Latest news with #Huckins
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
Moo Moo Subaru: The viral car trend giving Jeep ducking a run for its money
Jeep owners have some competition, at least when it comes to little rubber mascots: Move over Duck, Duck, Jeep. It's time for Moo Moo Subaru. That's part of the message that a growing community of devoted Subaru lovers is spreading on notes they leave, along with little rubber cows, on Subarus all over the country. The idea, like ducking for Jeep owners, where fans leave rubber ducks on Jeeps, is fairly straightforward: See a Subaru you like and let the owner know by leaving a little rubber cow and a note referencing the Facebook group, Moo Moo Subaru, on the hood or in a bag on the door handle or windshield wiper. It's called getting "mooed" and, like its Jeep predecessor, it's become something of a mooovement, with Subaru owners sharing ideas and stories about their experiences on social media and highlighting more products, like decals and stuffed bovines, that can, as the Subaru campaign goes, help 'share the love.' The Moo Moo Subaru Facebook group launched in June and has grown to more than 149,000 members as of Monday. A few other similarly dedicated Facebook groups have also popped up since Moo Moo Subaru launched. Most of the small rubber cows get ordered through Amazon, according to members of Moo Moo Subaru. "You never know when someone's having a bad day and they come out and see a little plastic cow on their car and it just makes them forget about the bad day they've had and they just want to pass on the positivity and the kindness to the next person," said Staci Huckins, 48, of Troy, New Hampshire, one of Moo Moo Subaru's two Facebook group administrators. How to avoid overpaying for a car: Teen Ford Escape owner learns hard truth about used car buying While U.S. car customers might be more familiar with the Jeep name, the Japanese Subaru has been steadily gaining ground on Stellantis' major SUV brand in the United States. Through the third quarter of this year, Jeep sales were at 490,106, a 9% drop compared with the same period in 2022, while Subaru managed sales of 467,223, a 16.5% increase over the same period a year prior, according to U.S. sales figures from both, covering all models. How moo moo came to be be The Facebook group and the resulting moo moo movement began with a conversation between Huckins and a friend, according to both women. They live in different parts of New Hampshire and work for the same propane company as customer service representatives. Huckins was asking her friend, Crystal Hamann, 39, of Rochester, New Hampshire, about ducking. Huckins drives a Subaru Crosstrek and Hamann drives a Jeep Wrangler, the most popular Jeep model to duck. Hamann's very involved in ducking Jeeps that she likes. 'I jokingly told her that I didn't think it was fair and that I was going to start ducking Subarus because Subarus are clearly better than Jeeps, and we deserve something, too. And she told me that wasn't allowed. So being the sarcastic person I am, I said, 'All right, I'll find something else,' and ended up coming up with cows,' Huckins told the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, noting that moo happens to rhyme with Subaru. Huckins also learned something else as she considered what to use instead of ducks, that the Subaru logo, with stars on a blue background, actually represents a part of the Taurus constellation, according to Subaru. Seeing the connection to the astrological bull, she chose the cow. I moo, you moo, we all moo for Subaru In no time, the Facebook group exploded in popularity. 'The cows have just taken off. People love just throwing them out there and just spreading the love essentially. Staci calls it a mooovement,' Hamann said. 'Our goal was just to create something that would just make somebody smile and share the happiness. … So far it seems to be working and that's what we've accomplished and we just kind of want it to keep going.' Hamann is pleased with the results, but she has no intention of giving up her Jeep, which she uses for off-roading, in favor of a Subaru. She said her daughter would disown her if she drives anything else. Huckins, however, is all about her 2015 Crosstrek, a charcoal gray number she calls Bella. 'I love everything about it. It's the perfect size. It gets me everywhere I need to go. It's comfortable, easy to drive and pretty,' Huckins said, noting that Bella is her sixth Subaru. 'They're reliable. They're safe, and they can be driven pretty much forever.' Dominick Infante, a spokesman for Subaru of America, said the company is aware of the Facebook group but isn't an active participant from the brand level. "We do think it is great. It is a great example of the passion of our owners. Moo Moo Subaru is an organic, owner-driven initiative that helps to enhance the already strong sense of community that exists among Subaru enthusiasts," Infante said in an email to the Free Press. Motor City moos Shelly Baldwin, who lives in the Coldwater area, a couple of hours drive southwest of Detroit, was one of dozens of people who replied to a message from a Free Press reporter in the Facebook group asking if there were members from Michigan. Baldwin also loves her Subaru, a 2019 Outback she calls her Hot Wheels car because of the flame decals that have been added to the side. She admitted it's a little more flamboyant than what she expected before they were added. This marks her fourth Subaru, all of which have been Outbacks. The Outback, she said, is the perfect-sized vehicle to haul her golf clubs. Baldwin joined the Facebook group about a month ago and just recently started mooing people, placing a couple of the little cows on Subarus in Battle Creek and one at a private club where she's a member. Subaru and Jeep owners follow a similar playbook in terms of leaving the little rubber animals on vehicle hoods or door handles. It was exciting, but Baldwin said it made her a bit nervous, too, putting something on someone's car when that person isn't expecting it. She's not done, however. She bought about two dozen cows, including some miniatures, through Amazon, for about $15 or $20. 'I thought it was so much fun,' she said, noting that she hopes it gives someone a chuckle and maybe 'a bright spot in their day.' Pamela Pitlanish, 68, is a recent convert to the Subaru tribe and moved a few weeks ago to be near her grandkids. She downsized in June from a diesel Ford F-350 truck. "It was humongous," she said, noting that she had to sit on a pillow for visibility but now she has a 2021 Crosstrek, which is "a little car I can fit in that I can see over the dash." Plus, the Crosstrek seems tailor-made to accommodate Pitlanish's "cow dog," Deebo, which she adopted from Saginaw. Deebo weighs 115 pounds and is a mix of American pit bull, St. Bernard, Great Dane and mastiff, Pitlanish said. Pitlanish didn't know about the Facebook group when she got her car, but now she's a member and she's given out a couple of cows, leaving them hooked on door handles or a wiper. There's some controversy in the group, she said, from folks concerned about touching someone else's vehicle, but Pitlanish reasoned that this is Michigan, where road salt is "eating up" people's cars. Although her time in the Subaru camp only dates back to June, Pitlanish says her fascination with cows is decades old. During the test drive in the Crosstrek, she said a friend asked what she planned to name the car, and she replied, "SubaMoo." These days, the Crosstrek even sports a big cow decal on the back window, she said, adding: "It's a sure fit." Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
REYN Q1 Earnings Call: Tariffs, Retail Destocking, and Innovation Shape Outlook
Household products company Reynolds (NASDAQ:REYN) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 1.8% year on year to $818 million. The company expects next quarter's revenue to be around $897.5 million, close to analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.23 per share was in line with analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy REYN? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $818 million vs analyst estimates of $820.3 million (1.8% year-on-year decline, in line) Adjusted EPS: $0.23 vs analyst estimates of $0.23 (in line) Adjusted EBITDA: $117 million vs analyst estimates of $119.7 million (14.3% margin, 2.3% miss) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $897.5 million at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $1.58 at the midpoint, a 4.3% decrease EBITDA guidance for the full year is $660 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $666.2 million Operating Margin: 9.3%, down from 10.8% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 2.1%, down from 8.4% in the same quarter last year Organic Revenue fell 2% year on year (-5% in the same quarter last year) Sales Volumes fell 4% year on year (-3% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $4.88 billion Reynolds' first quarter results reflected both external and internal pressures as the company navigated a challenging consumer environment. CEO Scott Huckins pointed to retailer destocking, later Easter timing, and softness in the foam category as notable headwinds, but highlighted that Reynolds outperformed its categories by two points in retail share and grew volumes in key segments like household foil and waste bags. Huckins stated, 'We are acting decisively to respond to the changing macro dynamics, and we remain focused on progressing our strategic initiatives.' On the innovation front, management called out product launches such as Hefty Compostable cutlery, leveraging technology from the Atacama acquisition, and expanded distribution for new scents in the Hefty Fabuloso line. Looking ahead, Reynolds' revised guidance incorporates a more cautious outlook, reflecting ongoing cost pressures from tariffs and expectations for continued retailer inventory management. CFO Nathan Lowe explained, 'Our lower EBITDA guide…contemplates really just our lower retail volume expectation. The revenue guide is unchanged, but the pricing component of that really just serves to neutralize both the direct and indirect impact of tariffs.' Management emphasized that the company is offsetting these headwinds through a combination of price increases, productivity initiatives, and cost reductions, while continuing to prioritize investments in automation and supply chain efficiency. Performance in the first quarter was shaped by retailer inventory adjustments and cost headwinds. Management's commentary addressed shifts in consumer behavior, product innovation, and operational responses to tariffs and inflation. Retailer Destocking Impact: Reynolds experienced a headwind from retailer destocking, which management sees as a permanent adjustment in how retail partners manage inventory. This affected retail revenues, particularly in the foam category, but management noted that the company still gained share in core categories like foil and waste bags. Innovation Pipeline Expansion: Management highlighted progress in product innovation, referencing the launch of Hefty Compostable cutlery (utilizing technology from the Atacama acquisition) and new scents for Hefty Fabuloso waste bags. These efforts are part of a broader push to prioritize and resource larger-scale innovation for growth. Category Share Gains: Despite a challenging environment, Reynolds outperformed its categories at retail by two points, driven by distribution gains and the scaling of new products, with no increase in promotional spend compared to last year. Tariff and Cost Pressures: The company is facing $100 million to $200 million in annualized cost headwinds from direct and indirect tariffs, mostly related to commodities like aluminum. Management is deploying price increases and productivity enhancements to offset these pressures. Supply Chain and Automation Investments: Reynolds continues to invest in automation and network optimization to improve manufacturing productivity. Management believes these initiatives will yield financial benefits later in the year, supporting long-term margin expansion. Management's outlook for the remainder of the year is shaped by persistent consumer and retailer caution, ongoing cost inflation, and a focus on operational improvements to protect margins. Tariffs and Pricing Actions: Reynolds expects tariff-related cost headwinds to continue, with price increases and productivity initiatives aimed at maintaining profitability. Management noted that pricing actions are designed to fully offset direct and indirect tariff costs over time. Retail Volume and Category Trends: The company anticipates retail volume to perform at or above category averages, but expects pressure from lower consumer confidence and continued retailer inventory discipline, especially in discretionary categories. Productivity and Supply Chain Optimization: Ongoing investments in supply chain automation and procurement efficiency are expected to drive incremental margin improvement. Management cited early positive results from these initiatives and expects more substantial benefits later in the year. Kaumil Gajrawala (Jefferies): Asked if retailer destocking is a temporary or permanent change. Management replied they assume it is permanent and will flow through the full year. Peter Grom (UBS): Inquired about category growth expectations and the phasing of tariff cost mitigation. Management explained that lower retail volumes and price elasticity drive the guidance, and cost impacts are expected to phase in over two to six months. Lauren Lieberman (Barclays): Sought clarification on the source of tariff pressures and the rationale for segment reporting changes. CFO Nathan Lowe described the split between direct and indirect tariff impacts and the realignment of international reporting by product category. Andrea Teixeira (JPMorgan): Asked about consumption trends exiting the quarter and the role of promotions in supporting price increases. Management noted consumption trends were as expected, with no increase in promotional spend, but anticipate some increase tied to new distribution in Q2. Brian McNamara (Canaccord Genuity): Requested details on pricing mechanics for aluminum foil and the competitive landscape with private label. Management responded that pricing typically flows through in two to six months and store brand share remained stable in Reynolds' largest categories. Looking forward, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace and effectiveness of Reynolds' price increases in offsetting tariff-related cost pressures, (2) any stabilization or recovery in retail volumes as consumer confidence evolves, and (3) the realization of manufacturing productivity gains from automation and supply chain projects. The success of new product launches and the impact of distribution wins will also be key signposts for progress on the company's strategic priorities. Reynolds currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14.2×. At this valuation, is it a buy or sell post earnings? See for yourself in our free research report. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Reynolds Consumer Products CEO pays $3.1M for Lake Forest mansion
Reynolds Consumer Products President and CEO Scott Huckins and his wife, Elizabeth, on March 14 paid $3.125 million for a six-bedroom, 7,541-square-foot mansion in Lake Forest. In January, Huckins was named the CEO of the Lake-Forest based maker of Hefty trash bags and Reynolds aluminum wrap, after previously serving as the company's chief financial officer for a little more than a year. In Lake Forest, the custom-built stone mansion that Huckins bought was built in 2010 and is situated on a 1.69-acre property. The mansion has eight bathrooms, seven fireplaces, a slate roof, hand-scraped wood floors and a family room with a large fireplace and a custom mantel, along with French doors leading to the back yard. Other features include a paneled library with a wood-coffered ceiling, a limestone fireplace and built-ins, along with a custom movie projector and screen. The kitchen has a large island, a Wolf range with a hand-made metal hood, Wolf double ovens and a breakfast room. The home also has a heated sunroom with a fireplace, a large mudroom, an office, a first-floor primary bedroom suite with vaulted ceilings and a fireplace and a full basement with a recreational area and a second kitchen. Outside on the property are a pergola and an expansive patio area. Lori Glattly of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, who represented Huckins, declined to comment on the transaction. The mansion had been listed for a time last year for $3.995 million before it was taken off the market. The property had a $55,994 property tax bill in the 2023 tax year.
