Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) is included among the 13 Best Debt Free Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Benchmark Starts Cal-Maine (CALM) at Buy, Sees Mispriced Earnings Power On December 1, Benchmark began coverage of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) with a Buy rating and a $100 price target. While the Cal-Maine name is widely recognized, the firm believes the stock’s valuation is “over-indexed to its legacy as a commodity producer.” In Benchmark’s view, the market is underestimating major changes un ...

Vice President of Investor Relations Reporting Disclaimer This presentation contains, in addition to historical information, certain "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), that are based on our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future performance and events and relate to, among other matters, our future financial performance, our business strategy, in ...

Agrova International, the Latvian agri-food group, has secured investment from a fund managed by Accession Capital Partners. The private-equity firm is backing the business through its Luxembourg-based vehicle AMC V SCA SICAV-RAIF, according to a statement. Under the deal, Accession Capital Partners (ACP) subscribed to a new share issue, acquiring a 23% stake in Agrova, the parent company of Nasdaq-listed APF Holdings. Financial terms were not revealed. The funding will provide a “robust financial fou ...

Core Insights - The year 2025 has been marked by significant controversies in India's startup ecosystem, shifting from behind-the-scenes disputes to public meltdowns and regulatory confrontations [1][2][3] Controversies Overview - The controversies have led to serious consequences including arrests, asset freezes, market bans, and leadership exits, highlighting the ecosystem's vulnerabilities [1][3] Eggoz Controversy - A viral video claimed Eggoz's eggs contained cancer-linked chemicals, raising public health concerns [5] - Eggoz's founder denied the claims and stated that independent tests showed compliance with permissible limits [8] WinZO's RMG Reckoning - WinZO's founders were arrested for money laundering, with allegations of mishandling INR 43 Cr of gamers' funds after a ban on real-money gaming [11][12] - The Enforcement Directorate froze assets worth INR 505 Cr, escalating the legal crisis for the gaming platform [15][16] Dataisgood Founder’s Arrest - Dataisgood's founder was detained at the airport amid allegations of cheating and fund misuse, leading to a significant legal battle [17][18] - The Supreme Court ordered his surrender after multiple bail pleas were rejected [21] BluSmart's Financial Issues - BluSmart faced scrutiny after defaulting on non-convertible debentures, revealing deeper financial misconduct linked to its founders [23][29] - SEBI's investigation uncovered unaccounted funds exceeding INR 260 Cr, leading to a governance crisis [28][29] Medikabazaar's Governance Crisis - Medikabazaar's boardroom conflict escalated into a public battle over financial irregularities, resulting in the ousting of its CEO [30][34] - The board accused the CEO of inflated metrics and misreporting, leading to a significant indemnity claim from investors [36] DroneAcharya's Financial Irregularities - SEBI's investigation revealed that a third of DroneAcharya's reported revenue was fabricated, leading to penalties and a ban on its promoters [37][42] - The company misused IPO funds, diverting them from intended purposes [42] EaseMyTrip vs MakeMyTrip - EaseMyTrip's cofounder accused MakeMyTrip of having Chinese influence, raising national security concerns amid geopolitical tensions [45][46] - MakeMyTrip refuted the claims, emphasizing its compliance with Indian laws [52] CoinDCX Crypto Heist - CoinDCX reported a major security breach resulting in the loss of $44.2 million in crypto assets, prompting scrutiny over its operational security [54][58] - The company launched a recovery bounty to trace the stolen funds [59] Government Crackdown on OTT Platforms - The Indian government banned 25 OTT platforms for hosting obscene content, citing repeated violations of multiple laws [60][64] - Stricter warnings were issued to digital intermediaries regarding compliance [66] Urban Company's 'Insta Maids' Controversy - Urban Company's new service faced backlash for its name and pay structure, leading to a rebranding to 'Insta Help' [92][98] - The controversy highlighted broader issues in the gig economy regarding worker dignity and fair wages [99] Lenskart IPO Valuation Debate - Lenskart's IPO raised concerns over inflated valuations amid weak profitability in the consumer tech sector [100][104] - Critics drew parallels to past IPOs that underperformed post-listing, questioning investor decisions [104]

Core Thesis - Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (CALM) is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its status as the largest egg producer in the U.S. and its ability to benefit from the growing global demand for protein-rich foods [2][4] Company Overview - CALM holds a 14% market share in the U.S. egg production and distribution market, making it a pure-play beneficiary of the increasing consumer interest in high-protein diets [2] - The company's shares were trading at $83.63 as of December 1st, with a trailing P/E ratio of 3.20 [1] Market Dynamics - The average cost of an egg is approximately $0.30, translating to about $0.05 per gram of protein, making it one of the most cost-effective protein sources compared to meat, poultry, or fish [3] - The ongoing bird flu crisis has led to a prolonged supply shock, sustaining elevated egg prices and allowing CALM to earn $1.2 billion in FY25, which is about one-third of its market capitalization [3] Financial Strength - CALM's vertically integrated structure and scale enable it to maintain significant operating leverage, positioning the company to generate cumulative profits that could equal its entire market value [4] - The company has demonstrated financial strength despite a recent 9.76% depreciation in stock value as egg prices normalized, indicating resilience and potential for future growth [5] Sustainability and Long-term Appeal - Eggs have a low environmental footprint, requiring minimal space and feed while producing significantly less carbon emissions than meat, enhancing their long-term sustainability appeal [4] - The combination of protein demand, scarcity-driven pricing power, and structural industry tailwinds positions CALM as a compelling investment opportunity [4]

Since last January, we've stopped inflation in its tracks. And there is still more to do. There's always more to do, but we have it down to a very good level. It's going to go down a little bit further. You want to have a little tiny bit of inflation, otherwise that's not good either.Then you have a thing called deflation. And deflation can be worse than inflation. But we have it almost we'll soon be at a perfect level.But we inherited the worst inflation. But we have 20 states that are now selling gasoline ...

Core Insights - The concept of affordability is increasingly prominent in political discourse, particularly following recent discussions involving President Trump and New York City Mayor Elect Zoro Mami, yet it remains a complex issue that is difficult to quantify and address effectively [1][4][5] - Public sentiment regarding affordability does not necessarily align with economic data, as perceptions of affordability can persist even when objective measures do not indicate significant deterioration [1][2][3] - The affordability crisis is influenced by various factors, including healthcare costs, housing prices, and consumer sentiment, which complicates the ability of policymakers to address the issue effectively [6][21][26] Economic Conditions - Despite a decrease in inflation rates from 9% to 3%, public perception of affordability remains negative, indicating a disconnect between economic indicators and individual experiences [3][15] - Mortgage rates and construction costs are significant contributors to housing affordability challenges, with rising interest rates impacting potential homebuyers [2][17][20] - The affordability index, which considers income, mortgage rates, and home prices, shows that current affordability is worse than pre-pandemic levels but similar to conditions before the 2008 financial crisis [21][22] Political Dynamics - Polling indicates that affordability is a bipartisan concern, with a notable percentage of Republicans acknowledging rising prices as a significant issue [5][6] - The Biden administration's approach to addressing affordability has faced criticism, particularly regarding the perception of inflation and its impact on public sentiment [3][4] - Local and state governments have the potential to improve housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers, which could positively influence affordability in the medium term [26][27]

Core Insights - Beef prices in the U.S. have surged nearly 15% year-over-year, becoming a significant concern for consumers as grocery costs continue to rise [3][8] - President Trump has moved to reduce tariffs on various agricultural products, including beef, in an effort to alleviate rising grocery prices [2][9] - The U.S. is both the largest beef producer and importer globally, with tariffs on imported beef contributing to the price increases, but other factors are also at play [5][8] Price Trends - Inflation data from September indicates that beef prices have increased by almost 15% compared to the same month last year [3] - Other grocery staples have also seen price increases, including a 19% rise in coffee prices and a 7% increase in banana prices [10] Tariff Impact - Tariffs on imported beef and related agricultural products have been a significant factor in rising beef prices, with the Trump administration previously imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports and a 10% tariff on Australian imports [9][10] - The U.S. Cattlemen's Association has highlighted that the current beef prices are not solely due to tariffs but also due to a 75-year low in the national cow herd and increased input costs for ranchers [6][8] Industry Challenges - The U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest level in 75 years, contributing to the rising costs of beef [6][8] - Ranchers are facing steep increases in input costs, which are exacerbating the price pressures on beef [6][8]

Mantiqueira USA, the US egg supplier co-owned by meat giant JBS, has struck a deal to acquire local peer Hickman’s Egg Ranch. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mantiqueira USA is an egg producer and distributor established earlier this year via a joint venture between the Pinto family, who founded Mantiqueira, a South American egg company, and Brazil-based JBS. JBS acquired a 50% stake in Mantiqueira in January. The deal represents Mantiqueira USA's formal entry into the US market. The partners say t ...

Core Insights - Mantiqueira USA (MTQ USA) has entered a binding agreement to acquire Hickman's Egg Ranch, a top egg producer in the U.S., marking a significant step in MTQ USA's strategy to establish a strong presence in the U.S. egg market [1][5] - The acquisition is part of a joint venture between the Pinto Family and JBS N.V., aiming to leverage their combined expertise and resources to enhance service and growth in the egg industry [2][7] Company Overview - MTQ USA is a newly formed egg production and distribution company, created through a joint venture between the Pinto Family, founders of Mantiqueira, and JBS N.V., one of the leading food companies globally [7] - The company is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, and focuses on delivering high-quality egg products while committing to responsible operations and long-term growth [7] Strategic Importance - The acquisition of Hickman's Egg Ranch is seen as a crucial milestone for JBS in the U.S. protein landscape, expanding into a new protein category and creating synergies that enhance collaboration and innovation [4][5] - The leadership of MTQ USA emphasizes the importance of combining Hickman's industry expertise with their global experience to drive long-term success and meet evolving customer needs [3][5] Legacy and Commitment - Hickman's Egg Ranch has a legacy of quality and service, and the transition is expected to bring greater opportunities for customers, employees, and partners [6] - The company is committed to honoring Hickman's legacy while driving new opportunities for growth and exceptional service [4][6]