Group 1: Company Overview - Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is a consumer defensive stock specializing in snack food and beverage products, founded in 2000 [5] - The company is committed to empowering people "to snack right" [5] Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Jefferies maintained Mondelez as one of its preferred large-cap selections, indicating potential for second-half upside despite current consumer challenges [1] - Piper Sandler revised the price target for Mondelez to $62 from $63 while maintaining a 'Neutral' rating, reflecting the impact of GLP-1 news and other factors [3] - Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a 'Buy' rating with a price target of $64, suggesting an upside potential of 18% [4] - Overall, 71% of analysts covering Mondelez have a 'Buy' or equivalent rating, with a median price target of $69, indicating an upside potential of 27.68% [4] Group 3: Industry Challenges - Jefferies noted that ongoing headwinds in the food industry, such as persistent tariff volatility and revised SNAP eligibility, are expected to continue into 2026 [2] - The potential effects of GLP-1 weight loss medications in pill form are also seen as a threat to the industry [2]

JBS N.V. (NYSE:JBS) is among the consumer defensive stocks to buy according to analysts. On December 11, Guilherme Palhares from Grupo Santander upgraded JBS N.V. (NYSE:JBS) to ‘Outperform’ from ‘Neutral,’ with a price target of $17, according to TheFly. This reflects potential upside of nearly 18% from the current price. Later on December 12, Reuters reported the permanent closure of JBS N.V. (NYSE:JBS)’s facility outside Los Angeles. The facility, which prepares beef to sell at U.S. grocery stores, wil ...

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s, said the ice-cream maker’s decision to remove three members from its independent board is an attempt to dismantle its social mission https://t.co/f405QuLmq9 ...

Company Restructuring & Leadership - Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies: one focused on grocery staples with less profitability, and another named "Global Taste Elevation Company" featuring faster-growing iconic products like Heinz ketchup and Kraft mac and cheese [1][2][3] - The current CEO was expected to lead the grocery staples company, but Steve Cahillane from Kilonova will lead the "Global Taste Elevation Company" instead [1][2] - Steve Cahillane aims to bring organic growth to the company, focusing on health and wellness trends, including increased protein, fiber, and cleaner labels [4] Market Trends & Challenges - Food companies are generally struggling with the consumer shift towards healthier, less processed foods [7] - Kraft Heinz's compounded annual return over the last five years is -2%, underperforming the consumer packaged goods index (up approximately 7-8%) and the S&P (up approximately 15%) [6] - Consumers are increasingly turning to more affordable private label brands, impacting established brands like Kraft Heinz [13][14] - There's a significant consumer focus on protein and healthfulness in food choices [15] Competitive Strategies - Companies are looking to acquire smaller, startup brands that tap into health and wellness trends, as seen with PepsiCo's acquisition of Poppy and CETA [16] - PepsiCo is reducing its product offerings by 20% and lowering prices on key brands as part of an agreement with an activist investor [10] - Splitting into two companies will allow Kraft Heinz to focus on each component, potentially leading to better value for both [8]

分组1 - The current CEO will not lead the grocery staples company after the split, which includes less profitable food items like Lunchables and Oscar Mayer deli meats [1] - Steve Cahillane from Kilonova will lead the new Global Taste Elevation Company, which will focus on iconic products such as Heinz ketchup and Kraft mac and cheese [2] - The split aims to allow both companies to focus on their respective strengths, with one managing declining assets and the other focusing on growth [3][8] 分组2 - Cahillane's approach will emphasize organic growth and align with health and wellness trends, increasing offerings with protein, fiber, and cleaner labels [4][5] - Kraft Heinz has experienced a compounded annual return of -2% over the last five years, underperforming compared to the consumer packaged goods index, which is up about 7-8% [6] - The food industry is facing challenges as consumers shift towards healthier, less processed food options, impacting major companies like Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola [7][9] 分组3 - Companies are responding to market pressures by reducing product lines and focusing on affordability, with private label brands gaining popularity among consumers [10][14] - The trend towards protein-rich foods is significant, as consumers prioritize healthfulness in their diets [15] - Major companies are considering acquisitions of smaller, nimble brands to compete better in the evolving market landscape [16]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are encouraged to consider Coca-Cola and Campbell's as dividend-paying value stocks, each offering unique advantages for passive income generation [1][2]. Group 1: Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola is recognized for its consistent performance and reliable dividend, yielding 2.9% [2][8]. - The company anticipates a 3% increase in non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) and 5% to 6% organic revenue growth for the current fiscal year, with an 8% forecast for non-GAAP currency-neutral EPS growth [7][8]. - Coca-Cola's market capitalization stands at $305 billion, with a current stock price of $70.97 and a reasonable valuation at 23.7 times its projected $2.97 in non-GAAP fiscal 2025 EPS [9][10]. Group 2: Campbell's (CPB) - Campbell's stock is currently undervalued, with a dividend yield of 5.4%, despite facing challenges from inflation and consumer resistance to price increases [11][14]. - The company is focusing on health and wellness trends, with successful brands like Rao's Italian sauces demonstrating growth potential even at premium prices [12][14]. - Campbell's market capitalization is $8.4 billion, with a current stock price of $28.27, trading at just 11.5 times the midpoint of its full-year fiscal 2026 EPS guidance [13][15]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - A balanced investment strategy involving a 50/50 split between Coca-Cola and Campbell's could yield a combined dividend rate of 4.2%, appealing for passive income [16][17]. - Coca-Cola is characterized by its strong supply chain and marketing, while Campbell's offers a higher yield and potential for recovery due to its diverse brand portfolio [16][18].

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) is included among the 13 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy Under $50. Jefferies Cuts General Mills (GIS) Target to $47 as Volumes Begin to Improve On December 11, Jefferies analyst Scott Marks cut his price target on General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) to $47 from $50 and maintained a Hold rating. He said US tracked channel data shows the company’s recent price investments are “working,” since both retail sales and volumes have started to pick up. The firm sees room for the trend to ...

Core Viewpoint - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. is a mid-cap food company with a market cap of $8.3 billion, specializing in frozen potato products and serving various sectors including restaurants and foodservice institutions [1][2]. Financial Performance - For Q1 2026, Lamb Weston reported an adjusted EPS of $0.74 and net sales of $1.66 billion, exceeding estimates [5]. - The company experienced a 6% volume growth, improved cost savings, and lower SG&A expenses, leading to a positive full-year outlook with projected net sales of $6.35 billion to $6.55 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1 billion to $1.20 billion [5]. Stock Performance - Lamb Weston shares have decreased by 28.1% from their 52-week high of $83.98 and are down 9.6% year-to-date, underperforming the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP), which has risen by 1.4% [3][4]. - Over the past 52 weeks, Lamb Weston shares have declined by 23.8%, while XLP has only dropped by 2.9% [4]. - Despite the stock's recent performance, it has risen by 7.7% over the past three months, outperforming XLP's marginal gain [3]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook for Lamb Weston, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 12 analysts and a mean price target of $65.27, indicating an 8.6% premium to current levels [6].

Core Insights - Wasatch Global Investors reported a decline of -3.17% for its fund-Investor Class in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Growth Index which gained 12.19% during the same period [1] - The investor letter highlighted BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR) as a significant stock, noting a one-month return of 24.71% but a substantial 59.00% loss over the past 52 weeks [2] Company Performance - BellRing Brands, Inc. was identified as the largest detractor from the fund's performance in Q3 2025, primarily due to competitive pressures from a club channel partner expanding its protein shake category [3] - Despite the challenges, the company maintains a leadership position in the nutrition market, with potential to double its business driven by category growth and market share acquisition [3] Market Position - At the end of Q3 2025, BellRing Brands, Inc. was held by 45 hedge fund portfolios, indicating stable interest among institutional investors [4] - The company is not currently listed among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, suggesting a potential undervaluation compared to other investment opportunities [4]

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) will release earnings results for its second quarter before the opening bell on Wednesday, Dec. 17.Analysts expect the Saint Petersburg, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.02 per share, down from $1.40 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for General Mills' quarterly revenue is $4.78 billion. Last year, it reported $5.24 billion in revenue, according to Benzinga Pro.On Oct. 14, General Mill reaffirmed long-term growth targets and fisca ...