Coca-Cola And Corn Refiners Respond To Trump’s ‘Real Cane Sugar’ In Coke Commenthttps://t.co/TqGgKq1cZf https://t.co/XE3kxBb7IC ...

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Coca-Cola has agreed to use cane sugar in Coke beverages sold in the US https://t.co/gF56cRk83p ...

Successfully introduces coke-oven gas cleaning and valorization solutions to steel industryMONTREAL, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY1), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced all-electric plasma processes and sustainable solutions to support heavy industry in their energy transition, emission reduction, commodity security, and waste remediation efforts, announces that ...

Core Viewpoint - The private sector is experiencing job losses, which is beneficial for earnings season and dividend growth stocks due to easing wage pressures and lower inflation, leading to better profit margins and dividend hikes [2]. Dividend Growth Stocks Dividend Growth Stock 1: T-Mobile US (TMUS) - T-Mobile US initiated a new dividend program in 2023 and raised its dividend by 35% to 88 cents per share after merging with Sprint [6][8]. - The company is expanding its margins and free cash flow, which supports its dividend growth strategy [7][9]. Dividend Growth Stock 2: Amphenol (APH) - Amphenol has seen significant growth, particularly in AI-related applications, with total orders increasing by nearly 60% year-over-year in Q1 2025 [12]. - The company raised its dividend by 50% last year, marking one of its largest increases [12]. Dividend Growth Stock 3: California Resources (CRC) - California Resources has shifted towards green-energy initiatives and has increased its quarterly distribution by 128% since its initiation [15]. - The company has been profitable since emerging from bankruptcy in 2021 and has seen its shares triple since relisting [16]. Dividend Growth Stock 4: RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) - RLJ Lodging Trust reduced its dividend significantly during the pandemic but has since increased it by 1,400% from its low point [19]. - Analysts project a 40% AFFO payout ratio for RLJ, indicating potential for further dividend growth [20]. Dividend Growth Stock 5: Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) - Coca-Cola Consolidated has shown consistent top-line growth and recently announced a $16-per-share special dividend, along with a quintupled regular payout to $2.50 per share [24]. - The company currently pays out only 15% of its earnings as dividends, suggesting room for future increases [24].

Group 1: Company Overview - PepsiCo's stock has been impacted by short-term challenges, creating a long-term buying opportunity for investors [1][3] - The company has a strong dividend history, having raised its annual payouts for 53 consecutive years [19] - PepsiCo's product portfolio includes snacks and beverages, differentiating it from Coca-Cola, which primarily focuses on beverages [4][5] Group 2: Financial Performance - PepsiCo's revenues have been falling short of estimates, with profit margins leveling off below pre-pandemic levels due to rising costs [9][10] - The company is expected to see low-single-digit percentage revenue growth in 2025, with earnings growth anticipated to follow [13] - Despite recent challenges, PepsiCo's dividend remains secure, with a forward-looking yield exceeding 4.3%, compared to Coca-Cola's yield of less than 3% [19][20] Group 3: Market Conditions - Inflation rates have stabilized, with the U.S. annualized inflation rate at 2.4%, which may support consumer spending on snacks and drinks [16] - Economic growth is projected, with the IMF expecting better GDP growth globally compared to the U.S. in 2025 [17] - Management is focusing on key factors influencing consumer purchases, such as package sizing and healthy snacking [18]

Group 1: Microsoft - Microsoft has successfully diversified its business beyond PC operating systems, becoming a leader in cloud computing, generating nearly $27 billion in revenue each quarter [5][9] - The company has consistently paid dividends since 2003, with the latest quarterly dividend declared at $0.83 per share, yielding approximately 0.7% [7][8] - Analysts expect Microsoft to achieve around 14% growth in both earnings per share and revenue for fiscal 2025 compared to the previous year [9][10] Group 2: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola remains a dominant player in the beverage industry, with its core product being high-margin and straightforward, primarily consisting of sugar and water [12][14] - For the year 2024, Coca-Cola's revenue increased by only 2% to $46.8 billion, while net income slightly decreased to $10.6 billion [13] - The company maintains a high net margin of 23% and has sufficient free cash flow to support its quarterly dividend, which is currently $0.51 per share, yielding 2.9% [15][16]

Core Insights - The Coca-Cola Company reports a clear divergence in performance between developed and emerging markets, with emerging markets showing robust growth while developed markets face challenges [2][9]. Emerging Markets Performance - Coca-Cola experienced strong volume growth in emerging markets, particularly in India, where there was expanded outlet reach and increased digital penetration [3]. - China returned to growth due to effective portfolio realignments and successful Lunar New Year campaigns [3]. - Africa demonstrated resilience with volume growth despite inflation, aided by affordable packaging and local marketing campaigns [3]. - In Latin America, Brazil and Argentina offset weaker results in Mexico, where affordability strategies have been implemented [3]. Developed Markets Challenges - North America saw revenue and profit growth, but flat volumes indicated soft consumer sentiment, particularly among Hispanic consumers [4]. - External factors such as severe weather and misinformation campaigns negatively impacted Trademark Coke in the southern United States, despite some resilience from brands like fairlife and Coke Zero [4]. - The company acknowledges the need for improved execution and agility to reignite volume growth domestically [4]. Competitive Landscape - PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are key competitors for Coca-Cola, with PepsiCo outperforming in emerging markets due to strong demand and localized strategies [6][7]. - PepsiCo's dual-category model and focus on affordability and local flavors position it well for growth in emerging regions [7]. - Keurig Dr Pepper is primarily focused on the U.S. market with limited exposure to emerging markets, but is gradually expanding through targeted partnerships and selective brand rollouts [8]. Financial Performance and Outlook - Coca-Cola shares have increased by 11.8% year to date, outperforming the industry growth of 7.2% [10]. - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.62X, higher than the industry's 18.59X [12]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year earnings growth of 3.1% for 2025 and 8.2% for 2026, with recent upward revisions for 2025 earnings estimates [14]. - Coca-Cola currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [16].

Group 1: Dividend Performance - Coca-Cola has a strong track record of dividend payments, having paid dividends since 1920 and increased its annual dividend for 63 consecutive years [3] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.51, yielding approximately 2.7%, which is more than double the current S&P 500 average [4] - The lower dividend yield is attributed to a significant stock price increase of over 17% at the start of 2025 [6] Group 2: Business Resilience - Coca-Cola is considered a recession-proof business due to its consumer staple products that maintain sales regardless of economic conditions [7][8] - The company has pricing power, allowing it to increase prices without losing customers, which helps maintain revenue stability during economic downturns [9][10] - In the first quarter of the year, Coca-Cola's organic revenue grew by 6% despite only a 2% increase in global unit case volume, showcasing its ability to adjust pricing effectively [10] Group 3: Strategic Portfolio Management - Coca-Cola has streamlined its brand portfolio by cutting it roughly in half in 2020, which has simplified supply chain management and distribution [13][14] - The company focuses on a selective approach to brand acquisitions, adapting to changing consumer preferences such as low-calorie and plant-based products [16] - This strategic focus allows Coca-Cola to achieve higher net income compared to competitors like PepsiCo, despite lower overall revenue [14]

Elon Musk everydayWhoever made Diet Coke is a genius https://t.co/EHcthPRboq ...

Core Viewpoint - Recent fluctuations in black metal prices are influenced by multiple factors including macroeconomic conditions, supply and demand dynamics, and industry chain interactions, with expectations of continued volatility in the short term [1] Macroeconomic Factors - Domestic growth stabilization is gaining traction, with a marginal recovery in the manufacturing PMI in June, leading to increased expectations for infrastructure investment and manufacturing equipment updates in the second half of the year [1] - In the U.S., May CPI data fell below expectations, raising interest rate cut expectations and causing a decline in the dollar index; however, significant policy divergence within the Federal Reserve and ongoing tariff concerns keep investors cautious [1] - Despite the Fed's liquidity release through potential rate cuts, corporate expansion intentions remain low, limiting actual demand growth [1] Supply Side Analysis - Raw material prices are stable, providing cost support; global iron ore supply is concentrated, with a tightening of high-grade ore at ports and high reliance on imports [1] - Coking coal prices are affected by domestic safety regulations, import country policies, and transportation issues, while coking enterprises are limiting production to maintain prices, reducing supply elasticity [1] Demand Side Analysis - Weakness in the real estate sector has significantly reduced demand for construction steel, although affordable housing projects provide some buffer [1] - Infrastructure project construction supports demand for rebar and other steel products, but is constrained by funding and seasonal factors [1] - Industrial manufacturing shows resilience in high-end steel demand, but global slowdown and trade tensions lead to order fluctuations, limiting substantial demand growth [1] Industry Chain Dynamics - The industry chain is tightly interconnected, with upstream raw material price fluctuations squeezing steel enterprise profits [1] - Midstream steel production is constrained by both cost and demand factors, leading to intensified homogeneous competition [1] - Downstream construction and manufacturing sectors are sensitive to steel prices, with cautious procurement leading to inventory accumulation risks; real estate debt risks are transmitted upstream, exacerbating industry chain instability [1] Conclusion - In summary, black metal prices are likely to remain volatile in the short term due to stable supply but high inventory levels, weak construction demand, limited industrial resilience, and the need for effective macroeconomic policies [1]