** General Mills GIS.N cut its annual forecasts on Wednesday, hit by choppy demand for salty snacks and pet food in North America amid competition from private-label rivals

** Average rating of 21 is "hold" with a median PT of $65.50 - data compiled by LSEG

** At least seven brokerages cut PT on stock

SPENDING MORE FOR GROWTH

** TD Cowen ("hold", PT: $57) sees other food companies to follow GIS in taking a hit to profit to invest in price, marketing and improve value proposition for consumers, given co's reputation as a bellwether

** Stifel ("buy", PT: $65) notes co's improving market share performance in categories where investments were made, and with broader investments into FY26 volume trends will improve sequentially

** Mizuho ("neutral"; PT: $62) says forecast missed already reduced expectations and that macro pressures remain significant, despite signs of no further material inventory reductions

** J.P. Morgan ("neutral", PT: $54) notes stock is already somewhat disliked by the buy side; sees more efficiencies, innovation offsetting price investments, tariff-driven inflation, and higher marketing

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru)

((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com;))