Core Viewpoint - Analysts project General Mills (GIS) will report quarterly earnings of $1.05 per share, a decline of 3.7% year over year, with revenues expected to reach $4.78 billion, down 2.5% from the same quarter last year [1] Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.1% over the last 30 days, indicating a collective reconsideration by analysts [1] - Analysts forecast 'Net Sales- North America Foodservice' to reach $547.87 million, reflecting a change of +2.2% from the year-ago quarter [2] - 'Net Sales- International' is estimated at $699.25 million, indicating a decline of -2.3% from the prior-year quarter [2] - 'Net Sales- Pet' is projected at $557.36 million, suggesting a decrease of -3.9% year over year [2] Group 2: Operating Profit Estimates - 'Net Sales- North America Retail' is expected to reach $2.97 billion, a decline of -3.3% from the prior-year quarter [3] - The consensus estimate for 'Operating Profit- North America Retail' is $754.49 million, down from $798.20 million in the same quarter last year [3] - 'Operating Profit- International' is projected at $36.30 million, compared to $50 million a year ago [3] - 'Operating Profit- Pet' is estimated at $109.91 million, slightly down from $111.20 million in the previous year [3] - 'Operating Profit- North America Foodservice' is expected to reach $65.54 million, up from $59.10 million reported in the same quarter last year [3] Group 3: Stock Performance - General Mills shares have increased by +6.2% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.9% [4] - With a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), GIS is expected to closely follow overall market performance in the near term [4]

Core Viewpoint - General Mills (GIS) is anticipated to report a year-over-year decline in earnings due to lower revenues, with the earnings report expected on September 18, 2024 [1] Group 1: Earnings Expectations - The consensus estimate for General Mills' quarterly earnings is $1.05 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3.7% [2] - Expected revenues for the quarter are $4.78 billion, down 2.5% from the same quarter last year [2] Group 2: Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.06% over the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [3] - A positive Earnings ESP of +1.92% suggests that analysts have recently become more optimistic about General Mills' earnings prospects [6][7] Group 3: Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model indicates that a positive reading is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [5] - General Mills currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [7] Group 4: Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, General Mills exceeded the expected earnings of $0.99 per share by delivering $1.01, resulting in a surprise of +2.02% [8] - The company has beaten consensus EPS estimates in all of the last four quarters [8] Group 5: Conclusion - General Mills is viewed as a compelling candidate for an earnings beat, although other factors should also be considered before making investment decisions [9]

Company and Industry Overview * **Company**: General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) * **Industry**: Consumer Staples, specifically Cereals, Snacks, and Pet Food Long-Term Goals and Strategy * **Long-Term Sales Growth**: Aim for 2% to 3% organic net sales growth. * **Category Growth**: Expect categories to grow between 2% and 3%. * **Share Holding**: Confident in holding or gaining share in current categories. * **Key Drivers**: Leading brands, increased marketing spend, and improved capabilities in strategic revenue management, media, and online media. Industry Environment and Recovery * **Volume Recovery**: Recognize a more elongated volume recovery than initially expected. * **Fiscal '25 Outlook**: Consistent with gradual progress theme, expecting flat-to-up 1% organic sales growth and EPS between down 1% and up 1% year-over-year. * **Category Growth**: Categories returning to growth, with pounds up 1% in the last three months. * **Macroeconomic Factors**: Inflation expected at 3% to 4%, with over 50% coverage in commodities. * **Productivity**: Expect 4% to 5% productivity improvement. North America Retail * **Leadership**: Dana McNabb, Group President, North America Retail. * **Approach**: Focus on regaining household penetration, particularly with kids, through a remarkable total product offering. * **Key Initiatives**: Product innovation, advertising and communications, in-store execution, and strategic revenue management. * **Share Performance**: Improving in pound share in seven out of 10 biggest categories and in dollar share in six out of 10 categories. Cereal Business * **Category**: North America Cereal market is $9 billion in sales. * **Competitive Landscape**: More competition is seen as beneficial for the category. * **Focus**: Continue to focus on strong brand building and innovation. * **New Products**: Launched new products like double chocolate cookies, fruity cheerios, and Fiber One brownies. Pet Food * **Priority**: Return Blue Buffalo to growth after a reset year in fiscal '24. * **Performance**: Blue Buffalo is now more profitable than a year ago and starting to gain market share in dry dog food. * **Wilderness**: Losses cut in half and declining at 6% in the first quarter. * **Fresh Pet Food**: Testing fresh pet food with Blue Buffalo, with mixed results but potential for future opportunities. * **Edgard & Cooper**: Acquired for its premium pet food proposition and global expansion potential. International and Foodservice * **Foodservice**: Strong Foodservice business with distinct capabilities and sales and channel experience. * **International**: Mixed performance, with growth in Europe and Australia but challenges in China and Brazil. Capital Allocation and M&A * **M&A Strategy**: Focus on bolt-on acquisitions of $1 billion to $2 billion in sales, with a preference for areas like Pet, Snacking, and Foodservice. * **Priority**: Organic growth remains the number one priority. Conclusion General Mills is confident in its long-term growth prospects, focusing on category growth, share holding, and strategic investments in marketing and capabilities. The company is also actively managing its international and foodservice segments, while remaining cautious on M&A activity.

When a bear market occurs, it’s not impossible to find places to preserve or even grow wealth in the stock market. Some companies naturally have aspects of their business that allow them to perform well when it feels like all the market wants to do is fall. We’ll look at three stocks that have historically been able to do this.Specifically, these stocks outperformed the S&P 500’s return in 2008 and 2022, the two worst calendar year bear markets seen in recent history. In those years, the index’s total retur ...

What Are Dividends In Stocks?Dividends are the regular payments made by companies to their shareholders. They represent a way for successful companies to share their profits. Dividend stocks are shares in these companies that pay out dividends. Investors can receive dividends as cash or reinvest them to buy more shares.Investing in dividend stocks can offer several benefits. Dividend payments provide a steady income stream, especially for retirees and conservative investors. Dividends can also help offset m ...

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) , a well-known name in the food industry, is currently grappling with a host of challenges that are impacting its financial performance. Despite the company’s strong brand portfolio and strategic initiatives, volatile consumer trends and escalating production costs are weighing on its margins. As the company approaches fiscal 2025, these pressures are shaping a cautious outlook, reflected in the recent downward revisions of its earnings projections. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ...

Core Viewpoint - General Mills reported mixed results in its Q4 fiscal 2024 earnings, with adjusted earnings per share beating estimates but showing a year-over-year decline, raising questions about future performance as the company faces challenges in sales and margins [2][5]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 fiscal 2024 were $1.10, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.99, but down 10% year-over-year on a constant-currency basis [2]. - Net sales totaled $4,713.9 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,873 million, and decreased by 6% due to adverse net price realization and reduced pound volume [2]. - Organic net sales declined by 6%, attributed to lower retailer inventory and international unit hurdles [2]. Margin Analysis - Adjusted gross margin contracted by 10 basis points to 34.9%, influenced by input cost inflation and supply chain issues, partially offset by cost savings [3]. - Adjusted operating profit was $800 million, down 10% year-over-year, with the operating profit margin contracting by 70 basis points to 17% [3]. Segment Performance - North America Retail revenues were $2,853.3 million, down 7% year-over-year, with organic net sales also declining by 7% [3]. - International segment revenues decreased by 10% to $667.5 million, with organic net sales also falling by 10% due to challenges in China and Brazil [4]. - Pet segment revenues were $602.1 million, down 8% year-over-year, while North America Foodservice revenues increased by 4% to $589 million, driven by growth in specific product categories [4]. Shareholder Returns and Guidance - The company paid out $1.4 billion in dividends and repurchased nearly 29 million shares for $2 billion in fiscal 2024, with a 2% increase in quarterly dividends announced [5]. - For fiscal 2025, General Mills anticipates organic net sales growth between flat and 1%, with adjusted operating profit growth expected to decline by 2% or remain flat [6]. Market Outlook - Estimates for General Mills have trended downward, with a consensus estimate shift of -7.92% [7]. - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of below-average returns in the coming months [9].

Key TakeawaysConsumer staples stocks have struggled lately as consumers reassess their spending amid stubborn inflation.However, staple stocks rose Wednesday as investors moved out of technology stocks.Investors could be looking to hedge against economic weakness and capitalize on the sector's recent underperformance. While tech stocks are falling Wednesday, consumer staples are on the rise.  The S&P 500’s consumer staples sector was up 1.5%, making it the benchmark index’s best performer on a day when the ...

Core Viewpoint - Major indexes are reaching new highs, yet notable blue-chip stocks are underperforming, trading near their 52-week lows, presenting potential investment opportunities [1][2]. Group 1: McDonald's (MCD) - McDonald's shares have fallen approximately 14.5% in 2024, underperforming the broader market [3]. - Concerns over affordability due to rising fast-food prices and a modest same-store sales growth of 1.9% in Q1 have contributed to the stock's decline [3][4]. - Despite the recent dip, MCD trades at 20.8 times this year's expected earnings per share (EPS), below its historical average, indicating potential for upside as EPS growth is anticipated to accelerate [4]. Group 2: Northrop Grumman (NOC) - Northrop Grumman's stock has declined 8% year-to-date, despite its strong historical performance and a track record of 20 consecutive years of dividend increases, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% over the past decade [6][7]. - The company is well-positioned to benefit from increased global defense budgets due to rising geopolitical tensions, making its current stock price near 52-week lows attractive for investors [7]. Group 3: General Mills (GIS) - General Mills has seen a stock decline of about 15% over the past year, trading near its 52-week lows [8][10]. - The company is considered recession-proof, with stable cash flows from well-known brands, and has maintained its dividend since 1990, despite a temporary halt in increases from 2018 to 2020 [9][10]. - Currently, General Mills has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14 times based on FY2024's consensus EPS estimate of $4.49, along with a solid 3.8% yield, making it a compelling investment opportunity [10].

The benchmark S&P 500 index is at a record high, having just closed above the 5,600 level for the very first time. So far, in 2024, the index is up 18%, marking one of the best starts in its history and the best start ever to a presidential election year. While the run has been impressive, it has also been uneven, with the gains largely concentrated in a few mega-cap technology stocks.Many components of the S&P 500 index have not participated in the current rally, and their share prices are in the red on th ...