Packaged Foods & Meats

This is your morning news summary from Benzinga for Thursday, May 26, 2011, covering overnight and pre-market news affecting today's trading session. Stock index futures were trading slightly higher this morning after the release of economic reports this morning. Equities were broadly positive on...

Calavo Growers (Nasdaq: CVGW) today announced that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of Renaissance Food Group, a closely held fresh-food company that produces, markets and distributes nationally a portfolio of healthy, high quality lifestyle products for consumers via the retail...

H.J. Heinz Co (NYSE: HNZ) reported its fourth-quarter profit at $223.9 million, or $0.70 per share, up from $192.4 million, or $0.61 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its income from continuing operations climbed to $0.69 per share from $0.60 per share. Breaking out closing costs of $0.02 per...

According to Goldman Sachs, Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) reported 2Q11 EPS of $0.40 versus GS and consensus at $0.39 and $0.40, respectively. Goldman Sachs said that the upside was driven by modestly better performance in Jennie-O Turkey Store and its international business. “HRL again raised its FY11...

Pre-open movers US stock futures are flat this morning, as investors are awaiting data on jobless claims and first-quarter economic growth. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 18 points to 12,369.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index rose 1.90 points to 1,318.50. Nasdaq 100...

H.J. Heinz Co (NYSE: HNZ) released its results for the fourth-quarter on Thursday. Heinz reported its fourth-quarter profit at $223.9 million, or $0.70 per share, up from $192.4 million, or $0.61 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its income from continuing operations climbed to $0.69 per...

The H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) announced today that its Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends on both common and preferred stock. The Heinz common stock dividend will be increased from 45.0 cents to 48.0 cents quarterly for all shareholders of record as of June 24, 2011, payable...

The H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) announced today that its Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends on both common and preferred stock. The Heinz common stock dividend will be increased from 45.0 cents to 48.0 cents quarterly for all shareholders of record as of June 24, 2011, payable...

US stock futures are higher this morning, as investors are awaiting data on jobless claims and first-quarter economic growth. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 29 points to 12,380.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index rose 2.70 points to 1,319.30. Nasdaq 100 futures gained...

Big Lots Inc (NYSE: BIG) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $0.69 per share on revenue of $1.23 billion. Fred's Inc (NASDAQ: FRED) is expected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.24 on revenue of $485.05 million. Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) is projected to report its Q1 EPS at $0.57 on revenue of $...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Wall Street expects Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) to report its Q1 EPS at $0.57 on revenue of $703.32 million. TIF shares surged 4.23% to $73.00 in after-hours trading. Guess? Inc (NYSE: GES) reported upbeat results for its fiscal first-...

Prior to the Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) annual shareholders meeting today, the company's board of directors declared a three-for-two split of the company's stock by means of a 50% stock dividend and also increased the annual cash dividend by $.10. This equates to a 12.5% increase over the previous...

Shares of UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE: UNH) fell about 0.6% after the company lifted its quarterly dividend by 30% to 16.25 cents a share. UnitedHealth's board also authorized the buyback of up to 110 million shares. Shares of California Pizza Kitchen Inc (NASDAQ: CPKI) surged about 10.2% after...

Goldman Sachs reiterated its Neutral rating and price target of $48 on Sanderson Farms (NASDAQ: SAFM), in spite of expectations of a sharp decline in the company's earnings this year. In a research report published today, Goldman Sachs stressed it feels confident the company can overcome rising...

H.J. Heinz (NYSE: HNZ) will be reporting its fiscal fourth-quarter 2011 results tomorrow, May 26, before the opening bell. Investors will be watching for updates on recent acquisitions and whether the company's focus on emerging markets will continue to pay off. Analysts are looking for the...