Justice Department Prepares Antitrust Lawsuit Against Cal-Maine Foods
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 17 2026
0mins
The Justice Department is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against some of the country's biggest egg producers, including Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) and Versova, over allegations "they coordinated pricing through an information service that benchmarks prices for the industry," according to the Wall Street Journal's Dave Michaels, citing people familiar with the matter. No final decision has been made on the egg case, ant the department and egg producers could reach a settlement that avoids litigation, the sources added.
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Analyst Views on CALM
Wall Street analysts forecast CALM stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 76.340
Low
85.00
Averages
90.00
High
100.00
Current: 76.340
Low
85.00
Averages
90.00
High
100.00
About CALM
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is primarily engaged in the production, packaging, marketing and distribution of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally enhanced eggs, as well as a variety of ready-to-eat egg products. The Company’s integrated operations consist of hatching chicks, growing and maintaining flocks of pullets, layers and breeders, manufacturing feed, and producing, processing, packaging, and distributing shell eggs. The Company provides specialty and conventional eggs. Specialty eggs encompass a broad range of products, such as cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally enhanced eggs. Its Farmhouse Eggs brand eggs are produced at its facilities by hens that are provided with a vegetarian diet. It markets organic, vegetarian and omega-3 eggs under its 4-Grain brand, which consists of conventional and cage-free eggs. Its Sunups and Sunny Meadow brands are sold as conventional eggs.
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.
Cal-Maine Foods to Attend 2026 D.A. Davidson Conference
- Management Participation: Cal-Maine Foods' management team will attend the D.A. Davidson Technology & Consumer Conference from June 10-12, 2026, highlighting the company's commitment to investor relations.
- One-on-One Meetings: CEO Sherman Miller, CFO Max Bowman, and Chief Strategy Officer Keira Lombardo will engage in one-on-one meetings with institutional investors, aiming to strengthen communication and trust with stakeholders.
- Industry Leadership: As the largest egg company in the U.S., Cal-Maine Foods offers a diverse range of egg products, including organic, cage-free, and nutritionally enhanced options, catering to retail and foodservice customers nationwide, thereby reinforcing its market leadership.
- Commitment to Sustainability: The company emphasizes innovation and sustainability by providing nutritious egg products, enhancing long-term value for stakeholders, and demonstrating its responsibility and mission within the food industry.
See More
Cal-Maine Foods Acquires Van's Foods to Expand Business
- Attractive Dividend Yield: Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) boasts an annual dividend yield of 6.30%, placing it among the top 10 high dividend stocks according to analysts, indicating strong cash flow stability and potential investor interest.
- Acquisition of Van's Foods: On May 12, Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of certain assets of Van's Foods from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, a move that will diversify its business and enhance its competitiveness in the consumer market, as Van's is a leading brand in gluten-free waffles.
- Sales Growth Expectations: The acquisition is expected to increase Cal-Maine Foods' annual prepared foods sales by approximately 10% and boost volume by about 6% on a pro forma basis, enhancing the company's ability to meet changing consumer preferences while expanding its reach across retail and e-commerce channels.
- Competitive Market Advantage: Van's Foods has a strong retail distribution network and value proposition in the fast-growing better-for-you frozen breakfast market, and through this acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods will further solidify its leadership position in the egg-based food industry while catering to diverse dietary needs.
See More
Twin Lions Management Acquires Stake in Cal-Maine Foods
- New Investment Position: On May 14, 2026, Twin Lions Management acquired 221,544 shares of Cal-Maine Foods in a transaction valued at approximately $18.20 million, indicating confidence in the company despite a 20% decline in its stock price over the past year.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This acquisition represents 10.6% of Twin Lions' reportable assets under management, highlighting Cal-Maine's significance in the investment portfolio, particularly amid current volatility in egg prices.
- Financial Performance Review: Cal-Maine Foods reported a 53% drop in net sales to $667 million and a 90% decline in net income to $50.5 million in the latest quarter; however, management believes the company is adapting through a diversified product mix, with specialty eggs accounting for 50.5% of sales.
- Future Growth Potential: Cal-Maine Foods maintains over $1.15 billion in cash and short-term investments, and if management successfully expands its specialty and prepared foods business, future earnings could become less cyclical, enhancing investment appeal.
See More
Twin Lions Acquires Stake in Cal-Maine Foods
- New Investment Update: Twin Lions acquired 221,544 shares of Cal-Maine Foods at the end of Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $18.20 million, representing 11% of its 13F reportable assets under management.
- Impact of Price Fluctuations: Despite Cal-Maine Foods experiencing a 53% drop in net sales to $667 million and a 90% decline in net income to $50.5 million, Twin Lions' investment reflects confidence in the company's future profitability.
- Business Transformation Strategy: Specialty egg sales accounted for 50.5% of total sales, while prepared foods contributed 9.5%, indicating a strategic shift towards more durable earnings and reduced dependence on volatile commodity cycles.
- Strong Cash Flow Position: Cal-Maine Foods holds over $1.15 billion in cash and short-term investments, generating significant profits even in a weak pricing environment, and if successful in expanding its specialty and prepared foods business, future earnings could become more stable.
See More
Egg Prices Drop but Producers Face New Challenges
- Egg Price Decline: In March 2026, egg prices fell by 44.7% year-over-year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking a shift from last year's avian flu-induced shortages to a current oversupply situation, which benefits consumers but pressures producers' margins.
- Rising Production Costs: Thomas Flocco, CEO of Pete & Gerry's, highlighted that rising feed and fuel costs are squeezing producers, with about half of the cost of premium eggs attributed to feed, exacerbated by elevated input costs over the past years.
- Strong Demand: Despite the oversupply, a survey indicates that over 40% of Americans are more focused on protein than five years ago, showing eggs' continued appeal as a nutritious food, yet this strong demand has not alleviated producers' oversupply challenges.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Sherman Miller, CEO of Cal-Maine Foods, noted that the current price weakness reflects a supply recovery outpacing demand absorption, indicating that while consumer demand is rebounding, producers still face challenges from the oversupply resulting from flock recovery post-avian influenza.
See More
Cal-Maine Acquires Van's Foods Assets to Diversify
- Strategic Diversification: Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of certain assets from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery's Van's Foods, marking a significant step in the company's diversification strategy aimed at enhancing its market position in prepared foods.
- Sales Growth Expectations: The acquisition is expected to increase Cal-Maine Foods' prepared foods annual sales by approximately 10% and volume by about 6%, thereby driving overall company performance.
- Enhanced Market Adaptability: With Van's Foods leading in gluten-free waffles, the acquisition will bolster Cal-Maine Foods' ability to meet evolving consumer preferences while expanding its influence across retail and e-commerce channels.
- Operational Synergies: Post-acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods will leverage its existing distribution network to optimize logistics, improve cost efficiency, and enhance quality control, with prepared foods capacity expected to increase by over 30% in the next 18 to 24 months.
See More
Cal-Maine Foods to Attend 2026 D.A. Davidson Conference
- Management Participation: Cal-Maine Foods' management team will attend the D.A. Davidson Technology & Consumer Conference from June 10-12, 2026, highlighting the company's commitment to investor relations.
- One-on-One Meetings: CEO Sherman Miller, CFO Max Bowman, and Chief Strategy Officer Keira Lombardo will engage in one-on-one meetings with institutional investors, aiming to strengthen communication and trust with stakeholders.
- Industry Leadership: As the largest egg company in the U.S., Cal-Maine Foods offers a diverse range of egg products, including organic, cage-free, and nutritionally enhanced options, catering to retail and foodservice customers nationwide, thereby reinforcing its market leadership.
- Commitment to Sustainability: The company emphasizes innovation and sustainability by providing nutritious egg products, enhancing long-term value for stakeholders, and demonstrating its responsibility and mission within the food industry.
See More
Cal-Maine Foods Acquires Van's Foods to Expand Business
- Attractive Dividend Yield: Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) boasts an annual dividend yield of 6.30%, placing it among the top 10 high dividend stocks according to analysts, indicating strong cash flow stability and potential investor interest.
- Acquisition of Van's Foods: On May 12, Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of certain assets of Van's Foods from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, a move that will diversify its business and enhance its competitiveness in the consumer market, as Van's is a leading brand in gluten-free waffles.
- Sales Growth Expectations: The acquisition is expected to increase Cal-Maine Foods' annual prepared foods sales by approximately 10% and boost volume by about 6% on a pro forma basis, enhancing the company's ability to meet changing consumer preferences while expanding its reach across retail and e-commerce channels.
- Competitive Market Advantage: Van's Foods has a strong retail distribution network and value proposition in the fast-growing better-for-you frozen breakfast market, and through this acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods will further solidify its leadership position in the egg-based food industry while catering to diverse dietary needs.
See More
Twin Lions Management Acquires Stake in Cal-Maine Foods
- New Investment Position: On May 14, 2026, Twin Lions Management acquired 221,544 shares of Cal-Maine Foods in a transaction valued at approximately $18.20 million, indicating confidence in the company despite a 20% decline in its stock price over the past year.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This acquisition represents 10.6% of Twin Lions' reportable assets under management, highlighting Cal-Maine's significance in the investment portfolio, particularly amid current volatility in egg prices.
- Financial Performance Review: Cal-Maine Foods reported a 53% drop in net sales to $667 million and a 90% decline in net income to $50.5 million in the latest quarter; however, management believes the company is adapting through a diversified product mix, with specialty eggs accounting for 50.5% of sales.
- Future Growth Potential: Cal-Maine Foods maintains over $1.15 billion in cash and short-term investments, and if management successfully expands its specialty and prepared foods business, future earnings could become less cyclical, enhancing investment appeal.
See More
Twin Lions Acquires Stake in Cal-Maine Foods
- New Investment Update: Twin Lions acquired 221,544 shares of Cal-Maine Foods at the end of Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $18.20 million, representing 11% of its 13F reportable assets under management.
- Impact of Price Fluctuations: Despite Cal-Maine Foods experiencing a 53% drop in net sales to $667 million and a 90% decline in net income to $50.5 million, Twin Lions' investment reflects confidence in the company's future profitability.
- Business Transformation Strategy: Specialty egg sales accounted for 50.5% of total sales, while prepared foods contributed 9.5%, indicating a strategic shift towards more durable earnings and reduced dependence on volatile commodity cycles.
- Strong Cash Flow Position: Cal-Maine Foods holds over $1.15 billion in cash and short-term investments, generating significant profits even in a weak pricing environment, and if successful in expanding its specialty and prepared foods business, future earnings could become more stable.
See More
Egg Prices Drop but Producers Face New Challenges
- Egg Price Decline: In March 2026, egg prices fell by 44.7% year-over-year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking a shift from last year's avian flu-induced shortages to a current oversupply situation, which benefits consumers but pressures producers' margins.
- Rising Production Costs: Thomas Flocco, CEO of Pete & Gerry's, highlighted that rising feed and fuel costs are squeezing producers, with about half of the cost of premium eggs attributed to feed, exacerbated by elevated input costs over the past years.
- Strong Demand: Despite the oversupply, a survey indicates that over 40% of Americans are more focused on protein than five years ago, showing eggs' continued appeal as a nutritious food, yet this strong demand has not alleviated producers' oversupply challenges.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Sherman Miller, CEO of Cal-Maine Foods, noted that the current price weakness reflects a supply recovery outpacing demand absorption, indicating that while consumer demand is rebounding, producers still face challenges from the oversupply resulting from flock recovery post-avian influenza.
See More
Cal-Maine Acquires Van's Foods Assets to Diversify
- Strategic Diversification: Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of certain assets from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery's Van's Foods, marking a significant step in the company's diversification strategy aimed at enhancing its market position in prepared foods.
- Sales Growth Expectations: The acquisition is expected to increase Cal-Maine Foods' prepared foods annual sales by approximately 10% and volume by about 6%, thereby driving overall company performance.
- Enhanced Market Adaptability: With Van's Foods leading in gluten-free waffles, the acquisition will bolster Cal-Maine Foods' ability to meet evolving consumer preferences while expanding its influence across retail and e-commerce channels.
- Operational Synergies: Post-acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods will leverage its existing distribution network to optimize logistics, improve cost efficiency, and enhance quality control, with prepared foods capacity expected to increase by over 30% in the next 18 to 24 months.
See More
