Factors Influencing Value of Agribusiness Firms Marketing Animal Proteins

In today’s globalized world, some agribusinesses are diversifying to other agricultural and non-agricultural products to combat the inherent risks associated with marketing agricultural goods, while others have intensified in one particular area. For example, Tyson Foods, Incorporated, one of the largest publicly-traded and globally recognized agribusinesses, began making poultry products in the 1930s and has since diversified to market beef, pork, and other food products through either acquisitions or expansion of core business strategy, while Cal-Maine Foods has continued to stay true to its core business of egg production and marketing. A diversified portfolio is expected to alleviate the effects of business disrupting events such as product recalls, droughts, or animal disease events. Protein companies specifically face risks associated with feed sourcing, animal health and welfare, and food safety. The aim of this work is to analyze the value of product diversification on an agribusiness’ worth using stock prices to value each of the top 100 meat companies that are publically traded in the United States. Daily stock prices from 2007-2016 have been collected and are used to identify the factors that contribute to the value of a company, while accounting for the heterogeneity of agribusiness management and strategy.