Kellanova (NYSE:K) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Kellanova

Kellogg

Following its split from the North American cereal business in October 2023, Kellanova (previously the global snacking arm of Kellogg) has operated as a leading global manufacturer and marketer of salty snacks, snack bars, frozen breakfast fare, meat alternatives, and other packaged foods. Its offerings are manufactured in around 20 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries. Its product mix includes well-known brands such as Pringles, Cheez-It, Rice Krispies Treats, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Nutri-Grain, and Morningstar Farms. Sales beyond its home turf account for about half of Kellanova's consolidated sales base. Mars is slated to acquire the newly independent business in a nearly $36 billion deal in the first half of calendar 2025.

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Kellanova&#39;s Q3 earnings beat expectations, but the company withdraws guidance due to a pending acquisition by Mars, Inc.

Cheez It Parent Kellanova&#39;s Q3 Earnings: Organic Sales Climb, Mars Buyout Vote Nears &amp; More

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Canada is considering export taxes on goods, including uranium, oil and potash, if President-elect Donald Trump imposes the broad<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42451262/canadian-oil-sector-hedges-trump-tariff-risk-us-midwest-refineries-could-be-affected"> tariffs he pledged. </a>
The Details: According to a Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-12/canada-weighs-export-taxes-on-uranium-oil-if-trump-starts-trade-war?srnd=homepage-americas">report</a>, retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made goods and export controls on certain Canadian products are most likely, with export levies also on the table as a last resort. The Bloomberg report cited officials familiar with discussions inside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.&nbsp;
The sources also said Trudeau's government may consider expanding its powers over export controls as part of a scheduled update on the country's fiscal and economic conditions.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: U.S. oil refineries, especially in the Midwest, rely heavily on Canadian crude oil imports. Export levies would increase the cost of imported Canadian oil and potentially squeeze refinery margins. Some of the largest oil refiners in the U.S. are Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>). 
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Canadian export taxes on uranium could be devastating to U.S. nuclear energy producers with Canada supplying about a quarter of the uranium U.S. producers use for their nuclear reactors.&nbsp;
Constellation Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>), the largest owner of non-rate-regulated nuclear plants in the U.S., and Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>), which operates 11 nuclear units in North and South Carolina, could face supply disruptions as domestic uranium production is virtually nonexistent. The companies could pass along the increased costs to consumers in areas served by nuclear power plants.
American farmers rely heavily on imports of Canadian potash as a source of fertilizer. If Canada imposes export levies on potash,&nbsp;several American farm-related stocks could be affected due to the reliance of U.S. agriculture on the fertilizer.
Companies tied to crops heavily dependent on potash, such as soybeans, corn, sugar beets and potatoes could see increased costs. These companies include Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADM#NYSE">ADM</a>) and Bunge Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BG#NYSE">BG</a>). Food producers, like General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) and Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) may face higher input costs for agricultural products reliant on potash fertilizers and could pass those costs along to consumers.
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Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) reported <a target="_blank" href="https://s203.q4cdn.com/897568180/files/doc_financials/2024/q3/K-Q3-2024-RESULTS.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">third-quarter</a> adjusted earnings per share of 91 cents (+18.2%) on Thursday,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/n41650516/kellanova-reports-2024-third-quarter-results" rel="noreferrer noopener"> beating the street view of 85 cents.</a>
Quarterly sales of $3.23 billion (down 0.7%) outpaced the analyst consensus estimate of $3.158 billion.
On an organic basis, excluding currency effects, the company&#8217;s net sales rose by 6%.
In the third quarter, Kellanova achieved above-target growth in organic net sales and adjusted operating profit and earnings per share.
The company&#8217;s strong performance was driven primarily by volume growth and favorable price/mix changes in emerging markets, along with improving volume in developed markets. Additionally, productivity gains and moderating cost inflation helped improve profit margins.
North America&#8217;s reported and organic net sales rose by 1%, while Europe saw a 7% year-on-year increase in reported net sales.
Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41656052/anheuser-busch-q3-beats-but-beer-volume-drops-globally" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Anheuser-Busch Q3 Beats, But Beer Volume Drops Globally</a>
In contrast, Latin America experienced a 6% year-on-year decline in reported net sales for the third quarter, and Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) reported a 10% decrease year-on-year.
On an adjusted basis, excluding mark-to-market and one-time charges, operating profit increased by 16%. When excluding currency translation, operating profit rose by 19%.
Year-to-date net cash from operating activities totaled $1.293 billion, a decrease from $1.400 billion in the same period last year, which included the spun-off WK Kellogg Co.
On August 14, 2024, Mars, Incorporated announced its agreement to acquire <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40364761/confectionery-giant-mars-to-acquire-cheez-it-parent-kellanova-in-35-9b-deal" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kellanova for $83.50 per share in cash.</a>
A shareholder vote on the proposed acquisition is scheduled for November 1, and the transaction is subject to approval and regulatory conditions. Due to the pending merger, Kellanova will not provide forward-looking guidance.
Price Action: K shares are trading lower by 0.02% to $80.84 at last check Thursday.
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Cheez It Parent Kellanova's Q3 Earnings: Organic Sales Climb, Mars Buyout Vote Nears & More

Guidance

Due To The Pending Merger With Mars, Kellanova Will Not Be Providing Guidance

Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.91 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.85 by 7.06 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $3.233 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $3.158 billion by 2.39 percent. This is a 17.92 percent decrease over sales of $3.939 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Kellanova Q3 2024 Adj. EPS $0.91 Beats $0.85 Estimate, Sales $3.233B Beat $3.158B Estimate

Kellanova's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) short percent of float has fallen 4.64% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.28 million shares sold short, which is 1.85% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.14 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Kellanova Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729883719_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Kellanova has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Kellanova's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Kellanova's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.95%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Peering Into Kellanova's Recent Short Interest

As of Oct. 22, 2024, three stocks in the consumer staples sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.
The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock&#8217;s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock&#8217;s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rsi">RSI is above 70</a>, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bellring Brands Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRBR#NYSE">BRBR</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Oct. 16, Truist Securities analyst Bill Chappell maintained BellRing Brands with a Hold and raised the price target from $50 to $60.. The company's stock gained around 8% over the past month and has a 5<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BRBR">2-week high of $67.12</a>.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 78.31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>BRBR Price Action: Shares of Bellring Brands gained 0.4% to close at $66.01 on Monday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Oct. 2, Argus Research analyst Taylor Conrad downgraded Kellanova from Buy to Hold. The company's stock gained around 40% over the past six months and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/K">has a 52-week high</a> of $81.26.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 79.11</li>
<li>K Price Action: Shares of Kellanova rose 0.2% to close at $81.17 on Monday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lamb Weston Holdings Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LW#NYSE">LW</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Oct. 21, B of A Securities analyst Peter Galbo maintained Lamb Weston with a Neutral and raised the price target from $68 to $80. The company's stock gained around 19% over the past month and has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LW">52-week high</a> of $111.88.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 70.39</li>
<li>LW Price Action: Shares of Lamb Weston fell 1.2% to close at $77.31 on Monday.</li>
</ul>
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Argus Research analyst Taylor Conrad downgrades Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) from Buy to Hold.

Downgrades

Analyst Ratings

Argus Research Downgrades Kellanova to Hold

General Mills (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gis#NYSE">GIS</a>) can provide a hedge if volatility continues to plague the S&amp;P 500. The company is amid a business transformation telegraphed in its price action, which is set up for a significant reversal after more than a year of lackluster performance.&nbsp;
The transformation includes selling its yogurt business, which will lighten the portfolio and shore up the fortress balance sheet. This will allow management to focus on core markets, international growth, and local gems that drive margin while providing steady capital returns.&nbsp;
The bonus is the stock beta. General Mills has trades with a 5-year beat of 0.1 and a 2-year beta of -.2, suggesting little to no correlation to the&nbsp; S&amp;P 500; if the broad market falls, General Mills trends will be unaffected and may even get an added boost from a flight to safety.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Post Earnings Dip Is A Buying Opportunity That Won&#39;t Last Long</h2>
General Mills share prices fell following the FQ1 release, opening a buying opportunity that will likely last only a short time. The results and guidance were good, with Q1 performance being better than expected, and guidance was reaffirmed. The problem is that Q1 strength didn&#39;t carry through to the guidance, suggesting the remainder of the year could be tepid relative to expectations. However, the $4.85 billion in revenue is down only 1% compared to last year, outperforming by 100 basis points, and aligns with the outlook for turnaround, resumed organic growth, and capital returns, which counts over the long term.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The margin news is just as mixed, with margins contracting but less than expected, leaving earnings down compared to last year but better than forecast. The salient detail is that although net earnings are down 14%, the $580 million is sufficient to sustain the fortress balance sheet and the capital return. The $1.07 in adjusted earnings gives a 55% quarterly dividend payout ratio, which is sustainable and expected to improve as the year progresses. It also leaves room for share repurchases, which have been aggressive.&nbsp;
The guidance is good enough. The company forecasts sequential improvement in revenue and earnings and YOY organic growth to return by the end of the year, not including the sale of the yogurt business. That is expected to close in 2025 and will impact reported results for the following twelve months by approximately 3% on a diluted basis.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Capital Return Is Top-Tier and Expected to Accelerate</h2>
General Mills&#39; financial condition is rock solid and allows for substantial capital return,&nbsp;including dividends and share buybacks. The dividend is attractive at 3.25% and only 16x earnings, a high-yield value compared to the broad market and leading consumer staples peers like Hormel (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hrl#NYSE">HRL</a>), Hershey (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hsy#NYSE">HSY</a>), and Kellanova (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/k#NYSE">K</a>), which trade at 20x, 21x, and nearly 22x their earnings outlooks, respectively.&nbsp;
Balance sheet highlights from Q1 include reduced cash, increased debt, and reduced equity, but repurchases and treasury stock offset those factors. The company repurchased $300 million of shares during the quarter, reducing the average count by 4.65% year over year and increasing the treasury holdings by nearly 20%. Repurchases have slowed compared to last year due to the contraction of revenue and earnings, and they may not accelerate soon. However, buybacks are likely to continue at a float-reducing pace through the year&#39;s end, and the company plans to use proceeds from the yogurt sale to boost activity once closed.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Share Price Supported by an Expectation for Lower Interest Rates</h2>
General Mills&#39; share price has steadily risen since mid-July, when the CPI report sparked a massive broad-market sell-off after signaling a high probability that the FOMC would lower interest rates this year. The signal is that risk-off investment dollars, once focused on higher-yielding bonds, have turned to quality dividend growth stocks like General Mills, which still present value and yield for investors today.&nbsp;
The technical action since July suggests a double-bottom reversal pattern is now in play, and price action has retreated to a critical support target. The critical target is the 30-day EMA, which aligns with highs earlier this year. If support is confirmed at this level, investors can expect GIS stock to continue higher and complete the reversal by year&#39;s end. If not, GIS stock could fall to the $70 level or lower before hitting solid support.&nbsp;
<img alt="General Mills GIS stock chart" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/articles/med_20240918104246_chart-gis-9182024.png" style="height:426px; width:917px" />
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/why-general-mills-is-the-perfect-hedge-for-s-and-p-500-volatility/">Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&amp;P 500 Volatility</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Large Cap

Dividends

Technicals

Buybacks

Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&P 500 Volatility

These ten large-cap stocks were the best performers in August. Are they in your portfolio?
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<li>Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>) shares escalated 66.58% in August. It reported&nbsp;strong&nbsp;fourth-quarter&nbsp;earnings and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40630056" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">upbeat&nbsp;first-quarter&nbsp;guidance</a>.</li>
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<li>Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>) stock upped 29.95%. The company reported strong&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40368174" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">results for the&nbsp;second quarter</a>.</li>
<li>Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) stock upped 29.91%. The company inked a deal to be bought by privately held <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40364761" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40364761" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> for&nbsp;$83.50&nbsp;per share</a>.</li>
<li>Nutanix, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTNX#NASDAQ">NTNX</a>) stock escalated 28.96%. It reported&nbsp;fourth-quarter results, and many analysts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40626089" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosted the stock's price target</a>.</li>
<li>Aspen Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZPN#NASDAQ">AZPN</a>) shares rose 28.64%. The company reported better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40226872" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected&nbsp;fourth-quarter results</a>.</li>
<li>MercadoLibre, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>) stock rocketed 28.37%.</li>
<li>Shopify Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) shares were up 27.33%. It posted a strong earnings report and several analysts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40268815" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revised the price target</a>.</li>
<li>Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) stock was up 25.91%. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) CEO and Chairman Brian Niccol was named Starbucks' new Chairman and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40338228" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chief Executive Officer, effective September 9</a>.</li>
</ol>
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40764325/intel-moderna-and-dollar-general-were-among-top-10-large-cap-losers-in-august-are-the-others-in-yo">Intel, Moderna And Dollar General Were Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers In August: Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

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Affirm, Shopify And Starbucks Were Among Top 10 Large Cap Best Performers For August: Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

Looking for broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market? You should consider the First Trust Value Line Dividend ETF (ARCA:FVD), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 08/19/2003.
The fund is sponsored by First Trust Advisors. It has amassed assets over $9.72 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs attempting to match the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.
<h2>Why Large Cap Value</h2>
Large cap companies typically have a market capitalization above $10 billion. They tend to be stable companies with predictable cash flows and are usually less volatile than mid and small cap companies.
Carrying lower than average price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, value stocks also have lower than average sales and earnings growth rates. When you look at long-term performance, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in nearly all markets. But in strong bull markets, growth stocks are more likely to be winners.
<h2>Costs</h2>
Expense ratios are an important factor in the return of an ETF and in the long term, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive counterparts, other things remaining the same.
Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.60%, making it one of the most expensive products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.12%.
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure that minimizes single stock risk, investors should also look at the actual holdings inside the fund. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
This ETF has heaviest allocation to the Industrials sector--about 19.50% of the portfolio. Utilities and Consumer Staples round out the top three.
Looking at individual holdings, Kellanova (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/k#NYSE">K</a>) accounts for about 0.62% of total assets, followed by Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/erie#NASDAQ">ERIE</a>) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lmt#NYSE">LMT</a>).
The top 10 holdings account for about 5.55% of total assets under management.
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
FVD seeks to match the performance of the Value Line Dividend Index before fees and expenses. The Value Line Dividend Index is a modified equal dollar weighted index comprised of U.S. exchange listed securities of companies that pay above-average dividends and have potential for capital appreciation.
The ETF has added about 11.07% so far this year and is up about 16.28% in the last one year (as of 09/04/2024). In the past 52-week period, it has traded between $36.09 and $44.80.
The ETF has a beta of 0.79 and standard deviation of 13.51% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 208 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
First Trust Value Line Dividend ETF carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Thus, FVD is a reasonable option for those seeking exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Value area of the market. Investors might also want to consider some other ETF options in the space.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (ARCA:SCHD) and the Vanguard Value ETF (ARCA:VTV) track a similar index. While Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has $59.94 billion in assets, Vanguard Value ETF has $123.92 billion. SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% and VTV charges 0.04%.
<h2>Bottom-Line</h2>
An increasingly popular option among retail and institutional investors, passively managed ETFs offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; they are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2331114/should-first-trust-value-line-dividend-etf-fvd-be-on-your-investing-radar?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-style_box_etf-2331114">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

ERIE

First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund ETF

SCHD

Should First Trust Value Line Dividend ETF Be on Your Investing Radar?

As of Sept. 4, 2024, two stocks in the consumer staples sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.
The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock&#8217;s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock&#8217;s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rsi">RSI is above 70</a>, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Altria Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Aug. 22, Altria increased its quarterly dividend by 4.1% to $1.02 per share. The company's stock gained around 10% over the past month and has a &lt;a href=&#8221;https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MO&#8221;&gt;&lt;em&gt;52-week high of $54.48 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 79.57&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>MO Price Action: Shares of Altria closed at $54.07 on Tuesday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Aug. 14, Mars, Inc. agreed to acquire Kellanova for $83.50 per share, valuing it at $35.9 billion, including assumed net leverage. Steve Cahillane, Chairman, President and CEO of Kellanova,added, "This is a truly historic combination with a compelling cultural and strategic fit. Kellanova has been on a transformation journey to become the world's best snacking company, and this opportunity to join Mars enables us to accelerate the realization of our full potential and our vision." The company's stock gained around 10% over the past month and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/K">has a 52-week high</a> of $80.97.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 81.98</li>
<li>K Price Action: Shares of Kellanova closed at $80.16 on Tuesday.</li>
</ul>
Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/09/40700380/dollar-tree-dicks-sporting-goods-and-3-stocks-to-watch-heading-into-wednesday">Dollar Tree, Dick&#8217;s Sporting Goods And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Wednesday</a></li>
</ul>

Top 2 Risk Off Stocks That May Crash In September

August saw the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40648231/wall-street-poised-for-strong-start-as-inflation-data-looms-strategist-says-brace-for-volatile-fall">equity market make good the losses</a> it experienced post its mid-July peak, with earnings and benign data helping the fightback. With August in the rearview mirror, here&#8217;s a look at the leaders and laggards among the S&amp;P 500 Index, a broader gauge of market performance.
3-Part Trend: The month&#8217;s trading could be characterized as a tale of three trends. Stocks extended the weakness into August, with the S&amp;P 500 bottoming on Aug. 5, coinciding with the collapse of the global equity markets. The unwinding of the yen carry trades due to the yen&#8217;s strength perked up risk aversion, sending Japanese stocks into a tailspin, and the reverberations became evident elsewhere.
The S&amp;P 500 Index fell 4.3% intraday on Aug. 5, which happened to be a Monday. The collapse was promptly dubbed Black Monday 2.0 to differentiate it from the Black Monday crash of Oct. 1987. The CBOE Volatility Index, commonly called VIX, more than doubled to 65.73 intraday before pulling back. 
On a positive note, the S&amp;P 500 closed off the lows of the day and was down a more modest 3% by the close.
The market saw a steady recovery from the low through Aug. 22, thanks to a slew of catalysts that reinforced expectations that the Federal Open Market Committee would begin cutting rates at its September meeting.
The strong and rapid recovery pushed traders on the defensive, and the market has been moving sideways since then. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="819" height="630" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31133559/image-325.png" alt="" class="wp-image-524474" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31133559/image-325.png 819w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31133559/image-325-300x231.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31133559/image-325-768x591.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>
Source: Yahoo Finance
For August, the S&amp;P 500 Index gained 2.28%, ending the month at 5,648.40, off its record closing high of 5,667.20 hit on July 16.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-growth-stocks">Best Growth Stocks Right Now</a>
The Leaders: None of the Magnificent seven stocks, which have been spearheading the broader market uptrend since the start of the 2023, made it to the list of the top 10 gainers. The list featured two cybersecurity companies, namely CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) and Fortinet, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTNT#NASDAQ">FTNT</a>). CrowdStrike was rebounding from its global-outage-induced slump seen since July 19. 
Fortinet was helped by a strong post-earnings rally.
Two household and personal care products companies also made the cut, while a management change did the truck for coffee chain Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>).
The top 10 gainers for the month are:
<ul>
<li>Packaged food company Kellanova&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) (+38.62%) (upside primarily due to the rumors of a buyout by privately-held Mars and the subsequent confirmation of the deal)</li>
<li>Fortinet (+32.17%)</li>
<li>Starbucks (+26.52%)</li>
<li>Axon Enterprise, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>) (+21.65%); Much of the gains stemmed from a post-earnings bump seen on Aug.7)</li>
<li>Clorox Company&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLX#NYSE">CLX</a>) (+21.02%)</li>
<li>CrowdStrike (+19.54%)</li>
<li>Kenvue Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KVUE#NYSE">KVUE</a>) (+19.88%)</li>
<li>Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBY#NYSE">BBY</a>) (+16.04%)</li>
<li>Arch Capital Group Ltd.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACGL#NYSE">ACGL</a>) (+18.07%)</li>
<li>Progressive Corporation&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGR#NYSE">PGR</a>) (+17.78%)</li>
</ul>
The Laggards: Artificial intelligence server manufacturer Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), which had a dream run after its inclusion in the S&amp;P 500 Index, plummeted following a short report and the delay flagged by the company in filing its 10-K report. Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), which is fraught with fundamental risk, was also one of the worst performers for the month.
A few retailers ended up in the list of the top 10 S&amp;P 500 decliners for August.
The top 10 losers for the month are:
<ul>
<li>Super Micro (-37.62%)</li>
<li>Moderna, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) (-35.08%)</li>
<li>Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) (-31.08%)</li>
<li>Intel (-27.86%)</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) (-20.19%)</li>
<li>Dollar Tree, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) (-19.02%)</li>
<li>Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRL#NYSE">CRL</a>) (-18.99%)</li>
<li>Airbnb, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABNB#NASDAQ">ABNB</a>) (-15.94)</li>
<li>Bath &amp; Body Works, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>) (-15.80%)</li>
<li>Etsy, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETSY#NASDAQ">ETSY</a>) (-15.43%)</li>
</ul>
Earnings reactions triggered the weakness seen in some of these stocks, including Intel, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40139012/moderna-stock-trading-lower-on-dismal-guidance-analysts-cuts-price-targets-noting-c">Moderna, which reduced its full-year forecast.</a>
With the Fed all but decided on a September rate cut, some of these beaten-down stocks, especially those in the retail space, could stage a turnaround. 
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index, ended Friday&#8217;s session up 0.95% at $563.68, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40594093/economist-peter-schiff-warns-fed-may-be-committing-mistake-by-lowering-rates-in-sep">Economist Peter Schiff Warns Fed May Be Committing Mistake By Lowering Rates In September As Dollar Index Falls To Lowest In Over A Year</a></li>
</ul>

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UBER

Magnificent 7 Miss Out, 2 Cybersecurity Stocks Stand Firm, Retailers Lag In Volatile August: Here Are The Top S&P 500 Gainers And Losers

The food industry is ripe for consolidation now that the Federal Reserve is expected to cut <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">interest rates in September</a>.
According to Kevin Dreyer, co-CIO of Value at Gabelli Funds, lower rates generally stimulate M&amp;A activity. 
"One thing to note is that, as rates come down, that tends to lead to an upswing in M&amp;A activity," Dreyer told CNBC on Friday, Aug. 23. &#8220;Food stocks have had a tough year — the consumer stretch, inflation has been biting them — they&#8217;ve been struggling with volume growth, but snacking has been a good area within food.&#8221;
 See below.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Small caps have a long room to run, says Gabelli Funds&#039; Kevin Dreyer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k9u3gs7uztA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
Mars Inc.'s recent acquisition of Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) for $35.9 billion bodes well for the sector, Dreyer noted. The move reflects a strategic realignment, exemplifying how companies are looking to strengthen their positions in more profitable niches.
In October 2023, Kellanova, which has the global snacking segment, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/10/35066611/cereal-brand-gets-soggy-after-kellanova-spin-off-analyst-blames-headwinds-on-debt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">completed its separation</a> from WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLG#NYSE">KLG</a>).
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40364761/confectionery-giant-mars-to-acquire-cheez-it-parent-kellanova-in-35-9b-deal">Confectionery Giant Mars To Acquire Cheez It Parent Kellanova In $35.9B Deal</a>
Campbell Soup Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPB#NASDAQ">CPB</a>) has also been active, recently acquiring Sovos Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOVO#NASDAQ">SOVO</a>), the maker of Rao's pasta sauce. 
Dreyer sees Campbell Soup as a company to watch, suggesting they could "end up following the &#8216;Kellogg-Kellanova playbook&#8217;." 
Campbell Soup&#8217;s investor day is coming up in September. Expected the company to outline plans, which could further shape the landscape of the food sector.
As for which companies are attractive takeover targets, Dreyer cited his favorite mid-cap food stock: BellRing Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRBR#NYSE">BRBR</a>), maker of Premier Protein shakes.
"Premier Proteins is growing mid-teens right now in an industry that is struggling to grow at all. We think they will continue to do great on their own, but somebody else may want to buy them," Dreyer said, highlighting the potential for BellRing Brands to be an attractive M&amp;A target.
As M&amp;A activity gains momentum, investors are advised to keep a close eye on potential deals that could reshape the industry landscape, providing new opportunities for growth and investment.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/08/40376430/mars-to-buy-kellanova-for-36b-snickers-maker-moves-up-a-rank-on-largest-private-company-list">Mars To Buy Kellanova For $36B: Deal Would Rank Snickers Maker Among 3 Largest Private Companies</a></li>
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Food Sector M&A Is Heating Up, Gabelli Fund Manager Says: Watch For BellRing Brands, Campbell Soup

In a standout M&amp;A move, Mars, Inc. has agreed to acquire Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) for $83.50 per share, marking a 44% premium over its 30-day average price. The $35.9 billion transaction is anticipated to be finalized in the first half of 2025, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/08/40376430/mars-to-buy-kellanova-for-36b-snickers-maker-moves-up-a-rank-on-largest-private-company-list" rel="noreferrer noopener">subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.</a>
Here&#8217;s what analysts are saying about the deal:
<ul>
<li>RBC Capital Markets analyst Nik Modi downgraded Kellanova from Outperform to Sector Perform, raising the price forecast to $83.50 from $76.</li>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Michael S. Lavery reiterated the Neutral rating on the stock, raising the price forecast to $83 from $63.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40391777/walmart-q2-earnings-e-commerce-and-advertising-businesses-fuel-revenue-and-profit-beat-hikes-annual" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart Q2 Earnings: E-commerce and Advertising Businesses Fuel Revenue And Profit Beat, Hikes Annual Guidance</a>
RBC Capital: According to Modi, the price forecast has been raised to match the deal price.
The analyst anticipates no competing bids or closure issues for the deal, citing minimal category overlap.
Modi notes that the deal aligns with Mars&#8217; snacking strategy and faces minimal FTC risk due to the distinct portfolios. The analyst projects FY24 EPS of $3.62 and FY25 EPS of $3.92.
Piper Sandler: Lavery anticipates antitrust clearance due to minimal category overlap, with the exception of wholesome snack bars, where regulatory concerns are unlikely.
Mars holds an approximately 11% share in wholesome snack bars, compared to Kellanova&#8217;s ~5% share over the past 52 weeks, Lavery highlights.
The analyst maintained 2024 EPS of $3.70 and 2025E EPS of $3.79.
Mars&#8217; wholesome snack bars are priced about 135% higher than Kellanova&#8217;s.
The fragmented snacking category and lack of entry barriers suggest minimal risk of increased brand pricing post-acquisition, the analyst adds.
Price Action: K shares are trading higher by 0.07% to $80.34 at last check Thursday.
Image by Hans from Pixabay
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40391260/s-p-500-eyes-6th-straight-win-but-investor-sentiment-remains-cautious-ahead-of-data-deluge-walmart-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S&amp;P 500 Eyes 6th Straight Win, But Investor Sentiment Remains Cautious Ahead Of Data Deluge, Walmart Earnings And Other Key Events</a></li>
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