in select inputs and packaging, while productivity savings scale across plants. EPS sensitivity is tied to EBIT flow-through, so watch for operating expense discipline, particularly in selling, general, and administrative lines, to confirm or exceed the USD 0.88 forecast.

A secondary factor is inventory health at retailers and distributors, which can sway short-term shipments. If inventory positions are leaner than anticipated and sell-through is healthy, shipment timing could boost reported revenue. Conversely, trade-down behavior in certain categories may weigh on volume, even if pricing holds. Finally, currency translation effects could modestly influence reported figures given McCormick & Company’s international footprint, though the operational hedges and diversified portfolio temper volatility.

Analyst Opinions

The prevailing institutional stance gathered in the period suggests a moderately positive bias toward McCormick & Company’s near-term earnings profile, with the majority of commentary leaning constructive on margin durability and EPS upside potential. Analysts point to the combination of pricing discipline, improved cost structure, and stable demand across retail and foodservice channels as the foundation for forecasted year-over-year EPS growth of 14.11% to USD 0.88. Several notes emphasize EBIT expansion to approximately USD 0.33 billion as a practical benchmark for evaluating operating leverage in the print.

In the consensus-leaning view, consistent execution in flavor solutions and disciplined expense control are expected to keep guidance credible. Positive dispersion is anticipated primarily through gross margin resilience and mix improvements driven by premium products in Consumer retail. Some caution remains around demand normalization in select categories and potential timing shifts of customer orders, but the majority opinion expects McCormick & Company to meet or slightly exceed its revenue projection of USD 1.85 billion. Should EPS and EBIT align with the forecasts, the constructive stance may reinforce confidence in the company’s margin trajectory for the upcoming fiscal periods.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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