Solid performance from the chicken and prepared foods business segments powered the company’s overall profitability.
Tyson Foods reported higher third-quarter profit, crediting sustained growth in its chicken business segment and steady demand for prepared foods.
The Arkansas-based company posted third-quarter sales of $13.87 billion, essentially flat compared with a year earlier. Sales would have risen 0.6% excluding a $98 million legal contingency accrual recorded as a reduction to revenue, the company said.
Profitability improved more sharply. Tyson's operating income rose 39% to $362 million for the quarter, while adjusted operating income, which excludes certain one-time items, grew 8% to $547 million. Earnings per share rose to 52 cents from 17 cents a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share increased 9% to 99 cents.
Donnie King, Tyson's president and CEO, said the results reflect strength in the company's chicken and prepared foods segments.
"We delivered strong third quarter results, fueled by continued strength in our Chicken and Prepared Foods segments, with seven consecutive quarters of growth in Chicken and continued market share gains by our iconic brands," King said in a statement.
King said the company's performance stems from its diversified protein business, customer relationships and operational execution, and that Tyson remains confident in its branded food products strategy.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2026, Tyson reported sales of $41.83 billion, up 3.1% from the same period last year, or 2.8% excluding legal contingency accruals of $248 million this year and $343 million last year. Operating income for the nine-month period rose 17% to $1.10 billion, while adjusted operating income fell 4% to $1.62 billion. Earnings per share rose 24% to $1.49; adjusted earnings per share fell 5% to $2.83.
The company said it held $4 billion in liquidity as of June 27 and generated $913 million in free cash flow over the nine-month period, down slightly from a year earlier. Tyson reduced total debt by $824 million during the same period.
Tyson Foods’ third quarter ended on June 27.
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