Core Insights - Ingredion Incorporated reported record full-year financial results for 2025, driven by strong performance in Texture & Healthful Solutions and the LATAM segment, despite challenges in the U.S./CAN business [2][5]. Financial Performance - Reported diluted EPS for full-year 2025 was $11.18, up from $9.71 in 2024, while adjusted diluted EPS was $11.13 compared to $10.65 in 2024 [3][5]. - Cash from operations for 2025 was $944 million, down from $1,436 million in 2024, with $435 million returned to shareholders, including $224 million in share repurchases [5][28]. - The company expects full-year 2026 reported and adjusted EPS to be in the range of $11.00 to $11.80 [22]. Segment Performance - Texture & Healthful Solutions achieved 4% sales volume growth in Q4 2025, driven by demand for clean label offerings, with full-year net sales of $2,397 million, a 1% increase from 2024 [11][12]. - Food & Industrial Ingredients—LATAM segment reported a 1% increase in Q4 2025 net sales, with full-year sales of $2,341 million, down 4% from 2024 [13][14]. - Food & Industrial Ingredients—U.S./Canada experienced a 9% decline in Q4 2025 net sales, with full-year sales of $2,013 million, a 7% decrease from 2024 [15][16]. Operating Income - Reported operating income for Q4 2025 was $220 million, a 36% increase from Q4 2024, while adjusted operating income was $228 million, down 8% [9][12]. - Full-year reported operating income was $1,016 million, a 15% increase from 2024, while adjusted operating income was $1,028 million, up 1% [9][12]. Shareholder Returns - The company paid $211 million in dividends for 2025 and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share [21]. - Share repurchases totaled 1.8 million shares at a net cost of $224 million during 2025 [21]. 2026 Outlook - The company anticipates low single-digit to mid-single-digit growth in net sales for 2026, with operating income expected to increase low single-digits [23][24]. - Corporate costs for 2026 are expected to remain flat to increase low single-digits, with effective tax rates projected between 25.5% to 27.0% [25].

Core Insights - Ingredion Incorporated has been recognized as a Top Employer in eight countries, including the United States for the first time in 2026, highlighting its commitment to a people-centric growth culture [1][2][3] Group 1: Recognition and Awards - The company has received Top Employer certification in Thailand, India, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States [1][3] - Ingredion has maintained its Top Employer status in Singapore and Thailand for six consecutive years, while China, Germany, Malaysia, and the UK have been recognized for four years [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Ingredion is a leading global provider of ingredient solutions with annual net sales of approximately $7.4 billion in 2024, serving customers in nearly 120 countries [4] - The company specializes in turning grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for various markets, including food, beverage, and industrial sectors [4]

Industry Overview - The AgTech and food innovation sector is experiencing significant transformation as technology adoption accelerates in farming, food production, and distribution, focusing on sustainability and efficiency [1] - Structural pressures such as climate volatility, labor constraints, and rising input costs are driving the need for innovation, with consumers increasingly favoring transparency and responsible sourcing [2] Digitization and Technological Advancements - A major trend is the digitization of farm operations, with precision agriculture, connected machinery, and real-time analytics optimizing yields while minimizing waste [3] - Companies like Deere & Company are central to this shift, utilizing GPS-guided equipment and data platforms to enhance productivity [3] Food Innovation Trends - Food innovation is evolving as producers adapt to health-oriented diets and sustainability considerations, influencing product development strategies [4] - Tyson Foods is investing in alternative proteins and automation to align its offerings with long-term consumer trends [4] Investment Opportunities - The AgTech and Food Innovation sector presents compelling investment opportunities as companies balance short-term volatility with long-term necessity [5] - Key players such as Corteva, Beyond Meat, and Ingredion are highlighted for their alignment with trends in precision agriculture and protein demand [6] Company Insights: Corteva - Corteva is positioned as a leader in AgTech, focusing on advanced seed genetics and crop protection solutions to meet rising demand driven by climate variability and pest pressures [7] - The company is rolling out new hybrids and investing in gene editing technologies to accelerate innovation [8] - Corteva's initiatives include developing environmentally aligned crop protection solutions, reinforcing its role in the AgTech ecosystem [9] Company Insights: Ingredion - Ingredion is focusing on clean-label ingredients and functional nutrition, responding to inflation and shifting consumer preferences [11] - The company's Texture & Healthful Solutions segment is experiencing solid growth, particularly in clean-label ingredients and protein fortification [12] - Ingredion is also advancing food innovation through targeted solution development and technology adoption, including sugar reduction technologies [13] Company Insights: Beyond Meat - Beyond Meat is adapting to changing protein consumption patterns by focusing on health, sustainability, and resource efficiency [14] - The company is enhancing the nutritional quality of its plant-based proteins, aligning with consumer demand for transparency [15] - Beyond Meat's innovation strategy includes faster product iteration through the Beyond Test Kitchen and ongoing supply-chain improvements [16]

WESTCHESTER, Ill., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food, beverage and industrial markets, has been named to the 2026 FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Companies list. This marks the 16th time the Company has earned this prestigious recognition, reinforcing Ingredion’s ongoing leadership in innovation, operational excellence and sustainability. “Being honored by FORTUNE for the 16th time as one of the World’s Most Admi ...

Core Viewpoint - Ingredion Incorporated is set to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 3, 2026, before market opening [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The financial results will cover the period ended December 31, 2025 [1] - A conference call will be held on February 3 at 8 a.m. CT to discuss the financial performance [2] Group 2: Company Overview - Ingredion is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in over 120 countries [3] - The company reported annual net sales of approximately $7.4 billion for 2024 [3] - Ingredion transforms grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for various markets including food, beverage, and animal nutrition [3] - The company operates innovation centers called Idea Labs and employs more than 11,000 people [3]

Core Message - Ingredion Incorporated has launched its first custom-designed railcar wrap to support the American Heart Association and promote heart health [1][2]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - As part of its long-term sponsorship of the American Heart Association's Heart of Chicago campaign, Ingredion introduced a custom-wrapped GATX railcar featuring the "Move More!" message to encourage physical activity among Americans [2][3]. - The railcar serves as a mobile message promoting the importance of regular physical activity, which is one of the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 measures for improving cardiovascular health [2][3]. Group 2: Partnerships and Community Engagement - Kimberly Bors, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Board of Directors in Chicago, emphasized that support from Ingredion and GATX helps share important health messages and advance the Association's mission [3]. - Paul F. Titterton, executive vice president of GATX Rail North America, highlighted the value of collaboration and community engagement in championing causes that make a difference [3]. - Eric Seip, senior vice president of Ingredion, expressed pride in sponsoring the Heart of Chicago Campaign and emphasized the company's commitment to heart health and community well-being [3]. Group 3: Company Background - Ingredion Incorporated, headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, serves customers in over 120 countries and reported annual net sales of approximately $7.4 billion in 2024 [4]. - The company specializes in turning grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for various markets, including food and beverage [4].

Core Insights - Palm Valley Capital Fund reported a 0.66% appreciation in Q4 2025, underperforming the S&P SmallCap 600's 1.70% gain and the Morningstar Small Cap Total Return Index's 3.12% rise [1] - The Fund increased its allocation to Treasury bills from 74.1% to 76.3% during the quarter, while equity holdings rose by 1.12% [1] - Investments in precious metals, particularly silver, positively influenced equity performance, which has been a significant allocation for the Fund in recent years [1] Company Highlights - Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR) was highlighted as a key stock in the Fund's Q4 2025 investor letter, with a one-month return of 3.89% and a 52-week loss of 16.81% [2] - As of January 5, 2026, Ingredion's stock closed at $110.41 per share, with a market capitalization of $7.086 billion [2] - The Fund initiated new positions in Ingredion, along with Domino's Pizza Group plc and Utz Brands, with modest initial weightings due to reaching minimum required discounts [3]

Industry Overview - The food industry is demonstrating resilience as 2025 concludes, with food inflation cooling but prices remaining high, leading consumers to focus on value [1][2] - Many consumers are trading down to affordable brands and limiting discretionary dining, impacting volumes for some packaged food and restaurant companies, although pricing actions have stabilized revenues [1][2] Company Performance - Companies with established brands, wide distribution networks, and strong cost control are better managing input and labor pressures, with product innovation in protein, convenience foods, and health-focused options attracting consumer interest [2][3] - Supply-chain conditions have improved, allowing companies to operate more efficiently, and foodservice demand is stabilizing, setting a positive tone for 2026 [2] Growth Expectations - Growth expectations for the food industry remain modest, with volume rebounds unlikely but margin improvements anticipated as cost pressures ease [3] - Companies are focusing on efficiency, automation, and smarter portfolio management while leveraging strong brands to maintain pricing discipline [3] Investment Opportunities - Food stocks are becoming attractive as everyday demand provides a defensive foundation, and improving operating leverage offers potential upside [4] - Companies prioritizing operational discipline, brand strength, and margin recovery are well-positioned to navigate a value-conscious consumer environment [4] Company Highlights - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has seen a 47.4% rally in the past six months, benefiting from a multi-year transformation and favorable long-term demand trends in natural and organic food categories [5][6] - UNFI is improving margins through automation, cost discipline, and strong free cash flow, which has enabled debt reduction and improved financial flexibility [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI's current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) suggests growth of 187.3%, with upward revisions in the past 30 days [7] Other Notable Companies - Ingredion Incorporated (INGR) is executing well with steady demand for specialty ingredients, focusing on clean-label and health-driven food trends, which supports margin expansion [11][12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for INGR's current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests respective growth of 5.1% and 1.6%, with upward revisions in the past 60 days [13] - Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND) is working on a turnaround by resizing its cost structure and improving manufacturing efficiency, despite pressure in the plant-based meat category [14][15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BYND's current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests respective growth of 51.5% and 69.6%, with upward revisions in the past 30 days [16]

Core Viewpoint - Ingredion Incorporated has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.82 per share, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [1]. Company Overview - Ingredion Incorporated is a leading global provider of ingredient solutions, serving customers in over 120 countries [3]. - The company reported annual net sales of approximately $7.4 billion for 2024, focusing on transforming grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for various markets [3]. - Ingredion operates innovation centers known as Idea Labs and employs more than 11,000 people, emphasizing collaboration with customers to enhance life through the integration of people, nature, and technology [3].

Core Thesis - Ingredion Incorporated is viewed positively due to its transition towards higher-growth plant-based proteins and alternative sweeteners, aligning with consumer preferences [3][5] - The company is recognized for its solid profitability and disciplined cost control, despite mixed financial performance [3][4] Company Overview - Ingredion is a century-old food ingredients manufacturer serving various industries, including food, paper, textiles, and biomaterials [2] - The company's share price was $107.68 as of December 2nd, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 10.78 and 9.51 respectively [1] Financial Performance - Ingredion's five-year annualized revenue growth is in the low single digits, with a 5.2% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 [3] - The company returned approximately $426 million to shareholders in 2024 through dividends and buybacks, including the repurchase of 1.65 million shares [4] - Owners' earnings have shown mid-double-digit returns over the past five years, while free cash flow growth was more modest at 10.46% [4] Market Position - Morningstar assigns Ingredion a narrow economic moat due to its specialty ingredients business, which benefits from pricing power and customer switching costs [2] - The company is considered a high-quality, dividend-paying small-cap in the consumer staples sector [2]