Things got worse for Campbell (NASDAQ: CPB) in November 2025, when then-Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Martin Paley, Caught on tape He mocks “the poor people,” calls the company’s products “3D-printed meat,” and makes racist comments about his co-workers.
The initial shock sent stocks plummeting about 5% Over the next week and a half, by mid-March 2026, prices had fallen so much that the company was on the verge of being kicked out of the S&P 500, with its market capitalization falling below $7 billion.
At press time, April 20, 2026, the picture was no less dire, with Campbell stock last closing at $20.79, the lowest level in nearly twenty-three years.
CPB stock price. source: TradingView
Of course, this decline also highlights the increasing pressures resulting from intensifying competition and shifting consumer preferences. Recent financial results haven’t been ideal either.
Last quarter, management I mentioned Adjusted EPS of $0.51 missed the $0.54 estimate and consensus estimate of $0.57, primarily due to weaker-than-expected sales and operating earnings.
Wall Street cuts its price target for Campbell stock
Unsurprisingly, Wall Street has not been kind to Campbell since the controversy began, with the most recent analyst notes being overwhelmingly pessimistic.
On April 9, Max Gumport of Exane BNP cut the company’s price target on Campbell’s from $22 to $19, with an “underperform” rating. The new figure indicates a potential decline of 8.49% from the company’s previous close.
A day earlier, Wells Fargo analyst Christopher Curry rated the company a “sell,” cutting the bank’s price target on CPB from $20 to $18.
Likewise, Deutsche Bank cut its price target on Campbell shares from $23 to $20 in a research note sent by analyst Stephen Powers on March 30, assigning a “hold” rating on the stock.
Featured image via Shutterstock
