Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The news team covers key finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2] - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [2][3] Group 2 - The team delivers news and insights across various sectors including biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] - Proactive is committed to adopting technology to enhance workflows and content production [4] - All content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, ensuring adherence to best practices in content production and search engine optimization [5]

Group 1 - Dr. Pepper has tied with Pepsi for the second most popular soft drink in the U.S., following Coca-Cola [2] - Both PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper have underperformed the broader market in 2024, with the S&P 500 gaining 17%, while PEP's stock is flat and KDP's stock is down about 10% [2] - KDP is considered a better investment option compared to PEP due to its lower valuation and stronger growth in revenue and operating income [3][6] Group 2 - KDP currently trades at a lower Price-to-Operating Income multiple compared to PEP, indicating a more attractive valuation [6] - KDP shows greater revenue and operating income growth despite its lower valuation, suggesting a potential for better investment returns [6] - An analysis of the past year's metrics may indicate whether PepsiCo's stock is overvalued compared to its competitors, with continued underperformance strengthening this inference [7]

Core Viewpoint - Mondelez International has reduced its full-year sales growth expectations and anticipates a larger decline in earnings per share due to a decrease in third-quarter volumes [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the third quarter, Mondelez reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.73, a decline of 24.2% in constant currency compared to the same period last year [5]. - Headline diluted EPS fell 9.5% to $0.57 [5]. - Organic net sales increased by 3.4% to $9.74 billion for the third quarter, with reported sales up 5.9% [5]. Sales Growth Projections - The company now projects organic growth in the 4%-plus range, down from a previous forecast of around 5% [2]. - Adjusted EPS is expected to decline by about 15% on a constant-currency basis, compared to an earlier estimate of a 10% decrease [2]. Volume and Pricing Trends - Volume/mix declined by 4.6 percentage points, while pricing contributed an 8 percentage point increase [5]. - The steepest volume/mix decline was observed in Europe at -7.5%, significantly higher than the 1.8% drop in North America [6]. - Pricing in Europe was 12.6%, compared to 1.5% in North America, with organic growth in Europe at 5.1% and a slight decline of 0.3% in North America [6]. Market Conditions and Future Outlook - The CEO noted that the company faced record-high cocoa cost inflation but expressed optimism due to recent moderation in cocoa prices and signs of a strong cocoa crop this fall [4]. - The outlook is influenced by greater than usual volatility, including geopolitical, trade, regulatory uncertainties, and commodity prices [3].

Core Insights - Carillon Tower Advisers reported a continued upward trend in equity markets, driven by AI acceleration, reduced inflationary impacts, and potential interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve [1] - The Russell 2000® Growth Index increased by 12.19% in the third quarter of 2025, slightly underperforming the Russell 2000 Value Index, which rose by 12.60% [1] Company Analysis: BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR) - BellRing Brands, Inc. reported a one-month return of -13.09% and a 52-week loss of 51.96%, with a closing stock price of $31.59 and a market capitalization of $3.98 billion as of October 28, 2025 [2] - The company produces protein-based health and fitness beverages, but its stock was negatively impacted by the lack of guidance for the next fiscal year, which was interpreted as a slowdown in growth due to new market entrants [3] - In the fiscal third quarter of 2025, BellRing Brands reported net sales of $548 million, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year [4]

Core Viewpoint - Kraft Heinz reported lower third-quarter sales and adjusted its full-year outlook due to concerns about rising inflation and a decrease in consumer spending [1] Company Summary - Kraft Heinz experienced a decline in third-quarter sales, indicating potential challenges in maintaining revenue growth [1] - The company has revised its full-year outlook downward, reflecting a cautious approach in light of current economic conditions [1] Industry Summary - The food industry is facing pressures from higher inflation, which is impacting consumer purchasing behavior [1] - There is a noticeable pullback in consumer spending, which may affect overall sales across the industry [1]

Core Insights - MGP Ingredients, Inc. has appointed Matias Bentel as chief marketing officer and Chris Wiseman as senior vice president of operations [1] - Both executives will report to Julie Francis, the president and CEO, and will join the company's executive leadership team [1] - The company expresses excitement about the new appointments, highlighting Matias's decade of experience [1]

Core Viewpoint - Hormel Foods is spinning off its Justin's brand through an investment agreement with Forward Consumer Partners, with the transaction expected to close by year-end, resulting in Justin's becoming a standalone company with a new CEO [1][2]. Company Overview - Justin's brand, known for nut butters and chocolate snacks, was founded in 2004 and has been recognized for its strong brand equity and growth potential [2][3]. - Hormel Foods acquired Justin's in 2016 and has since expanded its product portfolio to include almond and peanut butters, as well as peanut and almond butter cups [3]. Leadership Changes - Peter Burns will return as CEO of Justin's, a position he previously held in 2016, while Matt Leeds from Forward Consumer Partners will become chairman of the new standalone company [4]. - John Ghingo, president of Hormel Foods, emphasized the strategic partnership with Forward as a means to unlock the brand's potential [3]. Financial Performance - Hormel Foods anticipates a strong top line for the fourth quarter, driven by sustained demand across retail, foodservice, and international sectors, particularly from turkey products and Planters snacks [5]. - Net sales for the quarter are projected at the upper end of guidance, although adjusted earnings per share are expected to be around $0.08 to $0.09 below previous expectations [6].

Core Insights - Hormel Foods is selling a 51% stake in Justin's to Forward Consumer Partners while retaining 49% ownership [2][4] - Justin's has expanded its product offerings since Hormel's acquisition in 2016, including new nut spreads and candy products [3] - The partnership aims to leverage resources for growth while maintaining Hormel's investment in Justin's success [4] Company Overview - Hormel Foods, known for brands like Spam and Planters, acquired Justin's in 2016 for $286 million [2] - Justin's founder, Justin Gold, will return as a strategic advisor, and Peter Burns will resume the role of CEO [4][5] Strategic Implications - The transaction reflects Hormel's strategy to unlock brand potential through partnerships [4] - Forward Consumer Partners views Justin's as a strong brand with significant untapped potential [5]

Core Viewpoint - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen claims that Unilever has prevented the ice cream maker from creating a "flavor for Palestine," highlighting tensions between the brand's social activism and its parent company's corporate policies [1][7]. Group 1: Company Actions and Responses - Ben Cohen is creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream to advocate for Palestinian rights after Unilever blocked Ben & Jerry's from launching a similar initiative [1][7]. - Cohen emphasizes the importance of addressing the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly children, and aims to raise awareness through this new flavor [6][9]. - The company has faced internal conflicts, with Cohen and co-founder Jerry Greenfield expressing that Unilever has silenced their social activism efforts [3][13]. Group 2: Social and Political Context - Watermelons have become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, reflecting the colors of the Palestinian flag, which Cohen intends to incorporate into his new flavor [5]. - Cohen's activism includes vocal opposition to U.S. military actions in Gaza, indicating a broader political stance that aligns with the brand's historical commitment to social justice [10][9]. - The recent ceasefire in Gaza is acknowledged by Cohen as a temporary relief, but he stresses the ongoing need for rebuilding and addressing the rights of Palestinians [6].

By Twesha Dikshit, Anuja Bharat Mistry and David Gaffen (Reuters) -Companies around the globe have ramped up job cuts, with blue-chips from Amazon to Nestle and UPS reining in spending while consumer sentiment dims and AI-focused tech companies start to replace jobs with automation. According to a Reuters tally, American companies have announced more than 25,000 job cuts this month, not including UPS's 48,000 figure, which dates from the beginning of 2025. In Europe, the total tops 20,000, with Nestlé ac ...