Ingredion (NYSE:INGR) Announces Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.06 EPS

Ingredion (NYSE:INGR) released its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $2.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.59 by ($0.06), FiscalAI reports. Ingredion had a net margin of 9.07% and a return on equity of 18.14%. The firm had revenue of $1.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.63 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Ingredion updated its FY 2026 guidance to 11.000-11.8 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Ingredion’s conference call:

• Record full‑year operating income and EPS driven by stronger margins and portfolio mix, plus delivery of ~$59 million in cost‑to‑compete run‑rate savings that management says will support long‑term productivity.
• Argo operational issues reduced 2025 operating income by about $40 million (≈$16M in Q4); management expects a gradual recovery with continued pressure into Q1 2026, weighing on the U.S./Canada F&I segment.
• Texture & Healthful Solutions momentum — seven consecutive quarters of volume growth (+4% in Q4), solutions sales >$1B (~40% of the segment) with higher margins, and protein fortification sales up >40% after doubling production.
• 2026 guidance calls for net sales up low‑ to mid‑single digits, adjusted EPS of $11.00–$11.80, cash from operations of $820M–$940M, CapEx $400M–$440M, and at least $100M of share repurchases; guidance assumes current tariff levels and excludes acquisition/integration charges.
• LATAM delivered record operating income and >21% margin; management is shifting grind capacity in Mexico toward higher‑margin food and confectionery products and completed network optimizations in Brazil to improve long‑term competitiveness.

Ingredion Stock Up 2.6%

Shares of NYSE:INGR opened at $120.40 on Wednesday. Ingredion has a 1-year low of $102.31 and a 1-year high of $141.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 2.75 and a quick ratio of 1.79. The stock has a market cap of $7.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $112.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.33.

Ingredion Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd were given a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Ingredion’s dividend payout ratio is 32.70%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of INGR. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in Ingredion by 143.1% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,191,118 shares of the company’s stock valued at $144,685,000 after buying an additional 701,063 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Ingredion by 2,409.3% during the third quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 198,659 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,258,000 after purchasing an additional 190,742 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its position in Ingredion by 118.3% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 271,006 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,093,000 after purchasing an additional 146,874 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its position in Ingredion by 36.3% in the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 517,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $63,200,000 after purchasing an additional 137,922 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in Ingredion by 34.9% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 480,184 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,635,000 after purchasing an additional 124,107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.27% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on INGR. Oppenheimer set a $136.00 target price on Ingredion in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Ingredion from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Ingredion from $143.00 to $123.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen lowered Ingredion from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Ingredion in a report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $125.00.

Ingredion News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Ingredion this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Full‑year strength and shareholder returns — Ingredion reported strong full‑year 2025 cash from operations (~$944M) and returned $435M to shareholders (including $224M of buybacks), and reported higher full‑year EPS versus prior year, supporting long‑term cash generation and capital return thesis. Press Release
• Positive Sentiment: Product/strategy tailwinds — Management reiterated focus on higher‑value growth areas (clean‑label ingredients and protein fortification), which could lift margins and mix over time if execution continues. Growth Strategy
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call color available — The company held its Q4 call highlighting both operational strengths and areas of strain; investors can review the transcript and slide deck for detail on regional trends and cost actions. Call Transcript Slide Deck
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 misses on the quarter — Ingredion reported Q4 EPS of $2.53 (vs. $2.59 consensus) and revenue of $1.76B (vs. ~$1.78B consensus); the revenue shortfall and slight EPS miss pressured the stock. MSN Article
• Negative Sentiment: FY2026 guidance is conservative versus Street — Management guided to $11.00–$11.80 EPS for FY2026, slightly below consensus (~$11.37), signaling a cautious near‑term outlook and contributing to downward pressure. Guidance
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term macro/operational caution — Analyst and commentary pieces note the company may face a lackluster first half as demand/mix and regional pressures play out, increasing short‑term execution risk. Analysis

About Ingredion

Ingredion Incorporated is a global ingredient solutions company specializing in the production and sale of starches, sweeteners, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials derived primarily from corn and other plant-based raw materials. The company serves a diverse set of industries, including food and beverage, brewing, pharmaceuticals and personal care, providing functional ingredients that enhance texture, stability, flavor and nutritional value in a wide array of end products.

The company’s product portfolio comprises native and modified starches, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrins, specialty sweeteners and various texturizers.