Principal Engineer - Packaging Equipment

PepsiCo to cut costs as weak North America business hurts annual core profit forecast. Reuters Last Updated: Oct 08, 2026, 07:00:00 PM IST PepsiCo is gearing up to implement further cost-cutting measures in response to rising input costs and a slowdown in consumer demand. CEO Ramon Laguarta indicated that actionable strategies would be rolled out shortly to bolster investments. The company has revised its fiscal 2026 core earnings per share growth estimate to a modest 1% to 2%, down from previous figures, while annual organic revenue growth is now anticipated at approximately 3%. PepsiCo said on Thursday it would pursue additional cost cuts after lowering its annual core profit forecast due to sluggish demand for its snacks and beverages in North America and rising input costs. Consumer packaged goods makers such as PepsiCo, General Mills, McCormick and Conagra Brands are navigating a tricky environment where surging input costs are straining margins, while cautious spending amid rising gas prices is hurting demand. As on 08 Oct 2026, 01:30 AM IST

Conagra Brands showcases dynamic portfolio of snacks at the 2026 NACS Show. Oct 6, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT Industry-Leading Brands Fulfilling Consumer Needs for Protein, Fiber Highlight Company's Convenience Store Collection CHICAGO, Oct 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America's leading branded food companies, is bringing a diverse array of snacks to Las Vegas for the 2026 NACS Show. Hosted by the National Association of Convenience Stores, the industry's premier annual event provides an opportunity for Conagra to showcase its $3.3 billion[1] snacks portfolio, featuring industry-leading brands including Slim Jim(R) meat sticks, DAVID(R) sunflower seeds, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP(R) popcorn and many more. NACS Show attendees can sample the latest innovation and top-selling products October 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. "The NACS Show is a great opportunity to connect with customers and showcase the breadth of the Conagra snack portfolio," said Jill Dexter, President, Grocery and Snacks for Conagra Brands. "From meat snacks and seeds to salty snacks, we're excited to highlight the top brands, flavor innovation, and consumer favorites that drive our business." Visitors to Conagra Brands' booth at the Expo - #N1463 - will discover the latest product innovations and brand partnerships from several iconic brands, including: Meat Snacks * Slim Jim: Slim Jim, America's #1 meat stick[2], continues to bring bold flavor innovation to the meat snacks category with a lineup designed to satisfy a variety of tastes. Visitors to the Conagra booth can sample the new Slim Jim Cheese Mode meat sticks in Cheddar and Cheddar & Jalapeño flavors, offering a cheesy twist on the iconic Slim Jim meat stick. Made with real cheese inside the stick with 10 grams of protein, Cheese Mode helps fuel consumers on the go. Available in 1.94 oz. sticks, Cheese Mode has a suggested retail price of $3.99 per stick. The sample lineup also includes flavors from the Slim Jim collaboration with the largest sports bar brand in the United States[3], Buffalo Wild Wings(R), including Honey BBQ and Buffalo, inspired by some of the chain's most popular wing sauces. Honey BBQ is a new flavor to the Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Stick line up. Available in the 0.97 oz. size, both flavors carry a suggested retail price of $1.99 per stick. For consumers looking to turn up the heat, Slim Jim Sriracha delivers bold chili-garlic heat with a sweet and savory finish. Retailing for $1.99 per stick, the new flavor will be available this fall in the 0.97 oz. format. Additionally, as the Official Meat Snack of WWE(R), Slim Jim is bringing excitement to the Conagra booth with appearances from WWE Superstars Trick Williams and Alexa Bliss, who will be signing autographs and posing for fan photos on October 7 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The Slim Jim partnership with WWE, now in its fourth year, continues to connect fans with one of the most recognizable brands in sports entertainment. * FATTY: FATTY(R) Smoked Meat Sticks, the fastest growing meat snack in the country[4], are made with grass-fed beef and pork raised with no antibiotics, for a bigger, more tender, meatier stick for consumers seeking a premium protein snack on the go. Show attendees can sample Original and Honey BBQ flavors, showcasing the brand's commitment to quality ingredients and bold taste. Available in 1 oz., 2 oz., and 3 oz. sticks, FATTY meets consumers wherever they snack, delivering convenient protein across a variety of occasions. * Duke's: Duke's(R) Smoked Shorty(R) Sausages offer a smoked, handcrafted meat snack experience. Duke's premium, homemade flavor comes from seasoning and marinating fresh pork using whole, roasted, and diced ingredients from farms, not just dried spices. Booth visitors can sample Maple Black Pepper, the latest addition to the Duke's lineup coming to stores nationwide soon, alongside top flavors including Original, Hot & Spicy, and Hatch Green Chile. Available in a variety of sizes, the 2.5 oz., 5 oz., and 12 oz. bags deliver premium, flavorful protein for consumers wherever their day takes them. * Penrose: Penrose(R), the #1 brand of pickled sausage[5], has been satisfying snackers for more than 40 years with its ready-to-eat offerings. NACS showgoers can sample two fan-favorite varieties, Big Mama and Tijuana Mama, which continue to deliver the bold flavor and portability consumers look for in convenience store snacks. * BiGS Seeds: BiGS(R) Sunflower Seeds, the leader in flavored sunflower seeds[6], continues to drive the category forward with its Triple Blast sunflower seeds. Pickle Ranch and Spicy Sweet Chili, two upcoming additions to the portfolio, are seasoned three times and roasted for an extra blast of the biggest, boldest flavors. Designed for on-the-go snacking, Triple Blast seeds combine convenience with the flavor innovation consumers continue to seek. The new flavors will be available in a 5 oz. bag with a suggested retail price of $2.59. * DAVID Seeds: Few snacks are more closely tied to America's pastime than sunflower seeds, a longtime favorite in dugouts and ballparks across the country. DAVID Seeds, America's best-selling sunflower seed[7], continues to build on its partnership with baseball superstar Aaron Judge through limited-edition Sweet & Spicy packs featuring the three-time league MVP. The collaboration extends beyond the game, supporting the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation and its mission to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens through mentorship, engaging programs, and unique opportunities. DAVID Seeds will also showcase a new 5.25 oz. bag size for DAVID Nacho Cheese flavored sunflower seeds, debuting later this year. The flavor combines savory nacho cheese flavor with the brand's signature salted crunch. The bags are expected to retail for a suggested $2.29 each. Salty Snacks * Vlasic: There's no slowing America's pickle craze, which saw $518 million in pickle-flavored snack sales last year, up 39% from the previous year[8]. Visitors to the Conagra booth can sample Vlasic(R) Pickle Balls(TM) Dill Pickle Flavor Corn Puffs in both Original and Spicy flavors. The bold, pickle-flavored snack delivers the unmistakable taste of dill pickles in a convenient, poppable format. The 2 oz. bag is ideal for active lifestyles and everyday snacking occasions and has a suggested retail price of $2.49 each. Also available in a larger 6.5 oz size bag with a suggested retail price of $3.99 each. * Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Popcorn is a delicious way to add fiber to your diet, and Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP proudly offers America's #1 selling ready-to-eat Kettle Corn[9], the perfect sweet and salty snack to grab on your next convenience store visit. The 2.25 oz. bag of Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, which retails for $2.29, is an ideal flavor pairing for those seeking a convenient, gluten-free, non-GMO snack. C-store shoppers can spot Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP Kettle Corn by its iconic purple bag. * Andy Capp's: Andy Capp's(R) turns up the heat with its iconic Hot Fries, a longtime fan favorite known for bold flavor and satisfying crunch. Shaped like fries and packed with a signature spicy kick, Hot Fries remain a go-to snack for consumers seeking a flavorful, ready-to-eat option. A 3 oz. size bag retails for $1.49. 1-3, 5-9: Circana POS MULO+w/C L52 Ending 2/22/26 (Snacks = RTE Salty Snacks, RTE Popcorn, Microwave Popcorn, Meat Snacks, Seeds/Snack Nuts/Trail Mix). 4: Circana POS MULO+w/C L52 Ending 6/28/26 (Meat Snack Category, brands > 1 Share). BUFFALO WILD WINGS(R), BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO and all related logos are trademarks of BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC. used under license. WWE is a trademark of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Aaron Judge and ALL RISE trademarks and copyrights used with permission of Aaron Judge and the ALL RISE Foundation. About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company's portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers' ever-changing food preferences. Conagra's brands include Birds Eye(R), Duncan Hines(R), Healthy Choice(R), Marie Callender's(R), Reddi-wip(R), Slim Jim(R), Angie's(R) BOOMCHICKAPOP(R), and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what's right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2026 net sales of over $11 billion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. For all media inquiries, please contact: Dan Skinner Conagra Brands (312) 549-5636 [email protected] SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc. Conagra Brands Reports First Quarter Results Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the first quarter... Conagra Brands Foundation Invests $350,000 in Local Communities Through 2026 Nourish Our Community Grants Funding will support nonprofit organizations working to expand access... Conagra Brands Announces Quarterly Dividend Payment Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced that its Board of Directors...

Small caps test their 200-day line as yields grind higher and earnings season stirs. October 01, 2026 18:24 ET | Source: USA Newsroom SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - USA Newsroom News Commentary - This has been a week of slow leaks rather than blowouts for U.S. stocks. As of midday Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite and the Russell 2000 were all lower for the week, with small caps taking the hardest hit as the 10-year Treasury yield climbed 6 basis points on the week to 5.24%, according to the latest edition of The Roadmap from Stock Preachers. At the same time, a fresh batch of company results is starting to show which businesses are protecting their margins in a tougher cost environment. Active companies with developments this week include: McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC), Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), WTW (Nasdaq: WTW), RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL), and Recon Technology, Ltd (Nasdaq: RCON). By the midday numbers, the Dow sat at 50,850.02, down 1.89% for the week but still up 5.8% on the year. The S&P 500 was at 7,648.36, off 1.23% this week with an 11.73% year-to-date gain intact, while the Nasdaq Composite held at 26,821.12, down 0.91% for the week and up 15.4% for the year. The Russell 2000 was the laggard at 2,800.92, down 1.29% since last Friday, and its 14-day RSI of 30.9 was the lowest of the four, a sign that small caps have absorbed the brunt of the selling. The levels now in play are close at hand. The Russell 2000 is testing its 200-day simple moving average at 2,780.01, the S&P 500 is parked just below its 50-day SMA at 7,650.99, and the Dow is holding above its 200-day SMA near 50,260.45. Volatility has firmed as well: the VIX was at 16.95 and the Nasdaq-100 volatility gauge, the VXN, was at 23.13, up 2.26 points for the week, suggesting traders are paying up for protection in tech and growth names. The full support and resistance ladders for all four major indices are laid out in The Roadmap. CONTINUED... Read this and more, including the week's leaders and laggards and the levels to watch into next week, at Stock Preachers: https://stockpreachers.com/articles/a-choppy-week-leaves-the-tape-looking-for-footing/ In other company developments and happenings in the market this week: McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC) reported third quarter results and reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook. The company said net sales increased 17.4%, with organic sales growth of 1.9%, and that gross profit margin expanded by 190 basis points versus the prior year. Earnings per share was $0.36 compared with $0.84 a year earlier, while adjusted earnings per share was $0.86 compared with $0.85. McCormick also said it remains on track with integration planning for the proposed Unilever Foods combination. "Third quarter results demonstrate the resilience and differentiated performance of our flavor-focused business model in a dynamic operating environment," said Brendan M. Foley, Chairman, President, and CEO. "We delivered strong sales growth, including organic growth across our global flavor portfolio, while expanding our profit margins." Read the release. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported first quarter fiscal 2027 results, with net sales down 1.4% to $2.6 billion and organic net sales down 1.1%. Adjusted earnings per share rose 5.1% to $0.41, and the company reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 guidance, including an adjusted operating margin between 10.0% and 10.5% and adjusted EPS between $1.40 and $1.50. Conagra said it gained dollar share in categories including frozen vegetables, pudding and chili. "We delivered a solid start to fiscal 2027 with top line results largely in line with expectations and profit ahead of expectations amid a challenging operating environment," said John Brase, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands. Read the release. WTW (Nasdaq: WTW) said its Willis business released the fall 2026 edition of its Insurance Marketplace Realities report, which found that large and complex commercial property rates fell an average of 14.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 8.4 percent a year earlier. Shared and layered programs saw average declines of 23.41 percent, and the report said the market has moved toward pricing last seen in 2019. "Property buyers have room to negotiate this cycle. Casualty and specialty buyers need to plan for a market that is still correcting for verdict severity and emerging technology risk," said Jackie Bolig, Head of Placement and Broking Solutions for North America at Willis. Read the release. RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) reported first half 2026 results and outlined a portfolio reset around two FDA-approved gastrointestinal brands. The company said it made a $12 million upfront payment to Ferring Pharmaceuticals for commercialization rights to Rebyota and Clenpiq, fully funded by the $18 million it received upfront for its Talicia divestment. RedHill said the two products generated approximately $37.5 million in 2025 net sales under Ferring. "We have executed on two major transactions that unlock significant value and fuel our capacity for growth," said Dror Ben-Asher, RedHill's Chief Executive Officer. Read the release. Recon Technology, Ltd (Nasdaq: RCON) reported fiscal 2026 results, with total revenue up 65.8% to RMB109.9 million ($16.2 million) and gross margin rising to 33.2% from 23.0%. The company said its net loss narrowed to RMB31.6 million ($4.7 million) from RMB43.7 million a year earlier, with overseas oilfield projects the primary growth driver. Recon also marked the start of operations at its waste plastic chemical recycling plant in Weifang, Shandong Province, which it said is designed to process 40,000 tons of low-value waste plastics per year. "Fiscal 2026 marked a significant turning point for Recon," said Shenping Yin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Read the release. Contact Information: DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this article should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a market commentary and is not a paid advertisement. This article is being distributed by USA Newsroom, which is wholly owned and operated by Market Equities Limited ("MEL"), a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. 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