Earnings per share (EPS) is one of the most commonly used financial metrics in stock analysis. For investors looking to assess a company's profitability on a per-share basis, EPS provides crucial insights. It is calculated by dividing a company's net income, after subtracting dividends on preferred stock, by the average number of outstanding shares. This ratio represents the portion of a company's profit allocated to each share of common stock, allowing investors to gauge a company’s financial health and performance over time.
Why EPS Matters
EPS is an important measure because it directly ties a company’s profitability to the individual investor. Rather than looking at total earnings, which can be skewed by company size, EPS gives a more personalized view of profitability, taking into account the actual number of shares in circulation. When comparing companies, investors can see how efficiently each business converts profits into shareholder value.
EPS also plays a vital role in calculating other financial ratios, such as the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio, which assesses whether a stock is over- or undervalued. A company with a high EPS relative to its peers may indicate strong growth potential, while a declining EPS could signal trouble ahead.
EPS in Practice: Pepsico (PEP), Kraft Heinz (KHC), and Tyson Foods (TSN)
Let’s take a look at how three food industry giants—Pepsico (PEP), Kraft Heinz (KHC), and Tyson Foods (TSN)—have performed in terms of EPS over the past three years, and how this has impacted their stock prices. While these companies aren’t direct competitors in every product category, they all operate within the food and beverage sector, offering a fair comparison for backtesting.
Pepsico (PEP)
Pepsico, a global leader in snacks and beverages, has shown consistent earnings growth. In 2021, Pepsico’s EPS was approximately $5.49. By 2023, the company reported an EPS of $7.27, representing robust growth over three years. This translates into a 32.4% increase in EPS. During the same period, Pepsico’s stock price has grown from around $147 to $169, a gain of approximately 15%.
Pepsico’s stable EPS growth is reflective of its diverse product portfolio, including brands like Lay's, Gatorade, and Pepsi. Investors have rewarded the company’s ability to consistently grow its earnings while maintaining solid margins, even in the face of rising costs and inflationary pressures.
Kraft Heinz (KHC)
Kraft Heinz, known for iconic products like Heinz ketchup and Kraft cheese, has had a rockier journey. In 2021, Kraft Heinz reported an EPS of $3.41, but by 2023, its EPS had declined to $2.65, representing a 22.3% decrease. Over this period, Kraft Heinz’s stock price has been relatively flat, moving from around $36 in 2021 to $34 in 2023, a minor decline of 5.5%.
The decrease in EPS for Kraft Heinz reflects ongoing challenges, including supply chain disruptions and rising commodity costs, coupled with consumer trends shifting toward healthier options. This drop in profitability has negatively impacted its stock performance, illustrating the strong correlation between EPS and stock price movements.
Tyson Foods (TSN)
Tyson Foods, a major player in the protein industry, especially with its chicken, beef, and pork products, presents another case. In 2021, Tyson’s EPS was $5.66, and by 2023, this figure rose to $7.22, reflecting a 27.6% increase. Over the same period, Tyson’s stock price climbed from around $65 to $72, a rise of approximately 10.8%.
While Tyson’s EPS growth is notable, its stock price growth has been more moderate than that of Pepsico. This can be attributed to the cyclical nature of the protein industry, which is influenced by fluctuating feed costs and shifting consumer demand. Nevertheless, the stock’s price did reflect Tyson’s improved profitability, showing how EPS can be an important driver of stock performance.
EPS and Stock Price Correlation
When comparing these three companies, a pattern emerges: companies with strong, consistent EPS growth tend to experience positive stock price movements. Pepsico’s steady EPS increase over the past three years has coincided with a solid rise in its stock price, while Kraft Heinz’s declining EPS has led to stagnation or slight decline in its stock price. Tyson Foods, with its significant EPS growth, also saw a positive but moderate stock price increase, reflecting how other market factors, like sector-specific challenges, can play a role.
Conclusion: EPS as a Key Metric for Investors
For investors, EPS is a vital indicator of a company’s profitability, offering insights into its financial performance on a per-share basis. By comparing EPS across companies, investors can better assess which stocks are likely to deliver sustained value. Pepsico, with its consistent earnings growth, demonstrates how EPS can be a predictor of long-term stock price appreciation. On the other hand, Kraft Heinz’s struggles underscore how declining EPS often leads to stagnating stock performance. Tyson Foods provides a middle ground, where strong EPS growth helped boost stock prices, though not as dramatically as in Pepsico’s case.
For long-term investors, monitoring EPS trends can be a powerful tool for identifying companies that are effectively converting their profits into shareholder value, making it an essential part of any investment analysis.
