Utz Brands, Inc. Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Earnings Presentation February 12, 2026 Disclaimer Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. The forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by or include, without limitation, statements such as "may," "can," "should," "will," "estimate," "plan," "projec ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, organic net sales grew by 2.4%, while branded salty organic net sales increased by 4.7%, contrasting with a 0.5% decline in the category [3][4] - Adjusted gross margin expanded by 260 basis points, and adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 80 basis points for the full year [5][21] - In Q4, net sales growth was 0.4%, driven by a 0.5% price increase, while volume mix decreased by 0.1% [20][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Branded salty snacks organic net sales grew by 2.5% in Q4, with volume mix growth of 2.1% [20][9] - Non-branded and non-salty snacks saw a decline of 14.8% in organic net sales [20] - The Power Four Brands achieved a 5.3% increase in retail sales dollars, driven by a 3.8% price per pound growth [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail sales in core geographies increased by 0.5%, while total company retail sales in expansion geographies grew by 7.3%, significantly outpacing the salty snacks category growth of 1.1% [13][14] - The average market share in expansion geographies is 3.2%, compared to 6.7% in core markets, indicating substantial growth potential [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue increasing marketing spending, which rose by 35% in 2025, to support brand growth [5][18] - Expansion into the California market is seen as a key growth differentiator, with shipments expected to begin shortly [6] - The company aims to deliver consistent and predictable adjusted EBITDA growth while focusing on free cash flow generation and deleveraging [25][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged headwinds in Q4 but emphasized substantial progress on long-term strategies during 2025 [3] - The company expects organic net sales growth of 2%-3% for 2026, assuming a flat category at the midpoint [26] - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2026 guidance through innovation, marketing, and promotional strategies [10] Other Important Information - The company plans to introduce new reconciliation tables of GAAP to non-GAAP in Q1 2026 to enhance transparency regarding supply chain and corporate transformation costs [33] - Adjusted free cash flow is expected to be between $60 million and $80 million in 2026, representing about 70% conversion of expected adjusted net income [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for 2026 organic net sales growth? - The company expects organic net sales growth of 2%-3%, assuming a flat category at the midpoint, with a $20 million benefit from the 53rd week in Q4 [26] Question: How will the company manage its capital expenditures moving forward? - Capital expenditures are expected to decline from $102.8 million in 2025 to a range of $60-$65 million in 2026, reflecting a more normal cadence [32] Question: What is the outlook for adjusted EPS in 2026? - Adjusted EPS is expected to decline between 3% and 6% due to higher depreciation, interest expense, and a modestly higher tax rate [30]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, organic net sales grew by 2.4%, while branded salty organic net sales increased by 4.7%, contrasting with a 0.5% decline in the category's retail sales dollars [3][4] - Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 260 basis points to 18.2%, with productivity savings contributing 620 basis points to this expansion [21][22] - Adjusted earnings per share rose by 18.2%, reflecting strong margin performance and productivity initiatives [21][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the fourth quarter, branded salty snacks organic net sales grew by 2.5%, driven by a volume mix growth of 2.1% [20][9] - Non-branded and non-salty snacks experienced a decline of 14.8%, attributed to headwinds faced in the branded salty segment [20] - The Power Four Brands achieved a 5.3% increase in retail sales dollars, driven by a 3.8% price per pound growth [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail sales in core geographies increased by 0.5%, with Power Four Brands leading at 1.8% compared to the total salty category's 1.1% growth [13] - Expansion geographies saw a retail sales growth of 7.3%, significantly outpacing the salty snacks category growth of 1.1% [14] - The average market share in expansion geographies is 3.2%, compared to 6.7% in core markets, indicating substantial growth potential [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue increasing marketing spending to support brand growth, with a 35% increase in 2025 on top of a nearly 70% increase in 2024 [5][18] - Expansion into the California market is seen as a key growth differentiator, with shipments expected to begin shortly [6] - The company aims to deliver consistent and predictable Adjusted EBITDA growth while focusing on free cash flow generation for deleveraging and capital allocation flexibility [25][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged headwinds in the fourth quarter but emphasized substantial progress on long-term strategies during 2025 [3] - The company remains cautiously optimistic about the category environment, expecting organic net sales growth of 2%-3% for 2026 [26] - Management highlighted the importance of productivity initiatives and revenue management strategies to achieve growth targets [10][28] Other Important Information - The company plans to introduce new reconciliation tables of GAAP to non-GAAP in the first quarter of 2026 to enhance transparency regarding supply chain and corporate transformation costs [33] - Adjusted free cash flow is expected to be between $60 million and $80 million in 2026, representing about 70% conversion of expected adjusted net income [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for organic net sales growth in 2026? - The company expects organic net sales growth of 2%-3%, assuming a flat category at the midpoint [26] Question: How will the company manage its capital expenditures moving forward? - Capital expenditures are expected to decline from $102.8 million in 2025 to a range of $60-$65 million in 2026, reflecting a more normal cadence [32] Question: What is the outlook for adjusted EPS in 2026? - Adjusted EPS is expected to decline between 3% and 6% due to higher depreciation, interest expense, and a modestly higher tax rate [30]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, organic net sales grew by 2.4%, while branded salty organic net sales increased by 4.7%, contrasting with a 0.5% decline in the category's retail sales dollars [3][4] - Adjusted gross margin expanded by 260 basis points, and adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 80 basis points for the full year [5][20] - In the fourth quarter, net sales growth was 0.4%, driven by a 0.5% increase in price, while volume mix decreased by 0.1% [19][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Branded salty snacks organic net sales grew by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, supported by a volume mix growth of 2.1% [19][9] - Non-branded and non-salty snacks experienced a decline of 14.8% in organic net sales [19] - The company achieved 7% productivity in 2025, exceeding the goal of 6% of adjusted cost of goods sold [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In core geographies, total retail sales dollars increased by 0.5%, while total company retail volume decreased by 2.4% [13] - Expansion geographies saw retail sales growth of 7.3%, significantly outpacing the salty snacks category growth of 1.1% [14] - The average market share in expansion geographies is 3.2%, compared to 6.7% in core markets, indicating substantial growth potential [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue increasing marketing spending in 2026 to support brand growth, following a 35% increase in 2025 [5][17] - Expansion into the California market is viewed as a key growth differentiator, with shipments expected to begin shortly [6] - The company aims to deliver consistent and predictable adjusted EBITDA growth while focusing on free cash flow generation for deleveraging and capital allocation flexibility [25][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged headwinds in the fourth quarter but emphasized substantial progress on long-term strategies during 2025 [3] - The company expects organic net sales growth of 2%-3% for 2026, assuming a flat category at the midpoint [26] - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2026 top and bottom-line guidance through innovation and marketing strategies [10] Other Important Information - The company plans to file its 2025 10-K after the market closes on February 12 [2] - Cash provided by operations for the 52 weeks ended December 28, 2025, was $112.2 million, with cash on hand at $120.4 million [24] - The company expects adjusted free cash flow to be between $60 million and $80 million in 2026, representing about 70% conversion of expected adjusted net income [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for 2026 organic net sales growth? - The company expects organic net sales growth of 2%-3%, assuming a flat category at the midpoint, with a $20 million benefit from the 53rd week in the fourth quarter [26] Question: How will the company manage its capital expenditures moving forward? - Capital expenditures are expected to decline from $102.8 million in 2025 to a range of $60-$65 million in 2026, reflecting a more normal cadence [33] Question: What is the outlook for adjusted EPS in 2026? - Adjusted EPS is expected to decline between 3% and 6% due to higher depreciation, interest expense, and a modestly higher tax rate [30]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising popularity and high pricing of Xueji Snacks, a brand known for its premium nuts and snacks, drawing comparisons to other high-end brands and exploring consumer behavior and perceptions around its pricing strategy [2][4][12]. Group 1: Pricing and Consumer Behavior - Xueji Snacks has gained notoriety for its high prices, with products like sunflower seeds priced at 23.8 yuan per jin and cashews nearing 100 yuan per jin, yet it remains popular among consumers [4][12]. - Despite the high prices, consumers express a desire for the products, often feeling compelled to purchase after trying samples in-store, indicating a psychological tactic employed by the brand [6][8][12]. - The brand's strategy of allowing customers to sample products before purchase creates a dilemma for consumers, as they may feel pressured to buy after tasting [11][19]. Group 2: Brand Positioning and Market Strategy - Xueji Snacks positions itself as a high-end snack brand, with store designs reminiscent of jewelry shops, which contributes to its premium image [6][14]. - The brand's marketing emphasizes quality, sourcing ingredients from core production areas and utilizing advanced preservation techniques, justifying its higher price point [14][21]. - Xueji Snacks has expanded rapidly, with over 1,100 stores projected by the end of 2025, indicating a strong growth strategy despite potential market saturation [21][25]. Group 3: Consumer Expectations and Market Challenges - There is a growing divide in consumer expectations, with some seeking affordable options while others are willing to pay for premium quality, posing a challenge for Xueji Snacks to balance its high-end positioning with broader market appeal [23][25]. - The brand faces competition from other snack companies that offer more affordable alternatives, which may impact its long-term sustainability if it cannot justify its pricing to consumers [23][25]. - Feedback from consumers indicates a desire for transparency in pricing and product quality, suggesting that Xueji Snacks must adapt to maintain customer loyalty and avoid being perceived as overpriced [25].

Core Insights - The article highlights the issue of misleading packaging in nut gift boxes, where the actual nut content is significantly lower than advertised, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and potential brand trust erosion [1][2][3] Group 1: Misleading Packaging Practices - Many well-known brands, such as Baicaowei and Three Squirrels, are selling nut gift boxes where the nut content is less than 50% of the total weight, with some boxes containing as little as 33 grams of nuts in a package labeled as 958 grams [1] - The use of vague descriptions like "8 items over 4 pounds" or "10 items over 2.5 pounds" misleads consumers into thinking the boxes contain mostly nuts, while in reality, they include various snacks and beverages [1][2] Group 2: Consumer Impact and Reactions - Consumers are expressing frustration over the perceived value of these products, with some humorously suggesting that the low-cost gift boxes are suitable for "plastic relatives" [3] - The article suggests that consumers should be vigilant when purchasing, advising them to check product specifications carefully and to prefer options labeled as "pure nuts" to avoid being misled [3]

Group 1 - Anheuser-Busch InBev and PepsiCo are participating in advertising during this year's Super Bowl [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) is recognized as one of the 15 Best Wide Moat Dividend Stocks to invest in, indicating strong competitive advantages and reliable dividend performance [1]. Group 1: Price Target and Ratings - Deutsche Bank has raised its price target for Hershey to $188 from $180 but maintains a Hold rating ahead of the Q4 earnings report [2]. Group 2: Marketing Strategy - Hershey has increased its marketing budget for the Hershey's brand by 20%, amounting to approximately $600 million for 2024, supporting its first new advertising campaign in eight years [2]. - The new campaign will utilize traditional television and streaming platforms, as well as expand into influencer marketing on TikTok, live events, and promotions linked to significant cultural events like the Winter Olympics and America250 celebrations [3]. Group 3: Business Performance - Stronger performance from the Hershey's brand is expected to positively impact the overall company results, as management considers it a core driver of growth [4]. - The Hershey Company operates as a global snacks company with three main segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International [4].

Disney Succession Plan - Disney has officially named Josh Dearo as its next CEO, succeeding Bob Iger later this year [1][10] - Josh Dearo's experience in overseeing the parks and cruises business, which accounts for nearly 60% of Disney's profits, is seen as a critical factor for his selection [4][10] - The transition is expected to be smoother than previous succession attempts due to a more deliberate process and the retention of key executives like Dana Walden [14][15] Business Performance and Strategy - Disney's reliance on its experiences segment is crucial for growth, especially as the entertainment sector faces challenges [4][8] - The company has established a strong base of intellectual property (IP) that supports its content strategy, although there are concerns about the need for more content [6][9] - The stock performance has been rangebound over the past decade, with a need for continued growth in experiences and streaming to improve profitability [15][20] Market Outlook - Despite short-term headwinds, such as a dip in tourism to domestic parks, the long-term outlook for Disney is considered optimistic due to the growth potential in its core businesses [21][22] - The company is viewed as undervalued, with expectations for a recovery as it navigates the transition in leadership and focuses on its growth-oriented segments [20][22]

Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo exceeded fourth-quarter revenue expectations, driven by strong international demand for sodas and low-sugar beverages in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Revenue and Sales Performance - PepsiCo reported revenue of $29.34 billion for the fourth quarter, surpassing estimates of $28.97 billion [4] - International beverages volume increased by 3%, while overall volumes in the beverages segment rose by 1% [4] - The North America food business experienced a 1% decline in volumes during the fourth quarter, following a 4% drop in the previous quarter [4] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives and Market Adaptation - The company is reviewing its North America supply chain after activist investor Elliott Management acquired a stake and advocated for significant changes [2] - PepsiCo is focusing on lower entry price points and smaller pack sizes to cater to U.S. consumers facing inflation and budget constraints [3] - The company is revamping its beverage offerings in North America, including prebiotic sodas and low- and zero-sugar options [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - PepsiCo maintained its annual core earnings per share growth target of 5% to 7%, as announced in December [2]