Giovanni Ferrero, who leads the Nutella maker, has prioritized the US in a decade-long acquisition spree.One high-profile move is the imminent launch of Nutella Peanut, which the company hopes will become a staple in American households. Read more: https://t.co/cnQaVZjVOG📷: Ferrero Group ...

Core Insights - A European holding company for Ferrara Candy Company has completed the acquisition of French sweets maker CPK Group from investment firm Eurazeo, generating approximately €240 million ($276.4 million) in proceeds for Eurazeo's balance sheet [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes well-known brands such as Carambar, Poulain, Lutti, and Terry's, enhancing Ferrara's portfolio in the confectionery market [1] - CPK was established in 2017 after Eurazeo acquired 14 brands from Mondelez International and subsequently acquired French confectioner Lamy Lutti [2] Group 2: Operational Impact - The acquisition will result in the transfer of over 850 CPK employees and four factories located in Bondues, Saint-Genest, Strasbourg, and Vichy to Ferrara [3] - CPK will maintain its headquarters in France and will be overseen by Ferrara, with current CEO Marc Auclair continuing to lead the company [4] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Eurazeo's sale of CPK aligns with its strategy of supporting ambitious transformations while creating significant value for clients and shareholders [2] - Ferrara operates as an affiliated entity under the same ultimate control as Ferrero Group, with a diverse portfolio of US brands including Brach's, Nerds, and Trolli [4]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced modest gains in technology and growth sectors, while small caps and blue chips showed stagnation as investors prepared for significant economic data releases, particularly the September labor market report [1] - The S&P 500 rose by 0.3% to 6,660, and the Nasdaq 100 increased by 0.6%, leading the major indexes [2] Notable Company Performances - Robinhood Markets Inc. surged by 9% after CEO Vlad Tenev announced over four billion event contracts traded on the platform since launch [2] - Kellanova gained over 5% following Italy's Ferrero Group's completion of a $3.1 billion acquisition of WK Kellogg Co. [2] - Carnival Corp. slid more than 5% despite exceeding Wall Street's quarterly expectations [3] Commodity and Digital Asset Movements - Precious metals saw significant increases, with gold rising nearly 2% to $3,830, marking an 11% increase for September, the best month since 2012; silver also increased by 2.1% above $47 [3] - Oil prices fell by 3.6% as crude exports resumed from Iraq's Kurdistan region and OPEC+ indicated potential supply increases [4] - Bitcoin advanced by 1.6% to $114,000, recovering some of last week's 2.6% decline [4] Performance of Major Indices and ETFs - The Dow Jones decreased by 0.1% to 46,220.76, while the Russell 2000 also fell by 0.1% to 2,430.84 [8] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF rose by 0.1% to $609.59, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average inched down by 0.1% to $461.75 [8] Top Gainers and Losers in S&P 500 - Top gainers included Robinhood Markets Inc. (+8.89%), Western Digital Corp. (+6.76%), and Coinbase Global Inc. (+5.80%) [6] - Top losers included Carnival Corporation (-4.72%) and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (-4.65%) [9]

Group 1 - ACM Research Inc. (NASD: ACMR) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 index effective September 26, 2025, replacing WK Kellogg Co. (NYSE: KLG) [1] - The acquisition of WK Kellogg by the Ferrero Group is expected to close soon, pending final closing conditions [1] - The changes will take effect prior to the opening of trading on the specified date [1]

Core Insights - WK Kellogg Co has published its second quarter 2025 financial results, which are available on the company's investor relations website [1] - The company will not host a webcast to discuss these results due to a pending transaction with the Ferrero Group [2] Company Overview - WK Kellogg Co was founded in 1894 and is known for its iconic breakfast products, including Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, and Froot Loops® [3] - The company emphasizes its commitment to enhancing consumer well-being through its brand portfolio and sustainable business strategy, Feeding Happiness™ [3] - WK Kellogg Co aims to create a positive impact on families and communities while providing nourishing foods [3]

Core Insights - Ferrero Group is acquiring WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 billion, marking a significant expansion into the North American market and entry into the breakfast category [1][3][8] - The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, with WK Kellogg operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrero post-transaction [2][9] - WK Kellogg's stock surged by 30% following the announcement, reflecting positive market sentiment towards the deal [1][8] Company Strategy - The acquisition aligns with Ferrero's strategy to enhance its presence in North America and leverage WK Kellogg's established cereal brands, which have strong consumer appeal [3][6] - WK Kellogg aims to maximize shareholder value and drive growth by streamlining operations and improving profitability since its independence in October 2023 [5][9] - The deal is expected to provide WK Kellogg with greater resources and capabilities to compete in the food market [5][6] Financial Outlook - WK Kellogg anticipates net sales between $610 million and $615 million for the second quarter of 2025, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $43 million and $48 million [7]

Core Viewpoint - Wohl & Fruchter LLP is investigating the fairness of the proposed sale of WK Kellogg Co. to Ferrero Group for $23.00 per share in cash, following concerns raised by investors regarding the sale price [1][2]. Group 1: Sale Details - Kellogg announced an agreement to be sold to Ferrero Group for $23.00 per share in cash on July 10, 2025 [2]. - At least one investor has publicly expressed disappointment with the sale price, claiming that shareholders are being unfairly treated [2]. Group 2: Investigation Purpose - The investigation aims to determine if the Kellogg Board of Directors acted in the best interests of shareholders when approving the sale [2]. - The inquiry will assess whether the agreed price is fair and if all material information regarding the transaction has been fully disclosed [2]. Group 3: Firm Background - Wohl & Fruchter LLP has over a decade of experience representing investors in litigation related to fraud and corporate misconduct, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for investors [3].