General Mills, Inc. (GIS) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: GISAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

GIS AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) is a global packaged foods company whose revenue contracted 5.4% in FY2026 to $18.42B. The business experienced a net loss of -$87.6M in FY2026, while generating $1.63B in free cash flow. Shares offer a 7.36% dividend yield and trade at an EV to EBITDA multiple of 21.2x.

Market cap
$17.71B
Revenue (TTM)
$18.30B
P/E
—
fwd 11.5x
1Y return
-25.8%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$37.00
11.7% vs last close

Bull case

  • The company offers an above-average forward dividend yield of 7.36% backed by 44 consecutive years of dividend payments.
  • General Mills generated $1.63B in free cash flow and $2.17B in operating cash flow in FY2026 despite top-line headwinds.
  • The stock trades at a forward P/E of 11.5x, below the median of 15.3x for its peer group.

Bear case

  • Net debt reached $13.18B as of August 31, 2026, alongside a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83 and a current ratio of 0.70.
  • In the quarter ending August 31, 2026, quarterly earnings fell 66.7% year-over-year while quarterly revenue fell 2.8%.
  • Total revenue fell 5.4% in FY2026 to $18.42B, and operating margin declined sharply to 4.8%.

What General Mills does

General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods across five segments: North America Retail, Convenience Stores & Foodservice, Europe & Australia, Asia & Latin America, and Pet. Established in 1866, the company produces ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, dough products, baking mixes, snack bars, ice cream, wellness beverages, organic vegetables, and pet foods for dogs and cats. Its portfolio includes brands such as Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Cheerios, Chex, Hagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Progresso, and Yoplait. Distribution spans grocery stores, mass merchandisers, e-commerce, foodservice distributors, restaurants, and convenience stores, alongside 466 leased and 392 franchise ice cream parlors.

Growth and profitability

Revenue reached $20.09B in FY2023 before declining to $19.86B in FY2024, $19.49B in FY2025, and $18.42B in FY2026, which represented a 5.4% drop. The five-year revenue CAGR from FY2021 to FY2026 stood at 0.3%. Operating margin decreased from 17.0% in FY2025 to 4.8% in FY2026, while net margin turned negative to -0.5% with net income of -$87.6M. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue totaled $18.30B with an operating margin of 15.2% and a profit margin of -4.9%. In the latest quarter ending August 31, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 2.8% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings dropped 66.7%.

GIS income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of August 31, 2026, General Mills held $433.1M in cash and short-term investments against $13.61B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $13.18B. Shareholders' equity was $7.45B, producing a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83 and a current ratio of 0.70. For FY2026, operating cash flow stood at $2.17B and free cash flow was $1.63B. Capital expenditures totaled $539.9M, while the company allocated $500.3M to share buybacks and paid $1.32B in dividends, contributing to a 12.3% reduction in share count over five years.

GIS balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

General Mills trades at a forward P/E of 11.5x and a price-to-sales ratio of 1.0x, both below the median of its S&P 500 Consumer Defensive peers at 15.3x and 1.8x, respectively. The company carries an EV to EBITDA multiple of 21.2x, which sits above the peer median of 13.3x. Its price-to-book ratio is 2.6x and PEG ratio is 17.23. Over the past year, GIS returned -25.8% compared to a 16.8% return for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over five years, the stock dropped 34.5% versus an 83.0% gain for the benchmark index.

GIS key metrics →

GIS dividend

General Mills provides a forward annual dividend of $2.44 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 7.36%. The company maintains a payout ratio of 70.9% and pays dividends on a quarterly basis. It has distributed dividends for 44 consecutive years, recording a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 4.1%. The last ex-dividend date occurred on October 13, 2026.

GIS dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage consists of 1 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, 12 Hold, 2 Sell, and 2 Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $37.00, representing an 11.7% upside relative to the last close of $33.13. General Mills exceeded EPS expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters. For the current fiscal year ending May 31, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $17.68B and EPS of $3.08, indicating an EPS decline of 13.3%. For the next fiscal year, 19 analysts project revenue of $17.73B and EPS of $3.15.

GIS forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • A current ratio of 0.70 indicates short-term obligations exceed liquid assets against a total debt load of $13.61B.
  • Net income turned negative to -$87.6M in FY2026, creating pressure if margins do not recover.
  • Analyst consensus anticipates EPS to decline 13.3% in the fiscal year ending May 31, 2027 to $3.08.
  • Short interest represents 10.0% of float, highlighting lingering negative market sentiment.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this GIS AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of General Mills, Inc. (GIS). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: GIS income statement, GIS balance sheet, GIS key metrics, GIS analyst forecast, GIS chart. See the GIS stock overview for the latest quote and news.

GIS AI stock analysis FAQ

What is the current dividend yield for General Mills (GIS)?

General Mills provides a forward dividend yield of 7.36%, paying an annualized dividend of $2.44 per share. The company has paid dividends for 44 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 70.9%.

How did General Mills perform financially in FY2026?

In FY2026, revenue dropped 5.4% to $18.42B and the company reported a net loss of -$87.6M. However, operating cash flow reached $2.17B and free cash flow totaled $1.63B.

What are analyst expectations for General Mills' stock price and earnings?

The average analyst price target is $37.00, representing an 11.7% premium over the last close of $33.13. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2027, EPS is projected to decrease 13.3% to $3.08 on revenue of $17.68B.

How does General Mills' valuation compare to its sector peers?

General Mills trades at a forward P/E of 11.5x compared to the median of its S&P 500 Consumer Defensive peers at 15.3x. However, its EV to EBITDA ratio of 21.2x is higher than the peer median of 13.3x.

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