Company Overview - The Hershey Company has launched Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies, which have been named the Official Gummy of March Madness, enhancing its partnership with the NCAA [1][2] - Hershey's portfolio includes over 20 iconic brands and generates more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues, with products available in approximately 70 countries [9][10] Product Details - Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies were created in partnership with Shaquille O'Neal and launched in 2024, featuring two varieties: Shaq-A-Licious Originals and Shaq-A-Licious Sours [4] - The Originals are shaped like Shaq's face and come in peach, berry punch, and orange flavors, while the Sours include green watermelon, pineapple, and mixed berry flavors [4] Marketing and Promotions - The partnership with the NCAA includes promotional activities during the Final Four weekend, such as product sampling and interactive fan experiences [3] - Hershey's collaboration with Operation Homefront highlights its commitment to community support, particularly in relation to military families [3] Brand and Celebrity Influence - Shaquille O'Neal is a prominent figure in sports and entertainment, known for his successful career as an NBA player and his various business ventures [5][6] - O'Neal's brand resonates with consumers through his "Business of Fun" mantra, which is reflected in the marketing of Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies [5][6]

Group 1: Market Overview - U.S. stocks are currently experiencing volatility, with the S&P 500 down 3.6% year to date despite optimistic forecasts for 2025 [1] - High-performing tech stocks, particularly those involved in the AI sector, have faced significant struggles in the first quarter of the year [1] Group 2: Dividend Stocks as a Strategy - Dividend stocks can provide stability in uncertain market conditions, offering regular distributions to shareholders regardless of broader market performance [2] Group 3: PepsiCo (PEP) - PepsiCo offers a 3.7% dividend yield and trades at 17.5 times forward earnings, which is a discount compared to the S&P 500's 19.7 multiple [4] - The company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 7.2%, surpassing the elite growth rate benchmark of 6% [5] - PepsiCo's diversified portfolio in beverages and snacks helps mitigate risks from changing consumer preferences and supports consistent dividend growth [6][7] - The company's global distribution network and strategic acquisitions enhance its competitive position and relevance in evolving markets [8] Group 4: McDonald's (MCD) - McDonald's is recognized as a major real estate company that operates a fast-food chain, justifying its premium valuation of 24.8 times forward earnings [9] - The company has a current yield of 2.3%, but its dividend growth rate has been 7.4% annually over the past five years, potentially doubling the yield on original investment within a decade [10] - McDonald's unique business model, owning approximately 70% of its restaurant locations, provides a stable income stream through rent paid by franchisees, contributing to a moderate payout ratio of 59.5% [11][12] - The brand's global expansion and technology investments position it well for future growth while maintaining dividend security [13]

Core Insights - The Hershey Company is facing significant challenges, including high cocoa prices, weakening consumer demand, and increased competition, leading to a 6.1% decline in share price over the past six months [1][4][13] - The company's stock has underperformed compared to its industry, the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector, and the S&P 500 during the same period [1] Group 1: Market Challenges - Hershey is navigating a difficult environment characterized by historically high cocoa prices and a financially strained consumer base, which is impacting its results [4] - There has been a shift in consumer behavior towards value-seeking, resulting in reduced foot traffic to convenience and drug stores where Hershey's products are prominently featured [4] - The company is losing market share in the core everyday chocolate category, which is concerning given its reliance on this segment [5] Group 2: Sales and Performance - Despite some improvement in product variety, sales in the convenience store segment remain weak due to macroeconomic pressures affecting consumer spending [6] - Hershey's 2025 guidance indicates a projected mid-30% decline in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) compared to 2024, with reported EPS expected to drop in the high-40% range [7] - Management anticipates gross margin pressure to intensify in the second half of 2025, potentially leading to a decline of more than 500 basis points [8] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitive pressures are expected to escalate, particularly in Brazil and Mexico, where rivals are aggressively discounting and promoting their products [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS has seen downward revisions, with estimates for the current and next fiscal year decreasing [10] Group 4: Valuation and Investment Analysis - Hershey's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is 30.12X, which is higher than the industry's ratio of 24.32X, indicating that investors may be paying a premium relative to expected earnings growth [12] - Given the significant challenges faced by Hershey, the company may carry heightened investment risk at this time, with a current Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) [13]

Core Insights - The Hershey Company has appointed Stacy Taffet as Chief Growth Officer, effective April 14, 2025, to drive transformative growth strategies across its expanding snacks portfolio [1][3] - Taffet brings 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years in consumer-packaged goods, with a notable career at PepsiCo [1][2] - The appointment aligns with Hershey's commitment to accelerate growth and strengthen its position in the competitive global snacking market [3] Company Overview - The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company with over 20,000 employees worldwide, generating more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues [5] - The company's portfolio includes iconic brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Jolly Rancher, and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, alongside popular salty snacks like SkinnyPop [5] - Hershey has a long-standing commitment to community impact, with a focus on education through initiatives like the Milton Hershey School [6]

Core Insights - SnackFutures Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International, will present its insights on the future of snacking at Natural Products Expo West on March 5, 2025, highlighting trends and data from the 2024 State of Snacking Report [1][2] Company Overview - SnackFutures Ventures focuses on investing in brands and businesses that align with Mondelēz International's growth priorities in core categories such as chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks, including brands that emphasize personal and planetary well-being [4] - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands like Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury Dairy Milk [5] Trends and Innovations - The expert panel will discuss several emerging themes in the snacking industry, including: - The impact of social media on consumer snack discovery and purchase [7] - Rising consumer interest in "Permissible Chocolate" that supports personal and planetary well-being [7] - The growing relevance of protein in savory snacks and its connection to women's health [7] - Increased demand for "Better-for-You" bakery products with cleaner labels and ingredients [7] - Innovations in supply chain technologies aimed at enhancing climate resilience [7]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International has appointed Norberto Chaclin as Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Development Officer, aiming to enhance its R&D and quality strategy to shape the future of snacking [1][2] Company Leadership - Norberto Chaclin is recognized as a proven leader with a strong track record in innovation and a commitment to mentoring future R&D talent, which is expected to strengthen partnerships with commercial businesses and drive consumer-centric growth [2][4] - Chaclin previously served as Senior Vice President of R&D for Global Biscuits and has led significant innovations for brands like Oreo and Ritz [2][3] Background of New Executive - Chaclin has 18 years of experience at PepsiCo, where he held various roles, ultimately leading R&D for North America Beverages [3] - He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and an MBA, and is involved in food and nutrition sciences [5] Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024 and operates in over 150 countries with iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury [6]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2024 Registration No. 333- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 STRYVE FOODS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Delaware 001-38785 87-1760117 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Post Office Box 8 ...