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Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Hormel Foods's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Apr. 2026 was $7,534 Mil.
Hormel Foods's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Oct. 2025 ($7,517 Mil) to Jan. 2026 ($7,537 Mil) but then
declined
from Jan. 2026 ($7,537 Mil) to Apr. 2026 ($7,534 Mil).
Hormel Foods's annual retained earnings
increased
from Oct. 2023 ($7,493 Mil) to Oct. 2024 ($7,678 Mil) but then
declined
from Oct. 2024 ($7,678 Mil) to Oct. 2025 ($7,517 Mil).
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
Hormel Foods Retained Earnings Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Hormel Foods's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
Hormel Foods (HRL) has a Retained Earnings of $7,534 Mil as of Apr. 2026. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Hormel Foods and its competitors.
Is Hormel Foods' Retained Earnings too high?
Hormel Foods' current Retained Earnings is $7,534 Mil. Overall, Hormel Foods has a GF Score™ of 67/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Hormel Foods' Retained Earnings compare to MKC and JBS?
Hormel Foods' Retained Earnings of $7,534 Mil can be compared against companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for a Consumer Packaged Goods company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Consumer Packaged Goods industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Hormel Foods and its competitors. Hormel Foods's current Retained Earnings is $7,534 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Hormel Foods stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Hormel Foods (HRL) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $31.24, compared to a current price of $25.71 — trading 17.7% below its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is $7,534 Mil. Hormel Foods' overall GF Score™ is 67/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Hormel Foods (HRL), the current Retained Earnings is $7,534 Mil as of Apr. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Hormel Foods (HRL) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Hormel Foods stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $25.71 is trading 17.7% below its estimated GF Value™ of $31.24.
GuruFocus considers Hormel Foods to be Modestly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for HRL:
Retained Earnings: $7,534 Mil
GF Value™: $31.24 vs. price of $25.71 (17.7% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the HRL stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Historically meat-focused, Hormel Foods broadened its lineup to include other protein offerings and became a branded food company. The firm sells its wares through multiple channels, including US retail (61.6% of fiscal 2025 sales), US foodservice (32.6%), and international (5.9%). By product, 73% of fiscal 2025 sales were from perishable food and 27% from shelf-stable. Major brands include Hormel, Spam, Jennie-O, Columbus, Applegate, Planters, and Skippy. Many of these hold the number one or two market share in their respective categories.
67GF Score
Get the complete analysis for HRL
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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