Latest news with #Ltd
Mint
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Mint
Coffee prices retreat but your morning cup isn't getting cheaper anytime soon
NEW DELHI : Cocoa bean prices have retreated from their peak, but that is unlikely to make coffee cheaper anytime soon as uncertainty persists and some packaged goods makers are saddled with costlier inventory. 'While global coffee prices have softened, we are still in a wait-and-watch mode due to mixed feedback from the market and news of potential frost-climatic disturbances in Brazil's crop," said Praveen Jaipuriar, CEO, CCL Products (India) Ltd, which makes and exports instant coffee. CCL increased the prices of its in-house coffee brands and bulk supplies to other businesses by around 30-35% on average in FY25. The company procures green coffee beans from major producing regions worldwide. 'Although probable, there is still uncertainty in the potential stabilization of coffee prices this year," Jaipuriar said. 'While demand has not been heavily impacted, had the prices been lower, the demand acceleration in developing economies would perhaps have been better owing to coffee acceptance." Arabica and Robusta bean prices have been volatile since the beginning of 2025. Arabica remains roughly 45–50% higher than last year, though it's showing signs of moderation. Robusta has pulled back modestly year-on-year, and is down roughly 4% despite recent futures strength still reflecting in elevated historic levels. Also Read: Tata Consumer Reports Coffee Prices Decline Amid Ongoing Volatility 'Coffee prices have come down recently, but that doesn't have an impact on those in the specialty coffee business, because we book all of our coffee during the harvest period. Rates get locked anywhere from December through March. We've already bought inventory for this upcoming year," said Matt Chitharanjan, chief executive officer and co-founder, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters. 'If these lower rates stay through to the next harvest, then we'd definitely be in a position to lower rates, but we don't have to raise prices any further," said Chitharanjan. Blue Tokai, which primarily uses Arabica, raised prices of its retail packets in July by about 10-20%, along with a 'small" increase in its cafe prices in April. While the coffee chain raises prices at its cafes almost annually, the prices of its packaged coffee are usually revised every other year, except this time. 'Coffee prices this year went up by 60% (starting January this year) compared to the previous year—we cannot pass on the entire increase. So we have absorbed more than half of it and passed on the rest," Chitharanjan said. Hope from Vietnam While India is largely a tea-drinking market, coffee consumption is rising both at home and outside. A rise in international prices directly translates to higher costs for local roasters and retailers. Also Read: FTA to bring modest dip, not a steep dive, prices of UK spirits Last week, Nestlé India said it expects coffee prices to remain range-bound at the current low levels as the upcoming Vietnamese crop appears to be normal. In the June quarter, the company's coffee portfolio (Nescafé) grew in double digits, Tata Consumer Products Ltd said the ongoing volatility warrants close monitoring. The company has a packaged coffee business in the US; an extractions business, along with plantations; and a branded coffee business in India under Tata Coffee Grand. 'The biggest impacts for us is in the US market where coffee prices have been coming down," Sunil D'Souza, managing director and CEO at Tata Consumer, said in an interview with Mint. "We've taken pricing in line with coffee prices…In June quarter, we grew 33% in volumes (coffee) and 67% value growth in India." Tariff threat Price hikes have not hurt demand. 'Coffee is too small in the scheme of things today and playing with the social-economic group, which can afford it," said D'Souza. 'Out-of-home coffee consumption has recovered, and in-home consumption will continue to grow," he said. However, impending tariffs have added another layer of uncertainty to the global coffee market. There are reports of a potential 50% tariff by the US on imports from Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, effective 1 August. Such a move could significantly impact supply chains and further elevate prices for consumers. Also Read: ITC bets on new growth engines, expands food-tech and wellness play D'Souza said globally, coffee prices will be dictated by what will happen in Brazil and Vietnam. 'In Brazil, especially if the 50% tariffs kick in, then the whole scenario is different. We've drawn up two or three different playbooks to … react to the situation," he said. 'I'm not in a position to forecast what is going to happen on coffee. The trend is downwards, but this tariff trigger could change the trajectory."
Japan Forward
3 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Capsule Toys! How the SUZUMO Sushi Machine Met Gacha Culture
このページを 日本語 で読む Capsule toys, immensely popular with foreign tourists visiting Japan, are now a driving force behind inbound consumption. As indicated by the Japan Capsule Toy Association, Japan's capsule toy market is expanding, and sales floors are bustling not only with Japanese people but also with many international visitors. Once primarily for children, capsule toys have captivated adults with their intricate craftsmanship and unique concepts, forming a massive market. Unique product lines born from corporate collaborations are particularly noteworthy. Among capsule toy manufacturers, TOYS CABIN Co, Ltd stands out for releasing highly original products to the market. Their strength lies in their commitment to original products and their passion for gimmick toys. According to the president of TOYS CABIN, 90% of corporate collaborations are initiated by the companies themselves, but only 20% of those actually result in a product. Rather than developing products solely at the request of other companies, TOYS CABIN holds a strong belief that they "want to take responsibility for it as their own product." Even when it's financially challenging, there are cases where they develop products regardless of profit or loss. This uncompromising stance guarantees the quality of TOYS CABIN products. It took several times of trial and error, but finally, the SUZUMO Sushi Machine was turned into a capsule toy. What ignited the developers' passion at TOYS CABIN was a collaboration with Suzumo Machinery Co, Ltd and its Sushi Machine, which is actively found in service worldwide. Upon seeing the actual machine, the developers were captivated by its precise movements and functional beauty. They strongly felt that they "absolutely had to turn it into a capsule toy." TOYS CABIN particularly focused on replicating the gimmick of the Nigiri Sushi rotating on a turntable. Reproducing elements like 10 Nigiri Sushi, a hopper where rice is visible, a back lid, and detailed stickers within the limited size and cost of a capsule toy was not easy. Due to the difficulty of developing variations that would require mold changes, they concentrated on color variations and devised ways to appeal to both the corporate brand image and capsule toy users. The Sushi Machine capsule toy comes in four colors. The product is packed with meticulous attention to detail, including the realistic movements achieved by a cam mechanism, in the expression of rice. It even considered a play feature where flipping the Nigiri Sushi would reveal wasabi, although this was dropped during the planning stage. Suzumo Machinery Co, Ltd Sushi Machines are used in over 90 countries worldwide. Despite being B2B products, they have significant media exposure and high recognition. As they deal with "sushi," a representative Japanese food, high inbound demand can be expected. Beyond the Sushi Machines featured this time, the Suzumo Machinery Co, Ltd product lineup also includes various machines such as Roll Sushi Machines, Roll Sushi Cutters, Rice Mixers, and Rice-Serving Machines. These suggest potential for future capsule toy expansions. Corporate collaborations in capsule toys generate significant power that a single company alone cannot achieve. That makes them an endeavor full of potential for spreading Japanese culture worldwide. Suzumo Machinery Co Ltd is a JAPAN Forward partner. Author: Suzumo Machinery Co, Ltd Suzumo Machinery Co, Ltd is the maker of the Sushi Machine and other innovative food solutions. Learn more about the Japanese maker on its website, and its official Instagram site and YouTube channel. このページを 日本語 で読む
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Injunction granted restraining Gavin Pepper from filming home of Pepper Finance boss
An interim injunction has been granted against a far-right councillor restraining him from filming and besetting the home of the head of debt firm Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) Ltd DAC. The High Court injunctions against Independent Dublin city councillor Gavin Pepper (who has no connection to Pepper Finance) also restrain such activity against members of Ian Wigglesworth's family. The managing director has five children, including one with Down syndrome, who was visibly upset after being recently filmed playing outside his home. The injunctions also prohibit Mr Pepper from obstructing, harassing, threatening, pursuing or intimidating Mr Wigglesworth and his family, who live in a Dublin housing estate. Cllr Pepper, of Plunkett Green, Finglas, Dublin, must also remove social media posts which contain video footage taken outside Mr Wigglesworth's home. READ MORE Brian Conroy SC, for Mr Wigglesworth and Pepper Finance, said Cllr Pepper has a well established association with the far right and social media posts promoting far-right ideas. This injunction application, brought on a one-side-only represented (ex parte) basis, was urgent in the context of recent events, he said, adding that his clients were concerned about the possibility of such events becoming more serious. Mr Wigglesworth, in a sworn statement, said Cllr Pepper has engaged in a series of threats and acts of intimidation against him and Pepper Finance. On July 25th, he arrived at Mr Wigglesworth's family home, set up a video camera with tripod and began filming his family, including his son with Down syndrome. It was particularly distressing that Cllr Pepper sought to disparage his son in a recent social media post which was published on X, Facebook and Instagram, he said. A second defendant in the case is David Rafferty, of Plunkett Green in Finglas, Dublin, who holds a mortgage account with Pepper has admitted to disseminating personal information about Mr Wigglesworth, including his address. He is sued arising from the sequence of events that followed but there was no application for an injunction against him. Cllr Pepper has published a total of 14 social media posts in relation to Mr Wigglesworth and his company. The posts are offensive, defamatory, threatening and replete with misinformation, Mr Wigglesworth said. In Cllr Pepper's first post on June 12th, he signalled his intention to attend the homes of named people. On July 25th, he threatened to camp outside Mr Wigglesworth's home if he didn't 'come to the table' in relation to the interest rates Pepper Finance charges. In commentary with his posts, Cllr Pepper said he had 'all the information about the staff' at Pepper Finance and another company. This prompted threatening comments from other social media posts. Mr Justice Brian Cregan also ordered Cllr Pepper be restrained from publishing the staff's addresses. He said he would deal with the issue of extending the injunctions to Pepper Finance itself when the case returns on Thursday.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd (WTM) Traded Lower Due to Industry Headwinds
The London Company, an investment management company, released 'The London Company SMID Cap Strategy' second quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Following a downturn in Q1, U.S. stocks experienced a double-digit gain in Q2, amid volatility stemming from tariff news. A risk-on rally followed due to a temporary pause in tariff escalations, widespread optimism around enterprise AI, and a healthy earnings outlook. Against this backdrop, the portfolio fell 0.6% (-0.8% net) during the second quarter vs. an 8.6% increase in the Russell 2500 Index. Sector allocation contributed to the fund's performance in the quarter, while stock selection detracted. Please review the fund's top 5 holdings to gain insight into their key selections for 2025. In its second quarter 2025 investor letter, The London Company SMID Cap Strategy highlighted stocks such as White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM). Headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) is an insurance and other financial services provider. The one-month return of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) was -0.34%, and its shares gained 3.45% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 28, 2025, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) stock closed at $1,789.56 per share, with a market capitalization of $4.606 billion. The London Company SMID Cap Strategy stated the following regarding White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) – WTM was a bottom name after facing industry headwinds. For U.S. P&C insurers, performance was mundane in 2Q, whereas the rest of the market had a rebound. We remain confident in the company's ability to deliver outsized growth in book value per share over time through prudent capital allocation." A view of the skyline with a corporate high-rise building, symbolizing the power of the company's financial services. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 19 hedge fund portfolios held White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) at the end of the first quarter, which was 18 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) 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. In another article, we covered White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) and shared River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund's views in the company in the previous quarter. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Richtech (RR) Expands Business with New China Agreement
Richtech Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:RR) is one of the 11 Best New Penny Stocks to Buy Right Now. On June 30, Richtech Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:RR) announced that it has entered into a new sales deal with Beijing Tongchuang Technology Development Co., Ltd. through its Chinese joint venture, Boyu Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. The sales agreement, which has been valued at more than $4 million, includes the sale, service, and software licensing of three of Richtech Robotics Inc.'s (NASDAQ:RR) main products. These are ADAM, Scorpion, and Titan. Robotic arms performing diagnostic tests in a healthcare technology lab. This deal helps Richtech Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:RR) expand its footprint in China. The deal is also expected to potentially bring additional opportunities for the company across the Asian market. Richtech Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:RR) expects this agreement to increase its fourth quarter revenue and also drive recurring revenue in the future. This partnership supports the company's plan to expand worldwide. Richtech Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ:RR) is an automated solutions company that provides collaborative robotic solutions specializing in the service industry, such as the hospitality and healthcare sectors. While we acknowledge the potential of RR 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: 10 Best American Semiconductor Stocks to Buy Now and 11 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
