On the stock market since 1954, it operates in the everyday-essentials business. It has 13,700 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Revenue is spread across several lines; no single product carries the company.
No real growth (5% a year).
The gap is $7.1B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
Clearly below the class average.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Price Momentum: The stock has lagged the market in recent months; investor interest is weak right now.
The stock trades 59% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 7 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 49 buys and 8 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $1.56 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
The stock trades 12% above the average analyst price target.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 25/100.
Buyers haven’t stepped back in yet; the price hasn’t found its footing. Report-card grade: 48/100. For a turnaround signal, the stock first needs to close the gap with the market.
On our five-subject report card, CPB sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: CPB is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate here isn’t the price — it’s whether the company can keep up this pace.