The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT) and the rest of the perishable food stocks fared in Q4.

The perishable food industry is diverse, encompassing large-scale producers and distributors to specialty and artisanal brands. These companies sell produce, dairy products, meats, and baked goods and have become integral to serving modern American consumers who prioritize freshness, quality, and nutritional value. Investing in perishable food stocks presents both opportunities and challenges. While the perishable nature of products can introduce risks related to supply chain management and shelf life, it also creates a constant demand driven by the necessity for fresh food. Companies that can efficiently manage inventory, distribution, and quality control are well-positioned to thrive in this competitive market. Navigating the perishable food industry requires adherence to strict food safety standards, regulations, and labeling requirements.

The 11 perishable food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6% since the latest earnings results.

Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT)

Standing out from typical processed pet foods, Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a pet food company whose product portfolio includes natural meals and treats for dogs and cats.

Freshpet reported revenues of $262.7 million, up 22% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.6%, but it was still a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

"Fiscal year 2024 was a breakout year for Freshpet. We continued to deliver the exceptional net sales growth investors have come to expect from Freshpet but also delivered very strong profit improvements - and even exceeded some of the fiscal year 2027 targets we set two years ago. We also delivered full-year positive net income for the first time. The strength of this sustained performance, coupled with our operating cash flow improvements, gives us confidence we will be free cash flow positive in 2026 and able to self-fund our growth going forward," commented Billy Cyr, Freshpet’s Chief Executive Officer.

Freshpet delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. The stock is down 40.8% since reporting and currently trades at $77.45.

Is now the time to buy Freshpet? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO)

Founded in 1983 in California, Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO) grows, packages, and distributes avocados.

Mission Produce reported revenues of $334.2 million, up 29.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 17%. The business had an incredible quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Mission Produce pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 15.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $9.95.

Is now the time to buy Mission Produce? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE: FDP)

Translating to "of the mountain" in Spanish, Fresh Del Monte (NYSE: FDP) is a leader in providing high-quality, sustainably grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fresh Del Monte Produce reported revenues of $1.01 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and gross margin estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.6% since the results and currently trades at $31.98.

Read our full analysis of Fresh Del Monte Produce’s results here.

Cal-Maine (NASDAQ: CALM)

Known for brands such as Egg-Land’s Best and Land O’ Lakes, Cal-Maine (NASDAQ: CALM) produces, packages, and distributes eggs.

Cal-Maine reported revenues of $1.42 billion, up 102% year on year. This print lagged analysts' expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and gross margin estimates.

Cal-Maine achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 3.4% since reporting and currently trades at $93.59.

Read our full, actionable report on Cal-Maine here, it’s free.

Dole (NYSE: DOLE)

Known for its delicious pineapples and Hawaiian roots, Dole (NYSE: DOLE) is a global agricultural company specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dole reported revenues of $2.17 billion, up 4.6% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 6.9%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 6.5% since reporting and currently trades at $13.13.

Read our full, actionable report on Dole here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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