Core Insights - The beverage industry is experiencing a structural upgrade driven by consumer demand for "natural, additive-free, and fresh" products, with HPP (High Pressure Processing) technology leading this transformation [1] Group 1: HPP Technology Overview - HPP is a non-thermal processing method that effectively inactivates pathogenic bacteria while preserving nutritional components and original flavors of beverages [1] - Quintus is a global leader in high-pressure technology, providing reliable and efficient HPP equipment and comprehensive solutions to help beverage companies overcome traditional processing bottlenecks [1] Group 2: Cost Efficiency and Application - HPP technology can be applied to various beverages and fresh-cut fruits, often using lower pressure and shorter holding times to reduce unit costs [2] - Many products processed with HPP contain functional ingredients, adding extra health value to the offerings [2] Group 3: Packaging Compatibility - The use of flexible packaging materials that are waterproof, sealable, and at least 15% compressible is crucial for HPP [5] - Proper packaging specifications, such as oxygen and moisture barrier properties, directly impact product shelf life and help maintain quality while minimizing food safety risks [5] Group 4: Core Advantages of Quintus HPP Technology - HPP preserves both nutrition and flavor, maintaining vitamin content and taste close to fresh-squeezed products, aligning with consumer preferences for "true freshness" [9] - The technology extends shelf life without affecting bioactive components, allowing companies to broaden their sales reach [10] - HPP aligns with the clean label trend, requiring no additives and resulting in simpler ingredient lists that meet consumer demands for natural products [11] - HPP ensures safety and efficiency through uniform pressure application and short processing times, meeting stringent standards set by regulatory bodies like the FDA [12]

Market Overview - US stock futures showed volatility as investors prepared for significant economic data and corporate earnings, following a week where the Dow reached a record close above 50,000 [1] - The Dow surged over 1,200 points, or 2.5%, marking its first-ever close above 50,000, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both increased around 2% [2] Corporate Earnings and Economic Data - Key earnings reports from Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Cisco, and ON Semiconductor are anticipated, which will influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions [5] - The delayed January employment report is set to be released, with expectations tempered after ADP reported only 22,000 private-sector job additions last month, a significant drop from 140,000 in the same period last year [4] Technology Sector Insights - The technology sector faced pressure last week, particularly software shares, amid a broader risk-off sentiment due to escalating AI expenditure, with major companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft planning a combined spend of $650 billion [3] International Market Reactions - The Nikkei 225 index surged 4.7% following the Japanese Prime Minister's party securing a supermajority, with expectations of market-friendly policies [6] - Other Asian markets also advanced, with South Korea's Kospi rising 4.3%, reflecting a positive reaction to the recovery in US technology stocks and stabilization in bitcoin prices [7]

Milo’s sweet tea was first served 80 years ago at a burger counter in Alabama. Third-generation CEO Tricia Wallwork has grown her family’s beverage business tenfold.Find out how: https://t.co/fPR9BokTAa📸: Ethan Pines for Forbes https://t.co/Tpqrjcwc62 ...

Core Insights - Newell Brands Inc. (NWL) reported fourth-quarter 2025 results with sales exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate but declining year over year, while earnings met expectations and increased compared to the previous year [1][2] Financial Performance - NWL's normalized earnings per share (EPS) were 18 cents, an increase from 16 cents in the same quarter last year, aligning with the Zacks Consensus Estimate [2] - Net sales decreased by 2.7% year over year to $1,897 million, primarily due to lower core sales, although this figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,885 million [3] - Core sales fell by 4.1% year over year [3] - The normalized gross margin contracted by 70 basis points to 33.9%, while the normalized operating margin expanded by 160 basis points year over year to 8.7% [4] - Normalized EBITDA was $241 million, reflecting an 11.6% increase from $216 million in the prior year [4] Market Reaction - Following the results, NWL shares dropped approximately 14% in premarket trading due to softer-than-expected outcomes and a reduced outlook, attributed to ongoing sales declines and rising tariff-related costs [5] Segment Performance - In the Home & Commercial Solutions segment, net sales were $1.1 billion, down 3.7% year over year, with core sales declining by 5.3% [10] - The Learning and Development segment saw net sales of $629 million, slightly up from $628 million in the previous year, with core sales down by 1.5% [10] - The Outdoor and Recreation segment's net sales were $142 million, down from $152 million year over year, with core sales falling by 6.2% [11] 2026 Outlook - For 2026, NWL anticipates sales to decline between 1% and increase by 1%, with core sales expected to drop by 2% to remain flat [16] - The company projects normalized EPS for 2026 to be in the range of 54 to 60 cents, with operating cash flow estimated at $350 million to $400 million [15][16] - The first quarter of 2026 is expected to show weaker results due to timing issues rather than reduced consumer demand, with net sales anticipated to dip by 5% to 3% and core sales expected to decline by 7% to 5% [14]

Core Insights - The meeting held on February 4 focused on the integration of Guizhou's unique prickly pear with trendy new-style tea drinks, aiming to promote strategic partnerships among key enterprises [1][3] - The provincial and municipal plans emphasize the development of ecological food industries, particularly prickly pear, to enhance local consumption and market competitiveness [3][9] Group 1: Industry Development Strategies - The meeting highlighted the need for the prickly pear industry to expand beyond single application scenarios, integrating into dining and beverage sectors to enhance market competitiveness [4] - Experts suggested leveraging local culture and traditions to enhance the emotional value of prickly pear products, thereby creating stronger market connections [4][6] - A proposal was made to establish a new-style tea drink research center in Yunyan District, integrating resources from tea and coffee industries to foster innovation [4][6] Group 2: Practical Insights from Industry Representatives - Representatives shared experiences on blending traditional products like Oolong tea with prickly pear to enhance product innovation and cultural transmission [6] - The idea of incorporating local products into trendy events, such as coffee festivals, was proposed to broaden market reach and create new product lines [6] - A strategic partnership was formed between Guizhou Mountain King Fruit Group and Jiaxiu Tea, marking a significant collaboration in the prickly pear and tea industries [6] Group 3: Future Development Plans - The Yunyan District plans to enhance consumer engagement by utilizing various platforms to promote prickly pear new-style tea drinks [9] - Strategies include leveraging cultural tourism to boost brand visibility and market penetration for prickly pear products [9] - The district aims to establish a comprehensive supply chain for prickly pear new-style tea drinks, ensuring standardized and scalable industry growth [9]

Given how familiar investors might be with their products and services, it makes sense that consumer-facing businesses, as opposed to those that serve enterprise customers, are of interest. There might be worthwhile investment opportunities in this part of the stock market to consider. And these companies could be easier to understand. Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is one of the most popular names that falls into this category. Could buying this beverage stock today set you up for life? Where to invest $1,000 right ...

Core Insights - FEMSA is set to hold its Fourth Quarter Conference Call on February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time [1] - The quarterly results will be released on the same day before markets open [3] Company Overview - FEMSA operates in the retail industry through its Proximity Americas Division, which includes the OXXO small-format store chain, and Proximity Europe, which encompasses Valora, a European retail unit [3] - The company also has a Health Division that includes drugstores and digital financial services initiatives like Spin by OXXO and Spin Premia [3] - In the beverage sector, FEMSA is the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products globally by volume through Coca-Cola FEMSA [3] - The company employs over 392,000 individuals across 18 countries and is recognized in various sustainability indices, including the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index and FTSE4Good Emerging Index [3]

Group 1 - Kultura Brands Inc. announced that professional boxer Brandon Figueroa will compete in a featherweight world title fight on February 7, 2026, broadcast exclusively on DAZN [1] - The event will take place at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, providing a significant international platform for Figueroa [1] - Figueroa will represent Kultura Brands' performance-driven brands: Adios®, Thirst Responder®, and LOCK'DIN® during the fight [1] Group 2 - The fight is positioned as a global moment, with CEO Brad Wyatt emphasizing the alignment of Figueroa's performance with the brand's values of preparation and toughness [1] - Kultura Brands aims to expand its international presence through this event, with COO Brent Albin highlighting the synergy between DAZN's reach, Liverpool's crowd, and Figueroa's fighting style [1] - Adios® is continuing its national rollout through a distribution partnership with CKS Distribution, aligning the brand with major cultural and sports events [1]

Core Insights - FEMSA has completed the separation of the Grupo Nós joint venture in Brazil with Raízen S.A. [1] - As a result of this transaction, FEMSA retained the OXXO stores in Brazil and the distribution center in Cajamar, São Paulo [2] Company Overview - FEMSA creates economic and social value through its various companies and institutions, aiming to be the best employer and neighbor in its operational communities [3] - The company operates in the retail industry through its Proximity Americas Division, which includes the OXXO small-format store chain, and Proximity Europe, which encompasses Valora, a European retail unit [3] - FEMSA also has a Health Division that includes drugstores and digital financial services initiatives, as well as a beverage division through Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products globally by volume [3] - The company employs over 392,000 individuals across 18 countries and is recognized in several sustainability and ESG indexes [3]

When Tricia Wallwork took the helm of her family’s seven-decades-old sweet tea business, Milo’s had 40 employees and one facility in Alabama that ran a single shift every few days. Now there are more than a thousand employees and three plants producing her family’s iced tea, 24-7.Full story: https://t.co/ggRSRvJpAg📸: Ethan Pines for Forbes ...