JBT Marel (JBTM) gains after Q1 orders top $1 billion for second straight quarter

JBT Marel (JBTM) shares traded at $139.58 on May 13, 2026, up from $116.44 before its first-quarter earnings report, after management cited strong poultry demand, margin expansion and cash flow as key drivers of the quarter. CEO Brian Deck said orders exceeded $1 billion for a second consecutive quarter, supported by global poultry customers. The Protein Solutions segment benefited from higher poultry volumes and efficiency gains, while Prepared Food and Beverage Solutions remained pressured by softness in warehouse automation and related end markets. Management attributed year-over-year margin improvement to synergy savings and operational execution following the JBT-Marel integration. Investors are watching whether poultry demand holds, whether North American investment accelerates around potential line-speed regulatory changes, and whether the Prepared Food and Beverage Solutions segment can recover margins in coming quarters.