Core Insights - Sargento has launched three new products: Sargento® Natural American Cheese, Sargento® Seasoned Shredded Cheese, and Sargento® Shareables, continuing its tradition of innovation in the cheese industry [1][3][10] Product Innovations - **Sargento® Natural American Cheese**: Made with 100% natural cheese, containing only five ingredients, contrasting with typical processed cheeses that have nine or more [4][10] - **Sargento® Seasoned Shredded Cheese**: Developed in collaboration with McCormick & Co, featuring bold flavors such as Frank's RedHot® and Cholula® Hot Sauce Seasonings, catering to consumers seeking spicy options [5][7] - **Sargento® Shareables**: Convenient cheese and cracker trays designed for sharing, featuring a balanced cheese-to-cracker ratio, and available in three varieties [6][8] Strategic Partnerships - Sargento partnered with McCormick & Co, Inc. for the Seasoned Shredded Cheese line and with Mondelēz International for the Shareables, enhancing its product offerings and market reach [3][10] Market Position - Sargento has been a leader in the cheese industry for over 70 years, with a commitment to quality and innovation, and aims to grow the natural cheese category with these new products [3][11]

Core Insights - Mondelēz is enhancing its partnership with the NCAA by collaborating with current and former NCAA athletes to generate excitement during the March Madness tournament [1][3][7] - The company is offering fans a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2026 NCAA Men's or Women's Final Four through various promotional activities [1][4] Partnership and Promotions - The partnership includes a 30-second advertisement featuring college basketball stars Juju Watkins and Jackson Shelstad, which began airing on March 13 [2][3] - Mondelēz brands such as OREO, RITZ, CHIPS AHOY!, TRISCUIT, and WHEAT THINS will engage fans through a microsite where they can enter sweepstakes and participate in games to win prizes [4][5] Athlete Involvement - A roster of NCAA athletes has been selected as brand ambassadors to promote Mondelēz products during the tournament [3][7] - Notable athletes include Caleb Love, Juju Watkins, Brandon Dwyer, and others representing various brands under Mondelēz [7] Event Presence - Mondelēz will have a significant presence at the Men's Final Four in San Antonio, offering giveaways and interactive experiences for fans [5][6] - The belVita brand will debut at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Tampa, providing samples and hosting meet-and-greet events [6] Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands [9]

Core Insights - Mondelez International closed out 2024 with solid performance but missed Wall Street expectations, reporting organic revenue growth of 4.3% and a Q4'24 acceleration to over 5% [1] Revenue Performance - The company experienced a revenue miss despite gains fueled by emerging markets [1]

Core Viewpoint - Mondelez International reported a decline in adjusted earnings and revenues in Q4 2024, primarily due to increased cocoa inflation and operating costs, leading to a downward revision in future earnings estimates [2][8][10]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for Q4 2024 were 65 cents per share, a 15.9% decrease on a constant-currency basis, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents [2]. - Net revenues increased by 3.1% year over year to $9,604 million, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,691.7 million [3]. - Organic net revenues grew by 5.2% year over year, driven by a 5.1 percentage point increase in net pricing [3]. Regional Performance - Revenues from emerging markets rose 1.7% to $3,640 million, with a 6.7% organic growth, supported by favorable pricing actions [4]. - Developed markets saw revenues increase by 4% to $5,964 million, reflecting solid growth from Europe and the U.S. [4]. - Region-wise, revenues in Latin America dropped 7.2%, while Asia, the Middle East & Africa, and Europe grew by 9.9% and 5.8%, respectively [5]. Cost and Margin Analysis - Adjusted gross profit fell by $440 million at constant currency, with the gross profit margin contracting by 650 basis points to 31.5% due to increased raw material and transportation costs [6]. - Adjusted operating income declined by $396 million at constant currency, with the operating income margin contracting by 510 basis points to 10% [7]. Future Outlook - Mondelez projects organic net revenue growth of around 5% in 2025, but expects adjusted EPS to decline by nearly 10% due to cocoa cost inflation [8]. - The company anticipates a double-digit increase in inflation for 2025, primarily driven by cocoa costs and labor expenses [9]. - Estimates for Mondelez have been trending downward, with a consensus estimate shift of -15.95% [10]. Industry Comparison - Mondelez belongs to the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, where another player, Sysco, reported a revenue increase of 4.5% year-over-year [13].

Core Insights - SnackFutures Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International, will present its insights on the future of snacking at Natural Products Expo West on March 5, 2025, highlighting trends and data from the 2024 State of Snacking Report [1][2] Company Overview - SnackFutures Ventures focuses on investing in brands and businesses that align with Mondelēz International's growth priorities in core categories such as chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks, including brands that emphasize personal and planetary well-being [4] - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands like Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury Dairy Milk [5] Trends and Innovations - The expert panel will discuss several emerging themes in the snacking industry, including: - The impact of social media on consumer snack discovery and purchase [7] - Rising consumer interest in "Permissible Chocolate" that supports personal and planetary well-being [7] - The growing relevance of protein in savory snacks and its connection to women's health [7] - Increased demand for "Better-for-You" bakery products with cleaner labels and ingredients [7] - Innovations in supply chain technologies aimed at enhancing climate resilience [7]

Product Innovation - SOUR PATCH KIDS has launched a new product called Strawberry-Watermelon Glow Ups, which is the first gummy candy that glows under blacklight, featuring edible confetti made with turmeric extract [1][2] - The turmeric extract is flavorless, allowing the strawberry-watermelon flavor to be the primary taste experience [2] Brand Strategy - The brand aims to provide a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond taste, appealing to adventurous candy consumers [3] - The playful nature of the candy is designed to enhance various events, such as concerts, gaming marathons, and movie nights, making it suitable for blacklight settings [3] Marketing and Engagement - An exclusive Snapchat filter will be introduced, allowing users to experience the glow of the candy through augmented reality without needing a blacklight [4] - The augmented reality feature enables fans to see the candy glow and interact with it in a fun way [4] Availability and Pricing - SOUR PATCH KIDS Glow Ups will be available online starting March 5th and at major national retailers later in March, with a small peg bag priced at $1.24 and a large peg bag at $2.98 [5] - Additionally, the Swedish Fish brand will also launch a similar product, SWEDISH FISH Mini Strawberry-Watermelon Glow Ups, offering a comparable glowing experience [5] Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands like Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the expertise of Vladimir Dimitrov, CFA, who has a background in brand and intangible assets valuation, particularly in the technology, telecom, and banking sectors [1]. Group 1 - Vladimir Dimitrov has worked with some of the largest global brands during his career in London [1]. - He graduated from the London School of Economics and focuses on identifying reasonably priced businesses with sustainable long-term competitive advantages [1].

Core Insights - Mondelēz International has appointed Norberto Chaclin as Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Development Officer, aiming to enhance its R&D and quality strategy to shape the future of snacking [1][2] Company Leadership - Norberto Chaclin is recognized as a proven leader with a strong track record in innovation and a commitment to mentoring future R&D talent, which is expected to strengthen partnerships with commercial businesses and drive consumer-centric growth [2][4] - Chaclin previously served as Senior Vice President of R&D for Global Biscuits and has led significant innovations for brands like Oreo and Ritz [2][3] Background of New Executive - Chaclin has 18 years of experience at PepsiCo, where he held various roles, ultimately leading R&D for North America Beverages [3] - He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and an MBA, and is involved in food and nutrition sciences [5] Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024 and operates in over 150 countries with iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury [6]

Group 1 - The RITZ Brand has launched a new flavor, Hot Honey, which combines sweet and spicy elements, catering to the growing trend of "swicy" snacks [1][2] - RITZ Hot Honey crackers feature a flaky texture and a rich hot honey taste, designed to be a versatile base for various toppings [2] - The introduction of Hot Honey follows previous spicy offerings, including RITZ Bits Spicy Queso and RITZ Toasted Chips Sweet Habanero, indicating a strategic focus on expanding the spicy flavor segment [2] Group 2 - Mondelēz International, the parent company of RITZ, reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion for 2024, highlighting its strong position in the global snacking market [4] - The company operates in over 150 countries and includes a diverse portfolio of iconic brands such as OREO, LU, and Cadbury, reinforcing its market leadership [4]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International is showcasing its growth, portfolio transformation, and commitment to long-term value creation at the 2025 CAGNY Conference [1] - The company reported 4.3% organic net revenue growth and 5.1% adjusted gross profit dollar growth in 2024, despite challenges from record cocoa input cost inflation [2] - The cakes and pastries business, valued at $2 billion, is positioned for accelerated growth and currently holds a 3 global market share [2] Strategic Focus - The company emphasizes a proven playbook that includes acquiring the right opportunities, executing strong integration plans, and enhancing growth through expanded distribution and marketing [3] - The presentation at CAGNY will cover four key areas of the company's strategy [3] Financial Performance - In 2024, Mondelēz International achieved net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, leading the future of snacking with iconic brands [4] - The company aims to generate 90% of its revenue from chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks while navigating record cocoa input costs [7] Market Opportunities - There is a unique opportunity for growth in the fast-growing $97 billion cakes and pastries category [6][7] - The company is focused on unlocking value through cash generation, disciplined capital allocation, and growth-accretive M&A [7]