Question-and-Answer SessionDoug, thank you so much for joining us today. We're starting each session with just getting a state of the world with the consumer, the health of the consumer. How do you view the health of the consumer today? And what do you expect for the consumer for the remainder of the year?Doug McMillonPresident, CEO & Director Yes. I think the words that we used when we released earnings were generally consistent, and that's how we still feel about it. If you look at the middle to upper inc ...

Question-and-Answer SessionI think if we can just start maybe talking about the health of the consumer, you guys see a really broad swath of the consumer. And so we'd love to hear your view on what you're seeing and hearing and what you expect for the second half this year.Harry LawtonPresident, CEO & Director Yes. From our view, the consumer is healthy and resilient, remarkably resilient. You think about the challenges the consumer has been through over the last 5, 6 years, and they've just been remarkably ...

Group 1 - Haleon has appointed Carl Haney as Chief Research & Development Officer, effective August 1, 2025, following Franck Riot's departure after six years [1][2] - Carl Haney brings 13 years of experience from Estée Lauder and over 20 years from Procter & Gamble, focusing on innovation and R&D in consumer businesses [1][2] - The CEO of Haleon, Brian McNamara, expressed confidence in Haney's ability to drive transformative innovation and contribute to the company's new "Win as One" strategy [2][3] Group 2 - Franck Riot's contributions to Haleon were acknowledged, particularly in advancing the innovation agenda during the company's transition [3] - Carl Haney expressed enthusiasm about joining Haleon at a pivotal time, emphasizing the importance of R&D in achieving the company's goals of enhancing everyday health [3] - Haleon is positioned as a global leader in consumer health, with a diverse product portfolio across six major categories, including Oral Health and Pain Relief [4]

Core Insights - General Mills is facing significant challenges in the current consumer environment, with consumer sentiment at a low point, comparable to the period immediately following the pandemic in 2020 [5][6]. Company Overview - The company is heavily reliant on the U.S. market, with 85% of its business operations based there [6]. - Consumer financial stress is evident, as U.S. consumer debt has increased, indicating that while consumers are still making purchases, they are financially stretched [6]. Industry Context - The overall consumer sentiment in the U.S. is reported to be the second lowest in history, as per the University of Michigan's polling data [6].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company acknowledged that its absolute performance in the quarter was unsatisfactory, but it managed to hold unit share in a category that faced greater than expected declines [4] - The EBITDA margin guidance was down about 30 to 40 basis points from prior expectations, primarily due to category trends impacting gross margin and tariffs affecting input costs [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on innovation and targeting faster-growing categories to mitigate weaknesses in the core packaged bread category [4][5] - The Wondercake innovation is pacing ahead of expectations in distribution and has contributed to unit share gains, although it is still early to determine its overall impact on the legacy cake business [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The away-from-home segment continues to experience weakness in overall foodservice sales, but profitability and margins have improved due to restructuring efforts [50] - Private label market share has marginally reversed its downward trend, with a slight increase of about 10 basis points in the last quarter [51] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to align its portfolio with evolving consumer tastes and invest in on-trend innovation to drive sustainable growth over the long term [4][5] - The company plans to address the shift towards healthier eating by continuing to innovate and differentiate its offerings, particularly in the health and wellness segment [24][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed that the current economic environment is challenging, making it difficult to forecast improvements in the near term, with a focus shifting towards 2026 for potential recovery [10][12] - The company remains confident in its long-term financial targets and strategies, despite acknowledging that the current situation may delay achieving those targets [30] Other Important Information - The company is undergoing supply chain optimization, which includes closing an older bakery that produced fresh bread, buns, and rolls [53] - The introduction of smaller product sizes is aimed at addressing consumer needs for convenience and value, with early returns being positive [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the core packaged bread category and stabilization - Management indicated that the environment remains dynamic and challenging, with expectations for stabilization possibly extending into 2026 [8][10] Question: Details on the Wondercake innovation's impact - Management noted that it is too early to determine the full impact of Wondercake on the legacy cake business, but initial results are promising [14][15] Question: Changes in promotional strategy and consumer behavior - Management confirmed an increase in promotional activity for differentiated offerings, particularly Dave's Killer Bread, while emphasizing a cautious approach to avoid devaluing the brand [20][22] Question: Addressing structural headwinds in the bread category - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by a shift towards healthier eating and indicated plans to innovate in response to these trends [24][25] Question: Insights on private label and away-from-home business performance - Management reported continued weakness in foodservice sales but noted improvements in profitability due to restructuring efforts, while private label market share has shown slight recovery [50][51]