General Mills Option Alert: Apr 17 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 vs 292 OI; Earnings 3/19 Before Open [est] 

General Mills Option Alert: Apr 17 $60 Puts at the Bid: 2000 @ $2.76 vs 292 OI; Earnings 3/19 Before Open [est] Ref=$59.12

General Mills (NYSE:GIS) 株価情報

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.

General Mills Inc

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.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45187807/sp-500s-9-day-climb-not-a-recession-signal-argue-analysts-amid-conflicting-research-simply-wrong-lazy-analysis">S&amp;P 500&#8217;s 9-Day Climb Not A Recession Signal, Argue Analysts Amid Conflicting Research: &#8216;Simply Wrong/Lazy Analysis&#8217;</a>
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. 
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<tbody>
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<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>
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<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>
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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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Photo courtesy: New Africa / Shutterstock.com

Equities

News

Politics

Markets

DLTR

MNST

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.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44909706/tariff-pressures-could-reshape-restaurant-buildout-economics-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tariff Pressures Could Reshape Restaurant Buildout Economics, Says Analyst</a>
"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

General

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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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.

Price Target

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.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44935272/tesla-reports-q1-after-the-bell-68-expect-the-company-to-miss-analysts-estimates">Will Tesla Beat The Street? 68% Expect Something Markets May Not Be Ready For</a>
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. 
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<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>
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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.

Morgan Stanley Initiates Coverage On General Mills with Underweight Rating, Announces Price Target of $53

Barclays analyst Andrew Lazar maintains General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $65 to $60.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on General Mills, Lowers Price Target to $60

Mizuho analyst John Baumgartner maintains General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $62 to $60.

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on General Mills, Lowers Price Target to $60

JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintains General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $60 to $54.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on General Mills, Lowers Price Target to $54

A report on March 19, 2025 shows that Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota sale stock in PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), valued between $200,002 and $500,000. According to the March filing, the transaction occurred on March 19, 2025.
At the time of writing, PepsiCo shares are trading down 0.34% at $147.61.
<h3>What Senator Has Been Trading Recently</h3>
In the past three years, Tina Smith made 13 stock trades totaling more than $865 thousand. The largest trades involved stocks like Medtronic and NextEra Energy. Their most notable trades made recently include key transactions: 
<ul>
<li>PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>): $100,001 - $250,000 Sale</li>
<li>General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>): $100,001 - $250,000 Sale</li>
</ul>
Here's a summary of Tina Smith's recent trades:
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Ticker</th>
<th>Stock Type</th>
<th>Amount</th>
<th>Transaction Type</th>
<th>Transaction Date</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>PepsiCo</td>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>STOCK</td>
<td>$100,001 - $250,000</td>
<td>S</td>
<td>2025-02-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Mills</td>
<td>GIS</td>
<td>STOCK</td>
<td>$100,001 - $250,000</td>
<td>S</td>
<td>2025-02-11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Want to keep up with Tina Smith and other congressional members' stock activities? Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/tina-smith">government trades tool</a> for real-time updates!
<h3>The Importance of Congressional Transactions</h3>
A congressional transaction is when any representative or senator either buys or sells an individual stock.
Anyone working in Congress must file a Periodic Transaction Report to inform the public of their recent transaction within 30 days of being notified of the transaction and within 45 days of the transaction date.
In April 2012, Former President Barack Obama signed the STOCK Act into law. The act prohibits members of Congress from using private information given to them by their position for personal gain such as buying or selling a stock. The act also expanded disclosure requirements for members of Congress by requiring them to file a monthly disclosure.
<h3>The Importance of Congressional Transactions</h3>
Congressional transactions shouldn't be the primary reason for an investing decision, but they can be an important factor for an investor to consider.
When a senator or representative makes a new purchase, it could be an indication they expect the stock to rise.
A sale, on the other hand, can be made for a variety of reasons, and may not necessarily mean the seller thinks the stock will go down.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

This Senator Just Sold Up To $500K In PepsiCo Stock

B of A Securities analyst Bryan Spillane maintains General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $70 to $68.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on General Mills, Lowers Price Target to $68

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) shares are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trading lower in premarket</a> today.
On Wednesday, the company reported a third-quarter sales decrease of 5% year-on-year to $4.84 billion, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $4.96 billion. Organic <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44394078/general-mills-reports-fiscal-2025-third-quarter-results-and-updates-full-year-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">net sales were down 5%.</a>
North America Retail segment sales declined 7% to $3 billion. North America&nbsp;Pet segment sales remained flat Y/Y at $624 million, while International segment sales decreased 4% to $651 million.
Adjusted EPS of $1.00 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings">beat the consensus estimate of $0.96.</a>
Gross margin expanded 40 basis points Y/Y to 33.9%. Adjusted gross margin down 60 basis points to 33.4%.
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Operating margin expanded 50 basis points to 18.4%, and operating income for the quarter decreased 2% to $891 million.
General Mills held $521.3 million in cash and equivalents as of February 23, 2025. Operating cash flow for nine months totaled $2.3 billion.
General Mills repurchased about 14 million shares of common stock through nine months of fiscal 2025 for a total of $902 million.
&#8220;Our third-quarter organic net sales finished below our expectations, driven largely by greater-than-expected retailer inventory headwinds and a slowdown in snacking categories,&#8221; said Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening.
Outlook: General Mills expects macroeconomic uncertainty to continue to impact consumers in the&nbsp;fourth quarter. Also, the company plans to make investments in the&nbsp;fourth quarter&nbsp;in advance of significant<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener"> fiscal 2026 new product launches.</a>
The company now expects FY25 organic net sales&nbsp;to be down&nbsp;2% to down&nbsp;1.5%, compared to the previous expectation of the lower end of the range of between flat and up&nbsp;1%.
Also, the company now expects adjusted operating profit and adjusted EPS to be down 8% to down 7% in constant currency, compared to the previous ranges of between down 4% and down 2% in constant currency, reflecting lower net sales. This guidance does not include any impact from new tariff actions in 2025.
In addition, the company has commenced a review of expected cost-savings initiatives that target savings of at least&nbsp;$100 million&nbsp;in fiscal 2026.&nbsp;
Price Action: GIS shares are trading lower by 3.29% at $58.42 in premarket at last check Wednesday.
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Photo by calimedia via Shutterstock.

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Movers

Pillsbury Maker General Mills Cautions About Economic Uncertainty After Q3 Revenue Dip

General Mills shares are trading lower after the company reported mixed Q3 results and said it expects macroeconomic uncertainty to continue impacting consumers in Q4.

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