Financial Projections - For Q4 2025, the Company expects Net Sales to be in the range of $342 million to $343 million, representing an Organic Net Sales increase of between 0.3% and 0.6% versus Q4 2024[4] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 is expected to be in the range of $62 million to $64 million, reflecting an increase of between 17% and 21% compared to Q4 2024[4] - For the full year 2025, Net Sales are projected to be between $1,439 million and $1,440 million, indicating an Organic Net Sales increase of between 2.4% and 2.5% versus full year 2024[4] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2025 is expected to be in the range of $216 million to $218 million, representing an increase of between 8% and 9% compared to full year 2024[4] Sales Performance - The Company's Branded Salty Snacks Retail Sales increased by 3.5% in Q4 2025, outperforming the Salty Snack Category which grew by 1.1%[5] - Total Branded Salty Snacks Retail Sales for the full year 2025 surpassed $1.8 billion, with a 2.9% increase compared to the prior year, while the Salty Snack Category declined by 0.5%[6] - The Company's Power Four Brands saw Retail Sales increase by 5.3% in Q4 2025 and 5.0% for the full year 2025[5][6] Operational Focus - The Company is focused on productivity and operational efficiency programs, with a Net Leverage Ratio of approximately 3.4x at fiscal year-end 2025[4][5] - Management plans to expand into California in early 2026 as part of its growth initiatives[3] Future Guidance - The Company will provide detailed results and 2026 guidance on February 12, 2026[2]

Core Insights - Numerator's "Brands to Watch for 2026" report highlights the fastest-growing consumer packaged goods (CPG) and private-label brands, with a notable emphasis on protein as a common factor among these brands [1][2] Fastest-Growing Brands - The top 10 fastest-growing brands include protein-centric products such as Built Bar and Barebells, alongside healthier alternatives like Bloom Nutrition, Drizzilicious, Goodles, and Boulder Canyon. Amos Sweets is the only candy brand featured, while Surfside and BuzzBallz represent the expanding ready-to-drink alcohol market [2][3] Official Top 10 Rankings 1. Built Bar (Built Brands LLC) 2. Bloom Nutrition (Bloom Nu LLC) 3. Drizzilicious (Drizzilicious) 4. Amos Sweets (Amos Sweets Inc.) 5. Surfside (Stateside Brands) 6. Rosina (Rosina Food Products Inc.) 7. Goodles (Gooder Foods Inc.) 8. Boulder Canyon (Utz Brands Inc.) 9. Barebells (Vitamin Well LLC) 10. BuzzBallz (Sazerac Company Inc.) [3] Established Brands - Dairy brands such as Oikos, Fairlife, and Chobani are among the top established brands, with a significant focus on protein contributing to their popularity. Other brands like Jolly Rancher, Red Bull, and Wonder have also seen growth through product diversification [3][4] Official Top 10 Established Brands 1. Oikos (Danone North America) 2. Kinder's (P.K. Kinder Co. Inc.) 3. Fairlife (The Coca-Cola Co.) 4. Chobani (Chobani LLC) 5. Jolly Rancher (The Hershey Co.) 6. NatureSweet (NatureSweet Ltd.) 7. La Banderita (Olé Mexican Foods Inc.) 8. Red Bull (Red Bull) 9. Driscoll's (Driscoll's Strawberry Associates Inc.) 10. Wonder (Flowers Foods Inc.) [4] Fastest-Growing Private-Label Brands - Aldi leads the private-label segment with four brands in the top 10, including Nature's Nectar, Earthly Grains, Happy Harvest, and Fremont Fish Market. Target follows with two brands, Gigglescape and Dealworthy [5] Official Top 10 Private-Label Rankings 1. Gigglescape (Target) 2. Well Market (CVS) 3. Bettergoods (Walmart) 4. Dealworthy (Target) 5. Nature's Nectar (Aldi) 6. Family Wellness (Family Dollar) 7. Earthly Grains (Aldi) 8. Happy Harvest (Aldi) 9. Fremont Fish Market (Aldi) 10. B Pure (Dollar Tree) [5]

Core Viewpoint - Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ) is identified as a promising mid-cap consumer staples stock, with a current Buy rating from Bank of America Securities despite a target price reduction from $15 to $14, indicating a potential upside of nearly 41% [1]. Financial Performance - The company's preliminary Q4 results revealed organic sales growth between 0.3% and 0.6%, which fell short of analyst expectations of 2.7% and consensus forecasts of 2.9%, attributed to macroeconomic headwinds affecting consumption [2]. - Organic sales growth forecasts have been revised down from 3% to approximately 2.5%, while adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be around $217 million [3]. Analyst Ratings and Outlook - Mizuho Securities analyst John Baumgartner reaffirmed a Buy rating with a target price of $16, suggesting a potential upside of 61%, following positive management meetings [4]. - Baumgartner expressed confidence in the company's ability to achieve volumetric growth and margin expansion in 2026, which is expected to enhance free cash flows and support financial deleveraging efforts [5]. Company Overview - Utz Brands specializes in selling snack foods to consumers, warehouse clubs, and merchandisers, with a diverse product range including pretzels, potato chips, tortillas, and ready-to-eat popcorn, marketed under various brands such as Utz, Golden Flake, and TGI Fridays [6].

Core Insights - Boulder Canyon®, recognized as America's fastest growing salty snack brand, has launched its first national brand campaign titled "Be for Real" [1] - The campaign aims to encourage consumers to disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect with real moments and simple pleasures [1] - The campaign will be promoted across various platforms where consumers engage, including social media, online videos, and retail locations [1] - It highlights Boulder Canyon's popular products, such as Avocado snacks [1]

Core Insights - Palm Valley Capital Fund's performance in Q4 2025 was a 0.66% appreciation, 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] - Precious metals, particularly silver, significantly influenced the Fund's equity performance, which has been a major allocation for several years [1] Company Focus: Utz Brands, Inc. - Utz Brands, Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of salty snacks, with a one-month return of 0.51% and a 52-week loss of 30.53% [2] - As of January 5, 2026, Utz's stock closed at $9.83 per share, with a market capitalization of $860.221 million [2] - The Fund initiated a position in Utz Brands during Q4 2025, alongside Domino's Pizza Group and Ingredion, with initial weightings being modest due to reaching minimum required discounts [3] - Utz has invested heavily in productivity and geographic expansion, averaging $100 million in capital expenditures annually over the past two years, with expectations to normalize to $60-$70 million in 2026 [3] - The company enjoys attractive margins, consistent demand, and strong free cash flow potential, with brands like Boulder Canyon chips performing well due to consumer demand for healthier snacks [3] - At the time of purchase, Utz shares traded at approximately 12 times the 2026 free cash flow estimate and offered a 2.6% dividend yield [3]

Group 1 - Shares of Utz Brands, Inc. have decreased by approximately 50% over the past year as the market adjusts to its previously high valuations [2] - The Insiders Forum, led by Bret Jensen, focuses on small and mid-cap stocks that are attractively valued and have seen significant insider purchases [2] - The portfolio managed by The Insiders Forum aims to outperform the Russell 2000 benchmark over time [2]

Core Insights - Utz Brands (UTZ) stock is considered undervalued due to strong execution across its core brands, market share gains, and margin expansion through supply-chain improvements [1] - The company's valuation remains inexpensive, indicating potential for growth [1] Company Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on technical analysis combined with the CAN SLIM methodology to identify high-growth companies often overlooked by mainstream analysts [1] - The emphasis is on emerging businesses with strong financial momentum, rapid earnings growth, and signs of institutional interest, which are indicators of potential stock price increases [1] Market Analysis - The research process integrates both fundamental and technical perspectives, paying attention to indicators such as relative strength, unusual trading volume, and earnings acceleration [1] - The goal is to identify stocks poised for significant breakouts before they gain broader market recognition [1] Community Engagement - Writing on Seeking Alpha serves as a platform to validate investment ideas, document research, and connect with a community of investors [1] - The focus is on uncovering under-the-radar growth stocks with strong fundamentals and favorable technical setups [1]

Summary of UTZ Brands FY Conference Call (November 18, 2025) Company Overview - **Company**: UTZ Brands (NYSE:UTZ) - **Industry**: Packaged Food and Beverage, specifically focusing on salty snacks Key Points California Expansion - **Investment Impact**: The California expansion involves a modest upfront investment estimated at $4-$6 million in the first year, which is considered a startup cost rather than an ongoing expense [3][4][5] - **Market Size**: California represents 10% of the overall salty snack category, and the company aims to achieve a 16% margin target despite the initial investment [3][4] - **Sales Performance**: Current sales in California are $79 million, primarily through direct-to-warehouse channels, with expectations to grow as distribution expands [5][6] Metrics for Success - **Distribution Gains**: Key metrics include distribution gains, top-line growth, market share increases, and margin recovery over the next 12-24 months [8][9][10] - **Consumer Awareness**: Initial investments will focus on consumer awareness and execution in stores, with a lag expected between investment and return [8][9] Financial Performance - **Cash Flow and Leverage**: The minimal cash outlay for California will not affect the company's leverage targets, which aim to approach three times by year-end [11][12] - **CapEx Reduction**: Preliminary CapEx for 2026 is projected to be $60-$70 million, down from $100 million in previous years, with a focus on improving free cash flow [12][66] Market Share and Growth - **Outperformance**: UTZ has outperformed the salty snacks category for nine consecutive quarters, driven by maintaining market share in core areas and expanding into new markets [13][14] - **Brand Performance**: The company's "power four" brands (Utz, Boulder Canyon, Zapps, On the Border) are key drivers of growth, with successful distribution and marketing strategies [22][28] Pricing and Consumer Trends - **Pricing Strategy**: The company has experienced a modest pricing headwind of about 1%, attributed to targeted promotions and a rational pricing environment [17][18] - **Consumer Focus**: Affordability remains a key focus, with ongoing adjustments to pricing and product offerings to meet consumer demand [17][18][52][53] Innovation and Marketing - **Innovation Pipeline**: The company is focused on introducing new flavors and healthier options, leveraging existing brands to minimize investment while maximizing consumer appeal [29][30][31] - **Marketing Strategy**: Investment in marketing has increased, with a focus on both push and pull strategies to enhance brand awareness and consumer engagement [38][39][41] Operational Efficiency - **Productivity Initiatives**: The company has achieved significant productivity savings, with expectations to maintain a 3-4% improvement in COGS moving forward [54][55] - **Supply Chain Transformation**: Ongoing supply chain improvements are expected to enhance operational efficiency and support growth initiatives [62][64] Capital Allocation - **Debt Management**: The company prioritizes reducing leverage while considering share buybacks and maintaining a modest dividend [66][68] - **Growth Investments**: Future capital allocation will focus on growth opportunities, particularly in California and other expansion markets [66][70] Overall Outlook - **Future Prospects**: The company is optimistic about its growth trajectory, supported by a modernized supply chain, strong brand portfolio, and favorable market conditions [69][70] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the UTZ Brands FY conference call, highlighting the company's focus on expansion, financial health, and market positioning within the salty snacks industry.

Core Insights - The article provides a market analysis focusing on four major companies: Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer Inc, Newmont Goldcorp Corp, and Novo Nordisk A/S, highlighting their recent performance and market trends [1] Company Summaries Eli Lilly and Company - Eli Lilly has shown significant growth in its pharmaceutical sales, particularly in diabetes and oncology segments, contributing to a robust revenue increase [1] - The company is actively investing in research and development to expand its product pipeline, which is expected to drive future growth [1] Pfizer Inc - Pfizer has experienced fluctuations in revenue due to varying demand for its COVID-19 vaccine, with a notable decline in sales as the pandemic situation evolves [1] - The company is focusing on diversifying its portfolio and enhancing its pipeline with new drug approvals to stabilize revenue streams [1] Newmont Goldcorp Corp - Newmont has reported a decrease in gold production, which has impacted its overall financial performance, reflecting challenges in the mining sector [1] - The company is implementing cost-cutting measures and exploring new mining projects to improve operational efficiency and profitability [1] Novo Nordisk A/S - Novo Nordisk continues to lead in the diabetes care market, with strong sales growth driven by its innovative insulin products [1] - The company is also expanding its presence in obesity treatment, which is expected to further enhance its market position and revenue potential [1]

Market Trends - The Santa Claus Rally is anticipated as a familiar market trend, historically resulting in stock increases 80% of the time during this period since 1972 [1] - This year's rally is expected to be accompanied by volatility due to factors such as AI speculation, a weakening labor market, and record-low consumer sentiment [2] Labor Market and Layoffs - October saw over 150,000 layoffs, the highest figure in 20 years, impacting companies including Amazon, which laid off 14,000 corporate employees [2] Stock Market Performance - The tech-heavy Nasdaq Index fell 5% recently, indicating cracks in the bull market, with Amazon shares dropping 6% [3] Investment Opportunities - Utz Brands Inc. (UTZ) is highlighted as an attractive investment, trading at 13 times forward earnings, significantly lower than its long-term average, with a profit outlook of 5% growth this year and 15% next year [12] - Greenwich LifeSciences Inc. (GLSI) is noted for its potential in cancer immunotherapy, with recent insider buying and FDA Fast Track designation, despite a 33% decline in shares due to short selling [15][19] - Matador Resources Co. (MTDR) is recognized for its strong insider buying activity and attractive cost structure, trading at a low valuation compared to peers, with a 4% dividend yield [22][25][26] Insider Buying as a Bullish Signal - Insider buying is considered a strong bullish signal, with examples of significant gains following such activity in companies like Longeveron Inc. and Nuvation Bio Inc. [14][27] Upcoming Events - A Profit Surge Event is scheduled, where insights on market volatility and trading opportunities will be shared [7][28]