Finances

The Campbell’s Company (CPB) released its first quarter earnings report on Tuesday, December 9. Despite the company reporting better-than-expected sales for the quarter, the company’s shares dropped by almost 4% following release of the report.

Net sales came in at $2.68 billion for the quarter, down 3% from $2.77 billion in net sales during the same quarter last year but above analysts’ estimates of $2.66 billion.

“Our first quarter performance was in line with our expectations reflecting sharpened in-market execution in a dynamic operating environment,” said Campbell’s CEO, Mick Beekhuizen.  “Across our portfolio, we continue to focus on quality, value and evolving consumer preferences with elevated brand support and innovation. Simultaneously, our teams are making great progress on cost savings and productivity initiatives to help offset inflation and continue to invest in our brands. We are moving quickly and with a continued focus on delivering today while we build for tomorrow.”

For the quarter, Campbell’s reported net income of $194 million or $0.65 per adjusted share. This was a decrease in net income of $218 million or $0.72 per adjusted share reported at this time last year.

The company’s Meals & Beverages segment, which includes its line of soups and beverages such as Swanson, Prego, Pace, V8 and Pacific Foods, posted revenues of $1.67 billion, down 4% from the same quarter last year. The Snacks segment, which includes Pepperidge Farm cookies and Goldfish crackers, reported a 2% decline in net sales to $1.01 billion. For full-year fiscal 2026, Campbell’s expects organic net sales to be in the range of down 1% to up 1% and adjusted share earnings to be between $2.40 to $2.55.

The Campbell’s Company (CPB) shares ended the week at $28.74, down 2.9% for the week.

Dave & Buster’s Announces Earnings

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) announced its third quarter earnings on Tuesday, December 9. After reporting lower-than-expected revenue, the arcade company’s stock fell by over 4% immediately following the release.

Revenue reached $448.2 million for the third quarter. This was a 1% decrease from revenue of $453.0 million reported in the same quarter last year and below analysts’ expectations of $461.3 million.

“I am pleased to report we are making substantive progress on our back-to-basics plan,” said Dave & Buster’s CEO, Tarun Lal. “We have been hard at work relaunching our marketing engine, reinvigorating our food & beverage offering, improving our operations, refreshing our games platform, and revamping our store remodel program. We are laser focused on executing our back-to-basics plan, strengthening our culture, elevating the guest experience and fully realizing the significant potential of our unique and iconic brand.”

Dave & Buster’s reported a quarterly net loss of $42.1 million or $1.22 per adjusted share. Last year at this time, the company reported a net loss of $32.7 million or $0.84 per adjusted share.

Dave & Buster’s comparable store sales decreased 4.0% compared to the same time last year. The company’s Entertainment segment reported revenue of $279.4 million for the quarter, while the Food and Beverage segment reported revenue of $168.8 million. The company generated $58.0 million in operating cash during the third quarter, ending the quarter with $441.9 million in liquidity. The company opened one new Dave & Buster’s store and three new Main Event stores during the quarter for a total of 241 stores in North America.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) shares closed at $19.86, up 14.5% for the week.

Cracker Barrel Serves Up Quarterly Earnings

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL) announced its first quarter earnings report on Tuesday, December 9. The Tennessee-based restaurant chain’s stock fell more than 10% following the earnings release as the company continues to rebound from backlash over its rebranding efforts.

Cracker Barrel posted quarterly revenue of $797.2 million. This was down 6% from $845.1 million reported during the same quarter last year and missed analysts’ expectations of $801.1 million.

“First quarter results were below our expectations amid unique and ongoing headwinds,” said Cracker Barrel CEO, Julie Masino. “We have adjusted our operational initiatives, menu, and marketing to ensure we are consistently delivering delicious food and exceptional experiences. Additionally, we are executing a variety of cost savings initiatives to bolster our financial performance. Although our recovery will take time, our teams are more committed than ever, and we are confident that we will regain momentum."

Cracker Barrel reported a first quarter net loss of $24.6 million or $1.10 per adjusted share. Last year at this time, the company reported net income of $4.8 million or $0.22 per adjusted share.

Cracker Barrel’s comparable store restaurant sales declined 4.7%, while comparable store retail sales decreased 8.5%. The company ended the period with 656 Cracker Barrel stores and 54 Maple Street Biscuit Company stores. The company confirmed it authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock payable on February 11, 2026, to shareholders of record as of January 16, 2026. The company updated its full-year 2026 guidance and anticipates revenue in the range of $3.2 billion to $3.3 billion.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL) shares closed at $27.33, down 2.4% for the week.

The Dow started the week of 12/8 at 47,972 and closed at 48,458 on 12/12. The S&P 500 started the week at 6,875 and closed at 6,827. The NASDAQ opened the week at 23,638 and closed at 23,195.

U.S. Treasury yields dipped mid-week as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut. Yields rose at the end of the week as the latest employment data shows cause for concern for the labor market and its effects on monetary policy.

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced a 9-3 vote in favor of lowering interest rates by one quarter of a percentage point to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. This marks the third consecutive interest rate cut this year as the Fed continues its efforts to support the job market despite inflation remaining above its preferred levels.

“There is no risk-free path for monetary policy, but it seems the committee is banking on higher productivity, implying stronger growth despite softer job creation,” said chief economist at LPL Financial, Jeffrey Roach. “Projections with stronger growth and lower unemployment suggest the Fed will remain committed to bringing inflation down. Investors should expect the Fed to remain on hold in Q1, especially if the economy responds to the tailwinds from fiscal and policy support. The first cut next year may come in Q2.”

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield opened the week of December 8 at 4.14% and traded as low as 4.11% on Thursday. The 30-year Treasury bond opened the week at 4.79% and traded as low as 4.75% on Thursday.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that initial claims for unemployment increased by 44,000 to 236,000 for the week ending December 6. This was higher than economists’ estimates of 220,000 and marked the largest number of claims filed in over four years. Continuing unemployment claims fell by 99,000 to 1.84 million.

"It is a little surprising that recent layoff announcements have not translated into a shift higher in initial claims," said lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, Nancy Vanden Houten. "It may be that some workers who have lost their jobs have received generous severance packages or have found other employment, although that is more difficult in the current labor market with a depressed rate of hiring."

The 10-year Treasury note yield ended the week of 12/8 at 4.18%, while the 30-year Treasury note yield finished the week at 4.84%.

Freddie Mac released its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Thursday, December 11. The survey showed mortgage rates increasing slightly following the Fed’s decision to cut interest rates.

This week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.22%, up from last week’s average of 6.19%. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.60%.

The 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.54% this week, up from last week’s 5.44%. During the same week last year, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.84%.

“The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is well below the year-to-date average of 6.62%, providing some sense of balance to the housing market,” said Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, Sam Khater. 

Based on published national averages, the savings rate was 0.40% as of 11/17. The one-year CD averaged 1.64%.

Editor’s Note: The publicly available financial information is offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends. This article is not an endorsement of any company, product or service.