Core Insights - Three stocks with strong income characteristics and buy rank are highlighted for investors to consider on October 23 Group 1: Company Performance - Guess?, Inc. (GES) has seen a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 8.1% over the last 60 days [1] - The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) has experienced a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings rise of 7.9% over the last 60 days [2] - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) has reported a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing by 9.4% over the last 60 days [2] Group 2: Dividend Yield Comparison - Guess?, Inc. (GES) offers a dividend yield of 5.4%, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.0% [1] - The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) has a dividend yield of 1.6%, compared to the industry average of 0.7% [2] - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) has a dividend yield of 2.3%, also above the industry average of 0.0% [3]

Core Insights - Philip Morris International Inc. reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year growth [1][2][9] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $2.24, reflecting a 17.3% increase year over year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.10 [2][9] - Net revenues reached $10,845 million, a 9.4% increase on a reported basis and 5.9% on an organic basis, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10,704 million [3][9] - The smoke-free business contributed significantly, with revenues increasing 17.7% and accounting for 41% of total revenues [4][9] Segment Performance - Revenues from combustible products grew 4.3% year over year, driven by high single-digit pricing, despite expected volume declines [4] - Total shipment volumes increased by 0.7% to 204.9 billion units [5] Regional Performance - In Europe, net revenues grew 12.4% to $4,719 million, supported by positive pricing and volume/mix, despite lower cigarette volumes [6] - The SSEA, CIS & MEA regions saw a 10.4% increase in net revenues to $3,273 million, primarily due to favorable pricing [7] - The EA, AU & PMI GTR regions also experienced a 10.4% revenue growth to $1,768 million, driven by favorable volume/mix [8] - Revenues in the Americas declined by 5.5% to $1,085 million, mainly due to unfavorable price variance [8] Future Outlook - For 2025, adjusted EPS is projected in the range of $7.46-$7.56, indicating a growth of 13.5-15.1% [11] - The company expects net revenues to increase by 6-8% on an organic basis and operating income to rise by 10-11.5% [13] - Capital expenditures are anticipated to be nearly $1.6 billion, primarily for smoke-free business investments [13] Other Updates - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $4,037 million and announced an 8.9% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.47 per share [10]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong income characteristics and buy rank are highlighted for investors to consider on October 21 Group 1: Company Performance - Newmont Corporation (NEM) has seen a 6.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) has experienced a 4.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Royal Bank of Canada (RY) has recorded a 5.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] Group 2: Dividend Yield - Newmont Corporation (NEM) offers a dividend yield of 1.1%, which is above the industry average of 0.0% [1] - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) provides a dividend yield of 2.3%, also above the industry average of 0.0% [2] - Royal Bank of Canada (RY) has a dividend yield of 3.1%, matching the industry average of 3.1% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Nomad Foods Limited is initiating a refinancing process for its existing Term Loans totaling USD 679 million and EUR 130 million, along with an extension of its EUR 175 million Revolving Cash Facility, with lender meetings expected to occur soon [1] Group 1: Refinancing Details - The refinancing involves USD denominated Term Loan B of USD 679 million and EUR denominated Term Loan B of EUR 130 million and EUR 553 million [1] - An associated extension of the Revolving Cash Facility of EUR 175 million is also part of the refinancing plan [1] Group 2: Company Overview - 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 is headquartered in the United Kingdom and focuses on providing convenient, high-quality, and nutritious food options [3]

Core Insights - The consumer staples sector is experiencing a trend of oversold stocks, presenting potential buying opportunities for undervalued companies [1] Group 1: Oversold Stocks - Nomad Foods Ltd (NYSE:NOMD) has an RSI of 23.8, with a stock price decline of approximately 13% over the past month, closing at $11.96 [8] - JBS NV (NYSE:JBS) has an RSI of 25.7, with a stock price decrease of around 19% over the past month, closing at $12.81 [8] - Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) has an RSI of 15.1, with a significant stock price drop of about 46% over the past month, closing at $0.68 [8] Group 2: Company Developments - Nomad Foods announced the appointment of Dominic Brisby as the new CEO, effective Nov. 3, following the tenure of Stéfan Descheemaeker [8] - JBS received an Overweight rating from Stephens & Co. analyst Pooran Sharma, maintaining a price target of $19 [8] - Moolec Science received regulatory approval in Argentina for its Safflower GLASO Technology and appointed Valeria Falottico as CFO, indicating progress in its operations [8]

Core Viewpoint - Nomad Foods is a leading player in Europe's frozen food market, currently trading at a significantly discounted valuation despite strong cash flows and a high dividend yield [1][11][12]. Company Overview - Nomad Foods holds a 47% market share among its top 25 products, primarily in categories such as fish (33% of sales), vegetables (25%), meals, poultry, and ice cream [5][6]. - The company is recognized for its strong brand awareness and preference, ranking No. 1 in 12 of 15 markets across Europe [6]. Financial Performance - Nomad Foods generates stable cash flows and profitability due to the repeat-purchase nature of its products [7]. - Despite recent revenue growth stagnation, management anticipates a 15% annual growth in free cash flow (FCF) over the next three years, supported by reduced capital expenditures and efficiency improvements [9]. - The company has a debt load of $2.2 billion against a market capitalization of $1.8 billion, which is atypical but manageable due to consistent cash flows [9][10]. Valuation and Dividend - Nomad's market cap is currently lower than its net debt, primarily due to a 41% decline in share price from its one-year high, reflecting broader market trends affecting low-volatility stocks [11]. - The company is trading at a decade-long low valuation, with an all-time high dividend yield of 5.5% [12]. - The dividend payout is sustainable, utilizing only 43% of net income and 35% of FCF, indicating potential for future increases [14]. - Management has also reduced the share count by 6% annually over the last three years, enhancing shareholder value through both dividends and share repurchases [15]. Investment Opportunity - While not a growth stock, Nomad Foods presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its industry leadership, stable operations, consistent cash flow, and attractive shareholder returns at a historically low valuation [16].

Core Viewpoint - Nomad Foods Limited has announced the appointment of Dominic Brisby as the new Executive President and CEO-Elect, effective November 3, 2025, succeeding Stéfan Descheemaeker, who will retire on January 1, 2026 [1][3]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Dominic Brisby will work alongside current CEO Stéfan Descheemaeker during a transition period until Descheemaeker's retirement [1]. - Descheemaeker has been CEO since the company's founding in 2015 and will continue as a non-executive Director after his retirement [3]. - The transition is part of a planned succession process, with the Board expressing confidence in Brisby's leadership capabilities [4]. Group 2: Dominic Brisby's Background - Brisby has a strong track record in the consumer goods industry, having served as President of North America and Europe at Flora Food Group, where he achieved significant market share growth [2]. - His previous role at Imperial Brands involved reversing market share declines and implementing cost-saving measures that resulted in record profit growth in the U.S. market [2]. Group 3: Company Performance and Future Outlook - Under Descheemaeker's leadership, Nomad Foods has experienced nine consecutive years of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth through 2024, with Adjusted EPS expected to have approximately doubled from 2016 to 2025 [3]. - The company is recognized as Europe's leading frozen food business, with a portfolio of iconic brands that align with current consumer trends [5]. - Brisby expressed enthusiasm for unlocking the company's growth potential and delivering attractive returns to stakeholders, emphasizing alignment with trends in nutrition, convenience, value, and sustainability [4].

Market Overview - U.S. stocks are nearing the end of a winning month, with the S&P 500 down 0.2% but on track for a fifth consecutive winning month after a record-setting week [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 145 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite fell by 0.3% [2] Oil Sector Impact - Oil-related companies negatively impacted the market as crude prices fell, attributed to an oversupply of oil globally [3] - Schlumberger's stock dropped by 3.8%, and Halliburton's fell by 3% [3] Notable Company Developments - CoreWeave's stock surged by 12.7% after announcing a deal with Meta Platforms worth up to $14.2 billion for cloud computing services [3] - Spotify Technology's shares fell by 6.4% following the announcement of CEO Daniel Ek stepping down to become executive chairman, with two co-CEOs appointed [11] - Lamb Weston saw a 4.1% increase in stock price after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profits [11] Economic Indicators - Mixed reports on the U.S. economy showed consumer confidence lower than expected, with concerns over a slowing job market and persistent inflation [4] - Job openings remained stable at the end of August, indicating a "low-hire, low-fire" state in the job market [5] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates for the first time this year, with more cuts anticipated through the end of next year to support the job market [7] - The stock market's performance has been buoyed by expectations of further rate cuts, although concerns about high valuations persist [8] Government Shutdown Concerns - A potential U.S. government shutdown looms, which could delay important economic reports, including job creation data for September [9][10] - Historically, the S&P 500 has performed positively during past shutdowns, averaging a 4.4% increase [9]

Company Updates - Spotify shares dropped following the announcement that co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek will step down, with co-presidents Gustav Soderstrom and Alex Norstrom set to take over as co-CEOs [2][4] - Instacart operator Maplebear saw its shares tumble after BTIG downgraded its rating from "buy" to "neutral," citing increased competition in the food delivery sector [2] - Firefly Aerospace experienced a significant decline in shares after one of its rocket boosters exploded during preflight tests [2] Market Reactions - Pfizer shares gained after the pharmaceutical company reached a deal with the Trump administration to lower drug prices [3][4] - CoreWeave shares surged following the announcement of a new agreement with Meta Platforms valued at up to $14.2 billion [3] - Lamb Weston Holdings shares increased after the company reported better-than-expected sales driven by improved restaurant demand [3] Economic Indicators - Major U.S. equities indexes, including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, edged lower amid concerns over a potential government shutdown [4]

Core Viewpoint - Nomad Foods Ltd (NYSE:NOMD) is considered a strong investment opportunity in the FMCG sector despite a recent price target reduction by BTIG from $20 to $18 due to challenges in European markets [1][2]. Group 1: Company Performance - BTIG has reiterated a 'Buy' rating on Nomad Foods, indicating confidence in the stock despite lowering sales and earnings estimates due to market-specific dynamics affecting profitability [2]. - The company reported earnings per share of $0.40 for the second quarter, surpassing consensus estimates of $0.38 [3]. Group 2: Market Position - Nomad Foods is recognized as Europe's largest frozen food company, with a diverse portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Birds Eye, Findus, and igloo, offering a variety of frozen food products [4]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The research firm believes that Nomad Foods remains undervalued at current levels, with potential for realistic medium-term cash flow and margin improvements [3]. - The company is evaluating the impact of a reset in advertising and promotion investments expected next year, which may influence future performance [2].