Company Overview - Mondelez International operates in over 150 countries, providing snacks with an estimated net revenue of approximately $36.4 billion for 2024, and is part of major indices like S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and Dow Jones Sustainability Index [2] - The company entered the Chinese market in 1984, with its Greater China headquarters in Shanghai, producing and managing various products including biscuits, chocolates, gum, candies, and solid beverages under well-known brands like Oreo and Trident [2] - Mondelez employs around 4,000 people in China, with production bases in North, South, and East China, and a global R&D center located in East China [2] - The Suzhou Lake East factory received the Green Factory title from Jiangsu Province in 2021, and in January 2023, it joined the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network [2] Compliance and Ethics Initiatives - Mondelez International has established a training mechanism to cultivate a compliance culture, implementing a hybrid training program that deepens employees' understanding of core policies [3] - In 2024, the company conducted approximately 90 interactive compliance live courses, with around 43,000 employees completing the training online [3] - The company has developed and continuously updates a binding Code of Conduct, available in about 32 languages, outlining employees' responsibilities in conducting business lawfully and ethically [3] - All employees are required to undergo annual training on the Code of Conduct, ensuring they read, understand, and comply with its contents [3] Reporting and Accountability - Mondelez International provides accessible complaint mechanisms for employees, contractors, and subcontractors through its compliance and integrity program, with a free hotline and online reporting platform available in over 90 countries [4] - In 2024, the company's ethics and compliance department received over 2,900 contacts globally through these channels, primarily concerning inquiries about compliance policies and reporting of misconduct [4] - The company has integrated compliance principles into its supply chain management, with approximately 96% of its owned production sites and 98% of key suppliers having completed SMETA social responsibility audits in the past three years [4] - Mondelez aims for 100% coverage of its Cocoa Life program's child labor monitoring and remediation system in West Africa by 2025, having achieved 89% coverage in 2024 [4]

Core Insights - Mondelez is transitioning to natural dyes for its products that currently use synthetic colors, indicating a shift towards more natural ingredients in the food industry [1] Company Summary - Mondelez manufactures popular candy brands such as Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish, which are known for their vibrant colors [1] - The company's initiative to switch to natural dyes reflects a growing consumer demand for healthier and more natural food options [1]

Core Insights - The Hershey Company has outperformed Mondelez International nearly 2:1 in 2025, despite both companies facing challenges from rising cocoa prices [1][2] - The management of rising costs and the strength of non-chocolate portfolios will be crucial for both companies as peak candy demand approaches during Halloween and the holidays [2] Group 1: Hershey Company - Hershey's stock was one of the worst performers in 2024 due to higher commodity prices and a change in leadership, with Kirk Tanner replacing Michele Buck [4] - The company has successfully implemented a price increase of approximately 26% on popular products like Reese's and Kit-Kat, demonstrating its ability to pass costs to consumers [5] - Hershey has diversified its product offerings, launching new products like Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies, which sold over 11 million units, and expanding its portfolio of salty snacks [6][7] Group 2: Mondelez International - Mondelez has also expanded its portfolio beyond chocolate but has not shown the same strong gains as Hershey, relying more on cost-cutting measures to preserve margins [8] - The company's earnings report indicated a 15% year-over-year drop in EPS, compared to Hershey's 3% decline, highlighting Hershey's better performance in passing price hikes to consumers [9] - Analysts suggest that while Mondelez stock may have more upside based on conventional metrics, it needs to prove its ability to pass on higher cocoa prices to consumers [10][11] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings - Recent upgrades for Hershey include a rating increase from Neutral to Outperform by BNP Paribas Exane and a significant upgrade from Goldman Sachs from Sell to Buy, raising its price target to $220 [12] - Analysts expect a 15% gain for Hershey, which is higher than the 13% growth anticipated for Mondelez stock, indicating a more favorable outlook for Hershey [12] - Mondelez currently holds a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, but it is not included in the list of top stocks recommended by leading analysts [13]

Core Insights - The Next Generation Ingredients conference will take place in London on November 4 and 5, featuring executives from major companies in the food and drinks sector [1][2] - Key themes include investment strategies in ingredients, product development influenced by GLP-1 drugs, and the impact of global macroeconomic factors on ingredient strategies [3][4] Group 1: Conference Overview - The conference is organized by Arena International and aims to address trends and issues in the ingredients sector [1] - Notable participants include executives from Mars, Associated British Foods, Greencore, Mondelez International, and others [1][2] Group 2: Key Topics and Discussions - The first day will feature discussions on investment in ingredients, with insights from Unilever, Nichols, and THG [2] - Rousselot will present on the influence of GLP-1 drugs on product development, while Mondelez will discuss the effects of macroeconomic instability [3] - The first afternoon will include panels on personalization and sourcing, featuring brands like BetterYou and The Fairtrade Foundation [3][4] Group 3: Day Two Highlights - Day two will start with Greencore discussing global cuisine and will include a panel on new product development (NPD) strategies [4] - Bakkavor will focus on the benefits and trade-offs of reformulation during a mid-morning session [4] - The afternoon will see discussions on retail strategy and the use of functional ingredients, involving companies like The Gut Stuff and Zooki [5]

Group 1 - Mondelez International, Inc. reported Q2 2025 results with an Adjusted EPS of $0.73, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.68, and quarterly revenue of $8.98 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $8.82 billion [2] - The company experienced a year-over-year net revenue increase of 7.7%, although there was a decline of 1.5% in volume/mix, indicating that favorable pricing significantly contributed to revenue growth [2] - Mondelez announced a 6% increase in its dividend and introduced new products in collaboration with Reese's, including the REESE'S OREO Cup, which is expected to perform well based on online excitement [3] Group 2 - The company has a dividend yield of 3.19%, providing stable income for shareholders and enhancing its appeal to potential investors [4] - Mondelez International is a global snacking company formed in 2012 from the spin-off of Kraft Foods' global snack and confectionery business, owning several billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, Ritz, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Toblerone [4]

Group 1 - Mondelez International, Inc. is recognized as one of the best high dividend stocks to buy under $100, with a strong presence in the snack industry and a diverse portfolio of iconic brands [1][2] - The company has expanded its portfolio significantly since its formation in 2012, completing 10 acquisitions since 2018 to enhance its core categories and enter adjacent markets [3][4] - Mondelez has focused on acquiring brands that offer healthier or premium products, reinforcing its market presence and expanding into new categories [4] Group 2 - The company has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, recently announcing a 6.4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.50 per share, marking 12 consecutive years of dividend growth [5] - As of September 18, Mondelez's stock has a dividend yield of 3.16%, making it an attractive option for dividend investors [5]

Group 1: Avista Corp. - Avista has a history of raising dividends for 22 consecutive years, with the most recent increase on Feb. 12, raising the quarterly payout from $0.475 to $0.49 per share, resulting in an annual figure of $1.96 per share [3] - The current dividend yield for Avista is 5.39% [3] - As of June 30, Avista's annual revenue was $1.96 billion, and Q2 2025 revenues were reported at $411 million with an EPS of $0.17, both below consensus estimates [4] Group 2: Cogent Communications - Cogent Communications has increased its dividend for 51 consecutive years, with the latest hike on May 8, raising the quarterly payout from $1.01 to $1.015 per share, equating to an annual figure of $4.06 per share [6] - The current dividend yield for Cogent Communications is 11.30% [6] - As of June 30, the company's annual revenue was $1 billion, and Q2 2025 revenues were $266.17 million, which missed the consensus estimate of $246.83 million, while the per-share loss of $1.21 was better than the consensus of $1.08 loss per share [7] Group 3: Mondelez International - Mondelez International is involved in the manufacturing, marketing, and selling of snack food and beverage products globally [8]

Group 1 - Shanghai is focusing on high-quality development and aims to become a world-class modern international metropolis, enhancing its appeal for global goods, especially high-quality and diverse food products [1] - The city welcomes global food companies like Mondelēz International to participate in the development of Shanghai's food industry, improve their headquarters capabilities, and integrate deeply into local supply chains [1] - Mondelēz International, ranked 436th in the Fortune Global 500, is a leader in the global snack industry and has established its Greater China headquarters in Shanghai [2] Group 2 - The CEO of Mondelēz International expressed that Shanghai represents future trends and is often ahead of the global curve, making each visit a learning experience [1] - The company aims to seize growth opportunities in the Chinese market, enhance consumer experiences, and share insights from China with the global market [1]

Group 1 - The Global Staples Conference is ongoing, with a focus on industry news and developments [1] - Mondelez International is participating in the conference, represented by its Chairman and CEO Dirk Van de Put and CFO Luca Zaramella [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reaffirmed its full year 2025 organic sales growth guidance of about 5% despite headwinds from U.S. retailer restocking and hot weather in Europe impacting chocolate demand [9][10] - Organic sales in North America declined about 3.5% year over year in the first half, with underlying trends softer than anticipated [13][19] - The company expects a reasonable P&L for 2025 with top-line growth of 4% to 5% and a 10% EPS decline, indicating a challenging year ahead [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that chocolate consumption in Europe was impacted by hot weather, particularly in the U.K. and Germany, leading to a decline in volumes [10][11] - In North America, the company is focusing on optimizing shopping trips and maximizing brand presence, particularly for Oreo, which has seen increased penetration but decreased purchase frequency [17][19] - The company is implementing price pack architecture in Europe to protect specific price points and stimulate consumption through promotional activities [12][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In emerging markets, the company sees significant growth potential, particularly in India and China, despite current consumer caution [36][40] - Brazil is performing well with good single-digit growth, while Mexico is experiencing a slowdown in consumer offtake [40][41] - Cocoa supply is expected to increase, leading to a potential surplus and a decrease in cocoa prices, which could positively impact margins [32][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The long-term strategy established in 2018 remains valid, focusing on building presence in key categories and supporting brand growth [5][6] - The company is exploring collaborations with other brands to drive innovation and market presence, viewing these partnerships as win-win opportunities [20][25] - The cakes and pastries category is identified as a significant growth opportunity, with expectations of reaching $125 billion by 2030 [52][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed that consumer spending behavior has not changed significantly over the past two and a half years, with consumers remaining cautious and prioritizing basic necessities [14][15] - The company anticipates continued challenges in North America over the next 6 to 12 months, with a focus on adapting to consumer behavior [19][40] - Management is optimistic about the upcoming Christmas season, expecting stronger engagement and better elasticities as consumers adjust to new price levels [12][29] Other Important Information - The company is closely monitoring cocoa supply dynamics and exploring alternative sourcing to mitigate cocoa price risks [30][34] - The capital allocation strategy remains disciplined, with a focus on smaller M&A opportunities and a pragmatic approach to share buybacks [47][50] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for North America in the next 6 to 12 months? - Management indicated that consumers are cautious and spending has not increased, leading to a challenging environment for the foreseeable future [16][19] Question: How does the company view collaborations with other brands? - Collaborations are seen as opportunities for innovation and market expansion, with potential benefits for both parties involved [20][25] Question: What is the company's strategy regarding cocoa supply and pricing? - The company is optimistic about an increase in cocoa supply leading to lower prices, which would positively impact margins [32][33] Question: What are the growth expectations in emerging markets? - Emerging markets are expected to contribute significantly to growth, with a focus on building strong brands and distribution networks [36][39]