Are All Food Companies Hostage to Commodity Prices in 2008 ?
November 2, 2007
Kellogg's 3Q profit up,warns on 2008 | biz.yahoo.com
Wheat prices are up 100% in 12 month's. Dairy prices continue to climb, increasing the costs of most food manufacturers.Is this a temporary phenomenon or is food inflation here to stay ? Both Kellogg's and Kraft have provided disappointing guidance in the last few weeks blaming wheat and dairy along with other commodity prices as the chief culprits.Does this mean all food companies will underperform for the next year or two ? What companies are best positioned to withstand the increasing cost pressures ?
Can food companies survive the large increases in commodity costs ?
October 24, 2007
Kellogg's downgraded by Citigroup | www.marketwatch.com
Commodity cost increases (wheat,corn,oil,sugar) are causing havoc with food and CPG companies bottom lines.The significant upward pressures of wheat (+100% latest 12 months) specifically impact all cereal,baking, pasta and many other food companies profits. The key questions surrounding these increases include: 1) Are companies able to take pricing to offset this increase in costs? 2) What companies will benefit the most and be hurt the most by rising commodities ? 3) What impact will it have on consumer sales if companies pass through the cost increases? 4) What % of their total P & L is tied to commodities and can they offset the increases with savings and productivity in other places ?
Digital images at SERVER LEVEL vs CLIENT
October 19, 2007
SVPCO Check Image Volume Continues to Grow | www.paymentsnews.com
1) Further follow-up is necessary to determine net-metrics involved to calculate the REDUCTION of large volume phsycial check printing and storage at the SERVER level 2) Although there is no doubt, the REDUCTION in workforce effort and carry cost of MANUAL printing has reduced and the image storage has increased at the source... the actual effect STILL indicates more physical document printing growth at the CLIENT level
October 11, 2007
Interstate Bakeries Says Unions Only Looking Out For Their Own Interests | www.topix.com
Interstate Bakeries and its unions are locked in a negotiating stalemate over employee jobs and compensation.Specifically, IBC's management is looking for job cuts and lower costs from the unions to make the company more cost competitive.The unions obviously are seeking to minimize impact on its members and disagree with IBC's strategic plan to reorganize the company.The results will likely determine if IBC can survive and exit bankruptcy.
Credit Cards optional to online payments...
October 9, 2007
Overshooting the Target: Why Buying Online is Gaining on the Credit Card Business | www.deloitte.com
FULL DISCLOSURE (our holding company privately owns online properties which utilize PayPal, GOOGLE and Credit Card payment processing) 1) brick & mortar stores NEED swipe, online currently does not 2) credit cards are merely one option for the online buyer
Nutrisystem hits plateau. Is NTRI the next diet fad after Atkins?
October 4, 2007
Evaluation of NTRI Q3 performance: Q3 underperformance is not an indicator of a fad diet. Competition and lack of new campaign are primary drivers of recent performance. However, this might be an early indicator that NTRI is done with their steep growth phase and enters into the maturity phase with rather flat performance when it comes to new customer acquisition. CAC and related ad spending have to be adjusted since it might have surpassed point of diminishing return. Conversely, revenue should still grow YOY since reactivations will drive over 20% of the business in 2008. 2008 will be a critical year for NTRI in terms of establishing an authentic weight loss brand. Q4 will not bring any relieve, since NTRI has to keep spending in December to generate leads in January. Thus, CAC will get worse Q4. Long term outlook is sill positive as long as NTRI can prove their reactivation model in 2008 (27% of REV).
Apologies for real or answer a market need ?
September 21, 2007
Steve Jobs Offers Rare Apology, Credit for iPhone | online.wsj.com
Apology when needed, upfront is always better than after.
Where's Kraft Foods Volume Growth ?
September 14, 2007
Kraft Boosts Outlook | biz.yahoo.com
Kraft Foods has reported some progress in their recent quarterly earnings but the jury is still out on whether they can show sustainable sales and growth.Kraft has underperformed its food company peers over the last few years primarily because they have gotten away from what made them successful: new products and innovation and world class marketing. If you look at what's been successful in the last few years in CPG food its been competitors & retailers embracing the natural & organic food trend and stronger focus on catering to the alternate channels (Walmart,Target,Warehouse clubs and even drug & convenience stores). Kraft has yet to devise a strategy that taps into these growing segments and growing customers.Until they do any volume growth will only be temporary and will be unsustainable.
Can Nokia N-Gage be Profitable This Time?
August 31, 2007
Nokia's N-Gage gaming service now official | www.engadget.com
Persistence is sometimes looked upon as a strength. Persistence in a vision and carrying out effectively is necessary. This is Apple’s model. They have proven it with both their iPod and iPhone. Nokia, on the other hand, is about to be persistent…yet again. The communications giant is planning to re-launch the Nokia N-Gage series after failing twice.
August 27, 2007
Wal-Mart Launches MP3 Music Download Tracks | money.cnn.com
What are the consequences related to recent Walmart / Universal announcement for the industry and the consumer ?
Switzerland sues Google over Street View privacy concerns
November 13, 2009
Here Come the Droids! A brief review of Verizon Wireless' new Droid line-up.
November 11, 2009
October 30, 2009
Vodafone Orange Iphone Deal Ends Two Years Exclusivity Of O2 In UK
October 5, 2009
IPhone Coma Mode puts Apple in the ICU
September 19, 2009