Cargill Stock Price, Symbol: How to Invest in Cargill?

Cargill Stock Price, Symbol: How to Invest in Cargill IPO?

Cargill Inc. has been a family-run business for over 150 years and has resisted IPO requests on several occasions during that time. Since Cargill is not a public company, it has no stock price or stock symbol.

There are some ways where an investor can gain exposure to Cargill, but unfortunately, these are off-limits to most people. This article will dive deeper into Cargill’s history and discuss the reasons why a Cargill IPO date is unlikely as things stand.

About Cargill

Today, Cargill is one of the largest companies in the agricultural, livestock and processed foods market. It was ranked as the second-largest private company in the US by Forbes in 2020, reporting a total revenue figure of $114 billion that year.

Cargill is the primary producer of many popular food products, including McDonalds’ eggs. The company’s influence goes far beyond the confines of McMuffins, though, as Cargill operates in 66 countries and employs more than 155,000 people. It operates key supply chains for the agricultural sector and has a financial services arm that manages a large portfolio of commodities.

Cargill grew to multinational status from humble beginnings in rural Minnesota after it was founded by William W Cargill back in 1865. The company is still primarily owned by descendents of William W Cargill to this day, operating as a fully private entity that has successfully resisted calls for an initial public offering (IPO).

Employees are able to acquire Cargill stock, but the vast majority of shares are owned by Cargill’s heirs. It’s estimated that nearly 90% of all Cargill shares still belong to the family. However, Cargill introduced an employee stock plan in 1993 that enabled workers to convert shares into cash in lieu of an IPO.

If Cargill were a public company, it would be placed within the top 15 of the S&P 500. This reflects the company’s status as a powerhouse of the agricultural and processed foods market, which has experienced an uptick in the aftermath of COVID in 2020. During this timeframe, Cargill successfully increased revenues by 44%.

Cargill revenue and profit, 2010-2022, via Statista

How to invest in Cargill?

Since Cargill remains a family-owned entity to this very day, it can’t be found on any stock exchange. This means that there is currently no way to invest in Cargill publicly. Shares can be acquired by Cargill employees through the stock plan that was introduced in 1993, but these are also off-limits to public investors.

Will there be a Cargill IPO?

Cargill has resisted pressure to announce a Cargill IPO date on several occasions. The company cited its large revenues and diverse asset holdings as reasons why an IPO is unnecessary, and instead introduced an employee stock plan in 1993.

In the early 200s, Cargill was pressured by private investors to announce a Cargill IPO date — once again, the family-owned company resisted. Instead, Cargill decided to make its 64% stake in The Mosaic Company available to its shareholders.

As things stand, there are no plans for a Cargill IPO date. The company could still decide to host an IPO if it decides, but it has a history of resistance against going public. The company’s dominance in the agricultural and processed foods market, healthy balance sheet, and family-run structure are further reasons why a Cargill IPO is unlikely.

How to invest in Cargill FAQs

Is Cargill on the stock market?

Cargill can’t be found on any stock exchange because it’s not a publicly traded company. The company has resisted calls for a Cargill IPO on several occasions, which means that it is currently unlikely to go public anytime soon.

Who owns Cargill now?

Cargill Inc. is almost entirely owned by the descendents of William Wallace Cargill, who founded Cargill in the 19th century. 88% of all Cargill shares are owned by William W Cargill’s heirs, while the remaining 12% belong to private investors, charitable trusts, and employees.

Can you invest in Cargill stock?

There is no way for the public to invest in Cargill stock, but employees are able to acquire shares through the stock plan that was introduced in 1993. Investors seeking to gain exposure to the agricultural and processed foods market can do so by investing in some of Cargill’s competitors who are publicly traded.

The bottom line: Cargill is not a publicly traded company and there are currently no plans for an IPO date

Cargill remains firmly in the control of its founding family, with 88% of all shares being owned by descendents of William W Cargill. Since the company has continually resisted calls to announce a Cargill IPO date, it seems increasingly unlikely that the company will pivot in the near future.

Investors seeking exposure to the agricultural and processed foods market may be interested in some of Cargill’s competitors, or even in gaining exposure to agricultural ETFs:

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