Core Insights - The Hershey Company has completed its acquisition of LesserEvil, enhancing its presence in the better-for-you snacking market and expanding its capabilities in the salty snacks category [1][10] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of LesserEvil allows Hershey to broaden its range of snacking experiences, focusing on clean ingredients and modern flavor innovation [2] - LesserEvil's commitment to USDA Organic and non-GMO standards aligns with consumer demand for transparency and variety in the clean-label segment [4] - The leadership team of LesserEvil will remain in place, ensuring continuity in innovation and operations while Hershey leverages its scale for distribution [6][10] Group 2: Strategic Implications - This acquisition supports Hershey's long-term strategy to diversify its portfolio and invest in high-growth brands that align with evolving consumer preferences [2][3] - Hershey's salty snack portfolio has shown significant growth, expanding 1.5 times faster in 2024 compared to the previous three years, indicating strong consumer interest [5] - The company is focusing on disciplined cost management and strategic pricing to navigate commodity inflation while aiming for balanced, sustainable growth [9] Group 3: Future Outlook - Hershey is confident in returning to on-algorithm top and bottom-line growth by 2026 as it builds the next generation of snacking leadership [9]

Core Viewpoint - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. is set to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings for 2026, with analysts projecting a decline in profit per share compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Analysts expect Lamb Weston to report a profit of $0.54 per share on a diluted basis, which represents a 26% decrease from $0.73 per share in the same quarter last year [2]. - For the full fiscal year, the expected EPS is $2.89, down 13.7% from $3.35 in fiscal 2025, but is projected to rise 17.3% year-over-year to $3.39 in fiscal 2027 [3]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Lamb Weston stock has underperformed, with shares down 18.6%, contrasting with the S&P 500 Index's gains of 15.4% and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's losses of 5.9% [4]. - Following the release of Q4 earnings, which exceeded expectations, Lamb Weston shares surged 16.3%, with net sales increasing by 4% year-over-year to $1.7 billion, surpassing consensus estimates by 5.7% [5]. Analyst Ratings - The consensus opinion on Lamb Weston stock is moderately bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating. Out of 11 analysts, four recommend a "Strong Buy" and seven suggest a "Hold" [6]. - The average analyst price target for Lamb Weston is $62.20, indicating a potential upside of 17.7% from current levels [6].