Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Post Holdings delivered robust performance in the second quarter of 2024, anchored by strong execution across core segments such as Consumer Brands and Foodservices, despite notable challenges including volume declines in several categories.</li><li>The company's proactive management, highlighted by strategic price adjustments and rigorous cost control, have enabled Post to navigate a complex economic landscape defined by shifting consumer behaviors.</li><li>Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company's price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.</li></ul>

Post Holdings delivered robust performance in the second quarter of 2024, anchored by strong execution across core segments such as Consumer Brands and Foodservices, despite notable challenges including volume declines in several categories.The company's proactive management, highlighted by strategic price adjustments and rigorous cost control, have enabled Post to navigate a complex economic landscape defined by shifting consumer behaviors.Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company's price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.

Post Holdings Inc.: Consumer Market Pricing Strategy & 3 Pivotal Factors Influencing Its Performance In 2025 & Beyond! - Major Drivers

<ul><li>Post Holdings began fiscal 2024 with a strong first quarter, with manufacturing performance, pricing and cost management aiding in growth momentum.</li><li>Diverse channel, product, and price point offerings have allowed the company to weather various volume fluctuations.</li><li>Although volume decreases were observed in branded retail businesses, Foodservice remained strong with shifts toward value offerings and positive momentum in their Refrigerated Retail business.</li></ul>

Post Holdings began fiscal 2024 with a strong first quarter, with manufacturing performance, pricing and cost management aiding in growth momentum.Diverse channel, product, and price point offerings have allowed the company to weather various volume fluctuations.Although volume decreases were observed in branded retail businesses, Foodservice remained strong with shifts toward value offerings and positive momentum in their Refrigerated Retail business.

Post Holdings Inc.: Initiation Of Coverage - Is Its Resilient Supply Chain Performance Likely To Last? - Major Drivers

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Health Care Select Sector SPDR / Technical Analysis

<ul>
<li>As the saying goes, "sector rotation is the lifeblood of a bull market." That appears to be exactly what is going on as we kick off 2024.</li>
<li>Leadership areas that have significantly outperformed since the October 2023 lows are starting to pull back rather hard -- and on above average volume (XLK, SMH, IGV, ARKK, IPO, BITQ)</li>
<li>Other Sectors are picking up the slack, namely Health Care (XLV), Staples (XLP), Utilities (XLU), Energy (XLE), Financials (XLF), and Real Estate (XLRE). Shift exposure toward value and defensives</li>
</ul>


As the saying goes, "sector rotation is the lifeblood of a bull market." That appears to be exactly what is going on as we kick off 2024.
Leadership areas that have significantly outperformed since the October 2023 lows are starting to pull back rather hard -- and on above average volume (XLK, SMH, IGV, ARKK, IPO, BITQ)
Other Sectors are picking up the slack, namely Health Care (XLV), Staples (XLP), Utilities (XLU), Energy (XLE), Financials (XLF), and Real Estate (XLRE). Shift exposure toward value and defensives


Upgrading Staples and Health Care to Market Weight; Shift to Value; Failed Breakouts for ARKK, IPO

<ul>
<li>Last week we discussed potential for a 2-5% rally to the 1.5-month downtrend on SPX, or even the 4165-4200 range, which would set up an opportunity to get more defensive.</li>
<li>As long as the S&amp;P 500 is below Wednesdays high of 4040 we continue to believe the bears are in control -- stay defensive.</li>
<li>Even if there is a reversal, we still expect 4165-4200 on SPX to cap upside for 2023. We highlight many buy opportunities within Consumer Staples</li>
</ul>


Last week we discussed potential for a 2-5% rally to the 1.5-month downtrend on SPX, or even the 4165-4200 range, which would set up an opportunity to get more defensive.
As long as the S&amp;P 500 is below Wednesdays high of 4040 we continue to believe the bears are in control -- stay defensive.
Even if there is a reversal, we still expect 4165-4200 on SPX to cap upside for 2023. We highlight many buy opportunities within Consumer Staples


S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, DJIA All Testing Resistance; Downgrading Financials to Underweight; Buy Staples

The “Big” rally has now faded less than a week from its start. While many point to a robust economy, strong GDP, and a strengthening U.S. dollar as the bellwether of global currencies, something seems amiss. Higher interest rates have doused the market’s advance, with 10-year yields double what they once were just three years ago. Investors are being jostled about as a determination is made as to whether the Fed has gone too far and too fast. Our concern here is that the Fed is creating a conundrum, indicating that higher rates are still forthcoming despite what we, and the market, are viewing as the possible end of the bull market...In our November Strategy publication, we outline a host of indicators we are watching for signs of the market's health.  In addition we highlight a number of actionable setups within Health care, Consumer Staples and Technology.

The “Big” rally has now faded less than a week from its start. While many point to a robust economy, strong GDP, and a strengthening U.S. dollar as the bellwether of global currencies, something seems amiss. Higher interest rates have doused the market’s advance, with 10-year yields double what they once were just three years ago. Investors are being jostled about as a determination is made as to whether the Fed has gone too far and too fast. Our concern here is that the Fed is creating a conundrum, indicating that higher rates are still forthcoming despite what we, and the market, are viewing as the possible end of the bull market...In our November Strategy publication, we outline a host of indicators we are watching for signs of the market's health.  In addition we highlight a number of actionable setups within Health care, Consumer Staples and Technology.

U.S. Equity Strategy & Sector Commentaries: Defensive Sectors Leading = Unhealthy Market

United States

Flowers Foods, Inc. produces and markets packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice customers. The Company offers fresh packaged and frozen bakery products, as well as pastries, doughnuts, and bakery snack products. Flowers Foods serves customers in the State of Georgia.

Ingredion Incorporated refines corn and produces sweeteners and starches.  The Company has customers in a wide range of industries, including the food, soft drink, brewing, pharmaceutical, corrugating, paper, and textile industries.  Ingredion has Company-owned operations, joint ventures, alliances, and technical licenses in countries around the world.

Lancaster Colony Corporation is a diversified manufacturer. The Company produces and markets consumer products with a focus on specialty food products for the retail and foodservice markets. Lancaster also manufactures and markets candles for the food, drug and mass markets.

Darling Ingredients Inc. collects and recycles animal processing by-products and used restaurant cooking oil.  The Company also provides grease trap collection services to restaurants.  Darling processes such raw materials into finished products such as tallow, meat and bone meal, and yellow grease for sale in the United States and overseas.

Freshpet, Inc. provides fresh, natural food choices to help improve the lives of dogs and cats. The Company also owns and operates Freshpet Kitchens and Freshpet Fridges. Freshpet retailers are located across North America.

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation produces prepared and fresh chicken products in the United States and Mexico.  Through vertical integration, the Company controls the breeding, hatching, and growing of chickens and the processing, preparation, and packaging of its product lines.  Pilgrim's Pride exports its products to Canada, Eastern Europe, the Far East, and other world markets.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. produces, cleans, grades, packs, and sells fresh shell eggs.  The Company markets its products in various states in the Southwestern, Southeastern, Midwestern, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

J & J Snack Foods Corp. manufactures, markets, and distributes a variety of snack foods and beverages for the food service and retail supermarket industries.  The Company's products include soft pretzels, frozen carbonated beverages, frozen juice bars and desserts, churros, funnel cakes, cookies, and bakery products.

Hostess Brands, Inc. provides packaged foods. The Company develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes baked sweet goods. Hostess Brands offers its products throughout the United States.

The Simply Good Foods Company operates as an investment company. The Company invests in and expands snacks and food products businesses. Simply Good Foods serves customers in the States of Colorado and Connecticut.

China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes quality dairy products in China. The principal products are liquid milk products, ice cream, and other dairy products, such as milk powder. The Company markets its products under its primary MENGNIU core brand.

Want Want China Holdings Limited manufactures and trades rice crackers, snack food, beverages, and packing materials.  The Company also manufactures wheat, flour, and raw materials for the manufacture of snack foods.  Most of the company's production facilities are located in China and Taiwan.

Dali Foods Group Company Ltd. is a snack food and beverage company. The Company is actively expanding its products offering and distributes its products through retailers.

IOI Corporation Berhad cultivates and processes oil palm and rubber.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in property development and investment, provides landscape services, and sells ornamental plants and turfing grass. IOI Corporation also manufactures industrial and medical gases, and provides building, engineering, and construction services.

Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad is an investment holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, markets and sells powdered milk and drinks, liquid milk and juices, instant coffee, and instant noodles. Nestle also manufactures and provides packaging for culinary and chocolate-based food products and trades flavoring ingredients.

PT Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk manufactures and distributes animal feeds, woven plastic bags, and poultry equipment as well as processes chicken.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company also operates poultry farms and distributes its products.

NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. produces instant noodle and processed food products.  The Company also develops pharmaceuticals.  NISSIN FOODS operates production facilities in overseas countries including Hong Kong, India, U.S., Singapore, and other countries.

Ruchi Soya Industries Limited manufactures soybean oil, vanaspati vegetable fat, texturized soya protein, soya flour and other soya products.  The Group has also developed Palm stearin and Palm olein cooking oils.

New Hope Liuhe Co Ltd develops, produces, and markets a variety of animal feeds The Company also operates a commercial tradingbusiness, produces packing materials, chemicals and fish oil, and provides consulting services.

WH Group Limited operates as a holdings company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides meat processing services, supplies chilled meat, meat products, and other related products.

Post Holdings Inc. is a food company. The Company manufactures, distributes, and markets a wide range of ready-to-eat cereal products.

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Post Holdings (POST US)

Post Holdings Inc.: Consumer Market Pricing Strategy & 3 Pivotal Factors Influencing Its Performance In 2025 & Beyond! - Major Drivers

Post Holdings delivered robust performance in the second quarter of 2024, anchored by strong execution across core segments such as Consumer...

Baptista Research

Post Holdings Inc.: Initiation Of Coverage - Is Its Resilient Supply Chain Performance Likely To Last? - Major Drivers

Post Holdings began fiscal 2024 with a strong first quarter, with manufacturing performance, pricing and cost management aiding in growth...

Baptista Research

Upgrading Staples and Health Care to Market Weight; Shift to Value; Failed Breakouts for ARKK, IPO

Shifting exposure toward value and defensives. Upgrading Consumer Staples $XLP and Health Care $XLV to market weight. $ARKK and $IPO with bearish...

Vermilion Research

S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, DJIA All Testing Resistance; Downgrading Financials to Underweight; Buy Staples

Last week (3/21) we discussed the potential for a 2-5% rally to the 1.5-month downtrend on the $SPX, or even the 4165-4200 range, which we noted...

Vermilion Research

U.S. Equity Strategy & Sector Commentaries: Defensive Sectors Leading = Unhealthy Market

The “Big” rally has now faded less than a week from its start. While many point to a robust economy, strong GDP, and a strengthening U.S. dollar as...

Vermilion Research

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