Core Insights - Monster Beverage's international operations are crucial for understanding its financial strength and growth potential [1][2][3] Revenue Performance - The company's total revenue for the quarter reached $2.2 billion, reflecting a 16.8% increase [4] - EMEA contributed $544.62 million, accounting for 24.8% of total revenue, surpassing the consensus estimate by 5.18% [5] - Asia Pacific generated $170.06 million, representing 7.7% of total revenue, with a surprise of 18.16% over expectations [6] - Latin America and Caribbean produced $174.12 million, making up 7.9% of total revenue, exceeding projections by 2.23% [7] Future Projections - Analysts anticipate revenues of $2.01 billion for the current fiscal quarter, an 11% increase year-over-year, with expected contributions of 21.5% from EMEA, 7.5% from Asia Pacific, and 10.2% from Latin America and Caribbean [8] - For the full year, total revenue is projected at $8.08 billion, a 7.9% increase from the previous year, with EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America and Caribbean expected to contribute $1.83 billion, $600.08 million, and $685.72 million respectively [9] Market Dynamics - The reliance on international markets provides both opportunities and challenges, necessitating close monitoring of revenue trends for accurate future projections [10][11] - Changes in earnings outlook significantly influence stock price performance, with upward revisions generally leading to stock price increases [12][13] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Monster Beverage's stock increased by 0.2%, while the S&P 500 composite rose by 0.3% [14] - In the last three months, the company's stock price rose by 7.9%, outperforming the S&P 500 index's 6.4% increase [14]

Core Insights - Sun Cruiser, a rapidly growing vodka iced tea brand, has partnered with basketball star Sophie Cunningham to promote a fun off-season experience [1][5] - The partnership aims to highlight the importance of relaxation and enjoyment in the lives of elite athletes [5] Brand and Product Overview - Sun Cruiser offers a range of vodka iced tea products made with real ingredients, featuring 4.5% ABV, 100 calories, and 1 gram of sugar per 12 oz serving [3][6] - The brand's flavors include Classic Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea, Raspberry Iced Tea, Lemonade + Iced Tea, Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, and Strawberry Lemonade [6] Partnership Details - The collaboration with Sophie Cunningham will run from now until the start of the basketball season in May, focusing on off-season activities such as gatherings and outdoor fun [2][4] - A kickoff event for the partnership will take place in New York City on November 13, featuring activities like a free throw competition [5]

Group 1: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola has a strong brand, vast distribution network, low-cost business model, and steady demand, supporting growing cash flow and a dividend payout that has increased for 63 consecutive years [1] - The company operates an asset-light business model, where bottlers manage manufacturing and distribution, keeping capital costs lower while enjoying steady demand and pricing power [2] - Coca-Cola adapts to changing consumer tastes by offering a range of options, including low-calorie drinks, sports drinks, and energy brands, making it a staple among consumers [3] - Coca-Cola operates one of the largest beverage companies globally, with a diverse product range including soft drinks, juices, waters, teas, and coffees [4] Group 2: S&P Global - S&P Global is the largest credit rating agency in the U.S., holding a 50% market share, which provides a competitive advantage in a highly regulated industry [8] - The company has a robust data business that diversifies its earnings, providing analytics, indexes, and insights for investors, contributing to a reliable revenue stream [9] - S&P Global has a strong dividend payout history, having raised its payout for 52 consecutive years, making it a solid blue-chip stock for investors [10] Group 3: BlackRock - BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with over $13.5 trillion in assets under management, holding a significant share of the ETF market through its iShares family [11][12] - The company has benefited from a higher interest rate environment, with its global bond ETF assets growing from $1 trillion to $2.6 trillion from 2019 to 2024 [14] - BlackRock has a stable source of recurring revenue through fees on its products and has raised its dividend payout for 16 consecutive years, yielding 1.8% [16]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, with Greg Abel set to take over at the end of the year, although Buffett will remain as board chair [3] - Berkshire Hathaway has reduced its underperformance against the S&P 500 from 12.2% to 4.3% in 2025, despite a decline in stock prices following Buffett's retirement announcement [4] - The company holds a significant cash reserve of $381 billion, positioning it to capitalize on future market dislocations [4] Company Holdings - Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is heavily concentrated, with five companies making up over 70% of its total holdings, indicating a long-term investment strategy [5] - American Express has shown strong performance in 2025, with a dividend yield of 0.88%, and reported Q3 earnings per share of $4.14, exceeding expectations by 19% year-over-year [8][10] - Apple remains a major holding, constituting 23.8% of Berkshire's portfolio, despite a recent sale of shares, and offers a dividend yield of 0.38% [11] - Bank of America, another key holding, reported Q3 earnings per share of $1.06, with a profit increase of 23% year-over-year and a solid dividend yield of 2% [15] - Chevron, with a dividend yield of 4.42%, is noted for its stability and has recently announced a $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corp, expected to close soon [18][23] - Coca-Cola, a long-time favorite of Buffett, has seen an 11% increase in 2025 and offers a dependable dividend yield of 2.92% [25][28]

Core Insights - Jones Soda Co. will hold a conference call on November 17, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results for Q3 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - Jones Soda Co. is a leading craft soda manufacturer with a subsidiary focused on cannabis products, marketing premium craft sodas under the Jones® Soda brand and cannabis products under the Mary Jones brand [4] - The company distributes its mainstream soda line across North America in various formats including glass bottles, cans, and fountain drinks [4] Conference Call Details - The conference call will be hosted by CEO Scott Harvey and CFO Brian Meadows, followed by a Q&A session where management will address common themes and questions submitted through the webcast portal [2] - Participants can join the call via a toll-free number or international dial-in number, with a conference ID provided for access [3] Replay Information - A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available after 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through December 1, 2025 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola's steady earnings and dividend growth are expected to drive significant total returns over the next five years, despite its performance lagging behind the S&P 500 [1][2]. Company Performance - Coca-Cola's current market capitalization is approximately $303 billion, with a year-to-date return of 12%, making it one of the few consumer staples stocks to rise over 10% this year [2][3]. - The company's earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase by 3.7% to $2.99, supported by a 2.9% sales growth to $48.2 billion [3][4]. Dividend and Income Growth - Coca-Cola has a strong track record of dividend growth, having increased its payout for 63 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 2.9% [5][6]. - The company is expected to add over $1 billion in net income annually, potentially raising adjusted EPS from $2.99 in 2025 to an estimated $4.26 in 2030 [7]. Future Projections - Based on a 10-year P/E ratio midpoint of 22x, Coca-Cola's share price could reach around $93 by 2030, along with an estimated cumulative dividend income of over $11, leading to a total return of about 55% over five years [8].

Core Viewpoint - The current market is considered expensive, with the Shiller CAPE ratio at 39.6, indicating a potential correction or bear market is likely approaching [1][2] Market Context - Historical data shows that corrections of 10% are common, with the S&P 500 experiencing an average annual correction of at least 10% since 1950, and a 20% correction occurring every three to five years on average [2] Defensive Investment Strategy - Defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities are expected to perform well during market corrections and bear markets [3] - Dividend stocks are highlighted as favorable investments during sideways and bear markets due to their income generation [3] Selected Stocks for Mini Portfolio - A mini portfolio of eight stocks, all classified as Dividend Kings (companies that have increased dividends for 50 consecutive years), is recommended for market drawdowns [4] - These stocks are positioned in defensive sectors and offer dividend yields above the S&P 500 index yield of 1.25% [4] Individual Stock Highlights - **Coca-Cola (KO)**: Dividend yield of 2.9%, increased dividends for 63 years, current price around $70.61, market cap $303 billion [5][6] - **Procter & Gamble (PG)**: Dividend yield of 2.86%, increased dividends for 69 years, current price around $147 [7] - **Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)**: Dividend yield of 2.7%, increased dividends for 62 years, current price around $186.57, market cap $450 billion [8][9] - **American States Water (AWR)**: Dividend yield of 2.54%, increased dividends for 71 years, current price around $74.84, market cap $3 billion [10][11] - **Northwest Natural Holding (NWN)**: Highest yield at 4.21%, increased dividends for 70 years, current price around $47 [12] - **Genuine Parts (GPC)**: Dividend yield of 3.3%, increased dividends for 69 years, current price around $127 [13] - **Marzetti Co. (MZTI)**: Dividend yield of 2.21%, increased dividends for 62 years, current price around $172 [13] - **Becton, Dickinson (BDX)**: Dividend yield of 2.35%, increased dividends for 53 years, current price around $178 [14] Total Investment Overview - The total cost to purchase one share of each of these eight stocks is approximately $1,000, creating a defensive income-generating portfolio [15]

Group 1 - Diageo has appointed Dave Lewis as the new chief executive officer [1] - The appointment follows the departure of former CEO Debra Crew in July [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the normalcy of share price declines in blue-chip stocks, emphasizing that temporary pullbacks can occur even with solid fundamentals, and highlights three Singapore blue-chip stocks that may recover if market sentiment improves [1]. SATS Limited (SGX: S58) - SATS Limited has seen a decline of over 5% year-to-date due to global trade disruptions and the impact of its recent acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services, which has increased its debt levels [2][3]. - In Q1 FY2026, SATS reported a revenue growth of 10% year-on-year to S$1.51 billion, with net profit increasing by 9.1% to S$70.9 million, driven by record cargo volumes and higher yields [3]. - The company's debt-to-equity ratio remains stable at 1.5 times, and it has increased its dividend payout from S$0.03 to S$0.10 per share, indicating confidence in future business prospects [4]. Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (SGX: Y92) - Thai Beverage has experienced a decline of nearly 14% year-to-date, attributed to softer domestic demand, inflationary pressures, and political instability in Thailand [5][7]. - In 2Q FY2025, revenue was relatively flat, but sales volumes for spirits and beer increased by 2.6% year-on-year, while non-alcoholic beverages saw a 0.9% rise [6]. - Despite an 11.8% contraction in net profit due to various challenges, ThaiBev has maintained a stable dividend of THB 0.15 per share and has not cut dividends in the past five years [7][9]. Wilmar International Limited (SGX: F34) - Wilmar's stock is up 5.5% year-to-date, but it faces challenges due to an ongoing legal case regarding Indonesian cooking oil export permits, which has affected its share price [10]. - The company reported a revenue of US$19.1 billion for 3Q2025, a 7.4% year-on-year increase, with core net profit rising by 71.6% to US$357.2 million, supported by higher volumes in its Food Products segment [11]. - Wilmar has a manageable net gearing ratio of 0.82 times and has consistently paid dividends since 2006, although its latest interim dividend was slightly reduced [12]. Investment Considerations - The article suggests that underperformance relative to the Straits Times Index does not automatically make a stock a buy; investors should focus on companies with improving fundamentals and strong cash flow [14]. - The potential for recovery in these blue-chip stocks is linked to their ability to navigate temporary headwinds and capitalize on improving market conditions [15].

Core Insights - The article discusses the best defensive dividend stocks for 2025, focusing on companies that are well-positioned to endure market fluctuations and have strong financial performance. Consumer Spending Trends - Global consumer spending is still below pre-pandemic levels, with persistent inflation affecting budgets [2] - There is a declining connection between consumer spending and sentiment, making future consumer behavior unpredictable [2] - Behavioral changes from COVID, such as reliance on digital platforms and prioritizing convenience, have become ingrained in consumer habits [3] Generational Insights - Generation Z is emerging as the largest and wealthiest generation, with spending habits evolving faster than previous generations [4] - This generation prioritizes financial success over traditional milestones, such as marriage or having children [4] - Consumers are increasingly favoring local brands over imported products to support domestic businesses and ensure affordability [4] Market Adaptations - Consumers are now more purposeful in their spending, focusing on volume growth rather than price increases due to rising costs [5] - Digital shopping experiences are preferred for their convenience, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards online platforms [5] Company Highlights - **Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP)**: - Hedge Fund Holders: 46 - Dividend Yield: 3.44% - Recent acquisition of JDE Peet's for $7 billion aims to address investor concerns about debt levels [11] - Jefferies maintains a Buy rating despite a price target reduction from $41 to $39 [12] - The company has a history of increasing dividend payouts and plans for expansion [13] - **Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG)**: - Hedge Fund Holders: 55 - Dividend Yield: 2.38% - Analyst Bernstein maintains a Buy rating with a price target of $134 [14] - Appointment of Travis Nixon as Senior VP of AI Optimization to enhance operational efficiency [15] - The company aims to drive innovation and improve customer experience through AI integration [16]