公司的目标是创建一个名为Grace Blackwell NVLink72的巨型芯片，该芯片将使用72个Blackwell GPU， 性能超越世界上最快的超级计算机。 财联社1月7日电，在2025CES电子展上，英伟达CEO黄仁勋在演讲中称，英伟达拥有多种计算网络系 统，例如NVLink 36和NVLink 72，能够满足全球几乎所有数据中心的需求，目前在约45家工厂生产。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Lifeway Foods' Board of Directors rejected Danone North America's unsolicited acquisition proposal of $27.00 per share, citing that it significantly undervalues the company while expressing openness to a sale at a fair price [1][2]. Company Performance - Lifeway Foods has achieved 20 consecutive fiscal quarters of year-over-year topline growth [5]. - The company reported a total shareholder return of 788% over the past five years, outperforming high-growth food and beverage peers and the S&P 500 [5]. - Annual revenue increased from $94 million in 2019 to $160 million in 2023, marking a 71% increase and a 14% CAGR [5]. - Gross profit rose by 92% over the same five-year period, with an 18% CAGR, achieving $17 million in Operating Income and $22 million in Adjusted EBITDA in 2023 [5]. Growth Potential - Lifeway is experiencing double-digit growth, driven by consumer recognition of the gut microbiome's importance and the benefits of kefir [4]. - The company forecasts Adjusted EBITDA to grow from $22 million in 2023 to between $45 million and $50 million by 2027 [5]. - The Board believes Lifeway has reached an inflection point with strong momentum in core products and ongoing operational efficiency improvements [5]. Valuation Considerations - The Danone proposal of $27 per share implies a low EBITDA multiple of approximately 7.5x to 8.5x, not accounting for potential synergies and operational efficiencies [5].

Core Viewpoint - Danone successfully dismissed a lawsuit regarding its "carbon neutral" claim on Evian bottles, with a judge reversing a previous ruling that allowed the class action to proceed [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - US District Judge Nelson Roman initially ruled that the term "carbon neutral" was ambiguous and that consumers might struggle to understand the labeling [2]. - After reconsideration, the judge concluded that reasonable consumers would check the back label for more information, which included a link to Evian's website explaining the carbon neutral claim [3][4]. - The judge stated that Danone's representations were technically true and that relevant disclosures were made available to consumers [5]. Group 2: Consumer Allegations - Consumers accused Danone of defrauding them by implying that Evian was environmentally friendly due to its "carbon neutral" label, while its manufacturing process still released carbon dioxide [1][5]. - The plaintiffs, who paid premium prices for Evian, equated "carbon neutral" with being environmentally friendly [5]. Group 3: Related Legal Context - This ruling followed a separate case where a Chicago federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Danone for claiming Evian is "natural" despite containing microplastics [6]. - Danone's product portfolio includes other brands such as Dannon, Oikos, and Activia yogurt, with its headquarters located in Paris and North American operations in White Plains [6].

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2][3] - The news team covers key finance and investing hubs, focusing on medium and small-cap markets, as well as blue-chip companies and broader investment stories [2][3] - Proactive's content includes insights across various sectors such as biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3][4] Group 2 - The company utilizes technology to enhance workflows and has a team with decades of expertise [3] - Proactive employs automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring all content is edited and authored by humans [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Danone reported a like-for-like sales growth of 4.2% for Q3 2024, indicating broad-based growth despite a soft consumer environment [4][6] - The volume mix contribution reached 3.6%, with resilient pricing at 0.7%, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of volume mix acceleration [5][7] - Net sales for Q3 amounted to approximately €6.8 billion, reflecting a 1.2% decline on a reported basis due to currency impacts and scope effects [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - EDP (Essential Dairy Products) saw a 4.1% increase in like-for-like sales, with volume mix growth accelerating to 3.8% [6] - Specialized Nutrition experienced a 5.2% increase in like-for-like sales, with volume mix growth at 4.1% [6] - Waters category reported a 3.2% increase in like-for-like sales, with volume mix up by 2.3% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America delivered a strong performance with like-for-like sales growth of 5.8%, driven by a 4.9% increase in volume mix [10] - The China, North Asia, and Oceania region reported an 8% increase in like-for-like sales, with volume mix contribution exceeding 10% [12] - Europe achieved a 1.4% increase in like-for-like sales, with volume mix growth at 2.4% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Danone's strategy focuses on competitive and quality growth, with an emphasis on health-oriented categories [5][16] - The company aims to maintain a science-based and consumer-centric approach, investing in category leadership to drive growth [16][17] - Danone is committed to addressing consumer needs and leveraging strong brand equities to support growth [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth in the China, North Asia, and Oceania region, citing strong performance across multiple categories [20] - In Europe, management noted that pricing would not be a major growth driver in the coming quarters, but volume dynamics are improving [22][35] - The company confirmed its guidance for 2024, expecting like-for-like sales growth between 3% and 5% and a moderate improvement in recurring operating margin [16][40] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing some inflation in material costs, particularly in milk prices, but is focused on maintaining a balance between volume, mix, and pricing [30][37] - Danone is investing in sustainability initiatives to enhance supply chain resilience and support regenerative agricultural practices [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of high sales growth in China, North Asia, and Oceania - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth due to strong performance across multiple engines, including Medical Nutrition and Mizone [20] Question: European pricing dynamics and future expectations - Management acknowledged negative pricing in Europe but indicated that volume mix growth is improving, with plans to adjust pricing strategically [22][34] Question: U.S. EDP performance and outlook - Management reported strong growth in North America, particularly in coffee creamers and yogurt, with confidence in maintaining double-digit growth [28][29] Question: Guidance for the year and marketing investments - Management reiterated guidance for 2024, emphasizing the importance of investing in category leadership for sustainable growth [40] Question: Activia brand performance and gut health focus - Management confirmed that the repositioning of the Activia brand is yielding positive results, with a clear focus on gut health benefits [41]

| --- | --- | --- | |-------------------------|-------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Q3 2024 SALES | | | | Juergen Esser | | | | Chief Financial Officer | | NATUR | CONTINUED STRONG MOMENTUM IN Q3 BROAD-BASED GROWTH ACROSS GEOGRAPHIES | --- | --- | --- | |------------------|-----------------------------|-------| | | | | | | NORTH AMERICA | +5.8% | | | EUROPE | +1.4% | | | CHINA, NORTH ASIA & OCEANIA | +8.0% | | +4.2% | LATIN AMERICA | +2.7% | | LFL sales ...

Core Insights - The company reported Q3 2024 sales of €6,826 million, reflecting a like-for-like (LFL) growth of +4.2%, driven by a +3.6% increase in volume/mix and a +0.7% increase in price [1][3][4] - The company confirmed its 2024 guidance, expecting LFL sales growth between +3% and +5% with a moderate improvement in recurring operating margin [1][8] Sales Performance - Sales by geographical zone showed varied performance: - Europe: €2,427 million, LFL growth of +1.4% - North America: €1,611 million, LFL growth of +5.8% - China, North Asia & Oceania: €967 million, LFL growth of +8.0% - Latin America: €706 million, LFL growth of +2.7% - Rest of the World: €1,115 million, LFL growth of +6.0% [1][4][5][6] - By category, EDP sales were €3,283 million with LFL growth of +4.1%, Specialized Nutrition at €2,189 million with +5.2%, and Waters at €1,354 million with +3.2% [1][4][6] Market Dynamics - The company experienced strong competitive momentum in North America, particularly in High Protein, Coffee Creations, and Waters, with double-digit growth in Coffee Creations [2][4] - In Europe, the EDP category showed progress, driven by strong performance from brands like YoPro, Actimel, and Alpro, despite adverse weather conditions affecting Waters [4][5] - In China, North Asia & Oceania, the company saw a significant increase in volume/mix, particularly in Specialized Nutrition and Medical Nutrition [5][6] Financial Adjustments - Reported sales decreased by -1.2% due to negative impacts from scope (-3.1%) and foreign exchange (-3.2%), while hyperinflation contributed positively to reported sales (+1.5%) [3][4][6] - The company applied IAS 29 in hyperinflationary countries, which affected reported data, leading to adjustments in sales figures [9][10] Major Developments - The company successfully issued a €700 million bond with a 7-year maturity and a 3.20% coupon, enhancing its financial flexibility [8]

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, confirmed that it has received an unsolicited, non-binding proposal from Danone North America PBC ("Danone") to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Lifeway it does not already own for $25.00 per share in cash. According to the Schedule 13D amendment filed yesterday with the U.S. Securitie ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades. Even though momentum is a popular stock cha ...

Press Release – Paris, September 5, 2024 Danone successfully issues a €700 million bond Danone announces that it has issued today a €700 million bond with a 7-year maturity and a 3.20% coupon. In line with the company's active liquidity management, this issue enables Danone to enhance its funding flexibility while extending the maturity of its debt. The settlement is expected to take place on September 12, 2024 and the bonds will be listed on Euronext Paris. The bond issue was widely subscribed by a diversi ...