Core Insights - Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is recognized as one of the best food dividend stocks to buy according to analysts [1] - The company has a strong portfolio of popular snack products, including Oreos, Cadbury chocolate, and Sour Patch Kids, contributing to its significant market presence [2] Dividend Performance - Over the past five years, Mondelez has increased its dividend by more than 10% annually and has repurchased billions of dollars' worth of shares, reducing the total stock by approximately 15% since 2018 [3] - In July, Mondelez raised its quarterly dividend to $0.50 per share, marking the 12th consecutive year of dividend increases, with a current dividend yield of 3.19% as of October 5 [4]

Industry Overview - Halloween spending is projected to increase by 13% year-over-year (YOY) to over $13 billion, indicating strong consumer interest despite overall spending cuts due to inflation [2][3] - Retailers specializing in holiday goods are expected to benefit from this increase in consumer spending [2] Walmart - Walmart is anticipated to be a primary destination for Halloween shopping, with a current stock price of $102.99 and a 12-month price forecast of $112.38, representing a 9.12% upside [3][4] - The company has shown a year-to-date return of nearly 15% and is expected to achieve over 18% earnings growth [4] - Walmart's e-commerce business has surged by 25% YOY, and the company is exploring growth in advertising, membership income, and international expansion [5] - Despite concerns over high valuation and tariff risks, analysts remain bullish, with 30 out of 31 ratings being a Buy [6] Hasbro - Hasbro's stock is currently priced at $75.96, with a 12-month price forecast of $87.64, indicating a 15.37% upside [8] - The company has reported strong growth in digital gaming and its Wizards of the Coast segment, with a 23% YOY revenue increase in the last quarter [9] - Although consumer products linked to Halloween saw a 16% decline in sales, October is expected to be a positive month for Hasbro [10] - Analysts rate Hasbro as a Moderate Buy, with 10 out of 12 ratings being positive and a potential upside of over 17% [11] Tootsie Roll - Tootsie Roll's stock is currently priced at $42.42, with a forecast indicating a significant downside, but it remains a Buy based on one analyst rating [12] - The company has shown a 14% YOY improvement in EPS despite economic headwinds, with a 3% sales growth [13] - Tootsie Roll offers a dividend yield of 0.84% and maintains a conservative balance sheet, providing flexibility for future challenges [14][15]

Core Points - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. will host a conference call on October 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its fiscal second quarter 2026 results [1] - The management team will lead the call, which will include a question-and-answer session [2] - The conference call will be available for live broadcast and replay on the Company's investor relations website [3] Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery retail stores, known as America's Chocolatier™ [4] - The Company has been producing a wide range of premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981 and is headquartered in Durango, Colorado [4] - The Company operates nearly 250 stores across the United States and has several international locations, ranking in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [4]

Core Insights - Gubor Group, a German chocolate producer, will close its Cadolzburg factory by the end of April due to significantly reduced capacity utilization and increased costs over the past four years [1][4] - The closure is part of a comprehensive realignment strategy, which includes relocating production lines to other manufacturing sites within the group [1][2] Group 1: Factory Closure Details - The Cadolzburg plant has been operating at irregular capacity, leading to idle times and higher fixed costs, which have further diminished competitiveness [2] - After the closure, Gubor will operate 11 production sites instead of 12, following its earlier merger with Colian [2] Group 2: Market Conditions - Gubor has faced a decline in demand for years, attributed to rising raw material and energy prices, increased international competition, and the necessity to pass on price increases to customers [4][5] - The company does not foresee a market recovery in the near future, prompting the need to adapt production capacities to align with market requirements [5] Group 3: Product and Operations - The Cadolzburg factory specializes in manufacturing chocolate-hollow figures and confectionery gifts for numerous countries worldwide [3] - Despite the closure, the wider Cadolzburg site will continue to play a role in cross-plant functions such as purchasing, marketing, sales, and IT [3]

Trade Agreement Impact - Swiss chocolates are expected to become more affordable in India due to a new trade agreement [1] Market Opportunity - The trade deal presents a potential opportunity for Swiss chocolate manufacturers to increase their market share in India [1]

Company Overview - The Hershey Company is the leading confectionery manufacturer in the US, with a growing presence in non-chocolate snacks and a portfolio of popular brands including Reese's, Payday, Almond Joy, and Kit Kat (US only) [1] Analyst Background - The analyst has over 10 years of experience researching companies across various sectors, including commodities and technology, and has researched over 1000 companies in total [1] Investment Focus - The analyst has transitioned from writing a blog to a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where they have researched hundreds of different companies, with a particular interest in metals and mining stocks, as well as comfort in consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Insights - The Hershey Company has outperformed Mondelez International nearly 2:1 in 2025, despite both companies facing challenges from rising cocoa prices [1][2] - The management of rising costs and the strength of non-chocolate portfolios will be crucial for both companies as peak candy demand approaches during Halloween and the holidays [2] Group 1: Hershey Company - Hershey's stock was one of the worst performers in 2024 due to higher commodity prices and a change in leadership, with Kirk Tanner replacing Michele Buck [4] - The company has successfully implemented a price increase of approximately 26% on popular products like Reese's and Kit-Kat, demonstrating its ability to pass costs to consumers [5] - Hershey has diversified its product offerings, launching new products like Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies, which sold over 11 million units, and expanding its portfolio of salty snacks [6][7] Group 2: Mondelez International - Mondelez has also expanded its portfolio beyond chocolate but has not shown the same strong gains as Hershey, relying more on cost-cutting measures to preserve margins [8] - The company's earnings report indicated a 15% year-over-year drop in EPS, compared to Hershey's 3% decline, highlighting Hershey's better performance in passing price hikes to consumers [9] - Analysts suggest that while Mondelez stock may have more upside based on conventional metrics, it needs to prove its ability to pass on higher cocoa prices to consumers [10][11] Group 3: Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings - Recent upgrades for Hershey include a rating increase from Neutral to Outperform by BNP Paribas Exane and a significant upgrade from Goldman Sachs from Sell to Buy, raising its price target to $220 [12] - Analysts expect a 15% gain for Hershey, which is higher than the 13% growth anticipated for Mondelez stock, indicating a more favorable outlook for Hershey [12] - Mondelez currently holds a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, but it is not included in the list of top stocks recommended by leading analysts [13]

Group 1 - The Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay featured a creative lantern show by White Rabbit, titled "Dancing of Butterflies," showcasing the brand's iconic creamy candy in a dynamic form [1][3] - This year marks significant anniversaries: the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, and the 66th anniversary of the White Rabbit brand, which has been promoting joy and warmth since its inception in 1959 [3] - The event exemplifies how cultural themes and lantern art can enhance cultural exchange between China and Singapore, strengthening interpersonal connections [5] Group 2 - White Rabbit actively participated in the lantern festival market, allowing visitors to engage with the brand's offerings and experience its charm firsthand [3] - The lantern show features luminous butterflies that dance amid shifting lights, captivating numerous visitors and enhancing the festive atmosphere [1] - The brand's philosophy of "Share the joy, Share the warmth" positions it as an ambassador of happiness, connecting China with the global community [3]

Core Insights - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is expanding its retail presence with two new locations in California and New Jersey, aligning with its strategic growth objectives [1][5]. Company Expansion - The new store at Palladio Mall in Folsom, California will feature the full assortment of RMCF's premium chocolates and handcrafted selections, showcasing an updated store design [3]. - The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls, New Jersey will introduce RMCF's elevated retail experience, targeting both year-round residents and seasonal visitors [4]. Franchisee Partnerships - The expansion includes partnerships with current franchisees, Jessica Feurerbach and David Seemer, who will own the new locations, reinforcing RMCF's commitment to supporting excellent operators [5]. Brand Mission - RMCF aims to make its premium chocolate accessible to a growing audience of chocolate lovers across the United States through these new openings [5]. Company Background - Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado, RMCF is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery products, operating over 250 stores in the U.S. and several international locations [6].

Group 1 - PrimePay and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) have partnered to enhance franchise operations through technology, specifically PrimePay Payroll and ProfitKeeper, which will help franchisees streamline operations and gain insights [3] - The partnership will involve co-marketing activities such as email campaigns, conferences, events, and marketing materials to promote the program's advantages [2] - RMCF is a leading franchiser in the premium chocolate and confectionery retail sector, operating over 250 stores in the U.S. and several international locations, and is recognized in various franchise rankings [5] Group 2 - PrimePay has 38 years of experience in payroll and HR services, offering an all-in-one HCM platform designed to simplify operations and compliance for its customers [3] - RMCF has been producing premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981 and is known as America's Chocolatier™ [5] - The common stock of RMCF is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF" [5]