Group 1 - JBS N.V. is considered one of the best large-cap stocks with more than 50% upside potential [1] - JPMorgan analyst Lucas Ferreira reduced the price target for JBS N.V. to $20 from $21 while maintaining an Overweight rating [1][2] - Barclays analyst Benjamin Theurer maintained a Buy rating on JBS N.V. with a price target of $22 [3] Group 2 - The US chicken margin is expected to be challenging for JBS N.V. in the near term following a 23.5% price drop from its recent peak [2] - The industry is experiencing higher-than-expected supply due to better mortality and placements, despite anticipated price drops after summer [2] - JBS N.V. is a food company that sells pork, beef, lamb meat, and poultry products to various retail and foodservice channels [3]

Group 1 - Major U.S. pork producers have agreed to pay nearly $200 million to settle allegations of a price-fixing scheme that inflated prices for consumers and grocery stores [3][4] - The lawsuit, initiated in 2018, claims that eight leading U.S. pork producers colluded to manipulate production levels and enhance profitability from 2009 to 2021, controlling over 80% of the pork market [3] - Tyson Foods' pork brands, which include Hillshire Farms and Wright Brand bacon, accounted for 11% of the company's $53 billion sales in fiscal year 2024 [4] Group 2 - Tyson Foods has agreed to pay $85 million, marking the largest settlement in a price-fixing case that has been ongoing for seven years, surpassing Smithfield Foods' previous $75 million settlement [7] - The lawsuit alleges that Tyson and other major producers used the Agri Stats platform to artificially raise pork prices by intentionally limiting supply [7] - Tyson has faced multiple allegations of price-fixing, including a $221 million settlement related to chicken prices in 2021 [5]

Group 1 - BRF S.A. is a major global producer of poultry, pork, processed foods, and pet food, focusing on alternative proteins and plant-based products [1] - On September 22, 2025, BRF S.A. merged with Marfrig Global Foods, creating MBRF Global Foods Company S.A., with shareholders receiving Marfrig shares at a ratio of 0.8521 ADS per BRF ADS [2] - The merger is expected to generate BRL 805 million ($141 million) in annual synergies and has been approved by Brazil's antitrust authority [2][4] Group 2 - BRF S.A. reported a 3% revenue growth in Q2 2025, reaching BRL 15.4 billion, with the pet food segment expanding by 8% and the plant-based division growing by 12.5% [3] - The company diversified its exports by adding 11 new markets, including Argentina and Saudi Arabia, which helped mitigate challenges faced in the EU and China [3] - Despite high leverage at 1.5, the merger has led to liquidity improvements, positioning MBRF Global Foods for stronger global growth and efficiency [4]

JBS N.V. (NYSE:JBS) is one of the best FMCG stocks to invest in. On September 17, the company reiterated that it is preparing for a shift in Brazil’s cattle cycle, which could result in reduced availability of animals for slaughter. JBS N.V. (JBS) Eyes Partnerships and Contracts to Offset Cattle Supply Shortfall in Brazil Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock.com The number one beef exporter is preparing for a significant drop in cattle supply in the country at a time when other nations, such as the U.S., are fe ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the Chinese economy, specifically analyzing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) trends for August 2023. Core Insights 1. **CPI Trends**: - China's headline CPI fell to -0.4% year-over-year (yoy) in August from 0.0% yoy in July, indicating a significant shift towards deflation primarily driven by food prices [1][4] - Month-on-month, the CPI decreased to -0.3% (annualized, seasonally adjusted) in August compared to +0.4% in July [4] 2. **Food Inflation**: - Food inflation dropped to -4.3% yoy in August from -1.6% yoy in July, with pork prices falling by 16.1% yoy, fresh vegetables by 15.2% yoy, and fresh fruits by 3.7% yoy [5][9] - The decline in food prices is attributed to high base prices from the previous year and increased supply in response to elevated prices in the second half of 2024 [5] 3. **Non-Food Inflation**: - Non-food CPI inflation increased to +0.5% yoy in August from +0.3% yoy in July, with both services and non-food goods inflation accelerating [10] - Energy price deflation eased, with fuel costs decreasing by 7.1% yoy in August compared to -9.0% yoy in July [10] 4. **PPI Trends**: - Year-over-year PPI inflation improved to -2.9% yoy in August from -3.6% yoy in July, indicating a lessening of deflation in upstream sectors [11] - Month-over-month, PPI inflation rose to +1.1% (annualized, seasonally adjusted) in August from -1.4% in July [11] 5. **Sector Contributions**: - The improvement in PPI was broad-based, with ferrous metals contributing significantly to the higher PPI inflation [11] - PPI inflation in producer goods rose to -3.2% yoy in August from -4.3% yoy in July, while consumer goods PPI inflation edged down to -1.7% yoy [11] Additional Important Points - The report emphasizes the impact of policy efforts aimed at boosting domestic demand, such as consumer trade-in programs, which have contributed to the rise in durable goods prices [10] - Core CPI inflation, excluding food and energy, edged up to +0.9% yoy in August from +0.8% in July, indicating a slight increase in underlying inflation pressures [10] This summary encapsulates the key findings and trends in the Chinese economy as reflected in the CPI and PPI data for August 2023, highlighting the significant deflationary pressures in food prices and the gradual easing of PPI deflation.

Core Insights - Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) is recognized as a leader in branded and commodity protein, particularly in pork, turkey, and nuts [1] - The company currently offers a dividend yield of nearly 4.0%, marking the highest level in over a decade, indicating it is undervalued [1] Company Overview - Hormel Foods specializes in protein products, focusing on pork, turkey, and nuts [1] - The company is noted for its sustainable dividend growth and potential for capital appreciation [1] Investment Perspective - The dividend safety is highlighted as a crucial factor for investors [1] - The company is positioned as an attractive option for dividend growth investing, appealing to long-term investors [1]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Food – Meat Products industry is facing challenges such as high input costs and operational expenses, along with export-related hurdles like trade uncertainties and port disruptions [1][5] - The industry includes companies that manufacture, process, market, and sell various meat products, including chicken, pork, beef, and plant-based meats, catering to retail and foodservice customers [3] Current Trends - Rising cost pressures from feed, raw materials, labor, and transportation are straining profit margins, with inflation affecting consumer shopping habits, leading to tighter budgets [4] - Export challenges are exacerbated by trade uncertainties, biosecurity concerns, and strong domestic demand, which limits supply for international markets [5] - The demand for high-protein diets is increasing, benefiting meat companies, while plant-based alternatives are gaining traction as consumers seek healthier options [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Food – Meat Products industry ranks 201, placing it in the bottom 18% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating dull near-term prospects [7][8] - The industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500, declining 10.6% over the past year compared to the sector's growth of 2.8% and the S&P 500's rise of 11.1% [10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.44X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 22.52X and the sector's 17.42X [12] Company Highlights - Tyson Foods, a leading player in the protein industry, benefits from a diversified multi-protein strategy and strong brand recognition, positioning it for long-term growth despite industry volatility [14] - Beyond Meat focuses on plant-based meat alternatives, capitalizing on the growing consumer demand for healthier food options, and is well-positioned for success in the alternative protein market [19]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Food – Meat Products industry is experiencing strong growth due to increasing consumer demand for high-protein foods and a focus on health and wellness [2][3] - Companies are diversifying product portfolios, boosting production capacity, and investing in innovative plant-based meat alternatives to remain competitive [2][3] Major Trends - There is a significant increase in demand for high-protein diets, driven by health consciousness among consumers, particularly fitness enthusiasts [6] - The popularity of plant-based meat alternatives is rising as consumers seek healthier options with minimal artificial ingredients [7] - Meat companies are implementing strategic expansions through mergers, acquisitions, and capacity enhancements to improve market presence [8][9] Cost Challenges - Rising input costs, including feed, raw materials, transportation, and labor, are straining operations and increasing production expenses [10][11] - Persistent inflation is affecting consumer behavior, leading to more frequent store visits but lower purchase volumes, which may impact sales and profitability [11] Industry Performance - The Zacks Food – Meat Products industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, declining by 7.8% compared to the sector's growth of 3% and the S&P 500's rise of 11.6% [15] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.50X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 21.83X and the sector's 17.80X [16] Company Highlights - **Tyson Foods**: A leading player in the protein industry with a diversified multi-protein strategy, strong brand recognition, and a focus on digital transformation [17][18] - **Hormel Foods**: Growth driven by a strong Foodservice segment and innovation in product offerings, with a focus on operational efficiency through its Transform and Modernize initiative [21][22] - **Pilgrim's Pride**: A major producer of chicken and pork products, focusing on sustainable growth through product diversification and strategic investments in capacity and technology [24][25]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Food – Meat Products industry is experiencing strong growth due to increasing consumer demand for high-protein foods and a focus on health and wellness [1] - The industry includes companies that manufacture, process, market, and distribute a wide range of meat products, including chicken, pork, beef, and plant-based meats [3] - Major trends include increased protein demand and the rise of plant-based alternatives, driven by health consciousness and dietary preferences [4] Company Performance - Leading companies like Tyson Foods, Hormel Foods, and Pilgrim's Pride are well-positioned for long-term growth despite challenges such as rising input costs and operational expenses [2] - Tyson Foods has a diversified multi-protein strategy and is leveraging digital transformation to optimize supply chain efficiency [16] - Hormel Foods is focusing on innovation and operational efficiency through its Transform and Modernize initiative [20] - Pilgrim's Pride is enhancing profitability through strategic investments and effective cost management strategies [24] Market Trends and Challenges - The industry is facing significant cost-related challenges, including rising prices for feed, raw materials, and labor, which are impacting profit margins [6] - Consumer behavior is shifting, with shoppers making more frequent store visits but purchasing less per trip due to tighter household budgets [6] - The industry's performance has underperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500 over the past year, declining 7.8% compared to the sector's growth of 3% and the S&P 500's rise of 11.6% [10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.50X, compared to the S&P 500's 21.83X and the sector's 17.80X [13] - Over the past five years, the industry's P/E ratio has ranged from a high of 21.76X to a low of 12.24X, with a median of 16.55X [13] Future Outlook - The Zacks Industry Rank for the Food – Meat Products industry is 93, placing it in the top 38% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating encouraging near-term prospects [7][8] - Analysts are gaining confidence in the earnings growth potential of the industry, as evidenced by positive earnings estimate revisions [9]