MUMBAI, Mar. 11, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services said it affirmed its 'BBB' long-term and 'A-2' short-term corporate credit ratings on UK confectionery maker Cadbury Schweppes (NYSE:CSG) PLC with a stable outlook.
S&P said the move reflects its view that the proposed de-merger of the US beverages business of Cadbury should not result in a material deterioration of the continuing group's credit profile.
The ratings also reflect the strong position of the group's international confectionery business, which is supported by a well-established portfolio of brands, S&P added.
The stable outlook reflects its view that Cadbury should be able to maintain revenue growth, with a progressive increase in operating margins and cash flows leading to stronger debt protection metrics over the next two years.
Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
http://money.cnn.com/
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Demand for carbonated beverages falls again
The Coca-Cola Co. remained the top U.S. soft-drink company in 2007, but the overall market for carbonated beverages fell for the third straight year, according to a Beverage Digest report Wednesday.
Atlanta-based Coca-Cola sold 4.2 billion cases of carbonated beverages in the United States in 2007 for 42.8 percent of the overall market.
Chief rival PepsiCo Inc., based in Purchase, N.Y., was second with about 3.1 billion cases, or 31.1 percent of the market. Volumes for both Coca-Cola and Pepsi slipped 2.7 percent.
The overall U.S. carbonated soft-drink market fell 2.3 percent to 9.9 billion cases in 2007.
"The main cause is that consumers are beginning to migrate toward other kinds of beverages," said John Sicher, Beverage Digest editor and publisher.
Consumers are buying more non-carbonated beverages, such as teas and waters, Sicher said. Within the carbonated market, energy drinks and some diet brands are doing well, he said.
Hansen Natural, Red Bull and Rockstar, which offer energy drinks, increased volumes at double-digit rates, but each company was still below 1 percent in market share.
Among the top 10 selling brands, only Pepsi's Diet Mountain Dew and Cadbury Schweppes' Diet Dr Pepper increased volume.
Pepsi and Coca-Cola have both been adding non-carbonated beverages to broaden their portfolio. Coca-Cola bought last year Fuze, a juice and tea line, and Glaceau, the maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater.
"A very big challenge for them is figuring out how to replace that lost volume quickly enough to grow their business," Sicher said.
http://www.ajc.com/
Atlanta-based Coca-Cola sold 4.2 billion cases of carbonated beverages in the United States in 2007 for 42.8 percent of the overall market.
Chief rival PepsiCo Inc., based in Purchase, N.Y., was second with about 3.1 billion cases, or 31.1 percent of the market. Volumes for both Coca-Cola and Pepsi slipped 2.7 percent.
The overall U.S. carbonated soft-drink market fell 2.3 percent to 9.9 billion cases in 2007.
"The main cause is that consumers are beginning to migrate toward other kinds of beverages," said John Sicher, Beverage Digest editor and publisher.
Consumers are buying more non-carbonated beverages, such as teas and waters, Sicher said. Within the carbonated market, energy drinks and some diet brands are doing well, he said.
Hansen Natural, Red Bull and Rockstar, which offer energy drinks, increased volumes at double-digit rates, but each company was still below 1 percent in market share.
Among the top 10 selling brands, only Pepsi's Diet Mountain Dew and Cadbury Schweppes' Diet Dr Pepper increased volume.
Pepsi and Coca-Cola have both been adding non-carbonated beverages to broaden their portfolio. Coca-Cola bought last year Fuze, a juice and tea line, and Glaceau, the maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater.
"A very big challenge for them is figuring out how to replace that lost volume quickly enough to grow their business," Sicher said.
http://www.ajc.com/
Friday, February 8, 2008
Sodium Content Foods and Beverages Gain Revenues as Americans are Embracing Low- and No-Sodium Campaigns
NEW YORK, Feb 06, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Sodium and salt levels in foods and beverages are on the mind of almost every person involved in the U.S. food and beverage industry. Why? In two words -- health concerns. A unique new reportby Packaged Facts, Market Trend: Low, Reduced or No Sodium or Salt Foods and Beverages in the U.S., examines the sodium industry as it relates to packaged food products, foodservice menu items and beverages. All of which have been argued as contributing to the record high blood pressure and heart disease cases of Americans.
Despite lower content levels, sales for all "sodium content" (Packaged Facts term for low, no and reduced sodium or salt) foods and beverages will continue to grow. Packaged Facts estimates that traditional supermarkets, with at least $2 million in annual sales, accounted for 75% of all sodium content claim foods and beverages in 2007.
Market Trend: Low, Reduced or No Sodium or Salt Foods and Beverages in the U.S. takes an in-depth look at seven product categories that will experience the greatest increase in sodium and salt content claims: beverages, condiments, dairy, grains/snacks, meat/fish/entrA(C: 26.70, -0.22, -0.81%)es, soups, and canned vegetables.
"Health and wellness are major forces in today's marketplace and are having a significant impact on consumer purchase behavior in most food and beverage categories, including sodium content products." comments Tatjana Meerman, Publisher of Packaged Facts. "In addition to low- and no-sodium claims, expect to see salt substitutes and salt-enhancing products making a powerful move to the market to combat the high sodium levels in our foods."
Market Trend: Low, Reduced or No Sodium or Salt Foods and Beverages in the U.S. examines the U.S. retail market for foods and beverages flagging sodium content. It covers any product that has a label where a sodium content claim is made. For further information on this report from Packaged Facts visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Trend-Low-Reduced-1282429/
About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, demographics, pet and financial products, and offers a full range of custom research services. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014 or tehart@marketresearch.com.
http://www.foxbusiness.com
Despite lower content levels, sales for all "sodium content" (Packaged Facts term for low, no and reduced sodium or salt) foods and beverages will continue to grow. Packaged Facts estimates that traditional supermarkets, with at least $2 million in annual sales, accounted for 75% of all sodium content claim foods and beverages in 2007.
Market Trend: Low, Reduced or No Sodium or Salt Foods and Beverages in the U.S. takes an in-depth look at seven product categories that will experience the greatest increase in sodium and salt content claims: beverages, condiments, dairy, grains/snacks, meat/fish/entrA(C: 26.70, -0.22, -0.81%)es, soups, and canned vegetables.
"Health and wellness are major forces in today's marketplace and are having a significant impact on consumer purchase behavior in most food and beverage categories, including sodium content products." comments Tatjana Meerman, Publisher of Packaged Facts. "In addition to low- and no-sodium claims, expect to see salt substitutes and salt-enhancing products making a powerful move to the market to combat the high sodium levels in our foods."
Market Trend: Low, Reduced or No Sodium or Salt Foods and Beverages in the U.S. examines the U.S. retail market for foods and beverages flagging sodium content. It covers any product that has a label where a sodium content claim is made. For further information on this report from Packaged Facts visit: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Trend-Low-Reduced-1282429/
About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, demographics, pet and financial products, and offers a full range of custom research services. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014 or tehart@marketresearch.com.
http://www.foxbusiness.com
NutriPure Beverages Inc. Defines its Unique Qualities
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NutriPure Beverages, Inc. (Pink Sheets: NUBV) announces its perspective on the positioning of its patented Nu2o beverage line. The line is a vitamin-rich neutriceutical, which is far above the quality of the competition's existing vitamin beverage brands, in this red hot sector.
This sector is exploding, as illustrated by the following release by PepsiCo regarding the marketing of their SoBe line, which boasts a palette of bright, enticing colors, low calories and five flavors: PURCHASE, N.Y., Feb. 5 - 'On the heels of Sunday's highly anticipated, innovative and unprecedented Super Bowl commercial that introduced tens of millions of people to the idea of "Thrillicious", SoBe Life Water is blitzing the retail marketplace with its all-new line of SoBe Life Water'.
While this sounds great at face value, behind these types of drinks are sugars, empty calories and coloring agents, which are needed to "mask" the noticeable vitamin taste or colorations that occur when vitamins are injected into waters.
The following from Center for Science in the Public Interest:
"The way that vitamin water is marketed and positioned it's made to look more healthful than other sugary beverages, but it's not - it's still just a soft drink," said Margo G. Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "It has this aura of healthfulness that is not deserved. Adding vitamins and minerals to junk food doesn't make it healthy."
Steve Nickolas, CEO and President of NutriPure Beverages, Inc. remarks accordingly, "Young and old alike need nourishment that is not laden with junk. A beverage that hydrates and is lifestyle oriented, as it delivers basic nutrition, is the core of NutriPure Beverages. Our patented process allows for the dissolving of vitamins and nutriceuticals compounds into our water resulting in pure water preservative free that is not offensive; therefore we do not need to add sugars, colors or other masking elements. Our unique beverages also have a full spectrum of electrolytes and nutriceuticals as opposed to Coca Cola's Smart Water, which merely has two electrolytes. Our patented, nutriceuticals, non-carbonated, calorie free, vitamin enriched beverages are the next inevitable wave in this red hot sector".
ABOUT NUTRIPURE BEVERAGES, INC
NutriPure Beverages, Inc. (NUBV.PK) produces and distribute a line of nutrient-enhanced bottled water products that contain no calories, no carbohydrates, no colors and most importantly, no flavors other than pure water. The procedure is a patented process that is more efficient and less costly than others producer use. NutriPure's concept adds organic nutrients without adding masking flavors, colors or sweeteners. The process is further enhanced using desirable "cold-fill" techniques, which save energy and reduce harmful, "plastic chemical leaching" into the product. These proprietary techniques have warranted NutriPure to redirected its efforts to the premium bottled water industry. The Company intends to market a full line of nutrient-enhanced water products to compete with currently available products. These include those that provide vitamin support for general health, a diet formulation for weight watchers, an immune booster, as well as an energy and fitness drink.
Safe Harbor: Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage company who continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain its existence. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.
http://www.foxbusiness.com
This sector is exploding, as illustrated by the following release by PepsiCo regarding the marketing of their SoBe line, which boasts a palette of bright, enticing colors, low calories and five flavors: PURCHASE, N.Y., Feb. 5 - 'On the heels of Sunday's highly anticipated, innovative and unprecedented Super Bowl commercial that introduced tens of millions of people to the idea of "Thrillicious", SoBe Life Water is blitzing the retail marketplace with its all-new line of SoBe Life Water'.
While this sounds great at face value, behind these types of drinks are sugars, empty calories and coloring agents, which are needed to "mask" the noticeable vitamin taste or colorations that occur when vitamins are injected into waters.
The following from Center for Science in the Public Interest:
"The way that vitamin water is marketed and positioned it's made to look more healthful than other sugary beverages, but it's not - it's still just a soft drink," said Margo G. Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "It has this aura of healthfulness that is not deserved. Adding vitamins and minerals to junk food doesn't make it healthy."
Steve Nickolas, CEO and President of NutriPure Beverages, Inc. remarks accordingly, "Young and old alike need nourishment that is not laden with junk. A beverage that hydrates and is lifestyle oriented, as it delivers basic nutrition, is the core of NutriPure Beverages. Our patented process allows for the dissolving of vitamins and nutriceuticals compounds into our water resulting in pure water preservative free that is not offensive; therefore we do not need to add sugars, colors or other masking elements. Our unique beverages also have a full spectrum of electrolytes and nutriceuticals as opposed to Coca Cola's Smart Water, which merely has two electrolytes. Our patented, nutriceuticals, non-carbonated, calorie free, vitamin enriched beverages are the next inevitable wave in this red hot sector".
ABOUT NUTRIPURE BEVERAGES, INC
NutriPure Beverages, Inc. (NUBV.PK) produces and distribute a line of nutrient-enhanced bottled water products that contain no calories, no carbohydrates, no colors and most importantly, no flavors other than pure water. The procedure is a patented process that is more efficient and less costly than others producer use. NutriPure's concept adds organic nutrients without adding masking flavors, colors or sweeteners. The process is further enhanced using desirable "cold-fill" techniques, which save energy and reduce harmful, "plastic chemical leaching" into the product. These proprietary techniques have warranted NutriPure to redirected its efforts to the premium bottled water industry. The Company intends to market a full line of nutrient-enhanced water products to compete with currently available products. These include those that provide vitamin support for general health, a diet formulation for weight watchers, an immune booster, as well as an energy and fitness drink.
Safe Harbor: Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage company who continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain its existence. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.
http://www.foxbusiness.com
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Alcoholic Beverages Cost More Now
Retail prices of alcoholic beverages rose on Wednesday by an average 7.6 percent. The main reason for the price hike is the rise average 11.5 percent rise in the tax on alcoholic beverages. Other factors include changes in wholesale prices by suppliers.
The price rise for strong spirits was 12 percent for strong spirits, 6.2 percent for fortyified wine, and just 7.7 percent.
Almost no change in price per litre for medium-strength beer
A single bottle of medium-strength beer has gone down after the abolition of bulk discounts. Under the new rules, each of the bottles or cans in a sixpack, 12-pack, or case of 25 must cost the same as a single bottle or can.
http://www.yle.fi/news/left/id78933.html
The price rise for strong spirits was 12 percent for strong spirits, 6.2 percent for fortyified wine, and just 7.7 percent.
Almost no change in price per litre for medium-strength beer
A single bottle of medium-strength beer has gone down after the abolition of bulk discounts. Under the new rules, each of the bottles or cans in a sixpack, 12-pack, or case of 25 must cost the same as a single bottle or can.
http://www.yle.fi/news/left/id78933.html
PepsiCo to Webcast Conference Call and Slides on Fourth-Quarter 2007 Earnings
PURCHASE, N.Y., Jan 03, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) today announced that its fourth quarter 2007 earnings conference call and slide presentation for financial analysts and investors will be webcast live over the internet on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11 a.m. (ET).
The Company will issue its financial results before the stock market opens that morning.
The live webcast will be accessible through PepsiCo's website at http://www.pepsico.com, and will be archived for replay at the same website for a period of 14 days.
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP: 75.55, -0.23, -0.30%) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2006 annual revenues of more than $35 billion. The company employs approximately 168,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 17 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company's impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. PepsiCo is listed on the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index and Dow Jones World Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/retail/article/pepsico-webcast-conference-slides-fourthquarter-2007-earnings_423519_7.html
The Company will issue its financial results before the stock market opens that morning.
The live webcast will be accessible through PepsiCo's website at http://www.pepsico.com, and will be archived for replay at the same website for a period of 14 days.
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP: 75.55, -0.23, -0.30%) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, with 2006 annual revenues of more than $35 billion. The company employs approximately 168,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 17 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo's commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company's impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. PepsiCo is listed on the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index and Dow Jones World Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/retail/article/pepsico-webcast-conference-slides-fourthquarter-2007-earnings_423519_7.html
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