Core Insights - Investors favor businesses with consistent profitability, measured effectively by net profit margin, which indicates a company's efficiency in converting sales into profits [1][2] - Companies such as Chefs' Warehouse, Perdoceo Education, Adtalem Global Education, and Nomad Foods exhibit strong net profit margins, making them attractive to investors [1][8] Financial Metrics - Net profit margin is calculated as Net Profit/Sales * 100, representing the amount retained after all expenses [2] - A higher net profit margin not only attracts investors but also skilled employees, enhancing overall business value [3] Investment Considerations - A strong net profit margin provides clarity on a company's business model, including pricing, cost structure, and manufacturing efficiency, making it a preferred metric for investors [4] - However, net profit margin varies significantly across industries, and its relevance can diminish for companies that rely heavily on debt financing [5] Screening Criteria - The screening parameters for selecting stocks include a net margin of at least 0%, positive earnings per share (EPS) growth, and a strong broker rating [7] - Stocks like CHEF, PRDO, ATGE, and NOMD were selected based on their strong net margins and favorable EPS growth outlooks, each holding a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A [8] Company Performance - Chefs' Warehouse has seen its 2025 earnings estimate revised upward to $1.75 per share, with a historical average earnings surprise of 11.3% [10] - Perdoceo Education's 2025 earnings estimate increased to $2.52 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 6.2% [12] - Adtalem Global Education maintains a fiscal 2026 earnings estimate of $6.52 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 18.4% [13] - Nomad Foods' 2025 earnings estimate was revised upward to $2.13 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 3.2% [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the fourth quarter, net sales increased by 4% year-over-year, while volume increased by 8%, driven by contract wins across channels and geographies [26][27] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $285 million, essentially flat compared to the prior year, with lower adjusted SG&A offsetting lower adjusted gross profit [32][34] - The company ended the year with approximately $1.24 billion in liquidity and a net debt of $4.1 billion, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA to net debt leverage ratio of 3.3 times [33][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America net sales declined by 1% year-over-year, primarily due to lower net selling prices, with a price mix decline of 5% [27][28] - International segment sales grew by 15% year-over-year, with volume increasing by 16%, driven by recent customer contract wins [30][32] - Adjusted EBITDA in the North America segment declined by 7% to $258 million, while the International segment's adjusted EBITDA increased by $22 million to $63 million [32][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global restaurant traffic trends were down low single digits in the US and UK, impacting overall sales [26][30] - In the US, French fry attachment rates remained approximately two points higher than pre-pandemic levels, with the French fry category growing by 1% in the quarter [27][30] - The international segment experienced a 3% decline in restaurant traffic in the UK, but still achieved significant volume growth [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a "Focus to Win" strategy, which includes zero-based budgeting and assessing non-core assets to drive targeted decision-making [11][22] - The strategic focus is on strengthening customer partnerships, achieving executional excellence, and setting the pace for innovation [15][16] - The company plans to invest in priority global markets and segments, targeting premium market segments where innovation is a differentiator [17][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures affecting consumer behavior and restaurant traffic, but expressed confidence in the company's ability to capitalize on future demand [23][40] - The outlook for fiscal 2026 anticipates revenue in the range of $6.35 billion to $6.55 billion, reflecting a potential decline or modest growth due to carryover pricing actions [40][41] - Management emphasized the importance of controlling operational costs and improving efficiency to enhance competitiveness [45] Other Important Information - The company announced a cost savings program targeting $250 million in annualized savings by the end of fiscal 2028 [22][43] - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 were $651 million, down from initial targets, with expectations for approximately $500 million in fiscal 2026 [35][66] - The company plans to continue returning cash to shareholders, having returned $489 million in fiscal 2025 [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the EBITDA margin target for the year? - Management indicated that the EBITDA margin would be below normalized levels in fiscal 2026 due to headwinds faced by key customers and ongoing pricing support [51][52] Question: Can you elaborate on working capital improvements? - Management highlighted improvements in inventory management and planning capabilities as key components of their strategy to enhance working capital [56][57] Question: What is the outlook for international capacity? - Management noted that while there have been announcements of new capacity, many projects are being delayed or canceled, indicating a rational approach within the industry [62][63] Question: How is the company assessing risks related to tariffs? - Management stated that the potential impact of tariffs on financial results is estimated at $25 million, with ongoing efforts to mitigate exposure [85] Question: What is the company's leverage target? - The company continues to target a leverage ratio of about 3.5 times and is open to M&A opportunities that align with its strategic focus [103][106]

Group 1 - Nomad Foods Limited will report its second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2025, before the market opens on August 6, 2025 [1] - A conference call with the executive management team is scheduled for 8:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time on August 6, 2025, to discuss the results [2] - The conference call will be accompanied by a presentation and will be webcast, accessible via the Nomad Foods website [2] Group 2 - Nomad Foods is recognized as Europe's leading frozen food company, with a portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Birds Eye, Findus, iglo, Ledo, and Frikom [3] - The company emphasizes its commitment to providing great tasting, convenient, high-quality, and nutritious food options for consumers [3] - Nomad Foods is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and additional information can be found on its website [3]

Core Insights - Nomad Foods (NOMD) is focusing on innovation to recover from a decline in total revenues, organic sales, and volume in Q1 2025, which fell by 3%, 3.6%, and 3.7% respectively [1][9] - The company is particularly enhancing its fish portfolio, which accounts for about one-third of total revenues, by renovating existing products and launching new lines [2][9] - Nomad Foods is targeting new consumption occasions, especially snacking, to reposition frozen fish products, with early success indicated by a 9% year-over-year increase in fish retail sales in Italy during Q1 [3][9] Innovation Strategy - The company plans to increase the percentage of sales from innovation in 2025 while maintaining investment levels despite macroeconomic challenges [4] - Management will monitor the performance of innovation initiatives and apply insights across markets to support volume trends and enhance product relevance over time [4] Industry Context - Other companies in the industry, such as Conagra Brands and Lamb Weston, are also focusing on innovation to drive growth, with Conagra reporting a 6.3% revenue decline in Q3 2025 and Lamb Weston achieving a 9% volume growth despite challenges [5][6][7] Financial Performance - Nomad Foods' shares have decreased by approximately 1.8% over the past month, contrasting with the industry's growth of 2.3% [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.04X, significantly lower than the industry average of 15.97X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a projected year-over-year sales growth of 4.6% and earnings per share growth of 7.3% for the current financial year [12] Sales and Earnings Estimates - Current quarter sales are estimated at $857.70 million, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 5.80% [14] - The earnings per share for the current year is projected at $2.07, reflecting a year-over-year growth estimate of 7.25% [15]

Core Insights - Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) announced a $17 million investment in its Houston brewery as part of its Brewing Futures program, which includes a total commitment of $300 million for facility investments across the U.S. by 2025 [1][9] - The investment aims to enhance brewing excellence and improve transportation capabilities, ensuring efficient product delivery throughout Texas, building on over $50 million already invested in the Houston site in the past three years [2][4] - AB InBev's Brewing Futures initiative focuses on creating a sustainable workforce, supporting job creation, and advancing opportunities for veterans in the manufacturing sector [3] Investment and Economic Impact - The Houston brewery has been a key operational hub for nearly 60 years, with AB InBev and its distributor partners investing over $2.3 billion in capital projects in Texas to date [4] - The company employs nearly 1,000 individuals across four facilities in Texas, significantly contributing to the local economy and the American brewing industry [4] - Nationally, AB InBev operates over 100 facilities and employs 65,000 Americans, having invested nearly $2 billion in facility upgrades over the past five years [5] Growth Strategy - AB InBev is experiencing strong revenue momentum driven by consumer demand for its diverse brand portfolio and strategic pricing initiatives [7] - The company is focusing on expanding its premium and super-premium beer offerings, with brands like Corona and Stella Artois performing well internationally [8] - AB InBev is also diversifying into new categories such as ready-to-drink beverages and hard seltzers, while enhancing its digital platforms for better customer engagement [10]

Summary of Nomad Foods Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Nomad Foods - **Industry**: Frozen Food Key Messages - **Category Advantage**: Nomad Foods believes it has a competitive edge in the frozen food category, which has shown strong performance over the last decade, outperforming overall food trends [3][4][19] - **Portfolio Strength**: The company has a diverse portfolio in frozen food, including fish, vegetables, chicken, ice cream, and pizza, with two-thirds of its business focused on protein and vegetables [5][6][21][23] - **Market Share Focus**: Nomad Foods emphasizes the importance of market share, stating that it has maintained an average market share of 46% in its key categories, which represent about 37% of net sales [14][24] Financial Performance - **Sales Growth**: The company has consistently increased sales and EBITDA over the past nine years, with growth rates of 6%, 7%, and 10% in recent years despite market challenges [8][9] - **EBITDA Guidance**: For the current year, Nomad Foods expects EBITDA growth between 2% and 6%, with adjusted EPS projected between €1.82 and €1.89 [66][69] - **Free Cash Flow**: The company has generated over €2 billion in adjusted free cash flow from 2017 to 2024, with expectations of around €850 million in the coming years [69][70] Market Dynamics - **Category Growth**: The frozen food category is projected to grow at 2% in value and 1% in volume, with Nomad Foods stabilizing its market share despite some seasonal fluctuations [61][63][65] - **Competitive Landscape**: The company acknowledges the competitive pressure from private labels but remains focused on innovation and brand strength to maintain its market position [76][80] Innovation and Product Development - **Innovation Strategy**: Nomad Foods aims to increase its innovation rate, targeting 6.5% of its product offerings to be new innovations, leveraging successful products from one market to introduce in others [27][28][34] - **Product Renovation**: The company is committed to improving existing products, with a goal to enhance taste and quality, particularly in categories like pizza and fish fingers [31][33][34] Challenges and Opportunities - **Inflation Impact**: The company faced inflationary pressures, particularly in protein costs, which affected gross margins. However, it has chosen not to reopen negotiations with retailers to adjust pricing immediately [66][67] - **M&A Strategy**: Nomad Foods remains open to M&A opportunities but emphasizes a disciplined approach, focusing on synergies and avoiding high multiples [100][102] Future Outlook - **Long-term Growth Potential**: The company sees significant growth potential in frozen food, particularly in markets like Italy and Germany, where it plans to expand its product offerings [20][36][38] - **Consumer Trends**: Nomad Foods is adapting to changing consumer preferences, including a focus on health and convenience, which aligns with the growing popularity of air fryers and healthier frozen options [18][20][17] Conclusion - Nomad Foods is positioned well within the frozen food industry, leveraging its strong portfolio and market share while focusing on innovation and strategic growth opportunities. The company is navigating current challenges with a clear strategy aimed at long-term success.

Company Performance & Strategy - Nomad Foods' revenue reached €3.1 billion in 2024, demonstrating a 6% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) [11] - Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) showed a 10% CAGR, reaching €1.78 in 2024 [12] - Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) exhibited a 7% CAGR, totaling €565 million in 2024 [12] - The company aims for 0-2% organic revenue growth and 2-6% adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025 [77] - Nomad Foods anticipates generating over €850 million in adjusted free cash flow over the next three years (2025-2027) [83] Market Position & Category - Nomad Foods holds the 1 brand preference in 12 out of 15 markets [19] - The company has a 46% weighted average value market share in its top 25 must-win battles [19] - European frozen retail sales amount to €55.4 billion, with food accounting for €39.2 billion and ice cream for €16.2 billion [15] - Meals made from frozen food cost €2-3 less compared to chilled equivalents [25] Innovation & Investment - Advertising and Promotion (A&P) spending increased by 14% year-over-year in 2023 and is projected to increase by 7% year-over-year in 2024 [38] - Innovation as a percentage of revenue is projected to reach near 5% in 2025 [41] - The company aims for 60% superior quality perception by 2025 and 80% by 2027 [43, 45]

Core Insights - Diageo plc reported net sales of $4.4 billion for Q3 fiscal 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2.9% driven by organic growth, despite foreign exchange challenges and disposals [1] - Organic net sales rose by 5.9% year-over-year, with significant contributions from various regions, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, which saw a 29% increase [2][3] Sales Performance - Organic volumes increased by 2.8% and price/mix improved by 3.1%, with phasing gains contributing nearly 4% to organic net sales growth [2] - Regional performance varied, with North America up 6%, Asia Pacific up 2%, Latin America and the Caribbean up 29%, Africa up 10%, while Europe remained flat [2] Tariff Impact - The company faces a 10% tariff on U.K. and European imports into the U.S., with an estimated annual impact of C$150 million [5] - Tariffs between the U.S. and China are not expected to materially affect the business, with management aiming to mitigate nearly half of the operating profit impact [6] Strategic Initiatives - Diageo has launched the first phase of its Accelerate program, focusing on cash delivery goals and operational excellence, aiming for a more agile global operating model [7] - The company forecasts sustainable free cash flow of C$3 billion per year starting fiscal 2026, supported by C$500 million in cost savings over three years [8] Financial Guidance - Diageo anticipates a sequential improvement in organic net sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2025, despite a slight drop in organic operating profit compared to the previous year [10][12] - The effective tax rate for fiscal 2025 is projected to be around 25%, consistent with the previous year [13] Capital Expenditure - The company expects capital expenditure to be at the upper end of its previously guided range of $1.3-$1.5 billion for fiscal 2025 [14]

Core Insights - AB InBev is focused on investments to drive growth and diversify its portfolio of global, international, and craft specialty premium brands [1] - The company plans to invest $300 million in its U.S. manufacturing operations in 2025 to enhance training, recruitment, and local production [2] - This investment follows a nearly $2 billion investment in U.S. facilities over the past five years, aimed at boosting the economy and sustaining jobs [3] Investment and Operations - The investments are intended to improve internal systems at U.S. manufacturing facilities, enhancing brewery efficiency and economic prosperity [4] - AB InBev reported mixed first-quarter 2025 results, with strong earnings performance but soft sales, driven by diversified operations and demand for megabrands [5] - Revenues from megabrands increased by 4.4%, particularly benefiting from the strong performance of the Corona brand [5] Digital Transformation - The company has been rapidly growing its digital platforms, with B2B digital platforms contributing approximately 72% to revenues in Q1 2025 [6] - The omnichannel ecosystem generated $275 million in revenues during the same period [6] Beyond Beer Portfolio - AB InBev's Beyond Beer portfolio saw a revenue increase of 16.6%, driven by double-digit growth in brands like Cutwater and Nütrl in the U.S. and Beats in Brazil [7] Stock Performance - Over the past three months, AB InBev's shares have increased by 25.5%, outperforming the industry growth of 18.9% [8]

Group 1: Trade Deal Impact - The stock market experienced a historic rebound following President Trump's announcement of a new trade deal with the United Kingdom, aimed at reducing trade barriers [1] - Several British ADRs are highlighted as potential investment opportunities due to the trade deal [1] Group 2: Nomad Foods (NOMD) - Nomad Foods is the largest frozen food company in Europe and has been identified as a strong buy with a Zacks Rank 1, having increased by 16% in 2025 [2] - EPS estimates for Nomad Foods have been trending higher, with an expected rise of 11% this year and a projected increase of 7% in fiscal 2026 to $2.31 [3][4] - The stock trades under $20 at a forward earnings multiple of 8.9X, indicating a favorable valuation [3] Group 3: Rolls-Royce (RYCEY) - Rolls-Royce is positioned favorably with a Zacks Rank 2, as U.K. car tariffs will be reduced from 25% to 10% on the first 100,000 imported vehicles [4][5] - The stock is currently priced around $10, presenting a favorable risk-to-reward scenario [5] Group 4: BP (BP) - BP, formerly British Petroleum, is trading under $30 and offers a 6.75% annual dividend yield, making it a potential buy-the-dip candidate [6][7] - The elimination of higher tariffs on steel and aluminum is expected to benefit BP significantly, as it faced issues related to infrastructure projects [7][8]