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submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world

🕛October 23, 2024

Key points

  • The Hershey Company (“HSY”) is a multi-brand iconic U.S. confectionery maker with a $37 billion market cap. Its most famous brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Almond Joy, and Mounds, which rank among the top products in consumer trust and appreciation. In 2023, HSY generated 81% of net sales and 91% of income from its North American confectionery segment.
  • PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are carcinogenic, and a ban or phase-out for plastic food and candy packaging was introduced until 2024 in at least 13 U.S. states. Children are especially vulnerable to PFAS toxins. PFAS in higher concentration usually originates from anti-grease and anti-soak coatings that serve no direct function for consumers in plastic wrappers.
  • In the U.S. alone, PFAS polluting companies have already paid a total of $11.5 billion in damages, with many cases still outstanding. PFAS expert attorney Bilott, who was instrumental in a $4 billion PFAS settlement case against DuPont, Cehmours and Corteva, estimates that PFAS-related damage claims are “potentially much larger in scope and scale” than the tobacco settlements of $200 billion.
  • We commissioned the mass testing of the packaging of about 40 different food products for U.S. consumer retail. We used a novel test method based on light spectroscopy, and a Reese’s Pieces pouch tested positive for strong PFAS contamination on the packaging inside in an “inhomogeneous pattern.” It was one of only two flagged products in total.
  • We commissioned four different test labs in the U.S., Germany, and China with four different testing methods to independently test HSY’s best-selling chocolate candy products against competitors’ best-selling plastic-wrapped products in the U.S. by Mars, Nestlé, and Ferrero. All four labs found heightened traces of PFAS in various HSY’s products but none or negligible amounts in products by Mars and Nestlé. The U.S. sales of affected brands represent about 43% of HSY’s total revenue and a much larger portion of income, with further brands likely being also affected.
  • Among all tested products, surprisingly high amounts of the PFAS over 10 mg/kg were found in wrappers of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar (by HSY), Hershey’s Cookies’ n’ Creme bar (HSY), Reese’s Pieces pouch for the U.S. market (HSY), Reese’s Pieces pouch for the E.U. market (HSY), Almond Joy bar (HSY), Mounds bar (HSY), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (paper cups, HSY), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (wrapping foil, HSY), Hershey’s Kisses (HSY), KitKat (HSY) and in one test each but none of the replication tests, Butterfinger bar (Ferrero). In 50 tests, the labs found 20 cases of high contamination over 10 mg/kg, of which 19 were in HSY’s wrappers. The highest reading was 81.5 mg/kg of total fluorine. All three comparison best-selling products by Mars, and the one comparison best-selling product by Nestlé were free of heightened PFAS levels in all tests.
  • Experts we talked to were very surprised about the high levels of PFAS we found in HSY candy wrappers because plastic wrappers do not need anti-stick or anti-grease treatment. Experts suggested the data might be explained by foil dusting with PFAS for easier production processes, unclean production processes or aesthetic concerns.
  • Our labs found the highest fluorine amounts in Reese’s Pieces pouches for E.U. distribution, but none of the most common PFAS compounds. Our expert heading this case believes that HSY deliberately uses uncommon, harder-to-detect PFAS compounds to avoid detection and bans, while the negative health implications of such uncommon substances remain similar.
  • According to our understanding, the use of PFAS despite the ban must be authorized by the FDA via the Food Contact Notifications process. As of today, the Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications database does not show any authorization of PFAS use for HSY
  • We believe Hershey’s, Reese’s and other HSY brands have severe PFAS contamination that the direct competition can avoid. This can materially affect these brands’ recognition and add material reputational and litigation risk to HSY.
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submitted 5 days ago by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world

🕛Oct 23, 2024 9:20 am^EST^

Key points.

  • Universal Stainless, a key supplier for Boeing and the aerospace industry, is set to be acquired by Aperam S.A. in early 2025. According to a U.S. Air Force Safety Investigation Board report leaked to the media, Universal Stainless is behind a fatal Osprey crash in Japan that killed eight U.S. airmen, and potentially at least five prior aircraft failures. The Osprey has become known as “the widow-maker.”
  • An attorney for two of the families of airmen lost in the Japan crash told Hunterbrook Media that they are contemplating a lawsuit against the Osprey manufacturers, which could include Universal Stainless.
  • Universal has a history of quality control issues going back at least as far as 2001, when Teledyne Technologies Inc. sued Universal Stainless, accusing it of producing defective steel that caused multiple crankshaft failures in general aviation aircraft engines, with over 90% of the crankshafts found to be flawed.
  • Former Universal Stainless employees describe a toxic workplace culture with equipment dating back to the 1950s, pressure to prioritize production over quality, and instances of discrimination and unsafe working conditions. One former employee said he stopped flying, knowing Universal’s metal could be on the plane.
  • Multiple former employees have filed lawsuits against Universal Stainless, alleging a range of misconduct. These include claims of racial and age discrimination, disregard for safety, and retaliation against employees who raised concerns. One lawsuit alleged that when an employee tried to report harassment, they were told by HR to “keep your head down and your mouth shut.” Employee reviews on job sites paint a similarly negative picture.
  • On Glassdoor, Universal Stainless has an overall rating of 2.3 stars, which is 32% below the manufacturing industry average and significantly lower than comparable aerospace metals producers. Its ratings are similarly low on Indeed, at 2.2. Reviewers cite poor quality control, safety standards, and mental health conditions.
  • Over the past decade, Universal Stainless was also four times more likely to receive an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation than the average rate among its competitors in the aerospace metals industry, according to data compiled by Hunterbrook from a database maintained by Good Jobs First, a national policy resource center that promotes corporate and government accountability in economic development.
  • The company cycled through three different auditors in 2023, an exceptionally rare event for a publicly traded company. The probability of two auditor turnovers in one year is just 0.69% for Russell 3000 members, which includes Universal Stainless.
  • Amid the auditor turnover, Universal Stainless reported unprecedented gross margin growth, from 7.0% in 2022 to 25.4% in Q2 2024, significantly outpacing industry peers.
  • Universal’s latest annual report revealed a series of material weaknesses in internal controls, including ineffective “internal controls over certain business process cycles” and inadequate documentation of management review controls. The company’s financial statements show an unusually low cash balance of $1,000 or less as of July 2024.
  • Universal Stainless is heavily reliant on Boeing, based on company statements. Aerospace accounts for the majority of its business. But Boeing is currently facing significant challenges, including a worker strike, regulatory scrutiny, and a renewed emphasis on safety following recent incidents, which may not align with Universal’s checkered track record on quality.
  • The Aperam acquisition will need to clear a CFIUS review due to national security risk because Aperam would become a foreign owner of American steel production used for the military.
  • Universal did not respond to Hunterbrook’s request for comments on a long list of our key findings, including its role in the Osprey crash, allegations of major product defects, employee lawsuits, auditor turnover, and material weaknesses in its financial reporting.
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submitted 6 days ago by Dot@feddit.org to c/stocks@lemmy.world

Despite improved outlook, Apple stock looks overvalued.

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submitted 1 month ago by theHRguy@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by venusaur@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world

Not talking about touching the little guys. Talking about something like limiting sales or buys to $1M per day to curb the leverage these big corps have on the market.

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submitted 3 months ago by venusaur@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world

Big guys like Berkshire have so much leverage in the market. They can sell a huge chunk of stocks causing chaos and a huge drop in price, then buy low and profit. The stock market isn’t fair to regular investors. You’re at the mercy of these big firms.

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submitted 3 months ago by MTK@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world

I always wondered why did some startup get what seems like a specials symbol, just the letter S.

How is that decision made and why was the symbol S free? Is it really special or was it just some coincidence?

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submitted 4 months ago by PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyz to c/stocks@lemmy.world

Info: I'm European and wish to put most of my savings from my full-time job into stocks similar to S&P 500 and VanEck Semiconductor. I'm also a total newbie in this area, so some beginner tips would be greatly appreciated. :3

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submitted 4 months ago by hetzlemmingsworld to c/stocks@lemmy.world

přeposláno z: https://lemmings.world/post/10202534

Do i get it right on the attached image? IMO it shows US bond yield inverted curve and the subsequent economic recessions (which follows this market indicator) on all time chart. sources:

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/T10Y2Y

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NASDAQCOM

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/y/yieldcurve.asp

According to https://www.currentmarketvaluation.com/ the market is overvalued to strongly overvalued, so i am wondering if this crisis, that started in 2021/2022 is a longer crisis, which not yet ended and the overvalued stock price will fall down again? But more importantly, if I have misunderstood something wrong, please explain why.

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submitted 8 months ago by cohete@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world

I am interested in what this group thinks will happen

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cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/9773444

ASML is the only company that produces equipment needed to make the most sophisticated semiconductors, and demand for its products is a bellwether for the industry’s health.

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submitted 10 months ago by RalphFurley@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world

I was holding RCL long-term during the pandemic and sold off after their last earnings report (at several points higher). Regretting that now as it keeps going up up and up.

Bought CCL for cheap before earnings and it's looking good.

Oil is down, record bookings. Really the only negative is the debt the industry acquired and high interest rates. But they're paying down the debt, profitable again, interest rates will go down.

The whole industry is poised well.

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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by glibg10b@lemmy.ml to c/stocks@lemmy.world

With the GTA 6 announcement coming in December, I imagine now's a great time to invest in TTWO. However, instead of risking my savings, I just want to invest the tiny amount of crypto I get from mining.

I looked into Exness, but that unfortunately requires a photo of my ID and proof of my address, neither of which is something I feel comfortable giving to a company.

Are there any stock exchanges that could work for me?

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Damn, so no more novelty Hess trucks for sale around the holidays. I'm gonna miss those. https://youtu.be/iUCm2KHN_Ds?t=15

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submitted 1 year ago by Guster@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 1 year ago by Barns@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 1 year ago by Barns@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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submitted 1 year ago by Steve@lemm.ee to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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With SPY's average ~5% return rate, does it make sense to invest in companies like SJT, MPW, PXD, etc that have over 10% dividends? Companies like ORC which have like 18% dividend, but the underlying stock price continues to fall more that 18% are traps sure, but SJT, MPW, PXD and others that have a decent track record of not losing much (or even gaining) value seem like good investments.

Am I missing something?

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submitted 1 year ago by Barns@lemmy.world to c/stocks@lemmy.world
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