logo
Beyond Meat treads precarious path as economic uncertainty adds to category woes

Beyond Meat treads precarious path as economic uncertainty adds to category woes

Yahoo08-05-2025

One has to wonder how much longer loss-making Beyond Meat can weather the storm of muted demand for plant-based proteins as economic uncertainty in the US now presents yet another headwind.
'We saw a slowdown in consumption as the uncertain macroeconomic environment likely exacerbated category challenges,' president and CEO Ethan Brown said yesterday (7 May), a factor sufficient enough for guidance to be scrapped in the first-quarter results announcement.
That guidance, presented in February, was for annual sales of $320-335m, 'with first-quarter net revenues expected to be comparable' to the corresponding period in 2024.
The fact is, they weren't. Sales fell 9.1% in the opening three months of 2025 to $68.7m. In the same quarter of last year, they dropped 18% to $75.6m. Another decline is now expected in the new quarter, with Brown pointing to $80-85m, compared to $93.2m in Q2 of 2024, when they fell 8.8%.
Alongside yesterday's results announcement, Beyond Meat revealed it had secured a $100m financing package from Unprocessed Foods, a unit of the non-profit Ahimsa Foundation.
While the funding was not a surprise in itself, as Beyond Meat had flagged in February it was in talks to raise additional cash, the fact Ahimsa is willing to take a punt on the loss-making business perhaps was, especially with consumer demand for plant-based proteins on a shaky path.
Perhaps the funding was behind a 0.8% move higher in the share price yesterday, and the fact Unprocessed Foods has an option to take a 12.5% interest in Beyond Meat 30-days from 8 May.
But at $2.54 at the close yesterday, the move by the Ahimsa-linked firm appears risky, when you consider the shares were trading north of $100 five years ago. They have lost 34% this year alone, with the decline even larger over the last 12 months at 69%.
The strike price for the option has been set at a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $3.75. The lower threshold certainly looks in sight, especially given Beyond Meat reported another quarter of EBITDA and net losses.
'Beyond Meat is a category-leading business with exceptional products, a strong commitment to nutrition and ingredient integrity, and a globally recognised brand,' Ahimsa president Shaleen Shah said in a joint statement yesterday. 'This reflects our expectation to be invested in Beyond Meat's growth and success for the long term.'
How long is long might be the ultimate question.
As Beyond Meat 'sidesteps equity dilution for now, business erosion is increasingly concerning, and it's hard to see a forthcoming inflection', John Baumgartner, a managing director at Japanese investment bank Mizuho Securities, wrote yesterday.
While the uncertain macroeconomic backdrop, financially pressured consumers and the implications of tariffs have been common themes expressed by US food manufacturers during the current earnings season, Beyond Meat seems more exposed given its category dynamics.
'The company is experiencing an elevated level of uncertainty within its operating environment, which management believes could have unforeseen impacts on the company's actual realised results,' Brown said as he explained the reasons for the guidance withdrawal.
That was evident in the US market, Beyond Meat's largest when it comes to retail. Those sales fell 15.4% in the first quarter to $31.4m. And similarly in foodservice, sales dropped 23.5% to $9.4m.
International was Beyond Meat's saviour, where the company has a more solidified presence in the out-of-home channel with quick-service restaurants, especially in Europe.
Those foodservice sales were up 12.1% at $15.3m, while retails sales were more subdued, up only 0.8% at $12.7m.
'Business erosion worsens,' was how Baumgartner headed up his research note, with the exception of international out-of-home.
'Q1 featured a sizable revenue miss versus guidance provided at the end of February and EBITDA also missed by a large margin. Weakness reflected incremental category headwinds from macro pressures and revenue missed our model in three of four segments,' he added.
That same erosion had been seen in China, a market from which Beyond Meat officially withdrew in February, and consequently incurred costs in the first quarter of $0.9m related to that withdrawal.
Beyond Meat cited those costs, along with a non-cash charge of $4.3m related to 'specific strategic decisions to increase inventory provision for certain inventory items', for the losses in gross profit and margins.
Gross profit dipped into the red to the tune of $1.1m compared to a positive $3.7m a year earlier. The margin was a negative 1.5% versus plus 4.9%.
Losses in adjusted EBITDA widened to $42.3m from $32.9m. Beyond Meat's net loss was $52.9m, a slight improvement from the $54.4m loss in the same quarter of 2024.
'This facility provides us with additional liquidity as we advance our strategic priorities and invest opportunistically to help us drive our growth plans,' Brown said in the financing statement alongside Ahimsa's Shah.
'We are pleased to welcome a new investor who deeply understands our industry and is mission-aligned with our plant-based ethos. In addition to securing access to this substantial new financing, we are continuing to evaluate opportunities to further strengthen our balance sheet and best position our business for the future.'
However, what is substantial when Beyond Meat is saddled with $1.1bn in debt, overshadowed by the big what if should reciprocal tariffs ensue in the company's international markets?
It does have $115.8m in hand of cash and cash equivalents but that includes unspecified 'restricted cash'.
'In response to this interruption in our recovery, we are doubling down on cost-savings initiatives in support of our goal of achieving run-rate EBITDA-positive operations by year-end 2026,' Brown said.
The market awaits.
"Beyond Meat treads precarious path as economic uncertainty adds to category woes" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan's JERA agrees to buy US LNG to rebalance supply portfolio
Japan's JERA agrees to buy US LNG to rebalance supply portfolio

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Japan's JERA agrees to buy US LNG to rebalance supply portfolio

By Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova and Kentaro Okasaka TOKYO (Reuters) -JERA, Japan's biggest power generator, has agreed to new supply deals for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from four projects to diversify its global portfolio away from its reliance on Australia, it said on Thursday. JERA plans to buy up to 5.5 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of U.S. LNG under 20-year contracts, with deliveries starting around 2030. That total includes some previously reported deals as well as newly announced agreements. The move illustrates Japan's efforts to seek stable and flexible LNG supply to strengthen energy security and meet growing electricity demand driven by expanding data centres. The country is the world's second-largest LNG importer after China. JERA, Japan's biggest LNG buyer, has signed a heads of agreement with Sempra Infrastructure for 1.5 mtpa from its Port Arthur LNG phase 2 project and a HOA with Cheniere Marketing for up to 1 mtpa from Corpus Christi LNG and Sabine Pass LNG. The Japanese utility also signed a 20-year sales and purchase agreement (SPA) with U.S. LNG developer Commonwealth LNG for 1 mtpa from its Louisiana project. On Tuesday, sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters about the deal though both companies declined to comment at the time. The 5.5 mtpa figure also includes its deal announced on May 29 with NextDecade to buy 2 mtpa from its Rio Grande LNG project. All four are 20-year, free-on-board contracts with no destination restrictions, although the Cheniere deal could go beyond 20 years, JERA said. "We made these decisions because cost-competitive and flexible LNG is essential as we look towards the 2030s," JERA's Global CEO and Chair Yukio Kani told Reuters. He added that LNG has become increasingly important amid rising power demand from data centres and the soaring costs of cleaner alternatives like hydrogen and ammonia. "We were also aiming to secure contracts with the projects already under development and tied to the EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) agreements before the recent surge in LNG project costs and interest rates," he said. The announcement comes amid ongoing trade talks between Japan and the United States, though Kani stressed there was no government pressure behind the deals which he said were purely private sector decisions. "We are rebalancing towards the global supply mix," he said, to reduce its weighting toward Australia. After the new deals, the U.S. will supply nearly 30% of JERA's LNG mix, up from 10% now. Oceania and Asia, including Australia, currently account for more than half. JERA, jointly owned by Tokyo Electric Power and Chubu Electric Power, already buys U.S. supply from Freeport LNG and Cameron LNG. In 2023, it signed a 20-year contract to buy 1 mtpa from Venture Global's CP2 project. Sign in to access your portfolio

Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LP and Chubu Electric sign agreement to form a strategic relationship
Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LP and Chubu Electric sign agreement to form a strategic relationship

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LP and Chubu Electric sign agreement to form a strategic relationship

GREENWICH, Conn., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. ("CHUBU"), a Japanese major power utility company, and Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LP ("Lotus"), a U.S.-based energy infrastructure investment firm, have reached an agreement to form a strategic relationship. Lotus invests in promising energy infrastructure projects and related areas in the United States, across the power and energy molecules sectors. CHUBU is working toward the realization of a decarbonized society by optimally combining its integrated assets and expertise across green and blue colored energy, power transmission and distribution, retailing, and emerging technologies. Both companies will form a strategic relationship and leverage the synergy of their expertise in business development and infrastructure projects, seeking to contribute in the coming years to the growing energy infrastructure market in North America. Hiroki Sato commented: "I am very thrilled to work with Lotus whose professional approach is so well aligned with our strategy. This relationship represents a significant step in our journey of decarbonization." Himanshu Saxena commented: "We are very happy to work with CHUBU whose deep expertise in the power sector and strategic relationships open exciting opportunities for us." About Lotus Infrastructure Lotus Infrastructure specializes in infrastructure investments including renewable power generation, battery storage, renewable and low-carbon fuels, electric transmission, thermal power, and midstream and downstream assets. Lotus Infrastructure has raised in excess of $3 billion of equity capital and has executed transactions totaling more than $8 billion in enterprise value, inclusive of approximately $2.8 billion in enterprise value related to the development and construction of renewable assets. The Lotus Infrastructure team brings extensive multi-functional expertise to its investments including development, construction, operations, acquisition and financing. For more information, please visit About Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. Founded in 1951, Chubu Electric is a leading energy provider in Japan's Chubu region, supplying reliable and affordable electricity to over 10 million customers. Committed to a sustainable future, the company focuses on expanding renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Chubu Electric is dedicated to environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility, fostering close community ties while advancing a greener future. Media Contacts Mallory Griffin / Conor RobbinsH/Advisors Abernathy(212) 371-5999 / (646) / View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lotus Infrastructure Partners 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

USD/JPY Wavers Near Major Support, BoJ's Potential Rate Hold Could Spur Volatility
USD/JPY Wavers Near Major Support, BoJ's Potential Rate Hold Could Spur Volatility

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

USD/JPY Wavers Near Major Support, BoJ's Potential Rate Hold Could Spur Volatility

The USD/JPY exchange rate remains stable due to stalled trade talks. Market volatility may increase as trade negotiations near their deadline. BoJ bond purchase reduction could impact yen, with details due in June. Looking for actionable trade ideas to navigate the current market volatility? Subscribe here to unlock access to InvestingPro's AI-selected stock winners. For over a month, the exchange rate between the US Dollar and Japanese yen (USD/JPY) hasn't changed much because there haven't been any major events influencing it. The main issue is the stalled trade talks between Tokyo and Washington. Even with reports of progress, a final agreement seems far off, and the deadline for discussions is approaching. In the next few weeks, regardless of whether there is progress, the market will need to consider different outcomes, which might cause more changes in the exchange rate. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is likely keeping interest rates the same, though experts think there might be a rate hike later this year. Due to its long-term program of buying government bonds to manage interest rates, the Bank of Japan now owns about half of Japan's government debt. This means they have to be very careful with their actions to avoid causing a big rise in bond interest rates, which could lead to a debt market crisis. If the Bank of Japan suddenly stopped buying these bonds, their prices could fall drastically, leading to a sharp increase in interest rates. The Bank of Japan has announced plans to slow down its bond purchases starting next fiscal year. They are considering several options, with the most talked-about being a reduction of 200-400 billion yen each quarter. More details should be provided after their next meeting in mid-June. If the market is surprised by how much they decide to reduce, it could cause the value of the Japanese yen to drop. The Bank of Japan uses inflation rates and GDP as its main economic indicators. Recent data suggest that another interest rate increase in the second half of the year is possible. In May, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed an annual inflation rate of 3.6%, which is well above the target level. Yesterday, the GDP data was released, showing a growth rate of 0%. While not impressive, this figure was higher than expected and beat market predictions for the first time since February. The USD/JPY currency pair is currently stable, moving between 142 and 146 yen per dollar in the short term. The currency pair is also consolidating within a broader range, between a low of 140 yen and a high resistance level of 148 yen per dollar. If the exchange rate climbs above 146 yen, the main expectation is that it will reach 148 yen, with potential support holding around 142 yen per dollar. *** Be sure to check out InvestingPro to stay in sync with the market trend and what it means for your trading. Whether you're a novice investor or a seasoned trader, leveraging InvestingPro can unlock a world of investment opportunities while minimizing risks amid the challenging market AI: AI-selected stock winners with a proven track record. InvestingPro Fair Value: Instantly find out if a stock is underpriced or overvalued. Advanced Stock Screener: Search for the best stocks based on hundreds of selected filters and criteria. Top Ideas: See what stocks billionaire investors such as Warren Buffett, Michael Burry, and George Soros are buying. This article is written for informational purposes only. It is not intended to encourage the purchase of assets in any way, nor does it constitute a solicitation, offer, recommendation or suggestion to invest. I would like to remind you that all assets are evaluated from multiple perspectives and are highly risky, so any investment decision and the associated risk rests with the investor. We also do not provide any investment advisory services. Related articles USD/JPY Wavers Near Major Support, BoJ's Potential Rate Hold Could Spur Volatility EUR/USD Bullish Surge May Lose Steam If ECB Signals More Rate Cuts US Dollar: This Week's Labor Data May Offer Support Despite Lingering Trade Fears Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store