Core Insights - PepsiCo is focusing on "portfolio reshaping" to achieve sequential growth in the third quarter, reversing the decline experienced in the same period last year [1][4] - The company announced the appointment of Steve Schmitt as the new CFO, who is expected to play a crucial role in accelerating growth [2][3] Financial Performance - PepsiCo reported a revenue growth of 2.6% in the third quarter, an improvement from 1% in the previous quarter and a recovery from a negative 0.6% in the same quarter last year [4] - Organic growth was recorded at 1.3%, matching the pace of the same quarter in fiscal 2024 but slowing from 2.1% in the second quarter [5] Volume Trends - Overall group volumes declined by an average of 1% across PepsiCo's food and beverage segments [5] - Specific declines included a 4% drop in PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA) and a 3% decrease in North America Beverages (PBNA) [6] - The international franchise drinks business also saw a 1% drop, while volumes in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for convenient foods fell by 1% but increased by 1.5% for beverages [6] Strategic Focus - The company aims to accelerate growth and optimize its cost structure, with a strong pipeline of innovation and adjustments to its price-pack architecture [3][4] - Elliott Management, a significant investor, has suggested that PepsiCo consider refranchising its North American drinks bottling network and simplifying its beverage portfolio [7]

Core Points - Carlsberg is investing £20 million ($40.1 million) in a new soft drinks canning line at its Rugby factory in the UK to significantly increase production capacity [1][2] - The new canning line will create over 30 permanent, full-time jobs, bringing the total number of employees at the Rugby site to more than 430 [2] - The Rugby facility will increase its production capacity from 560,000 to 610,000 canned soft drinks per hour, enabling the production of brands like Tango and Pepsi Max [1][3] Investment Strategy - This investment is part of Carlsberg's broader strategy to enhance its supply chain and production capabilities [2][3] - The total investment in the Rugby site over the past five years has exceeded £60 million [3] - The company is also focusing on operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, supported by a government grant for sustainability initiatives [4] Market Expansion - Carlsberg Britvic has signed an exclusive deal with an undisclosed retailer and is preparing to launch the US prebiotic soda brand Poppi in the UK within the next four months [5][6] - The new supply chain setup is expected to support the launch of Poppi, although it is not confirmed if the products will be produced locally or shipped from elsewhere [6]

Carlsberg Group 2025 Capital Markets Day Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Carlsberg Group (OTCPK:CABG.Y) - **Event**: 2025 Capital Markets Day - **Date**: October 01, 2025 Key Points Digital Transformation and Global Capability Center (GCC) - Carlsberg is establishing a Global Capability Center (GCC) in India with locations in Gurgaon and Hyderabad to enhance IT delivery and operational efficiency [1][2] - The GCC allows for a zero-based approach to resource estimation, optimizing costs by insourcing IT service management and operations, avoiding significant vendor cost increases [2][3] - The GCC is seen as a growth engine, providing strategic flexibility and access to talent, which is crucial for digital delivery and innovation [3][4] Digital Backbone - Carlsberg is developing a digital backbone, referred to as iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service), to connect core systems and enhance operational efficiency [5][6] - The digital backbone consists of three core components powered by Microsoft Azure, SAP BTP, and Solace, enabling real-time analytics and improved supply chain visibility [6][7] - This backbone replaces legacy systems, allowing for predictive maintenance and better consumer insights, while enhancing data quality and resilience [7][8] Data Management and Analytics - Carlsberg is building a unified data foundation called OneLake to democratize data access and drive advanced analytics [9][10] - The data marketplace aims to provide trusted access to data, enabling better decision-making and operational performance [12][14] - The focus is on creating a single version of the truth to enhance agility and visibility across operations [10][11] Commercial Capabilities and Growth Strategy - Carlsberg aims to grow its top line by 4% to 6% year-on-year, focusing on three core commercial capabilities: digital commerce, field sales execution, and value management [19][20] - Digital commerce is experiencing significant growth, with eB2B growing by approximately 20% in 2024 and eB2C by 25% [21][22] - The new eB2B platform, "Served," is being rolled out to enhance customer interactions and streamline ordering processes [23][25] Sales Execution and Value Management - The FIT (Focus, Implement, Track) platform is being digitized to improve sales execution, with new tools like Sales Coach enhancing sales representatives' capabilities [28][32] - Value management is being transformed through the VMX tool, which utilizes advanced machine learning for pricing and promotional simulations, significantly reducing decision-making time [36][38] - The VMX tool is operational in five stronghold countries, with plans for further rollout [41][42] Market Outlook and Performance - Carlsberg is confident in the market outlook for both beer and soft drinks, with a focus on driving value in mainstream beer and exploring growth in premium segments [75][76] - The company has a strong performance track record in Western Europe, with good share growth momentum in both beer and soft drinks [80][81] - The acquisition of Britvic is expected to unlock synergies and improve operating margins once fully integrated [79][80] Cybersecurity and Resilience - Carlsberg is prioritizing cybersecurity, implementing a program called Protected to secure solutions end-to-end and mitigate risks associated with digital transformation [63][64] - The company emphasizes the importance of a robust digital infrastructure to ensure resilience against potential cyber threats [64][65] Conclusion - Carlsberg is undergoing a significant digital transformation, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency, data management, and commercial capabilities to drive growth and maintain competitive advantages in the beverage industry [42][43]

Core Viewpoint - Elliott Investment Management, managing $4 billion in PepsiCo, seeks significant changes to enhance the company's performance despite recognizing it as a strong consumer franchise [1][4][5]. Group 1: Elliott's Goals and Recommendations - Elliott aims to help PepsiCo sharpen focus, drive innovation, and unlock value from its leading brands and scale [4][5]. - The investor believes PepsiCo is at a "critical inflection point" and describes it as a "dramatic under-performer" in North America [7][8]. - Recommendations include reviewing the North American food and drinks business structure, refranchising the drinks bottling network, and streamlining the beverage portfolio [6][9][25]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Context - In 2024, PepsiCo reported net revenue of $91.85 billion, a 0.4% increase year-over-year, with operating profit growing 7.5% to $12.89 billion [13]. - However, the company faced challenges, including a 0.3% decline in first-half net revenue and a 35.4% drop in operating profit [16]. - PepsiCo's share price has fallen over 5% this year, contrasting with Coca-Cola's nearly 8% increase [16]. Group 3: Portfolio Optimization and Strategic Moves - Elliott emphasizes the need for PepsiCo to optimize its portfolio by offloading non-core and underperforming assets, similar to strategies employed by Coca-Cola and Unilever [21][24]. - The investor praised PepsiCo's recent sale of Rockstar brand rights as a positive step towards simplifying its portfolio [24]. - There is speculation about the future of Quaker within PepsiCo's portfolio, with suggestions that it may lack strategic interest without Tropicana [22][23]. Group 4: Management and Investor Sentiment - PepsiCo's management has acknowledged Elliott's input, stating they value constructive dialogue to enhance long-term shareholder value [12][18]. - Investor sentiment appears mixed, with some skepticism regarding the feasibility of Elliott's proposals, particularly around refranchising [30]. - Analysts suggest that Elliott's involvement may create urgency for management to improve performance and address operational challenges [29].