Key Takeaways United Natural Foods is improving margins through automation, cost discipline and strong free cash flow.Ingredion is expanding margins with specialty ingredients, pricing actions and clean-label demand.Beyond Meat is advancing a turnaround with cost cuts, portfolio focus and nutrition-led innovation.As 2025 wraps up, the food industry is showing steady resilience despite a cautious consumer backdrop. While food inflation has cooled from last year’s peak, prices remain high enough to keep shopp ...

Core Insights - PepsiCo, Inc. is focused on improving overall margins as a key component of its growth strategy [2] - The company is facing pressure on margins due to a challenging cost environment and uneven performance across key segments [3] - Management anticipates organic revenue growth of 2-4% in 2026, with a target of at least 100 basis points of core operating margin expansion over the next three years [5][10] Financial Performance - PepsiCo's third-quarter 2025 results showed a core gross margin decline of 160 basis points year over year, and a core constant-currency adjusted operating margin contraction of 60 basis points [3][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PepsiCo's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year drop of 0.5%, while the estimate for 2026 EPS shows a growth of 5.4% [15] Strategic Initiatives - The company is advancing productivity through supply-chain optimization, automation, digitalization, and disciplined cost management [2][4] - PepsiCo is streamlining its portfolio and simplifying operations, with savings reinvested into brand building and innovation [4] - The company is executing consumer-centric innovations to align with shifting consumer preferences toward healthier offerings [6] Competitive Landscape - Coca-Cola is leveraging technology for data analytics and improving employee engagement, resulting in increased efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction [8] - Monster Beverage focuses on productivity through strategic investments in R&D and operational excellence, achieving a gross margin expansion of 250 basis points in Q3 2025 [9][11] Stock Performance and Valuation - PepsiCo shares have gained 8.9% in the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 1.6% [12] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82X, compared to the industry average of 18.15X [14]

Core Viewpoint - SIFCO Industries, Inc. has experienced a decline in stock price following its earnings report, with a notable loss of 8.2% compared to the S&P 500's gain of 1.4% during the same period [1] Financial Performance - For Q4 fiscal 2025, SIFCO's net sales increased by 5.3% year-over-year to $22.8 million, while the loss from continuing operations narrowed to $0.5 million, or $(0.08) per diluted share, compared to a loss of $1.4 million, or $(0.24) per diluted share, in the previous year [2] - The total net loss for the quarter was $429,000, slightly improved from $443,000 a year ago, with EBITDA at $1.1 million, down 15.7% from $1.3 million [2] - For the full fiscal year, net sales rose by 6.5% to $84.8 million, and the loss from continuing operations improved significantly to $0.9 million, or $(0.15) per diluted share, from a loss of $8.6 million, or $(1.44) per diluted share, in fiscal 2024 [3] Profitability Metrics - Gross profit for Q4 declined by 5.6% to $2.2 million despite higher sales, indicating margin pressure [4] - For fiscal 2025, gross profit increased by 76.9% to $10.6 million, raising gross margin to 12.5% from 7.5% due to higher volumes and improved pricing [5] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by 6.6% to $10.4 million, contributing to an operating income of $0.2 million compared to an operating loss of $5.2 million a year earlier [5] Revenue Mix and Market Performance - Fixed-wing aircraft revenue increased by $9.6 million to $51.4 million, while Rotorcraft sales remained flat at $17.1 million [6] - Commercial space revenue declined sharply by $8.2 million to $5 million, attributed to reduced procurement activity [6] - Military net sales accounted for 56.5% of total net sales in fiscal 2025, up from 47.6% in fiscal 2024, while commercial net sales represented 43.5% [7] Management Insights - Management highlighted progress in margin improvement and strong demand in military and commercial aerospace markets, with a backlog of $119.2 million at the end of fiscal 2025 [8] - The company emphasized a focus on cost reduction, selective price increases, and scaling production to meet customer needs [8] Factors Influencing Financial Results - The year-over-year improvement was supported by higher sales volumes, improved gross margins, and a net Employee Retention Credit (ERC) benefit totaling $3.3 million [10][11] - Interest expense declined by 45.3% due to reduced average debt balances, contributing to the improved loss from continuing operations [11] Future Outlook - SIFCO did not provide formal quantitative guidance for fiscal 2026 but expressed confidence in demand trends and plans for capital expenditures between $1 million and $2 million to enhance production capabilities [12] Structural Changes - The sale of SIFCO's European operations, specifically the Italian forging and manufacturing business, has been presented as discontinued operations, affecting comparability [13]

North America Equity Research December 2025 Healthcare Services 2026 Outlook: It's Different This Time: Potential for Margin Improvement and Policy Clarity Create a Positive Backdrop Conference Call Details Tuesday, December 17 @ 10:00am ET / 15:00 UK Dial-in Info: Please contact us or your JPM salesperson for details Replay Info: Available approximately 2-3 hours after the call ends Healthcare Services Lisa C. Gill AC (212) 622-6466 lisa.c.gill@jpmorgan.com Bloomberg JPMA GILL J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Ma ...

Core Insights - Roku is entering a stronger phase of its turnaround with improving margins and disciplined execution, leading to reshaped performance expectations [1] - The company is projected to achieve significant revenue growth and profitability improvements in the upcoming quarters [2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Roku's platform revenues grew by 17% year over year, gross profit reached $525 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 19% [1] - Fourth-quarter revenues are expected to be $1.35 billion, a 12% increase year over year, with platform revenues projected to grow by 15% and platform gross margin at 52% [2] - Full-year projections include $4.11 billion in platform revenue and $395 million in adjusted EBITDA [2] Market Position - Roku remains the leading TV operating system in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with a significant market share that exceeds the combined share of its closest competitors [5] - The Zacks consensus estimate for fourth-quarter streaming hours is 38.77 billion, indicating a 13.7% year-over-year growth [5] Advertising Growth - Roku's advertising engine is strengthening, with automated, data-driven ad buying expanding across the platform [7] - Approximately 90% of advertisers using Roku in Q3 were new to the platform, indicating fresh spending from performance marketers and small businesses [9] - Integrations with third-party demand-side platforms, including Amazon's advertising ecosystem, are broadening demand and improving campaign performance [9] Subscription Growth - Roku's streaming services distribution segment is seeing momentum, supported by Premium Subscriptions and the acquisition of Frndly TV [10] - The launch of the Howdy service, priced at $2.99 per month, expands Roku's reach and promotes efficient subscriber acquisition [11] Valuation and Performance Trends - Roku's valuation is attractive compared to the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry and the broader Consumer Discretionary sector, trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.98X [12] - Over the past six months, Roku delivered a 42.9% return, significantly outperforming the industry's 8.3% decline and the sector's 3.1% drop [14] Competitive Advantage - Roku can monetize high-margin owned inventories more efficiently than competitors like Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery, who face escalating content costs [17] - Roku's data-rich ecosystem positions it well to capture incremental ad spend while maintaining superior margin potential [17] Conclusion - Roku's strengthening margin profile, growing advertising engine, and expanding subscription ecosystem indicate a business regaining momentum at scale [18] - The improving fundamentals support a clear buy stance, making the stock a compelling opportunity for investors [18]

Core Viewpoint - Ollie's Bargain Outlet is experiencing significant growth and is expected to outperform its guidance in the upcoming quarters, despite a recent stock price pullback [2][5]. Financial Performance - The company reported a record quarterly net revenue of $613.6 million, representing an 18.6% increase year-over-year (YOY) [3]. - The growth was driven by an 18% YOY increase in new stores and a 3.3% increase in comparable sales, attributed to higher transaction volume [3]. - Operating income grew at an accelerated pace of 24.5%, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) at 75 cents, up 30% YOY, exceeding expectations by 270 basis points [4]. Margin Analysis - Gross margin contracted by 10 basis points, but this was offset by a 50-basis-point improvement in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, resulting in a 40-basis-point increase in operating margin [4]. - The overall operational quality and leverage improvements contributed positively to the financial results, despite higher input costs associated with new store openings [4]. Growth Outlook - Management has increased targets for store count growth, revenue, and earnings, with the low end of the revenue range above previous highs and the earnings midpoint improved by 100 basis points [4]. - The company is expected to continue its robust growth trajectory, claiming market share and accelerating on a YOY basis [3][5]. Market Sentiment - Analysts and institutions are accumulating Ollie's stock, indicating strong market support, and the December price pullback is viewed as a sign of market capitulation, likely leading to a rebound in early 2026 [5].

Core Thesis - Kenvue Inc. is undergoing a strategic review to optimize its brand portfolio and enhance operating performance, aiming to unlock shareholder value [2][3][4] Company Overview - Kenvue Inc. operates as a consumer health company across multiple regions including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America [2] - As of November 28th, Kenvue's share price was $17.35, with a market capitalization of approximately $30 billion and an enterprise value of around $38 billion [3] Financial Metrics - Kenvue's trailing and forward P/E ratios are 23.13 and 15.77 respectively, with an EV/EBITDA multiple of roughly 11× [1][3] - The company offers a dividend yield of about 4%, providing a solid income component for investors [3] Strategic Initiatives - The strategic review may lead to the sale of underperforming Skin Health & Beauty brands, acquisitions in high-growth OTC health categories, and capital reallocation to higher-margin segments [4] - Analysts estimate that these initiatives could raise Kenvue's margins and overall valuation by 15–25% [4] Investment Case - The combination of a disciplined strategic review, potential divestitures, and a focus on higher-margin segments positions Kenvue to enhance profitability and shareholder returns over time [5] - Kenvue's current valuation and dividend yield, along with strategic initiatives, create an attractive investment case for those seeking operational upside and a clear path to value creation [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third quarter revenue was $1.87 billion, a decline of 5.6% year-over-year, impacted by a government shutdown which accounted for approximately one percentage point of the decline [6][7] - Adjusted EBITDA was $185 million, resulting in a margin of 9.9%, driven by strong program execution [7][8] - Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.58, reflecting strong margin performance and a favorable tax rate [7] - Free cash flow for the third quarter was $135 million, despite being affected by the government shutdown [8][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net bookings for the third quarter were $2.2 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x [15] - The civil business segment experienced a year-over-year decline of 7%, but margins improved significantly over the first nine months of the year [32][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The government shutdown slowed proposal submissions, but normalization is expected in the near term [15][22] - The company anticipates submitting bids totaling over $30 billion in FY 2027 [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of SilverEdge is expected to enhance the company's capabilities and contribute positively to margins and EPS [5][31] - The company is focusing on improving execution, resource allocation, and prioritizing bid quality to drive growth [9][10] - There is a commitment to reinvest over $100 million in annual spending into higher ROI areas to improve profitability [10][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to improve execution and deliver sustained profitable growth despite market uncertainties [20] - The company is prepared to adapt to changes in procurement processes within the Department of War, aiming for greater speed and efficiency [37][39] - The outlook for FY 2026 and FY 2027 includes increased revenue guidance due to the acquisition of SilverEdge and reaffirmed organic growth expectations [17][19] Other Important Information - The company plans to repurchase approximately $500 million in shares for both FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $1 billion, which represents about 25% of its market value [19] - Management is actively seeking a permanent CEO to lead the company forward [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current procurement environment post-shutdown? - Management noted a slowdown in submit activity and RFPs due to the shutdown, but expects normalization in Q4 [22] Question: Any residual impact from DOGE and pricing environment? - Management indicated no material changes from previous disclosures regarding DOGE, and margins remained healthy with minimal pricing pressure [24][25] Question: Opportunities and integration of SilverEdge? - Management expressed enthusiasm about SilverEdge's integration, expecting it to enhance bid differentiation and contribute positively to margins and EPS [30][31] Question: Civil growth decline and future trajectory? - Management stated that the civil business has been roughly flat over nine months, with no specific program-related drivers for the recent decline [32][33] Question: Thoughts on Department of War's reforms? - Management is ready to assist with procurement changes and is focusing on execution to align with the Department's objectives [37][39] Question: How to allocate savings from cost efficiencies? - Management indicated that a substantial portion of the $100 million savings will be reinvested into business development and proposal improvement [44][45] Question: Expectations on federal civil spending? - Management anticipates continued pressure on civilian agency budgets, but remains optimistic about their positioning within key agencies [51][52] Question: Portfolio shaping and defense budget growth? - Management is open to portfolio shaping but is currently focused on organic growth, with expectations of upward pressure on the DoD budget [62][65]

QuidelOrtho FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: QuidelOrtho (NasdaqGS: QDEL) - **Industry**: Life Science Diagnostics and Medical Devices Key Points Performance and Financials - QuidelOrtho achieved approximately **1% organic growth** excluding COVID-related revenues, while the industry is experiencing mid-single digit growth [3][4] - The company reported a **19.5% adjusted EBITDA margin** last year, which is expected to increase to **22% this year** due to successful margin improvement initiatives [4] - Cost reductions of about **$140 million** have been realized since mid-2024, contributing to margin improvements [4] Revenue Headwinds - The shutdown of the U.S. donor screening business is expected to create a **2-3 point headwind** on total reported revenue for the year [6] - COVID-related revenues are declining, contributing an additional **2-3 point headwind** [7][10] - Excluding these impacts, the base business is growing at **4-5%**, driven by solid growth in Labs, Immunohematology, and Triage businesses [8][9] China Market Insights - China accounts for about **11% of total revenues**, with a year-to-date growth of **2.5%** expected to reach mid-single digits for the full year [12] - QuidelOrtho has largely avoided the impacts of VBP and DRG due to its use of dry slide technology and focus on routine chemistry [12][13] Pricing Dynamics - Pricing in the legacy Quidel business remains stable, while the legacy Ortho business experiences **1-1.5% pricing pressure** upon contract renewals [15][17] - Continuous improvement programs are in place to offset pricing erosion [17] Product Development and M&A - The decision to discontinue the Savanna product was driven by resource allocation towards the Rheonix product, which is expected to launch with FDA clearance by late 2025 or early 2026 [19][20] - The Rheonix product is anticipated to have competitive advantages in turnaround time and ease of use [21] Cross-Selling Opportunities - The integration of Quidel and Ortho has allowed for successful cross-selling, particularly with the Triage product, which has seen high single-digit growth due to the Ortho sales team [41][42] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2026, QuidelOrtho targets mid-single digit growth, with a **1-point headwind** from the donor screening business [43][45] - The Labs business is expected to maintain mid-single digit growth, while Immunohematology is projected to grow at **3-4%** [46][57] - The company aims for **100-200 basis points** of EBITDA margin improvement in 2026, driven by direct procurement initiatives [72][74] Cash Flow and Tariff Impact - The gross tariff impact for 2025 is estimated at **$20-25 million**, with potential reductions in 2026 depending on U.S.-U.K. tariff negotiations [65][66] - QuidelOrtho aims to achieve **50% free cash flow conversion** of adjusted EBITDA by the second half of 2027 [94][95] Conclusion - QuidelOrtho is navigating through various challenges, including revenue headwinds from donor screening and COVID declines, while focusing on margin improvements and product development. The company is optimistic about future growth and profitability, particularly with the anticipated launch of the Rheonix product and ongoing cost-saving initiatives.

Core Insights - Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) aims to achieve approximately $1.6 billion in operating income by fiscal 2028, with management expressing confidence in current progress and results [1][8] Financial Performance and Projections - For fiscal 2025, Burlington anticipates adjusted EBIT margin expansion of 60-70 basis points, exceeding initial forecasts, and achieving 170 basis points of the previously identified 400-basis-point expansion opportunity [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Burlington's current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share indicates year-over-year growth of 7.8% and 16.5%, respectively, with recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 [9] Growth Strategy - Burlington plans to open at least 110 net new stores in fiscal 2026, leveraging strong performance from recently opened locations and attractive real estate opportunities, including leases from the Joann Fabrics bankruptcy [3] - The company expects this expansion to support high single-digit total sales growth and provide significant scale benefits [3] Market Conditions - Short-term sales performance has faced challenges, with a noted decline in store traffic during the fiscal third quarter, despite stronger conversion rates and higher basket sizes [4] - The company's reliance on seasonal merchandise and weather-driven demand increases exposure to potential consumer spending weaknesses, particularly among lower-income shoppers [4] Operational Discipline - Despite short-term fluctuations, Burlington's consistent margin growth, robust new-store pipeline, and resilient off-price demand create a solid foundation for achieving its fiscal 2028 operating income target [5]