Every 8-K that Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) has filed with the SEC in the last 24 months is listed below, newest first, and each one links through to the document itself with the summary and the scores our analysis gives it.
A 8-K covers material events a company has to report between its quarterly reports, so if you follow HRL and want that one kind of document rather than the whole filing history, this is the page to keep. The company's other filings, of every form, are on the full HRL filings page.
HORMEL FOODS CORP (HRL) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $2.96 billion, with organic net sales down 2% from a year earlier. GAAP operating income was $111 million and GAAP operating margin fell to 3.7%, but adjusted operating income rose to $266 million and adjusted operating margin to 9.0%.
GAAP diluted EPS declined to $0.11 from $0.33, while adjusted diluted EPS increased to $0.37 from $0.35. Cash flow from operations was strong at $241 million, up 54%. Results included a $56 million loss on the Brazil divestiture, a $48.2 million non-cash impairment in Indonesia and a $38 million litigation settlement.
Retail segment net sales fell 4% and volume 9%, while Foodservice net sales grew 2% and segment profit rose 3%. International segment profit declined 254% on an impairment, though adjusted segment profit was flat. For fiscal 2026, Hormel now expects net sales of $12.1–$12.2 billion, GAAP EPS of $1.06–$1.12, and raises adjusted EPS guidance to $1.45–$1.51, implying 6–10% adjusted earnings growth.
HORMEL FOODS CORP (HRL) appointed Ash Bhumbla as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 8, 2026. Interim CFO Paul R. Kuehneman will conclude his interim role on that date and continue as Vice President and Controller and Principal Accounting Officer.
Bhumbla, age 39, previously held senior finance roles at Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms. His offer package includes an annual base salary of $700,000, target annual short-term incentive equal to 100% of base salary (prorated for fiscal 2026), and a long-term incentive target of $2.1 million, split approximately one-third each among performance-based cash, stock options, and time-based restricted stock units.
He will receive a one-time cash relocation bonus of $10,000, a cash sign-on award of $700,000 subject to multi-year repayment conditions, and a one-time RSU grant valued at $1.2 million vesting over three years. He participates in the Executive Severance Plan, with a defined lump-sum protection if that plan is reduced and he is later involuntarily terminated without cause.
Hormel Foods Corporation appointed John F. Ghingo, currently President and a director, as President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 26, 2026. He will remain on the Board. Jeffrey M. Ettinger’s service as Interim Chief Executive Officer will conclude on October 25, 2026, and he will continue as a director.
Effective July 27, 2026, Mr. Ghingo’s annual base salary as President increases from $730,000 to $1.2 million, and his fiscal 2026 short-term incentive target rises from 125% to 150% of base salary, prorated for the year. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he will receive an initial annual base salary of $1.28 million, a short-term incentive target of 150% of base salary, and an annual long-term incentive target of $6.8 million, split 50% performance-based cash, 25% stock options, and 25% time-based restricted stock units. He is also granted personal use of company aircraft up to $150,000 in aggregate incremental cost per year and eligibility under the Executive Severance Plan with a two-times severance factor.
Hormel Foods Corporation detailed a new international assignment for Swen Neufeldt, its Group Vice President, International, who will relocate to the company’s Singapore subsidiary while remaining in his current role. The assignment is set to begin on or around July 27, 2026, for an indefinite term at the company’s discretion.
Neufeldt will keep his current annual base salary of $526,400 and receive a cost-of-living adjustment of $56,103 per year, with continued eligibility for the company’s incentive and benefit programs. The agreement adds multiple relocation and expatriate benefits, including a $20,000 relocation payment, up to $25,000 for shipment of household goods, and a company-paid housing allowance of $90,566 per year in Singapore, along with tax equalization, travel reimbursements, and other support. Certain relocation costs must be repaid on a pro-rata basis if he resigns (other than a defined Qualified Retirement) or is terminated for cause within three years of the assignment start.
Hormel Foods reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results showing modest top-line growth and stronger performance on an adjusted basis. Net sales were $2.97 billion, with organic net sales up 3.3%. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.29, while adjusted diluted EPS rose to $0.40.
Adjusted operating income increased to $293.7 million, and adjusted operating margin improved to 9.9%. All three segments posted organic net sales and profit growth, led by Foodservice and International. Cash flow from operations was $179 million, and the company returned $161 million to shareholders through dividends.
Hormel completed the sale of its whole-bird turkey business, recording a $61 million loss, and expects about a $50 million reduction in fiscal 2026 net sales with minimal impact on adjusted EPS. For full-year 2026, it reaffirmed net sales of $12.2–$12.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.43–$1.51, but lowered GAAP EPS guidance to $1.28–$1.37 to reflect portfolio actions and special items.
Hormel Foods reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.03 billion, with organic net sales up 1.6%. Operating income was $244 million, and diluted EPS was $0.33, up from $0.31, while adjusted diluted EPS was $0.34 versus $0.35 a year earlier.
Performance was mixed by segment: Retail net sales fell 2% and segment profit declined 19%, while Foodservice net sales rose 7% and profit increased 13%. International net sales grew 8% with segment profit up 10%. Cash flow from operations reached $349 million, and the company returned about $160 million to shareholders through dividends.
For full-year 2026, Hormel reaffirmed net sales guidance of $12.2–$12.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.43–$1.51, implying 4–10% growth. GAAP EPS guidance was raised to $1.37–$1.46. The outlook incorporates the completed sale of the Justin’s® business and excludes the pending sale of the whole-bird turkey business, which is expected to reduce 2026 net sales by about $50 million with minimal impact on adjusted EPS.
Hormel Foods Corporation reported preliminary first quarter fiscal 2026 results, expecting net sales of approximately $3 billion, driven by 2% organic net sales growth compared to the prior-year quarter. The company anticipates diluted EPS of $0.33 and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.34.
Hormel reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance for organic net sales and adjusted diluted EPS and highlighted initiatives to return to profitable growth. It also entered a definitive agreement to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations, and currently estimates minimal impact on its 2026 net sales and adjusted EPS guidance.
Hormel Foods Corporation filed an amended report to detail the separation arrangements for former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jacinth Smiley, whose last day with the company was November 30, 2025. Under a Separation Agreement effective February 11, 2026, and conditioned on her signing and not revoking a general release of claims, she will receive three cash payments: $941,667 shortly after the Release revocation period ends, $916,667 on or close to January 15, 2027, and $916,666 on or close to January 14, 2028. She also remains eligible for a payout under a cash-based long-term incentive performance award granted on November 20, 2023, as if she had stayed employed through October 25, 2026. The agreement reinforces existing non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations and adds further confidentiality, non-disparagement, cooperation, and a 36-month non-solicitation commitment.
Hormel Foods Corporation used its 2026 annual meeting to refresh its long-term incentives and executive protections. Stockholders approved a new 2026 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, succeeding the 2018 plan and authorizing 18,000,000 new shares, for a total of 21,951,785 shares available for equity and cash-based awards as of January 27, 2026.
The Board also adopted an Executive Severance Plan effective January 31, 2026, providing designated officers cash severance, COBRA-related payments, a pro-rated annual bonus, and pro-rata vesting of restricted stock units upon qualifying terminations. The CEO role currently has a severance factor of 2.0 and other participants 1.0.
At the meeting, stockholders elected all 12 directors, ratified Ernst & Young LLP as auditor for fiscal 2026, approved on an advisory basis named executive officer compensation, and approved the 2026 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.
Hormel Foods Corporation filed a Form 8-K to announce that it has issued an earnings release covering its fourth quarter ended October 26, 2025. The company states that this earnings release, dated December 4, 2025, is furnished as Exhibit 99 and incorporated by reference. The filing is primarily a notice directing readers to that separate earnings release for detailed financial results and commentary.
Hormel Foods (HRL) announced a corporate restructuring to reduce administrative expenses, improve efficiencies, and align its workforce with future needs while continuing to invest in growth. The plan includes a voluntary early retirement program, closing certain open roles, involuntary role reductions, and select benefit changes.
The company expects to eliminate approximately 250 corporate and sales roles, with most departures by December 31, 2025. Hormel estimates $20–$25 million in restructuring charges, largely tied to one-time pension benefits, cash severance, stock compensation, and employee benefits. Most charges are expected in Q4 fiscal 2025 and Q1 fiscal 2026, with $8–$10 million anticipated as future cash expenditures over the next 12 months. The company notes these figures are estimates and could change.
Hormel Foods (HRL) filed an amended report detailing compensation for Interim CFO and Controller Paul Kuehneman, effective October 27, 2025. He will receive a $500,000 annual base salary and a fiscal 2026 short‑term incentive target of $300,000. The package includes 70,000 operators’ shares for fiscal 2026 and a long‑term incentive target of $550,000 split into $125,000 performance‑based cash, $125,000 stock options, and $300,000 time‑based RSUs, plus standard executive benefits. He has entered into the company’s standard indemnification and restrictive covenant agreements.
Hormel Foods (HRL) announced a leadership change. Ms. Jacinth Smiley is no longer serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 26, 2025, and is expected to remain employed until November 30, 2025. The Board appointed Mr. Paul Kuehneman, 54, as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Controller, effective October 27, 2025. The Company expects to enter into a separation agreement with Ms. Smiley, with material terms to be disclosed once finalized and approved.
The Company stated that Ms. Smiley’s departure is not the result of any disagreement regarding its financial statements, internal control over financial reporting, operations, policies, or practices. The filing also notes a furnished press release that included outlook for the fourth quarter ended October 26, 2025. Pursuant to Item 404(a), Mr. Kuehneman’s spouse previously received approximately $151,000 in total compensation in fiscal 2025 and retired on October 22, 2025.
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) filed an 8-K to disclose key leadership changes effective July 14, 2025. Current President & CEO James P. Snee will retire at fiscal year-end (October 26, 2025) and immediately transition to a special-advisor role through that date, followed by an 18-month consulting agreement beginning October 27, 2025.
Board actions. • Jeffrey M. Ettinger, former CEO (2006-2016) and current director, will become Interim Chief Executive Officer and remain on the Board (he steps off the Governance Committee). • John F. Ghingo, currently EVP-Retail, is promoted to President and joins the Board.
Ettinger compensation (Employment Agreement dated June 20, 2025; term ends October 25, 2026):
- Base salary $1.2 million.
- Annual STI target $2.0 million (prorated).
- One-time LTI award $7.2 million (≈75 % options, 25 % RSUs) vesting Oct 25 2026 & Apr 25 2027; no accelerated retirement vesting, no additional equity grants.
- Standard benefits plus 4 weeks 2025 vacation / 6 weeks 2026.
On separation at scheduled expiry (or death/disability) he receives earned salary, prorated bonus and vested benefits. If terminated without cause earlier, equity continues to vest.
Ghingo compensation (Employment Agreement dated June 20, 2025; term through Dec 31 2026):
- Base salary $730 k.
- Annual STI target 125 % of salary.
- Long-term incentive target $3.2 million (50 % perf-cash, 25 % options, 25 % RSUs) plus 100,000 operators’ shares.
- Relocation support: standard package, extra travel reimbursement up to $150 k, and potential $250 k loss-on-sale housing protection.
- Minimum 32 vacation days and 10 holidays.
If involuntarily terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, Ghingo is eligible for a $2 million lump-sum severance, forgiveness of relocation repayments and accrued obligations. “Good reason” includes failure to have him report to the full Board by Dec 31 2026.
Governance impact. The appointments ensure experienced interim leadership while the Board completes a longer-term CEO succession search. Compensation details provide clarity on near-term cost and incentive alignment.