Dole (NYSE:DOLE) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.02 EPS

Dole (NYSE:DOLE) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.02, FiscalAI reports. Dole had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 0.17%.The business had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.16 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

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

• We delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $395 million in 2025, beating guidance, and are targeting at least $400 million for 2026.
• Management completed strategic portfolio moves — the sale of the Fresh Vegetables business for $140 million and an expected ~ $75 million net proceed sale of the Guayaquil port — and renewed a $1.2 billion credit facility while launching a $100 million buyback program (S$4.5m spent to date), giving the company greater capital allocation flexibility.
• Fresh Fruit profitability was pressured by higher sourcing costs for bananas, pineapples and plantains and weather disruption (notably Tropical Storm Sara), though Honduran farm rehabilitation is underway with full recovery expected later in 2026.
• The Diversified Fresh Produce segments were strong — EMEA delivered $150 million Adjusted EBITDA (+14% YoY) and Diversified Americas drove double-digit growth (Q4 Adjusted EBITDA up 32%, full-year up 21%) led by kiwis, citrus and export volumes like cherries.
• Financials show improving leverage (net debt ~1.5x), expected 2026 interest expense of ~ $60 million, routine CapEx guidance of ~ $100 million, and longer-term free cash flow conversion guidance of 30–35% despite 2025 one-offs that reduced reported FCF.

Dole Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DOLE traded down $0.65 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $15.34. 482,552 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 670,852. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.46 billion, a PE ratio of 102.70, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.64. Dole has a 52 week low of $12.52 and a 52 week high of $16.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company’s 50 day moving average is $15.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.34.

Key Headlines Impacting Dole

Here are the key news stories impacting Dole this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat revenue and EPS estimates: revenue ~$2.37B (vs. $2.32B est.), EPS $0.14 vs. $0.12 est., revenue +9.2% YoY — evidence of top-line momentum and better-than-expected operational performance. Dole beats revenue estimates with flat Q4 earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Management lifted its outlook alongside Q4 results and highlighted adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income beats, signaling confidence in earnings trajectory and cash generation. Fresh produce firm Dole lifts outlook as quarterly revenue climbs
• Positive Sentiment: Announced agreement to sell port assets in Ecuador — a potential balance-sheet / liquidity positive that could reduce capital intensity and free cash for debt reduction or reinvestment. Dole plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Product expansion: DOLE WHIP® is rolling into new retail formats and flavors — supports brand/retail growth but is likely a gradual revenue contributor rather than an immediate margin driver. DOLE WHIP® EXPANDS INTO NEW RETAIL FORMATS AND FLAVORS
• Neutral Sentiment: Company provided operational reassurances after heavy rain (no Wahiawa reservoir dam breach) — limits near-term disruption risk to Hawaii operations. Dole assures no Wahiawa Reservoir Dam breach after heavy rain
• Negative Sentiment: Tiny net income and narrow margins: reported net income was $6.0M and net margin ~0.17%, and EPS was slightly below prior-year quarter ($0.16 → $0.14). Profitability remains pressured, which can limit valuation upside until margin improvement is sustained. Dole plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Dole declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Monday, November 10th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dole

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DOLE. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Dole by 28.5% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 48,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $703,000 after buying an additional 10,793 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in Dole by 4.4% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 44,593 shares of the company’s stock valued at $644,000 after purchasing an additional 1,879 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC bought a new stake in Dole during the first quarter worth $6,749,000. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Dole by 87.6% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 213,786 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,089,000 after purchasing an additional 99,842 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc boosted its holdings in shares of Dole by 96.4% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 22,106 shares of the company’s stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 10,849 shares in the last quarter.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on DOLE. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Dole from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Dole in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dole presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $16.00.

About Dole

Dole plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. The company’s product range includes bananas, pineapples, berries, grapes, salads and a variety of other fresh and packaged produce, sold under the Dole brand and through private-label arrangements. Dole’s operations span the full fresh-produce value chain, from farming and sourcing to packing, ripening, cold‑chain logistics and wholesale and retail distribution, supporting both retail grocery and foodservice customers.

The company traces its commercial heritage to the early 20th century Hawaiian pineapple business founded by James Dole and has evolved through subsequent corporate restructurings and combinations.