Industry Overview - The Zacks Food-Miscellaneous industry is experiencing challenges due to persistent inflation affecting consumer spending and a shift towards private-label products [1][4] - Rising input costs and operational expenses are squeezing profit margins across the sector [1][5] - The industry includes a variety of food and packaged food items, with sales primarily through wholesalers, distributors, and retail channels [3] Major Trends - The market landscape is tough, with consumers increasingly opting for lower-cost alternatives, impacting sales volumes for leading food brands [4] - Companies are adopting strategies focused on value marketing, promotional campaigns, and expanding affordable product lines to meet changing consumer demands [4] - Cost pressures are significant, with elevated prices for raw materials, labor, and transportation affecting profitability [5] Strategic Initiatives - Food companies are focusing on cost efficiency, product innovation, and portfolio diversification to navigate current pressures [2][6] - Established brands are leveraging customer loyalty and innovation to maintain market position and adapt to consumer preferences [6] - Companies are modernizing production capabilities and diversifying product offerings to ensure future growth [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Food-Miscellaneous industry ranks 187, placing it in the bottom 24% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating dull near-term prospects [7][8] - The industry's consensus earnings estimate has declined by 3.1% since April 2025, reflecting decreasing confidence in earnings growth potential [8] Comparative Analysis - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed the S&P 500, declining by 6.9% compared to the S&P 500's growth of 12.5% [9] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 15.85X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.43X and the sector's 17.39X [12] Company Highlights - Mondelez International is focusing on core categories and strategic portfolio reshaping, with a current EPS estimate of $3.02 [15][16] - Sysco Corporation is enhancing capabilities through its "Recipe for Growth" framework, with an EPS estimate of $4.38 [19][20] - McCormick & Company is leveraging innovation and brand marketing, with a current EPS estimate of $3.02 [23][24] - Celsius Holdings is rapidly growing in the beverage sector with a focus on health-conscious products, though its EPS estimate has declined to 81 cents [27][29]

Core Insights - The 2024 State of Snacking report by Mondelēz International reveals a trend towards mindful snacking, with consumers focusing on flavor, taste, and texture while being present during their snacking moments [1][2][3] Consumer Behavior - The survey indicates that nearly all consumers are managing portion sizes and being attentive while snacking [2] - 96% of global consumers engage in mindful snacking behaviors, and 79% appreciate snacks more when consumed mindfully [7] - 81% of consumers pay attention to the sensory experience of their snacks, savoring the flavor, taste, and texture [7] Portion Control - Over half of consumers seek snacks that are portion controlled, with 69% looking for such options [7] - Mindful consumption is emphasized as a way to enjoy snacks in a balanced manner [7] Company Positioning - Mondelēz International is adapting to evolving consumer preferences by ensuring that every snack provides opportunities for connection and mindfulness [3] - The company reported net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion in 2024, leading the future of snacking with iconic brands [4]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International, Inc. released its 2024 Human Rights Due Diligence and Modern Slavery Report, highlighting progress in addressing human rights and modern slavery risks across its operations and value chain [1] - The company emphasizes the importance of human rights due diligence as part of its "Snacking Made Right" mission, focusing on meaningful partnerships and a culture of care and integrity [2] Human Rights Due Diligence Efforts - Mondelēz International is enhancing its human rights due diligence (HRDD) across its operations and supplier network, with a focus on prioritized ingredients like cocoa [3] - The Cocoa Life program aims to make cocoa farming more profitable, protect forests, and empower local communities, including initiatives for women's empowerment and entrepreneurship [3] Sector Collaboration - The company is investing approximately $3 million from 2022 to 2026 in the Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF) to combat child labor in the West African cocoa supply chain, targeting over 4 million children [4] - A new public-private partnership, the System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence (SCALE), is being supported with an investment of around $1 million over the next four years to improve education quality in Ghana [5] Audit and Training Statistics - Approximately 96% of owned manufacturing sites and 98% of prioritized suppliers have undergone third-party SMETA audits in the past three years [6][7] - Since the launch of its Human Rights Policy in 2021, the company has trained over 50,000 employees on human rights issues, including 7,000 in manufacturing and logistics [7] Child Labor Monitoring - By the end of 2024, about 89% of Cocoa Life communities in West Africa, representing approximately 2,480 communities, will be covered by the Child Labor Monitoring & Remediation System (CLMRS) [7] - The company aims to cover all West African Cocoa Life communities with a CLMRS by the end of 2025, having conducted over 240,000 interviews to prevent child labor [7] Broader Human Rights Initiatives - Mondelēz International is committed to respecting human rights throughout its value chain, guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) [8] - The company collaborates with various industry coalitions to enhance its human rights efforts, including partnerships to combat child labor and improve education in cocoa-producing regions [10]

Core Viewpoint - Mondelēz International, Inc. is launching a new wave of impact-first investments through its Sustainable Futures Impact Investment platform, focusing on scalable solutions that address climate, community, and circularity, aligning with its sustainability strategy and Vision 2030 ambitions [1][4]. Investment Approach - The company employs a three-pronged investment strategy consisting of direct investments, fund investments, and technical assistance to scale promising solutions that generate measurable impact [2][4]. Direct Investments - New additions to the Sustainable Futures portfolio include investments in regenerative agriculture, inclusive financing, and circular packaging through innovative technology [4]. Fund Investments - Mondelēz International supports impact funds that align with its goal of catalyzing positive change across various geographies [3][4]. Technical Assistance - The company provides capacity-building support to early-stage ventures, helping validate their technologies through larger-scale pilots and scientific approaches [3][4]. Specific Investments - eAgronom is an ag-tech company aiding farmers in improving soil health and reducing carbon emissions, with over 1 million hectares under sustainable practices [5]. - ZIRO is a fintech startup providing affordable inventory financing to small merchants, aiming to reach approximately 100,000 merchants in three years [5]. - Pack2Earth is focused on replacing 60,000 metric tons of plastic packaging with compostable materials by 2028, part of a coalition supporting the Circulate Capital's Ocean Fund [5]. Impact Metrics - In 2024, investments in the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund contributed to circulating or avoiding over 7,600 tonnes of plastic, reducing more than 10,700 tonnes of GHG emissions, and creating over 34,900 tonnes in recycling infrastructure capacity across Southeast Asia and India [5]. Strategic Importance - Sustainability is a key pillar of Mondelēz International's growth strategy, with investments aimed at addressing challenges and creating long-term business resilience [6].

Core Strategies - Mondelez International is focused on creating memorable consumer experiences through smart brand investments and innovation driven by customer preferences [1][3] - The company is well-positioned for steady growth and long-term value for shareholders by continuously evolving its product lineup to match changing tastes [1] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Mondelez reported a 3.1% increase in organic net revenues, with a 6.6 percentage point gain attributed to favorable pricing strategies [3] - The chocolate category experienced a 10.1% increase in revenue, driven by strong performance in both developed and emerging markets [4] Product Portfolio and Innovation - Mondelez's biscuits and baked snacks portfolio also saw growth, supported by brands like LU and 7DAYS, with revenue growth management strategies playing a key role [5] - Innovation is a cornerstone of Mondelez's strategy, exemplified by the successful launch of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff bar, which became the best-selling SKU in the UK [7] Market Expansion - The company expanded its distribution network into over 100,000 stores in emerging markets during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, enhancing market penetration [8] Competitive Positioning - Mondelez is effectively positioning itself for sustainable success by focusing on core snacking categories, investing in consumer-centric product development, and emphasizing health-conscious offerings [9] - The stock has gained 1.4% over the past three months, outperforming the industry's 3.7% decline [9]

Core Insights - Mondelēz International reported a slight increase in net revenues of 0.2% for Q1 2025, with organic net revenue growth of 3.1%, but faced a decline in volume/mix of 3.5% [1][6] - The diluted EPS fell significantly by 70.2% to $0.31, while adjusted EPS decreased by 18.3% on a constant currency basis to $0.74 [1][5] - The company generated $1.1 billion in cash from operating activities and reported free cash flow of $0.8 billion, returning $2.1 billion to shareholders [1][6] Financial Performance - Net revenues for Q1 2025 were $9,313 million, showing a 0.2% increase compared to the previous year, with organic net revenue growth of 3.1% [4][20] - The gross profit decreased to $2,430 million, with a gross profit margin of 26.1%, down 25.0 percentage points year-over-year [5][20] - Operating income was reported at $680 million, reflecting a 75.1% decline, with an operating income margin of 7.3%, down 22.1 percentage points [5][20] Regional Performance - In Latin America, net revenues were $1,203 million, down 8.8%, while organic net revenue growth was 3.9% [4] - Asia, Middle East & Africa reported net revenues of $2,016 million, with a 3.4% increase and organic growth of 1.8% [4] - Europe saw net revenues of $3,550 million, up 5.4%, with organic growth of 8.9% [4] Strategic Outlook - The company reaffirmed its outlook for 2025, expecting organic net revenue growth of approximately 5% and a decline in adjusted EPS of about 10% on a constant currency basis due to cocoa cost inflation [8][51] - Free cash flow for 2025 is projected to exceed $3 billion, with no expected impact from currency translation on net revenue growth or adjusted EPS [8][51] Shareholder Returns - Mondelēz returned $2.1 billion to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter of 2025 [1][6] - The company continues to focus on delivering sustainable shareholder value while navigating a volatile operating environment [3][6]