Core Insights - Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) operates in a volatile food supply chain where pricing is influenced by weather, seasonal supply, and global demand, making revenue growth an unreliable indicator of business quality [1] - AVO's margin discipline is a potential competitive edge, emphasizing the importance of protecting profitability over merely pursuing revenue growth [1][3] Group 1: AVO's Operational Strategy - AVO employs a vertically integrated model, controlling sourcing, farming, packing, ripening, and distribution, which allows for quick adjustments in response to market changes [2] - The company utilizes global sourcing flexibility from regions like Mexico and Peru to redirect fruit to higher-value markets, balancing customer programs and reducing waste [2] - Even with declining average selling prices, AVO's operational strategies help stabilize gross profit and support EBITDA through higher volumes and disciplined cost management [2] Group 2: Long-term Resilience - AVO's margin-first strategy may be more resilient than growth strategies reliant on favorable pricing cycles, as it emphasizes efficiency and cost control [3] - The company's focus on data-driven decisions and operational discipline limits downside exposure in weaker pricing environments, distinguishing strong operators from average ones [3] Group 3: Industry Comparisons - Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) and Dole plc (DOLE) also emphasize margin management in volatile agricultural markets, highlighting the importance of disciplined margin management over pure volume growth [4] - Corteva focuses on higher-value seed genetics and precision agriculture to defend margins against commodity price fluctuations [5] - Dole prioritizes cost control and logistics efficiency to sustain profitability in a fresh-produce business characterized by thin margins [6] Group 4: Financial Performance and Valuation - AVO's shares have decreased by 3.5% over the last six months, compared to a 2.6% decline in the industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.54X, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.07X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 10.20% decline in AVO's fiscal 2026 earnings, followed by a 4.23% growth in fiscal 2027 [10]

Core Viewpoint - Calavo Growers, Inc. reported a shortfall in earnings per share and revenue in the fourth quarter, but the company remains a significant player in the fresh produce market with strategic initiatives to strengthen its position [1][2]. Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Calavo Growers reported earnings per share of $0.25, missing the estimated $0.37, and revenue of approximately $124.7 million, falling short of the anticipated $148 million [2][6]. - Total net sales for the quarter decreased from $170 million in the same period the previous year [2]. - Despite the Q4 challenges, the company achieved a net income from continuing operations of $3.8 million [2]. Annual Performance - For the full year, Calavo Growers experienced a remarkable 191% increase in net income from continuing operations [3]. - Adjusted net income rose by 42%, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 12%, indicating significant growth despite fourth-quarter setbacks [3]. Financial Metrics - The company has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 20.28, indicating a premium valuation by investors [4]. - The price-to-sales ratio is about 0.58, and the enterprise value to sales ratio is approximately 0.49, suggesting favorable market valuation of the company's sales [4]. - A low debt-to-equity ratio of about 0.017 reflects a conservative approach to debt, while a current ratio of approximately 2.30 indicates strong liquidity [4]. Strategic Developments - Calavo Growers announced a combination with Mission Produce, Inc. to enhance its capabilities in sourcing, packing, and distributing fresh produce [5]. - Following the earnings miss, the company's stock saw a 1.1% increase, and Citigroup analyst Patrick Cunningham upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $62 to $70, indicating confidence in the company's long-term prospects [5][6].

Core Insights - Calavo Growers, Inc. reported significant growth in net income from continuing operations, with a 191% increase for the full year 2025, alongside a 42% rise in adjusted net income and a 12% increase in adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter of 2025, total net sales decreased to $124.7 million from $170.0 million in the prior year, with fresh segment sales down 31% to $106.3 million due to a 19% decline in average price per carton and a 5% decrease in total cartons sold [8][12]. - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $11.6 million, down from $16.3 million, with SG&A expenses decreasing by 6% to $12.3 million [8][14]. - Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter increased by 301% to $4.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the prior year [15]. - For the full fiscal year 2025, total net sales were $648.4 million, a slight decrease from $661.5 million, with fresh segment sales down 4% to $576.5 million, while prepared segment sales increased by 12% to $71.9 million [16][19]. Strategic Developments - Calavo announced a strategic combination with Mission Produce, Inc., where Mission will acquire Calavo in a cash and stock transaction valued at $27.00 per share, comprising $14.85 in cash and 0.9790 shares of Mission stock for each share of Calavo [6][9]. - The merger is expected to create a vertically integrated platform with sourcing security and an expanded portfolio across fresh produce categories, along with anticipated cost synergies of $25 million [7][10]. Management Commentary - The CEO of Calavo highlighted the company's resilience in overcoming challenges during fiscal year 2025, including a temporary facility shutdown and an FDA detention hold on avocado imports, while achieving an adjusted EBITDA of $40.8 million, up nearly 12% year over year [10][11]. - Looking ahead to 2026, the company anticipates softer first-quarter results compared to the previous year due to strong avocado supply and pricing dynamics, but remains focused on leveraging increased industry volumes [11][12]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - As of October 31, 2025, Calavo had cash and cash equivalents of $61.2 million and total debt of $4.1 million, with cash provided by operating activities totaling $21.5 million for the fiscal year [20][42].

Transaction Overview - Mission Produce will acquire all outstanding shares of Calavo Growers [23] - The merger consideration is 0.9790x of a Mission Produce share per Calavo Growers share and $14.85 cash per Calavo Growers share [23] - The cash/stock mix is 55% cash and 45% stock [23] - Calavo Growers will receive 1 board seat on Mission Produce expanded board [23] - The transaction is expected to close by the end of August 2026 [23] Financial Highlights - The pro forma net sales are approximately $2 billion [21] - The pro forma adjusted EBITDA is approximately $177 million, including approximately $25 million in run-rate synergies [21] - The combined company will have approximately 5,800 global employees [21] - Mission Produce anticipates approximately $25 million of annual cost synergies [23] Product and Geographic Mix - The pro forma product mix is 84% avocado, 5% blueberry, 4% mango, 4% guacamole, 2% tomato, and 1% other [20] - The pro forma geographic mix is 83% U S and 17% rest of world [20]

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This communication contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expects," "intends," "will," "should," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Calavo's and Mission's current views about future events. Such f ...

Core Insights - The global fresh produce market is dominated by a few key players, with Mission Produce Inc. (AVO) and Dole plc (DOLE) standing out for different reasons, particularly in terms of scale, geographic reach, and product focus [1][2] Group 1: Mission Produce (AVO) - AVO is the world's largest vertically integrated avocado company, selling a record 691 million pounds of avocados in fiscal 2025, reinforcing its leadership in North America and expanding in Europe and Asia [3] - With nearly 70% household penetration in the U.S., AVO is pivotal in driving avocado consumption through promotions and retailer collaborations, aligning with health-driven consumer trends [4] - AVO's competitive advantage lies in its integrated global platform, ensuring supply consistency and quality control through owned Peruvian orchards [5] - The company is diversifying its portfolio by expanding into blueberries and mangoes, targeting health-conscious consumers and investing in digital tools for market insights [6] - AVO's strong cash flow generation is highlighted by record adjusted EBITDA and over $180 million in operating cash flow, with leverage well below 1X EBITDA [7] Group 2: Dole plc (DOLE) - Dole is a diversified produce giant with quarterly revenues of $2.3 billion in Q3 2025, holding leadership positions across Europe, North America, and select global markets [8] - Although avocados are a small part of Dole's portfolio, the company is enhancing its avocado presence through investments in ripening facilities, particularly in Europe [9] - Dole's investment case is based on its multi-category portfolio and resilient business model, balancing staple products like bananas with innovative offerings [10] - The brand appeals to affordability-focused, health-conscious consumers, supported by operational investments in automation and logistics [11] - Key challenges for Dole include higher sourcing costs and weather-related supply disruptions, which have impacted margins in 2025 [12] Group 3: Financial Estimates and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVO indicates declines of 10.2% in sales and 10.1% in EPS for fiscal 2025, with a projected increase in sales and earnings for fiscal 2026 [13] - For Dole, the 2025 sales estimate suggests a year-over-year growth of 7.6%, while EPS is expected to decline by 27.6%, with significant growth projected for 2026 [13] - AVO trades at a forward P/E multiple of 18.24X, below its 5-year median, while DOLE trades at a lower multiple of 9.81X, reflecting different growth prospects [22][24] - AVO's premium valuation indicates investor confidence in its growth potential, while Dole's lower multiple may attract value-focused investors [24][25] Group 4: Investment Appeal - Both companies are strong players in the fresh produce market, but their investment appeal differs, with Dole offering stability and valuation comfort for value-oriented investors [26] - AVO is favored for its strong EPS revision trend and growth outlook, particularly in the avocado category, making it a compelling choice for growth-focused investors [27]

Group 1: Mission Produce's Innovation Strategy - Mission Produce, Inc. is focusing on innovation as a central pillar of its long-term strategy, aiming to position itself beyond a traditional avocado distributor [1][8] - The company has made significant investments in vertically integrated farming, advanced ripening and packing facilities, and data-driven category management tools to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement [2][8] - While these innovations improve execution and reliability, they do not fully protect the company from external risks such as weather disruptions and pricing cycles [3][8] Group 2: Competitive Positioning and Market Performance - Mission Produce's shares have increased by 7.7% over the last six months, contrasting with a 10.7% decline in the industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 33.0X, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 12.29X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mission Produce's fiscal 2026 earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 39.24%, with stable estimates over the past 30 days [10]

Core Insights - Village Farms International, Inc. has appointed Brian Stevenson as the Global Chief Strategy Officer to lead the company's strategic agenda focused on long-term growth and global market assessment [1][4] - The appointment reflects the company's commitment to disciplined global expansion and long-term value creation in regulated markets, particularly in cannabis [4] Company Overview - Village Farms is a large-scale, vertically-integrated supplier of high-value, plant-based Consumer Packaged Goods, leveraging decades of experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture [5] - The company has a strong foundation as a leading fresh produce supplier in the US and Canada, now focusing on high-growth cannabinoid opportunities while maintaining its produce assets [5] Cannabis Operations - In Canada, Village Farms operates Pure Sunfarms, one of the largest cannabis operations globally, with 2.2 million square feet of greenhouse production and plans for future expansion with an additional 2.6 million square feet [6] - The company owns 80% of Rose LifeScience, a leader in cannabis product commercialization in Quebec [6] International Expansion - Village Farms is targeting legal cannabis opportunities internationally, exporting medical cannabis from its EU GMP certified facility in Canada to markets such as Germany, the UK, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand [7] - The company is expanding its export business and making investments in international production assets, including a license to grow and distribute recreational cannabis in the Netherlands [7] US Market Strategy - In the US, Village Farms' subsidiary Balanced Health Botanicals is a leading CBD and hemp-derived brand, with plans to enter the US THC market leveraging its Texas-based greenhouse assets [8][9] - The company has 2.2 million square feet of existing greenhouse capacity and 950 acres of owned land for future expansion in the US [9] Renewable Energy Initiatives - Village Farms Clean Energy, in partnership with Terreva Renewables, generates renewable natural gas from landfill gas, receiving royalties on all generated revenue [9]

Group 1: Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) Overview - AVO's expanding network of ripening facilities is central to its strategy for delivering high-quality avocados globally, providing a competitive advantage by controlling quality and reducing spoilage [1][8] - The ripening network has supported volume growth, particularly in Europe, with improved utilization and customer penetration contributing to smoother operations and predictable margins [2] - Future challenges include maintaining operational efficiency while expanding into new regions and product categories, necessitating ongoing investment in technology and processes [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Valuation - AVO shares have increased by 5% over the last six months, contrasting with a 7.1% decline in the industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 30.20X, significantly higher than the industry average of 12.23X [9] - Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings decline of 9.5% for fiscal 2025 and 28.3% for fiscal 2026, with stable estimates over the past 30 days [10]

Core Viewpoint - Mission Produce, Inc. will release its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended October 31, 2025, on December 18, 2025, after market close, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The financial results will be released after market close on December 18, 2025 [1]. - A conference call and webcast will be held at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the same day to discuss the financial results [1]. Group 2: Conference Call Details - The conference call can be accessed live by dialing (877) 407-9039 for domestic callers and (201) 689-8470 for international callers [2]. - A replay of the call will be available until January 1, 2026, with specific dialing instructions for both domestic and international callers [2]. Group 3: Webcast Information - The live audio webcast of the conference call will be accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website [3]. - An archived replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the live event concludes [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - Mission Produce is a global leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados and mangos, serving customers in over 25 countries [4]. - The company has been in operation since 1983 and is vertically integrated with five packing facilities across the U.S., Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala [4]. - Mission Produce has sourcing capabilities from over 20 premium growing regions, ensuring a year-round supply of fresh fruit [4]. - The company's distribution network includes strategically positioned centers across North America, China, Europe, and the UK, offering various value-added services [4].