Krispy Kreme, Inc.

(RTTNews) - Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT) on Monday unveiled its Summer Seasonal Collection, featuring new doughnuts and frozen lemonade drinks available for a limited time at participating U.S. locations starting June 16.
The summer lineup includes the new Original Glazed Strawberry Cake Doughnut and Lemon Bar Doughnut, along with returning favorites Key Lime Pie Doughnut and Cannoli Inspired Doughnut.
In addition to its classic Frozen Lemonade and Strawberry Chillers, Krispy Kreme is also introducing two limited-time drinks for the summer season: Watermelon Infused Lemonade Chiller and Mango Infused Lemonade Chiller.
The company said the Summer Seasonal Collection will replace its Spring Seasonal Collection, which included HERSHEY'S Double Chocolate, Strawberries and Kreme, Banana Pudding and Original Glazed Blueberry Cake doughnuts.
Krispy Kreme shares closed at $4.31 on Friday, up 2.62%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Krispy Kreme Launches Summer Seasonal Doughnuts, Lemonade Chillers

In trading on Wednesday, grocery & drug stores shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 3.1%. Leading the group were shares of Casey's General Stores, up about 15.5% and shares of Krispy Kreme up about 5.6% on the day.
Also showing relative strength are oil & gas exploration & production shares, up on the day by about 3% as a group, led by W & T Offshore, trading up by about 10.6% and HighPeak Energy, trading up by about 8.6% on Wednesday.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Wednesday Sector Leaders: Grocery & Drug Stores, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Stocks

Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned cash to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.
On Wednesday, Globant's Director, Alejandro Nicolas Aguzin, made a $971,838 buy of GLOB, purchasing 25,000 shares at a cost of $38.87 a piece. So far Aguzin is in the green, up about 3.4% on their purchase based on today's trading high of $40.21. Globant is trading up about 0.6% on the day Friday. This purchase marks the first one filed by Aguzin in the past year.
And on Thursday, Director Bernardo Hees bought $768,718 worth of Krispy Kreme, buying 225,077 shares at a cost of $3.42 a piece. Krispy Kreme is trading up about 3.4% on the day Friday. So far Hees is in the green, up about 7.7% on their purchase based on today's trading high of $3.68.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Friday 5/29 Insider Buying Report: GLOB, DNUT

Colgate-Palmolive Company CL is striving for a balance between volume and pricing, rather than relying solely on price increases to drive revenues. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company highlighted that it witnessed improved volume performance, particularly within the Asia Pacific region. Excluding the impact from the private label pet food exit, the company achieved both volume and pricing growth across all four categories and in four of its five operating divisions, reflecting broad-based business momentum.
The company stated that industry-wide category volumes remain relatively sluggish globally, making the recent acceleration in volume growth particularly encouraging. Management highlighted that volume improvement compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 was broad-based, with growth observed across nearly all divisions and categories in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. This trend was strongest in emerging markets, which the company views as a primary growth engine. Management noted that the Asia Pacific region was a significant contributor to accelerating growth trends, while Latin America continued delivering solid volume performance and market share gains.
However, pricing remains a critical lever navigating the inflationary environment and maintaining pricing power remains a key priority across the business. Management highlighted that pricing actions continue to be important for protecting margin dollars and supporting category investment. The company also emphasized that future pricing initiatives will increasingly be supported by innovation and strong value propositions across multiple price points. Management expects innovation-led pricing opportunities to continue through the remainder of the year as it focuses on balancing pricing strategy with consumer value.
Overall, Colgate appears increasingly balanced between pricing and volume growth, with emerging market momentum, innovation-led demand and pricing discipline supporting sustainable revenue growth and margin protection.
Zacks Rundown for CL
Colgate’s shares have gained 11.7% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 4.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23X, higher than the industry’s average of 17.68X. CL currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CL’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 3.5% and 5.6%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
ARKO Corp. ARKO operates a chain of convenience stores in the United States. ARKO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARKO's current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 2.8%, while the same for current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 93.3% from the year-ago reported figures. ARKO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.2%, on average.
Kenvue Inc. KVUE operates as a consumer health company in the United States, the rest of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America. KVUE currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KVUE's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 3.2% and 7.4%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. KVUE delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 12.1%, on average.
Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. At present, DNUT Carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 80% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.
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Is Colgate Too Dependent on Pricing Actions for Revenue Growth?

Key Points
Krispy Kreme maintains a vast global network with nearly 18,000 points of access across 40 countries.
Domino's Pizza dominates the delivery market with a footprint of more than 22,000 stores worldwide.
Which of these famous food brands is the better buy for your portfolio in 2026?
Investors choosing between sweet and savory must decide if a high-growth doughnut model or a stable pizza powerhouse offers better value. Deciding between Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) and Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ:DPZ) requires a look at their different financial trajectories.
Krispy Kreme uses an omnichannel strategy to distribute treats through shops and retail cabinets. Domino's relies on a massive logistics and delivery network to maintain its market lead. Both companies occupy unique niches within the quick-service restaurant world, but their balance sheets tell very different stories for the year ahead.
The case for Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme generates revenue by selling fresh doughnuts through its owned shops, digital platforms, and Delivered Fresh Daily (DFD) cabinets located in grocery stores. The company operates in 40 countries and reported roughly 17,982 points of access as of early 2025. This business model relies on a hub-and-spoke system where large production facilities supply various retail locations. The company remains a popular name among food stocks because of its global reach. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue in recent years, reducing the risk of reliance on a single retail partner.
In FY 2025, the company reported revenue of nearly $1.5 billion, down approximately 8.6% from the prior year. This decline contributed to a net loss of roughly $515.8 million for the period. Consequently, the net margin was nearly -33.9%, a significant shift from the narrow positive net margin of 0.2% seen in the previous fiscal year. These figures highlight a challenging period for the company as it navigates structural changes and shifting consumer demand.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is approximately 2.2x. This ratio, which compares total debt to shareholder equity, suggests the company uses significant leverage to fund its operations. The current ratio is roughly 0.4x, indicating that short-term assets may not fully cover short-term liabilities. Free cash flow, which is the cash generated from operations minus capital expenditures, was nearly negative $64.0 million for the fiscal year. Note that stock-based compensation accounted for roughly 37.9% of operating cash flow, thereby inflating reported cash generation, since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.
The case for Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza operates a global network focused on pizza delivery and carryout services. The company managed approximately 22,142 stores as of late 2025 and serves customers in more than 90 international markets. Its business includes U.S. store operations, international franchise segments, and a robust supply chain service that provides ingredients to its franchisees. The company has explicitly stated that its business does not depend on any single retail customer or small group of franchisees. This diversified revenue stream from thousands of independent operators provides a level of stability to the overall brand.
For FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $4.9 billion, which is a 5.0% increase over the previous fiscal year. This growth helped the company achieve a net income of approximately $601.7 million. The net margin for the period was roughly 12.2%, remaining relatively consistent with the 12.4% net margin reported in 2024. These results suggest that the company has successfully managed its costs while continuing to expand its sales footprint across global markets.
Regarding its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is approximately -1.3x. This value indicates that total liabilities exceed shareholder equity. The current ratio is roughly 1.7x, which measures a company's ability to cover its short-term debts with its short-term assets. Free cash flow was approximately $671.5 million for the fiscal year. This level of cash generation provides the company with flexibility for debt management or returning value to shareholders.
Risk profile comparison
Krispy Kreme faces intense competition from various regional and national food service players with low barriers to entry. The company also deals with supply chain concentration, relying on a single vendor for its glaze flavoring and a primary distributor in North America. Cybersecurity remains a concern, as previous incidents have caused operational disruptions and financial losses for the brand. Volatility in the costs of flour, sugar, and shortening also poses a risk to profitability if the company cannot pass these costs to consumers.
Domino's Pizza competes in a crowded market against major chains like Yum! Brands and Papa John's International. The rise of third-party delivery aggregators also presents a threat to its historical dominance in the delivery space. The company is vulnerable to labor cost increases and fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly cheese. Furthermore, its heavy reliance on technology for over 85% of U.S. sales means any IT failure or cyberattack could significantly harm daily operations and customer trust.
Valuation comparison
Domino's Pizza trades at a lower Forward P/E relative to earnings estimates, while Krispy Kreme maintains a much lower P/S ratio.
Forward P/E
58.7x
16.2x
25.5x
P/S ratio
0.4x
2.1x
n/a
Sector benchmark uses the SPDR XLP sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Domino’s and Krispy Kreme may not be great for your diet, but are they good for your investment portfolio?
Krispy Kreme has been through a challenging period with declining revenue and a negative net margin through 2025. It is financing operations through debt, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but with a free cash flow of negative $64 million, it looks like a risky proposition. However, it’s in the midst of a turnaround effort through restructuring, which management hopes will improve profitability.
Domino’s, on the other hand, has reported an increase in revenue year over year for its fiscal 2025. Its free cash flow, unlike Krispy Kreme’s, is positive: $671 million for 2025. Domino’s still carries significant debt, but its profitability and consistency make it a better candidate for long-term investors.
Contrarian investors may find Krispy Kreme worth considering. After all, it’s still a very recognizable name, and who doesn’t like donuts? It still has a globally recognizable brand and a broad distribution network. I would choose to take a slice of Domino’s for now, and wait to see how Krispy Kreme executes on its turnaround strategy.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Krispy Kreme vs. Domino's Pizza: Which Consumer Goods Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 22, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. BJ, Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. OLLI, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. GO and Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT.
Industry: Consumer Staples
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2924800/4-consumer-staples-stocks-worth-watching-amid-market-challenges
The Consumer Products-Staples industry is navigating a challenging demand environment as inflationary pressures and elevated living costs continue to weigh on consumer spending. Value-conscious shoppers are prioritizing essentials, trading down to lower-priced alternatives and reducing discretionary purchases, creating softer volume trends across several categories.
At the same time, industry players are managing elevated input, labor and transportation costs alongside rising SG&A expenses and ongoing digital investments. Companies such as BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc., Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc., Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. and Krispy Kreme, Inc. are focusing on operational efficiencies, value-driven offerings and strategic expansion initiatives to support profitability and long-term growth.
About the Industry
The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry includes companies that manufacture, market and distribute a broad range of everyday household and personal-use items. These offerings span personal care products, cleaning tools, stationery, bed and bath essentials and general household goods such as small appliances, cutlery and food-storage solutions.
Some players also participate in categories like batteries, lighting, pet food, treats and related supplies. Their products reach consumers through supermarkets, drug and grocery chains, department stores, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs and other retail partners, while a growing share is now sold through digital channels. Several companies also supply items to perfume, cosmetics and personal-care manufacturers, as well as to third-party distributors.
Trends Shaping the Future of the Consumer Products-Staples Industry
Rising Cost Pressures in a Challenging Operating Environment: The consumer goods industry continues to face pressure from elevated costs across raw materials, labor and transportation. These higher input costs weigh on profit margins, particularly when companies are unable to fully offset them through pricing actions. Adding to the challenge are rising SG&A expenses and continued investments in digital transformation, technology and marketing initiatives to support long-term growth.
Many companies also remain exposed to supply-chain disruptions, which can lead to shipment delays and elevated freight costs, further pressuring margins. To protect profitability, industry players are increasingly undertaking restructuring measures and cost-optimization initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening operational resilience.
Heightened Consumer Spending Volatility: The Consumer Products-Staples industry is navigating elevated spending volatility amid an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop. Changing consumer behavior, particularly among lower-income households, is being influenced by persistent inflationary pressures, rising living costs and lower savings levels.
These financial constraints continue to pressure purchasing power and weigh on discretionary spending patterns across the sector. Given the industry's significant exposure to middle and lower-income consumers, companies remain vulnerable to economic headwinds that could lead to softer demand, weaker sales volumes and slower growth momentum.
Exposure to Currency Fluctuations: Global consumer staples companies remain highly sensitive to foreign-exchange volatility, with a stronger U.S. dollar posing a meaningful headwind. Currency fluctuations can reduce the value of international revenues when translated into U.S. dollars, negatively impacting reported sales and earnings performance. In such an environment, companies are often forced to balance pricing actions in overseas markets against the risk of margin pressure and reduced competitiveness.
Maximizing Revenues Through Strategic Optimization: Companies are actively pursuing strategic levers to strengthen their revenue base and long-term positioning. Investments in e-commerce and digital capabilities are expanding rapidly, supporting convenience-driven demand and higher-margin direct-to-consumer opportunities.
At the same time, innovation efforts remain focused on healthier product offerings, sustainable packaging and technology-enabled consumer engagement. Companies are also actively optimizing portfolios through acquisitions, divestitures and brand rationalization strategies, enabling more efficient capital allocation toward faster-growing and higher-return categories. Collectively, these initiatives are helping consumer staples companies remain competitive and drive incremental growth in an increasingly evolving marketplace.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull Prospects
The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #177, which places it in the bottom 27% of more than 244 Zacks industries.
The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates dim near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.
The industry's position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually becoming less confident about this group's earnings growth potential. Since the beginning of March 2026, the consensus estimate for the industry's current financial-year earnings has decreased 0.8%.
Let's look at the industry's performance and current valuation.
Industry vs. Broader Market
The Zacks Consumer Products-Staples industry has lagged the S&P 500 index and the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector over the past six months.
The industry has lost 5% over this period against the broader sector's growth of 5.3%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index has advanced 12.4%.
Industry's Current Valuation
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), commonly used for valuing consumer staple stocks, the industry is currently trading at 17.46X compared with the S&P 500's 21.85X and the sector's 16.91X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 23.39X, as low as 17.46X and at the median of 21.21X.
4 Consumer Product Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On
Krispy Kreme: The company continues to strengthen its market presence through a differentiated brand portfolio, broad fresh-delivery network and expanding global footprint. This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company remains focused on enhancing consumer engagement through innovation, digital initiatives and strategic partnerships that improve product accessibility across multiple retail channels.
Its asset-light franchise model, combined with disciplined cost management and ongoing operational efficiencies, supports long-term scalability and profitability potential. In addition, Krispy Kreme continues to benefit from strong brand recognition, seasonal product launches and loyalty-driven engagement, reinforcing its position within the sweet treats and quick-service retail landscape. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Krispy Kreme's current fiscal-year loss per share has remained unchanged at 2 cents in the past seven days. The projection indicates growth of 80% from the year-ago period's level. DNUT's shares have fallen 11% in the past six months.
BJ's Wholesale Club: A leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, BJ's Wholesale Club currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The company continues to exhibit steady momentum, supported by its strategic emphasis on membership expansion and digital transformation initiatives. BJ remains focused on strengthening its omnichannel ecosystem while reinforcing the value-focused membership model.
These efforts have supported consistent growth in member acquisition and retention, contributing to stable membership fee income. By offering convenient solutions such as same-day delivery, buy online, pick up in club and ExpressPay, the company delivers a seamless and engaging shopping experience. In addition, BJ's Wholesale Club has been methodically expanding its physical footprint, targeting attractive growth markets and underserved regions to support long-term scalability.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BJ's Wholesale Club's current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) has decreased from $4.52 to $4.50 in the past seven days. The projection indicates growth of 2.3% from the year-ago period's level. BJ's shares have gained 4.1% in the past six months.
Ollie's Bargain: Ollie's continues to strengthen its competitive standing through a disciplined, value-focused operating model backed by effective merchandising and prudent expense management. This Zacks Rank #3 company benefits from its loyalty platform, Ollie's Army, which serves as a key strategic lever by enhancing customer engagement and encouraging repeat visits, reinforcing its position in the closeout retail space. Consistent access to compelling brand-name deals, combined with ongoing investments in supply-chain capabilities and geographic expansion, supports operational efficiency and long-term growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ollie's current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged at $4.48 in the past seven days. This indicates growth of 16.1% year over year. OLLI has seen its shares declined 33.8% in the past six months.
Grocery Outlet: This Zacks Rank #3 company's differentiated value model, built on opportunistic sourcing and the Independent Operator structure, gives it distinct competitive positioning in discount retail. Grocery Outlet's dynamic assortment of brand-name bargains, complemented by targeted merchandising initiatives, strengthens customer engagement and reinforces its value leadership. Strategic initiatives — from disciplined store expansion to store refresh efforts — are aimed at enhancing productivity, broadening market reach and supporting long-term profitability.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Grocery Outlet's current fiscal-year EPS has remained unchanged at 51 cents over the past seven days. The projection indicates a decline of 32.9% from the year-ago period's figure. GO's shares have declined 23.1% in the past six months.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights BJ's Wholesale Club, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Grocery Outlet and Krispy Kreme

Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s KMB Powering Care growth engine continues to support strong base business momentum across the portfolio. At its first-quarter 2026earnings call management highlighted the company’s focus on delivering differentiated, science-backed innovation across multiple price tiers within its good, better and best product offerings, helping strengthen competitiveness and support long-term growth.
KMB’s innovation continued to support solid organic sales growth in the first quarter of 2026, with volume plus mix growth increasing to 3%. Management noted that this performance builds on two consecutive years of broad-based volume plus mix growth across the business, with ongoing market share gains within its key focus categories, including Baby Care, Women’s Health and Active Aging.
Pricing philosophy remains focused on maintaining pricing net of costs neutral over time as part of its integrated margin management strategy under the Powering Care plan. Kimberly-Clark highlighted several key drivers supporting the strategy, including revenue growth management initiatives and a strong pipeline of productivity programs. The company has already delivered two consecutive years of 6% gross productivity improvement and reported another 6% productivity gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Kimberly-Clark also expects to maintain approximately 6% gross productivity improvement for the full year.
Furthermore, the program is on track to meet or exceed $200 million in savings. As a result, Kimberly-Clark forecasts that both gross and operating profit margins will expand by 70 to 80 basis points for the full year. The company also said that its previously announced $2 billion investment in the North American supply chain is progressing as planned.
Overall, Kimberly-Clark’s Powering Care strategy appears well-positioned to strengthen growth through innovation, productivity gains, margin expansion and supply chain investments, supporting long-term competitiveness and profitability.
The Zacks Rundown for KMB
Shares of KMB have lost 12.7% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 14.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, KMB trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.87, lower than the industry’s average of 17.55. KMB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KMB’s current fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 0.7%, and the same for next fiscal year earnings implies year-over-year growth of 0.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. At present, DNUT carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 80% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.
ARKO Corp. ARKO operates a chain of convenience stores in the United States. ARKO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARKO's current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 2.8%, while the same for current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 93.3% from the year-ago reported figures. ARKO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.2%, on average.
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. RYKKY engages in the retail of household goods and food items in Japan and internationally. RYKKY currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RYKKY's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 5.6% and 5.6%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Kimberly-Clark's Powering Care Plan: Can It Strengthen Growth?

Colgate-Palmolive Company’s CL innovation strategy continues to play a central role in strengthening its market position and driving growth across categories and geographies. The company has been accelerating investments in innovation, digital capabilities, AI, analytics and omnichannel demand generation to improve product quality, enhance consumer engagement and support premiumization. Management highlighted that innovation-led pricing and science-based product differentiation are helping the company maintain strong brand equity despite a sluggish global consumption environment and rising inflationary pressures.
The impact of these efforts was visible in first-quarter 2026 results. Total company organic sales increased 2.9%, supported by 1.1% volume growth and 2.2% pricing growth. Asia Pacific organic sales rose 5.6%, while Latin America organic sales increased 5.4%, reflecting strong execution of innovation and premium product initiatives. Hill’s Pet Nutrition also delivered solid organic sales growth of 2.1%, despite the negative impact from the private-label pet food exit. The company continued to maintain leadership in global toothpaste and manual toothbrush categories with year-to-date market shares of 41.1% and 32.6%, respectively.
Management particularly highlighted the success of innovation initiatives in China, Latin America and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. In Asia, dual-tube technology and premium oral care launches are gaining traction, while Latin America is benefiting from premium innovation, adjacency expansion and improved omnichannel execution. Hill’s continues to gain market share through science-based innovation and therapeutic offerings such as Prescription Diet and Science Diet, which remain strong growth drivers across premium pet nutrition segments. The company also emphasized that innovation across multiple price tiers is helping it balance affordability with premiumization opportunities.
Ultimately, Colgate’s ability to balance pricing and volume will hinge on execution rather than macro relief. Management emphasized that pricing remains necessary to offset costs and fund investment, but acknowledged that long-term growth requires volume to recover, particularly in mature markets. With a stronger innovation pipeline, expanding premiumization and more data-driven pricing and promotional tools, Colgate believes it can navigate this soft market without eroding brand equity. The path forward may be uneven, but the company’s disciplined approach suggests it is prioritizing sustainable value creation over short-term volume wins.
CL’s Zacks Rank & Share Price Performance
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 12.8% in the past six months, outperforming both the industry’s decline of 3.4% and the broader Consumer Staples sector's growth of 6.3%.
CL Stock's Six-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is CL a Value Play Stock?
Colgate currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 22.72X, which is higher than the industry average of 17.49X and the sector average of 16.81X. This valuation positions the stock at a premium relative to both its sector and industry peers, suggesting that investors may be pricing in stronger growth prospects, brand strength or operational efficiency compared with competitors.
CL P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
ARKO Corp. ARKO operates a chain of convenience stores in the United States. ARKO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARKO's current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 4.9%, while the same for current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 93.3% from the year-ago reported figures. ARKO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.2%, on average.
Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan and internationally. At present, DNUT has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 80% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing negative four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.
B&G Foods, Inc. BGS manufactures, sells and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods and household products. BGS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for B&G Foods’ current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 5.9% from the year-ago actuals. BGS delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 1.6%, on average.
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Why Colgate's Innovation Strategy Is Fueling Market Share Gains

Keurig Dr Pepper’s KDP strong momentum in beverages is helping offset temporary weakness in its coffee business, positioning the company for steady growth in 2026. KDP’s U.S. Refreshment Beverages segment continued to deliver robust results in the first quarter, supported by strong demand for carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks and sports hydration products. Management also highlighted healthy category trends, market-share gains and strong consumer response to innovation launches like Canada Dry Fruit Splash and Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut.
KDP’s beverage segment delivered impressive numbers in first-quarter 2026. U.S. Refreshment Beverages’ net sales jumped 11.9%, while operating income increased 9.8%. Volume/mix contributed 7.2 percentage points to sales growth, reflecting strong consumer demand and distribution gains. The company’s energy portfolio, including GHOST and Bloom, continued gaining market share, while zero-sugar beverages posted double-digit growth. Overall company sales rose 8.1% year over year to $3.98 billion, beating expectations.
Meanwhile, the coffee business remains under pressure due to elevated green coffee costs, tariffs and temporary trade inventory adjustments. U.S. Coffee segment sales declined 2.3%, while operating income fell 21.3% in the quarter. However, management believes these pressures are temporary and expects profitability trends to improve meaningfully in the second half of 2026 as commodity costs moderate and innovation initiatives gain traction. KDP is also investing heavily in long-term coffee growth through launches like Keurig Coffee Collective and the upcoming Keurig Alta system.
Importantly, KDP’s transformation strategy could strengthen its long-term outlook. The recently completed JDE Peet’s acquisition expands the company’s global coffee presence and is expected to generate roughly $400 million in synergies over time. At the same time, KDP plans to separate its beverage and coffee operations into two independent companies, allowing sharper strategic focus. With strong beverage momentum, improving coffee visibility and multiple growth initiatives underway, KDP appears well-positioned to navigate near-term headwinds while building long-term shareholder value.
Keurig Dr Pepper’s Zacks Rank & Share Price Performance
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have dropped 2% in the past three months compared with both the industry and the broader Consumer Staples sector, which fell 2.3% and 5.8%, respectively. However, the stock lagged the S&P 500, which rose 9.9% in the same time period.
KDP Stock's Past Three-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is KDP a Value Play Stock?
Keurig Dr Pepper currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 12.22X, lower than the industry average of 19.03X and the sector average of 16.81X. This valuation positions the stock at a modest discount relative to both its direct peers and the broader consumer staples sector.
KDP P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
We have highlighted three better-ranked stocks from the Consumer Staples sector, namely Vita Coco Company COCO, B&G Foods BGS and Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT.
Vita Coco develops, manufactures, markets and distributes coconut water products under the Vita Coco brand name in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COCO’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 21.4% and 47.9% from the previous year’s reported figures. Vita Coco delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.7%.
B&G Foods manufactures, sells and distributes a portfolio of shelf-stable and frozen foods and household products in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for B&G Foods’ current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 5.9% from the year-ago actuals. BGS delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 1.6%, on average.
Krispy Kreme produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. At present, DNUT has a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 80% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing negative four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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Why Is Keurig's Beverage Momentum Offsetting Coffee Weakness?

Colgate-Palmolive Company CL has delivered a solid first-quarter 2026, with Base Business earnings and net sales topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results benefited from balanced pricing and improved volume, supported by a favorable currency backdrop and broad-based growth across most regions. Meanwhile, higher input and logistics costs, and SGPP-related charges pressured reported margins and GAAP profitability.
On a Base Business basis (non-GAAP basis), earnings were 97 cents per share, up 6.6% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents by 2.1%.
Net sales of $5.32 billion increased 8.4% from the year-ago quarter and topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.2 billion by 2.4%. Organic sales rose 2.9% in the quarter, reflecting a 1.1% increase in volume and 2.2% pricing growth, supported by a 5.1% foreign-exchange tailwind.
We estimated organic sales growth of 3.1% for the quarter under review, with a 2.6% rise in pricing and a 0.5% increase in volume.
In the earnings release, management has highlighted that the company has maintained its leadership in the toothpaste market, holding a 41.1%global marketshare year to date. In addition, Colgate has continued to lead the manual toothbrush market with a 32.6%global marketshare year to date.
The Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company's shares have gained 8% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s decline of 1.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CL’s Margin Picture Reflects Higher Cost Pressures
On a GAAP and Base Business basis, the gross profit margin declined 20 basis points (bps) year over year to 60.6%. Management attributed the compression primarily to a 350-bps impact of higher raw and packaging material and logistics costs, including impacts of tariffs and transactional foreign exchange, which more than offset the 80-bps benefit from pricing and 230-bps gain from productivity initiatives. We expected the adjusted gross margin to contract 20 bps to 60.6%.
Base Business SG&A expenses were $2.07 billion, and as a percentage of sales, increased 60 bps to 38.9%. Advertising spending rose to $734 million from $668 million a year ago, consistent with management’s focus on supporting innovation and demand generation across core categories. We expected the adjusted SG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, to increase 20 bps at 38.5% for the first quarter.
On a Base Business basis, operating profit increased 4% to $1.13 billion, while Base Business operating margin declined 90 bps to 21.3%. The outcome highlights the company’s ability to protect underlying earnings power through revenue growth management and “funding-the-growth” productivity actions, while still increasing brand investment. We expected the adjusted operating margin to contract 60 bps to 21.6% for the first quarter.
Colgate-Palmolive Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Colgate-Palmolive Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Colgate-Palmolive Company Quote
Peek Into CL’s Segmental Discussion
North America’s net sales (16.7% of the total sales) declined 1.8%, reflecting a 2.2% organic sales decrease that was partially offset by a 0.4% foreign-exchange tailwind. Volume fell 3.2% in the quarter, while pricing rose 1%, marking a 60-bps improvement from fourth-quarter 2025.
Latin America (24.7% of the total sales) delivered year-over-year net sales growth of 14.8% and organic sales growth of 5.4%, driven by a balanced mix of volume and pricing. Sales growth was driven 3.4% rise in pricing, a 2% increase in volume and a 9.5% positive currency effect.
Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) (21.1% of the total sales) posted net sales growth of 11.9% with organic sales up 3.5%, reflecting broad-based gains by hub and category. Sales growth was driven by a 1.2% rise in pricing, a 2.2% increase in volume and an 8.5% positive currency effect.
Asia Pacific (15.1% of the total sales) continued to improve, with net sales rising 8.9% and organic sales up 5.6%, supported by a 4.6% volume increase and a 3.3% benefit from foreign exchange.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition (22.4% of the total sales) grew net sales 6.7% and organic sales 2.1%, with pricing up 3.8%, although results included a negative 2.7% impact of the exit of private-label pet food. Currency provided a 2.7% tailwind to Hill’s net sales in the quarter. Hill’s U.S. delivered mid-single-digit organic sales growth, supported by gains in volume and pricing. Reported volume increased 0.2%, whereas pricing rose 3.8%.
CL’s Cash Flow Improved as Shareholder Returns Continued
Colgate ended first-quarter 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.34 billion, and total debt of $7.97 billion.
Net cash provided by operations was $747 million for the first three months of 2026. The free cash flow before dividends increased to $609 million from $476 million a year ago, reflecting improved cash generation and disciplined working capital management.
In the first quarter, the company paid out $417 million in dividends and repurchased $306 million of shares, returning $0.7 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends.
Colgate Maintains 2026 Outlook, Updates Margin View
CL has reiterated its 2026 guidance for net sales growth of 2-6% and organic sales growth of 1-4%, with foreign exchange expected to be a low-single-digit positive contributor at current spot rates. The company continues to expect double-digit GAAP earnings growth and low- to mid-single-digit Base Business earnings growth.
However, management updated its gross profit margin outlook and expects the gross profit margin to be down year over year in 2026 versus the previously stated gross margin expansion, reflecting higher expected inflation in raw and packaging materials, and logistics costs.
The company also expanded its Strategic Growth and Productivity Program, lifting estimated cumulative pretax charges to $350-$550 million, with projected annual pretax savings of $200-$300 million once initiatives are approved and implemented.
Here’s How Better-Ranked Stocks Fared
Krispy Kreme DNUT operates as a branded retailer and wholesaler of doughnuts, coffee and other complementary beverages and treats and packaged sweets. At present, United Natural flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for Krispy Kreme’s 2026 earnings implies an upsurge of 120% from the year-ago reported figure. DNUT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.6%, on average.
Helen of Troy HELE is a leading consumer products player that operates through a diversified portfolio of renowned brands. At present, HELE has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The consensus estimate for Helen of Troy’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies declines of 0.2% and 2.5%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. HELE delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 5%, on average.
Arko Corp. ARKO operates a chain of convenience stores in the United States. It has a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arko’s current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 73.3% from the year-ago reported figure. ARKO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 36.5%, on average.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.
See Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
ARKO Corp. (ARKO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.