Option chain shows key data for Nestle's stock options at various strike prices and expiration dates. Traders use this information to analyze potential trades and assess market sentiment for Nestle.

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With a 150-year-plus history, Nestle is the largest food and beverage manufacturer in the world by sales, generating more than CHF 90 billion in annual revenue. Its diverse product portfolio includes brands such as Nestle, Nescafe, Perrier, Pure Life, and Purina. Nestle also owns around 20% of French cosmetics firm L'Oreal. The company employs 275,000 people around the world and has a vast portfolio of global products, with more than 30 brands each achieving more than CHF 1 billion in sales annually and a geographic presence that spans almost 190 countries.

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The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) issued its fiscal 2025 first-quarter earnings report on Friday, missing sales and net income estimates but topping adjusted profit estimates. 

Procter &amp; Gamble Faces A Weakened Demand In Both The U.S. And China

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10 Incredible Post-Prime Day Deals That Prove The Savings Season Isn't Over

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Here&#39;s a look at the data on the trending categories and brands behind Amazon&#39;s record-breaking Prime Day 2024 event.

Amazon Prime Day Data Insights Before October Event: Apple Purchases Up 22%, Celsius Tops Grocery Category

Nestle SA

The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pg#NYSE">PG</a>) issued its fiscal 2025 first-quarter earnings report on Friday, missing sales and net income estimates but topping adjusted profit estimates.&nbsp;
<h3>Fiscal First Quarter Highlights</h3>
For the quarter ended on September 30th, P&amp;G reported&nbsp;net sales&nbsp;dropped&nbsp;1% to $21.74 billion
Putting away&nbsp;&nbsp;foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestitures,&nbsp;organic revenue grew 2% helped by higher prices. However, volume was flat, which is a better reflection of sales. While in the U.S., P&amp;G&rsquo;s volume grew in eight of its 10 categories, Greater China&nbsp;told an entirely diferent story with both its hair care and oral care segments reporting volume declines.&nbsp;
Overall, health care and baby, feminine and family care divisions all reported 1% volume declines, the beauty business experienced a volume decline of 2%, while organic sales of the skin care segment tumbled more than 20%. Supported by innovation, grooming division was a rare bright spot with volume growth of 4%.&nbsp;Fabric and home care reported a mild volume rise of 1%.&nbsp;
Getting down to the bottom line, net income attributable to the company amounted to $3.96 billion, or $1.61 per share, with adjusted earnings per share amounting to $1.93 per share.
After several price hikes over the last few years, P&amp;G has seen demand for its products drop. The last quarter was the first time in more than two years that P&amp;G experienced an increase in volume, but it was apparently short-lived.&nbsp;With the falling&nbsp;global birth rate continues to drop, P&amp;G has been trying to push consumers to buy more expensive baby care items&nbsp;but organic sales of the baby care segment fell by mid-single digits as that strategy cannot always make up for the volume decline.&nbsp;
P&amp;G remains on track to deliver its guidance.
P&amp;G reiterated its fiscal 2025&nbsp;guidance, expecting revenue growth between&nbsp;2% and 4% and net earnings per share ranging from $6.91 to $7.05. But, P&amp;G CFO&nbsp;CFO Andre Schulten noted that the Chinese market will continue to be weak for quarters to come.&nbsp;The macroeconomic environment in the U.S. that accounts for almost half of total sales remains challenging with uncertainty pushing consumers to discount-offering rivals and cheaper brands. Its rival in packaged foods manufucating, Nestle S.A. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgy#OTC">NSRGY</a>) lowered its annual sales outlook. Nestle expects the weak demand environment to continue. After reporting dissapointing sales, Nestle announced changes corporate structure changes, aiming to streamline its operating structure. With the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the packaged foods industry is not alone in struggling with soaring costs as prices of everything from raw materials to packaging continues to go through the roof. Even a Swiss giant like Nestle is dealing with a very painful and unprecedented reset as just like P&amp;G, it faces not only a demand slowdown&nbsp;but a significantly weakened consumer in the eyes of unprecedented uncertainty that has been lingering for quite some time, without any signs of going away.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investing advice.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Procter & Gamble Faces A Weakened Demand In Both The U.S. And China

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) reported setting new sales records during its July 2024 Prime Day event, though the company did not share many details on sales figures or growth. 
Here's a look at the data on the trending categories and brands behind Amazon's record-breaking <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39873953/amazon-prime-day-sees-record-sales-despite-economic-woes">Prime Day 2024 event.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: Amazon's web traffic jumped by 65% on day one of Prime Day, according to <a href="https://www.similarweb.com/">data from</a> SimilarWeb, indicating a high level of consumer interest in the sales event.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Overall, Amazon remained the number one brand by purchases, but Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) climbed past Samsung to claim the number two position with 22% purchase growth. Apple's growth was fueled by consumer searches for "Apple watch" and "airpods," which reached the top seventh- and eighth-ranked search terms, respectively.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41052423/super-micro-computer-stock-falls-on-report-of-doj-probe-what-to-know">Super Micro Computer Stock Falls On Report Of DOJ Probe: What To Know</a>
The Beauty &amp; Personal Care category saw the largest purchase increase on Prime Day 2024, with sales growth of 14.8% year-over-year. COSRX was the top beauty brand by purchases, as K-Beauty trends continued to gain momentum. Koninklijke Philips NV's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHG#NYSE">PHG</a>) Philips Norelco entered the top 10 beauty and personal care brands in the number nine position. 
Electronics sales fell by 5.6% compared to 2023's Prime Day event. Samsung and Sony Group Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) retained their rankings of number one and two by purchases in the category as consumers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/09/41055245/ps5-30th-anniversary-chaos-scalpers-sweep-up-stock-leaving-fans-empty-handed">showed interest </a>in gaming. "Gaming laptop," "gaming pc" and "gaming monitor" search terms all ranked in the top 10 electronic keywords from Prime Day 2024. 
In the Grocery &amp; Gourmet Food brands category, coffee brands and energy drinks featured heavily in the top 10 Grocery brands. CELSIUS energy drinks by Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) climbed one spot to the number one position for purchases on Prime Day 2024.&nbsp;
New items that joined the top 10 keywords for the Home and Kitchen category for 2024 were rice cookers, coffee table and espresso machine. Stanley Black &amp; Decker Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWK#NYSE">SWK</a>) sells its rice cooker on Amazon, while Nestle SA &#8211; ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>)-owned Nespresso offers espresso machines.
What Else: Amazon's next major <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/09/b40890942/prime-big-deal-days-is-back-october-8-9-offering-prime-members-exclusive-access-to-millions-of-ear">sales event</a> will be Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 8 and 9 to kick off the holiday shopping season. 
Analysts are expecting growth for online retailers this holiday season as budget-conscious consumers look for a combination of value and convenience.&nbsp;
AMZN Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Amazon.com shares are down 1.46% at $188.38 at the time of publication Friday.
Read Also:
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Photo: Shutterstock

Tighter bean supplies are leading to higher <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39277964/starbucks-is-the-latest-chain-to-add-value-menu-what-you-need-to-know">costs for coffee</a>, that popular beverage imbibed worldwide for its awakening effect.
The most-active contract for the arabica variety fell nearly 2% to $2.450 a pound in New York after rising Tuesday to the highest since early 2022, Bloomberg<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-10/arabica-coffee-holds-near-two-year-high-risking-pricier-lattes?sref=TBDibEcD"> reported</a>. Still, prices remain about 30% higher in 2024 as shortages of the cheaper robusta variety bolster demand for higher-end arabica, favored by Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) and Nestle SA&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>) Nespresso brands.
Robusta coffee production in major growers Vietnam and Indonesia dropped this year, leaving roasters scrambling for beans,&nbsp;Giuseppe Lavazza, chairman of coffee roaster Luigi Lavazza S.p.A. told Bloomberg this week.&nbsp;Robusta futures&nbsp;this week reached the highest in data to 2008, before easing. That means arabica has to stay "quite high," too, Lavazza said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/05/38952773/rudy-giuliani-announces-new-coffee-brand-as-legal-troubles-mount-from-bankruptcy-to-barista">Rudy Giuliani Announces New Coffee Brand As Legal Troubles Mount: From Bankruptcy To Barista</a>
Vietnam shipped 1.26 million bags of coffee beans in May, down 46.8% from 2.37 million bags a year earlier, according to the June report<a href="http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.icocoffee.org/documents/cy2023-24/cmr-0624-e.pdf?mc_cid=9ca73b24b8&amp;mc_eid=e3372ec82c"> </a>from the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
&#8220;The dramatic decrease is reported as a consequence of the country's low levels of stocks, which were used in recent months to support a relatively robust volume of exports, but are now near depleted,&#8221; the ICO said in its report. 
&#8220;The domestic industry is waiting for new supply from the 2024/25 harvest, still three months away.&#8221;
The downturn was &#8220;more than sufficient to overwhelm&#8221; the 248.2% increase in Brazil's exports of 1.01 million bags in May 2024 versus 300,000 bags shipped in May 2023, the ICO said.
Brazil's green robustas exports total a record 5.46 million bags year-to-date, blowing away the previous record of 3.43 million bags set between October 2014 and May 2015.
Price Action: Publicly traded coffee giants made slight gains by mid-day on Wednesday. Starbucks rose 0.03% to $72.78, while Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KDP#NASDAQ">KDP</a>) gained 0.14% to $32.
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/05/38660535/expert-slams-starbucks-ceos-response-to-falling-stock-performance-you-got-to-be-on-">Expert Slams Starbucks CEO&#8217;s Response To Falling Stock Performance: &#8216;You Got To Be On Drugs To Say Something Like That On National Television&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Chris from Pixabay

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Global

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Coffee Supply Concerns Drive Up Costs For A Cup Of Joe

They&#8217;re far from friends, but Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) may be following Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi&#8216;s (D-Calif.) lead when it comes to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/03/37460893/pelosi-loves-palo-alto-networks-stock-so-do-these-other-top-performing-traders-in-congress">stock trading</a>.
What Happened: Greene recently reported several transactions ranging in size from $1,000 to $15,000, as viewed on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades">Benzinga's Government Trades page</a>. The companies included:
<ul>
<li>CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>)</li>
<li>NextEra Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>)</li>
<li>Nestle (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>)</li>
<li>Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>)</li>
<li>Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>)</li>
<li>ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>)</li>
</ul>
Most of the stocks are well-known companies, but the CrowdStrike trade may draw scrutiny.
"Pelosi and Marjorie Taylor Greene may not agree on much, but they have both bought CrowdStrike $CRWD stock. Here's to bipartisan cooperation on something," CongressTrading <a href="https://x.com/congresstrading/status/1807801185161646566">tweeted</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Pelosi and Marjorie Taylor Greene may not agree on much, but they have both bought CrowdStrike <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24CRWD&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$CRWD</a> stock. Here&#39;s to bipartisan cooperation on something. &#x1f91d;&#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; <a href="https://t.co/SYeVZqzXby">https://t.co/SYeVZqzXby</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q9f7BXgq5V">pic.twitter.com/Q9f7BXgq5V</a>
&mdash; congresstrading.com (@congresstrading) <a href="https://twitter.com/congresstrading/status/1807801185161646566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The congress trading tracking account shared an old tweet of Pelosi reporting buying $500,000 to $1 million worth of CrowdStrike shares on Sept. 3, 2020.
The original filing from Pelosi showed 5,000 shares were purchased. CrowdStrike shares hit a high of $129.95 on Sept. 3, 2020, meaning the stock is up around 200% over the last three-plus years.
Pelosi has not exited the position, according to filings.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/01/36459015/10-best-stock-traders-in-congress-in-2023-spoiler-nancy-pelosi-is-back-on-the-list">10 Best Stock Traders In Congress In 2023 (Spoiler: Nancy Pelosi Has Reentered The Chat)</a>
Why It's Important: Calls to ban Congressional members and their spouses from trading stocks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/congress-trading">continue to grow louder.</a>
Pelosi has defended her husband, Paul, and his right to trade, so long as the activity is disclosed.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&quot;We&#39;re a free-market economy. They should be able to participate in that.&quot; &#8212; Pelosi&#39;s rationale for why spouses of members of Congress should be able to trade individuals stocks is not very convincing <a href="https://t.co/NuOw0VznVm">pic.twitter.com/NuOw0VznVm</a>
&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1471152961577439234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
While Greene and Pelosi both being long the same stock will draw headlines, there's also the red flag based on Greene&#8217;s committee assignments. Turns out, the Donald Trump ally is a member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, which operates under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
As a member of the subcommittee, Greene could have direct knowledge of government contracts, upcoming funding for the cybersecurity sector and any details on breaches that are worrisome to the country's government.
Greene&#8217;s recent purchases also come after a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38611874/marjorie-taylor-greene-reveals-new-stock-trades-after-2-year-gap-berkshire-hathway-goldman-sachs"> long period of inactivity</a>.
The increased interest in Congress trading has led to several ETFs being created. The Series Portfolios Trust Unusual Whales Subversive Republican Trading ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRUZ#BATS">KRUZ</a>) and Series Portfolios Trust Unusual Whales Subversive Democratic Trading ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NANC#BATS">NANC</a>) track the activity of Republican and Democratic members of Congress respectively.
A new ETF is also<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/24/06/39299113/nancy-pelosi-among-best-of-the-best-in-stock-trading-new-congress-trading-etf-coming-from-cre"> on the way from Tuttle Capital </a>that will combine trades from both parties and base holdings on the trading accuracy and performance of members of Congress and their committee assignments.
CRWD Price Action: CrowdStrike shares trade at $389.69 versus a 52-week trading range of $139.37 to $394.64. CrowdStrike stock is up 170% over the last year.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/05/39096827/exclusive-khanna-says-shameful-congress-members-profited-from-stocks-calls-for-trading-ban-makin">EXCLUSIVE: Khanna Says &#8216;Shameful&#8217; Congress Members Profited From Stocks, Calls For Trading Ban: &#8216;Making Money When The Rest Of The Country Was Suffering During The Pandemic&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Tech

Trading Ideas

ASML

COST

CRWD

KRUZ

LULU

NANC

Marjorie Taylor Greene Buys Cybersecurity Stock Owned By Nancy Pelosi: Why Trade Could Draw Red Flags

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the co-founders of Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s, are not worried about the impact of weight-loss drugs on their ice cream business, despite the impending spin-off of their parent company Unilever plc&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UL#NYSE">UL</a>) ice cream division.
What Happened: The duo, both 73, believe that people&#8217;s relationship with ice cream is more about enjoyment and celebration than nutrition, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/ben-jerry-ice-cream-unilever-social-mission-58d18fc1?mod=hp_lead_pos6">reported</a> The Wall Street Journal. 
This comes at a time when pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) are introducing weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, raising concerns about a potential decline in ice cream consumption.
Greenfield says people&#8217;s relationship with ice cream is centered on enjoyment and celebration rather than nutrition. Nonetheless, he advises that ice cream should be consumed in moderation. &#8220;You're not supposed to eat a whole tub at once&#8230; I think you can eat a whole tub at once&#8230;. You're just not supposed to do it every day,&#8221; he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39454632/eli-lillys-zepbound-for-weight-loss-shows-disease-resolution-in-obese-sleep-apnea-patients-lays-f?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Going On With Eli Lilly Stock On Monday?</a>
Despite this, the co-founders are confident in the future of their brand. They recently shared internal sales data with the Wall Street Journal, indicating that the brand has seen stronger sales growth than its parent company&#8217;s broader ice cream business over the past five years. 
Unilever, announced in March its plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37934310/unilever-is-cutting-back-on-ice-cream-to-revive-its-business">spin off or sell its ice cream division</a>, putting Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s at a crossroads.
Why It Matters: Both Cohen and Greenfield are known for their progressive politics and have been friends since seventh grade. They live near each other in Vermont and continue to be involved with Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s, despite not having any managerial or operational roles at the company.
The rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic has significantly impacted the food and beverage industry. Novo Nordisk, recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39470692/wegovy-ozempic-maker-novo-nordisk-to-invest-4-1b-in-us-manufacturing-doubling-plant-size-to-meet">announced a $4.1 billion investment</a> to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations. This expansion aims to meet the surging demand for its weight-loss drugs, reflecting the growing market for GLP-1 medications projected to reach $130 billion by 2030.
Moreover, Goldman Sachs analysts have highlighted the potential of weight-loss drugs, predicting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/05/39090619/weight-loss-drug-market-to-rocket-to-130b-by-2030-with-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-in-le">a significant increase</a> in global sales. This surge has prompted companies like Nestlé (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>) to introduce <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39429336/nestle-carefully-targets-weight-loss-drug-users-with-new-food-line">new food lines</a> targeting weight-loss drug users.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39463758/will-novo-nordisk-building-fires-serve-as-a-catalyst-for-eli-lilly-redditors-see-a-stock-split-fo?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Novo Nordisk Building Fires Serve As A Catalyst For Eli Lilly? Redditors See A Stock Split For US Company &#8216;Very Likely&#8217;</a>
Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Entrepreneurship

Health Care

Restaurants

Ben & Jerry's Co-Founders Not Worried About Ozempic's Impact On Ice Cream Business: Here's Why

Last month, Nestlé SA (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGF#OTC">NSRGF</a>)&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>)&nbsp;unveiled&nbsp;Vital Pursuit, a new line of foods designed to complement GLP-1 weight loss medications and aid consumers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38949073/weight-loss-drugs-like-wegvoy-and-zepbound-users-nestl-launches-5-pizza-for-you" rel="noreferrer noopener">focused on weight management</a>.&nbsp;
The European food giant said the company will not mention the weight loss drugs on the packaging.
Tom Moe, President of Meals at Nestle USA, stated that the company&#8217;s Vital Pursuit line would be marketed primarily through social media to avoid regulatory issues.
&#8220;We won&#8217;t directly make the connection (to the drugs) on the food package,&#8221; Moe emphasized in a Reuters report.
This decision highlights the regulatory uncertainties that global food companies face when targeting the growing market of people using appetite-suppressing medications, such as Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>) Wegvoy and Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Zepbound.
The medications, known as GLP-1 agonists, have impacted snack-makers and fast-food chains as consumers reduce their food intake.
Reuters report adds that Nestle&#8217;s Vital Pursuit products will compete with brands that make specific claims for people who are on these medications.
For example, Biocare, a drink priced at $4.50 per serving, claims to alleviate side effects like nausea for users of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic.
Referencing weight-loss drugs on Vital Pursuit packaging could lead to regulatory scrutiny. &#8220;We&#8217;re not a medication, we&#8217;re a food product,&#8221; Moe noted. Mentioning medications could imply that the food treats or prevents disease, a claim only FDA-approved products can make.
The report further quoted Lauren Handel, an attorney specializing in food regulations, who advised that the safest approach is to avoid mentioning any drugs. &#8220;It&#8217;s a tricky area where you&#8217;d want to be careful about what you say,&#8221; she said, noting that labeling products as &#8220;suitable for people on a diet&#8221; may comply with regulations.
Nestle has not disclosed whether it will refer to the drugs in advertisements.
In contrast, Herbalife Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HLF#NYSE">HLF</a>) has taken a direct approach, promoting its GLP-1 Companion Pack on Facebook to support the nutritional needs of people using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
Frank Lamberti, Herbalife&#8217;s Chief Commercial Officer, said the company avoids brand names like Ozempic to avoid alienating users of other drugs such as Eli Lilly&#8217;s Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Other companies, including Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) and yogurt-maker Danone (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DANOY#OTC">DANOY</a>), are positioning their products as suitable for weight-loss medications due to their low sugar or high protein content. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>), maker of Healthy Choice meals, will also avoid drug names on packaging.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Nestle Carefully Targets Weight-Loss Drug Users with New Food Line

Beyond Meat Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYNDHTTPS#NASDAQ">BYNDHTTPS</a>, NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYND#NASDAQ">BYND</a>) shares are trading lower Tuesday afternoon after a <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/06/11/lifestyle/vegan-fake-meats-linked-to-heart-disease-early-death-study/">New York Post article</a> mentioned vegan meats while discussing a study linking processed foods to increased risk of heart disease. 
What To Know: The study, conducted by researchers from the University of São Paulo and Imperial College London, analyzed the diets of over 118,000 Brits aged 40 to 69. The findings suggested that while plant-based diets consisting of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes promote heart health, ultra-processed vegan foods (UPFs) can increase heart disease-related deaths.
Ultra-processed foods, which include packaged goods, drinks, cereals and ready-to-eat products containing additives, were found to be high in sugar, saturated fat and lacking in essential vitamins and fiber.
The study noted a 12% increase in heart disease-related deaths for every 10% rise in the consumption of UPFs. Conversely, a similar increase in whole plant-based foods reduced the risk of heart-related death by 20%.
"While ultra-processed foods are often marketed as healthy foods, this large study suggests that plant-based ultra-processed foods do not seem to have protective health effects and are linked to poor health outcomes," said study co-author Dr. Eszter Vamos, according to the article.
What Else: Several other brands, including mega food producers known for their ultra-processed offerings, such as PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KHC#NASDAQ">KHC</a>), Nestlé (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>) and Kellogg Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) are among the key players in the industry. The broader context of these industry giants underscores the potential impact of the study findings on the entire category of ultra-processed foods.
BYND Price Action: Beyond Meat shares were down by 0.60%, at $7.13 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro. </a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="525" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11140830/BYND-1024x525.png" alt="" class="wp-image-382883" style="width:631px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11140830/BYND-1024x525.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11140830/BYND-300x154.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11140830/BYND-768x393.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11140830/BYND.png 1423w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39277106/why-trio-petroleum-stock-is-moving-higher-tuesday">Why Trio Petroleum Stock Is Moving Higher Tuesday</a>
Image: Shutterstock.

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What's Going On With Beyond Meat Shares Tuesday?

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Nestlé SA&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGF#OTC">NSRGF</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>) unveiled&nbsp;Vital Pursuit, a new line of foods designed to complement GLP-1 weight loss medications and aid consumers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35345638/nestl-to-develop-products-for-users-of-miracle-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-wegovy" rel="noreferrer noopener">focused on weight management</a>.&nbsp;
This&nbsp;comes amid fears among investors that food companies could see their sales suffer significantly.&nbsp;
Related:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/04/38356901/changing-frugal-eating-habits-how-novo-nordiskeli-lillys-weight-loss-drugs-reshaping-food-spendin" rel="noreferrer noopener">Changing Frugal Eating Habits&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;How Novo Nordisk/Eli Lilly&#8217;s Weight Loss Drugs&nbsp;Reshaping&nbsp;Food Spending</a>.
The food and drink processing conglomerate&nbsp;says the new line includes protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, and it&nbsp;is portioned&nbsp;to accommodate the reduced appetite of weight loss medication users.&nbsp;
This line also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/vital-pursuit-glp-1-weight-management" rel="noreferrer noopener">supports</a>&nbsp;a balanced diet for anyone on a weight management journey, marking Nestlé&#8217;s first venture into food products&nbsp;tailored specifically&nbsp;for GLP-1 users.
GLP-1 medications significantly influence how Americans manage weight, presenting a growing market opportunity.&nbsp;
Wegvoy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ozempic&nbsp;(semaglutide) from&nbsp;Novo Nordisk A/S&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) and&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>)&nbsp;Zepbound&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mounjaro&nbsp;(tirzepatide) have garnered tremendous fame as these &#8220;miracle&#8221; drugs&nbsp;have&nbsp;been shown&nbsp;to be&nbsp;effective at helping people lose weight by suppressing appetite.&nbsp;
According to the National Center&nbsp;of&nbsp;Health Statistics, nearly half of American adults attempt weight loss annually.&nbsp;
Moreover, in 2023, one in 60 adults was prescribed GLP-1 medications, with projections from the American Pharmacists Association indicating a rise in 2024.&nbsp;
J.P. Morgan Research forecasts that the number of GLP-1 users in the U.S. could reach 30 million by 2030, roughly 9% of the population.
Tom Moe, President of&nbsp;Nestlé USA Meals Division, noted that Nestlé aims to expand Vital Pursuit with more product formats as the market evolves.
Vital Pursuit will debut in Q4 with 12 SKUs, available at select retailers nationwide.&nbsp;
The product range includes frozen bowls with whole grains or protein pasta, sandwich melts, and pizzas, all priced at&nbsp;$4.99&nbsp;and under.&nbsp;
These products are portioned for controlled eating and include essential nutrients like protein, vitamin A, potassium, calcium, or iron. Vital Pursuit also offers gluten-free and air-fryer-ready options for added convenience.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38063177/costco-long-known-for-rotisserie-chicken-and-hot-dogs-counters-junk-food-with-weight-loss-plan-to-he" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Costco Long Known For Rotisserie Chicken And Hot Dogs Counters Junk Food With Weight Loss Plan To Help You Shed Those Extras</a>.
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The Ozempic Diet: Nestle Launches $5 Pizza For Weight Loss Drug Users

Goldman Sachs has flagged an increasing concern over the U.S. stock market&#8217;s heavy concentration and the dominant sway of its largest tech stocks, urging investors to broaden<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global"> their geographical diversification.</a> 
According to Goldman Sachs equity analyst Ben Snider, &#8220;Concentration within the US equity market has surged to a multi-decade high,&#8221; with the 10 largest U.S. stocks now representing &#8220;33% of S&amp;P 500 market cap and 25% of S&amp;P 500 earnings.&#8221;
This level of market concentration, the highest in decades, has skewed overall market performance, propelling the S&amp;P 500 by 30% over the past year, while the median index constituent, as tracked by the Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal-Weight ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSP#NYSE">RSP</a>) only saw an 11% rise. The phenomenon has sparked widespread anxiety among the investment bank&#8217;s clients, wary of the &#8220;extreme current degree of market concentration&#8221; as unprecedented in recent history.
Peter Oppenheimer, Goldman Sachs&#8217; chief global equity strategist, underscored the fleeting nature of corporate dominance, noting, &#8220;dominant companies rarely stay the best performers over long periods of time.&#8221; 
Historical data supports this claim. Just over 10% of the Fortune 500 companies from 1955 maintain their status to the present day. This sheds light on the potential risks of over-concentration in today&#8217;s market giants.
A Call for a Barbell Strategy: Despite high concentration, today&#8217;s companies are not valued like those from the dot-com era. The current U.S. top 10 stocks boast higher profit margins and return on equity (ROE) than their predecessors. Valuations, while robust, are justified by their superior returns on capital.
However, Goldman Sachs noted that &#8220;investors face a flatter trajectory for equity markets over the next few years as a higher cost of capital and less globalization mean lower returns.&#8221;
Analysts advised investors to adopt a &#8220;barbell approach&#8221; to investing. This strategy recommends a mix of defensive companies with strong balance sheets, mature cash-generative firms, and smaller-cap entities with lower valuations.
Spotlight on Japan: Japan emerged as a particularly promising market. Goldman Sachs sees it as a &#8220;restructuring opportunity&#8221; where the bank is overweight. 
Moreover, investors favor the healthcare sector — excluding Japan — for its combination of relative cheapness. It also has high growth potential, likely to benefit from advancements in AI technology. 
European GRANOLAS, a group of 11 major companies in the STOXX 600 –&nbsp;including GSK plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GSK#NYSE">GSK</a>), Roche Holding Ltd (OTCPK: RHHBY), ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) , Nestle S.A. (OTCPK: NSRGY), Novartis AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>), Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), L&#8217;Oréal Co. (OTCPK: LRLCY), LVMH-Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTCPK: LVMHF), AstraZeneca plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>), SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>), and Sanofi (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNI#NASDAQ">SNI</a>) –&nbsp;are highlighted for their lower valuations compared to their U.S. counterparts and solid performance. 
&#8220;These stocks trade at a lower valuation (around 20x P/E) than the Magnificent 7 and have performed well,&#8221; Goldman Sachs wrote. &nbsp;
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37567088/novo-nordisks-game-changer-fda-approves-weight-loss-sensation-wegovy-for-heart-health-potential-i">Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Game-Changer: FDA Approves Weight Loss Sensation Wegovy For Heart Health, Potential Insurance Coverage</a>
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Top Wall Street Analysts Flag US Market Concentration Anxiety, Advise Investors To Adopt 'Barbell Approach'

The understudied threat of microplastics has become a major source of concern for large <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/population">sectors of the population.</a>
While scientists have not yet identified the exact consequences of living around microscopic pieces of plastic, their presence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36575819/bottled-water-contains-far-more-plastic-particles-but-it-is-not-totally-unexpected-study-reveals">has been found in everything from drinking water</a> to human tissue to the air we breathe.
According to a new study, an everyday solution could help get rid of as much as 90% of microplastics in tap water by simply boiling and filtering it.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Microplastics: An Invisible Threat</h3>
The term &#8220;microplastics&#8221; refers to small plastic fragments smaller than 5mm, found as contaminants in urban and natural environments. 
They come from multiple sources including plastics already produced in those sizes, like synthetic fibers of clothing or microbeads included in cosmetic products, or they can appear as a result of the degradation of larger plastic products, such as single-use plastic containers like soda bottles and plastic bags.
Nanoplastics, the tiniest fragments, measure as small as one millionth of a meter.
Public concern about microplastics has grown in recent years after several studies have found them in almost every inch of the world around us.
In 2022, a study from the Netherlands detected microplastics in the blood of 80% of sampled individuals from the general population, and another study from the same year discovered microplastics in living heart tissue.
A few months ago, a study from Shandong University in China found them in the clouds above East China.
Microplastics are especially present in drinking water. A 2018 study found them in 93% of bottled water from nine different countries, and a recent review highlighted their detection in tap water from a wide range of countries, including the U.S., Germany, Mexico, France, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Norway.
Also read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32863902/the-end-of-the-plastic-era-world-delegates-forge-ahead-with-draft-plastics-treaty-to-shape-a-greener">The End Of The Plastic Era? World Delegates Forge Ahead With Draft Plastics Treaty To Shape A Greener World</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Are Microplastics Harmful?</h3>
While the health effects of microplastics exposure are still being researched, several studies have raised red flags about the ubiquitous presence of these particles in daily life. Their health consequences can vary along different variables, which include the type of plastic, the size of the particles, whether they were inhaled, ingested or touched and the length of exposure.
Microplastics have been linked to negative health impacts, including cellular damage and problems within the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.
According to a WHO report, microplastics can be harmful to the body not only by themselves, but they can also serve as "vectors of pathogens," providing ways for microbes to enter the organism. They can also worsen symptoms of pre-existing conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
While the overall consensus among scientists is that more research is needed to better understand the health impact of microplastics, it's advised to avoid prolonged exposure to foreign particles as there is no precedent in history to understand what happens to a human body that undergoes daily exposure to small plastic particles from the time of birth.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Is Boiling Drinking Water The Solution?</h3>
A study published this week in the Environmental Science &amp; Technology journal found that boiling drinking water can reduce at least 80% of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, the most commonly-found types of nano/microplastics.
The team of researchers, from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China, set out to find ways in which regular people could reduce their daily exposure to microplastics using household methods.
The method was more effective for certain types of tap water. Water supplies from around the globe vary in their chemical composition. In waters that are rich in minerals like calcium or magnesium, the boiling process causes these minerals to trap the plastics into a solid, chalky residue that can be removed by filtering the water.
In waters that were rich in these minerals, the process helped capture up to 90% of the microplastic particles. Yet in those samples that carried fewer amounts of the minerals, only about 25% was removed.
For those wanting to try the method at home, the water should be left to cool and settle after boiling without stirring for about 10 minutes and then filtered with a regular coffee filter.
The researchers wrote in the study that boiling drinking water is a tradition in East Asian countries as it helps get rid of some chemicals and most microbes living in the water.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stocks To Watch</h3>
<ul>
<li>Public companies involved in the sale of bottled water include Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), Primo Water Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRMW#NYSE">PRMW</a>) and Ambev SA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABEV#NYSE">ABEV</a>) and Primo Water Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PRMW#NASDAQ">PRMW</a>).</li>
<li>Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle SA &#8211; ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>), MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>), Unilever plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UL#NYSE">UL</a>), Procter &amp; Gamble Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>) were ranked among the top plastic polluters of 2022 by the Break Free From Plastic Global Brand Audit.</li>
<li>Some of the largest running water providers include American Water Works (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AWK#NYSE">AWK</a>) and Essential Utilities (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTRG#NYSE">WTRG</a>).</li>
<li>Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), Dow Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOW#NYSE">DOW</a>) and China Petroleum and Chemical Ord Shs H (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNPMF#OTC">SNPMF</a>) were the top three producers of single-use plastic items in 2021 as per 2023 Plastic Waste Makers Index report. </li>
</ul>
Now read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32842246/with-363-8-billion-pounds-of-plastic-in-the-ocean-plastic-pollution-will-soon-outweigh-fish">With 363.8 Billion Pounds Of Plastic In The Ocean, Plastic Pollution Will Soon Outweigh Fish</a>
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Boiling Water Reduces Microplastics: What Does It Mean For Coca-Cola, PepsiCo's Bottled Water Brands?

While many of the world&#8217;s investors remain focused on "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/02/36897355/what-are-the-magnificent-7-stocks-why-do-they-dominate-the-market">The Magnificent Seven</a>" — a group of tech stocks that significantly outperformed in 2023 — a small group of European stocks has quietly outperformed most of the world. 
Based on the first letters of their names, Goldman Sachs dubbed this group &#8220;Granolas,&#8221; and it accounted for 50% of gains of the Stoxx Europe 600 Index for the past year.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the Granolas?</h3>
Granolas refers to a group of 11 European stocks operating in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, with an addition of luxury, consumer staples, industrial manufacturing and software technology. They include:
<ul>
<li>GSK plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GSK#NYSE">GSK</a>): The pharmaceutical company, founded in 1715, operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&amp;D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company's arguably most famous product is pain reliever Advil. Its stock trades at 13.8x the earnings — below the industry's average. It pays a 3.5% dividend with a reasonable 48% payout ratio. One potential weakness is its high level of debt, which grew during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been improving over the last two years.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Roche Holding AG (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTCQX">RHHBY</a>): The Swiss pharmaceutical giant touts over 100,000 employees and has a broad portfolio of products, including in vitro tests for various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, COVID-19 and others. It boasts a healthy 19% profit margin and a price-to-earnings ratio 16.1x, which is well below the industry average. The company, founded in 1896, pays a stable and growing 4.1% dividend with a reasonable 67% payout ratio. Its debt-to-equity ratio has doubled from 40% in 2019 to over 80% in the aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>): Dutch developer, producer and seller of advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It is a key company in the global semiconductor supply chain and the only company capable of supplying extreme ultraviolet lithography technology. This technology is crucial for producing the most advanced microchips with nodes as small as 7,5 or 3 nanometers. A single machine costs more than $200 million. Its stock trades at 43.4x its earnings. The company has a net profit margin of over 28% but pays a minuscule dividend of 0.7%. It has an excellent balance sheet, with cash exceeding the debt by almost 50% and a forecasted annual growth of 15.6%.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Nestlé S.A. (OTCPK:NSRGY): The food and beverage conglomerate has over 270,000 employees and operates household brands such as Nescafe, Nespresso, Maggi, Thomy and Hot Pockets. Its stock trades at 22.3x, above the European average for that industry, but expected given the company's status. Its net profit margin is hovering around 12%, and its sustainable 3.1% dividend has been stable. However, the company has doubled its debt over the last ten years and it currently amounts to almost $60 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>): Danish global pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes and obesity care and rare diseases. The company's most famous product is Ozempic, a diabetes treatment that has gained popularity as a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/02/37284940/obesity-solutions-like-weight-loss-drugs-to-act-as-catalyst-for-economic-surge-goldman-sachs-fore">weight loss drug</a>. Ozempic alone generated almost $14 billion in revenues in 2023, three times more than its second-best product, Wegovy. The stock trades around 45x its earnings, with a solid net profit margin of 36%. The company also pays a 1.1% dividend, which is below the industry average. However, its balance sheet is pristine, with comfortably more cash than debt and growth prospects of around 13%.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Novartis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>): In 2023, the company generated $45.5 billion in revenues, mainly from the U.S. ($18 billion) and Europe ($13 billion). Its products include Cosentyx, cardiovascular drug Entresto and Piqray, a cancer-treating drug. The stock trades at 24.8x its earnings, with a net profit margin of 18.3%. It pays a notable 3.6% dividend, but the payout ratio has been stretched to 95%. Novartis carries $24.6 billion of debt, but it is not a concerning sum, given the company&#8217;s size. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>L&#8217;Oréal S.A. (OTCPK:LRLCY): French manufacturer and seller of cosmetic products. Often considered the world's most valuable cosmetics brand, under its umbrella it operates brands such as Maybelline New York, Garnier, NYX Professional Makeup, CeraVe, and Redken. The stock trades at 38.9x its earnings with a net profit margin of 15%. Its 1.5% dividend is not notable but boasts a low payout ratio, stability and comfortable growth potential. The balance sheet is strong, with a debt-to-equity ratio of less than 10%, indicating conservative risk practices.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>LVMH Moët Hennessy &#8211; Louis Vuitton Société Européenne (OTCPK:LVMHF): French-based, globally-operating luxury goods company owns iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany &amp; Co., Christian Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, Princess Yachts, TAG Heuer, Hublot, Dom Pérignon, Hennessy and many others. Its CEO, Bernard Arnault is the wealthiest person in the world <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswealthteam/article/the-top-ten-richest-people-in-the-world/">per</a> Forbes' 2024 list. The stock trades at 28x its earnings with a 17.61% net profit margin. The company pays a 1.5% dividend, which is the industry average, but owing to a low payout ratio there is plenty of room for growth. The balance sheet is very strong, with some debt in the aftermath of 2020, but it is not notable given the company's size.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>): The UK-based biopharmaceutical company developed the Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, sold under brand names Vovishield and Vaxzevria. The stock trades at 33.8x its earnings with a net profit margin of 13%. A 2.2% dividend is below the industry average but has sustained steady growth over the last decade. In 2021, the company took on almost $10 billion of debt, which remains a burden on the balance sheet, although some of it has already been paid off.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Sanofi (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>): French-based healthcare company focusing on neurology, immunology, rare diseases, oncology, rare blood disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Its most famous product is DUPIXENT (Dupilumab), a drug used for atopic dermatitis and asthma. The company trades at 20.6x its earnings with a net profit margin of 11.7%. A dividend is Sanofi's strong side, paying 4.2% with a track record of stability and growth. The balance sheet is strong, with debt decreasing, equity rising and comfortable levels of cash and short-term investments.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>): The German enterprise application software provider is a global leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and the largest non-American software company by revenue. It trades at 53.9x its earnings, the highest valuation from the GRANOLAS list. The company has a 12% profit margin and pays an unimpressive 1.2% dividend. It boasts a strong balance sheet with more cash than total debt, indicating management's conservative approach to risk.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Granolas vs. The Magnificent Seven</h3>
There are three main advantages these stocks hold over The Magnificent Seven.
<ol>
<li>Low Volatility: These stocks are not as volatile as The Magnificent Seven, and they achieve similar results. Investors can compare these two groups by measuring the stock's average <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-calculate-beta">Beta</a>, a measure of volatility compared to the underlying market index. Another popular metric to show the impact of such investments is the Sharpe ratio. It&#8217;s one of the most widely used metrics for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/understanding-risk-adjusted-return">measuring risk-adjusted return</a>.</li>
<li>Lower Valuation Multiple: The lower valuation of European stocks is noteworthy. On average, their price-to-earnings ratio is around 30. For the Magnificent Seven, this is over 46x as of March 2024.</li>
<li>Higher Dividend Yield: The Magnificent Seven are not known for their yield. Only three stocks of the group pay a dividend, with the highest one (Apple) yielding a paltry 0.5%. On the other hand, every single GRANOLAS stock pays a dividend, averaging a 2.42% yield. Combined with lower volatility, this fact makes them particularly attractive to long-term yield-oriented investors.</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Investing In Granolas Via ETFs</h3>
Although many of the Granola stocks trade on U.S. exchanges, domestic investors might consider the VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>), which invests in the largest pharmaceutical companies.
Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PTEU#BATS">PTEU</a>) is another option. It is biased toward large-cap Eurozone equities, with 3/5 top holdings in GRANOLAS.
European investors should opt for iShares Core EURO STOXX 50 ETF. It offers over 40% of portfolio exposure to Granolas, or SPDR MSCI Europe Health Care UCITS ETF, which focuses on European healthcare industry.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/02/37287732/gold-miner-newmont-looks-to-sell-assets-reduce-8b-debt-load">Gold Miner Newmont Looks To Sell Assets, Reduce $8B Debt Load</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

PTEU

11 'Granolas' Stocks Outperform Magnificent 7 With Lower Volatility, Higher Yields

The Super Bowl is the most watched television event annually, with over 110 million people tuning in to watch the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/02/30915667/heres-how-many-people-watched-super-bowl-lvii-and-what-it-could-mean-for-fox-stock">big game last year.</a>
With Super Bowl LVIII on the horizon, here's a look at the push to move the game to Saturday or make the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday.
What Happened: Super Bowl LVIII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET today. The game will air on CBS and Nickelodeon and stream on Paramount+, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/23/08/33884274/5-key-stocks-for-2023-nfl-season-investors-eye-sports-betting-media-rights-and-super-bowl">which are all units of</a> Paramount Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARAA#NASDAQ">PARAA</a>).
There have been 57 Super Bowls in the history of the National Football League, and they have all been played on Sunday.
Last year's game was watched by more than 110 million people and was the third-most watched television event in American history. 
Benzinga recently polled its users to see if the day after Super Bowl should be a holiday.
On <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga/status/1754508221719458009?s=20">Twitter</a>, Benzinga followers answered the following:
Yes: 57.9%
No: 42.1%
On <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benzinga_superbowllviii-activity-7160301061679816704-UrYN/">LinkedIn</a>, Benzinga followers answered the following:
Yes: 66%
No: 34%
Each survey saw the majority of respondents say the day after the Super Bowl should be a holiday.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/02/37038783/super-bowl-commercials-preview-celebrities-movie-trailers-and-the-taylor-swift-effect">Super Bowl Commercials Preview: Celebrities, Movie Trailers And The Taylor Swift Effect</a>
Why It's Important: A 2023 <a href="https://workforceinstitute.org/super-bowl-survey-will-we-see-a-spike-in-absenteeism/">survey </a>from the Workforce Institute said 18.1 million employees were expected to miss work the day after last year&#8217;s Super Bowl.
Furthermore, workforce productivity is expected to drop by more than $5 billion in the week of and the day after the Super Bowl, according to a <a href="https://www.sportsbookreview.com/news/super-bowl-saturday-analysis/">study </a>from Sportsbook Review.
There have been petitions over the years to move the Super Bowl to a Saturday. More than two dozen petitions have been made on Change.org since 2017, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/02/04/super-bowl-monday-holiday/72369926007/">according</a> to USA Today. One recent petition to move the game to Saturday generated over 144,000 signatures.  
One proposal also suggested that Presidents&#8217; Day, which is a federal holiday, should come the day after the Super Bowl.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been asked about this topic over the years.
"The reason we haven't done it in the past is simply just from an audience standpoint. The audiences on Sunday night are so much larger," Goodell said in 2018. "Fans want to have the best opportunity to be able to see the game and we want to give that to them, so Sunday night is a better night."
Certain schools have opted to cancel classes the day following the Super Bowl if their state&#8217;s NFL team is competing in the championship game.
This year, ice cream company Drumstick is hosting a <a href="https://www.change.org/p/make-the-day-after-the-big-game-a-national-holiday">petition</a> on Change.org to make the day after the Super Bowl a holiday. Drumstick, which is part of a joint venture owned by PAI Partners and Nestle (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>), will air its first ever Super Bowl commercial this year.
The latest survey from the Workforce Institute estimates that 16.1 million U.S. employees will miss work tomorrow.
To make the day after the Super Bowl a holiday, Congress would have to propose a bill, approve it and have the president sign the bill. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/09/34854585/usher-to-take-center-stage-at-super-bowl-lviii-halftime-show-but-can-he-topple-rihannas-hyp">Usher To Take Center Stage At Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, But Can He Topple Rihanna&#8217;s Hype?</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Sports

Exclusives

PARA

PARAA

Should The Day After The Super Bowl Be A Holiday? Here's What Benzinga Readers Said And What History Shows

Codexis, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cdxs#NASDAQ">CDXS</a>) entered a purchase deal with&nbsp;Nestl&eacute; S.A.(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgy#OTC">NSRGY</a>) Nestl&eacute; Health Science for CDX-7108, a potential treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).&nbsp;
Under the terms of the agreement, Codexis will receive up to $45 million in potential milestone payments, including a $5 million upfront payment, as well as single-digit net-sales-based royalties.
Codexis will receive up to an additional $5 million if Nestl&eacute; Health Science exercises an option to purchase two additional early-stage enzymes being developed for EPI.
CDX-7108 is a lipase variant specifically engineered to overcome the limitations of traditional pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) deficiencies. PERT is the main treatment for EPI, a debilitating condition of the gastrointestinal tract that is caused by conditions that impair pancreatic function.
Stephen Dilly, CEO of Codexis, said, &quot;Preliminary data from the CDX-7108 Phase I study announced earlier this year support continued investigation into Phase II clinical studies. We believe that CDX-7108 could represent a meaningful advance in the standard of care for patients, and we are pleased to retain an economic interest in the program as Nestl&eacute; continues development.&quot;
Nestl&eacute; Health Science will be exclusively responsible for further advancing and marketing CDX-7108, covering all related expenses.
Price Action: CDXS shares are trading higher by 4.52% at $3.47&nbsp;on the last check Wednesday.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was Reviewed And Published By Benzinga Editors.

Penny Stocks

CDXS

Codexis Clinches Deal With Nestlé Health Science, Eyes Up To $45M Milestone In EPI Treatment Breakthrough

Nestle S.A.&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgy#OTC">NSRGY</a>) CEO Mark Schneider stated that despite the rising use of weight loss medications like&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Company&#39;s&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lly#NYSE">LLY</a>) Zepbound and&nbsp;Novo Nordisk&#39;s&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvo#NYSE">NVO</a>) Wegovy, the company has not observed any&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">decrease in coffee consumption.</a>
&quot;Like many others, at Nestle, we have every reason to greet this exciting new class of drugs with optimism,&quot; Schneider&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-does-new-generation-weight-loss-drugs-mean-nestl%2525C3%2525A9-mark-schneider-bcfce%3FtrackingId=4pxcwp4KSO64HyFbnviaFw%253D%253D/?trackingId=4pxcwp4KSO64HyFbnviaFw%3D%3D" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;in a LinkedIn post.
The executive envisions growth prospects for Nestle in the health science sector, focusing on offering products like protein bars, powders, and drinks tailored for consumers using GLP-1 agonist drugs, Reuters said in a news report.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/12/36300585/novo-nordisk-collaborates-with-indias-online-marketplace-to-remove-unauthorized-wegovy-listings" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">Novo Nordisk Collaborates With India&#39;s Online Marketplace To Remove Unauthorized Wegovy Listings</a>
&quot;This part of Nestle Health Science&#39;s business, which we call &quot;Active Nutrition,&quot; is growing strongly,&quot; Schneider said in the post.
Within Nestl&eacute; Health Science alone, the company already has more than 1.5 billion Swiss francs of revenue from products that provide nutritional benefits suitable to GLP-1 patients.
This business is mainly focused on North America, where GLP-1 adoption is highest.
&quot;We will build on this with a broader geographic rollout as well as additional companion products and offerings,&quot; Schneider said, adding that new launches will happen as soon as next year.
Nestle&#39;s&nbsp;current food and beverage portfolio offers a &quot;strong starting point.&quot; The company aims to redouble its innovation efforts to meet GLP-1 patients&#39; needs.
&quot;Our R&amp;D muscle and innovative spirit will help us capture this opportunity and serve GLP-1 patients in the best possible way,&quot; the LinkedIn post read.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/12/36322149/teslas-battery-partner-panasonic-reportedly-scraps-oklahoma-plant-eyeing-bigger-us-investments" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">Tesla&#39;s Battery Partner Panasonic Reportedly Scraps Oklahoma Plant - Eyeing Bigger US Investments?</a>
Price Action:&nbsp;NSRGY shares traded lower by 0.22%&nbsp;to $111.94 on Wednesday.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo via Company

NSLYF

Weight Loss Drugs By Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly Don't Deter Nestle's Coffee Demand - CEO Explains Why

Swiss food conglomerate,&nbsp;Nestlé SA&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSRGY#OTC">NSRGY</a>), announced plans to create products that pair with popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
As per&nbsp;a Forbes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/10/19/nestl-is-developing-products-to-accompany-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic--amid-fears-theyll-eat-into-food-sales/?sh=43ed18614c45">report</a>, this move comes amid concerns about the potential impacts these appetite-suppressing drugs might have on the food industry.
The company&#8217;s CEO,&nbsp;Mark Schneider, revealed during an earnings briefing that Nestlé is exploring health aids for the increasing number of individuals utilizing weight-loss treatments. These medications, originally designed to manage Type 2 diabetes, curtail the desire to eat by simulating an appetite-controlling gut hormone.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35262408/novavax-faces-setback-european-authority-delays-decision-on-variant-tailored-covid-19-vaccine?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novavax (NVAX) Stock Is Falling Today</a>
Schneider noted that the reduced food intake presents an opportunity for Nestlé to introduce products such as supplements that can support weight loss while ensuring that individuals receive the necessary nutrients. These &#8220;companion products&#8221; could also help prevent&nbsp;the loss of lean muscle&nbsp;mass and ensure that weight loss is maintained.
In response to concerns about the effect of these weight-loss drugs on the food industry&#8217;s revenues, Schneider emphasized that most of Nestlé&#8217;s portfolio &#8220;will not be affected&#8221; as consumers will continue to consume coffee and pet food, two of the company&#8217;s major revenue streams. Nonetheless, the company is &#8220;carefully&#8221; monitoring the situation to ascertain if there will be any impact on&nbsp;demand for its food products.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/10/35257022/cannabis-consumers-who-had-covid-19-experienced-better-outcomes-than-nonusers-new-study-shows?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cannabis Consumers Who Had COVID-19 Experienced Better Outcomes Than Nonusers, New Study Shows</a>
Nestlé. Image Via Shutterstock
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 The GPT-4-based Benzinga Neuro content generation system exploits the 
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Nestlé To Develop Products For Users Of 'Miracle' Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic, Wegovy

With health and wellness becoming increasingly popular in the United States, it&rsquo;s no surprise that weight-loss drugs like <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35241823/ozempic-weight-loss-drug-maker-is-making-money-hand-over-fist-and-just-raised-its-profit-forecast" style="text-decoration-line:none">Ozempic and Wegovy</a> have gone viral on TikTok and other social platforms. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ms#NYSE">MS</a>) outlined various industries that are set to be impacted by the public adoption <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35142181/weight-loss-drug-boom-has-another-ripple-effect-rapid-growth-expected-in-fill-finish-market">of weight-loss drugs.</a>&nbsp;
Packaged Foods: Morgan Stanley says that Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs cause patients to significantly change their consumption patterns, and are most likely to cut out high-sugar and high-fat snacks. This could be bad news for companies like Nestle (OTCMKTS:NSRGY), Mondelez International (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mdlz#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pep#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and more.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35241823/ozempic-weight-loss-drug-maker-is-making-money-hand-over-fist-and-just-raised-its-profit-forecast" style="text-decoration-line:none">Ozempic Weight Loss Drug Maker Is Making Money Hand Over Fist - And Just Raised Its Profit Forecast</a>
The packaged-food industry is already low-growth, the Morgan Stanley analysts noted in the report. If Ozempic continues to grow in popularity, it could be detrimental to the share prices of many companies that are reliant on selling sugary&nbsp;snacks.&nbsp;
Restaurants: Along with packaged foods, Ozempic users are likely to cut back on fast-food restaurant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-options-to-buy-this-week/">options</a>. This creates an obvious headwind for companies like McDonald&rsquo;s Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mcd#NYSE">MCD</a>) and Wendys Co (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wen#NASDAQ">WEN</a>). But, as consumers shift away from certain restaurant choices, they might begin to frequent establishments like&nbsp;Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cmg#NYSE">CMG</a>) or Cava Group Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cava#NYSE">CAVA</a>).
Apparel: It could be time for a &quot;big short&quot; on big and tall. Morgan Stanley says that weight-loss drugs will be a headwind for plus-size retailers, but could end up benefitting sportswear and casual attire companies like Nike Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nke#NYSE">NKE</a>).&nbsp;
Now Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/23/10/35337404/powells-interest-rate-remarks-trigger-thursday-roller-coaster-what-did-fed-chair-say">Powell&#39;s Interest Rate Remarks Trigger Thursday Roller Coaster: What Did Fed Chair Say?</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

CAVA

Are People Done Buying Chips And Soda? Stock Market Winners And Losers From Rise Of Ozempic, Weight-Loss Drugs

Nestle SA&nbsp;(OTCPK: NSRGY) reported a&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/2023-nine-month-sales-press-release-en.pdf" style="background-image:none; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">nine-month FY23 revenue</a>&nbsp;decline of 0.4% Y/Y to CHF 68.8 billion (US$76.7 billion), with a negative impact of foreign currency translations of 7.4% and acquisitions of 0.8%.
Organic revenue grew 7.8% Y/Y, with pricing of 8.4% (below the average analyst estimate of 8.6%, per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/nestle-posts-78-rise-nine-month-sales-2023-10-19/">Reuters</a>) and real internal growth (RIG) of -0.6% (in line with street view).
In emerging markets, organic revenue rose 9% Y/Y, led by pricing and a slightly positive RIG.&nbsp;
In Q3, the company inked a deal with Advent International to buy a majority interest in Grupo CRM, the Brazilian premium chocolate company,&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34306899/nestle-ups-the-high-end-gifting-game-buys-major-stake-in-premium-chocolate-maker-of-brazil" style="background-image:none; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">for an undisclosed amount</a>.
Also, the company divested its peanut allergy treatment business, Palforzia, to Stallergenes Greer in the quarter.
Nestle is seeing the benefits of &quot;portfolio optimization initiatives and increasing marketing investments&quot; behind its &quot;billionaire brands,&quot; CEO Mark Schneider said. &quot;These steps underpin our confidence that real internal growth, the sum of volume and mix, will turn positive in the second half of the year and again become the main driver of growth going forward,&quot; he added.
Nestl&eacute; has also &quot;further strengthened&quot; its nutrition strategy, Schneider explained. &quot;Actions include providing clear, front-of-pack portion guidance, transparency on the nutritional value of our products and leading marketing-to-children policies,&quot; he said. &quot;We also set an ambitious target to grow the sales of our more nutritious products by CHF 20-25 billion by 2030.&rdquo;
FY23 Outlook Reiterated: Nestle continues to expect organic revenue growth of 7%-8%, underlying trading operating profit margin of 17%-17.5%, and underlying EPS growth in<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" style="background-image:none; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">&nbsp;constant currency of 6%-10%</a>.
Price Action: NSRGY shares closed lower by 0.82% at $113.06 on Wednesday.
Image: Pixabay

Earnings

Guidance

Nestle Shows Sweet Results In Emerging Markets, Plans To Grow Nutritious Segment

Stocks in the food and beverage industry experienced their most challenging week since May 2022, further extending the declines seen <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">in the preceding weeks.</a>
The First Trust Nasdaq Food &amp; Beverage ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXG#NYSE">FTXG</a>) plummeted by over 5% this week, marking its third consecutive week of losses and the ninth negative week out of the last ten.
The industry gauge has now fallen to levels last observed in February and November 2020, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Beyond the common factors, such as Treasury yields affecting the broader stock market over the last month, the food and beverage sectors face a more substantial bearish pressure due to concerns regarding weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>).
These concerns revolve around the potential to alter consumption patterns and reduce people&#8217;s inclination to consume high-calorie foods and beverages. Earlier this week, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35100939/walmart-reports-slight-pullback-in-food-demand-as-miracle-weight-loss-drug-ozempic-gains-populari">reported a decline in shopping demand</a> attributed to the use of weight-loss and appetite-suppressing drugs. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Food, Beverage Stocks Post Their Worst Week Since May 2022</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="506" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370-1024x506.png" alt="" class="wp-image-119651" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370-1024x506.png 1024w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370-300x148.png 300w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370-768x380.png 768w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370-1536x759.png 1536w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06145139/FTXG_2023-10-06_19-51-00_c4370.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Novo Nordisk Drugs Could Push Down Food Market: Analyst </h2>
&#8220;The launch of new highly effective drugs (GLP-1 agonists) for obesity by Eli Lilly &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk could be one of the biggest in the history of Biopharma,&#8221; according to a Friday Bank of America note 
The team of analysts, led by Geoff Meacham, said the substantial weight loss observed with GLP-1s should drive strong demand. Yet GLP-1s also have downstream effects, such as reducing appetite and curbing cravings and addictive behaviors. 
The market impact of these effects is less clear, but they could potentially reshape consumer behavior in the long term, benefiting some industries while posing higher risks to others, BofA said. 
BofA analysts suggest the highest risk of reduced consumption due to the effects of weight-loss drugs pertains to alcohol, snacking in comparison to regular meals and non-alcoholic beverages. Additionally, weight management products (such as shakes and frozen meals) could also be at risk if their intended purpose becomes obsolete.
According to Bank of America, intermittent snacking may encounter more significant headwinds compared to meal occasions such as lunch and dinner, and, in this context, at-home consumption is likely more vulnerable than out-of-home consumption. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Food Stocks To Watch In The Ozempic Era</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>)</li>
<li>PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NYSE">PEP</a>)</li>
<li>Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>)</li>
<li>Bellring Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRBR#NYSE">BRBR</a>)</li>
<li>Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>)</li>
<li>Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>)</li>
<li>Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAP#NYSE">TAP</a>)</li>
<li>Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTZ#NYSE">UTZ</a>)</li>
<li>Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPB#NYSE">CPB</a>)</li>
<li>Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>)</li>
<li>The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SJM#NYSE">SJM</a>)</li>
<li>The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>)</li>
<li>Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KDP#NASDAQ">KDP</a>)</li>
<li>Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BF#NYSE">BF</a>)</li>
<li>Nestlé A.G. (OTCPK: NSRGY)</li>
</ul>
Excluding BellRing Brands, all of these stocks are trading lower this week and for the month. The poorest performer is the newly established Kellanova, which spun off from WK Kellogg Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLG#NYSE">KLG</a>) and saw a significant 15% decline.
Notably, soft-drink industry giants like The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo both experienced a substantial 5% drop, marking their worst-performing week in over a year-and-a-half.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Market Cap</th>
<th>Price Chg % (5D)</th>
<th>Price Chg % (1M)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nestlé S.A.</td>
<td>$300.95B</td>
<td>-0.81%</td>
<td>-1.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Coca-Cola Company</td>
<td>$230.34B</td>
<td>-4.85%</td>
<td>-9.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PepsiCo, Inc.</td>
<td>$221.38B</td>
<td>-5.09%</td>
<td>-7.96%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mondelez International, Inc.</td>
<td>$86.34B</td>
<td>-8.55%</td>
<td>-8.93%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constellation Brands, Inc.</td>
<td>$43.78B</td>
<td>-5.15%</td>
<td>-7.89%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.</td>
<td>$42.04B</td>
<td>-4.70%</td>
<td>-9.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Hershey Company</td>
<td>$39.99B</td>
<td>-2.26%</td>
<td>-7.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brown-Forman Corporation</td>
<td>$27.41B</td>
<td>-1.37%</td>
<td>-10.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kellanova</td>
<td>$17.26B</td>
<td>-15.27%</td>
<td>-14.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Molson Coors Beverage Company</td>
<td>$12.82B</td>
<td>-6.81%</td>
<td>-4.47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Conagra Brands, Inc.</td>
<td>$12.68B</td>
<td>-3.19%</td>
<td>-8.62%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The J. M. Smucker Company</td>
<td>$11.84B</td>
<td>-5.65%</td>
<td>-17.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Campbell Soup Company</td>
<td>$11.74B</td>
<td>-4.07%</td>
<td>-4.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BellRing Brands, Inc.</td>
<td>$5.50B</td>
<td>1.41%</td>
<td>2.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Utz Brands, Inc.</td>
<td>$1.71B</td>
<td>-9.46%</td>
<td>-16.71%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: $KO And $PEP Suffer Worst Week In Over 1.5 Years</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="611" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84-1024x611.png" alt="" class="wp-image-119659" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84-1024x611.png 1024w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84-300x179.png 300w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84-768x459.png 768w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84-1536x917.png 1536w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/06151945/PEP_2023-10-06_20-19-30_8fd84.png 1809w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35103714/novo-nordisks-wegovy-success-uplifts-denmarks-economy-and-reputation-but-with-caution">Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Wegovy Success Uplifts Denmark&#8217;s Economy And Reputation, But With Caution</a>
Photo via Shutterstock.

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Snacks In The Ozempic Era: Food, Beverage Stocks Crash With Weight Loss Drugs On The Rise

Financial Times
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34552899/investor-frenzy-over-arms-ipo-pushes-valuation-to-new-heights-could-skyrocket-to-54b" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Investor Frenzy Over Arm&#39;s IPO Pushes Valuation To New Heights, Could Skyrocket To $54B</a>
<ul>
<li>The UK-based chip design firm&nbsp;Arm Holdings&nbsp;is gearing up for a blockbuster initial public offering that could value the company at a staggering $54 billion. The IPO is slated to be the most significant in the tech sector in two years.</li>
<li>Arm and its parent company,&nbsp;SoftBank&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sftbf#OTC">SFTBF</a>), are in the final stages of pricing their shares for the IPO.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34575134/goldman-axed-top-banking-executive-amid-communication-violation-scandal-report" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Goldman Axed Top Banking Executive Amid Communication Violation Scandal</a>
<ul>
<li>Goldman Sachs Group Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gs#NYSE">GS</a>) has reportedly dismissed multiple employees from its budding corporate cash management division due to severe violations of its communications guidelines.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Four workers were terminated, including the Bank&#39;s partner,&nbsp;Hari Moorthy, the global head of transaction banking.</li>
<li>Earlier, banking institutions have paid fines for unapproved messaging apps such as WhatsApp to conduct company business.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
CNBC
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34567797/hiring-pullback-google-slashes-jobs-in-global-recruiting" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Hiring Pullback: Google Slashes Jobs in Global Recruiting</a>
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/googl#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)&nbsp;Google&nbsp;is undergoing a significant workforce reduction in its global recruiting department as part of a larger-scale hiring slowdown projected for the coming quarters.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Despite the difficulty of this decision, Brian Ong, Google&#39;s Vice President of Recruiting, emphasized its necessity in light of the reduced hiring needs for the foreseeable future.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Benzinga
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/09/34551446/starbucks-founder-former-ceo-to-leave-company-immediately-former-alibaba-exec-joins-board" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Starbucks Founder, Former CEO To Leave Company Immediately; Former Alibaba Exec Joins Board</a>
<ul>
<li>Starbucks Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) announced on Wednesday that founder and former CEO&nbsp;Howard Schultz&nbsp;is leaving the coffee chain&#39;s board effective immediately.</li>
<li>The move follows his departure as CEO in March of this year.</li>
<li>Reflecting on his 41-year tenure, Schultz thanked the company&#39;s employees and shareholders, and gave his support for the next generation of Starbucks leadership.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34580472/marvels-vfx-artists-vote-for-unionization-amid-industry-labor-struggles" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Marvel&#39;s VFX Artists Vote for Unionization Amid Industry Labor Struggles</a>
<ul>
<li>Amidst the backdrop of ongoing labor strikes in Hollywood,&nbsp;Marvel Studios&#39;&nbsp;visual effects (VFX) workers have voted unanimously in favor of unionization under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).&nbsp;</li>
<li>This marks the first time a dedicated unit of VFX professionals has joined forces with the group.</li>
<li>In recent years, VFX artists have grappled with mounting workloads and stringent deadlines while working on some of the industry&#39;s most high-budget franchise films. These challenges have given rise to tensions between VFX professionals and the studios.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34568514/singapore-to-review-ride-hailing-regulations-grab-and-goto-on-the-radar" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Singapore To Review Ride-Hailing Regulations, Grab And GoTo On The Radar</a>
<ul>
<li>Singapore could subject ride-hailing companies like&nbsp;Grab Holdings Ltd&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/grab#NASDAQ">GRAB</a>) to new rules after it hinted at a crackdown on the regulations and structure governing the fast-growing industry.</li>
<li>The Land Transport Authority looks to revise the framework for the taxi and ride-hailing industries, focusing on the availability of supply, resilience, and the inclusivity of services while overseeing the adoption of clean-energy vehicles.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34577685/krogers-home-chef-battles-grubhub-over-sizzling-fork-and-knife-logo-controversy-who-wins" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Kroger&#39;s Home Chef Battles Grubhub Over Sizzling Fork-And-Knife Logo Controversy: Who Wins?</a>
<ul>
<li>Kroger Company&#39;s&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kr#NYSE">KR</a>) Home Chef division, flaunting a fork-and-knife logo, faces a spicy twist as a U.S. appeals court wasn&#39;t swayed by their claim that Grubhub&#39;s look-alike logo could confuse consumers. Grubhub is part of&nbsp;Just Eat Takeaway.Com N.V.&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jtkwy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">JTKWY</a>).</li>
<li>The legal tiff began as Home Chef and Grubhub used strikingly similar fork and knife logos.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Reuters
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34575526/shrinkflation-shame-french-supermarket-carrefour-targets-pepsico-unilever-and-others-by-issuing-pric" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">&#39;Shrinkflation&#39; Shame!: French Supermarket Carrefour Targets PepsiCo, Unilever and Others By Issuing Price Alerts</a>
<ul>
<li>Carrefour&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crerf#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">CRERF</a>) (OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crrfy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">CRRFY</a>) has taken a proactive stance by issuing price alerts on several products as a strategic move to exert pressure on leading consumer goods suppliers such as&nbsp;Nestle SA&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgf#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NSRGF</a>) (OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NSRGY</a>),&nbsp;PepsiCo Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pep#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">PEP</a>), and&nbsp;Unilever Plc&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ul#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">UL</a>) to combat inflation in anticipation of forthcoming contract negotiations.</li>
<li>Carrefour is affixing labels to products that have undergone downsizing while their prices have increased, even after a decline in raw material costs.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Carrefour has marked 26 products in its French stores with labels stating, &quot;This product has seen its volume or weight fall, and the effective price by the supplier rise.&quot;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/09/34573064/texas-billionaire-timothy-dunn-backed-us-oil-gas-player-explores-10b-sale" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Texas Billionaire Timothy Dunn Backed US Oil &amp; Gas Player Explores $10B Sale</a>
<ul>
<li>CrownRock&nbsp;is reportedly in the early stages of preparing for a potential sale, with insiders indicating that the company&#39;s valuation could surpass $10 billion, including its outstanding debt.&nbsp;</li>
<li>This prospective deal, slated for early 2024, could mark a significant milestone in the U.S. oil and gas industry, as it may be the largest transaction involving an oil and gas producer in the past three years.</li>
<li>Notable oil industry giants like&nbsp;Exxon Mobil Corp&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/xom#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">XOM</a>) and&nbsp;Chevron Corp&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cvx#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">CVX</a>) are expected to be approached to gauge their interest in the potential acquisition of CrownRock.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/23/09/34550410/airlines-caught-in-airfare-scandal-antitrust-lawsuit-shakes-delta-united" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Airlines Caught In Airfare Scandal: Antitrust Lawsuit Shakes Delta, United</a>
<ul>
<li>Delta Air Lines&nbsp;Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dal#NYSE">DAL</a>) and&nbsp;United Airlines&nbsp;Holdings Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ual#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) find themselves at the center of an antitrust class action lawsuit.</li>
<li>The accusations? Conspiring to inflate airfares across the U.S. by artfully reducing available seats on domestic flights.</li>
<li>U.S. District Judge&nbsp;Colleen Kollar-Kotelly&nbsp;dropped a legal bombshell on Tuesday, greenlighting the antitrust class action lawsuit.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34577922/billionaire-ron-baron-holds-1b-stake-in-elon-musks-spacex-report" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Billionaire Ron Baron Holds $1B Stake In Elon Musk&#39;s SpaceX</a>
<ul>
<li>Ron Baron, the Billionaire investor and fund manager, reportedly holds more than $1 billion worth of shares in Elon Musk&#39;s rocket company, SpaceX.</li>
<li>Baron is a close associate of Musk and a long-time investor in the electric car company&nbsp;Tesla Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">TSLA</a>).</li>
<li>He has also invested about $100 million to take X, formerly Twitter, private.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Bloomberg
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/09/34577920/microsoft-faces-formal-eu-complaint-over-teams-app-despite-remediation-efforts" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Microsoft Faces Formal EU Complaint Over Teams App Despite Remediation Efforts</a>
<ul>
<li>Microsoft Corp&#39;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) attempt to address EU concerns about its Teams video-conferencing app failed, with the European Union&#39;s antitrust enforcers now preparing a formal complaint against the tech giant.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Microsoft&#39;s proposal to separate Teams from its broader business software package and offer it to customers independently with an annual discount did not alleviate regulators&#39; worries.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/09/34575486/electronic-arts-star-wars-visionary-stig-asmussen-departs-whats-next-for-the-gaming-giant" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Electronic Arts&#39; Star Wars Visionary Stig Asmussen Departs - What&#39;s Next for the Gaming Giant?</a>
<ul>
<li>Video game director Stig Asmussen, known for his role in reviving&nbsp;Electronic Arts Inc&#39;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ea#NASDAQ">EA</a>) Star Wars game franchise, is bidding farewell to the company.&nbsp;</li>
<li>This news comes as a significant development in the gaming world. Electronic Arts confirmed Asmussen&#39;s departure.&nbsp;</li>
<li>An EA spokesperson noted that seasoned Respawn leaders would step up to continue their work on &quot;Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,&quot; ensuring a smooth transition.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/09/34436783/longeveron-nasdaq-lgvn-reports-100-5-year-survival-in-trial-for-rare-pediatric-disease-hlhs-compa" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">AI Frenzy: OpenAI Expands Global Presence with New Dublin Office</a>
<ul>
<li>Microsoft Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) backed&nbsp;OpenAI Inc.&nbsp;eyes a second base outside the U.S. office, this time in Dublin.</li>
<li>CEO Sam Altman praised Ireland&#39;s tech and startup ecosystem&#39;s &quot;impressive growth and advancement.&quot;&nbsp;</li>
<li>The ChatGPT parent previously announced its first outside the U.S. in June in London.</li>
</ul>
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/mid-cap/23/09/34552387/casino-giants-face-cybersecurity-crisis-caesars-entertainment-falls-prey-to-hackers-post-mgm-attack" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Casino Giants Face Cybersecurity Crisis: Caesars Entertainment Falls Prey To Hackers Post-MGM Attack</a>
<ul>
<li>In a recent cybersecurity breach,&nbsp;Caesars Entertainment Inc.&nbsp;CZR reportedly paid millions to cyber attackers to prevent the leak of company data.</li>
<li>The fallout of this incident has led to a substantial drop in the company&#39;s share prices.</li>
<li>Caesars Entertainment&nbsp;reportedly paid a hefty sum to a group of hackers called&nbsp;&quot;Scattered Spider&quot;&nbsp;or&nbsp;&quot;UNC 3944.&quot; The cyber attackers breached the company&#39;s systems via an external IT vendor&#39;s network.</li>
</ul>

CRERF

CRRFY

GOOG

GOOGL

GRAB

JTKWY

MSFT

SFTBF

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Arm's IPO Could Be Valued At $54B, Google Slashes Jobs in Global Recruiting, Starbucks Founder And Former CEO To Leave: Today's Top Stories

Carrefour&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crerf#OTC">CRERF</a>) (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crrfy#OTC">CRRFY</a>) has taken a proactive stance by issuing price alerts on several products as a strategic move to exert pressure on leading consumer goods suppliers such as&nbsp;Nestle SA&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgf#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NSRGF</a>) (OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nsrgy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NSRGY</a>),&nbsp;PepsiCo Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pep#NYSE">PEP</a>), and&nbsp;Unilever Plc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ul#NYSE">UL</a>) to combat inflation in anticipation of forthcoming contract negotiations.
Carrefour is affixing labels to products that have undergone downsizing while their prices have increased, even after a decline in raw material costs.&nbsp;
This action aims to garner consumer support as retailers brace themselves for negotiations with some of the world&#39;s largest brands, set to commence soon and conclude by October 15.
Carrefour has marked 26 products in its French stores with labels stating, &quot;This product has seen its volume or weight fall, and the effective price by the supplier rise.&quot;&nbsp;
Finance Minister&nbsp;Bruno Le Maire&nbsp;supports this stance and, in June, summoned 75 major retailers and consumer groups to his ministry, urging them to lower prices.&nbsp;
Following another round of meetings last month, Reuters noted, Le Maire stated that Unilever, Nestle, and PepsiCo were among the companies not adhering to the price reduction initiative.
Consumer groups argue that &quot;shrinkflation&quot; is widespread, with supermarkets like Carrefour engaging in it with their private label products.
The shrinkflation warnings are displayed in all Carrefour stores in France and will continue until the targeted suppliers agree to reduce their prices.&nbsp;
While the retailer may extend these warnings to other products, there are no plans to expand this initiative to other countries.
Le Maire announced last month that consumer goods companies and retailers had agreed to advance annual price negotiations to September, which typically take place next year. These negotiations will result in price reductions starting from January.

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