Q1 Earnings Estimate for Middleby Issued By Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks ResearchHold rating, and projects FY2026 EPS of $9.28 and FY2027 EPS of $10.17.
• Middleby recently missed quarterly expectations (reported $2.14 EPS vs. $2.27 expected) and set FY2026 guidance of $9.20–$9.36 EPS with Q1 2026 guidance of $1.90–$2.02 EPS.
• The company unveiled a $3.3 billion restructuring and announced a food‑processing spin‑off and buyback plan, prompting mixed analyst responses and near‑term selling pressure despite a consensus analyst rating of "Moderate Buy" and a $174.17 price target.

The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ:MIDD - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research issued their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Middleby in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team expects that the industrial products company will earn $1.95 per share for the quarter. Zacks Research has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Middleby's current full-year earnings is $9.11 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Middleby's Q2 2026 earnings at $2.30 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.35 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.68 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $9.28 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.21 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.62 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.53 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.80 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $10.17 EPS.

Middleby (NASDAQ:MIDD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The industrial products company reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.27 by ($0.13). Middleby had a negative net margin of 7.44% and a positive return on equity of 14.57%. The business had revenue of $334.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.88 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Middleby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.200-9.360 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.900-2.020 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Middleby from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $187.00 target price on shares of Middleby and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of Middleby from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Middleby in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Middleby from $159.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $174.17.

Middleby Price Performance

Shares of MIDD stock opened at $135.81 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $154.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $141.07. Middleby has a 52-week low of $110.82 and a 52-week high of $169.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 2.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -23.70 and a beta of 1.37.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Middleby

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Middleby during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Middleby by 201.8% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 166 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in Middleby during the third quarter worth $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Middleby by 1,292.9% during the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 195 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in Middleby by 168.8% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 207 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.55% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Middleby

Here are the key news stories impacting Middleby this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management unveiled a large, $3.3 billion restructuring intended to simplify the business, cut costs and accelerate margin improvement — a plan that could boost long‑term profitability if execution stays on track. MIDD's $3.3B Restructuring: A Leaner Company Chasing a Higher Stock Price
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks’ research projections show rising EPS over the medium term (Zacks forecasts FY2027/FY2028 upside vs current consensus), suggesting analysts expect earnings recovery and possible accretion from the strategic moves. Zacks Research Forecasts Middleby FY2028 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks updated detailed quarterly cadence and maintains a "Hold" rating while issuing FY and multi‑quarter EPS estimates (Q1–Q4 cadence and FY2026–FY2027 figures). This provides investor visibility but no outright upgrade to investor sentiment.
• Negative Sentiment: The market reacted negatively to the company’s announcement around the food‑processing spin‑off and buyback details — investors appear concerned about execution risk, timing and whether the actions unlock enough shareholder value, driving near‑term selling pressure. Middleby (MIDD) Is Down 5.1% After Food Processing Spin-Off, Buyback Reveal Sharper Focus
• Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly results showed an EPS miss (reported $2.14 vs. $2.27 expected) and mixed revenue figures, which combined with the strategic changes has increased short‑term uncertainty around execution and cash flow timing.

Middleby Company Profile

Middleby Corporation is a global manufacturer and distributor of commercial foodservice and food processing equipment. The company designs, engineers and markets a wide range of cooking, baking, refrigeration, warewashing, holding and dispensing solutions. Middleby's products serve restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, institutional cafeterias, cruise ships and other foodservice operators.

The company's portfolio spans multiple well-known brands, including Blodgett ovens, TurboChef rapid‐cook ovens, Southbend ranges and broilers, Pitco fryers, and Viking residential and commercial kitchen appliances.

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