Follow the smart money to the makers of these favorite snack foods and drinks

Core Viewpoint - Recent insider buying at major snack food companies indicates confidence in the U.S. snack food market despite concerns over appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs [2][3] Group 1: Insider Buying Activity - Insiders purchased nearly $5 million worth of shares across Utz Brands, Coca-Cola, Hershey, and Molson Coors, suggesting strong belief in the sector's resilience [3] - At Utz Brands, insiders bought $2.6 million worth of stock between $9.86 and $10.58 per share from early November to the end of December [3] - A director at Coca-Cola bought $998,000 worth of stock at $69.87 to $70.31 per share, marking the first insider purchase since June 2022 [4] - Two directors at Molson Coors collectively bought $450,000 worth of shares between $44.70 to $46.79 in early November [4] - At Hershey, the CEO and two directors bought $445,000 worth of stock at around $186, with the CEO contributing $371,000, marking the first insider buys since 2019 [5] Group 2: Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - Research from Circana indicates that 48.8% of consumers snacked three or more times a day last year, an increase of 2.7 percentage points from 2024 [6] - While some snack food companies are experiencing soft sales, the overall market remains appealing to insiders [6] - Snack food companies are responding to market challenges by introducing "healthier" products, such as Utz Brands' Boulder Canyon line made with avocado or olive oil [6]