Ultime notizie per General Mills (NYSE:GIS) Azioni

GENERAL MILLS INC

General Mills

General Mills is a global packaged food company that produces snacks, cereal, convenient meals, dough, baking mixes and ingredients, pet food, and superpremium ice cream. Its largest brands are Nature Valley, Cheerios, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Blue Buffalo, and Haagen-Dazs. In fiscal 2024, 81% of its revenue was derived from the United States, although the company also operates in Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Latin America. Although most of General Mills' products are sold through retail stores to consumers, the company also sells products to the foodservice channel and the commercial baking industry.

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La Segretaria all&#39;Agricoltura USA accusa apertamente le potenti lobby del settore alimentare e delle bevande di ostacolare riforme cruciali.

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General Mills Inc

Conagra Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/n45811981/conagra-brands-enters-into-a-definitive-agreement-with-high-liner-foods-to-divest-the-van-de-kamps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agreed to sell</a> its Van de Kamp&#8217;s and Mrs. Paul&#8217;s frozen seafood brands to High Liner Foods for $55 million in cash.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of July 2025. The two seafood brands generated roughly $75 million in net sales during fiscal 2024.
The divestiture is projected to reduce Conagra&#8217;s adjusted earnings per share by one cent in fiscal 2026.
Conagra CEO Sean Connolly described the sale as a strategic move to redirect resources toward faster-growing segments. 
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Proceeds from the transaction will be applied toward debt reduction, aligning with Conagra&#8217;s broader goal of improving its balance sheet while enhancing focus on innovation and brand development.
The divestiture is part of a wider shift in the packaged food industry, where companies are reassessing portfolios to match evolving consumer demands and improve operational efficiency.
Related ETFs: Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>), iShares U.S. Consumer Goods ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYK#NYSE">IYK</a>).
Price Action: Conagra shares are trading lower by 0.45% at $22.36 on Friday&#8217;s last check.
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Asset Sales

Conagra Sells Seafood Brands For $55M As It Sharpens Focus On Core Business

UBS analyst Peter Grom maintains General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Sell and lowers the price target from $54 to $52.

UBS Maintains Sell on General Mills, Lowers Price Target to $52

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed &#8220;medical freedom&#8221; while simultaneously limiting access to COVID-19 vaccines and restricting food stamp purchases, creating what public health experts call a dichotomy in his approach to healthcare policy.
What Happened: Kennedy announced last week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would remove COVID-19 vaccines from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45661031/robert-f-kennedy-jr-says-cdc-drops-covid-vaccine-for-healthy-pregnant-women-children">recommended </a>immunization schedules for healthy children and pregnant women.
The decision bypassed traditional advisory committee processes and shifted coverage from routine recommendations to shared clinical decision-making between doctors and patients.
&#8220;Regarding the vaccines, HHS is restoring the doctor-patient relationship,&#8221; HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-promoted-freedom-choice-limiting-vaccines-food/story?id=122526364">statement</a> to ABC News. &#8220;We are encouraging those groups to consult with their health care provider to help them make an informed decision.&#8221;
Kennedy has also pushed to ban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from purchasing candy and soda with food stamps. Ten state governors have submitted waivers to the Agriculture Department requesting permission for such restrictions, according to Kennedy&#8217;s statements at a Make America Healthy Again event in May.
The Food and Drug Administration began <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45399804/robert-kennedy-jr-cheers-fda-plan-to-ban-fluoride-supplements-for-children-calls-move-long-overdue">removing fluoride supplements for children </a>from the market, earning Kennedy&#8217;s praise as &#8220;long overdue.&#8221; The agency cited a lack of FDA approval and evidence that these products alter gut microbiomes.
Kennedy&#8217;s broader MAHA initiative has influenced restaurant chains to eliminate seed oils. Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BH#NYSE">BH</a>) subsidiary Steak &#8216;n Shake switched to beef tallow for French fries, while Sweetgreen Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SG#NYSE">SG</a>), Bloomin&#8217; Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>), and Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>) have initiated similar transitions.
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Why It Matters: Critics argue Kennedy&#8217;s policies contradict his &#8220;medical freedom&#8221; messaging by limiting choices. Removing COVID vaccines from CDC schedules restricts access while claiming to promote freedom.
&#8220;If you restrict access, you necessarily restrict choice,&#8221; Dr. Matthew Ferrari of Pennsylvania State University told ABC News. Public health experts warn Kennedy&#8217;s approach individualizes community health decisions. &#8220;We&#8217;re losing a lot of that underpinning, which has led to a lot of the gains in public health,&#8221; Dr. Craig Spencer of Brown University told ABC News.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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On May 20, General Mills Approved Multi-Year Global Transformation Initiative; Transformation Initiative To Result In $130M Total Charges

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers and farming communities as his highly anticipated &#8220;Make America Healthy Again&#8221; report approaches Thursday&#8217;s release, with glyphosate pesticide regulations emerging as the primary flashpoint between public health advocates and agricultural interests.
What Happened: The MAHA Commission report, mandated by President Donald Trump within 100 days to analyze childhood disease factors, has sparked preemptive opposition from 79 Republican lawmakers representing farming states, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-kennedy-farmers-maha-trump-pesticides-5d5a83bde6b88290cf9c3536e74523be">according</a> to AP. Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley warned Wednesday that farmers have expressed concerns about being excluded from the report&#8217;s input process.
Kennedy addressed Senate Appropriations Committee concerns from Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, stating &#8220;there&#8217;s not a single word in them that should worry the American farmer&#8221; and promising not to &#8220;jeopardize that business model.&#8221; The commission, established by Trump&#8217;s February executive order, was tasked with examining prescription drugs, chemicals, and food ingredients affecting children.
The report comes alongside a proposed $500 million budget boost for Kennedy&#8217;s MAHA initiative, while simultaneously cutting infectious disease prevention, maternal health, and medical research programs. Kennedy supporters, including 360 MAHA advocates and former campaign staffers, have submitted pesticide studies pressing for chemical industry accountability.
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Why It Matters: The report&#8217;s potential glyphosate restrictions could significantly impact agricultural productivity and food company operations. Kennedy&#8217;s broader MAHA agenda has already influenced restaurant industry practices, with Biglari Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BH#NASDAQ">BH</a>) subsidiary Steak &#8216;n Shake switching from seed oils to beef tallow for French fries, earning Kennedy&#8217;s public praise for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/03/44280041/rfk-jr-thanks-steak-n-shake-for-rfking-the-french-fries-restaurant-goes-all-in-on-make-america-healthy-again">&#8220;RFKing the French fries.&#8221;</a>
Other restaurant chains, including Sweetgreen Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SG#NYSE">SG</a>), Bloomin&#8217; Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>)-owned Outback Steakhouse, and Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>)-owned Popeyes, have initiated similar transitions. Kennedy has scheduled meetings with food giants PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44209953/rfk-jr-takes-on-food-giants-calls-meeting-with-pepsico-and-general-mills">address processed food concerns.</a>
The MAHA initiative&#8217;s budget proposal threatens the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45522362/we-have-no-details-says-food-program-director-as-trumps-maha-boxes-threaten-730000-seniors-grocery-lifeline">$425 million Commodity Supplemental Food Program</a>, potentially affecting 730,000 seniors&#8217; grocery access through replacement &#8220;MAHA boxes.&#8221; Food program directors report logistical challenges and communication gaps, with Connecticut Foodshare experiencing 34 canceled federal shipments affecting over 600 food banks statewide.
The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, while farmers argue it remains essential for weed control without excessive soil tilling, creating a regulatory tension between public health priorities and agricultural economics.
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RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' Report Stirs GOP, Farmers Over Glyphosate Concerns Ahead Of Release

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/yield-investments"> high dividend payout</a>.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">by analyst accuracy</a>.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the consumer staples sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>)</h3>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Dividend Yield: 7.03%</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Gaurav Jain maintained an Underweight rating and raised the price target from $46 to $49 on May 2, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Lisa Lewandowski upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised the price target from $55 to $65 on Dec. 6, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On April 29, Altria Group posted upbeat quarterly earnings.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s real-time newsfeed alerted to latest MO <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516">news</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="913" height="847" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065718/image-196.png" alt="" class="wp-image-917747" style="width:637px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065718/image-196.png 913w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065718/image-196-300x278.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065718/image-196-768x712.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 913px) 100vw, 913px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>)</h3>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Dividend Yield: 6.15%</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $26 to $25 on May 6, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander initiated coverage on the stock with an Equal-Weight rating and a price target of $27 on March 24, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On May 1, Hometown Food Company announced plans to acquire Chef Boyardee Brand from Conagra Brands for $600 million.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to latest CAG <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516">news </a></li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="848" height="792" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065756/image-197.png" alt="" class="wp-image-917749" style="width:606px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065756/image-197.png 848w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065756/image-197-300x280.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065756/image-197-768x717.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>)</h3>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.41%</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander initiated coverage on the stock with an Underweight rating and a price target of $53 on March 24, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Mizuho analyst John Baumgartner maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $62 to $60 on March 20, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On March 19, General Mills reported mixed third-quarter results and said it expects macroeconomic uncertainty to continue impacting consumers in the fourth quarter.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s real-time newsfeed alerted to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516">latest GIS news</a> </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/register?utm_adType=bzprocontent&amp;utm_campaign=14daytrial&amp;utm_ad=0516"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="916" height="827" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065837/image-198.png" alt="" class="wp-image-917750" style="width:574px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065837/image-198.png 916w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065837/image-198-300x271.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16065837/image-198-768x693.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px" /></a></figure>
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Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Defensive Stocks Delivering High-Dividend Yields

Jim Cramer thinks that the bond market now offers a clearer risk-reward trade-off than so-called "safety" stocks, warning that rising 10-year Treasury yields and a political "wild card" in Washington make even dividend stalwarts feel shaky.
What Happened: The 10-year Treasury yield's jump to its highest level in more than a month has tightened the spread between bond payouts and blue-chip dividends, dulling the appeal of AbbVie (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) and Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>), Cramer <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/14/jim-cramer-explains-why-its-hard-to-own-usual-safety-stocks-here.html">told</a> CNBC&#8217;s &#8216;Mad Money&#8217; viewers on Wednesday.
"In a very uncertain tape for what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44809259/3-safe-dividend-stocks-as-investors-seek-to-reset-diversification">used to be called</a> ‘safety stocks,' I'd rather just own a piece of paper like the 10-year Treasury, where, if worst comes to worst, at least I get my money back," Cramer said.
Cramer flagged Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly installed as Health and Human Services secretary, as an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42254495/trumps-hhs-pick-rfk-jr-has-a-long-history-of-challenging-global-health-policies">unpredictable force</a> who could clamp down on pharmaceutical pricing and food additives. "Investors don't know whether Kennedy will act in favor of the companies he's tasked with regulating," he cautioned.
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What To Know: That uncertainty compounds existing headaches. Johnson &amp; Johnson is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44586129/us-judge-rejects-another-johnson-johnson-attempt-to-use-bankruptcy-for-talc-cancer-claims">still wrestling</a> with talc-related lawsuits that have already cost billions in settlements and reserves, a cloud Wall Street <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44920880/expert-flags-never-before-observed-trio-falling-stocks-and-short-yields-bucking-rising-long-yields-nothing-is-normal-about-this">fears could grow</a> heavier if bond yields <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45399783/gordon-johnson-warns-of-potential-liberation-day-20-as-30-year-treasury-yields-approach-5-amid-dollar-weakness?utm_source=chatgpt.com">keep luring</a> income-seekers away. AbbVie's rich dividend likewise looks less generous when a risk-free Treasury pays nearly the same rate with zero headline risk.
Consumer staples aren't immune either, says Cramer. Procter &amp; Gamble and Colgate boast recession-proof brands, yet their 2–3% yields no longer tower over Treasuries, and Cramer said "the yields may simply not be high enough to justify the risk."
Snack titan PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and cereal maker General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) could also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42144709/kennedys-war-on-food-dyes-could-be-coming-to-your-breakfast-table">come under fire</a> if Kennedy pushes to restrict artificial colors and other additives, Cramer warned, asking rhetorically whether kids would still eat Lucky Charms without its rainbow marshmallows.
Why It Matters: For now, Cramer said he is "tempted to buy General Mills" on weakness, but fears Washington's next pitch more than the stock's upside.
Cramer also told "Mad Money" viewers that recession worries can be a buying opportunity, saying high-quality retailers look cheap so long as you don't think the economy will "fall off a cliff." Despite earlier warning, the sector was in the trade-war "blast radius," he now does have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45416455/jim-cramer-says-these-retail-stocks-rl-gap-can-survive-a-market-correction">couple of clear favorites</a> to scoop up on any dip.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate Johnson &amp; Johnson has a Momentum in the 47th percentile and Growth in the 63rd, how do other &#8220;safety&#8221; stocks rank in terms of these metrics? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Check them out here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="442" height="282" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33.png" alt="" class="wp-image-915950" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33.png 442w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33-300x191.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px" /></figure>
Photo courtesy: katz / Shutterstock.com
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Jim Cramer Says Even 'Safety' Stocks Look Risky, Warns Of 'Wild Card' In Washington And Rising Treasury Yields As Reasons To Stay Away From Sure Bets

In a recent interview, United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signaled a new wave of regulatory scrutiny headed for America&#8217;s largest food, beverage, and retail brands.
What Happened: Speaking on the All-in Podcast on Sunday, Secretary Rollins discussed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), highlighting its $123 billion annual cost.
She noted that SNAP accounts for 70% of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's budget and roughly 2% of the entire federal budget.
Rollins further adds that roughly 10% of this budget, or $15 billion a year, is spent on soda, with 75% of the population on SNAP being clinically obese. &#8220;Taxpayer dollars be[ing] spent on sugary drinks and junk food that&#8217;s making our kids sick? Absolutely not,&#8221; she says.
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She blames this squarely on the lobbyists, saying that &#8220;the amount of money that is at stake is reflected in the amount of lobbyists that are out and about,&#8221; but adds that the program will not be eliminated, and will instead be realigned to &#8220;make America healthy again.&#8221;
Why It Matters: SNAP benefits have been in focus ever since the new administration took over, with <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/02/43901558/snap-benefits-in-focus-trump-admin-targets-bidens-food-assistance-policies">plenty of pushback</a> against potential cuts, coming from the likes of Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who called it &#8220;slashing benefits for working-class Americans to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-rich.&#8221; 
Several leading food, beverage, and retail brands too face a top-line hit if these changes come into effect, with a substantial portion of their revenues coming from purchases made using SNAP.
According to analyst Alexia Howard from Bernstein, a wide-scale cut to SNAP could hit General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) the hardest, given its cereal line-up.
Besides this, there are beverage stocks such as 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>), and Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNST#NASDAQ">MNST</a>), which are likely to be hit hard, according to a Citi Research note.
Among retailers, dollar stores such as Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) and Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) are the most likely to be impacted by cuts to the SNAP program, according to Bernstein analyst Zhihan Ma. &#8220;If you're a dollar store, your full value proposition is predicated on servicing the lower-income consumers,&#8221; Ma said, in a report <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/16/proposed-snap-cuts-pressure-low-income-shoppers-retailers.html">by</a> CNBC. 
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Stock</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year-To-Date Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-12.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+15.86%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-10.96%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNST#NASDAQ">MNST</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+14.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+19.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+10.23%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture &#x7C; All-In in DC!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Avlm1GWEgQI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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</figure>
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Photo courtesy: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

SNAP Spending Shift Could Hit General Mills, PepsiCo Hard, Warns Analyst

Government health agencies are pushing forward an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply" rel="noreferrer noopener">overhaul of food additive rules</a> to remove petroleum-based artificial dyes from products sold in the U.S.
The effort, revealed on Wednesday, falls under health secretary&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr's larger "Make America Healthy Again" plan, which seeks to boost national health by tightening dietary guidelines.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services introduced a roadmap outlining the shift toward plant-based food colorings across the industry.
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"For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
"These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development. That era is coming to an end.
As part of the plan, approvals for two synthetic dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, will be rescinded in the coming months.
Regulators are coordinating with manufacturers to eliminate six commonly used food colorings: FD&amp;C Red No. 40, FD&amp;C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, FD&amp;C Green No. 3, and FD&amp;C Blue Nos. 1 and 2 by the end of next year.
The FDA also encouraged companies to retire FD&amp;C Red No. 3 ahead of the current 2027-2028 target. To support a seamless shift, the agency intends to authorize four new naturally derived color additives in the near future.
It is also speeding up the evaluation process for substitutes such as butterfly pea flower extract, Galdieria blue, gardenia blue, and calcium phosphate. In addition, updated regulatory guidelines are being developed to assist manufacturers in meeting the new requirements.
In collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the FDA will undertake a broad research effort to assess how food dyes influence children's development and well-being.
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Photo by Tada Images via Shutterstock

MDLZ

FDA Targets Synthetic Food Dyes In Sweeping Nutrition Overhaul

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Compass Point analyst Dominick Gabriele initiated coverage on PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) with a Sell rating and announced a price target of $56. PayPal shares closed at $61.42 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PYPL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Sameer Joshi initiated coverage on Oklo Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OKLO#NYSE">OKLO</a>) with a Buy rating and announced a price target of $55. Oklo shares closed at $21.53 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OKLO/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>UBS analyst Peter Grom initiated coverage on General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Sell rating and announced a price target of $54. General Mills shares closed at $58.06 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GIS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Roth MKM analyst Taz Koujalgi initiated coverage on SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/S#NYSE">S</a>) with a Buy rating and announced a price target of $26. SentinelOne shares closed at $16.36 on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/S/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>JMP Securities analyst Silvan Tuerkcan initiated coverage on Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FHTX#NASDAQ">FHTX</a>) with a Market Outperform rating and announced a price target of $9. Foghorn Therapeutics shares closed at $4.24 on Tuesday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FHTX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying PYPL stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23091816/image-136-1024x578.png" alt="" class="wp-image-884194" style="width:551px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23091816/image-136-1024x578.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23091816/image-136-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23091816/image-136-768x434.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23091816/image-136.png 1103w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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Photo via Shutterstock

Initiation

FHTX

OKLO

PYPL

This PayPal Analyst Begins Coverage On A Bearish Note; Here Are Top 5 Initiations For Wednesday

UBS analyst Peter Grom initiates coverage on General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Sell rating and announces Price Target of $54.

UBS Initiates Coverage On General Mills with Sell Rating, Announces Price Target of $54

U.S. health officials announced Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration will phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026 in a major shift for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43011207/fda-bans-red-dye-no-3-effective-january-2027-cites-cancer-risks-food-stocks-to-watch">the nation's food industry.</a>
"For the last 50 years, we have been running one of the largest uncontrolled scientific experiments in the world on our nation's children without their consent," FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said at a news conference.
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Artificial color additives such as Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1 are used to give products like cereals, chips and sports drinks their vivid colors, but concerns about their safety have been growing for years. Health advocates have cited research linking these dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues in children, though the FDA maintains most children do not experience adverse effects from consuming them.
The new regulations will require major food manufacturers like PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) to reformulate products and transition to natural color alternatives. 
Industry representatives have argued that there is insufficient evidence to justify a ban, but the FDA is moving forward with a national standard and clear timeline for the transition.
The eight synthetic dyes targeted for elimination include Red No. 40, Red No. 3, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, and possibly Orange B or Citrus Red No. 2. Red No. 3, already linked to cancer in laboratory animals, was previously scheduled for a federal ban by January 2027.&nbsp;
The FDA is also expected to authorize additional natural color additives and accelerate the review of others to support the industry's transition.
"For companies that are currently using petroleum-based red dye, try watermelon juice or beet juice. For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice," Makary said. 
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees the FDA, has made eliminating artificial dyes a priority, citing the need to address chronic disease and improve children's health as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign.
"We are betraying our children by letting these industries poison them,&#8221; Kennedy said at a Trump campaign rally in November 2024.&nbsp;
General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) may have seen the ban coming as the mega-manufacturer of processed foods released a statement last November after President Donald Trump announced Kennedy as his choice for the position  
&#8220;Because this is always an evolving space, we work in close partnership with policymakers on this issue,&#8221; General Mills said in the statement. &#8220;We will engage with federal regulators as they consider any additional changes they may propose.&#8221;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Government

Regulations

RFK Jr. Will Phase Out Artificial Food Dyes By End Of 2026: What It Means For Pepsi, Coca-Cola, General Mills

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD" title="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD">https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD</a>.
<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD" title="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD">https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply#:~:text=%E2%80%9CToday%2C%20the%20FDA%20is%20asking,obesity%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20ADHD</a>.

U.S. FDA Commissioner Makary Says FDA Is Taking Action To Remove Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes From Food Supply And Medications; FDA Food Policy Is Justified By Studies Raising Concern About Link Between Dyes And Health Conditions

Stock market expert Jon Erlichman recently shared a review of stock returns during the last six U.S. recessions, highlighting those that have performed well in difficult times.
In a video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Lm9FH-c70">post</a> and also on X, Erlichman shared his analysis of stock returns during the past six recessions in the U.S.
&#8220;The Great Recession, which was longer from 2007 to 2009. We added in the dot-com recession, the recession in the early 90s, and the recessions in the early 80s. So you look at that, you start to get a better sample size,&#8221; he said. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We reviewed stock returns in the past 6 U.S. recessions. Here's a list of stocks that have navigated well during tough times. <a href="https://t.co/vPPsxp9UUE">https://t.co/vPPsxp9UUE</a>
&mdash; Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonErlichman/status/1913326228255232100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
In alphabetical order, he mentioned about stock number one, AutoZone (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZO#NYSE">AZO</a>). He said that AutoZone is a great example of a stock that has done well during past recessions. Stock number two was Clorox (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLX#NYSE">CLX</a>). He said that Clorox is a great example of a stock that did well during the last recession.
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The other recession proof stocks he suggested were, General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>), IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), J.M. Smucker (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SJM#NYSE">SJM</a>), McDonald&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>), Newmont (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEM#NYSE">NEM</a>), Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), O&#8217;Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>), Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHW#NYSE">SHW</a>), and Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). 
&#8220;And if you go back through all these six recessions, this is the stock that really stands out as a recession-proof stock. Now, of course, we&#8217;ve got the tariff uncertainty right now. That&#8217;s not great for retailers, but Walmart executives have already come out,&#8221; he said in the post. 
The analysis shared by Erlichman is particularly relevant in the current economic climate. With ongoing market volatility and uncertainty, investors are constantly on the lookout for stocks that can weather economic downturns. 
Erlichman&#8217;s review offers a historical perspective on stocks that have demonstrated resilience in the face of recessions, potentially guiding investors towards more stable investment options during turbulent times.
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Image: Shutterstock/iQoncept

NFLX

ORLY

Stocks That Weathered Past Recessions: Expert Shares Picks That Withstood Every Downturn

General Mills's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) short percent of float has risen 14.37% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 29.82 million shares sold short, which is 6.13% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.03 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>General Mills Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1744740023_0_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for General Mills has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing General Mills's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, General Mills's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.03%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About General Mills?

BofA Securities analysts Bryan D. Spillane, Lisa K. Lewandowski and Peter T. Galbo have put forward on Tuesday their research findings on consumer staple companies in the face of a potential recession.
The analysts said consumer staples have historically outperformed the S&amp;P 500 in most recent recessions, suggesting a defensive edge.
However, the analysts warned that current conditions, such as lingering high prices and weak volume growth, may limit their resilience in a future downturn.
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Still, their limited exposure to new tariffs could make the sector more appealing than others, potentially helping sustain valuation multiples.
During recessions, the Consumer Staples sector stock prices are primarily influenced by earnings per share (EPS) rather than sales growth.
Analysis shows that forward EPS estimates account for over 90% of stock price movement across key subsectors like Beverages, Household &amp; Personal Care (HPC), Packaged Food, and Tobacco, with the correlation being the tightest Beverages and HPC.
The analysts noted that this highlights the critical importance of earnings strength when evaluating stock performance in uncertain economic conditions.
A review of six past recessions reveals that certain Consumer Staples stocks consistently outperformed the S&amp;P 500.
Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPB#NYSE">CPB</a>), Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>), General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>), McCormick &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MKC#NYSE">MKC</a>), PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), and Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HRL#NYSE">HRL</a>) each posted a 100% success rate in outperforming the index during those downturns.
In the last four recessions with the most comprehensive data, McCormick, General Mills, and Church &amp; Dwight Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHD#NYSE">CHD</a>) delivered the strongest relative performance.
Top-performing Consumer Staples stocks in a potential downturn will likely share three traits: profit flexibility to offset revenue pressure and rising costs, strong U.S. manufacturing presence to limit tariff-related inflation, and solid balance sheets capable of sustaining share buybacks to boost earnings per share.
Analysts see McCormick, Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) and Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>) as well-defended, with Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KDP#NASDAQ">KDP</a>), Molson Coors Beverage Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAP#NYSE">TAP</a>) and Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>) in the next tier of potential outperformers.
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Image via Shutterstock

Analyst Color

This Beverage Maker, Tobacco Company And Packaged Food Giant Outshine In A Recession

WIIM

Shares of consumer staples stocks are trading higher as tariffs uncertainty may be driving a shift towards defensive stocks.

Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog analyzed the pet food offerings to understand the category more. The following are the comments published on Thursday regarding the same.
The U.S. consumer is becoming more cautious due to concerns about inflation, tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainty, impacting the broader staples sector, said the analyst.
While consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies face short-term pressure, an analysis of the pet food market suggests that premium offerings from Colgate-Palmolive Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>) and General Mills Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) are likely to remain resilient.
These high-end products could support growth and help offset weaker demand in other areas, noted the analyst.
The analyst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CL/analyst-ratings">reiterated a Buy rating</a> on the shares of Colgate-Palmolive with a price forecast of $106.00. The Hill&#8217;s Pet Nutrition division is expected to be a key driver of sustained mid-single-digit organic sales growth, fueled by category expansion and market share gains.
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The global premium pet food market is projected to grow at around 5% through 2030, with balanced contributions from volume and pricing.
While dry dog food growth is expected to moderate, wet dog food is gaining traction. Cat food, both dry and wet, is anticipated to see stronger growth due to increasing consumption.
Despite an overall slowdown in category growth, Colgate is well-positioned to outperform the market, said the analyst.
The company&#8217;s focus on innovation such as Hill&#8217;s Prescription Diet z/d Low Fat and new wet cat food flavors along with above-average advertising spend and expanded production capacity, is set to drive household penetration beyond its current 6% in the U.S.
With solid revenue growth and productivity improvements, Colgate is expected to see continued margin expansion, supporting strong earnings.
The analyst reiterated a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GIS/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy rating on General Mills</a> with a price forecast of $68.00. The company sees its pet food business as a key catalyst for returning to 2% &#8211; 3% organic sales growth by fiscal 2027, with fiscal 2026 focused on reinvestment.
Premium pet food, benefiting from the increasing humanization of pets, is expected to drive mid-single-digit category growth, with contributions from both pricing and volume, noted the analyst.
GIS has historically expanded market share through acquisitions, and its recent Whitebridge purchase is expected to follow suit.
With a strong presence in pet specialty and e-commerce but low household penetration, the brand offers a significant growth runway, particularly in the high-growth cat food segment.
Despite competition from private labels, GIS&#8217;s premium positioning has supported sales acceleration and market share stability, opined the analyst.
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Image via Shutterstock.

Reiteration

Goldman Sees Premium Pet Food As Bright Spot For Colgate And General Mills Amid Consumer Caution

Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander initiates coverage on General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Underweight rating and announces Price Target of $53.

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