Shares of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) turned pink in mid-day commerce on Friday. The inventory has dropped 19% up to now one month. The corporate delivered disappointing outcomes for the second quarter of 2025 and minimize steering for the total 12 months. The frozen potato merchandise provider expects headwinds to persist via the rest of this fiscal 12 months and into the subsequent. Listed below are a number of factors to notice:
Lackluster Q2 efficiency
Lamb Weston’s gross sales and earnings for the second quarter of 2025 declined on a year-over-year foundation and got here beneath expectations. Web gross sales decreased 8% to $1.60 billion whereas adjusted earnings per share fell 54% to $0.66 in Q2.
The corporate noticed quantity decline 6% within the quarter, primarily as a consequence of weak point in international restaurant visitors, buyer share losses, and impacts from the exiting of lower-price and lower-margin enterprise in Europe. Gross sales and quantity declined greater than anticipated through the quarter as a consequence of incremental buyer share losses in each segments attributable to heavy competitors.
In Q2, gross sales within the North America phase decreased 8% YoY. Quantity fell 5%, primarily as a consequence of a decline in US restaurant visitors.
As talked about on the convention name, US restaurant visitors dropped round 2% YoY in Q2. Regardless of a slight enchancment sequentially owing to larger promotions by fast service eating places (QSR), visitors traits remained down through the quarter. As well as, the fry attachment charge has remained regular, which is encouraging, however there was a trade-down in serving measurement, which is a headwind to volumes.
Volumes within the North America phase have been additionally harm by the carryover influence of smaller and regional buyer share losses in meals away-from-home channels within the prior 12 months in addition to share losses in sure chain restaurant accounts.
Gross sales within the Worldwide phase fell 6% in Q2. Quantity additionally fell 6%, primarily as a consequence of a drop in restaurant visitors throughout many key worldwide markets. Whereas restaurant visitors within the UK remained flat, it declined in Germany, France and Spain. China witnessed smooth visitors progress, and in Japan, QSR visitors grew on a YoY foundation however decelerated sequentially.
Volumes have been additionally harm by incremental buyer share losses as a consequence of powerful competitors, significantly within the Center East and sure markets in Asia Pacific. The exit of low-margin, low-price enterprise in EMEA additionally impacted volumes in Q2, though this would be the final quarter LW sees this headwind.
Lowered outlook
Lamb Weston expects challenges within the working surroundings to persist via the rest of fiscal 12 months 2025 and into fiscal 12 months 2026, primarily as a consequence of an rising charge of capability additions and continued softness in international frozen potato demand, significantly outdoors North America.
The corporate lowered its outlook for fiscal 12 months 2025 and now expects internet gross sales to be $6.35-6.45 billion versus its earlier expectation of $6.6-6.8 billion. Adjusted EPS is now anticipated to be $3.05-3.20 versus the prior outlook of $4.15-4.35.
As talked about on its name, through the second half of the 12 months, Lamb Weston expects incremental gross sales quantity strain in North America, as a result of sudden lack of a series restaurant buyer, and a larger-than-expected influence from the trade-down in serving measurement associated to promotional meals. These headwinds could also be partly offset by the advantage of some new buyer wins.
Within the Worldwide phase, the corporate expects volumes to be decrease than beforehand anticipated, primarily as a consequence of incremental buyer share losses attributable to heavy competitors, and softer restaurant visitors in key worldwide markets. LW additionally expects incremental pricing strain in every of its areas.
Lamb Weston is dealing with stiff competitors in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Demand progress continues to sluggish and extra provide from Europe and new gamers in India, China and the Center East are gaining share. The corporate can also be moderating a few of its pricing actions in EMEA. LW expects its internet gross sales for FY2025 to say no 1% YoY, pushed by a low to mid-single-digit decline in price-mix, partly offset by a low single-digit improve in quantity progress.
