As a result, we are executing our first decisive step to sharpen our focus on categories and brands in key markets where we can leverage our organizational strength. On February 2, we announced that we reached a definitive agreement to sell our North American snacks business to Snackrupters, a family-owned manufacturer of food and baked goods in Canada, for $115 million in cash. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to reduce debt, thereby strengthening our company's financial position and leverage pro ...

Core Insights - ARKO Corp. announced preliminary estimated financial results for Q4 and full year 2025, indicating a potential net loss for Q4 and a modest net income for the full year [1][3][4] Financial Performance - Q4 2025 net income is expected to range from a net loss of $1.8 million to a net income of $0.4 million, while Adjusted EBITDA is projected between $63.1 million and $66.1 million [3][5] - For the full year 2025, net income is estimated to be between $19.1 million and $21.3 million, with Adjusted EBITDA expected to range from $246.0 million to $249.0 million [3][5] Comparison with Previous Year - The preliminary results for Q4 2025 and full year 2025 are compared to Q4 2024 and full year 2024, showing a potential decrease in net income from a loss of $2.3 million in Q4 2024 to a loss or slight gain in Q4 2025 [5] - Full year 2024 net income was $20.8 million, indicating a decrease in expected net income for 2025 [5] Upcoming Reporting - The company plans to report detailed financial results for Q4 and full year 2025 later in the quarter, along with an outlook for 2026 [4]

We recently published an article titled 10 High Growth Food Stocks To Buy.  JPMorgan raised its price target on Celsius Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ:CELH) to $77 from $68 on January 29 while maintaining an Overweight rating as part of its Q4 earnings preview. The firm sees a favorable setup heading into earnings, with potential upside to both estimates and valuation multiples. JPMorgan expects Celsius to benefit meaningfully in 2026 from its category captaincy role under the expanded PepsiCo partnership, while A ...

Starbucks (SBUX) is a global coffeehouse giant that started as a coffee bean seller and is now famed for its premium brews, cozy vibe, and iconic green siren logo. It offers espresso drinks, lattes, Frappuccinos, teas, pastries, and snacks, turning coffee into a daily ritual for millions. Founded in 1971, it is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with over 38,000 stores under its belt in over 80 countries. More News from Barchart Starbucks Stock Sparks Rally Starbucks' stock has shown strong momentu ...

Core Insights - Shark Tank India has evolved into a marketing accelerator, providing startups with significant national visibility that can enhance brand equity and reduce customer acquisition costs [2][5][12] Group 1: Impact on Startups - Startups like Smylo experienced a five- to six-fold increase in organic followers and a nearly 30% reduction in customer acquisition costs after appearing on the show [3][4] - Get-A-Way Ice Cream saw its revenue grow from ₹7.9 crore in FY23 to ₹14.8 crore in FY24, with a tenfold increase in website traffic following its episode [7][9] - Zoff Foods saved ₹10-15 crore in marketing spends due to increased visibility, allowing it to secure distribution deals with major grocery chains [13][14] Group 2: Investment and Valuation - Smylo received ₹75 lakh for 1% equity, valuing the company at ₹75 crore [4] - Get-A-Way secured a ₹1 crore investment for 15% equity, leading to a valuation of about ₹20 crore [11] - Snitch scaled its revenue from ₹11 crore in FY21 to over ₹500 crore by FY25, raising approximately ₹300 crore in Series B funding at a valuation of around ₹2,500 crore [15] Group 3: Marketing and Branding - The show has become a powerful marketing engine, with brands leveraging the "As seen on Shark Tank" tag to enhance their visibility [25] - Lahori Zeera, a beverage company, used sponsorship of the show as a branding platform, allocating about 20% of its annual marketing budget to this initiative [21][22] - The audience profile of Shark Tank India skews urban and male, attracting new-age, digital-first brands [23] Group 4: Distribution and Market Access - The visibility gained from Shark Tank significantly shortens onboarding cycles for brands in modern trade and quick-commerce platforms [12] - Brands like Zoff Foods were able to break into larger grocery chains due to the visibility gained from their Shark Tank appearance [13] Group 5: Long-term Sustainability - Experts note that while initial visibility boosts sales, long-term growth relies on optimizing product mix and building repeat demand [4][5] - Many Shark Tank brands face challenges in profitability and long-term scale despite early top-line growth [19][20]

Group 1: Barclays' Price Target Adjustment - Barclays has lowered its price target on Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) to $30 from $31 while maintaining an Overweight rating [1] - The adjustment is part of Barclays' 2026 outlook for the Americas agribusiness group, anticipating uneven results in agriculture markets next year [1] - The firm favors seed over crude protein and holds a neutral to positive view on fertilizer, with biofuel policy being a key factor among grain traders [1] Group 2: JUSTIN'S Brand Transaction - Hormel Foods Corporation and Forward Consumer Partners completed a transaction involving the JUSTIN'S brand, with Forward holding 51% and Hormel retaining 49% [2] - JUSTIN'S will operate as a standalone company, allowing for growth while keeping Hormel closely involved [3] - The brand includes popular products such as nut butters and USDA-certified organic chocolate confections [3] Group 3: Corporate Strategy and Growth - John Ghingo, president of Hormel Foods, expressed excitement about the growth opportunities for the JUSTIN'S brand, highlighting the partnership's focus and resources [4] - Hormel Foods operates as a global food company with a diverse portfolio, including pork, poultry, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the advantages of investing in dividend aristocrat stocks, which are companies that have consistently raised their dividends for at least 25 years, highlighting their strong performance compared to broader market benchmarks [2][4]. Dividend Aristocrats Performance - The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index has outperformed the S&P 500 on a risk-adjusted basis, capturing about 90% of market upside while absorbing only 83% of downside [2]. - In 2022, a challenging year for equities, Dividend Aristocrats outperformed the S&P 500 by over 12% [3]. - The index has shown better performance than the broader market in eight of the ten worst quarterly drawdowns since 2005 [3]. Income Advantage - Companies that consistently raise dividends tend to provide a higher yield on cost over time compared to those with high initial yields but inconsistent growth [4]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The article identifies 14 dividend aristocrat stocks with the strongest upside potential as of December 22, based on the number of hedge fund investors [6]. Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT) - Federal Realty Investment Trust has an upside potential of 9.2% and is held by 31 hedge funds [8]. - The price target for Federal Realty was raised to $109.50 from $104.50 following the sale of properties for $170 million [9]. - The company focuses on quality properties in high-density areas, owning 103 properties with approximately 3,600 tenants across 27.9 million commercial square feet [10]. - Federal Realty has a long history of shareholder returns, having raised its payout for 58 consecutive years [11]. Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) - Hormel Foods has an upside potential of 15.7% and is held by 32 hedge funds [13]. - Barclays lowered its price target on Hormel to $30 from $31, reflecting a cautious outlook for the agribusiness sector [14]. - Hormel completed a transaction involving the JUSTIN'S brand, allowing for growth while retaining a stake [15][16]. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) - Atmos Energy has an upside potential of 7.64% and is held by 32 hedge funds [17]. - UBS raised its price target on Atmos to $174 from $159, while Morgan Stanley downgraded it to Equal Weight and cut its price target to $172 from $182 [18]. - The company reported a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, extending its growth streak to 41 consecutive years [20].

Core Insights - The article discusses top value stocks to buy and hold for 2026, emphasizing their undervaluation and strong economic moats [1][2] Group 1: Campbell - Campbell has shifted its portfolio from core soup products to snacks, enhancing efficiencies in its supply chain and manufacturing [3] - The company possesses a wide economic moat due to its strong brand portfolio and established retailer relationships, with a long-term forecast of low single-digit annual sales growth despite inflationary pressures [3] - The stock is considered significantly undervalued [4] Group 2: Bristol Myers Squibb - Bristol Myers Squibb has a strong drug portfolio and a robust pipeline, contributing to its wide economic moat rating [4] - The company faces a patent cliff, with 47% of total revenue exposed to patent threats through 2028, but newer therapies are expected to mitigate revenue impacts [5] - The stock is deemed significantly undervalued, with a target price of $66 per share [6] Group 3: Constellation Brands - Constellation Brands has established a wide economic moat through its portfolio of Mexican beer brands and strong distributor relationships [6] - Recent soft demand has affected results, but new product launches, including citrus-flavored and non-alcoholic beers, are expected to appeal to health-conscious consumers [7] - The stock is valued at $220 per share [7]

Group 1 - Laird Superfoods is acquiring Navitas for $38.5 million, nearly double Laird's market capitalization, to strengthen its position in the superfoods and wellness market [3][7] - The acquisition is expected to enhance supply chain synergies and expand Laird's reach in e-commerce and retail, aligning with its mission of providing functional wellness products [4][5] - Laird's recent quarter saw a 10% increase in net sales year-over-year, despite a loss of $1 million in sales during the same period [5] Group 2 - The deal will close in the first quarter of 2026 and will expand Laird's product portfolio to include Navitas' organic offerings such as acai powder and hemp bites [7] - Funding for the acquisition will come from the sale of $50 million in Series A convertible preferred stock to Nexus Capital Management [7]

Core Insights - Five Below, Inc. is positioned to benefit significantly from the potential removal of tariffs, which have previously impacted its merchandise pricing [1] - The company has demonstrated impressive growth, with a reported 14% same-store sales growth in the latest quarter, indicating strong performance and effective management strategies [1] Company Overview - Five Below, Inc. offers a diverse range of low-priced products, including essentials, decor, tech accessories, toys, crafts, snacks, and seasonal items [1] - The company operates approximately 1,900 stores across nearly every state in the U.S., showcasing its extensive market presence [1] Leadership and Strategy - CEO Winnie Park has been credited with setting up Five Below for multi-year growth, focusing on returning to basics to drive transformation and performance [1]