The company shared earnings that beat estimates but revenue that fell short
Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) just entered the earnings confessional this morning, posting fiscal first-quarter profit of 89 cents per share on $2.24 billion in revenue, with the former topping estimates but the latter missing the mark. The company did caution against some current-quarter pressure to its gross margins coming from the labor shortage and higher material expenses, which has forced Campbell to raise its product prices. In response to the mixed report, CPB is up 2.4% at $42.11 at last check.
The shares of Campbell are off 15% in 2021, battling pressure at their 80-day moving average, which has kept a lid on the stock since its early June bear gap. The equity does appear to have found a floor at the $40 level, which sits just above its Oct. 28 three-year low of $39.76.
Analysts have yet to chime in on CPB's report, though most remain cautious. Of the eight in coverage, seven say "hold," with not a "buy" rating to be seen. Meanwhile, the 12-month consensus price target of $44.50 is a relatively slim 8.2% premium to last night's close.
Short sellers have been piling on, with short interest up 13.1% in the last two reporting periods. These bears are firmly in control, with short interest making up 8.2% of the stock's available float, or over six days' worth of pent-up buying power.