Dole (NYSE:DOLE) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.16 EPS

Dole (NYSE:DOLE) posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.32 by ($0.16), FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.37 billion. Dole had a return on equity of 7.06% and a net margin of 0.63%.

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

• Third-quarter adjusted EBITDA rose 4.1% to $84.1 million. Strong Diversified Americas results and improved Fresh Fruit performance more than offset a modest decline in Diversified EMEA.
• Dole lowered its 2026 adjusted EBITDA target to $380 million–$390 million, from approximately $400 million, citing higher fuel and shipping costs and weather-related supply challenges. European shipping fuel costs are expected to be about $16 million above the company’s original full-year expectations.
• Strong free cash flow of $110.4 million in the quarter, alongside proceeds from the Ecuador port sale, reduced net debt to $491.3 million and leverage to 1.3x. The company expects year-end debt and leverage to remain near those levels.
• Diversified Americas continued its strong run, with revenue up 14.1% and adjusted EBITDA up 22.8%, supported by higher North American volumes. Dole also said integration of its Scandinavian acquisition is progressing well and plans further investment in warehouse automation.

Dole Stock Up 1.0%

NYSE DOLE opened at $14.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of 22.61, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.75. Dole has a 1 year low of $12.59 and a 1 year high of $16.57. The business’s 50-day moving average is $13.30 and its 200 day moving average is $14.27.

Dole Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.0850 per share. This represents a $0.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 16th. Dole’s dividend payout ratio is currently 54.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on DOLE shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $14.00 price objective on Dole in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Freedom Broker began coverage on shares of Dole in a report on Wednesday, November 4th. They issued a “strong-buy” rating on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Dole from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Dole from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, September 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dole presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $14.00.

Key Stories Impacting Dole

Here are the key news stories impacting Dole this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 revenue rose 3.8% to about $2.4 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 4.1% to $84.1 million. Net income reached $48.3 million, though it benefited from a gain on the sale of an Ecuador port. Dole Q3 results
• Positive Sentiment: Dole declared a quarterly dividend of $0.085 per share, equivalent to $0.34 annually and a yield of about 2.4%. The dividend is payable January 6 to shareholders of record December 16.
• Negative Sentiment: Q3 earnings of $0.16 per share fell well short of analyst expectations of roughly $0.31–$0.32, despite revenue matching consensus. The earnings miss may pressure the stock. Dole Q3 earnings miss
• Negative Sentiment: The company lowered its full-year earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs and weather-related pressures, and is targeting 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $380 million to $390 million. The reduced outlook is a key negative catalyst. Dole lowers outlook amid pressures

About Dole

Dole plc is an international fresh produce company that sources, grows, packs, ships, markets and distributes fruit and vegetables. Its products include bananas, pineapples and other fresh fruit, as well as vegetables and packaged salads sold under the Dole brand and other labels.

The company serves retail, wholesale and food-service customers across a range of markets. Its operations span multiple regions, connecting produce growers and farms with customers through its global sourcing, logistics and distribution network.

Dole plc was formed in 2021 through the combination of Total Produce and Dole Food Company, bringing together businesses with longstanding histories in the produce industry.