Latest news with #LaCroix
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UBS Lifts Price Target on National Beverage (FIZZ) Stock
National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) is one of the Best Mid Cap FMCG Stocks to Buy Now. UBS lifted the price target on the company's stock to $45 from $42, while keeping a 'Sell'' rating. As per the firm analyst, National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)'s Q4 2025 top line was better than feared, but margins might be more challenged. Furthermore, the firm remains encouraged by management's commentary that volume performance was robust quarter-to-date. However, UBS believes that investors are likely to take a wait-and-see approach and will check for more concrete signs in the data pointing to a sustained inflection. In Q4 2025, the company's net sales rose 5.5% to $314 million. A colorful display of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks and carbonated soft drinks on a convenience store shelf, emphasizing the company's impressive beverage portfolio. National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)'s net sales, operating profit, and net income touched record highs, with both Power + Brands and carbonated soft drinks reporting volume increases. LaCroix's new variants- Sunshine, Cherry Lime, and Blackberry Cucumber- began shipping in Q4 2025, offering a growth stimulus amidst a tough consumer environment. The company's net sales for FY 2025 rose 0.8% to $1,201.4 million compared to $1,191.7 million for FY 2024. The rise in sales was mainly because of a 1.7% rise in average selling price per case and an additional selling week, partially mitigated by a 0.9% decline in case volume. National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ)'s gross profit for FY 2025 increased to $443.9 million as compared to $428.5 million for FY 2024. This was mainly because of a decline in packaging costs and higher average selling price per case. National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) develops, produces, markets, and sells a portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks, and carbonated soft drinks. While we acknowledge the potential of FIZZ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- The Citizen
Sex-abuse priest's promotion draws attacks on Catholic Church
A French archbishop's decision to promote a priest who was sentenced to jail for raping a teenage boy has drawn... A French archbishop's decision to promote a priest who was sentenced to jail for raping a teenage boy has drawn new condemnation of the Roman Catholic Church for its record on sex abuse. Victim support groups and traditionalists have expressed outrage over the case of Dominique Spina, who was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old boy in 2006 and sentenced to five years in prison. Catholic priest promoted out of 'mercy' The archbishop of Toulouse, Guy de Kerimel, set off the controversy in June when he named Spina as diocesan chancellor, putting him in charge of archives. The canonical code lays down that the chancellor must be 'of honest reputation and above all suspicion'. Kerimel said he had acted out of 'mercy' in making the appointment and that he had 'nothing to reproach' the priest for in an 'administrative function'. In a statement released on Thursday in the face of mounting protests, Kerimel acknowledged the 'incomprehension' and 'questions' among Catholics but said again that without 'mercy' Spina risked a 'social death'. 'This is in no way about downplaying a crime' and the victim must be 'recognised and helped', he insisted. ALSO READ: Kokstad to Vatican: Local Bishop gets big job from Pope Leo XIV Because of the sensitivity of the topic, Catholic leaders have been reluctant to speak publicly, but one bishop told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the appointment was 'a great shame' for the church. 'A priest convicted of serious sexual acts cannot hold a position of responsibility again. We should be able to say that,' the bishop added. Anger over priest's appointment In a joint statement, several groups of victims of sexual abuse in Catholic schools expressed their 'deep indignation' and 'anger' at the appointment. The Catholic media has also lambasted the appointment. La Croix, a Catholic daily newspaper, said that 'the principle of mercy cannot be used as a hasty justification'. The traditionalist website Riposte Catholique called the appointment 'unjustifiable' and said the Vatican should intervene. 'Compassion does not consist of rehabilitating a condemned man to a canonical position,' commented the Christian website Tribune Chretienne, known for its conservative line. ALSO READ: Pope Leo warns AI could disrupt young minds' grip on reality France's Catholic Church is already reeling from several sexual scandals in schools it runs and accusations of long-term sexual abuse made against Abbe Pierre, once an icon of the defence of the poor, who died in 2007. The Church has set up two commissions on acknowledging and compensating for the widespread abuses uncovered by an independent inquiry released in 2021.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sex-abuse priest's promotion draws attacks on Catholic Church
PARIS: A French archbishop's decision to promote a priest who was sentenced to jail for raping a teenaged boy has drawn new condemnation of the Roman Catholic Church for its record on sex abuse. Victim support groups and traditionalists have expressed outrage over the case of Dominique Spina, who was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old boy in 2006 and sentenced to five years in prison. The archbishop of Toulouse, Guy de Kerimel, set off the controversy in June when he named Spina as diocesan chancellor, putting him in charge of archives. The canonical code lays down that the chancellor must be 'of honest reputation and above all suspicion'. Kerimel said he had acted out of 'mercy' in making the appointment and that he had 'nothing to reproach' the priest for in an 'administrative function'. In a statement released Thursday in the face of mounting protests, Kerimel acknowledged the 'incomprehension' and 'questions' among Catholics but said again that without 'mercy' Spina risked a 'social death'. 'This is in no way about downplaying a crime' and the victim must be 'recognised and helped', he insisted. Because of the sensitivity of the topic, Catholic leaders have been reluctant to speak publicly, but one bishop told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the appointment was 'a great shame' for the Church. 'A priest convicted of serious sexual acts cannot hold a position of responsibility again. We should be able to say that,' the bishop added. In a joint statement, several groups of victims of sexual abuse in Catholic schools expressed their 'deep indignation' and 'anger' at the appointment. The Catholic media has also lambasted the appointment. La Croix, a Catholic daily newspaper, said that 'the principle of mercy cannot be used as a hasty justification'. The traditionalist website Riposte Catholique called the appointment 'unjustifiable' and said the Vatican should intervene. 'Compassion does not consist of rehabilitating a condemned man to a canonical position,' commented the christian website Tribune Chretienne, known for its conservative line. France's Catholic Church is already reeling from several sexual scandals in schools it runs and accusations of longtime sexual abuse made against Abbe Pierre, once an icon of the defence of the poor who died in 2007. The Church has set up two commissions on acknowledging and compensating for the widespread abuses uncovered by an independent inquiry released in 2021. – AFP
Business Wire
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
LaCroix Announces New Partnership With The Dallas Wings WNBA Team
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LaCroix Sparkling Water by National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: FIZZ) today announced a new partnership with the Dallas Wings Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. The partnership includes prominent placement of the LaCroix logo on the official Wings warm-up jackets and shooting shirts, along with rotational signage and game-night activation samplings. LaCroix will also be featured as part of the Dallas Wings Youth Basketball Program. 'This alliance with the Wings is part of our continuing mission to enhance consumer brand recognition and loyalty through a combination of participation in events, sponsorships and endorsements. Dallas is the fourth largest, and one of the fastest-growing, metropolitan areas in the U.S., and LaCroix is elated to collaborate with the Dallas Wings and engage with its fans. In addition to the Wings, we currently sponsor various women's professional soccer and basketball teams along with men's professional soccer and hockey teams,' stated a LaCroix spokesperson. 'The Dallas Wings is an exciting team featuring the talent of rookie Paige Bueckers. Bueckers, who was just chosen as an All-Star starter in her rookie year, is breaking records and exhilarating fans. LaCroix is the perfect partner for this young and vibrant team that is dedicated to supporting local community and youth,' the spokesperson concluded. 'LaCroix is ideal to work with as we continue to drive momentum on and off the court,' said Greg Bibb, CEO and Managing Partner of the Dallas Wings. 'Their bold, recognizable brand mirrors the energy of our team and fans and aligns with the direction we're headed - expanding our reach, deepening our community impact, and building one of the most exciting franchises in the WNBA.' 'Patriotism' – If Only We Could Bottle It!
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
National Beverage Banks On Innovation And Marketing To Boost Volumes
LaCroix, National Beverage's flagship product, a leader in the sparking water category (Photo by ... More Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: FIZZ) stock price rallied to almost $47 per share, up 5% last week when the company posted better-than-expected 4Q 2025 and full year 2025 performance. The market reacted positively to the news of volume gains in both the company's flagship Power+ Brands and carbonated portfolio during 4Q, breaking its declining volume streak over the last two quarters. The company posted 4Q revenue at $313.6 million, up 5.5% y-o-y because of volume gains from the newly launched LaCroix flavors during the quarter. The full year revenue came in at $1.2 billion, marginally higher compared to last year as the price increase was largely offset by volume declines during the period. However, the reduction in shipping and handling costs and lower marketing spend resulted in higher annual earnings at $2.00 per share, up from $1.89 per share a year ago. The FIZZ Story National Beverage is a leading non-alcoholic beverage company in the U.S. catering to active and health-conscious consumer (Power+ Brands) through sparkling waters, energy drinks and juices. Its portfolio offers sparkling water products under the LaCroix brand, energy drinks and shots under the Rip It brand, juices and juice-based products under the Everfresh brand and carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) under the Shasta and Faygo brands. The company changed gears in 2010 when it started focusing on the needs of the health-conscious consumers that are moving away from high-sugar sodas towards zero or low-calorie alternatives. Accordingly, FIZZ pioneered into the sparkling water category with its LaCroix brand, which is now its flagship product, accounting for more than 80% of its revenue. The company has 26 refreshing flavors under its LaCroix brand with creative names and modern bold tastes that appeal to the younger consumers. The beverage company rolled out some new variants of LaCroix in Q4 2025 – Sunshine, Cherry Lime, Blackberry Cucumber – that received very encouraging response from the customers, hinting at the brand loyalty that the company has built over the years. At the end of FY 2025, FIZZ had operating lease liabilities of $72 million against a cash balance of $194 million. Its operating cash flow for the year increased to $207 million, from $198 million a year ago. Also, the company, through its subsidiary, maintains an unsecured revolving credit facility with banks aggregating to $100 million, most of which remains available for borrowing. For FY 2025, the company's return on equity, which demonstrates the efficient utilization of shareholder's capital, was 42%, up from 32% in FY 2024. The return on invested capital (excluding short-term liabilities), a ratio that tells about the company's financial health, was around 35%, higher than 28% compared to last year. Industry leading margins and returns, coupled with an asset-light zero debt balance sheet, validate that the company's ability to preserve or rather grow shareholder value. Besides, one cannot rule out the possibility of a special dividend in FY 2026, similar to the one paid in FY 2025 at $3.25 per share, or $304.1 million. This serves as another potential upside for the shareholders. Innovation: A Key Differentiator The Florida-based company's key differentiator is its ability to innovate while maintaining its brand uniqueness and authenticity. The company has been consistently launching new flavors of LaCroix and has tapped into newer categories to capitalize on the changing trends in the beverage industry. However, the company's high-margins and returns have enticed the 'cola giants' as well as private labels to enter the sparkling water and healthier beverage market. As a result, FIZZ is now facing stiff competition for shelf space from large conglomerates such as PepsiCo and Coca Cola. Due to large-scale operations, these companies enjoy economies of scale and can easily manipulate prices to stifle competition. However, FIZZ has control over most of its production, distribution and marketing, which provides flexibility to quickly adapt to the evolving tastes of its customers, unlike the bigger players who have legacy production and distribution channels and complex cost structures. Further, the company has been prudent in allocating its resources towards innovation and marketing focused on its flagship product, unlike big conglomerates who despite having deep pockets are unable to focus on a particular niche. Marketing: The Game Changer FIZZ continues to develop healthier beverages that are tailored to dynamic consumer habits and is consistently investing in innovative marketing, packaging and consumer engagement. The company's primary focus market continues to be the US, while it is exploring possibilities of expansion in some international markets. As part of its marketing campaign, FIZZ recently launched a multi-city bus tour showcasing vibrant and captivating graphics of LaCroix's Sunshine flavor that rolled through Austin, Nashville, and Miami. Meanwhile, the company has also cemented strategic sports partnerships to further amplify LaCroix's visibility among sports-centric consumers. The company has signed a multi-year partnership with the Indiana Fever Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. More recently, it has also become a sponsor for Dallas Wings WNBA team as part of its broader strategy to engage with sports fans and promote its diverse portfolio of beverages. Furthermore, National Beverage's partnership with the Florida Panthers has been fruitful in enhancing its brand awareness with the LaCroix logo being prominently displayed on their winning jerseys (Stanley Cup) for two consecutive years. Lastly, FIZZ has several ongoing promotional campaigns such as creative in-store BrandED tasting and MerchCMX representatives that help in optimizing shelf space, building displays, placing point-of-sale materials to promote sales. The Way Forward Building on its innovative flavors and unique packaging, National Beverage Corp has established itself as a leading healthy refreshment company over the last decade. However, the beverage industry is a cyclical one and is vulnerable to dynamic consumer needs. Thus, the ability to innovate, a flexible cost structure and a loyal customer base are important for a company's success. National Beverage has been on top of product innovation and marketing initiatives to maintain its brand identity. However, higher input prices and contraction of volumes due to rising competition could pressure the company's margins in the coming quarters. Hence, its innovation capabilities and execution on the newly launched products will be crucial in driving its growth in the competitive beverage market. Also, the company's cost management efforts and return on the ongoing marketing campaigns will be instrumental in maintaining its margins and in turn its financial advantage over its competitors.
