Frito-Lay, owned by PepsiCo Foods, said the affected employees will be given pay and benefits continuation as well as career support. (Tripplaar Kristoffer / Sipa USA) Frito-Lay, the snack company that makes Doritos and Cheetos, is laying off 247 employees and closing its facility in Rancho Cucamonga, the company confirmed Friday. The vast warehouse will shut down in June. Frito-Lay announced last summer that manufacturing operations at the same location were coming to an end. The plant has been a majo ...

Market Overview - Wall Street began 2026 positively after a significant bull run over the past three years, but U.S. stock markets experienced fluctuations in February due to concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) trade [1] - Investors are moving away from tech stocks amid growing worries about the downsides of AI stocks, leading to a continued selloff as fears increase about the potential of AI stocks compared to the substantial investments in the sector [1] Investment Strategy - It is advisable to invest in high dividend-paying corporate giants, which typically possess strong financial positions, robust business models, and globally recognized brand value, providing a steady income stream during market fluctuations [2] Stock Recommendations - Five stocks with a top Zacks Rank are identified as strong investment opportunities: - AngloGold Ashanti plc (AU) - Ford Motor Co. (F) - The Hershey Co. (HSY) - Rio Tinto Group (RIO) - BHP Group Ltd. (BHP) - Each of these stocks currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [3] Company Profiles AngloGold Ashanti plc (AU) - Operates as a gold mining company with a focus on Africa, Australia, and the Americas, primarily exploring for gold and producing silver and sulphuric acid as by-products [6] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 22.5% and 52.9%, respectively, with a 10% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [7] - Current dividend yield stands at 3.36% [7] Ford Motor Co. (F) - Generated $187 billion in revenues in 2025, marking its fifth consecutive year of revenue growth, with the Ford Pro unit being a key growth driver [8][9] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 0.3% and 39.5%, respectively, with a 3.4% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [11] - Current dividend yield is 4.33% [11] The Hershey Co. (HSY) - Focused on innovation, supply-chain agility, and commercial execution, expanding its presence in the snacking category [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 4.4% and 27.1%, respectively, with a 15.9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [14] - Current dividend yield is 2.62% [14] Rio Tinto Group (RIO) - An international mining company with interests in various minerals, including aluminum, copper, and iron ore, with operations in multiple countries [15] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 10% and 19%, respectively, with a 9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [16] - Current dividend yield is 2.98% [16] BHP Group Ltd. (BHP) - Experienced a 1% dip in iron ore output, while copper production increased by 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, projecting iron ore production of 258-269 million tons for fiscal 2026 [17][9] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are -4.1% and 29.1%, respectively, with a 0.4% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last seven days [19] - Current dividend yield is 3.18% [19]

Summary of Utz Brands Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ) - **Industry**: Savory Snacking - **Market Position**: Largest pure-play salty snacking company in the U.S. [7] Key Messages and Strategies 1. **Growth Drivers**: - Multiple top-line growth drivers expected to scale brands nationally with multi-year runways [8] - Focus on integrating and modernizing operations for growth [8] - Anticipated free cash flow inflection as capital-intensive phase concludes [9] 2. **Brand Portfolio**: - Power Four Brands (Utz, On The Border, Boulder Canyon, Zapp's) account for 70% of revenue [11] - Branded salty snacks represent 89% of revenue, with potato chips being the largest category at 46% [11] 3. **Market Performance**: - Achieved 2.4% compounded annual growth over the last three years [14] - Retail dollar share at 3% and volume share at 4.2% in expansion geographies, indicating room for growth [14] 4. **Marketing and Consumer Engagement**: - Marketing support increased at a 40% compounded annual growth rate over the past three years [18] - Household penetration for Utz increased to 50%, with millennials' penetration rising to 48% [19] 5. **Long-term Strategy**: - Aim to outgrow the category by 200-300 basis points profitably [19] - Focus on margin expansion through productivity and mix improvement [19] Financial Performance 1. **Revenue and Profitability**: - Adjusted gross margin improved from 28% in 2022 to 32% in 2025 [16] - Adjusted EBITDA growth at an 8% compounded annual growth rate from 2022 to 2025 [17] 2. **Cash Flow Generation**: - Expected adjusted free cash flow to increase to $60 million-$80 million in 2026 [56] - Targeting a reduction in leverage ratio from 3.4 times at the end of 2025 to 2.5 times long-term [57] Expansion Plans 1. **Geographic Expansion**: - California expansion expected to add approximately $125 million in incremental sales [34] - Expansion geographies represent 45% of retail sales, with significant growth potential [29] 2. **Distribution Strategy**: - Hybrid distribution model with a 50/50 split between direct store delivery and direct to warehouse [13] - DSD network serves 125,000 retail outlets weekly, with plans for optimization [50] Innovation and Product Development 1. **Product Innovations**: - New product lines including protein snacks and on-trend flavors [42] - Boulder Canyon brand projected to reach $500 million in sales long-term [25] 2. **Marketing Initiatives**: - Launch of national marketing campaigns to enhance brand awareness and consumer engagement [27] Conclusion - Utz Brands is positioned for sustained growth through strategic brand management, geographic expansion, and innovation, with a focus on improving profitability and cash flow generation [59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects about 40-50 basis points of EBITDA margin expansion at the midpoint of their guidance, accounting for planned investments in California [12][13] - The leverage ratio is projected to be in the range of 3.0-3.2 times, with a goal to deleverage by 0.3-0.4 times per year [51] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates continued distribution gains and plans to invest in marketing and innovation to support growth [10][15] - The company has seen strong productivity performance, which is crucial for managing inflation impacts on costs [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that their core markets, particularly in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., were disproportionately impacted by disruptions, affecting about 20% of overall core sales [32] - The company expects positive distribution gains in both expansion and core markets, driven by innovation and marketing support [42] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on geographic expansion and innovation, with a strong belief in their commercial plans for 2026 [10][15] - The company aims to maintain a rational promotional environment while investing in marketing to drive consumer engagement [56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the category's performance, noting a flat category outlook for 2026 while acknowledging the potential for positive consumer response [44][80] - The company is prepared for a dynamic environment and aims to maintain flexibility in their operations to adapt to various outcomes [80] Other Important Information - The company has been investing in revenue management capabilities to better understand pricing dynamics across their portfolio [23] - Management highlighted the importance of affordability and value in their pricing strategy, emphasizing their historical commitment to these principles [54] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations regarding competitive dynamics and investment needs for 2026 - Management feels confident in their commercial plan and anticipates a flat category, guiding for 200-300 basis points of growth [10] Question: Clarification on EBITDA margin guidance - The company expects 40-50 basis points of margin expansion, reflecting a dynamic environment and the need for flexibility [13] Question: Insights on pricing and reinvestment strategies - Management is focused on maintaining affordability while navigating inflation and reinvestment needs [26] Question: Impact of SNAP disruption on core geographies - The company noted that their core markets were more affected due to demographic factors, impacting sales [32] Question: Distribution and innovation rollout timeline - Management expects distribution gains to begin in Q1, with innovations rolling out in Q2 [34] Question: Commentary on category growth and consumer behavior - Management remains cautiously optimistic about the category, noting a positive inflection in the fourth quarter [44] Question: Long-term portfolio strategy and emerging growth areas - The company is focused on protein and fiber trends, with plans to expand their product offerings accordingly [96] Question: Competitive programming and marketing strategies - Management believes their marketing strategies are effective and will continue to focus on key seasonal opportunities [106]

​Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is one of the Overlooked Small Cap Stocks to Buy Now. Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is set to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 12, 2026. Wall Street expects the company to post quarterly revenue around $344.65 million along with a GAAP EPS of $0.27. Wall Street is bullish on the stock ahead of the earnings with 73% of the 11 analysts covering the stock maintaining a Buy rating. ​Recently, on January 27, Scott Marks CFA from Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating on Utz ...

Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is included among the 15 Best Wide Moat Dividend Stocks to Invest in. TD Cowen Raises Mondelez (MDLZ) Target While North America Volumes Remain Weak On February 4, TD Cowen lifted its price target on Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) to $65 from $62 and maintained a Buy rating. The firm noted that management’s early outlook for 2026 came in below consensus, with organic growth projected at 0%–2%. That range reflects the risk that competitors could cut c ...

"The Big Game is the moment where culture, entertainment, and sports collide on the biggest stage," said Steven Saenen, Category President, Savory Snacking. "We continue to evolve RITZ Crackers into a modern, culture-shaping brand built for today's shared moments. Our Big Game creative anchors in what people love about our product - its deliciously salty and buttery flavor - and uses humor, heart, and signature saltiness to show how RITZ brings everyone together, even the saltiest, inviting a new generation ...

PURCHASE, NY (AP) — PepsiCo is cutting prices on Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos chips this year to win back customers exasperated by years of price hikes. “For some consumers, low- and middle-income consumers, the biggest friction they have today in our category... is affordability,” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said Tuesday during a conference call with investors. “So we have been testing multiple ways to give them affordability.” PepsiCo has leaned on price increases as the cost of pa ...

"炒货已经比炒股还可怕了""这是薛记珠宝店，还是炒货店？"2026年春节临近，社交媒体上不少网友吐槽高端炒货。 1月28日，21世纪经济报道记者走访薛记炒货发现，瓜子、花生等基础现制炒货卖到23.8元/斤，开心果、现烤腰果、开口松子等坚果类现制炒货均接近 100元/斤，手剥松子价格更是高达218元/斤。而截至目前，猪肉每斤均价在10元左右。 一斤瓜子贵过猪肉、高端坚果斤价突破200元，从街边小摊到商场轻奢店，炒货凭什么卖这么贵？ 高端坚果逼近200元/斤 薛记炒货成"炒货刺客" 消费者对炒货的认知屡屡被刷新：坚果、果干、蜜饯等产品单价从几十元到几百元一斤并不罕见，网红款定价更是居高不下。 在社交媒体上，薛记炒货因其定价被网友戏称为"薛记珠宝店""炒货界的爱马仕""炒货刺客"等。截至1月28日，仅小红书平台，"薛记珠宝"单个话题阅读 量就突破3000万。 薛记炒货原味现制瓜子卖到23.8元/斤 # 薛记珠宝 3051.0 万浏览 | 4.2 万讨论 关注 最热 最新 这里要不要一万块钱 筛选 三 21世纪经济报道记者实地走访发现，薛记炒货售价的确不菲，多款蔬果类炒货价格突破100元/斤，多款去壳坚果炒货价格更是 ...

Core Viewpoint - Oakmark Global Fund's fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter highlights its strong performance and investment strategy, focusing on long-term capital appreciation through a diverse portfolio of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, with a notable emphasis on Mondelez International, Inc. [1] Group 1: Fund Performance - In the fourth quarter, Oakmark Global Fund (Investor Class) achieved a return of 5.23%, surpassing the benchmark MSCI World Index's gain of 3.12% [1] Group 2: Mondelez International, Inc. Overview - Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is identified as a leading global snacking company with significant market shares in crackers, cookies, and chocolate, featuring well-known brands such as Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, Oreo, and Ritz [3] - As of January 13, 2026, Mondelez's stock closed at $55.94 per share, with a one-month return of 3.94% and a 52-week decline of 1.24%. The company's market capitalization stands at $72.383 billion [2] Group 3: Investment Thesis on Mondelez - The fund believes Mondelez's strong pricing power and potential relief from rising commodity costs will enhance its margins, despite current margin pressures due to commodity inflation [3] - The current market conditions have allowed the fund to acquire Mondelez shares at a discounted valuation compared to historical levels, peers, and the broader market [3] Group 4: Hedge Fund Interest - Mondelez International, Inc. was held by 50 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the third quarter, an increase from 48 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest among institutional investors [4]