Egg price reset hits results at Cal-Maine Foods (NASDAQ: CALM) in Q2 2026
Cal-Maine Foods’ latest quarter shows lower profits as egg prices normalize from prior-year highs, partly offset by growth in prepared foods and recent acquisitions. Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2025 fell to $769.5 million from $954.7 million, with net income attributable to the company down to $102.8 million from $219.1 million as conventional egg prices dropped sharply.
Prepared foods revenue surged to $71.7 million from $10.4 million, driven by the Echo Lake Foods acquisition, while specialty egg revenue held roughly flat. The company closed a $275.4 million Echo Lake deal and a $23.7 million Clean Egg asset purchase, expanding cage-free and prepared foods capacity.
Cal-Maine ended the quarter with $371.4 million in cash and $769.5 million of available-for-sale securities, and paid $34.2 million in dividends for the quarter under its policy of distributing one-third of quarterly GAAP net income. Ongoing legal matters include a $43.6 million antitrust judgment in the egg products case (with a $19.6 million accrual and appeal pending) and an Oklahoma watershed ruling with about $70,000 in penalties plus long-term remediation obligations.
Positive
- Rapid growth in prepared foods: Prepared foods revenue rose to $71.7 million for the quarter from $10.4 million a year earlier, largely from the Echo Lake Foods acquisition, broadening Cal-Maine’s earnings base beyond shell eggs.
- Strategic acquisitions and cage-free expansion: The company completed a $275.4 million Echo Lake Foods deal and a $23.7 million Clean Egg asset purchase, adding cage-free capacity and expanding its presence in higher-value prepared foods.
Negative
- Sharp earnings decline on lower egg prices: Quarterly net sales fell from $954.7 million to $769.5 million and net income attributable to the company dropped from $219.1 million to $102.8 million as conventional shell egg prices per dozen declined 38.8%.
- Material legal and remediation exposures: A $43.6 million antitrust judgment in the egg products case (with a $19.6 million accrual and appeal pending) and long-term funding obligations under the Oklahoma watershed ruling add ongoing financial and operational burdens.
Insights
Normalized egg prices cut profits sharply, while acquisitions accelerate diversification into prepared foods.
Cal-Maine Foods reported thirteen-week net sales of
Despite weaker egg pricing, gross profit for the quarter remained solid at
Diversification is evident: prepared foods revenue increased to
FAQ
How did Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) perform in its latest reported quarter?
For the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2025, Cal-Maine Foods generated net sales of $769.5 million, down from $954.7 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to the company declined to $102.8 million from $219.1 million, mainly because the net average selling price per dozen shell eggs fell 26.5% as egg markets normalized after prior HPAI-driven disruptions.
What were Cal-Maine Foods’ key profitability metrics this quarter?
The company reported quarterly gross profit of $207.4 million, compared with $356.0 million in the prior-year period. Operating income was $123.9 million versus $278.1 million a year ago, with diluted earnings per common share at $2.13, down from $4.47. Lower conventional egg prices were the primary driver of the reduced profitability.
How significant is prepared foods to Cal-Maine Foods’ revenue now?
Prepared foods have become a much larger contributor, with quarterly prepared foods revenue rising to $71.7 million from $10.4 million in the prior-year quarter. This growth is largely due to the Echo Lake Foods acquisition, which added waffles, pancakes, omelets, egg patties and other prepared products to the portfolio.
What recent acquisitions has Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) completed?
Effective June 2, 2025, the company acquired Echo Lake Foods for cash consideration of $275.4 million, adding a broad prepared foods platform. On October 10, 2025, it also acquired certain assets of Clean Egg, LLC in Texas for approximately $23.7 million, including 677 thousand brown cage-free and free-range layers and pullets, inventory, machinery and equipment.
What is Cal-Maine Foods’ dividend policy and recent dividend activity?
The board-adopted policy provides for quarterly dividends equal to one-third of GAAP net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods for each profitable quarter, with catch-up provisions if there was a prior loss. For the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2025, the company declared dividends of $0.719 per share, totaling $34.2 million, and dividends payable on the balance sheet were $34.3 million.
What major legal matters are affecting Cal-Maine Foods currently?
Key matters include the Kraft Foods Global et al. v. United Egg Producers et al. egg products antitrust case, where a jury award of $17.8 million was trebled to a $43.6 million judgment jointly and severally against defendants. Cal-Maine has posted a $23.9 million bond and recorded a $19.6 million accrual. In the Oklahoma watershed case, the court imposed about $70,000 in penalties and ordered long-term injunctive and remediation obligations funded by defendants.
How exposed is Cal-Maine Foods to HPAI and what steps has it taken?
The company operates the largest U.S. flock with about 49.3 million layers and 11.4 million pullets and breeders as of November 29, 2025, and notes that HPAI remains widespread in wild birds. It reports investing more than $83 million in biosecurity since 2015 and increased its average number of layer hens by 2.6% and breeder flocks by 12.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 versus the prior-year quarter to help mitigate supply tightness.