Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is one of the best sugar stocks to buy according to hedge funds. Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) announced on February 17 that it would highlight its commitment to long-term value creation at the 2026 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) Conference, supported by its portfolio of snack brands. It further stated that Mondelēz International will reaffirm its long-term growth algorithm of 3% to 5% organic net revenue growth, high-single-digit adjusted ...

Core Insights - General Mills has reduced its full-year sales and earnings forecast due to a challenging consumer environment, expecting organic net sales to decline between 1.5% and 2% this year, compared to a previous forecast of up to 1% growth [1][1] - Adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to decrease by 16% to 20%, a revision from the earlier estimate of a 10% to 15% decline [1][1] Company Performance - Shares of General Mills fell by 8% in late trading following the announcement of the revised forecasts [1][1] - The decline in General Mills' stock reflects broader pressures in the packaged food sector, with competitors like Mondelez International, Kraft Heinz, and Campbell's also experiencing stock drops of 5% to over 7% [1][1] Consumer Trends - The company attributes the decline in sales to weak consumer sentiment, heightened uncertainty, and significant volatility affecting consumer purchasing patterns [1][1] - Low- and middle-income consumers are particularly impacted by inflation and reduced government benefits, leading them to seek discounted products rather than purchasing at full price [1][1] - A recent survey indicated a 20-point gap in consumer sentiment between those with stock holdings and those without, highlighting the financial strain on lower-income groups [1][1]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International is committed to long-term value creation through its global portfolio of iconic snack brands, focusing on growth in both Developed and Emerging Markets [1][2] Group 1: Strategic Priorities - The company aims to reignite growth in Developed Markets while maintaining momentum in Emerging Markets, supported by significant investments in innovation and brand activation [2][4] - Mondelēz International reaffirms its long-term growth algorithm of 3 to 5 percent organic net revenue growth, high-single-digit adjusted EPS growth, and over $3 billion in free cash flow [3] Group 2: Market Positioning - The company has a strong portfolio of consumer-loved brands and a diversified global footprint, which provides confidence in delivering consistent growth and resilience [2][8] - Approximately 80 percent of net revenues come from core categories of chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks, with a goal to increase this to 90 percent over time [9] Group 3: Action Plans - Specific action plans are in place to improve volumes in Developed Markets, particularly in U.S. biscuits and European chocolate, while also expanding growth in Emerging Markets like China, India, Brazil, and Mexico [9] - The company is focused on disciplined capital allocation to support brand reinvestment and growth-accretive mergers and acquisitions, while maintaining balance sheet flexibility [9]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International reported a 5.8% increase in net revenues for FY'25, driven by a 4.3% organic net revenue growth, despite a volume/mix decline of 3.7% [1][8] - The diluted EPS for FY'25 decreased by 44.7% to $1.89, while the adjusted EPS was $2.92, down 14.6% on a constant currency basis [1][4] - The company generated $4.5 billion in cash from operating activities and returned $4.9 billion to shareholders [1][8] Financial Performance - FY'25 net revenues reached approximately $38.5 billion, with organic net revenue growth attributed to higher net pricing, partially offset by unfavorable volume/mix [3][8] - Gross profit for FY'25 decreased by $3.3 billion, with a gross profit margin decline of 1,070 basis points to 28.4% due to unfavorable commodity and foreign currency impacts [4][8] - Operating income fell by $2.8 billion, resulting in an operating income margin of 9.2%, down 820 basis points [4][8] Regional Performance - In Q4 2025, net revenues in Latin America increased by 7.9%, while North America saw a slight decline of 0.6% [3] - For the full year, Latin America reported a 0.5% decrease in net revenues, while Europe experienced a 12.9% increase [3] 2026 Outlook - The company anticipates organic net revenue growth for 2026 to be flat to 2%, with adjusted EPS growth expected to be flat to 5% on a constant currency basis [7] - Free cash flow for 2026 is projected to be approximately $3 billion, with currency translation expected to positively impact net revenue growth by about 2% [7][8] Strategic Focus - The CEO emphasized the company's commitment to sustainable, profitable growth through improved volumes, brand investments, and cost savings [2] - The company aims to leverage its scale, iconic brands, and supply chain strength to create long-term shareholder value [2]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International is appointing Luca Zaramella as the new Chief Operating Officer, a role aimed at enhancing operational execution and decision-making within the company [2][5] - The creation of the COO position is seen as vital for maintaining agility and operational excellence in a dynamic market environment [2] - Zaramella has been with Mondelēz since 2011 and has served as CFO since 2018, indicating a strong internal leadership pipeline [3][5] Company Strategy - Zaramella will oversee commercial operations across four geographical regions, as well as corporate sales, marketing, and supply chain functions starting February 1 [2] - The new COO role will allow current CEO Dirk Van de Put to focus more on strategic priorities, growth, and value creation [2] - Van de Put has been CEO for over eight years, focusing on brand innovation and portfolio expansion through acquisitions [4] Leadership Transition - Zaramella's extensive experience and familiarity with Mondelēz's strategy position him as a potential successor to Van de Put in the future [5] - Van de Put's tenure exceeds the average CEO duration of 6.8 years, suggesting a possible future transition in leadership [4]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International has appointed Luca Zaramella as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, effective February 1, 2026 [1][2] - Zaramella will oversee the company's commercial operations across four geographical regions, as well as corporate sales, marketing, and supply chain functions [1] - The company is currently searching for a successor for the CFO position and will announce it at a later date [1] Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion for 2024, positioning itself as a leader in the snacking industry [3] - The company operates in over 150 countries and features iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury Dairy Milk [3] - Mondelēz is recognized as a member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class North America and World Indices [3] Leadership Insights - Dirk Van de Put, the Chair and CEO, expressed confidence in Zaramella's ability to enhance operational excellence and accelerate performance amid a dynamic environment [2] - Zaramella has been with Mondelēz since 2018 as CFO, contributing to the development of the company's strategic growth framework and financial algorithm [2] - He has extensive experience in various senior roles across Latin America, Europe, and North America [2][3]

Group 1 - Mondelēz International, Inc. will present at the annual Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) Conference on February 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET [1] - The presentation will be led by Dirk Van de Put, Chairman & CEO, and Luca Zaramella, EVP & Chief Financial Officer [1] - A listen-only webcast will be available on the company's website, along with a replay of the event [1] Group 2 - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion for 2024 [2] - The company operates in over 150 countries and offers iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, and Cadbury Dairy Milk [2] - Mondelēz International is recognized as a member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class North America and World Indices [2]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International has launched applications for the 2026 class of CoLab Tech, a global R&D tech accelerator program aimed at collaborating with entrepreneurs in snack-forward technologies [1][6] - The program focuses on advancing innovation in supply chain resilience, consumer wellness, operational efficiencies, and sustainable packaging [1][8] Group 1: Program Details - The CoLab Tech curriculum is designed to foster collaboration with innovators to enhance Mondelēz's capabilities and impact [2][5] - Applications are open from January 22 to March 31 for start-ups with a minimum viable product and at least five employees, with a preference for diverse and minority board members [6][8] Group 2: Focus Areas - Climate Resilience: Technologies aimed at protecting ingredient supply chains, particularly in cocoa and wheat, through efficient fermentation and sustainable agricultural practices [9] - Breakthrough Performance Technologies: Innovations that improve energy efficiency, develop sustainable materials, and streamline operational processes [9] - Next-Generation Ingredients: Solutions that meet consumer demand for functional snacks with indulgent taste, including increased fiber and protein content [9] - Delightful Product and Packaging: Technologies that enhance sensory experiences, extend shelf life, and provide non-plastic packaging solutions [9] Group 3: Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024 and is recognized for its iconic brands such as Oreo, Ritz, and Toblerone [10]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International has launched applications for the 2026 class of CoLab Tech, a global R&D tech accelerator program aimed at collaborating with entrepreneurs to develop snack-forward technologies with high commercialization potential [1][6] - The program focuses on advancing Mondelēz's innovation agenda, emphasizing supply chain resilience, consumer wellness, operational efficiencies, and sustainable packaging [1][5] Group 1: Program Details - The CoLab Tech program is designed to connect Mondelēz with innovators to enhance capabilities and share expertise, ultimately making a significant impact on the snack industry [2][5] - Applications are open from January 22 to March 31 for start-ups that have a minimum viable product and at least five employees, with a preference for those with diverse and minority board members [6][7] Group 2: Focus Areas - The program's priorities include: - Climate Resilience: Technologies that protect ingredient supply chains, particularly in cocoa and wheat, through efficient fermentation and sustainable agricultural practices [8] - Breakthrough Performance Technologies: Innovations that improve energy efficiency, develop sustainable materials, and enhance R&D processes [8] - Next-Generation Ingredients: Solutions that meet consumer demand for functional snacks with indulgent flavors, such as increased fiber and protein content [8] - Delightful Product and Packaging: Technologies that enhance taste and texture, extend shelf life, and provide non-plastic packaging solutions [8] Group 3: Company Overview - Mondelēz International reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024 and operates in over 150 countries, offering iconic brands like Oreo, Ritz, and Toblerone [9]

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]