CALM
Consumer DefensiveCal-Maine Foods, Inc. · Agricultural Farm Products · $4B
What is Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.?
Cal-Maine Foods is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States. Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, the company serves grocery chains, club stores, and foodservice customers across multiple US regions.
Cal-Maine produces, grades, packages, and distributes shell eggs — both conventional and specialty varieties — to retail and foodservice customers. Revenue comes primarily from selling eggs under owned brand names and private labels to national grocery chains, regional supermarkets, club stores, and foodservice distributors. The company's geographic focus spans the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western, and mid-Atlantic United States, giving it broad domestic reach without significant international exposure.
Cal-Maine Foods was founded in 1957 and operates from its headquarters in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
- Conventional shell eggs sold under private and owned labels
- Nutritionally enhanced specialty eggs under Egg-Land's Best
- Cage-free and organic eggs under Land O' Lakes and Farmhouse Eggs
- Brown and 4-Grain branded specialty egg products
- Foodservice and club-store egg distribution
Is CALM a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates CALM as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with notable strengths and one clear area of concern.
Cal-Maine's Quality and Risk pillars both score Strong — the company carries a conservative balance sheet and generates consistent cash flow relative to its commodity-driven peers. Valuation is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in the company's financial resilience.
The Moat pillar is rated Weak, which reflects the commodity nature of egg production and limited pricing power outside of branded specialty lines.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does CALM pay dividends?
Yes — Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. pays a dividend.
Cal-Maine pays a regular dividend, though its payout is tied to a formula linked to profitability — meaning distributions can vary quarter to quarter. This structure reflects the cyclical nature of egg commodity pricing. Income-focused investors should review recent payout history directly, as dividends may differ meaningfully from one period to the next.
When does CALM report earnings?
Cal-Maine Foods reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities.
Egg prices are inherently cyclical, and Cal-Maine's results tend to reflect swings in commodity markets. The company's cost discipline and scale have historically helped it navigate periods of both elevated and compressed margins better than smaller regional producers.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Cal-Maine Foods' investor relations page directly.
CALM Price History
+183.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.?
Based on Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
CALM Long-term Outlook
Cal-Maine's Growth pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the company is not expected to expand rapidly but is also not in structural decline. The Strong Risk rating points to a balance sheet capable of weathering commodity downturns. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the stock may offer a reasonable entry point relative to its fundamental quality profile, though the Weak Moat remains a structural constraint on long-run earnings power.
Growth drivers
- Continued consumer shift toward specialty and cage-free eggs
- Scale advantages in procurement, logistics, and distribution
- Potential consolidation opportunities in a fragmented US egg market
Key risks
- Commodity egg price volatility compressing margins unpredictably
- Avian influenza outbreaks disrupting flock size and supply
- Limited brand differentiation in conventional egg segments
CALM vs Peers
Cal-Maine operates in the broader agricultural and fresh-produce space alongside several diversified peers.
Adecoagro is a South American agribusiness with diversified crop and dairy operations, offering broader geographic and commodity exposure than Cal-Maine's US egg focus.
Fresh Del Monte competes across fresh and prepared fruits and vegetables globally, giving it a more diversified product mix compared to Cal-Maine's single-category specialization.
Dole is a global fresh fruit and vegetable brand with significant international distribution, contrasting with Cal-Maine's domestic-only, egg-centric model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cal-Maine Foods do?
Cal-Maine Foods produces, grades, packages, and distributes shell eggs across the United States. It sells both conventional and specialty eggs — including cage-free, organic, and nutritionally enhanced varieties — to grocery chains, club stores, and foodservice distributors, primarily in the southern and mid-Atlantic regions.
Does CALM pay dividends?
Yes, Cal-Maine pays a regular dividend. However, the payout is formula-based and tied to quarterly profitability, so distributions can vary significantly. Investors seeking stable income should review recent dividend history on the company's investor relations page before making assumptions about future payments.
When does CALM report earnings?
Cal-Maine Foods reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check the investor relations section of Cal-Maine's official website, as specific dates are subject to change.
Is CALM a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates CALM as Good overall. The company shows Strong Quality and Risk ratings alongside an Attractive Valuation, but the Weak Moat reflects the commodity nature of egg production. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and income expectations. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is CALM overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, CALM is currently rated Attractive — meaning the stock appears reasonably priced or potentially undervalued relative to its quality profile. Commodity-driven businesses can see rapid valuation shifts, so monitoring the score over time is worthwhile.
How does CALM compare to its competitors?
Cal-Maine is more narrowly focused than peers like Fresh Del Monte or Dole, which operate across multiple fresh-produce categories globally. That focus gives Cal-Maine deep expertise in egg production and US distribution but less diversification. Adecoagro offers South American agricultural exposure that is structurally different from Cal-Maine's domestic model.
What is CALM's market cap bracket?
Cal-Maine Foods is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range typically associated with established businesses that have meaningful scale but still carry more volatility than large- or mega-cap peers in the consumer defensive sector.
Who founded Cal-Maine Foods?
Cal-Maine Foods was founded in 1957. Founding history and leadership background are publicly available through the company's official website and SEC filings for investors who want the full historical context.
Is CALM a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, CALM's Strong Quality and Risk pillars suggest financial durability — the company has navigated multiple commodity cycles. The Weak Moat, however, means long-term earnings power depends heavily on specialty egg growth and cost management rather than durable pricing advantages. Pro members can view the complete analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of Cal-Maine Foods?
Cal-Maine's primary advantages are scale and distribution reach. As the largest US shell egg producer, it benefits from procurement efficiency and established relationships with major grocery chains. Its portfolio of specialty egg brands — including Egg-Land's Best and Land O' Lakes — provides some differentiation above commodity pricing.
What sector does CALM belong to?
Cal-Maine Foods belongs to the Consumer Defensive sector. Companies in this sector tend to produce essential goods with relatively stable demand regardless of economic conditions — a characteristic that applies well to eggs as a staple food product.
Is CALM a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, CALM leans toward value. The Growth pillar is rated Neutral, indicating modest expansion expectations, while the Valuation pillar is rated Attractive — a combination more consistent with a value-oriented profile than a high-growth one.
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Pro Analysis
CALM — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 68.1 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.9 | +0.1 |
| May 20, 2026 | 68.0 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.5 | 0.0 |
| May 19, 2026 | 68.0 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.7 | -0.1 |
| May 16, 2026 | 68.1 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.9 | +0.1 |
| May 15, 2026 | 68.0 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.6 | 0.0 |
| May 14, 2026 | 68.0 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.2 | 0.0 |
| May 13, 2026 | 68.0 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 80.4 | -0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 68.1 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 81.3 | 0.0 |
| May 11, 2026 | 68.1 | 95.7 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 81.1 | +1.6 |
| May 10, 2026 | 66.5 | 94.8 | 28.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 71.7 | -1.6 |
CALM — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 95.7/100 (25%)Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 50.0/100 (20%)Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 100.0/100 (15%)Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 80.9/100 (15%)Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 28/100 (25%)Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CALM.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the CALM UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.