Latest news with #softdrinks
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
More than €66m unclaimed from Deposit Return Scheme last year
Irish consumers last year turned their back on €66.7 million when they failed to cash in their deposits for soft drink containers through the Government's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). That is according to the 2024 annual report for Re-turn, which shows that the failure by consumers to redeem the €66 million worth in deposits for their soft drink containers was the chief reason behind the State-backed firm to record a pre-tax surplus of €51.3 million for 2024. Advertisement Re-Turn went live with its Deposit Return Scheme operations on February 1st 2024 with the aim to significantly increase the recycling rates of bottles and cans. Last year, 877.85 million containers were returned made up of 433.2 million plastic bottles and 444.6 million cans. The annual report shows Re-turn recorded revenues of €114.4 million in 2024. This included the €66.7 million in unredeemed deposits and €47.7 million made up of €17.2 million from the sale of material and €30.5 million from 'producer fees'. Advertisement The annual report discloses that the income from unredeemed deposits has resulted in a VAT settlement by Re-turn of €23.7 million. The company's 2024 costs totalled €62.2 million made up of direct collection and recycling costs of €46.5 million and administrative expenses of €15.7 million, which included a spend of €4.6 million on "marketing, communications, and public awareness". The report says the €66.7 million reflects the recognition of unredeemed deposits for the financial year and 'this is after a €36.5 million estimate of deposits expected to be returned post year end'. The report says that 'unredeemed deposits are an expected and routine scenario for deposit return schemes and it was anticipated that in the initial transition period redemptions would be low and therefore there would be a high level of unredeemed deposits. Advertisement "As a not-for-profit organisation, in the early stages of our maturity, the fees from unredeemed containers are being reinvested in a number of ways," the report says. :These include paying off initial scheme set-up costs; infrastructure development; consumer education campaigns and contributing to our legally required contingency reserve." The report adds that income from unredeemed deposits 'is expected to significantly reduce as the scheme reaches its targeted redemptions of 90 per cent in the coming years'. The report states that 'in the long term, should unredeemed deposits be higher than forecast, we would support initiatives that drive increased adoption of the scheme as well as investing in broader innovative projects designed to further the country's circular economy strategy'. Advertisement The report states that Re-turn closed the year with a cash balance of €89.8 million. The report states that this cash figure will reduce significantly in 2025 when several significant draw-downs are scheduled and after accounting for these factors the adjusted cash balance would reduce to approximately €32 million. The significant draw-downs include a VAT settlement on unredeemed deposits of €23.7 million; a provision of €13.8 million for Re-turn's contingency reserve fund; a settlement of the remaining €11.7 million balance of the facility agreement with Bank of Ireland grant settlement of about €3.2 million to retailers in respect of 2024, and a provision of €5.4 million for corporation tax arising on surplus in the scheme. Ireland 1.6 billion bottles and cans returned through Depo... Read More In comments attached to the report, chief executive of Re-turn Ciaran Foley said: 'Thanks to the incredible buy-in and adoption from the Irish public, 877 million containers were returned through DRS in 2024, equating to an average 66 per cent post transition period recycling rate. Advertisement 'The seasonality of the soft drinks market was reflected in some even higher months, such as in August when the return rate reached 75 per cent. Every 1 per cent increase equates to around 19 million containers, and we recorded some daily returns of over 5 million products over the Christmas period. Chair of Re-turn Tony Keohane said the launch of the scheme in February 2024 marked a defining milestone in the country's journey toward a more sustainable future. 'From a standing start in Autumn 2022, the scheme collected more than 877 million drinks containers in its first 11 months,' Mr Keohane said. 'In that short time, we've seen Irish consumers recycle more bottles and cans than ever before and do so in a way that produces high quality recyclate, helping build a truly circular economy.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
People left outraged after American tries British staple drinks for the first time
An American man who sampled three popular UK soft drinks has left Brits outraged after claiming they 'taste the same.' The content creator, who goes by @redbusruss on TikTok, regularly shares his take on British classics in the form of video reviews, testing everything from chicken tikka masala to Greggs ' sausage rolls to supermarket meal deals. In his latest venture, he was persuaded by his British girlfriend to try three 'childhood favourite' beverages in a blind taste test. A clip uploaded to his page in May shows the foodie sat behind a cardboard box containing three 'mystery' carbonated drinks shielded from view: Vimto, Tizer and Irn-Bru. Sampling the Vimto drink - which contains a fruity mix of grape, blackcurrant and raspberry - he compared the taste to an 'artificial bubblegum' flavour commonly found in sodas back in the United States. Awarding it a 4 out of 10, he added that Vimto could make for a 'refreshing' drink on a hot, sunny day. Next, the content creator sipped on a Tizer, which contains a 'mix of citrus and red fruits with a zingy, refreshing bite.' He was left pleasantly surprised by its 'more traditional' flavour, adding that it tasted sweet, like an 'orangey creamy' Coca Cola. Despite this, he gave the drink a sluggish score of 5 out of 10 - though he later increased it to 6. Finally, he tried considerably the most iconic drink of them all, Irn-Bru, which is known for its Scottish roots and its distinctive taste. However, the avid reviewer wasn't entirely sold on the beloved drink, as he gave it a 6 out of 10 and noted: 'It tastes like the first one again. There are hints of the bubblegum flavour again.' He also described the flavour as having a 'weird berry or orange' taste. Once he'd finished trying each drink, he revealed his least favourite was Vimto due to the 'overwhelming and strange' flavour, while his favourite was Tizer - though 'not by much.' He apologised 'in advance,' and joked that his poor ratings would more than likely upset viewers. And it appeared the content creator predicted the inevitable, as hundreds of Brits - and Scots - took the comments to express their disapproval. One person wrote, 'Please tell me they were at least chilled and not room temperature- especially the Irn-Bru,' while another exclaimed, 'IRN BRU IS SCOTTISH NOT BRITISH.' Hundreds of Brits – including plenty of Scots – took the comments to express their disapproval of the content creator's final conclusions Another accused the American of lacking 'taste buds,' while a fourth added: 'I think his taste buds are broken.' A fifth commented, 'Have to say your tastebuds are wrecked if you cannot distinguish between vimto and irn-bru,' while another quizzed, 'Did you purposely choose bad drinks?' Another viewer was left scratching their head, as they wrote: 'Did he just say irn bru tastes like vimto?' However, some appeared to agree with the TikTok creator, as one person added, 'Irn-Bru tastes like chalky sweets with a dusting of talc. I expected it to be fresh and zingy,' while another said, 'Unfortunately all 3 have been ruined because of the sugar tax.'
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are Wall Street Analysts Predicting Keurig Dr Pepper Stock Will Climb or Sink?
Burlington, Massachusetts-based Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) owns, manufactures, and distributes beverages, as well as single-serve brewing systems. Valued at $45.9 billion by market cap, the company offers soft drinks, juices, teas, mixers, water, and other beverages. Shares of this beverage giant have underperformed the broader market over the past year. KDP has declined 4.3% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 16.6%. In 2025, KDP stock is up 1.7%, compared to the SPX's 7.8% rise on a YTD basis. More News from Barchart With UnitedHealth Under DOJ Investigation, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold UNH Stock Now? Trump Won't Take Away Tesla's Subsidies. Does That Make TSLA Stock a Safe Buy Here? Can AMD Stock Hit $210 in 2025? Stop Missing Market Moves: Get the FREE Barchart Brief – your midday dose of stock movers, trending sectors, and actionable trade ideas, delivered right to your inbox. Sign Up Now! Zooming in further, KDP's outperformance is apparent compared to the First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG). The exchange-traded fund has declined about 9.2% over the past year. Moreover, KDP's gains on a YTD basis outshine the ETF's 4.1% dip over the same time frame. On Jul. 24, KDP shares closed up marginally after reporting its Q2 results. Its revenue stood at $4.2 billion, up 6.1% year over year. The company's adjusted EPS increased 11.1% year over year to $0.49. For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect KDP's EPS to grow 6.8% to $2.05 on a diluted basis. The company's earnings surprise history is impressive. It beat or matched the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters. Among the 17 analysts covering KDP stock, the consensus is a 'Moderate Buy.' That's based on 11 'Strong Buy' ratings, one 'Moderate Buy,' and five 'Holds.' This configuration is less bullish than two months ago, with 12 analysts suggesting a 'Strong Buy.' On Jul. 28, Barclays PLC (BCS) kept an 'Overweight' rating on KDP and raised the price target to $39, implying a potential upside of 19.4% from current levels. The mean price target of $38.89 represents a 19.1% premium to KDP's current price levels. The Street-high price target of $42 suggests an upside potential of 28.6%. On the date of publication, Neha Panjwani did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Globe and Mail
25-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Coca-Cola vs. PepsiCo: Which Soft Drinks Behemoth Stays on Top?
When it comes to global beverage supremacy, the competition between The Coca-Cola Company KO and PepsiCo Inc. PEP is both iconic and enduring. These two titans have long dominated the soft drink space, shaping consumer tastes and marketing trends for more than a century. Coca-Cola is often synonymous with classic carbonated cola and boasts the world's most recognized beverage brand, whereas PepsiCo counters with a diversified empire that stretches far beyond soda, encompassing snacks, juices and ready-to-drink teas. At the heart of this rivalry lies a battle for market share, brand dominance and strategic edge. Coca-Cola is focused on its beverage-only strategy to drive global reach and scale. Meanwhile, PepsiCo plays a broader game, leveraging its vast portfolio of food and beverage brands to capture share across consumption occasions. As the industry shifts toward health-conscious choices and evolving consumer preferences, the question remains: Which of these beverage behemoths is better positioned to stay on top? Let us dive into the numbers, strategies and positioning that define this classic corporate showdown. The Case for KO Coca-Cola stands tall as a global beverage powerhouse, commanding a leading share in the soft drinks industry through its focused beverage business model. The company dominates the global non-alcoholic beverage market with $30-billion brands and industry-leading value share gains for 17 consecutive quarters. Its expansive portfolio spans carbonated drinks, juices, teas, dairy and sports beverages, anchored by powerhouse brands like Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite and fairlife. Coca-Cola's strength lies in its ability to drive consistent brand relevance across diverse markets, from affordable multi-serve packs in Latin America to premium mini-cans in Europe, while steadily gaining value share quarter after quarter. Strategically, KO is focused on affordability, digital engagement and premium innovation. Coca-Cola continues to sharpen its edge through bold marketing, local customization, and digital innovation. Campaigns like 'Share a Coke' and 'Bring the Juice' tap into cultural moments, while AI-led pricing tools and connected packaging boost engagement and efficiency. Its growing digital platforms are connecting directly with millions of retailers, especially in fast-moving markets like India. The company's marketing transformation not only boosts reach but also yields measurable productivity gains. In the second quarter of 2025, Coca-Cola expanded margins by up to 190 basis points, thanks to disciplined execution, operating leverage and cost efficiencies. The company also adapts swiftly to shifts in consumer behavior and market volatility, whether it is geopolitical disruption, erratic weather or evolving preferences. Rather than be derailed by global trade headwinds or currency fluctuations, Coca-Cola leverages local sourcing and strategic hedging to maintain momentum. Backed by strong execution, smart reinvestment and a resilient system, the company continues to reinforce its leadership in the ever-evolving global beverage landscape. The Case for PEP PepsiCo's investment case is underpinned by its unmatched scale, diversified portfolio, and strong foothold across beverages and snacks. In the soft drinks arena, PepsiCo continues to gain market share, especially through the growing momentum of Pepsi Zero Sugar and popular variants like Wild Cherry and Baja Blast. Its beverage business complements a dominant snack portfolio, anchored by household names like Lay's, Doritos, and Sun Chips. With both beverage and food brands commanding loyalty across demographics and consumption occasions, PepsiCo positions itself as a one-stop refreshment powerhouse. The company's share of the global soft drinks market is substantial, but its broader consumer packaged goods portfolio extends its moat beyond traditional rivals. Strategically, PepsiCo is driving forward with a multipronged approach: refining its price-pack architecture, expanding into functional beverages and better-for-you snacks, and deepening its presence in international markets. Recent acquisitions like prebiotic soda brand Poppi illustrate how PepsiCo is capturing Gen Z attention while innovating around wellness trends. Meanwhile, large-scale digital initiatives, ranging from AI-driven demand forecasting to trade promotion optimization, are sharpening execution and boosting agility. The 'One North America' initiative integrates its food and beverage operations, unlocking synergies and enabling smarter, streamlined investments into growth and marketing. Despite global tariff pressures and inflation-driven supply-chain challenges, PepsiCo is navigating headwinds through strategic sourcing adjustments, localized manufacturing and pricing precision. Its proactive cost-control measures and productivity programs — from automation to footprint optimization — are freeing up capital for reinvestment while protecting margins. Backed by robust brand equity, operational resilience and a future-facing innovation pipeline, PepsiCo remains a compelling long-term bet in the global consumer staples space. Price Performance & Valuation of KO & PEP Shares of PepsiCo have moved higher in the past three months, buoyed by strong second-quarter 2025 results and an encouraging earnings outlook. The company witnessed accelerated net revenue growth compared with the previous quarter, underscoring its ability to perform amid a complex operating environment. International momentum remained a key strength, while North America showed signs of recovery through sharper execution and improved competitiveness across major subcategories and channels. In contrast, Coca-Cola's stock has slipped in the same period despite a solid second-quarter performance and steady global execution. The divergence highlights shifting investor sentiment, with growing optimism around PepsiCo's operational turnaround and margin-improvement efforts. In the past three months, PEP shares have rallied 8%, while the KO stock has declined 3.8%. From a valuation standpoint, PEP currently trades at a lower forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 17.66X compared with Coca-Cola's 22.26X, making it more attractively priced, driven by its earnings and diversified revenue stream. The PEP stock looks cheap from a valuation perspective. Moreover, its diversity, pricing power and innovation engine make it a compelling long-term holding, especially for those seeking both growth and downside protection. Coca-Cola does seem pricey. However, its valuations reflect its strong brand equity, disciplined capital strategy and exposure to high-growth regions, making it a resilient pick for long-term portfolios. If the company sustains its execution, the premium could be warranted. How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for PEP & KO? PepsiCo's EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 moved up 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively, in the last seven days. PEP's 2025 revenues are projected to increase 1.2% year over year to $92.9 billion, while EPS is expected to decline 2% year over year to $8.00. Coca-Cola's EPS estimates for 2025 have been unchanged in the past 30 days, while the consensus estimate for 2026 has moved up by a penny in the past seven days. KO's 2025 revenues and EPS are expected to increase 4.2% and 3.1% year over year, respectively, to $49 billion and $2.97 per share. PEP vs. KO: Who Has the Edge? In the latest round of this classic rivalry, PepsiCo edges ahead of Coca-Cola on multiple fronts. A solid three-month stock performance, fueled by a robust second-quarter and improved earnings outlook, signals renewed investor confidence. PepsiCo's ability to execute a strategic turnaround, particularly in its North America operations, while maintaining international momentum, has boosted its market standing. Add to that a more attractive valuation and a diversified portfolio that goes beyond beverages, and PepsiCo presents a stronger investment case at this juncture. Further bolstering the bullish outlook is the upward revision in PepsiCo's earnings estimates, reflecting optimism around its future profitability. The company's innovation in both product development and digital strategy, coupled with its disciplined cost control and synergy-driven 'One North America' initiative, suggests that it is well-equipped to capture long-term growth. While Coca-Cola remains a stalwart with global brand power, PepsiCo's recent traction and growth potential give it the upper hand in this face-off. PEP currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and KO has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. #1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA) The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow. One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be. See This Stock Now for Free >> 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 CocaCola Company (The) (KO): Free Stock Analysis Report PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Keurig Dr Pepper buys powdered-drinks business Dyla Brands
US soft drinks major Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has acquired Dyla Brands, a local manufacturer of powdered drink mixes and liquid water enhancers. KDP acquired a minority stake in the business in 2017, the group confirmed to Just Drinks. The transaction was completed on 2 June for $98m, the 7Up maker disclosed in a 10-K SEC filing. Dyla Brands specialises in powdered and liquid drink mixes and liquid water enhancers. Its portfolio includes Stur, a water enhancer that doesn't include artificial flavours or sweeteners, alongside licensed products under KDP's trademarks such as Crush, Hawaiian Punch, 7UP, and Snapple. Dyla also makes products with third-party brands like Dole, Ocean Spray, and C4, which will continue under the new ownership. In a statement to Just Drinks, KDP said 'for the near term, Dyla will continue to operate as a standalone unit within our warehouse direct portfolio.' The Sunkist fruit soda maker also said the deal 'complements' its Ghost energy drinks and lifestyle sports nutrition business, which it agreed to acquire last year. The move aims is to provide a 'broader and more integrated offering for consumers', KDP said. Nate Champagne, vice president and general manager of juice, snacks and mixes at KDP, said the acquisition will offer 'a turn-key platform to immediately capitalise on the growing demand for functional, trend-forward and on-the-go beverage enhancers and drink mixes'. In a LinkedIn post, Neel Premkumar, Dyla founder and CEO, said he was 'proud to have created a company that has helped millions of Americans drink billions of glasses of water and reduce billions of teaspoons of sugar in their diets each year.' In its financial update for the first half of the year, released yesterday (24 July), Keurig Dr Pepper reported a 5.5% year-to-date increase in net sales to $7.8bn, primarily driven by growth in its US Refreshment Beverages segment. Gross profit stood at $4.24bn for the six months ended 30 June, up 3.1% from the previous year. Income from operations increased 4.5% to $1.7bn, and net income grew 9.8% to $1.06bn. However, the company's coffee segment faced pressures from inflation. In April, the company said it looks to tackle these pressures with sourcing changes. Following its first-quarter results on 24 April, CFO Sudhanshu Priyadarshi told analysts that the company is exploring 'pushing hard on cost savings, evaluating additional pricing and mix management, and pursuing alternate sourcing' to address pressures in its coffee business. CEO Tim Cofer added that Keurig Dr Pepper would focus on 'a sharper focus on the highest returning products, channels, and households' and prioritise 'cold', 'premium and next-generation propositions' in coffee. However, the company has reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, projecting 'mid-single-digit' sales growth and 'high-single-digit growth in adjusted diluted EPS. "Keurig Dr Pepper buys powdered-drinks business Dyla Brands" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, 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. 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
