Why Campbell Soup Stock Is Down 14% in 2017

What happened

Packaged foods specialist Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) shed 14% through the first half of 2017 according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The decline puts shareholders well behind a broader market that's up 7% in this short time frame.

So what

Campbell Soup's underperformance began in mid-February after shares slumped following a surprisingly weak fiscal second-quarter earnings report. In that announcement, the company revealed that organic sales fell 2%, and the fall was powered by market share losses. Adjusted profit margin ticked higher, but only because aggressive cost cuts temporarily offset the impact of lower prices.

"I am not satisfied with our sales performance this quarter," CEO Denise Morrison said in a press release at the time.

Campbell Soup's operating trends improved slightly in the following quarter, but remained negative as organic sales growth slipped by 1% and adjusted profit margin ticked down to 36.6% of sales from 37%.

Now what

Morrison and her executive team are facing a difficult competitive environment that's forcing most participants to cut prices. The company is adjusting by lowering its costs, and by speeding innovation around healthier, more convenient meals and snacks.

The company isn't projecting an improving demand picture over the next few months, though. In May, executives lowered their sales guidance and now expect full-year 2017 revenue to tick lower by as much as 1%. The good news is cost cuts will allow for slightly higher earnings. However, the stock isn't likely to rebound until investors see evidence of a return to a solid growth pace following years of declining volume.

10 stocks we like better than Campbell SoupWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Campbell Soup wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of July 6, 2017

Demitrios Kalogeropoulos has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.