Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo is experiencing a challenging period, with stock performance declining for three consecutive years, leading to investor frustration [1][2] Group 1: Company Performance - The company has faced difficulties primarily in its food segment, with Frito-Lay and Quaker Oats reporting revenue and volume declines, particularly a 14% drop in Quaker's revenue and volume [5][10] - Despite these challenges, PepsiCo is implementing changes, such as promoting healthier snack options and launching new products like dye-free Cheetos and Doritos [7][8] - The beverage segment is also undergoing transformation, with the introduction of the world's first prebiotic cola and plans to reduce operating costs by 20% [8][10] Group 2: Future Outlook - Analysts predict a potential revenue growth of 3.4% year-over-year by 2026, which would be a significant achievement for the company [11] - Earnings per share are expected to rise from $8.11 this year to $8.58 next year, indicating a positive trend [11] - Investors will need to monitor sales and volume growth in both food and beverage sectors in the upcoming year to gauge the effectiveness of the company's turnaround efforts [10][12]

PepsiCo - PepsiCo is experiencing bullish momentum following updates and activist investor activity, leading JP Morgan Chase to raise its price target to $164 and upgrade its rating from neutral to overweight, anticipating high single-digit earnings growth through 2026 [2][3] - The company is expected to achieve record productivity savings, which will allow for increased spending on marketing and innovation, ultimately boosting profits [3][5] - Management has tested pricing strategies with major retail partners, showing strong elasticity, which is expected to drive volume back to key brands and snacks [4][5] - PepsiCo is focusing on aggressive innovation and marketing, particularly in high-protein snacks, reduced sugar beverages, and clean label ingredients, supported by productivity savings [5] Palantir - Palantir has secured a significant $448 million contract with the US Navy to enhance submarine and ship maintenance processes through AI technology, which aims to streamline operations and reduce delays [7][8] - The AI system is designed to replace manual tracking with real-time dashboards, significantly reducing the time required for scheduling and forecasting maintenance tasks [9][10][11] - This contract is seen as a major win for Palantir, especially given its strong performance year-to-date, with shares up over 140% [12] GameStop - GameStop reported disappointing earnings, with revenue of $820 million, falling short of the expected $987 million, and adjusted EPS of 24 cents, which was below expectations [13][14] - The company is struggling with declines in hardware, accessories, and software sales, with collectibles being the only growth area in a challenging quarter [14] - GameStop is facing difficulties in adapting to the digital shift in the gaming industry, as consumer preferences move towards downloads and subscriptions [14][15][16]

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].