Cal-Maine Q3 profit falls but beats expectations
Lower egg prices weigh on results as prepared foods grow
1 April 2026
1 minute read
By: Cal-Maine Foods reported a decline in fiscal third-quarter results, as lower egg prices weighed on sales and profits, though both revenue and earnings per share came in above analyst expectations, reported Reuters.
The US egg producer posted Q3 revenue of $666.95 million, down 53% year over year but above the consensus estimate of $641.98 million. Earnings per share reached $1.06, beating expectations of $0.80. Net income totalled $51.12 million, with a gross margin of 17.9%.
During the quarter, the company repurchased $24.3 million in shares.
The decline in results was driven primarily by materially lower conventional and specialty egg prices. Improved supply, following prior-year avian influenza disruptions, contributed to lower wholesale egg prices.
At the same time, prepared foods sales rose sharply, supported by the acquisition of Echo Lake and growth from Crepini.
Looking ahead, Cal-Maine Foods expects prepared foods volumes to recover further as capacity and utilisation improve. The company anticipates more stable, higher-quality earnings over the long term and sees durable shifts in the egg category supporting its diversified strategy.
