Core Viewpoint - Conagra Brands, Inc. will present its business strategies and financial outlook at the 2026 CAGNY Conference on February 17, 2026 [1] Company Overview - Conagra Brands, Inc. is one of North America's leading branded food companies with a history of over 100 years in quality food production [3] - The company generated nearly $12 billion in net sales for fiscal 2025 [3] - Conagra's brand portfolio includes well-known names such as Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, and many others [3] Presentation Details - The presentation will feature Sean Connolly (CEO), Dave Marberger (CFO), and Bob Nolan (SVP of Growth Science) [1] - A video webcast and presentation slides will be available on the company's investor relations website [2] - The replay of the webcast will be accessible until February 17, 2027 [2]

Economic Overview - Consumer confidence in the U.S. has dropped to 84.5 in January, a decline of 9.7 points from the previous month, marking a 12-year low [5] - The percentage of consumers who believe jobs are "plentiful" has decreased to 23.9%, the lowest since February 2021, while 20.8% of respondents find jobs "hard to find," the highest since February 2021 [6] - The labor market has been struggling, with the unemployment rate remaining at 4.4% in December, indicating potential further increases in January due to low consumer confidence [7] - The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged amid high inflation, leading to uncertainty regarding its near-term monetary policy [8] Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to focus on low-beta, defensive stocks from the utility, healthcare, and consumer staples sectors to mitigate market volatility [3][4] - Recommended stocks include Ameren Corporation (AEE), Fortis, Inc. (FTS), Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH), and J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF), all of which have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3][10] Company Profiles - **Ameren Corporation (AEE)**: A utility company serving nearly 2.4 million electric and over 900,000 natural gas customers, with an expected earnings growth rate of 8.2% for the current year and a dividend yield of 2.75% [9][11] - **Fortis, Inc. (FTS)**: Engaged in electric and gas utility business, with an expected earnings growth rate of 5.4% for the current year and a dividend yield of 3.42% [12][13] - **Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH)**: A major healthcare services provider serving nearly 90% of U.S. hospitals, with an expected earnings growth rate of 21.5% for the current year and a dividend yield of 0.95% [14][15] - **J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF)**: Manufacturer and distributor of branded snack foods, with an expected earnings growth rate of 4.5% for the current year and a dividend yield of 3.37% [16][17]

India’s LT Foods has scrapped its planned takeover of Global Green Europe after the Hungarian government blocked the transaction. In a stock exchange disclosure, the owner of the Royal and Daawat basmati rice brands said a 28 January decision by Hungary’s Ministry of National Economy had resulted in the termination of the deal. The Ministry rejected the proposal citing “identified national economic and sectoral risks”, according to the filing. “Accordingly, the proposed transaction stands withdrawn and ...

Core Insights - Altria Group Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2025 results with top-line revenue exceeding estimates but declining year over year, while bottom-line earnings missed expectations and remained flat compared to the previous year [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter were $1.30, flat year over year, and below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31, influenced by a lower adjusted tax rate and reduced share count, offset by lower adjusted operating companies' income (OCI) [2] - Net revenues totaled $5,846 million, a decline of 2.1% year over year, primarily due to decreased revenues in the smokeable products segment, although it surpassed the consensus estimate of $5,002 million [3] Segment Analysis - **Smokeable Products**: Net revenues fell 2.7% year over year to $5,119 million, driven by reduced shipment volume and increased promotional investments, partially offset by higher pricing. Revenues net of excise taxes decreased 1.1% [4] - Domestic cigarette shipment volumes dropped 7.9%, attributed to industry decline and trade inventory movements, while cigar shipment volumes increased by 4.2% [5] - Adjusted OCI in this segment decreased 2.4% to $2,643 million, impacted by reduced shipment volume and higher costs, with adjusted OCI margins falling 0.8 percentage points to 60.4% [6] - **Oral Tobacco Products**: Net revenues increased 2% to $706 million, driven by higher pricing, although shipment volumes declined by 6.3% due to retail share losses and trade inventory movements [7][8] - Adjusted OCI in this segment decreased 4.6%, influenced by elevated SG&A costs and a decline in shipment volumes, with adjusted OCI margins decreasing 5 percentage points to 64.5% [9] Capital Management - Altria ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $4,474 million and long-term debt of $24,140 million, alongside a total stockholders' deficit of $3,502 million [10] - In Q4 2025, the company repurchased 4.8 million shares for $288 million, and for the full year, it repurchased 17.1 million shares totaling $1 billion, with $1 billion remaining under the share repurchase program [11] Future Outlook - For 2026, Altria expects adjusted EPS in the range of $5.56 to $5.72, indicating year-over-year growth of 2.5% to 5.5% from a base of $5.42 in 2025, with growth anticipated to be weighted towards the second half of the year [12] - The company projects an adjusted effective tax rate of 22.5% to 23.5%, capital expenditures of $300-$375 million, and depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $225 million [13]

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets have started 2026 positively, with all three major indexes in positive territory and a strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings season projected [1] - The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain the current lending rate range in January [1] - A selection of stocks has shown significant price strength, particularly those on a recent bull run, indicating potential for continued momentum [1][2] Stock Performance Highlights - RF Industries Ltd. (RFIL) has seen a stock price increase of 79.6% over the past four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate of 7.5% for the current year [7][6] - Betterware de México S.A.P.I. de C.V. (BWMX) experienced a 32.7% price jump in four weeks, supported by a 44.4% expected earnings growth rate [9][8] - Forum Energy Technologies Inc. (FET) has climbed 17.9% in stock price over the past four weeks, with an expected earnings growth rate exceeding 100% [11][10] - Krystal Biotech Inc. (KRYS) shares rose 10.5% in four weeks, with expected earnings growth of 31.6% for the current year [14][12] - Mama's Creations Inc. (MAMA) advanced 9.5% in stock price, with an expected earnings growth of 84.6% for the current year [16][15] Screening Parameters for Stock Selection - Stocks must show a percentage change in price greater than zero over the last four weeks, indicating upward movement [4] - A percentage change in price greater than 10% over the last 12 weeks is required to ensure sustained momentum [4] - Stocks must have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an average broker rating of 1, indicating strong future performance expectations [5] - Current stock prices must be above $5 and trading near their 52-week high, specifically more than 85% of the high-low range [6]

Core Insights - Violet Foods LLC has acquired the Muir Glen brand of organic tomato products from General Mills, marking a significant expansion for the company [1][2] - The acquisition aims to enhance Violet Foods' product portfolio, integrating Muir Glen's organic offerings with its existing fresh-pack tomato products to better serve retail partners in the $5 billion+ U.S. tomato sauces and canned tomato market [2][3] Company Overview - Violet Foods is a leading manufacturer of fresh-pack tomato products with over 100 years of operations, known for brands like Don Pepino, Sclafani, and Fattoria Fresca [4] - The company holds the position of the 1 pizza sauce brand in the Northeast, indicating a strong market presence [2][4] Strategic Implications - The acquisition is described as transformative, combining Muir Glen's 35-year legacy in organic tomatoes with Violet Foods' expertise, positioning the company for accelerated innovation and growth [3] - Amphora Equity Partners, the private investor involved in the transaction, focuses on creating value through operational excellence and innovative growth strategies in the North American packaged food sector [5]

Core Insights - Private equity firm Brynwood Partners is selling its pizza division, Great Kitchens Food Company, to Rich Products for an undisclosed amount [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Great Kitchens Food Company, formed in late 2020, is a leading U.S. manufacturer of private label take-and-bake pizzas and expanded its offerings in 2023 by acquiring the Uno Foods Division from Uno Restaurant [2] - The company sells private label and branded food products nationally through retail, food service, and e-commerce channels [3] Group 2: Transaction Details - The sale of Great Kitchens is expected to close during the first quarter and is part of an active deal-making period for Brynwood Partners [3] - Brynwood previously divested Harvest Hill Beverage Company for approximately $1.5 billion and acquired Chef Boyardee for $600 million, indicating a strategic focus on food and beverage brands [4] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Rich Products, known for its cookies, donuts, breads, and pizza crusts, aims to enhance its pizza and flatbread platform through the acquisition of Great Kitchens, which will allow for improved capacity and crust innovation [5] - The merger is seen as an opportunity to accelerate innovation and elevate industry standards, according to the leadership of Great Kitchens [6] Group 4: Industry Context - The transaction reflects a broader trend in the food industry where companies and private equity firms are reassessing their assets, with notable recent acquisitions including B&G Foods' purchase of Del Monte Foods' broth brands for $110 million and Smithfield Foods' acquisition of Nathan's Famous for nearly $500 million [6]

Core Insights - Power Sustainable Lios has acquired Crofter's Organic, a Canadian producer of organic jams and fruit spreads, with co-investments from Farm Credit Canada, BMO Capital Partners, and the Latka family [1][2] - The acquisition aims to accelerate Crofter's mission to deliver high-quality organic products across North America and support its expansion plans, including capacity enhancement and marketing [2][3] - The deal signifies the exit of Frontenac, a private equity firm that previously held a majority stake in Crofter's since February 2021, highlighting the brand's growth and development during that period [3][4] Company Overview - Crofter's Organic, founded in 1989, specializes in manufacturing organic jams, preserves, and fruit spreads, operating an automated production facility in Ontario [5] - The company distributes its products through major retailers across North America, indicating a strong market presence [5] Investment Rationale - Lios's investment reflects confidence in the long-term growth potential of sustainably oriented food businesses, emphasizing Crofter's commitment to quality and responsible production [3] - The partnership with the Latka family will ensure continued involvement and support for Crofter's as a long-term partner in the business [4]

Core Viewpoint - The FDA has upgraded the recall of Gregory's Foods cookie products to Class I due to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts, posing serious health risks to individuals with peanut allergies [1][5][2]. Group 1: Recall Details - The initial recall involved 2-pound 8.5-ounce packages of "Bag Full of Cookies" White Chocolate Macadamia Nut frozen cookie dough, which were mistakenly filled with Monster Cookie Dough containing peanuts [1]. - The recall now affects over 300 cases, with each case containing six bags, and the products have a best by date of December 6, 2026 [5]. Group 2: Health Risks - The FDA indicated that individuals with peanut allergies face a risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected products [2]. - A Class I recall signifies a "reasonable probability" that exposure to the product could lead to serious adverse health consequences or death [5]. Group 3: Product Identification - The Monster Cookies frozen dough is distinguishable by visible chocolate chips and colored candy-coated pieces, unlike the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut frozen cookie dough [7]. - The affected products were sold in retail grocery stores across Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin [7]. Group 4: Consumer Guidance - Customers are advised not to consume the recalled products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund [10]. - The FDA noted that the issue was isolated to specific units from one day's production and has since been corrected [10].

Core Insights - Service Corporation International (SCI) demonstrated stable performance in Q3 2025, supported by a steady operating model, effective pricing strategies, cost control, and a balanced business mix [1] Funeral Segment Performance - The funeral segment provided a consistent earnings base, with comparable core funeral services declining by 3.5% year over year, but offset by a 3% increase in the comparable core funeral average [2] - Non-funeral home average revenue per service increased by 13.4%, benefiting from pricing actions and higher-value preneed contracts maturing from the backlog, which helped mitigate the impact of lower service volumes on overall revenues and gross profit [2] Cemetery Operations - Cemetery operations contributed significantly to stability, with comparable cemetery revenues rising nearly 7%, driven by a 9.6% increase in cemetery preneed sales production [3] - Higher property sales and growth in recognized merchandise and services revenue led to a $18 million increase in cemetery gross profit, with operating margins expanding to 34% [3] Cost Management - Cost discipline was a key aspect of SCI's stability, with corporate general and administrative expenses declining year over year and fixed costs managed below inflation, increasing approximately 1.4% during the quarter [4] - These cost management efforts helped preserve operating income despite elevated selling and labor costs [4] Capital Allocation - SCI invested $140 million in Q3 2025 across maintenance capital, cemetery development, growth projects, and acquisitions, with $86 million allocated to maintaining and improving existing locations [5] - This balanced investment approach aims to sustain service quality, operational efficiency, and long-term consistency [5] Stock Performance - SCI's disciplined execution and diversified revenue streams contributed to a 6.4% increase in shares over the past six months, outperforming the industry's growth of 5.9% [6]