Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQ:PPC) has been listed among the 12 best food stocks to buy in 2026.
On December 11, 2025, Grupo Santander analyst Guilherme Palhares raised the stock's rating from Neutral to Outperform, setting a price objective of $56. This was reported by TheFly.
Two days earlier, on December 9, 2025, Barclays maintained its Equal Weight rating on the stock. The firm reduced its price objective for Pilgrim's Pride from $49 to $45.
Barclays analyst Benjamin Theurer stated that agriculture markets are expected to see mixed outcomes in 2026. The firm holds a neutral to positive stance on fertilizer. It noted that biofuel legislation would impact grain traders and expressed a preference for seed over crude protein. Protein trends from 2025 are anticipated to continue into 2026.
For the third quarter of 2025, Pilgrim's Pride reported net sales of $4.8 billion and operating income of $492.6 million, achieving a margin of 10.4%. The company stated that demand remained high across both foodservice and retail segments. Its prepared foods category grew by more than 25% compared to the previous year.
The corporation maintains a net leverage of about 1.0x. It aims to invest $500 million in U.S. investments and has plans for expansion with key customers.
According to Morningstar, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is the second-largest poultry producer in the United States.