Texas’ top lawyer is taking a manufacturing company to court, saying its Bastrop plant smells like “boiling blood, and even death” and is making life miserable for people as far as 10 miles away.Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit this month against Darling Ingredients, Inc., an Irving-based company that turns used cooking oil, food waste and inedible animal parts into animal feed and fertilizer. According to the lawsuit, odors coming from the facility have been described by residents as smelling li ...

Core Insights - Darling Ingredients reported a strong fourth quarter with net sales of $1.7 billion, an increase from $1.4 billion in the previous quarter, and a consolidated gross margin improvement to 25.1% from 23.5% year-over-year [1][4] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter reached $336 million, up from $289 million year-over-year and $245 million in the prior quarter, with core ingredients adjusted EBITDA at $278 million compared to $230 million a year earlier [2][7] - The food segment saw fourth-quarter sales rise to $429 million from $362 million, with gross margin improving to 27.2% from 25.7% [9] - In the feed ingredients segment, fourth-quarter EBITDA increased to $193 million from $150 million, with sales rising to $1.13 billion from $924 million [8] Operational Developments - The company improved its debt leverage, with net debt falling to approximately $3.8 billion and covenant leverage improving to 2.9x from 3.9x a year earlier [5][17] - Management is pursuing portfolio rationalization, including potential asset sales and a $120 million acquisition in Brazil [5][21] Market and Policy Context - Chairman and CEO highlighted uncertainties related to renewable fuels policy and trade volatility, but noted improvements in operational execution and debt management [3][4] - The performance of Diamond Green Diesel (DGD) was strong, with Q4 EBITDA of $57.9 million, but future results depend on U.S. policy regarding renewable volume obligations [6][11] Future Outlook - For the first quarter of 2026, the company expects DGD production of about 260 million gallons at improved margins and core ingredients adjusted EBITDA in the range of $240 million to $250 million [22] - Management anticipates continued progress in debt reduction, influenced by DGD's cash generation once policy clarity improves [23]

Core Insights - Darling Ingredients, Inc. (DAR) reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings per share (EPS) of 64 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents and increasing 1.6% year over year [1][9] - Net sales reached $1,709.8 million, a 20.6% increase from the previous year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,534 million [2][9] Financial Performance - Gross profit rose 28.6% year over year to $429.2 million, with gross margin improving by 160 basis points to 25.1% [3] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 16.1% year over year to $336.1 million, including DGD's adjusted EBITDA of $57.9 million [3][9] - Net income was reported at $56.9 million, reflecting a decline of 44.2% year over year [3] Segment Performance - **Feed Segment**: Total net sales reached $1,128.1 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $984 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 28.9% to $193.4 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $165 million [4] - **Food Segment**: Net sales were $429.07 million, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $384 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 28.8% to $82.4 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $72 million [5] - **Fuel Segment**: Net sales totaled $152.6 million, slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $155 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 0.9% to $27.2 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $23.5 million [6] Financial Health - As of January 3, 2026, the company reported cash and cash equivalents of $89 million and total debt of $3,937 million, resulting in net debt of $3,849 million. The preliminary leverage ratio was 2.90x [7] Future Outlook - The company anticipates modestly lower performance in the first quarter of 2026, with expectations of improved fat prices as RVO clarity emerges. Fuel volumes are estimated at approximately 260 million gallons for the first quarter of 2026 [10] - Positive demand trends in the food segment support a constructive outlook for 2026 [10]

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 12, 2026 09:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsBetty Zhang - Associate Director of Equity ResearchBob Day - CFOConnor Fitzpatrick - VPDerrick Whitfield - Managing DirectorDushyant Ajit Ailani - SVPHeather Jones - FounderJason Gabelman - Managing DirectorManav Gupta - Executive DirectorMatthew Blair - Managing DirectorRandall Stuewe - Chairman and CEOSuann Guthrie - SVP of Investor RelationsConference Call ParticipantsAndrew Strelzik - Equity Research A ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, combined adjusted EBITDA was $336.1 million, up from $289 million in Q4 2024 and $245 million in the previous quarter [11] - Total net sales for Q4 2025 reached $1.7 billion, compared to $1.4 billion in Q4 2024 [11] - Gross margins improved to 25.1% in Q4 2025 from 23.5% in Q4 2024 [12] - For the full year 2025, core ingredients EBITDA was $922 million, an increase from $790 million in 2024 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the feed ingredients segment, Q4 EBITDA improved to $193 million from $150 million a year ago, with total sales of $1.13 billion compared to $924 million [12] - The food segment saw total sales for Q4 2025 at $429 million, up from $362 million in Q4 2024, with EBITDA increasing to $82 million from $64 million [13][14] - The fuel segment, specifically Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), delivered $57.9 million of EBITDA in Q4 2025, marking its strongest quarter of the year [8][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., demand for domestic fats remains robust, supported by favorable agricultural and energy policies [8] - Internationally, the global rendering business in Europe, Canada, and Brazil showed solid year-over-year growth [8] - DGD sold approximately 1 billion gallons in 2025, earning $103.7 million of EBITDA, reinforcing its position as the lowest cost operator [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be the world's largest and most profitable processor of animal byproducts, focusing on core strengths and operational excellence [5] - Strategic acquisitions are being pursued, including a stalking horse bid for three rendering facilities in Brazil, which are expected to enhance operational capabilities [10] - The company is open to opportunities that strengthen its core business, potentially leading to asset sales in the near future [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for 2026, citing positive global demand trends and a favorable policy backdrop for renewable fuels [8][20] - The company anticipates a modest pullback in Q1 2026 but expects core ingredients adjusted EBITDA to range between $240 million and $250 million [22] - Management highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity regarding the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for future growth [90] Other Important Information - Total debt net of cash was approximately $3.8 billion at year-end 2025, down from $4 billion at the end of 2024 [17] - The company recorded an income tax benefit of $11 million for Q4 2025, with an effective tax rate of -15.3% [18] - Restructuring and impairment charges amounted to $58 million in Q4 2025 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on DGD margins and potential RVO impact - Management indicated that guidance on DGD will depend on clarity regarding the RVO, with strong results expected to carry into Q1 [29] Question: Sensitivity of feed business to RVO changes - Management noted that the feed business is sensitive to policy changes, with supportive policies likely benefiting rendering businesses in the U.S. and Canada [30] Question: Insights on biofuels production and feedstock demand - Management stated that there hasn't been a significant increase in biofuel production yet, and better margins are needed to incentivize more production [34] Question: Expectations for food business EBITDA - Management expressed confidence in the collagen and gelatin business, expecting a strong year ahead due to rebounding demand [36] Question: RVO expectations and LCFS market dynamics - Management supports an RVO for advanced biofuels translating to 5.25 billion gallons, which would be constructive for margins [41] Question: Potential for asset sales - Management indicated that asset sales would be opportunistic, focusing on areas where the company has core capabilities [71]

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 12, 2026 09:00 AM ET Speaker9Good morning, and welcome to the Darling Ingredients Incorporated conference call to discuss the company's fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results. After the speakers' prepared remarks, there will be a question and answer period, and instructions to ask the question will be given at that time. Today's call is being recorded, and I would now like to turn the call over to Ms. Suann Guthrie, Senior Vice Pre ...

Financial Results Q4 FY 2025 February 11, 2026 This presentation includes "forward-looking" statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Statements that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "estimate," "guidance," "outlook," "project," "plann ...

As of Feb. 12, 2026, two stocks in the consumer staples sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.Hershey Co (NYSE:HSY)Darling Ingredients Inc (NYSE:DAR)Curious about other BZ Edge Rankings? Click here to discover how similar stocks measure up. ...

Core Insights - Darling Ingredients reported $1.71 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, a year-over-year increase of 20.6%, and an EPS of $0.64, slightly up from $0.63 a year ago, with revenue exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.44% [1] Financial Performance - Revenue from Feed Ingredients was $1.13 billion, surpassing the estimated $983.58 million, reflecting a 22.1% increase year-over-year [4] - Revenue from Fuel Ingredients was $152.57 million, slightly below the estimated $154.77 million, but still showing a 15.7% increase year-over-year [4] - Revenue from Food Ingredients reached $429.07 million, exceeding the average estimate of $384.12 million, marking an 18.6% year-over-year increase [4] EBITDA Analysis - Segment Adjusted EBITDA for Food Ingredients was $82.41 million, above the average estimate of $72.22 million [4] - Segment Adjusted EBITDA for Feed Ingredients was $193.37 million, exceeding the average estimate of $164.92 million [4] - Segment Adjusted EBITDA for Fuel Ingredients was $27.17 million, surpassing the average estimate of $23.47 million [4] - Corporate Segment Adjusted EBITDA was reported at -$24.73 million, worse than the estimated -$19.11 million [4] - Combined Adjusted EBITDA for Fuel Ingredients was $85.08 million, significantly higher than the average estimate of $62.1 million [4] Stock Performance - Darling's shares have returned +21.6% over the past month, contrasting with a -0.3% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

分组1 - Darling Ingredients reported quarterly earnings of $0.64 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.43 per share, and showing a slight increase from $0.63 per share a year ago [1] - The earnings surprise for the quarter was +47.70%, contrasting with a previous quarter where the company reported earnings of $0.12 per share against an expectation of $0.13, resulting in a surprise of -7.69% [2] - The company generated revenues of $1.71 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.44%, and up from $1.42 billion year-over-year [3] 分组2 - Darling's stock has appreciated approximately 35.2% since the beginning of the year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.4% [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.46 on revenues of $1.53 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.80 on revenues of $6.26 billion [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Food - Miscellaneous is currently in the bottom 23% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for stock performance [9]