Dow and S&P 500 Close Lower Amid Oil Price Volatility
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 11 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CPB?
The Dow and S&P 500 closed lower as traders reacted to volatile oil prices and a key inflation report. Oil prices, which spiked above $100 and briefly approached $120 earlier in the week amid fears of disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have retreated significantly and are now trading below $90 after a coordinated release of emergency reserves. The International Energy Agency has agreed to release roughly 400M barrels from global strategic stockpiles in an effort to stabilize energy markets following the conflict-driven supply shock.U.S. forces sunk a number of Iranian ships, including 16 minelayers, on Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that a bulk carrier reported their vessel being hit by an unknown projectile near the Strait and two other incidents were also reported on Wednesday morning. Such developments have reinforced the fragility of global energy supply routes and kept risk sentiment unstable. Additionally, ABC News reported that the FBI said Iran wanted to retaliate against the U.S. by launching drones at the West Coast.Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration plans to announce new tariff investigations as soon as Wednesday.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:The International Energy Agency members have agreed to releasedue to war in the Middle EastOraclereportedand provided an upbeat outlook for Q4Nvidiain Nebiusas part of a strategic partnershipCampbell'sreportedand cut its FY26 guidanceCintasUniFirstfor $310 per share in cash and stock2. WALL STREET CALLS:Niketo Overweight at Barclays on operational progressJPMorganOracle, sees better risk/reward post selloffOptimum Communicationsto Market Perform at Raymond JamesYextto Neutral at Roth CapitalWells Fargo sees "too much risk,"coverage of Harley-Davidsonwith an Underweight rating3. AROUND THE WEB:McDonald'splans to introduce a lower-priced value menu, WSJ reportsIrth Capital has offered to acquire Papa John'sfor $47 per share, WSJ saysEli Lillyplans to invest $3B in China over the next decade, the drugmaker said in a Chinese-language statement on Wednesday, Reuters saysDue to the ongoing Qatar LNG shutdown, Shellhas declared force majeure on its liquefied natural gas contracts with some of its clients in Asia, Bloomberg saysAMDCEO Lisa Su will meet with SamsungChairman Jay Lee in South Korea to discuss cooperation on securing supplies of high-bandwidth memory to use in AI chipsets, Reuters reports4. MOVERS:Ocugengains after Oppenheimercoverage of the stock with an Outperform ratingCaesars (CZR) rises after the Wall Street Journal reported that Tilman Fertitta is in talks tofor about $7BVelo3Dhigher after CEO Arun Jeldifrom an existing debt holder and converted it into sharesKosmosfalls after announcing aHarmony Goldlower after reporting revenue for the5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Target Hospitality, with EPS and revenue beating consensusBrainswayand provided guidance for FY26Sprinklr, with CEO Rory Read commenting that the fourth quarter "capped a pivotal year in our transformation"Kamadaand reaffirms FY26 guidanceServe Roboticsand provided guidance for FY26INDEXES:The Dow fell 289.24, or 0.61%, to 47,417.27, the Nasdaq rose 19.03, or 0.084%, to 22,716.14, and the S&P 500 declined 5.68, or 0.084%, to 6,775.80.
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Analyst Views on CPB
Wall Street analysts forecast CPB stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
10 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 21.260
Low
27.00
Averages
31.07
High
38.00
Current: 21.260
Low
27.00
Averages
31.07
High
38.00
About CPB
The Campbell's Company, formerly Campbell Soup Company, provides affordable food and beverages. The Company is focused on brand powerhouse, across two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. The Company’s portfolio of approximately 16 brands includes Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Chunky, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8. It offers nutritious, convenient food for Canadian families. Its North American Foodservice division offers food, recipes, and tailored solutions for a wide range of segments, including healthcare facilities, restaurants and specialty coffee shops, schools, vending and micro-markets, and lodging throughout North America. Pacific Foods is a producer of organic broth and soup. Offering a wide range of tasty organic and plant-based options, soups include Creamy Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato and new ready-to-serve canned soups.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
CAMPBELL'S CO: PIPER SANDLER LOWERS TARGET PRICE FROM $25 TO $22
- Target Price Adjustment: Campbell's has reduced its target price for Piper Sandler from $25 to $22.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects changes in market conditions and expectations for Campbell's performance.
See More
Campbell's Faces Risk of S&P 500 Demotion
- Earnings Miss: Campbell's reported adjusted EPS of $0.51 for Q2 FY2026, falling short of the $0.57 estimate by 11%, while net sales dropped 5% to $2.56 billion, indicating significant challenges in a competitive market.
- Guidance Downgrade: Management lowered full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $2.15-$2.25 from $2.55, with projected organic net sales declining by 1%-2%, reflecting a concerning trend of stagnation in growth.
- Market Cap Erosion: The stock price has plummeted over 40% in the past year, resulting in a market cap of approximately $6.9 billion, making it the second lowest in the S&P 500, raising concerns about potential removal from the index, especially after four companies were recently demoted for similar reasons.
- Brand Strength vs. Challenges: While Campbell's boasts a valuable brand portfolio including Goldfish and V8, the critical question remains whether management can stabilize the business quickly enough to prevent further market cap erosion, with no clear catalysts on the horizon.
See More
Campbell's Faces Risk of S&P 500 Demotion
- Earnings Decline: Campbell's reported adjusted EPS of $0.51 for Q2 2026, missing the $0.57 estimate by 11%, while net sales fell 5% to $2.56 billion, indicating ongoing operational challenges.
- Guidance Cut: Management lowered full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $2.15-$2.25 from a previous high of $2.55, reflecting a pessimistic outlook on future performance amid declining sales.
- Market Share Erosion: The snacks division's operating earnings dropped to $67 million on $914 million in revenue, resulting in a 7.3% operating margin that is insufficient to justify the acquisition, highlighting integration issues.
- Stock Price Plunge: Over the past year, Campbell's stock has fallen more than 40%, with a market cap of approximately $6.9 billion, making it the second-lowest in the S&P 500 and raising concerns about its continued inclusion in the index.
See More
Analysis of Short Interest in Consumer Staples Sector
- Leading Short Interest: As of the end of March, Brown-Forman (BF.B) tops the list of shorted stocks in the consumer staples sector with 16.67% of shares sold short, indicating significant market skepticism regarding demand trends for premium alcohol, which could adversely affect its sales outlook.
- Other Shorted Stocks: Following closely are Campbell's Company (CPB) and Boston Beer Company (SAM) with short interests of 13.34% and 11.90%, respectively, reflecting a lack of investor confidence that may lead to increased stock price volatility.
- Least Shorted Stocks: In contrast, Smithfield Foods (SFD) boasts the lowest short interest at 0.85%, showcasing strong investor confidence in its stability, which may attract more conservative investors seeking reliable returns.
- Market Trends: Overall, the short interest landscape in the consumer staples sector suggests that while some companies face demand uncertainties, defensive stocks remain favored, potentially performing well amid future market fluctuations.
See More
Conagra Stock Downgraded, Plummets Over 18%
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Analyst Chris Carey from Wells Fargo downgraded Conagra's rating from equal weight to underweight, leading to a more than 18% drop in stock price last month, reflecting a pessimistic outlook on the company's future performance.
- Increased Financial Pressure: Carey highlighted Conagra's high leverage and significant payouts for its high-yield dividend, which remains at $0.35 per share, yielding 8.9%, but also results in a high payout ratio that could jeopardize financial stability.
- Intensified Market Competition: As consumer preferences shift towards fresher foods, Conagra faces challenges in maintaining competitiveness, particularly with its core brands like Birds Eye and Hebrew National under pressure in the modern market, making brand refreshment increasingly urgent.
- Divergent Analyst Views: While UBS analyst Peter Grom maintains a neutral rating with a $20 price target for Conagra, he acknowledges that current market conditions are not ideal, suggesting that investors should carefully consider the company's future growth potential before making decisions.
See More
Analyst Downgrade Sends Conagra Stock Down Over 18%
- Downgrade Impact: Analyst Chris Carey from Wells Fargo downgraded Conagra's rating from equal weight to underweight, resulting in a more than 18% drop in stock price last month, reflecting market concerns about the overall outlook for the food industry.
- Increased Financial Pressure: Carey highlighted that Conagra's high leverage and significant payouts for its high-yield dividend are straining its finances, particularly amid sluggish consumption trends and ongoing inflation, which could jeopardize the company's long-term stability.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: While Conagra has thrived on comfort food, modern consumers are increasingly favoring fresher options, posing challenges for the company as it competes against other food brands in a shifting market.
- Dividend Appeal vs. Risk: Conagra declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, yielding 8.9%, but with a payout ratio of 8.86%, there are concerns about potential dividend cuts in the future, prompting investors to exercise caution.
See More
CAMPBELL'S CO: PIPER SANDLER LOWERS TARGET PRICE FROM $25 TO $22
- Target Price Adjustment: Campbell's has reduced its target price for Piper Sandler from $25 to $22.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects changes in market conditions and expectations for Campbell's performance.
See More
Campbell's Faces Risk of S&P 500 Demotion
- Earnings Miss: Campbell's reported adjusted EPS of $0.51 for Q2 FY2026, falling short of the $0.57 estimate by 11%, while net sales dropped 5% to $2.56 billion, indicating significant challenges in a competitive market.
- Guidance Downgrade: Management lowered full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $2.15-$2.25 from $2.55, with projected organic net sales declining by 1%-2%, reflecting a concerning trend of stagnation in growth.
- Market Cap Erosion: The stock price has plummeted over 40% in the past year, resulting in a market cap of approximately $6.9 billion, making it the second lowest in the S&P 500, raising concerns about potential removal from the index, especially after four companies were recently demoted for similar reasons.
- Brand Strength vs. Challenges: While Campbell's boasts a valuable brand portfolio including Goldfish and V8, the critical question remains whether management can stabilize the business quickly enough to prevent further market cap erosion, with no clear catalysts on the horizon.
See More
Campbell's Faces Risk of S&P 500 Demotion
- Earnings Decline: Campbell's reported adjusted EPS of $0.51 for Q2 2026, missing the $0.57 estimate by 11%, while net sales fell 5% to $2.56 billion, indicating ongoing operational challenges.
- Guidance Cut: Management lowered full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $2.15-$2.25 from a previous high of $2.55, reflecting a pessimistic outlook on future performance amid declining sales.
- Market Share Erosion: The snacks division's operating earnings dropped to $67 million on $914 million in revenue, resulting in a 7.3% operating margin that is insufficient to justify the acquisition, highlighting integration issues.
- Stock Price Plunge: Over the past year, Campbell's stock has fallen more than 40%, with a market cap of approximately $6.9 billion, making it the second-lowest in the S&P 500 and raising concerns about its continued inclusion in the index.
See More
Analysis of Short Interest in Consumer Staples Sector
- Leading Short Interest: As of the end of March, Brown-Forman (BF.B) tops the list of shorted stocks in the consumer staples sector with 16.67% of shares sold short, indicating significant market skepticism regarding demand trends for premium alcohol, which could adversely affect its sales outlook.
- Other Shorted Stocks: Following closely are Campbell's Company (CPB) and Boston Beer Company (SAM) with short interests of 13.34% and 11.90%, respectively, reflecting a lack of investor confidence that may lead to increased stock price volatility.
- Least Shorted Stocks: In contrast, Smithfield Foods (SFD) boasts the lowest short interest at 0.85%, showcasing strong investor confidence in its stability, which may attract more conservative investors seeking reliable returns.
- Market Trends: Overall, the short interest landscape in the consumer staples sector suggests that while some companies face demand uncertainties, defensive stocks remain favored, potentially performing well amid future market fluctuations.
See More
Conagra Stock Downgraded, Plummets Over 18%
- Rating Downgrade Impact: Analyst Chris Carey from Wells Fargo downgraded Conagra's rating from equal weight to underweight, leading to a more than 18% drop in stock price last month, reflecting a pessimistic outlook on the company's future performance.
- Increased Financial Pressure: Carey highlighted Conagra's high leverage and significant payouts for its high-yield dividend, which remains at $0.35 per share, yielding 8.9%, but also results in a high payout ratio that could jeopardize financial stability.
- Intensified Market Competition: As consumer preferences shift towards fresher foods, Conagra faces challenges in maintaining competitiveness, particularly with its core brands like Birds Eye and Hebrew National under pressure in the modern market, making brand refreshment increasingly urgent.
- Divergent Analyst Views: While UBS analyst Peter Grom maintains a neutral rating with a $20 price target for Conagra, he acknowledges that current market conditions are not ideal, suggesting that investors should carefully consider the company's future growth potential before making decisions.
See More
Analyst Downgrade Sends Conagra Stock Down Over 18%
- Downgrade Impact: Analyst Chris Carey from Wells Fargo downgraded Conagra's rating from equal weight to underweight, resulting in a more than 18% drop in stock price last month, reflecting market concerns about the overall outlook for the food industry.
- Increased Financial Pressure: Carey highlighted that Conagra's high leverage and significant payouts for its high-yield dividend are straining its finances, particularly amid sluggish consumption trends and ongoing inflation, which could jeopardize the company's long-term stability.
- Changing Competitive Landscape: While Conagra has thrived on comfort food, modern consumers are increasingly favoring fresher options, posing challenges for the company as it competes against other food brands in a shifting market.
- Dividend Appeal vs. Risk: Conagra declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, yielding 8.9%, but with a payout ratio of 8.86%, there are concerns about potential dividend cuts in the future, prompting investors to exercise caution.
See More
