Dollar strength is helping to deflate the inflation; with the exception of hogs, dairy, and (of course) chicken wing prices, all of the commodity prices that we track declined week-over-week. Corn and wheat continue to track lower on optimism that this year’s spring crop will boost supplies. Analysts are attributing the decline in grain prices to many factors including heavier-than-normal rain in some growing areas of the United States and mounting fears of economic growth slowing.
For SAFM, falling corn prices are bullish for the company’s margins. Heading into a stronger period of demand for chicken, a tight supply of chicken nationally and more favorable feed costs could boost the stock’s prospects. It is worth being wary of seasonality in how this stock trades during the summer months, but on a longer-term duration we feel that this stock is a compelling long.
Looking at the table below, we see +144% chicken wing inflation as a problem for BWLD. We know that every 10% of chicken wing price inflation adds $3.8mm in COGS to the company’s P&L.
Beef prices coming down is a positive for several names in the industry like TXRH, CMG, WEN, and one of our favorite longs, JACK. Jack in the Box has been trading well over the past couple of weeks and we still like the stock.
GAS PRICES WATCH
SUPPLY & DEMAND:
Chicken
Supply: Egg sets placements continue to contract at -4%, according to the Broiler Hatchery report released by the USDA today. This implies that supply will remain tight as the industry looks for more favorable business conditions before expanding production.
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Howard Penney
Managing Director
Rory Green
Analyst