Consumer Staples

ADM's Q2 2026 net earnings quadrupled to $908 million and adjusted EPS nearly doubled to $1.84 as finalized U.S. biofuels mandates reset soybean crush and ethanol margins, prompting a raise in full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $5.15–$5.60.

Kroger's Q2 FY2026 sales rose 2.0% to $34.6bn, but all of that came from a 25.6% jump in fuel sales — grocery sales excluding fuel fell 0.5%, identical sales grew just 0.2% against +3.4% a year ago, and adjusted FIFO operating profit declined 1.4% even as reported EPS rose 15.4% on buybacks and an easier prior-year comparison.

Altria held adjusted EPS growth at 2.8% in Q2 2026, but cigarette pricing beat the volume-and-mix drag by only about $30 million, aggregate share was defended by shifting Marlboro smokers into discount brands, and on! lost ground in the fast-growing nicotine pouch category.