Core Insights - Village Farms International (VFF) is focused on operational streamlining, emphasizing efficiency and simplification of its business model during Q3 2025 [1][5] Operational Developments - The produce segment saw contributions from the Delta 1 greenhouse and part of Delta 2, with Delta 2 being converted from tomato production to cannabis, increasing operational cannabis space to 2.2 million square feet [2][8] - Cost control measures were evident, with selling, general, and administrative expenses at $15.6 million, showing a slight increase from the previous year but remaining manageable relative to revenue growth [3][8] Financial Position - At the end of the quarter, cash and cash equivalents were reported at $82.6 million, alongside $5 million in restricted cash, with $3 million of U.S. term debt repaid using operating cash flow [4][8] - The company's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the industry average of 2.24, indicating a competitive valuation [9] Market Performance - Village Farms' shares have increased by 381.9% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry decline of 10.6% and the S&P 500's appreciation of 17.6% [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of investing in safe-haven assets and undervalued dividend-paying consumer staples stocks during periods of market volatility and geopolitical tension [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - Safe-haven assets like gold, silver, and U.S. Treasuries are recommended for hedging risks, although their effectiveness may vary [1]. - Consumer staples and utilities are considered safe investments due to their inelastic demand and established history of returning capital to shareholders [2]. Group 2: Selected Companies - **United Breweries Co. (CCU)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 98.14, with a current dividend yield of 2.8% and a dividend payout ratio (DPR) of 58.9% [4]. - The stock trades at 16 times earnings and 0.85 times sales, showing positive price action [4]. - CCU shares have increased over 11% recently, with bullish indicators such as a Golden Cross and favorable MACD signals [7]. - **NuSkin Enterprises Inc. (NUS)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 86.96, with a market cap of $540 million and a dividend yield of 2.08% [8]. - The company reduced its dividend payout from $0.39 to $0.06, but the current payout allows for future increases [8]. - NUS shares have risen 15% at the start of the year, indicating bullish momentum [11]. - **Cresud SACIF y A (CRESY)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 93.82, with a dividend yield of over 5% and a DPR of 23.4% [12]. - The company operates in agriculture and real estate, providing diversification during geopolitical tensions [12]. - CRESY shares have formed a Golden Cross, with the 50-day SMA acting as support [15]. - **Weis Markets Inc. (WMK)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 89.87, with a market cap of $1.68 billion and a dividend yield of 2% [16]. - The DPR is 35.79%, allowing potential for future dividend increases [16]. - WMK shares have shown bullish signals, with a breakout above the 50-day SMA and an RSI indicating upward momentum [18]. - **Calavo Growers Inc. (CVGW)**: - Benzinga Edge Value Score of 80.91, with a dividend yield of 3.09% and a DPR of 72% [19]. - The company operates in the fresh produce sector, which is less affected by tariffs [19]. - CVGW shares have surged nearly 20% recently, breaking above key moving averages [21].

Summary of Mission Produce and Calavo Acquisition Conference Call Company and Industry Overview - **Companies Involved**: Mission Produce (NasdaqGS: AVO) and Calavo Growers - **Industry**: Fresh produce, specifically focusing on avocados, tomatoes, papayas, and prepared foods Core Points and Arguments - **Acquisition Announcement**: Mission Produce has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Calavo, a leading provider in the fresh produce market, particularly avocados and prepared foods [2][4] - **Strategic Importance**: This acquisition is seen as a significant milestone for both Mission and the industry, aiming to create a more diversified and stronger company for long-term growth [4][6] - **Complementary Strengths**: Mission's scale and distribution capabilities will be enhanced by Calavo's strong customer relationships and prepared foods platform, creating a fully integrated model [6][11] - **Financial Projections**: On a pro forma basis, the combined company is expected to generate approximately $2 billion in net sales and $176 million in adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2025 [6][12] - **Transaction Structure**: The acquisition will be a cash and stock transaction, with Calavo shareholders receiving $27 per share, consisting of $14.85 in cash and 0.9790 shares of Mission [7][8] - **Ownership Post-Transaction**: Mission shareholders are expected to own approximately 80.3% of the combined company, while Calavo shareholders will own about 19.7% [7] Additional Important Insights - **Market Expansion**: The acquisition will strengthen Mission's position in the North American avocado market and accelerate international expansion, particularly in Mexico and California [10][12] - **Prepared Foods Segment**: Calavo's portfolio includes guacamole, salsas, and dips, which is a growing market with a total addressable market of approximately $1.7 billion, growing in the high single digits [11][12] - **Synergies and Cost Savings**: Mission anticipates $25 million in annualized cost synergies within 18 months post-close, with potential for additional upside [12][26] - **Revenue Synergies**: The combined marketing capabilities and sourcing strength are expected to enhance overall commercial opportunities, although specific quantitative estimates were not provided [31][40] - **Operational Integration**: The management teams from both companies are confident in their ability to execute a seamless integration, leveraging best practices and operational efficiencies [12][13] Conclusion - The acquisition of Calavo by Mission Produce is positioned as a strategic move to enhance market presence, diversify product offerings, and create significant value through operational synergies and expanded capabilities in the fresh produce and prepared foods sectors [4][6][15]

Core Insights - The article highlights the thriving agricultural activities in Haidong City's Ledou District, particularly focusing on the successful cultivation of strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, blueberries, and off-season cherries in advanced greenhouse facilities [4] Group 1: Agricultural Development - The Ledou District has adopted facility greenhouse cultivation as a core industry to enhance village prosperity and improve the livelihoods of local residents [4] - Innovative collaboration models involving universities, village cooperative societies, and enterprises have been implemented to provide technical support and market assurance for agricultural projects [4] - The district has explored efficient production methods such as "multiple crops in one greenhouse" and crop rotation, which have effectively improved the quality and efficiency of rural industries, leading to collective income growth and shared prosperity [4]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong momentum and buy rankings are highlighted for investors: Village Farms International, Five Below, and Marvell Technology [1][2][3][4] Village Farms International - The company is a producer, marketer, and distributor of greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers primarily in North America [1] - It has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a 75% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Shares gained 31.3% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500, which declined by 5.6% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Five Below - This specialty value chain retailer offers a wide range of premium quality and trendy merchandise for $5 or below [2] - It also has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a 7.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Shares gained 14.4% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's decline of 5.6% [3] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [3] Marvell Technology - The company is a fabless designer, developer, and marketer of analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits [3] - It holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and a 1.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Shares gained 50% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's decline of 5.6% [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [4]

Core Insights - Calavo Growers has appointed B. John Lindeman as the new CEO, succeeding Lee Cole, who will retire on December 8 [1] - Lindeman previously served as CEO of Hydrofarm Holdings Group and has extensive experience in the industry, including a prior role as CFO at Calavo [3][4] - The company is currently evaluating strategic alternatives following takeover interest received in June [5][6] Company Performance - For the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2025, Calavo reported net sales of $178.8 million, a decrease of 0.4% year-on-year [6] - Fresh segment sales were $155.9 million, reflecting a 5% decline, while prepared segment sales increased by 40% to $22.9 million [6] - Operating income fell by 7.5% to $8.6 million, with net income reported at $4.7 million, compared to a loss of $762,000 in the previous year [7] - For the nine months ended July 31, net sales totaled $523.7 million, an increase of 6.5% compared to the prior-year period [7] - Fresh segment sales rose by 6% to $470.3 million, and prepared segment sales increased by 10% to $53.5 million [7]

Trade Policy Adjustment - The US government rolled back tariffs on various everyday staples, including coffee, tea, tropical fruits, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, certain beef types, and fertilizers [1] - The US government exempted these items due to limited domestic production [2][3] - Critics question the initial imposition of tariffs on these items [3] Revenue and Rebate Program - The President touted billions of dollars in revenue generated from tariffs [4] - A proposed $2,000 rebate check program for Americans requires congressional approval [4] - The timing for the distribution of these checks is projected for sometime next year [4]

Trade Policy Changes - The U S government is considering eliminating or reducing tariffs on certain food products, like beef, coffee, and tomatoes, that the U S either doesn't produce or doesn't produce enough of [2][3] - The U S and Switzerland have reached a preliminary trade agreement to lower tariffs on many Swiss goods, including watches, from 39% to 15% [7] - Switzerland is committing to a $200 billion investment pledge over five years, with $67 billion (one-third) in the next year in the U S [9] Trade Agreement Status - The administration is working to finalize trade deals with various countries, with India being one of the remaining countries without a deal [11] - Canada and Mexico are in a separate category due to the USMCA, which provides them with lower average effective tariff rates [12][13] Tariff Impact & Strategy - The tariff exclusions acknowledge the impact of tariffs on prices, a point previously downplayed by the Trump administration [5] - The scope of the tariff exclusions is still unclear, including which countries and products will be affected [5][6]

Trade Policy - The US President is expected to sign an order reducing tariffs on beef, tomatoes, coffee, and bananas [1]

Trade Policy - Mexico established minimum prices for fresh tomato exports to the US [1] - This action aims to regain full market access after the US imposed an anti-dumping duty [1] Industry Impact - The US government imposed an anti-dumping duty on fresh tomatoes from Mexico [1] - Mexico is seeking to regain full access to the US market for its tomato exports [1]