Soda ash production capacity at Torrelavega site adjusted to market conditions Brussels, February 23, 2026 Effective in the third quarter of 2026, and pending the required consultation process, Solvay will adjust the soda ash production capacity of its Torrelavega plant in Spain to 420 kilotons (from 600 kt previously) to strengthen the competitiveness of its global assets. Sodium bicarbonate operations remain unaffected. This adjustment is a direct response to challenging market conditions, which are chara ...

Industry Overview - The Zacks Consumer Products – Staples industry is facing challenges due to elevated living costs affecting household budgets, leading to cautious consumer spending and pressure on sales [1] - Companies in this industry are also dealing with increased raw material costs and higher selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses [1] Demand and Strategies - Despite the challenges, demand for essential consumer products remains strong, with industry leaders like Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, Church & Dwight, and Grocery Outlet employing strategies focused on innovation, cost efficiency, and digital transformation to sustain growth [2] Trends Impacting the Industry - The industry is experiencing rising costs in raw materials, labor, and transportation, which are negatively impacting profit margins [4] - Increased SG&A expenses and investments in digital transformation and marketing are further straining profitability [4] - Consumer spending volatility is evident, particularly among lower-income households, due to rising living expenses and declining personal savings, which dampens purchasing power [5] Revenue Optimization - Companies are refining operations to optimize revenue generation, focusing on enhancing e-commerce and digital initiatives, and innovating to meet evolving consumer demands [6] - Strategic acquisitions and divestitures are being pursued to concentrate on high-growth areas [6] Industry Performance and Valuation - The Zacks Consumer Products – Staples industry ranks 144, placing it in the bottom 41% of over 246 Zacks industries, indicating dull near-term prospects [7][8] - The industry has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 Index and the broader Consumer Staples sector over the past six months, gaining only 1.5% compared to the S&P 500's 5.3% and the sector's 10.5% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.13X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.63X and the sector's 17.32X [14] Company Highlights - **Colgate-Palmolive**: Focused on effective pricing strategies and productivity initiatives, with a Zacks Rank 2. The consensus estimate for its current fiscal-year EPS has increased by 1.7% to $3.66 [17][18] - **Grocery Outlet**: Employing a balanced growth strategy with a focus on e-commerce and private-label offerings, holding a Zacks Rank 2. The EPS estimate remains at 74 cents, indicating a decline of 3.9% from the previous year [21][22] - **Procter & Gamble**: With a Zacks Rank 3, the company emphasizes sustainability and adaptability, maintaining an EPS estimate of $6.78, suggesting a growth of 2.9% from the year-ago period [25][26] - **Church & Dwight**: Also holding a Zacks Rank 3, the company is focused on innovation and digital expansion, with an EPS estimate of $3.48, reflecting a growth of 1.2% from the previous year [29][30]