In late 2025 and early 2026, I made some sizable moves in my portfolio, resulting in increased stakes in three dividend stocks. Here's what I did and why. Adding more of a good thing In the second half of 2025, I decided to increase my position in Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP) because of its evolving business. The core of the company has always been renewable energy, such as hydroelectric, solar, and wind. Management added energy storage to that, and -- the real kicker for me -- nuclear power ...

We came across a bullish thesis on Hormel Foods Corporation on Phaetrix Investing’s Substack by Phaetrix. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on HRL. Hormel Foods Corporation's share was trading at $24.61 as of January 30th. HRL’s trailing and forward P/E were 18.00 and 15.90 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock.com Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and other food products to foodservice, convenience store, ...

AUSTIN, Minn., Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced its participation at the upcoming 2026 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) Conference and confirmed key details for the fiscal 2026 first quarter earnings call. CAGNY Conference The company also invites interested parties to participate in a webcast and conference call with Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer: John Ghingo, president; and Paul Kuehnema ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the author's background in analytics and accounting, highlighting over 10 years of experience in the investment sector, progressing from an analyst to a management role [1]. Group 1 - The author holds a master's degree in Analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting [1]. - The author has a personal interest in dividend investing and aims to share insights with the Seeking Alpha community [1]. Group 2 - The author has disclosed a beneficial long position in several companies, including ABBV, ADP, HRL, JNJ, LOW, PEP, and SPGI, through various financial instruments [2]. - The article emphasizes that the author's opinions are personal and not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [2].

Board Changes - Jim Snee has retired from the Board after 36 years of service, having previously held the roles of President, Chairman, and CEO [1] - Jeff Ettinger rejoined the Board in March and was appointed Interim CEO in July [2] - John Ghingo was named the new President in July and joined the Board [2] - Scott Aakre joined the Board in May and will retire from his role as Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Retail at the end of the month [2] Meeting Attendance - Members of the Board of Directors and leadership team are present at the meeting [3] - Representatives from Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm, are also in attendance [3]

Group 1 - The company reported strong operational performance with increasing demand in core markets, leading to heightened leasing activity and rising occupancy rates [1] - Total in-store customer spending during the Christmas quarter remained consistent with the previous year, with grocery spending rising by 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year [1] - Non-Food discount sales grew by 7.2%, while Food & Beverage and Health & Beauty segments increased by 4% and 2.4% respectively, despite a decline in Value Fashion by 1.1% [1] Group 2 - As of April 1, 2026, new ratable values across the portfolio are expected to increase by 7%, but this will be offset by an 11% reduction in rates payable for tenants due to a recently announced discount for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties [2] - The company has been disciplined in capital recycling, improving portfolio quality, and strengthening its financial position, having disposed of one retail park in Northern Ireland and one shopping center in Hemel Hempstead for a total of GBP 12.6 million [2] - A further retail park in Dumfries was exchanged for GBP 26.5 million following the execution of a value-enhancing business plan [2]

Company Overview - The PLANTERS brand, founded in 1906, has been a leading snacking solution with a diverse portfolio including peanuts, nut mixes, and seeds [7] - PLANTERS has been owned by Hormel Foods Corporation since 2021, which generates approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and is a member of the S&P 500 Index [9] Marketing and Brand Engagement - The NUTmobile serves as a mobile public relations tool, generating millions of media impressions and engaging with fans through local media [1] - The brand is currently seeking college graduates to become "Peanutters," who will act as brand ambassadors and storytellers while traveling across the country [2][3] - Last year's Peanutters traveled to 46 states and interacted with over 160,000 people, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement [3] Employment Opportunities - The Peanutters role offers a unique experience, including an annual salary, full-time benefits, and travel stipends, while providing real-world marketing and PR experience [3][4] - After their tour, Peanutters have the opportunity to apply for full-time positions at Hormel Foods [4] Brand Identity and Community Engagement - The PLANTERS brand emphasizes fun and creativity, aiming to create memorable experiences for consumers through engaging marketing strategies [3][5] - The iconic MR. PEANUT character and the NUTmobile are central to the brand's identity, appealing to consumers' sense of nostalgia and enjoyment [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of ongoing inflation on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy and suggests focusing on low-beta defensive stocks to navigate market volatility [2][3][10] Economic Context - Inflation has risen, with the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index increasing by 2.8% year-over-year in November, moving further away from the Federal Reserve's 2% target [6][8] - Personal income growth has slowed, with increases of 0.1% in October and 0.3% in November, below analysts' expectations [9] Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-beta defensive stocks, particularly in the utility and consumer staples sectors, to mitigate market fluctuations [4][5] - Featured stocks include: - **Ameren Corp. (AEE)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 8.2%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.58, dividend yield of 2.78% [12][13] - **Fortis, Inc. (FTS)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 4.2%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.50, dividend yield of 3.46% [14][15] - **ONE Gas, Inc. (OGS)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 11.8%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.81, dividend yield of 3.47% [16] - **Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 6.6%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.33, dividend yield of 4.76% [17] - **J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 4.5%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.34, dividend yield of 3.43% [18][19]

With a market cap of $13.5 billion, Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) is a nearly 135-year-old American multinational food company. Headquartered in Austin, Minnesota, the company is a global branded food manufacturer, processor, and distributor with a presence in more than 80 countries. The company produces a wide range of meat and grocery products, including fresh and refrigerated items such as bacon, sausages, hams and prepared proteins, as well as shelf-stable foods like canned luncheon meats, snacks, nut ...

Core Insights - Hormel Foods Corporation's international business is crucial for growth, but the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 showed mixed results with a 6% year-over-year decline in international net sales [1][8] Group 1: Regional Performance - China demonstrated strength with ongoing volume and net sales growth for SPAM and refrigerated products, indicating sustained brand relevance and demand for convenient protein options [2] - Fresh pork exports faced significant declines due to market softness and trade pressures, particularly in Brazil, where competitive intensity affected volumes and pricing [3] Group 2: Volume and Profitability - The international segment's volumes decreased by 8% in the quarter, highlighting the sensitivity of Hormel Foods' overseas business to regional market dynamics [3] - Profitability trends were negatively impacted by high commodity input costs and ongoing challenges in Brazil [3][8] Group 3: Long-term Outlook - Despite near-term challenges, Hormel Foods' established brands, especially in high-growth regions like China, provide a foundation for long-term expansion opportunities [4] Group 4: Stock Performance - Hormel Foods' shares have increased by 1.8% over the past month, outperforming the industry's decline of 0.3% during the same period [5]