$LW

An Oregon judge allowed a class-action lawsuit to proceed over allegations that nitrate-tainted water was supplied to about 46,000 residents, including around 10,000 children, in communities near Boardman, Echo, Hermiston, Irrigon, and Stanfield. Plaintiffs filed by Hagens Berman name Port of Morrow, Columbia River Processing, Portland General Electric, Threemile Canyon Farms, Madison Ranches, and Lamb Weston. The ruling does not decide liability.

Lamb Weston CFO James Gray told the Bank of America SMID Cap Virtual Conference that Europe’s heat-impacted potato crop may tighten supply and raise potato input costs, though the company is mostly contracted. He cited earlier cost pressures in edible oils, freight, and packaging. In Q4, net sales rose to $1.68bn, but price/mix fell 3%.

Idaho potato farmers face drought, heat, pesticide-resistant insects, and competition from foreign producers, while potato prices have fallen. The USDA says Idaho planted about 15,000 fewer acres this year. Congress is negotiating a new farm bill, with the National Potato Council urging research funding and pesticide flexibility. Lamb Weston buys Idaho potatoes.

Simply Wall St reports Lamb Weston Holdings (LW) posted mixed Q4 and full-year results and issued cautious fiscal 2027 guidance, expecting net sales growth of 0.0% to 1.0% and softer profitability. The article cites LW’s July earnings, dividend affirmation, and buyback update, and notes the stock rose 15.64% over 30 days and 26.03% YTD. It contrasts a $47.92 fair value narrative with a $139.65 DCF estimate.

US stocks rebounded Monday after President Trump said the war with Iran could end soon. The Nasdaq Composite rose about 1.3%, the Dow about 0.5%, and the S&P 500 about 0.8%. Oil fell after crude briefly topped $100 per barrel. The article also notes Oracle and Adobe earnings and activist pressure on Lamb Weston by Starboard.

Lamb Weston Holdings reported FY2026 sales of US$6,612.3 million and net income of US$290.0 million, and it reiterated a US$0.38 quarterly dividend while continuing a multi-year share repurchase program. For fiscal 2027, management guided net sales growth of 0.0% to 1.0%, affecting expectations for cash returns and earnings.

Activist investor Starboard Value has built a large stake in frozen food maker Lamb Weston Holdings (NYSE:LW), according to the Wall Street Journal. The stake size was not disclosed, but Starboard is now among the biggest shareholders. Starboard urges cost cutting and improvements, including selling Lamb’s Asia Pacific operations, amid margin pressure and weaker demand.

Utz UTZ.N agreed to be taken private by Germany’s Intersnack Group, with Utz’s founding families, in a deal valued at nearly $3 billion, the first U.S. acquisition for Intersnack. The article cites other family-led snack deals including Ferrero’s purchases of WK Kellogg and Power Crunch, and Mars’s $36 billion take-private of Kellanova. It notes valuation multiples and potential targets.

Lamb Weston (NYSE: LW) reported fiscal Q4 2026 and full-year results, citing volume growth in North America despite EMEA headwinds from Middle East disruption and input cost inflation. Q4 net sales rose to $1.77B. FY2026 net sales increased to $6.612B, but net income fell to $290M and adjusted EBITDA to $1.147B. Outlook for FY2027 was provided.

Analyst estimates for Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. show its average 12-month price target increased to $52.8 from $52. Targets range from $42 to $58. Based on the Jul. 24 close, the update implies about 6% upside. The consensus rating remains “Hold” with 4 Buys, 8 Holds, and 0 Sells, per FactSet.