Hormel Shares Barely Move on $1.055bn Brakebush Chicken Deal
Hormel Foods has agreed to buy chicken processor Brakebush Brothers for $1.055bn in cash, but the promised profit boost is not due until fiscal 2028, and the shares barely moved on the news.
Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) has agreed to buy family-owned chicken processor Brakebush Brothers for $1.055bn in cash. The Austin, Minnesota-based maker of Spam, Skippy and Planters announced the deal at 11:30am UK time today, and the shares barely reacted.
HRL was quoted at $19.95, up 0.5%, at 9:09pm UK time today, after the US market’s close, within a range of $19.76 to $20.21. It opened at $20.08, 1.2% above yesterday’s close of $19.85.
Brakebush, based in Westfield, Wisconsin, and family-owned since 1925, had net sales of about $1.2bn over the last 12 months. It runs five plants and two research and development labs, and sells about 90% of its output to foodservice customers. The price is subject to customary adjustments, and the agreement was signed yesterday.
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Closing is expected in the first quarter of Hormel’s fiscal 2027. It needs US antitrust waiting periods to expire and no law or order blocking it. Either side can terminate if it is not completed by 29 March 2027, with an automatic three-month extension in specified regulatory circumstances.
Hormel said the purchase expands its value-added chicken business. Results will be reported mainly in its Foodservice segment. It expects the deal to add to adjusted earnings per share from fiscal 2028, not before.
Hormel’s share price from late June to 30 September: the 10.2% fall on the 27th of August, and the muted response to the Brakebush deal. Daily closes; the final point for today is the latest quote.
Chicken has been one of the most attractive growth categories in protein, and Brakebush has built an exceptional platform to serve that demand.
John Ghingo, president and CEO-elect of Hormel
Barclays analyst Benjamin Theuer called the deal strategically attractive, but said the market would likely focus on the acquisition multiple and a near-term rise in leverage, with debate centring on integration and synergies.
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The shares closed yesterday 20.0% below their 30 June close of $24.82. They fell 10.2% on the 27th of August, and Hormel had cut its annual sales forecast last month after missing third-quarter sales estimates. Regulatory clearance and delivery of the fiscal 2028 profit boost are still to come.
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