US consumer staples earnings: six of eight companies beat EPS forecasts

what happened

Seeking Alpha has published its weekly tally for US consumer staples. Of eight companies that reported, six (75%) beat earnings-per-share forecasts and two came in below. Seven (87.5%) recorded year-over-year profit growth, while only three (37.5%) grew revenue on that basis. The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR fell 0.8% over the week, versus a 2% drop in the S&P 500, and is up about 16% year to date against nearly 8% for the index.

Kraft Heinz posted third-quarter revenue of $6.12 billion, down 1.9% from a year earlier and $30 million above consensus, while adjusted EPS of $0.53 beat the $0.42 estimate. It narrowed its organic net sales decline outlook to 0.5%-1.25% from 0.5%-2%. Kimberly-Clark's adjusted EPS of $1.70 topped the $1.64 consensus, and it reaffirmed its 2026 outlook.

Archer-Daniels-Midland's adjusted EPS of $1.77 compared with $0.92 a year earlier and beat $1.60, though revenue of $22.34 billion, up 9.6%, fell short of $22.51 billion. The company lifted its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $5.65. Clorox's first-quarter revenue rose 33% to $1.91 billion, helped by the GOJO acquisition, and adjusted EPS climbed 82% to $1.55, above $1.07 expected.

why it matters

Earnings were mostly stronger than expected, but top-line growth was thinner, so the picture for the sector is mixed. Results from staples companies tend to shape sentiment toward defensive equities and the funds that track them, so the weekly move in XLP relative to the broader market is worth watching.

market impact

US consumer staples: mostly beat earnings support sentiment, while weak sales growth limits the upside.

tags

instruments