英国《金融时报》13日援引知情人士的话报道，特朗普政府正在审查受关税影响的钢铝产品清单，计划 对部分产品减免关税，并暂停扩大征税清单。美国商务部和贸易代表办公室一些官员认为，关税推高了 罐装食品和饮料等商品价格，损害了消费者利益。一些贸易官员还认为，相关关税政策"过于复杂而难 以执行"，需简化。 美国财政部长贝森特当天接受美国消费者新闻与商业频道采访时未否认可能调整钢铝产品关税，但表示 最终决定权在美国总统。 不过，特朗普的贸易和制造业高级顾问彼得·纳瓦罗则称，相关报道"毫无根据"。路透社援引一名白宫 官员的话说，美国政府正实施"灵活且细化的关税政策"，以促进钢铁、铝及其他产品在美国本土的生 产。这名官员强调，除非政府正式宣布，"否则有关目前关税制度将发生变化的报道均属无根据的猜 测"。 新华社北京2月14日电新闻分析｜美政府或削减钢铝关税？ 多家美国媒体日前纷纷报道，特朗普政府正考虑削减部分钢铝产品关税，缓解美国民众对物价上涨的担 忧，为即将到来的中期选举"铺路"。 由于关税推高美国国内物价压力，美国政府已多次调整此前加征关税政策或推迟提高关税的计划，涉及 产品包括农产品、进口软体家具、厨房橱柜和浴室柜等。 ...

Core Insights - The core inflation rate in the U.S. for December increased by 2.6% year-on-year, which is lower than expected [1] - Food prices have significantly risen, contradicting claims from the Trump administration that grocery prices are decreasing [3][13] Food Price Trends - Over the past year, beef prices rose by 16.4%, coffee by 19.8%, lettuce by 7.3%, and frozen fish by 8.6% [3][13] - The overall cost of household food consumption increased by 2.4% in the past 12 months, with a monthly increase of 0.7% in December, marking the largest monthly rise since October 2022 [4][14] - Despite some food categories like eggs seeing a price drop of 20.9%, five out of six tracked food categories experienced price increases [5][15] Consumer Behavior Changes - Low-income consumers are prioritizing essential items and opting for cheaper alternatives, reducing their purchase quantities and increasing shopping frequency [5][15] - Middle-class consumers are also shifting their purchasing habits, focusing on promotions and store-brand products to save costs [5][15] Impact of Tariffs and Policies - Tariff policies have had a limited direct impact on most food prices, as the majority of food consumed in the U.S. is domestically produced [5][15] - Imported goods like coffee and tropical fruits have seen price increases due to tariffs, with bananas rising by 5.9% year-on-year in December [7][16] Labor Market and Agricultural Costs - Labor shortages in agriculture are exacerbated by tightened immigration policies, affecting the availability of workers for harvesting crops [10][20] - Agricultural labor costs are a significant driver of overall industry expenses, accounting for about 50% of total spending [20] - The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects a 2.3% increase in household food prices by 2026, maintaining a similar growth rate as in 2025 [19] Economic Outlook - The current inflation data suggests that while inflation is not spiraling out of control, the claims of decreasing food prices by the government are unfounded [4][14] - The ongoing labor shortages and rising costs of agricultural inputs may continue to pressure food prices in the near future [20]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects organic net sales growth in the second half of the fiscal year, with positive momentum observed in December [11][12] - Operating profit and margin performance in the first half of the year has been good, with favorable tariff timing and chicken inflation, although there are offsets with beef and pork [21][22] - The company maintains its inflation guidance of 7% for the year, with core inflation above 4% and gross tariff inflation around 3% [42][44] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The frozen and snacks segments are identified as growth domains, with snacks already showing robust growth and frozen aiming to reclaim market share lost due to previous supply constraints [31][32] - The company is focusing on high-quality promotional activities in the frozen segment, which were limited last year due to supply issues [32][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a return to growth in the frozen and snacks categories, with strong marketing plans in place for the second half of the year [31][33] - The market share in frozen single-serve meals is approaching 53%, indicating a recovery in that segment [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is implementing Project Catalyst, which focuses on re-engineering core business processes using technology, particularly AI, to improve efficiency and effectiveness [25][26] - The company is committed to margin expansion, particularly in the frozen segment, through productivity improvements and supply chain resiliency investments [52][53] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the volatility in the operating environment and has guided a wider range for EPS to navigate uncertainties [23][83] - The company is optimistic about the second half of the fiscal year, expecting strong underlying trends and promotional activities to drive growth [85] Other Important Information - The company has completed the baked chicken facility, which is expected to enhance production efficiency and margins [100][101] - An impairment charge was taken due to a sustained decline in stock price, which required a reassessment of goodwill and brand values [102][104] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for organic sales growth in fiscal Q3 - Management expects positive organic net sales growth in the second half, with momentum building in December [11][12] Question: Clarification on annual outlook and EPS impact from Ardent - Management believes they can offset the shortfall from Ardent and maintain EPS guidance despite a wider range due to market volatility [22][23] Question: Insights on Project Catalyst and cost savings - Project Catalyst aims to automate core business processes, with expected costs and returns being evaluated as the project progresses [25][26] Question: Consumption trends and growth outlook for fiscal 2027 - Management sees potential for growth in frozen and snacks, with strong marketing plans and market share recovery [31][33] Question: Impact of competitors' price cuts on the company - The company has not rolled back prices to move volume but has maintained pricing to support promotional activities [40][41] Question: Inflation guidance and its implications - The company maintains its inflation guidance of 7% for the year, with expectations for inflation to normalize in the future [42][44] Question: Repatriation of production and margin improvement - The transition to in-house production is underway, with expectations incorporated into the fiscal guidance [100][101] Question: Details on impairment charge - The impairment charge was due to a decline in stock price, necessitating a reassessment of goodwill and brand values [102][104]