Company Overview - Casey's General Stores, Inc. operates 2,900 convenience stores across 20 states, offering prepared foods, beverages, snacks, household goods, motor fuel, lottery, prepaid cards, and car wash services [1][2] - The company supports its retail network through company-run distribution centers [2] Financial Performance - For Q1 2026, Casey's reported an EPS of $5.77, exceeding estimates by $0.74 [2] - Revenue increased by 11.5% year-over-year, reaching $4.57 billion, which surpassed forecasts by $100 million [2] Market Position - The company is recognized for its strong presence in smaller towns, which contributes to its competitive advantage in the retail sector [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Diluted EPS reached $5.77 per share, a 19% increase from the prior year [8] - Net income was $215 million, and EBITDA was $414 million, both reflecting a 20% increase from the prior year [8] - Total revenue for the quarter was $4.6 billion, an increase of $469 million, or 11.5% from the prior year [12][17] - Gross profit was $1.11 billion, an increase of $157 million, or 16.5% from the prior year [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same-store sales increased by 4.3% for the first quarter, with prepared food and dispensed beverage sales up 5.6% [9] - Inside same-store sales were up 3.8%, with an average margin of 35.9%, an increase of approximately 50 basis points from the prior year [10] - Fuel same-store gallons sold increased by 1.7%, with a fuel margin of $0.41 per gallon [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Mid-Continent region saw an approximate 3% decline in fuel gallons sold, indicating market share growth for the company [10] - The average retail price of fuel was $3.00 per gallon, down from $3.31 a year ago [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is in the last year of a three-year strategic plan, focusing on executing high-level operations and growth [8][20] - The company aims for 8-10% EBITDA growth, with half from base business growth and half from store growth [77] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the team's ability to execute and grow the business, highlighting strong performance in prepared food and grocery categories [8][20] - The company plans to update annual guidance during the second quarter earnings call, with August results aligning with expectations [19][60] Other Important Information - The company generated $262 million in free cash flow, compared to $181 million in the prior year [18] - The board maintained the quarterly dividend at $0.57 per share and repurchased approximately $31 million in shares during the quarter [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Understanding cheese cost benefits - Management indicated that cheese costs were slightly favorable compared to the prior year, with 70% of forward cheese requirements locked for the fiscal year [28] Question: Update on Fuel 3.0 initiative - Fuel 3.0 now accounts for about 8.8% of total fuel procured, with ongoing integration and positive progress [30] Question: Price versus volume in-store - Management noted a 1.5% traffic increase and about 3% from price, primarily driven by tobacco category price increases [33] Question: Health of consumer across income cohorts - Strong performance was observed across all income cohorts, with lower income groups still shopping at healthy levels [38] Question: SEFCO business performance - SEFCO stores are under pressure but improvements are expected as the integration progresses and kitchens are remodeled [72] Question: Prepared food business momentum - Prepared food margins improved due to better procurement and growth in the whole pie business, offsetting Fikes' dilution [49] Question: M&A backdrop - The company is actively exploring small deal M&A opportunities, with ongoing conversations for larger deals [59] Question: Promotional spending levels - Promotional spending has increased, primarily funded by vendor partners, and is aligned with the growth in business and store count [68] Question: SEFCO integration and synergies - Integration is on track, with expectations for synergies to increase as kitchens are remodeled and prepared foods are introduced [71]

Core Insights - 7-Eleven remains the leader in the global and U.S. convenience store markets but is concerned about potential complacency affecting innovation and execution [2] - The company is focusing on next-generation stores and expanding its footprint, with plans for significant store additions ahead of a planned IPO in 2026 [2] Expansion Plans - 7-Eleven announced plans to add 600 new stores by 2027 and 1,300 new stores in North America by 2030, emphasizing larger-format stores with fuel pumps [4] - Despite these expansion goals, the overall North American store count may not increase significantly due to the closure of underperforming locations [5] Store Closures - The company has closed 444 underperforming stores and has seen a trend of closing more stores than it opens over the past two years [5][6] - The last fiscal year where 7-Eleven added more stores than it lost was in February 2022, following the acquisition of nearly 4,000 Speedway locations [7] - For the fiscal year ending February 2023, the company closed 46 more stores than it opened, followed by a net loss of 45 stores for the year ending February 2024 and a loss of 159 total sites for the year ending February 2025 [7]

US convenience store chain Casey's General Stores has posted a net income of $215.4m for the first quarter (Q1) of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) which ended 31 July 2025 - 19.5% growth from the previous year. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) climbed to $5.77 and total revenue for the period stood at $4.5bn. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 19.8% year-on-year (YoY), reaching $414.3m. Casey's chairman, president and CEO Darren Rebelez stated: "Casey's delivered an ...

Core Insights - The article reflects on the performance of five stocks selected for a sampler ten years ago, analyzing their returns against the S&P 500 and discussing lessons learned from their performance [1][2][3]. Group 1: Activision Blizzard (ATVI) - Activision Blizzard was selected for its strong gaming franchises, including Call of Duty and Candy Crush, and was acquired by Microsoft for $95 per share, resulting in a total return of 234.9% over ten years [9][11][12]. - The company successfully diversified its portfolio through acquisitions, maintaining a strong presence in the gaming industry [10][14]. - The stock significantly outperformed the S&P 500, which rose 118.4% during the same period, highlighting the effectiveness of its business strategy [12][14]. Group 2: Casey's General Stores (CASY) - Casey's General Stores has expanded from 1,888 stores to 2,658 over the past decade, focusing on pizza sales and enhancing customer experience [18][20]. - The stock price increased from $104.80 to $495.14, representing a 373% return, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 223% return [22][23]. - The company shifted its focus from fuel sales to in-store offerings, with gross profit from inside sales nearly doubling that of fuel sales [21][22]. Group 3: FireEye (FEYE) - FireEye, initially a leader in cybersecurity, struggled with execution and ultimately merged with Mandiant, resulting in a 10-year return of only 16% [24][28][30]. - The company failed to adapt its business model effectively, leading to its underperformance compared to the S&P 500 [26][29]. - The acquisition by Alphabet did not yield significant returns for original investors, emphasizing the importance of strong execution in emerging industries [28][30]. Group 4: Mercado Libre (MELI) - Mercado Libre evolved from a marketplace to a comprehensive platform offering payments, logistics, and credit services, with a market cap now at $122 billion [30][31]. - The stock price surged from $109.94 to $2,384, achieving a 2,069% return, far exceeding the S&P 500's performance [33][34]. - The company's revenue and net income have increased dramatically, showcasing its successful expansion and leadership in Latin America [32][34]. Group 5: Middleby (MIDD) - Middleby, a provider of kitchen equipment, saw its stock price rise only 27% over the past decade, underperforming the market [37][38]. - The departure of its long-time CEO and macroeconomic challenges in the restaurant industry contributed to its lackluster performance [39][40]. - Despite ongoing acquisitions and growth, the company faced headwinds from high borrowing costs and reduced consumer spending in the residential market [40].

Core Insights - Casey's General Stores is set to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings on September 8, 2025, with analysts projecting an EPS of $5.06 and revenue of $4.48 billion, reflecting a 4% year-over-year growth in earnings and a 9% increase in sales compared to the previous year [2] - For the full year 2025, Casey's reported an EPS of $14.64, EBITDA of $1.2 billion, and expanded its store count by 270, while increasing its dividend by 14% to $0.57 per share [3] - The company has a market capitalization of $18 billion and reported $16 billion in revenue over the last twelve months, with operating profits of $796 million and net income of $547 million [4] Earnings Performance - Historically, Casey's stock has decreased 60% of the time after earnings announcements, with a median one-day drop of 2.7% and a maximum decline of 7% [2] - Over the last five years, positive one-day post-earnings returns occurred approximately 40% of the time, increasing to 58% when analyzing the last three years [6] - The median of positive one-day returns was 7.6%, while the median of negative returns was -2.7% [6] Strategic Outlook - Casey's provided FY2026 guidance of 10%–12% EBITDA growth and 2%–5% same-store inside sales growth, indicating a focus on strong financial results and strategic expansion [3] - The correlation between one-day and five-day post-earnings returns can inform trading strategies, with higher correlations suggesting potential for short-term gains [7][8]

Core Insights - Stagwell and Żabka Polska have launched a joint venture to create In-Pulse, a consumer analytics and engagement tool tailored for the Polish market [1][2] - In-Pulse aims to provide real-time insights into Polish consumer behavior, leveraging Żabka's retail presence and Stagwell's data analytics expertise [2][7] Company Overview - Stagwell is a challenger network focused on transforming marketing through data-driven solutions and creative performance [3][10] - Żabka Polska operates over 11,600 convenience stores in Poland, handling approximately 4.1 million transactions daily and serving over 10 million users through its Żappka app [3][12] In-Pulse Functionality - In-Pulse operates through a five-step process: data collection, customer dialogue, product testing, targeted marketing, and effectiveness evaluation [4][8] - The tool aggregates anonymous consumer data to provide insights into preferences, shopping patterns, and spending habits [2][5] Market Impact - In-Pulse is positioned to enhance understanding of Polish consumer dynamics, crucial for the retail and fast-moving consumer goods sectors [7][9] - The collaboration is expected to help Polish businesses adapt to changing consumer needs and align their offerings with market trends [9][12]

Core Insights - FEMSA has entered into definitive agreements with Raízen to amicably terminate their joint venture "Grupo Nós" in Brazil, allowing both companies to focus on their respective business strategies [1] - FEMSA will retain all OXXO stores in Brazil and the distribution center in Cajamar, while Raízen will keep all Shell Select convenience stores [1] - The transaction will be cash-neutral for both parties, with FEMSA assuming the existing debt of Grupo Nós at closing [1] Company Strategy - OXXO Brazil is a strategic priority for FEMSA, with plans for accelerated store expansion and adaptation of the OXXO format to local consumer needs [2] - The company aims to drive long-term returns through sustained top-line growth and operational efficiency in the Brazilian market [2] Market Positioning - FEMSA has tailored OXXO's offerings to meet local consumer preferences, introducing modern retail experiences in a market dominated by traditional trade [3] - The low penetration of modern convenience formats in Brazil presents a significant growth opportunity for FEMSA [3] Leadership Perspective - The CEO of FEMSA Retail expressed appreciation for the collaboration with Raízen and emphasized the commitment to strengthening OXXO's presence in Brazil as part of the long-term growth strategy [4] - The completion of the separation of OXXO and Shell Select stores is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the coming months [4] Company Overview - FEMSA operates in the retail industry through various divisions, including Proximity Americas with OXXO and Proximity Europe with Valora, and also has a significant presence in the beverage industry through Coca-Cola FEMSA [5] - The company employs over 392,000 people across 18 countries and is recognized in several global sustainability indices [5]

Core Points - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where all proposed Director candidates were elected by a majority vote [1] - The voting results showed high approval rates for most nominees, with Louis Vachon receiving 99.45% in favor and Mélanie Kau receiving 72.83% [1] Company Overview - Couche-Tard operates in 29 countries and territories, with nearly 17,300 stores, of which approximately 13,200 offer road transportation fuel [2] - The company is a leading independent convenience store operator in the U.S. and a leader in the convenience store and road transportation fuel retail sectors in Canada, Scandinavia, and several European countries [2] - Couche-Tard employs around 149,500 people across its network [2]

LAVAL, QC, September 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard" or the "Corporation") (TSX: ATD) announces its results for its first quarter ended July 20, 2025.Executive Comments on the QuarterAlex Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are pleased by our improved performance in this first quarter of the new fiscal year. Across our network, we are reporting positive same store sales, which includes our U.S. market for the first time in several quarters. This progr ...