Is TreeHouse Foods or US Foods the better buy after Q3 earnings miss?

On Monday, TreeHouse Foods Inc. (NYSE:THS) shares gained nearly 3% despite missing earnings expectations and beating on revenue. On the other hand, US Foods Corp (NYSE:USFD) shares plummeted despite matching earnings estimates and exceeding the revenue forecast.

Both companies operate in the consumer defensive sector, meaning their performances are less affected by seasons. So, which stock is the better buy after their price movements conflicted with their Q3 earnings results.

TreeHouse

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TreeHouse posted FQ3 non-GAAP EPS of $0.46, missing the analyst expectation of $0.50. Its GAAP EPS of $0.12 also fell short of the expectation of $0.32, while revenue for the quarter grew by 4.8% Y/Y to $1.1 billion, $20 million ahead of estimates.

The stock trades at an attractive forward P/E ratio of 14.83, making it a compelling option for value investors. In addition, analysts expect its EPS to spike by 116.70% this year, thus gaining the attention of growth investors.

Technically, TreeHouse shares seem to be trading within a descending channel formation in the intraday chart. As a result, the stock fell closer to the oversold conditions before Monday’s rebound.

Therefore, investors could target extended rebounds at about $38.16, or higher at $39.56, while $35.71 and $34.40 are crucial support zones.

US Foods

The food distributor posted FQ3 non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.48, in line with estimates. On the other hand, its GAAP EPS of $0.24, was slightly below the estimate of $0.26, while revenue for the quarter rose 35% to $7.9 billion, $290 million above expectations.

US Foods shares trade at an attractive forward P/E ratio of 14.28, making it an exciting option for value investors. However, analysts expect its earnings to fall by 166% this year before bouncing back by 53.47% next year.

Technically, the stock seems to be trading within an ascending channel formation in the intraday chart. However, it has recently pulled back to avoid falling into overbought conditions.

Therefore, investors could target potential rebounds at about $38.42, or higher at $40.32, while $34.56 and $32.78 are support levels.

US Foods looks like the better buy

In summary, US Foods’ Q3 results were better than TreeHouse’s whilst their valuations seem relatively similar.

US Food’s forecast earnings decline this year is probably baked in the stock price, which makes it a better option.

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