McCormick beats quarterly sales estimates on steady demand

Oct 1 (Reuters) - McCormick MKC.N beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter sales on Thursday, as consumers continued to reach for its seasonings and sauces despite tightening budgets and macroeconomic uncertainty, sending its shares up about 5% in premarket trading.

Persistent pressure on household spending has dampened consumers' appetite for dining out, driving up demand flavor-boosting condiments like McCormick's Cholula and Frank's RedHot sauces—affordable pantry staples that can turn home-cooked meals into something special without stretching budgets.

Flavor-focused brands like McCormick are also gaining popularity as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs reshape eating habits, with consumers seeking bolder tastes and smaller-but-more-satisfying meals.

McCormick said it remains on track with integration planning for the proposed $65 billion merger with Unilever's ULVR.L foods business combination and remains confident in delivering the expected strategic and financial benefits, including significant earnings per share accretion post-close.

The company reported third-quarter sales of $2.02 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $1.98 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.