Core Insights - Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) is currently trading at its lowest levels in over five years due to significant disruptions in cocoa supply caused by tariffs and other factors [1] Company Summary - The company has faced challenges related to cocoa supply disruptions, which have impacted its stock performance [1] Industry Context - The broader context includes the impact of tariffs on commodity supplies, particularly cocoa, which is crucial for companies like Mondelez that rely heavily on chocolate production [1]

Core Insights - The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) experienced a significant rally of 5.79% during Thanksgiving Week, providing positive momentum for investors [1] - Investors are now shifting focus to market performance in December 2025 and evaluating opportunities for the upcoming year [2] - Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) are highlighted as potential investment options for both the final month of this year and for 2026 [2] Investment Opportunities - QQQ and QQQM are seen as suitable for investors looking for stocks with long-term durability, including those with a "wide moat" label [3] - Notable stocks within these ETFs include PepsiCo (PEP), which is considered undervalued with rebound potential despite recent sluggish performance [5][6] - Alphabet (GOOGL), a major holding in QQQ and QQQM, is recognized for its strong business model across various sectors, including advertising and cloud computing, and is expected to drive upside for these ETFs [7][8]

Core Insights - Activist investor Elliott Management is nearing a settlement with PepsiCo, indicating ongoing engagement between the two parties [1] - Elliott holds a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo and advocates for strategic changes to enhance share price and competitiveness [2] - PepsiCo's CEO acknowledges the constructive nature of discussions with Elliott, agreeing on the undervaluation of shares [3] Engagement and Demands - Elliott has called for a review of PepsiCo's North American bottling network, suggesting a decentralized model to improve margins [4] - The investor also recommends divesting non-core assets and increasing innovation in flagship brands [5] Financial Performance and Strategic Response - PepsiCo faces pressure as sales growth slows, with a recent revenue increase of only 1.3% and declining volumes in North American snacks and beverages [6] - The company is implementing cost cuts, closing two manufacturing plants, and reducing product lines by approximately 15% [7] - PepsiCo is also preparing to relaunch Gatorade and introduce new products like Propel, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences [8] Elliott's Broader Activism - Elliott manages over $70 billion in assets and has been active in various companies, including a recent $5 billion stake in Honeywell [10] - The firm is known for its aggressive campaigns, including a long-standing dispute with Argentina over defaulted bonds [11]

Core Insights - TRUBAR, a plant-based protein bar brand under Simply Better Brands, is being acquired by ETİ Gıda for $201 million (CAD), representing a 64% premium over its previous closing share price [3][4] - The acquisition is expected to enhance TRUBAR's growth in North America and expand its global presence [3][7] Company Overview - TRUBAR was founded in 2018 by former NFL player Brad Pyatt and his wife, focusing on clean-ingredient bars without artificial fillers [6][8] - The brand has gained national visibility and a loyal consumer following due to its commitment to "real ingredients, real flavor" [6][8] Strategic Implications - The acquisition will enhance TRUBAR's global distribution capabilities and support its growth in the better-for-you snack market [7] - ETİ Gıda's experience in scaling international consumer brands is expected to significantly benefit TRUBAR's expansion efforts [4][9]

Core Points - Unilever is selling its British snack brand Graze to Katjes International, which owns Candy Kittens, for an undisclosed amount [1] - This move is part of Unilever's strategy to exit certain non-core businesses [1] Company Summary - Unilever aims to streamline its portfolio by divesting brands that do not align with its core business strategy [1] - Katjes International is expanding its presence in the snack market through this acquisition [1] Industry Summary - The consumer goods sector is witnessing consolidation as companies like Unilever focus on core brands and divest non-essential assets [1] - The acquisition by Katjes International indicates a growing interest in the snack segment, particularly in healthier or niche products [1]

Core Insights - German confectionery group Katjes is in advanced talks to acquire snack brand Graze from Unilever for approximately £35 million ($46.2 million) [1] - Unilever had previously acquired Graze in 2019 for around £150 million from The Carlyle Group [1][2] - Unilever is currently evaluating the potential sale of several UK brands, including Marmite, Colman's, and Bovril, as part of a strategy to streamline its portfolio for long-term growth [2] Group 1 - Katjes has a history of acquiring UK businesses, including the gluten-free baked goods firm Genius Foods in 2022 and a majority stake in vegan-confectionery business Candy Kittens in 2019 [4] - The acquisition of Graze aligns with Katjes' strategy to expand its presence in the UK snack market [1][4] - Unilever's recent divestitures, including the sale of its pasta sauce range in Germany and the meat-free brand The Vegetarian Butcher, indicate a broader trend of portfolio optimization [3][2] Group 2 - The deal for Graze is part of Unilever's ongoing efforts to focus on fewer, larger brands to enhance scalability and growth potential [2] - Katjes' recent acquisition of a 25% stake in German cookie-dough business SD Sugar Daddies further demonstrates its commitment to expanding its product offerings [3] - The potential sale of Graze reflects Unilever's strategic shift towards refining its brand portfolio amidst changing market dynamics [2][3]

Core Insights - Utz Brands (UTZ) stock is considered undervalued due to strong execution across its core brands, market share gains, and margin expansion through supply-chain improvements [1] - The company's valuation remains inexpensive, indicating potential for growth [1] Company Strategy - The investment strategy focuses on technical analysis combined with the CAN SLIM methodology to identify high-growth companies often overlooked by mainstream analysts [1] - The emphasis is on emerging businesses with strong financial momentum, rapid earnings growth, and signs of institutional interest, which are indicators of potential stock price increases [1] Market Analysis - The research process integrates both fundamental and technical perspectives, paying attention to indicators such as relative strength, unusual trading volume, and earnings acceleration [1] - The goal is to identify stocks poised for significant breakouts before they gain broader market recognition [1] Community Engagement - Writing on Seeking Alpha serves as a platform to validate investment ideas, document research, and connect with a community of investors [1] - The focus is on uncovering under-the-radar growth stocks with strong fundamentals and favorable technical setups [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is highlighted as an attractive investment option for generating passive income through a diversified portfolio of high-quality dividend stocks, with a focus on steady income growth and total return potential [2][9][13]. Group 1: ETF Overview - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which includes 100 high-quality dividend stocks selected based on dividend yield, five-year dividend growth rate, and financial strength [3]. - The ETF's holdings have an average yield approaching 4% and have grown their payouts at a compound annual rate of over 8% in the past five years, providing a reliable income stream for investors [4][9]. Group 2: Key Holdings - Notable top holdings in the ETF include PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Chevron, and Verizon, all of which have strong dividend growth records and high current yields, contributing to the ETF's overall performance [6][8]. - PepsiCo, for instance, has a current dividend yield of 3.9% and has increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years, showcasing its financial stability and commitment to returning value to shareholders [6]. Group 3: Performance Metrics - Since its inception in 2011, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has achieved an average annual total return of 11.6%, with over 10% average annualized total returns over the past three, five, and ten-year periods [12]. - The combination of increasing income and potential price appreciation from the underlying companies positions the ETF as a strong option for investors seeking both passive income and capital growth [11].

Core Viewpoint - U.S. equity markets are rebounding as investors await Nvidia's quarterly earnings, with technology and communication services sectors leading the recovery [1][3]. Major Index Performance - The S&P 500 Index is up 0.2% to 0.4%, aiming to end a four-session losing streak [2] - The Nasdaq Composite is showing gains between 0.3% and 0.8%, recovering from two consecutive days of declines [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average is slightly lower by 0.1% to 0.2%, also looking to break a four-day losing streak [2] - The S&P 500 has faced recent shakiness due to concerns over elevated stock valuations and uncertainty regarding future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [2]. Afternoon Trading Activity and Sector Performance - Afternoon trading reflects cautious optimism, driven by Nvidia's upcoming earnings report, seen as a crucial test for the AI sector [3] - Technology and communication services sectors are leading, while consumer defensives, energy, and utilities sectors are lagging [3] - The real estate market showed recovery in Q3 2025, with multifamily and office sectors leading growth [3]. Key Company News and Stock Movements - Nvidia (NVDA) stock is up approximately 1.7% to 3.2% ahead of its earnings report, which is expected to assess the AI industry's health [4] - Alphabet (GOOGL) shares jumped over 3% to an all-time high following the announcement of its AI model, Gemini 3 [4] - Lowe's (LOW) shares surged nearly 5% to 6% after a strong Q3 profit report and raised sales projections [4] - Target (TGT) stock dipped 0.5% to 1.5% despite a stronger profit due to weaker-than-expected revenue [4] - Constellation Energy (CEG) rallied 5.2% to 6.1% after a $1 billion loan announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy [4] - Amazon (AMZN) stock slipped 0.8% after a previous drop of 4.4% due to a rating cut [4] - Adobe (ADBE) announced an acquisition of Semrush Holdings Inc. for approximately $1.9 billion [4] - Medtronic plc (MDT) shares jumped 4.7% after reporting better-than-expected earnings [4] - Amer Sports, Inc. (AS) shares surged 8.5% after surpassing earnings estimates [4]. Upcoming Market Events - The September jobs report is scheduled for release on November 20, following a delay due to a government shutdown [6] - Federal Reserve minutes are expected to provide insights into inflation and labor market conditions [6] - Walmart (WMT) is set to report earnings on November 20, which will offer insights into consumer spending [6].

Core Insights - RITZ Crackers will return to the Big Game on February 8, 2026, with a 30-second advertisement during the third quarter, marking the third consecutive year for a Mondelz International snack brand to appear in this event [1][2][3] - The brand will launch a new football-shaped cracker ahead of the Big Game, maintaining its signature salty, buttery flavor in a playful new design, available in stores starting December 1, 2025 [2][5] - The 2026 advertisement aims to build on the success of the previous year's campaign, which introduced the RITZ Salty Club, and will feature a refreshed creative direction [3][4] Company Strategy - The RITZ Brand emphasizes its commitment to cultural relevance and impactful advertising, leveraging the Big Game as a platform to connect with consumers [4] - The new advertisement is part of a broader 360º multichannel campaign that includes paid media, social media, public relations, and retail strategies [4] Financial Context - Mondelz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, positioning itself as a leader in the global snacking market with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands [7]