NEW YORK, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Krispy Kreme, Inc. (“Krispy Kreme” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DNUT). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.    The investigation concerns whether Krispy Kreme and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.  [Click here for information about joining the class action] On ...

Core Viewpoint - Nestlé USA will increase prices on certain chocolate products due to high commodity costs, despite a general easing of food inflation in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Price Increase Details - Nestlé USA plans to raise prices on its Toll House chocolate, baking cocoa, and candy kits starting June 23 [1] - The price increase is a response to the ongoing rise in chocolate prices, which have been affected by high cocoa costs [1] Group 2: Cocoa Market Conditions - Cocoa futures reached a historic high of nearly $13,000 per ton last year due to supply shortages caused by crop disasters in West Africa [1] - Although current cocoa prices have decreased by 30% from their peak, they remain significantly above historical levels [1] Group 3: Broader Commodity Trends - Arabica coffee futures also experienced record highs earlier this year due to drought conditions in Brazil [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the contrasting IPO trends between A-shares and Hong Kong stocks, with the latter experiencing a surge in IPO activities due to the introduction of the "Specialized Technology Company Line" [2][4][10] - The "Specialized Technology Company Line" policy aims to facilitate the listing process for specialized technology and biotechnology companies, allowing them to submit applications confidentially, which is expected to alleviate the exit difficulties faced by investors in the primary market [3][6][8] - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has seen a significant increase in IPO activities, with 17 companies listed in the first quarter of 2025, raising a total of HKD 18.7 billion, nearly four times the amount raised in the first quarter of 2024 [11][12] Group 2 - The introduction of the "Specialized Technology Company Line" is viewed as a major benefit for early-stage companies, as it reduces the risk of sensitive information leakage and enhances the autonomy of companies preparing for listing [8][14] - The new policy is expected to attract more high-quality companies to list in Hong Kong, reshaping the capital market landscape, particularly for innovative sectors like biotechnology [14]

Industry Overview - The "fresh food rice" category is emerging in the market, characterized by its long shelf life and convenience, requiring only two minutes of microwave heating for consumption [2][3] - The market size of China's prepared rice industry reached 3.256 billion yuan in 2023, with a year-on-year growth of 7.99%, and is expected to grow to 4.666 billion yuan by 2030 [2] Product Characteristics - Fresh food rice, also known as convenient rice, originated in Japan and is primarily aimed at B2B channels such as traditional restaurants and transportation systems [3] - The production process involves sealing cooked rice in a sterile environment, ensuring long-term storage and circulation at room temperature [3] Market Players - Various brands are entering the fresh food rice market, including Hema, Dingdong Maicai, and Jinlongyu, as well as products from Nongfu Spring and Korean brand CJ [3][4] - Sales data indicates that brands like Jinque and Mother have monthly sales in the thousands on their flagship stores [3] Pricing and Consumer Insights - The price of fresh food rice varies significantly among brands, ranging from 3 yuan to over 10 yuan per box, with specific examples including Jinque's white rice priced at 9.9 yuan for 210g [4] - Consumer feedback highlights the convenience and affordability of fresh food rice, appealing particularly to busy individuals such as office workers and students [5] Market Potential - The prepared rice market shows significant growth potential due to the fast-paced lifestyle of consumers, although it remains a niche segment with limited local brand influence [5]

Core Viewpoint - Lassonde Industries Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with significant growth in sales and operating profit despite ongoing market uncertainties [3][4]. Financial Performance - Sales reached $699.7 million, an increase of $129.8 million (22.8%) compared to $569.8 million in Q1 2024 [2]. - Gross profit was $183.2 million, representing 26.2% of sales, up from $149.6 million, a rise of $33.6 million (22.4%) year-over-year [2][4]. - Operating profit increased to $42.7 million, up $8.1 million (23.4%) from $34.6 million in the same quarter last year [2][4]. - Profit attributable to shareholders was $24.5 million, slightly up from $23.8 million, with an EPS of $3.60, reflecting a 2.9% increase [2][7]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $71.5 million, a rise of $19.1 million (36.4%) from $52.4 million in Q1 2024 [2][7]. Sales Growth Drivers - Excluding the impact of Summer Garden and foreign exchange fluctuations, sales grew by 9.3%, driven by U.S. volume recovery and price adjustments in Canada [3][4]. - Canadian brands gained market share due to innovation and effective merchandising, despite overall industry volume contraction [3]. Outlook and Strategy - The company anticipates a sales growth rate of approximately 10% for 2025, driven by a full year of Summer Garden results and planned price adjustments [8]. - Lassonde is focused on executing its strategy, expanding capacity, and leveraging its diversified product portfolio to enhance its presence in the North American food and beverage market [3][8]. Financial Position - As of March 29, 2025, total assets were $2,374.4 million, a 4.2% increase from $2,277.8 million at the end of 2024 [7]. - Long-term debt stood at $612.5 million, with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.99:1, reflecting a $135.0 million increase from the previous year [7][26]. - Operating activities used $60.1 million in cash, compared to $11.3 million generated in the same quarter last year, primarily due to changes in working capital [7]. Dividend Information - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share, payable on June 13, 2025 [17]. Company Overview - Lassonde Industries Inc. is a leader in the North American food and beverage industry, offering a wide range of products including fruit juices, specialty foods, and snacks [28][30].

Core Points - FBIF Food Innovation Expo (FBIF Super Selection Conference) will be held from May 8-10, 2025, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) with over 600 exhibitors and 47,000+ attendees expected [1][95] - The expo will feature 2,000+ innovative products and host the FBIF 2025 Food and Beverage Innovation Forum with over 200 speakers and judges [1][95] Group 1: Exhibition Highlights - The expo will include a "Best Booth" selection process with various awards such as Best Visual Impact, Best Experience, and Best Creativity [3][4][6] - Voting for the best booths will take place from May 8 to May 10, allowing attendees to participate in the selection process [4][5] - The exhibition will cover a wide range of sectors including dairy, beverages, snacks, alcohol, convenience foods, functional foods, and seasonings [95] Group 2: Exhibitor Highlights - Notable exhibitors include "Yikeda" with a giant tomato entrance and free product tastings, and "Lemon Republic" showcasing the journey from high-quality lemons to juice [9][11] - "Mars M&M's" will present a playful and colorful booth, while "Innova" will host presentations on global food and beverage trends [19][20] - "Kirin" will offer promotional drinks and "Yili" will feature an AI-integrated booth showcasing quality experiences [40][27] Group 3: Event Structure - The expo will span over 62,000 square meters and include a dedicated area for channel negotiations and product showcases [95] - The event aims to provide a professional platform for food companies to display innovations and foster industry development [95] - Attendees can register for free consumer tickets on May 10, while professional tickets require approval [89][91]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - In Q1, net revenue was $375.2 million, reflecting continued growth through the omnichannel model, offset by the sale of Insomnia Cookies [22] - Organic revenue declined by 1%, largely due to expected consumer softness in a challenging macro environment [22] - Adjusted EBITDA was $24 million with a margin of 6.4%, impacted by the sale of Insomnia Cookies and costs associated with U.S. nationwide expansion [22][24] - Adjusted earnings per share were negative $0.05 in Q1, a decline from the prior year driven by expected lower revenue and EBITDA [27] Business Line Performance - U.S. segment organic revenue declined by 2.6%, with adjusted EBITDA declining to $15.9 million due to softness in the retail segment and operational inefficiencies related to a cybersecurity incident [23][24] - International markets saw organic revenue growth of 1.5%, led by strong results in Canada [24] - In the Market Development segment, organic revenue grew by 2.7% due to franchise business expansion [25] Market Data and Key Metrics - Average revenue per door per week (APD) was $587, down from the same period last year, reflecting a shift in customer mix [24] - Points of Access grew by 6.3%, indicating expansion in Australia with Kohl's and BP [24] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on profitable U.S. expansion and capital-light international franchise growth, aiming for 100,000 points of access [6] - The strategy includes paying down debt, generating positive cash flow, and pursuing only profitable growth based on sustainable revenue streams [6][29] - The company is reassessing its partnership with McDonald's to ensure a profitable business model before further expansion [14][60] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macro environment and the need to prioritize financial flexibility and deleveraging the balance sheet [21][29] - The company expects to deliver positive operating cash flow in 2025 as it continues to reduce capital intensity and improve working capital [28] - The prior full-year outlook has been withdrawn due to macroeconomic softness and uncertainty around McDonald's [31] Other Important Information - The company has decided to discontinue the quarterly dividend to allocate capital towards debt repayment [29] - A new Minneapolis hub is under construction, retrofitting an existing building to save 20% in capital and real estate costs [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company thinking about CapEx given the current changes? - The company is focused on strengthening the balance sheet and becoming more disciplined in capital allocation, investing only in high-return projects [35][36] Question: Was the decision to pause McDonald's expansion made by the company or McDonald's? - The decision was made collaboratively with McDonald's, ensuring that profitable growth is prioritized before further expansion [60] Question: How aggressive will the company be in pruning underperforming locations in the U.S.? - The company could exit as much as 5% to 10% of doors in the U.S. network to drive profitable growth [40][41] Question: Can you explain the refranchising process for international markets? - The company is looking for the right partners to grow the business in a capital-efficient way, with proceeds used to pay down debt [42][43] Question: What was the impact of the cybersecurity incident on operations? - The $5 million inefficiency related to the cybersecurity incident was expected and is now behind the company, allowing for improved operational efficiency [53] Question: Why was there a pause in the McDonald's rollout? - Sales initially started strong but dropped below expectations after local marketing efforts, prompting the need to ensure profitable growth before further expansion [60]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - In Q1 2025, net revenue was $375.2 million, reflecting a decline of 1% in organic revenue due to consumer softness in a challenging macro environment [22][27] - Adjusted EBITDA was $24 million with a margin of 6.4%, impacted by the sale of Insomnia Cookies and costs associated with U.S. nationwide expansion [22][26] - Adjusted earnings per share were negative $0.05, a decline from the prior year driven by lower revenue and EBITDA [26] Business Line Performance - U.S. segment organic revenue declined by 2.6%, with adjusted EBITDA dropping to $15.9 million due to softness in the retail segment and operational inefficiencies related to a cybersecurity incident [23][24] - International markets saw organic revenue growth of 1.5%, led by strong results in Canada, while the Market Development segment grew organic revenue by 2.7% [24][25] Market Data and Key Metrics - Average revenue per door per week (APD) was $587, down from the previous year, reflecting a shift in customer mix due to the introduction of McDonald's [24] - Points of Access grew by 6.3%, indicating expansion efforts in Australia and Canada [24] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on profitable U.S. expansion and capital-light international franchise growth, aiming for 100,000 points of access [6][17] - A strategic shift includes prioritizing debt reduction, generating positive cash flow, and pursuing only profitable growth based on sustainable revenue streams [6][28] - The partnership with McDonald's is being reassessed to ensure a profitable business model before further expansion [12][13] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macro environment and the need to focus on profitable growth while simplifying operations [6][31] - The company has withdrawn its prior full-year outlook due to macroeconomic softness and uncertainty around the McDonald's partnership, but expects Q2 revenue between $370 million and $385 million [30][31] Other Important Information - The decision to discontinue the quarterly dividend was made to allocate capital towards debt reduction [28] - The company is actively pursuing refranchising opportunities in international markets to strengthen its balance sheet [17][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company thinking about CapEx given the current changes? - The company is becoming more disciplined in capital allocation, focusing on strengthening the balance sheet and investing in high-return projects [34][35] Question: Was the decision to pause McDonald's expansion made by the company or McDonald's? - The decision was made collaboratively with McDonald's, focusing on ensuring profitable growth before further expansion [37][38] Question: How aggressive will the company be in pruning underperforming locations? - The company could exit 5% to 10% of doors in the U.S. network as part of its focus on driving profitable growth [40][41] Question: What is the process for refranchising international markets? - The company is looking for the right partners to grow the business in a capital-efficient way, with proceeds used to pay down debt [42][43] Question: Was the $5 million inefficiency related to cybersecurity expected? - This was anticipated in the guidance, and the company is now operating more efficiently post-incident [53] Question: What is the status of sales per hub being down 2%? - The decline is attributed to consumer softness in retail channels and a planned reduction in discount days [56][57] Question: Was the pause in McDonald's expansion a quick decision? - The company believes in making decisive actions to ensure profitable growth, working closely with McDonald's to improve sales and simplify operations [62][63]

Core Insights - Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. reported a 22% year-over-year increase in total revenues, driven by a 90% growth in Zola® coconut water sales [1][6] - The company successfully sold patents for $750,000 and eliminated $1 million in liabilities, indicating a strategic exit from its legacy business [3] - An amendment to the Roosevelt agreement has been made to provide greater certainty regarding the exchange ratio, enhancing ownership certainty for Arcadia's stockholders post-transaction [4] Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q1 2025 reached $1.2 million, up from $987,000 in Q1 2024, marking a $213,000 increase [4] - Zola coconut water sales accounted for the entire revenue increase, with sales rising by $567,000, or 90%, compared to the same period last year [6] - Operating expenses decreased significantly by $1.9 million, primarily due to reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses [7][10] Profitability Metrics - Income from continuing operations improved to $530,000 in Q1 2025, compared to a loss of $1.6 million in Q1 2024, reflecting a 133% favorable change [4] - Net income attributable to common stockholders was $2.6 million, or $1.90 per share, a $5 million improvement from a net loss of $2.4 million, or $1.78 per share, in Q1 2024 [11] Operational Highlights - Gross margins have exceeded 30% for nine consecutive quarters, indicating strong operational efficiency [2] - Distribution of Zola coconut water grew by 70% year-over-year, contributing to the sales increase [2] - The company did not implement any price increases during 2024 or Q1 2025, focusing on volume growth instead [6]

Company Overview - Lassonde Industries Inc. is a leader in the food and beverage industry in North America, headquartered in Canada with operations across the continent [3] - The company develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of products, including fruit juices, specialty food products, and fruit-based snacks, distributing over 3,500 unique products in approximately 200 formats [3] Conference Call Announcement - Lassonde will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on May 9, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET, led by CEO Vince Timpano and CFO Eric Gemme [1] - The call is open to investors, analysts, and interested parties, with a live audio broadcast available on the company's website [1] - A recording of the meeting will be accessible from May 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. until May 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. [2] Operational Strategy - The company's go-to-market strategy includes retail sales to food retailers and wholesalers, as well as food service sales to various institutions such as restaurants, hotels, and schools [4] - Lassonde operates 19 plants in Canada and the United States, employing over 2,900 full-time equivalent employees [5]