Ajinomoto shares gained as much as 9.9% in their steepest climb since November 2024 after the Japanese seasoning maker reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and raised its business profit outlook https://t.co/bip4Itz09J ...

Once Upon a Farm, the children's organic food company co-founded by actor Jennifer Garner, said on Thursday it had raised nearly $198 million in its U.S. initial public offering. ...

As Mass Chocolates Collapse Under Tariffs, 3 Brands Double Down On Luxury https://t.co/DnUB7NHRaE ...

Hershey reported lower fourth-quarter profit as tariff costs and high cocoa prices continued to hurt its bottom line https://t.co/FtnpGm86Dy ...

Group 1: Jobless Claims Data - Initial Jobless Claims reached 231K, exceeding expectations of 212K and the previous week's 209K, marking the highest level of 2026 so far [2] - Continuing Claims increased to 1.844 million from a revised 1.819 million the prior week, still favorable compared to the past six months where it ranged between 1.93 and 1.97 million [3] Group 2: Earnings Reports - Bristol Myers-Squibb (BMY) reported earnings of $1.26 per share, beating the Zacks consensus of $1.15, resulting in a 9.57% earnings beat, with shares up 1.7% [4] - ConocoPhillips (COP) missed earnings estimates by 6 cents, reporting $1.02 per share, leading to a 5.6% earnings miss and a 3.3% drop in shares [5] - Ralph Lauren (RL) posted earnings of $6.22 per share, surpassing expectations of $5.80 with a 7.2% positive surprise, although shares fell 6.5% due to declining annualized revenue growth [6] - Tapestry (TPR) reported earnings of $2.69 per share, exceeding the Zacks consensus of $2.20, with shares up 5.9% [7] - Other notable earnings beats included Hershey's (HSY) at +21.28% and ArcelorMittal (MT) at +53.57%, while MasterCraft Boat (MCFT) had the largest beat at +81.25%, despite a revenue miss leading to a 1.2% drop in shares [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates 4%-5% net sales growth and meaningful earnings recovery for 2026, indicating a positive outlook after navigating challenges in 2025 [7] - The pricing taken in 2025 does not fully cover cocoa cost inflation for 2026, suggesting a recovery path while investing in marketing and innovation [12][13] - Gross margins are expected to recover to 41% in 2026, which is an improvement from 2025 but still below historical levels [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The snacks business experienced an 18% growth in Q4, driven by double-digit volume growth, indicating strong performance in this segment [15] - The confection segment is projected to have organic sales growth around 3%, while salty snacks are expected to grow in the mid-single digits [102] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is gaining market share in key international markets such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.K., reflecting a positive trend in its international business [105] - The salty category was relatively flat last year, but the company achieved double-digit growth, indicating strong performance against market trends [55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on brand building and innovation, with significant investments planned for 2026, including a double-digit increase in advertising [31][34] - The strategy includes leveraging cultural moments and seasonal events to enhance brand engagement and drive sales [94] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the portfolio and the ability to navigate macroeconomic challenges, including cocoa inflation [7] - The company is monitoring changes in SNAP regulations but views them as a manageable headwind [92] Other Important Information - The company plans to provide more detailed insights into its long-term strategy and investments during the upcoming investor day [66] - The management emphasized the importance of balancing growth and margin recovery in their investment strategy [63] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about potential price deflation due to cocoa price changes - Management acknowledged the risk but emphasized their strategic pricing approach and consumer insights [12][19] Question: Elasticity and its impact on pricing strategy - Management noted that current elasticities are favorable and are planning for flexibility in their pricing strategy [21][22] Question: Cocoa's impact on margin framework - Management indicated optimism about cocoa prices stabilizing and potential for margin recovery in 2027 [30] Question: Brand investment durability and future reinvestment - Management stated that investments in 2026 are designed to support long-term growth and will continue into 2027 [32] Question: Gross margin performance in Q4 - Management highlighted strong volume growth and lower-than-expected tariffs as key contributors to improved gross margins [40][41] Question: International segment performance and pricing actions - Management discussed the challenges and strategies in the international market, focusing on premium pricing and market share gains [104][105] Question: SNAP program changes and their impact - Management provided insights on the early assessment of SNAP changes and their manageable impact on the business [91][92] Question: Cultural and seasonal events to boost engagement - Management emphasized the importance of connecting brands to cultural moments to enhance consumer engagement [94][95] Question: Balancing promotions and marketing investments - Management indicated a rational approach to pricing and promotions while maintaining strong brand investments [98][100]

Hershey offered a better-than-expected 2026 outlook as higher prices and new products bolster the candymaker’s performance https://t.co/wcPhChr4Ve ...

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Beyond Meat, Inc. ("Beyond Meat, Inc." or the "Company") (NASDAQ: BYND) of a class action securities lawsuit. CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Beyond Meat, Inc. investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between February 27, 2025 and November 11, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team: https://zlk.com/pslra-1/beyond ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the report highlights the increasing diversity in consumer choices for the Chinese New Year, with a notable rise in demand for "light cooking" New Year's Eve dinners and various cultural products [1][2] - From January 16 to 29, the transaction volume for New Year's Eve dinner-related products increased by 92%, with popular items including seafood gift boxes and traditional dishes that require minimal preparation [2] - Tools and ingredients for preparing traditional foods also saw growth, with orders for "dumpling-making tools" rising by 57%, and orders for dumpling wrappers and fillings increasing by 78% and 35% respectively [6] Group 2 - Local specialty foods gained traction during the Spring Festival, with sales of "hometown goods" exceeding 10 million orders, reflecting a 53% year-on-year increase [7] - In the home living sector, smart cleaning appliances and digital products experienced significant order growth, with window-cleaning robots seeing a 209% increase in orders [9] - The popularity of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) products and domestic brands surged, with ICH-related product orders rising by 43% and sales from time-honored brands increasing by 70% [11] Group 3 - The pet-related products market also showed substantial growth, with a year-on-year increase of 83% in transaction volume, indicating a diversification in household consumption [13]

Group 1 - Dividend stocks are considered a reliable source of regular cash flow and potential capital growth for investment portfolios [1] - A $250,000 investment in Apple would yield approximately $1,000 annually due to its low dividend yield of 0.4% [1] - In contrast, a similar investment in Kraft-Heinz would generate nearly $16,900 annually, reflecting a higher yield of 6.9%, although its dividend has not increased since 2019 [2] Group 2 - The iShares Select Dividend ETF offers a sustainable dividend yield of 3.7%, which could provide $9,250 in annual payments from a $250,000 investment [4] - This ETF includes high-quality blue chip stocks with a history of consistent dividend payments, suggesting potential for dividend growth over time [3][4] Group 3 - Historical performance of "Double Down" stock recommendations shows significant returns, such as Nvidia's growth from $1,000 to $481,421 since 2009 [7] - Other notable returns include Apple and Netflix, with respective growths to $51,367 and $446,319 from initial $1,000 investments [7]