Overview

• U.S. salty snack maker's preliminary Q4 net sales rose slightly but missed analyst expectations

• Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $62 million to $64 million for Q4, increased yr/yr

• Company cites reduced inventories due to SNAP payment delays and government shutdown

Outlook

• Company to provide detailed 2026 guidance in February 2026

• Utz Brands plans California expansion in early 2026

• Company focuses on accelerating free cash flow generation

Result Drivers

• INVENTORY REDUCTION - Co said channel partners reduced inventories due to SNAP payment delays and government shutdown

• PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMS - Co attributed adjusted EBITDA growth to productivity and operational efficiency programs

• RETAIL SALES GROWTH - Co's retail sales growth outpaced the salty snack category, driven by Power Four Brands

Key Details

Analyst Coverage

• The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 8 "strong buy" or "buy", 3 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

• The average consensus recommendation for the food processing peer group is "buy"

• Wall Street's median 12-month price target for UTZ Brands Inc is $15.00, about 50.9% above its January 9 closing price of $9.94

• The stock recently traded at 11 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 14 three months ago

Press Release: ID:nBwnn9BFa

For questions concerning the data in this report, contact Estimates.Support@lseg.com. For any other questions or feedback, contact RefinitivNewsSupport@thomsonreuters.com.

(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)