>>> Nextracker Inc (NASDAQ:NXT)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/12-best-wind-power-solar-162031158.html

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 33

Nextracker Inc (NASDAQ:NXT) provides integrated solar tracker and software solutions used in utility-scale and ground-mounted solar projects.

Insider Monkey's database of 933 hedge funds updated for the fourth quarter of 2023 shows that 33 hedge funds had stakes in Nextracker Inc (NASDAQ:NXT).

Last month Nextracker Inc (NASDAQ:NXT) posted solid Q4 results and upped its guidance. Adjusted EPS in the period came in at $0.96, beating estimates by $0.47. Revenue in the quarter jumped 38.4% year over year to $710.43 million, beating estimates by $92.94 million.

<<<

>>> Nextracker Inc. (NXT), an energy solutions company, provides solar tracker and software solutions for utility-scale and ground-mounted distributed generation solar projects worldwide. The company offers tracking solutions, which includes NX Horizon, a solar tracking solution; NX Gemini, a two-in-portrait format tracker, which holds two rows of solar panels along the central support beam; and NX Horizon-XTR, a terrain-following tracker designed to expand the addressable market for trackers on sites with sloped, uneven, and challenging terrain. It also provides monitoring and control software solutions including TrueCapture, a solar boosting power plant, which boost plant performance by correcting for shading and diffuse light conditions; and NX Navigator, a mitigating extreme weather risk navigator which helps to maintain optimum tracker equipment health and availability. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Fremont, California. <<<



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Winmark - >>> 3 Mighty Micro-Cap Stocks to Make a Move On in Q4


Investor Place

by Will Ashworth

Sat, Nov 18, 2023


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-mighty-micro-cap-stocks-192758186.html


Barron’s recently published an article discussing the promise of small-cap funds heading into 2024. The rationale behind the thinking is that it’s possible any recession next year will be a small one. Small and micro-cap stocks do poorly in extended recessions.

It’s hard to know what’s going to happen next week, let alone next year. However, even when buying micro caps, it helps if you look for quality. The stronger the business, the more likely it will survive any recession that comes our way in 2024.

As the Barron’s article points out, micro caps are less likely to get bank financing in a recession, or if they do, the interest rates would be much higher than what large cap could obtain.

So, it makes sense to look for micro-cap businesses that self-finance their operations through cash flow. It doesn’t hurt if they also have business models that won’t be hurt by lower consumer spending. I would say these are businesses with high return on equity.

Who are these businesses? I’ll find my trio of micro-cap stocks to buy from the iShares Micro-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IWC), which tracks the performance of the Russell Microcap Index, a collection of very small U.S. public companies with market capitalizations between $4 million and $4.6 billion.

Winmark (WINA)

If there is any business positioned for a recession, it would be Winmark (NASDAQ:WINA). The Minnesota-based franchisor operates five brands that focus on resale retail: Plato’s Closet (39% of stores), Once Upon A Child (31%), Play It Again Sports (22%), Style Encore (5%) and Music Go Round (3%).

Throughout the next couple of years, its revenues will fall, but not for the reason you think.

In the nine months ended Sept. 30, Winmark generated nearly $4 million in revenue from leasing income earned from its middle market equipment leasing business. In May 2021, it decided to get out of this business.

“Winmark Corporation (Nasdaq: WINA) announced today that it will no longer solicit new leasing customers and will pursue an orderly run-off for its middle-market leasing portfolio,” Brett D. Heffes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated.

So, for example, while it generated nearly $4 million in revenue in Q3 2023, 32% less than a year ago. It will be lower in the fourth quarter and every quarter after that until it has no revenue.

But consider this, in the first nine months of 2023, its gross profit from the $4 million was approximately $578,200. Its operating profit in these same nine months was $40.8 million, or 65% of its $63.2 million in revenue.

The leasing business simply wasn’t cutting it. Worse, it was a distraction from its resale operations. Not surprisingly, its stock’s appreciated by 121% since that decision 29 months ago. If you are looking for micro-cap stocks, start here.

<<<



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>>> Winmark Corporation (WINA), a resale company operates as a franchisor for small business in the United States and Canada. The company's Franchising segment franchises retail stores concepts that buy, sell and trade merchandise. Its Leasing segment operates middle-market equipment leasing business. The company buys and sells used clothing and accessories geared toward the teenage and young adult market under Plato's Closet brand; and operates stores which buys and sells used and new children's clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, and accessories primarily to parents of children ages infant to 12 years under the Once Upon A Child brand. In addition, it buys, sells, trades in, and used and new sporting goods, equipment, and accessories for various athletic activities including team sports, such as baseball/softball, hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer, as well as fitness, ski/snowboard, golf, and others under the Play It Again Sports brand; and buys and sells used women's apparel, shoes, and accessories under the Style Encore brand. Further, the company buys, sells, trades in, and used and new musical instruments, speakers, amplifiers, music-related electronics, and related accessories under the Music Go Round brand. Winmark Corporation was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

<<<



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>>> Winmark -- While many consumers might be unaware of small-cap stock Winmark (WINA), they are probably aware of its franchise-based retail companies that specialize in buying and selling secondhand goods: Music Go Round, Once Upon a Child, Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, and Style Encore.


https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/09/17/3-top-dividend-stocks-to-buy-now/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article


Winmark's stock has demonstrated remarkable performance, surging 53% year to date, and even more impressively, delivering a total return of 145% over the past five years.

Like Costco, Winmark has a relatively low annual dividend yield and frequently pays a special dividend. Its yield is 0.9%, and it has paid a special dividend each of the last three years at an average of $4.97 per share. With the announcement of its special cash dividend typically in October, it is possible another one could be soon.

As a franchise business, Winmark is incentivized to expand its network because its revenue is primarily derived from franchise fees and royalties. Prospective franchisees must make an initial franchise payment of approximately $25,000 in the United States and contribute 4% to 5% of their weekly gross sales. CEO Brett Heffes believes there are 2,800 open territories for franchises, with only 1,303 locations as of July 1, 2023.

If there is a negative for Winmark, the recent stock run-up has made its valuation expensive, with a current P/E of 32.7. For comparison, Winmark averaged a P/E of 23.2 over the past five years. Nonetheless, with record revenue of $83.2 million and near-record net income of $39.9 million over the trailing 12 months, the market might finally be taking notice of the resale company valued at a market capitalization of $1.3 billion.

<<<



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>>> Perion Network Expects 20% YoY Revenue Growth and 40% YoY Increase in Adjusted EBITDA in Second Quarter 2023


Businesswire

July 6, 2023


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/perion-network-expects-20-yoy-070000434.html


Perion Network Expects 20% YoY Revenue Growth And 40% YoY Increase In Adjusted EBITDA In Second Quarter 2023

Company to announce second quarter 2023 financial results and updated annual outlook on August 2, 2023


TEL AVIV & NEW YORK, July 06, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Perion Network Ltd. (Nasdaq & TASE: PERI), a global advertising technology company whose synergistic solutions are delivered across the three primary channels of digital advertising – search, social media and display/video/CTV advertising, today announced preliminary results for the second quarter of 2023.

$ million

Actual
Q2 2022

Preliminary
Q2 2023

YoY

Revenue

146.7

176.0

20%

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

28.5

40.0

40%

Adjusted EBITDA to Revenue(1)

19%

23%

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See a reconciliation table below

"The strength of our second quarter results reflects continued momentum of the business," said Tal Jacobson, Perion’s incoming CEO. "Both the second quarter and first six months highlight the power of our executional agility, underlying technological innovation and market fit. Our diversified and scalable business model has allowed us to capitalize on recent positive market indications, resulting in improved margins and market share gains. Based on preliminary data suggesting stronger than initially anticipated growth, we will provide an update to our annual outlook when we report our financial results on August 2."

Conference Call Details

Perion will release its financial results for the second quarter of 2023 on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, prior to the opening of the financial markets. Incoming CEO Tal Jaconson and CFO Maoz Sigron will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day.

Registration link:

https://incommconferencing.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xMvsgXNoSAyrwYE3yNKUcA#/registration

Toll Free: 1-877-407-0779

Toll/International: 1-201-389-0914

A replay of the call and a transcript will be available within approximately 24 hours of the live event on the investors section of Perion’s website at www.perion.com/investors.

About Perion Network Ltd.

Perion is a global advertising technology company whose synergistic solutions are delivered across the three primary channels of digital advertising – ad search, social media and display / video / CTV advertising. These channels are brought together by Perion’s intelligent Hub, which integrates the company’s business assets from both sides of the open Web, providing significant benefit to its brands and publisher customers.

<<<



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>>> Camtek Ltd. (CAMT), together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells inspection and metrology equipment for the advanced interconnect packaging, memory, complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensors, micro-electro mechanical systems, radio frequency, and other segments of the semiconductor industry. It provides inspection and metrology systems, including Eagle-i, a system that delivers 2D inspection and metrology capabilities; Eagle-AP, which addresses the advanced packaging market using software and hardware technologies that deliver superior 2D and 3D inspection and metrology capabilities on the same platform; and Golden Eagle, a panel inspection and metrology system to support fanout wafer level packaging applications. The company sells its products in the Asia Pacific, the United States, and Europe. Camtek Ltd. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Migdal HaEmek, Israel.

<<<



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>>> Perion is a fast-growing ad tech company trading at a cheap valuation.


https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/01/27/want-1-million-in-retirement-invest-50000-in-these/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article


Perion Network

If you're looking for promising growth stocks, a great place to start your search is in the ad tech industry. For the most part, ad tech stocks are not only growing fast but are also profitable, and Perion Network (PERI 1.17%) offers a great example.

The company operates primarily through its intelligent hub, a digital advertising marketplace that connects buyers and sellers, optimizing ad purchases and placements and adding value for both sides. The company also offers premium experiences through connected TV and other channels, such as a "connected cart" that allows viewers to buy an advertised product with a QR code.

Like other ad tech stocks, Perion delivered strong growth early in the pandemic, but the company also continued to grow over the last year even as growth in the digital advertising industry has slowed, a sign Perion delivers a high return on investment for advertisers.

Revenue in 2023 rose 33% to $636 million, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 88% to $131 million. At a market cap of just $1.44 billion, that means the stock trades at just 11 times EBITDA, a surprisingly low valuation for a stock that just doubled its EBITDA profits.

With a combination of growth, a low valuation, and a small-cap valuation, Perion has the potential to be a multibagging stock over the coming years.

<<<



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>>> Perion Network Ltd. (PERI) provides digital advertising solutions to brands, agencies, and publishers in North America, Europe, and internationally. It provides Wildfire, a content monetization platform; search monetization solutions, including website monetization, search mediation, and app monetization; and cross-channel digital advertising software as a service platform. The company also offers supply management platform; demand management platform for campaign planning and design; analytics platform, which provides information and performance insights on the results of campaign investment and other campaign metrics; creative platform to create advertisements; and an AI platform that uses machine learning to bring intelligence to the various phases of campaigns. In addition, it provides an actionable performance monitoring platform to support the various phases of campaign management; an online video player and integrated ad server to upload, manage, and stream video content; content monetization system, which integrates ads within the content layouts at the page level. Further, the company offers a publisher management system that provides analytics and performance optimization tools, as well as reports; search-demand management systems; monetization products that integrate and onboards demand vendors; and AI Systems. Additionally, it provides Intelligent HUB (iHUB), a platform for pulling in signals across various advertising channels and optimizing traffic at scale, and yielding engagement metrics and KPIs; and strategic optimization of relevant traits (SORT), a provisional patent technology that eliminates the need for cookies. The company was formerly known as IncrediMail Ltd. and changed its name to Perion Network Ltd. in November 2011. Perion Network Ltd. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Holon, Israel.

<<<



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>>> InMode Ltd. (INMD) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets minimally invasive aesthetic medical products based on its proprietary radiofrequency assisted lipolysis and deep subdermal fractional radiofrequency technologies in the United States and internationally. The company offers minimally invasive aesthetic medical products for various procedures, such as liposuction with simultaneous skin tightening, body and face contouring, and ablative skin rejuvenation treatments, as well as for use in women's health conditions and procedures. It also designs, develops, manufactures, and markets non-invasive medical aesthetic products that target an array of procedures, including permanent hair reduction, facial skin rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, cellulite treatment, skin appearance and texture, and superficial benign vascular and pigmented lesions, as well as hands-free medical aesthetic products that target a range of procedures, such as skin tightening, fat reduction, and muscle stimulation. The company was formerly known as Invasix Ltd. and changed its name to InMode Ltd. in November 2017. InMode Ltd. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Yokneam, Israel.

<<<



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>>> Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE:ALG)


https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=171117892


Market Capitalization as of January 26, 2023: $1.82 billion

Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE:ALG) is a farming equipment company. It makes and sells a wide variety of machinery, such as tractor mowers and cutters. On the agrochemical side of things, the company provides products that allow farmers to apply fertilizers to their crops.

By the end of last year's third quarter, 11 out of the 920 hedge funds polled by Insider Monkey had bought Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE:ALG)'s shares.

Alamo Group Inc. (NYSE:ALG)'s largest shareholder is James A. Star's Longview Asset Management which owns 1.3 million shares that are worth $166 million.

<<<


>>> Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) designs, manufactures, distributes, and services vegetation management and infrastructure maintenance equipment for governmental, industrial, and agricultural uses worldwide. Its Vegetation Management Division segment offers hydraulically-powered and tractor-mounted mowers, other cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty and intensive uses and heavy duty applications, tractor- and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment, and replacement parts. This segment also provides rotary and finishing mowers, flail and disc mowers, front-end loaders, backhoes, rotary tillers, posthole diggers, scraper blades and replacement parts, zero turn radius mowers, cutting parts, plain and hard-faced replacement tillage tools, disc blades, and fertilizer application components; aftermarket agricultural parts, heavy-duty mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers, rock removal equipment, replacement parts, tractor attachments, agricultural implements, hydraulic and boom-mounted hedge and grass cutters, tractor attachments and implements, hedgerow cutters, industrial grass mowers, agricultural seedbed preparation cultivators, self-propelled sprayers and multi-drive load-carrying vehicles, cutting blades, and hydraulic and mechanical boom mowers. The company's Industrial Equipment Division segment offers truck-mounted air vacuum, mechanical broom, and regenerative air sweepers, pothole patchers, leaf collection equipment and replacement brooms, parking lot and street sweepers, excavators, catch basin cleaners, and roadway debris vacuum systems, as well as truck-mounted vacuum machines, combination sewer cleaners, and hydro excavators. This segment also offers ice control products, snowplows and heavy duty snow removal equipment, hitches, attachments, and graders; and public works and runway maintenance products, parts, and services, and high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers. The company was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Seguin, Texas. <<<





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Piedmont Lithium - >>> Former Tesla Australia director pleads guilty to insider trading on lithium deal


MarketWatch

Nov. 15, 2022

By Rhiannon Hoyle


https://www.marketwatch.com/story/former-tesla-australia-director-pleads-guilty-to-insider-trading-on-lithium-deal-271668568963?siteid=yhoof2


Tesla Inc.’s former country director in Australia pleaded guilty in a Sydney court to two counts of insider trading, having bought shares in Belmont, N.C.-based Piedmont Lithium Inc. after finding out that it was agreeing to supply the electric-vehicle maker with the battery material, Australia’s corporate regulator said Wednesday.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said Kurt Schlosser acquired 86,478 shares in Piedmont PLL, +1.16% in September 2020 after being told of an in-principle agreement that Tesla TSLA, -1.63% had reached with the lithium company for commodity supplies.

Schlosser, who also told a friend about the agreement, sold his shares in Piedmont for a net profit of about 28,884 Australian dollars (US$19,505) after the supply arrangement became public, the regulator said.

He pleaded guilty to one count of trading while in possession of inside information and one count of communicating inside information to an associate and will next appear in the Sydney District Court on Dec. 16, said the regulator.

Tesla and Piedmont didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Schlosser couldn’t be reached for comment.

<<<



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>>> J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF) manufactures, markets, and distributes nutritional snack foods and beverages to the food service and retail supermarket industries in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It operates in three segments: Food Service, Retail Supermarkets, and Frozen Beverages. The company offers soft pretzels under the SUPERPRETZEL, PRETZEL FILLERS, PRETZELFILS, GOURMET TWISTS, MR. TWISTER, SOFT PRETZEL BITES, SOFTSTIX, SOFT PRETZEL BUNS, TEXAS TWIST, BAVARIAN BAKERY, SUPERPRETZEL BAVARIAN, NEW YORK PRETZEL, KIM & SCOTT'S GOURMET PRETZELS, SERIOUSLY TWISTED!, BRAUHAUS, AUNTIE ANNE'S, and LABRIOLA, as well as under the private labels. It also provides frozen novelty under the LUIGI'S, WHOLE FRUIT, PHILLY SWIRL, SOUR PATCH, ICEE, and MINUTE MAID brands; churros under the TIO PEPE'S and CALIFORNIA CHURROS brands; and handheld products under the SUPREME STUFFERS and SWEET STUFFERS brands. In addition, the company offers bakery products, including biscuits, fig and fruit bars, cookies, breads, rolls, crumbs, muffins, and donuts under the MRS. GOODCOOKIE, READI-BAKE, COUNTRY HOME, MARY B'S, DADDY RAY'S, and HILL & VALLEY brands, as well as under private labels; and frozen beverages under the ICEE, SLUSH PUPPIE, and PARROT ICE brands. Further, it provides funnel cakes under the FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY brand, as well as various other food products; and sells machines and machine parts to other food and beverage companies. The company sells its products through a network of food brokers, independent sales distributors, and direct sales force. It serves snack bars and food stand locations in chain, department and mass merchandising stores, malls and shopping centers, fast food and casual dining restaurants, stadiums and sports arenas, leisure and theme parks, convenience stores, movie theatres, warehouse club stores, schools, colleges and other institutions, and independent retailers. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

<<<



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J&J Snack Foods - >>> It's An $222M Ice Cream Treat For ICEE Parent J&J Snack Foods


Benzinga

by Shivani Kumaresan

May 19, 2022


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/222m-ice-cream-treat-icee-184119364.html


J&J Snack Foods Corp (NASDAQ: JJSF) has agreed to acquire Dippin' Dots L.L.C, a producer of flash-frozen beaded ice cream treats, for $222 million.

JJSF noted Dippin' Dots brand complements its frozen novelty and frozen beverage businesses. JJSF's brands include ICEE, SuperPretzel, Luigis, and others.

JJSF expects to further leverage its combined strength in entertainment and amusement locations, theaters, convenience, and supermarkets.

Dippin' Dots is headquartered in Paducah, KY, along with a main production facility, warehousing, distribution, and administrative offices. It also leases four additional frozen warehouses strategically located in California, Canada, Australia, and China.

J&J Snack Foods expects this transaction to be $0.30 - $0.40 accretive to its EPS in the first 12 months after closing. The deal is expected to close by the end of June 2022.

JJSF plans to fund the transaction through a combination of cash and senior debt financing. It held $225.5 million in cash and equivalents as of March 26, 2022.

Price Action: JJSF shares are trading higher by 2.93% at $122.34 on the last check Thursday.

<<<



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>>> J&J Snack Foods Corp. Announces Closing of Dippin’ Dots Acquisition


Yahoo Finance

J & J Snack Foods Corp.

June 21, 2022


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/j-j-snack-foods-corp-131500063.html


PENNSAUKEN, N.J., June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: JJSF), a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, announced today that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of Dippin’ Dots, L.L.C., a leading producer of flash-frozen beaded ice cream treats. The acquisition also includes the Doc Popcorn business operated by Dippin’ Dots.

“This is a significant day for J&J Snack Foods as we close the largest acquisition in our company’s 50+ year history” said Dan Fachner, President & Chief Executive Officer at J&J Snack Foods. “We look forward to leveraging our combined strength in entertainment and amusement locations, theaters, and convenience to continue to expand this iconic business,” Mr. Fachner added.

About J&J Snack Foods Corp.

J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: JJSF) is a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, providing innovative, niche and affordable branded snack foods and beverages to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets. Manufactured and distributed nationwide, our principal products include SUPERPRETZEL, the #1 soft pretzel brand in the world, as well as internationally known ICEE and SLUSH PUPPIE frozen beverages, LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice, MINUTE MAID frozen ices, WHOLE FRUIT sorbet and frozen fruit bars, SOUR PATCH KIDS Flavored Ice Pops, Tio Pepe’s & CALIFORNIA CHURROS, and THE FUNNEL CAKE FACTORY funnel cakes and several bakery brands within DADDY RAY’S, COUNTRY HOME BAKERS and HILL & VALLEY. With nearly twenty manufacturing facilities, and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, J&J Snack Foods Corp. has continued to see steady growth as a company, reaching record sales for 48 consecutive years. The company consistently seeks out opportunities to expand its unique niche market product offering while bringing smiles to families worldwide.

<<<



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>>> Canoo (GOEV) gets the Walmart seal of approval


Motley Fool

7-12-22


https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/07/12/pepsis-earnings-were-strong-but-this-ev-stock-is-t/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article


But posting the biggest gains on Tuesday morning was Canoo (GOEV 66.08%). The electric vehicle specialist got great news from a huge customer that boosted the stock price by more than 75% in premarket trading.

Walmart (WMT 0.31%) announced that it would buy 4,500 of Canoo's electric delivery vehicles. The retailer intends to use the vehicles for last-mile deliveries as it continues to build out its e-commerce business. Walmart will have the option to buy up to 10,000 units.

Canoo and Walmart don't expect the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV) to show up on highways until next year. However, advance deliveries are expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that should help Walmart and Canoo finalize the details in their collaboration.

Canoo touted several elements of its LDV, including easy handling, ample cargo space, modular design, and sustainability. For Walmart, the move helps it in its goals to reach zero-emissions status by 2040.

EV companies are competing fiercely for business, so getting a big-name buyer like Walmart is a point in Canoo's favor. Yet even with today's gain, the stock is still down sharply from where it traded during the past couple of years, so investors want to see even more wins before they'll have full confidence in Canoo's future.

<<<



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Neogen - >>> 3M Food Safety Unit and Neogen to Combine in $9.3 Billion Deal

A merger will enable 3M's food-safety unit and Neogen to form a dedicated global food-safety group.


Dec 19, 2021

The Street

https://www.thestreet.com/markets/mergers-acquisitions/3m-food-safety-unit-neogen-combining-in-9point3-billion-deal?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO



VERONIKA BONDARENKODEC 14, 2021 3:36 PM EST
Food-safety and animal-health company Neogen (NEOG) - said it would combine with the food-safety branch of 3M (MMM) - Get 3M Company Report, creating a global food-safety and security provider.

The deal is designed to be tax-free to 3M holders. At closing, holders of Neogen, Lansing, Mich., will have 49.9% of the new company and 3M holders receive 50.1%.

3M is the St. Paul, Minn., technology and consumer-products giant, parent to everything from masks and respirators to Post-It notes.

The enterprise value of the combined company is estimated at $9.3 billion.

Both boards have approved the deal. Talks of a merger between the two companies have been in the works and reported on since 2019.

At last check, Neogen shares jumped 8.5% to $43.51 while 3M stock was little changed at $174.50.

The new company will take advantage of a "heightened global focus on food security, sustainability and supply chain solutions," said John Adent, Neogen's chief executive, John Adent, said in a statement. Adent will be leading the new company.

<<<



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>>> Lightwave Logic Announces $33.0 Million Financing Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund


Yahoo Finance

October 7, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lightwave-logic-announces-33-0-123100865.html


Lincoln Park Capital Fund Purchased $3 Million of Common Stock at $9.16/share. The Agreement Provides Lightwave Logic the Right, But Not the Obligation, to Sell Stock to Lincoln Park Over A 36-Month Period at the Company's Sole Discretion

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG), a technology platform company leveraging its proprietary electro-optic (EO) polymers to transmit data at higher speeds with less power, has entered into its 5th agreement with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC ("LPC"), a Chicago-based institutional investor. LPC is a long time investor in Lightwave Logic, and first invested in Lightwave Logic in 2011. LPC purchased $3 million of common stock at closing, which was sold at $9.16/share.

Under the purchase agreement, Lightwave Logic will have the right, but not the obligation, to sell up to an additional $30.0 million of its common stock to Lincoln Park over a 36-month period. Lightwave Logic will control the timing and amount of any sales to Lincoln Park with no upper limits to the price Lincoln Park may pay to purchase such common stock. The purchase agreement may be terminated by Lightwave Logic at any time, in its sole discretion, without any additional cost or penalty.

Jim Marcelli, President and Chief Operating Officer of Lightwave Logic, commented, "While we are comfortable with our current cash position of approximately $15 million and burn rate, this financing provides additional flexibility for us as we move forward toward commercialization of our products.

"The Lincoln Park facility allows us to source capital in an opportunistic manner, in addition to our S-3 shelf registration that provides the potential for additional financing alternatives. We believe that maintaining this optionality is critical to financing the company in a way that helps to create value for our shareholders over the long-term," stated Marcelli.

A description of the purchase agreement is set forth in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company filed with the SEC on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

About Lightwave Logic, Inc.

Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG) is developing a platform leveraging its proprietary engineered electro-optic (EO) polymers to transmit data at higher speeds with less power. The Company's high-activity and high-stability organic polymers allow Lightwave Logic to create next-generation photonic EO devices, which convert data from electrical signals into optical signals, for applications in data communications and telecommunications markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at lightwavelogic.com.

<<<

>>> Orocobre Limited (OROCF) engages in the exploration, development, and production of lithium and boron in Argentina. The company's flagship project is the Olaroz Lithium Facility located in Jujuy province in northern Argentina. Orocobre Limited was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Brisbane, Australia. <<<


>>> The world’s biggest mining firms, including BHP Group and Glencore Plc, are emphasizing their links to clean energy, while smaller competitors are surging. Lithium producers including Pilbara Minerals Ltd. and Orocobre Ltd. are advancing faster this year than battery giants like Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. and are among the top performers in the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Total Return Index. <<<


https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-materials-silver-to-lithium-worth-big-money-in-clean-energy/?srnd=premium

>>> Pilbara Minerals Limited (PILBF) explores for, develops, and operates mineral resources in Australia. The company primarily holds a 100% interest in the Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in West Perth, Australia. <<<

>>> The world’s biggest mining firms, including BHP Group and Glencore Plc, are emphasizing their links to clean energy, while smaller competitors are surging. Lithium producers including Pilbara Minerals Ltd. and Orocobre Ltd. are advancing faster this year than battery giants like Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. and are among the top performers in the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Total Return Index. <<<


https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-materials-silver-to-lithium-worth-big-money-in-clean-energy/?srnd=premium

>>> Lightwave Logic and Polariton Technologies Achieve World-Record Performance for Ultra-High-Speed Modulators


Yahoo Finance

September 16, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lightwave-logic-polariton-technologies-achieve-123100545.html


Breakthrough Results Presented in Peer Reviewed Paper at Prestigious 2021 European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC)


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and ZURICH, Sept. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG), a technology platform company leveraging its proprietary electro-optic (EO) polymers to transmit data at higher speeds with less power, today announced the achievement of world-record performance for a polymer modulator, as demonstrated in an optical transmission experiment by ETH Zurich, using the Company's proprietary, advanced Perkinamine™ chromophores and Polariton Technologies Ltd.'s newest plasmonic EO modulator, a silicon-photonics-based plasmonic racetrack modulator offering energy-efficient, low-loss, and high-speed modulation in a compact footprint.

The groundbreaking results were presented as a post-deadline paper at the prestigious European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) industry exhibition and conference in Bordeaux on September 16, 2021. Polariton's plasmonic modulator transmitted 220 Gbit/s OOK and 408 Gbit/s 8PAM. Transmission of an optical signal was conducted over 100 m using a low-voltage electrical drive of 0.6Vp, an on-chip loss of 1 dB, and an optical 3 dB bandwidth of beyond 110 GHz.

"Our mission at Lightwave Logic is to continually push the frontiers of high-speed performance for electro-optic polymers, shaping the 'impossible' into reality and a new normal for the industry," said Dr. Michael Lebby, Chief Executive Officer of Lightwave Logic. "Through our collaboration with Polariton, we have achieved a new world-record for a racetrack plasmonic modulator device structure. The acceptance of a post-deadline peer reviewed paper at ECOC 2021 provides third party validation of this incredible result.

"We now turn our attention to further optimizing this performance with silicon foundries through both materials and optical device design. With performance achievements such as this, we believe that many companies will quickly see the potential impact that high performance optical switching devices using our polymers can have on their business," concluded Lebby.

Dr. Wolfgang Heni, Co-CTO at Polariton, added: "Polariton has always been dedicated to providing best-in-class devices with the highest-performance. Our goal is to make optical communications faster, the technology more scalable and with it, components and infrastructure more energy-efficient. Our recent demonstration of a plasmonic racetrack modulator once again showcased how the unique combination of plasmonics, silicon photonics, and organic electro-optics offers high-speed and energy-efficient components. We are pleased to have worked with Lightwave Logic, providing us with high-performance and reliable Perkinamine™ chromophores to demonstrate this new world record, further highlighting the benefits of our plasmonic modulator technology. Together, we hope to revolutionize the future of the internet through adoption of next-generation electro-optic polymer platforms."

About Lightwave Logic, Inc.

Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG) is developing a platform leveraging its proprietary engineered electro-optic (EO) polymers to transmit data at higher speeds with less power. The Company's high-activity and high-stability organic polymers allow Lightwave Logic to create next-generation photonic EO devices, which convert data from electrical signals into optical signals, for applications in data communications and telecommunications markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at lightwavelogic.com.

About Polariton Technologies Ltd.

Polariton Technologies is on a mission to revolutionize the future of telecommunications by accelerating information transport and bringing reducing its power consumption. Polariton is providing the world's fastest, most compact, and energy-efficient electro-optic devices with applications in telecommunications, datacenters, wireless communications (5G/6G), space, and sensing. Founded in 2019, Polariton is a spin-off of ETH Zurich, taking pride in teamwork, clear and effective communication, and curiosity. Discover more about us at polariton.ch or follow us at LinkedIn @polariton-technologies

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>>> The Ensign Group Adds Two Skilled Nursing Facilities in Texas


Yahoo Finance

August 2, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ensign-group-adds-two-skilled-100000681.html


SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Aug. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the Ensign™ group of companies, which invest in and provide skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, announced today that, effective August 1, 2021, it acquired the operations of the following skilled nursing facilities in Texas:

Sedona Trace Health and Wellness Center, a 119-bed skilled nursing facility located in Austin, TX; and

Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Center, a 122-bed skilled nursing facility located in Cedar Park, TX.

The real estate for each of these operations was acquired by CareTrust REIT, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRE) in the transaction and each operation will be added to an existing long-term, triple-net master lease, which is currently in place between Ensign affiliates and CareTrust.

“We are excited to be growing in the Greater Austin area, which is a part of Texas we have been looking to grow in for some time. These acquisitions are a perfect fit both from a geographic and cultural perspective,” said Barry Port, Ensign's Chief Executive Officer. “We are again thrilled to be announcing our growing relationship with CareTrust and are excited to announce that, in connection with this transaction, CareTrust extended the applicable lease term by ten years. We continue to look forward to many more years of working together with CareTrust on these and future opportunities,” he added.

Kevin Niccum, President of Keystone Care LLC, Ensign’s Texas-based subsidiary, added “These recently constructed facilities represent fantastic growth opportunities in the short-term and the long term. We look forward to working closely with an outstanding team of professionals that truly care about the residents and their families.” This acquisition brings Ensign's growing portfolio to 242 healthcare operations, 22 of which also include senior living operations, across thirteen states. Ensign owns 95 real estate assets. Mr. Port reaffirmed that Ensign is actively seeking opportunities to acquire real estate and to lease both well-performing and struggling skilled nursing, senior living and other healthcare related businesses throughout the United States.

About EnsignTM

The Ensign Group, Inc.'s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 242 healthcare facilities, in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.

About CareTrust™

CareTrust REIT, Inc. is a self-administered, publicly-traded real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development and leasing of skilled nursing, seniors housing and other healthcare-related properties. With a nationwide portfolio of long-term net-leased properties, and a growing portfolio of quality operators leasing them, CareTrust REIT is pursuing both external and organic growth opportunities across the United States. More information about CareTrust REIT is available at www.caretrustreit.com.

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>>> Sensient Technologies Acquires Assets of Flavor Solutions, Inc.


Yahoo Finance

July 19, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sensient-technologies-acquires-assets-flavor-105500287.html


MILWAUKEE, July 19, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) announced that it acquired the assets of Flavor Solutions, Inc. on July 15, 2021. The business provides flavors and flavor technologies to the food, beverage, and nutraceutical markets.

"The acquisition of this business will allow Sensient to expand its flavor portfolio and add key technologies to strengthen its technical solution capabilities," said Paul Manning, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Sensient Technologies Corporation. "I am excited to welcome the Flavor Solutions team to Sensient and to support the strong customer relationships that the team has built."

The acquisition of this business grows Sensient’s flavor portfolio through the expansion of its traditional flavor offering as well as the addition of savory reaction flavors, natural shelf-life extender technologies, and additional sweetness enhancing and salt reduction taste-modulation technology platforms.

ABOUT SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients. Sensient uses advanced technologies and robust global supply chain capabilities to develop specialized solutions for food and beverages, as well as products that serve the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and personal care industries. Sensient’s customers range in size from small entrepreneurial businesses to major international manufacturers representing some of the world’s best-known brands. Sensient is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

www.sensient.com

ABOUT FLAVOR SOLUTIONS, INC.

Flavor Solutions, Inc. is a custom product and flavor development company that combines the art and science of flavor technology with other food science technologies to provide its customers with innovative, applied technology delivery systems for products. Flavor Solutions, Inc. serves some of the world’s most prominent producers of prepared foods and beverages, and leaders in the culinary, food service, beverage and nutraceutical industries.

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>>> Balchem Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter Sales of $202.4 Million, Net Earnings of $22.7 Million, GAAP EPS of $0.70, and Adjusted EPS of $0.93


Balchem Corporation

July 30, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/balchem-corporation-reports-record-second-110000726.html


NEW HAMPTON, N.Y., July 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ: BCPC) reported today record second quarter net earnings of $22.7 million for 2021, compared to net earnings of $21.1 million for the second quarter 2020, adjusted net earnings(a) of $30.4 million, compared to $27.6 million in the prior year quarter, and adjusted EBITDA(a) of $50.1 million, compared to $43.9 million in the prior year quarter.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:

Net sales were $202.4 million, an increase of $29.0 million, or 16.7%, compared to the prior year quarter, with record sales in all three segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.

Adjusted EBITDA was $50.1 million, an increase of $6.3 million, or 14.3%, from the prior year.

GAAP net earnings were $22.7 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 7.6% from the prior year. These net earnings resulted in GAAP earnings per share of $0.70.

Adjusted net earnings were $30.4 million, an increase of $2.8 million or 10.3% from the prior year. These adjusted net earnings resulted in adjusted earnings per share(a) of $0.93.

The effective tax rate of 24.3% was 561 basis point higher than the prior year tax rate of 18.7%.

Quarterly cash flows from operations were $35.8 million for the second quarter 2021, with quarterly free cash flow(a) of $28.4 million.


Recent Highlights:

In June, Balchem’s Board of Directors elected Ms. Kathy Fish to fill a vacancy on the Board. Ms. Fish recently retired from the position of Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer at The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG). Over a long career at Procter & Gamble, Ms. Fish held various roles within the research and development function of increasing responsibility before leading the function from 2014 to 2020. Ms. Fish brings to the Balchem Board important new product development and direct to consumer expertise, along with her international business acumen and experience in driving a growth culture. Ms. Fish will serve on the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee.

We released our annual Sustainability Report in April in support of our Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance ideals. We also disclosed our 2030 goals around emissions reduction and water conservation focused on reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and water use by 25%. We are committed to operating with excellence as strong stewards of our stakeholders while providing innovative solutions for the health and nutritional needs of the world.

In May, our Verona, Missouri plant experienced a flash flood event as a result of very localized storms in the southwest part of the state. The plant was shut down for several weeks as we repaired affected equipment, cleaned the site, and safely re-started activities. The negative direct financial impact to the quarter was approximately $3.8 million, primarily due to the write off of damaged inventory and the costs associated with external service providers used for the clean-up efforts. Customer requirements were largely satisfied through inventory on hand and by leveraging alternate and redundant manufacturing capabilities across our supply chain. The manufacturing site is now fully operational and we have filed a related insurance claim with the expectation to partially offset these expenses with future insurance recoveries.

Strong cash flows in the second quarter enabled the company to make repayments on its revolving debt of $30.0 million, lowering net debt to $43.7 million, with an overall leverage ratio on a net debt basis of 0.2.

Ted Harris, Chairman, CEO, and President of Balchem said, “The second quarter of 2021 was another strong quarter for Balchem. We delivered exceptional performance in a dynamic market environment and we continued to see strong demand for our products and services with double-digit sales growth in all three of our business segments versus the prior year's quarter, as well as sequential growth in all three segments.”

Mr. Harris added, “While we experienced a challenging and unexpected event this quarter with the flash flood at one of our manufacturing plants, I am extremely proud of how the Balchem team responded to the event, safely returned the plant to operations within the quarter, and worked tirelessly to satisfy customer needs through our broader supply chain capabilities. Our ability to deliver these strong financial results while managing through the flash flood event along with the other macro-economic challenges we have been facing, is once again a testament to the resilience and strength of our business model and the Balchem team.”

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2021:

The Human Nutrition & Health segment generated all-time record quarterly sales of $111.5 million, an increase of $14.0 million or 14.4% compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was driven both by strong sales growth within food and beverage markets as well as higher sales within the Minerals and Nutrients business. This segment generated quarterly earnings from operations of $19.0 million, an increase of $3.5 million or 22.7%, compared to $15.5 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the aforementioned higher sales and overall manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by higher raw material and distribution costs and the costs associated with the recovery from the flash flood event that we experienced at our Verona, Missouri manufacturing site. Excluding the effect of non-cash expense associated with amortization of acquired intangible assets of $4.3 million and $4.8 million for the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, and the expense related to the flash flood event of $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2021, adjusted earnings from operations(a) for this segment were $25.3 million, compared to $20.3 million in the prior year quarter.

The Animal Nutrition & Health segment generated all-time record quarterly sales of $54.5 million, an increase of $8.1 million or 17.6% compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily the result of higher sales in both Monogastric and Ruminant animal markets and a favorable impact related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Second quarter earnings from operations for this segment of $3.6 million decreased $2.9 million or 44.6% compared to $6.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to increases in raw material and distribution costs and the costs associated with the recovery from the flash flood event. Excluding the effect of non-cash expense associated with amortization of acquired intangible assets of $0.2 million for both the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, and the expense related to the flash flood event of $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2021, adjusted earnings from operations for this segment were $5.2 million compared to $6.6 million in the prior year quarter.

The Specialty Products segment generated all-time record quarterly sales of $34.0 million, an increase of $5.8 million or 20.7% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher sales for products in both the plant nutrition business and the medical device sterilization market. Second quarter earnings from operations for this segment were $9.7 million, versus $8.0 million in the prior year comparable quarter, an increase of $1.7 million or 21.5%, primarily due to the aforementioned higher sales, partially offset by increases in raw material and distribution costs. Excluding the effect of non-cash expense associated with amortization of acquired intangible assets for the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 of $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and the expense related to the flash flood event of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2021, adjusted earnings from operations for this segment were $11.2 million, compared to $9.6 million in the prior year quarter.

All-time record consolidated gross margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 of $59.4 million increased by $4.1 million or 7.3%, compared to $55.4 million for the prior year comparable period. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 29.4% as compared to 31.9% in the prior year period, a decrease of 257 basis points, primarily due to a significant increase in certain raw material and distribution costs and the costs associated with the recovery from the flash flood event, partially offset by favorable mix and overall manufacturing efficiencies. Operating expenses of $28.9 million for the quarter increased $0.4 million from the prior year comparable quarter, primarily due to an increase in certain higher compensation-related costs, partially offset by the prior year being negatively impacted by a goodwill impairment charge related to business formerly included in the Industrial Products segment, and a decrease in transaction and integration costs. Excluding non-cash operating expenses associated with amortization of intangible assets of $5.9 million, operating expenses were $22.9 million, or 11.3% of sales.

Interest expense was $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. Our effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 24.3% and 18.7%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate from the prior year was primarily due to a reduction in certain tax credits and lower tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2021, cash flows provided by operating activities were $35.8 million, and free cash flow was $28.4 million. The $186.5 million of net working capital on June 30, 2021 included a cash balance of $79.9 million, which reflects repayments of the revolving debt of $30.0 million, and capital expenditures and intangible assets acquired of $7.4 million.

Ted Harris said, “The second quarter of 2021 was another solid quarter for Balchem. While we faced macro-economic challenges, particularly from significantly higher raw material costs as well as complexities associated with logistical disruptions, we stepped up to meet these challenges and once again delivered a strong financial performance, while at the same time continuing to progress our strategic growth initiatives.”

Quarterly Conference Call

A quarterly conference call will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) to review second quarter 2021 results. Ted Harris, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President and Martin Bengtsson, CFO will host the call. We invite you to listen to the conference by calling toll-free 1-877-407-8289 (local dial-in 1-201-689-8341), five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the conference call. The conference call will be available for replay two hours after the conclusion of the call through end of day Friday, August 13, 2021. To access the replay of the conference call, dial 1-877-660-6853 (local dial-in 1-201-612-7415), and use conference ID #13721555.

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ExlService Holdings - >>> EXL, AWS Extend Partnership To Drive Cloud Migration of Enterprise Business Processes


Benzinga

by Anusuya Lahiri

June 30, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exl-aws-extend-partnership-drive-200254070.html


ExlService Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: EXLS) expanded its Amazon.com Inc’s
Amazon Web Services collaboration to help EXL clients operationalize AI, Analytics, Automation, and Cloud technologies within enterprise business processes.

EXL addresses the challenges of operationalizing data-driven technologies through its robust AI Operating System architecture, known as AI: OS.

AWS capabilities were critical to meet the aggressive transformation timelines and impact expectations of EXL’s clients, EXL Chief Digital Officer Ankor Rai said.

EXL also leveraged AWS infrastructure and AWS Training & Certification services to drive the development and deployment of domain-specific cloud solutions across the client enterprise and their corporate learning and development programs to drive a new cohort of EXL Digital employees.

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J&J Snack Foods - >>> E-Commerce Continues to Boost Grocery Sales: 4 Solid Picks


Yahoo Finace

by Ritujay Ghosh

April 20, 2021


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-commerce-continues-boost-grocery-101910051.html


E-commerce has played a major role in helping the retail sector recover from a total collapse during the pandemic. While shops remained closed during the peak months of the pandemic, more people shopped online. This in a way changed the shopping habits of many who now prefer shopping online.

This has seen online grocery sales surging during the pandemic. Given that there are no signs of the coronavirus subsiding, e-commerce is likely to play a major role in the coming days.

Online Grocery Sales Grow

According to Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey, online grocery sales surged 43% in March on a year-over-year basis. Online grocery sales in March totaled $9.3 billion compared to $6.5 billion a year ago, as the second round of stimulus checks reached millions.

Moreover, the survey shows more than 69 million households placed 2.8 orders on average in March. Over 69.3 million households placed at least one or more online orders during March 2021 compared with 74.5 million a year ago, when stay-at-home orders were imposed and shops and businesses had to be temporarily shut down.

This is a slight loss in the number of people shopping online from last year’s figures but that was primarily because many households are also making grocery purchases that are shipped to the home through common or contract carriers.

In fact, the curbside pickup segment gained 12%, and the delivery segment gained 23% in March, which proves that people are more comfortable shopping online.

Coronavirus Driving Online Sales

Although online grocery sales somewhat declined in February, it has once again bounced back as people spent more freely after the second round of stimulus checks started reaching them. In fact, that has helped the entire industry, with retail sales surging 9.8% monthover month in March to hit a 10-month high.

Moreover, despite three vaccines being rolled out, the COVID-19 crisis is far from over, with new cases hardly subsiding. Also, many who are hesitant to shop at a physical store but at the same time don’t want to pay for certain online grocery items have been going for curbside pickup, which is driving online sales further. Hence, online shopping will remain the preferred choice for most despite the COVID-19 vaccine being already rolled out.

Our Choices

Fears of the virus continue to exist irrespective of the vaccination drive. Preventive measures to keep the virus at bay are likely to see people ordering for all household necessities, including grocery, online. Given this situation, it would be prudent to watch out for these five stocks thatare likely to rally on a sharp rise in demand for online grocery in the near future.

United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI is the leading distributor of natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products in the United States and Canada. The company carries more than 1,10,000 high-quality natural, organic and specialty products, consisting of national, regional and private label brands in six product categories.

The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 29%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 8.7% over the past 60 days. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

J & J Snack Foods Corp. JJSF is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded niche snack foods and frozen beverages for the food service and retail supermarket industries.

The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 88.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2% over the past 60 days. J & J Snack Foods holds a Zacks Rank #2.

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. SFM which operates in a highly fragmented grocery store industry, has a unique model that features fresh produce, a foods section, and a vitamin department focused on overall wellness.

The company’s expected earnings growth rate for next year is 10.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 5.1% over the past 60 days. Sprouts Farmers Market has a Zacks Rank #2.

Performance Food Group Company PFGC markets and distributes food and food-related products. Its operating segment consists of Foodservice, Vistar, and PFG Customized.

The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 85.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.6% over the past 60 days. Performance Food Group carries a Zacks Rank #2.

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>>> Addus HomeCare - >>> 3 Small-Cap Stocks With Big-Cap Potential
These stocks are just temporarily inconvenienced large caps in the making.


Motley Fool

by Alex Carchidi

Sep 25, 2020


https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/25/3-small-cap-stocks-with-big-cap-potential/


With a market capitalization of $1.4 billion, Addus HomeCare (NASDAQ:ADUS) provides nursing and hospice care support for elderly people who would otherwise need to be taken care of in a nursing home or hospital. While its profit margin is narrow at 4.2% and its ROIC is a mere 6.1%, the company is growing its quarterly earnings at a rapid rate of 30.5% year over year, and it seeks to grow its revenues by at least 10% per year. The most important thing to realize about Addus is that its growth is sustainable -- the company has been in business for more than 40 years, and it currently employs more than 33,000 people across the U.S.

As long as people continue to grow old and need care, Addus will be able to expand its business, making it a significantly more reliable stock than many others in the healthcare sector. This means that the company can most likely become a large cap by continuing with its business as usual -- a highly favorable state of affairs for cautious investors. From 2015 to 2019, the company boasted a compound annual growth rate of 18.9%. In 2020, it reached $736 million in trailing revenues. What's more, Addus expects that demographic trends in the U.S. will heavily favor its expansion, with its target customer numbers doubling between now and 2050. While it may not be a competitor in a hot market, Addus is on track to become a monster stock one year at a time.

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>>> Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (MLAB) designs, manufactures, and markets quality control instruments and disposable products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. The company's Sterilization and Disinfection Control segment manufactures and markets biological indicators comprising spore strips, self-contained products, and culture media, as well as process challenge devices; and offers testing services. This segment also provides chemical and cleaning indicators that are used to assess the effectiveness of sterilization and cleaning processes. Its Instruments segment offers data loggers used in critical manufacturing, quality control, and validation applications; medical meters and calibration solutions used to test various parameters of the dialysis fluid, and the calibration and operation of the dialysis machine; gas flow calibration and air sampling equipment that are used for industrial hygiene assessments, calibration of gas metering equipment, and environmental air sampling; and torque testing systems used for measure bottle cap tightness. This segment's products are used in healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device, food and beverage, industrial hygiene, and environmental air sampling industries. The company's Biopharmaceutical Development segment develops, manufactures, and commercializes automated solutions for protein analysis, which include analysis equipment, CDs, kits, and buffers; and peptide synthesizers to automate chemically synthesized peptides that are used in the creation of peptide therapies, biomaterials, cosmetics, and general research. Its Continuous Monitoring segment offers systems, which are used to monitor temperature, humidity, and differential pressure for use in hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, blood banks, pharmacies, and laboratory environments. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado.

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>>> Innovative Industrial Properties Raises Dividend by 6%

In less than four full years as a publicly traded company, the cannabis industry REIT has grown its dividend more than sevenfold.


Motley Fool

Eric Volkman

Jun 17, 2020


https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/06/17/innovative-industrial-properties-raises-dividend.aspx


Times may be tough for marijuana companies, but Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) isn't letting that trend deter it from hiking its dividend. On Tuesday, the real estate investment trust (REIT) announced that its next quarterly common stock dividend will be $1.06 per share, up from the $1 per share it paid in April.

The new dividend will be distributed on July 15 to investors of record as of June 30. At the most recent closing stock price, it would yield nearly 4.3%.

As a REIT, Innovative, which specializes in owning properties used by cannabis companies, is required to pay out at least 90% of its net profits to shareholders in the form of dividends. Since going public at the end of 2016, it has raised its payout seven times (including this most recent boost) from an initial $0.15 per share to the present level. Lately, the company has also been consistent in booking profits on the bottom line, a rare feat in the cannabis industry.

Innovative benefits from being the only specialty cannabis REIT on the market. Its tenants include some of the best-known and active marijuana companies, with which it frequently enters into sale-leaseback transactions (in which it purchases such a business's property, then turns around and leases it back to seller).

On Tuesday, Innovative shares ended the day almost 3% higher, exceeding the gains of the major stock market indexes.

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Innovative Industrial Properties - >>> Here's How Many Times Marijuana's Dividend King Has Raised Its Payout

In just three short years, this pot stock has delivered amazing returns and dividend income.


Motley Fool

Dan Caplinger

Jul 26, 2020


https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/07/26/heres-how-many-times-marijuanas-dividend-king-has.aspx


Marijuana stocks have been a minefield lately, with many of the giants of the cannabis industry having fallen on tough times. The list of major cannabis producers that have lost ground again in 2020 is long, and it's been hard to find consistent winners among pure plays in the pot space.

Yet when you look beyond companies that are actually growing marijuana themselves, there's one company that stands out for its amazing performance. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) has become the most famous dividend stock in the cannabis sector, and a recent dividend increase has extended the real estate investment trust's dominant streak of payout boosts in its short four-year history as a publicly traded company.

The latest move from Innovative Industrial

Dividend investors got good news from Innovative Industrial back in June, when the cannabis REIT announced yet another dividend increase. Shareholders who owned stock on June 30 got a July 15 quarterly dividend payment of $1.06 per share. That was up 6% from the previous level of $1 per share.

With the increase, Innovative Industrial boosted its yield as well. Based on current prices, dividend investors are getting around a 4.3% dividend yield from their investment in the marijuana real estate specialist. That's come despite a share price gain of more than 30% so far in 2020.

An amazing streak of dividend success

By itself, there's nothing all that impressive about a 6% dividend increase. Companies across the market make such moves all the time. But when you put the boost into a broader context, it's a lot clearer what Innovative Industrial has managed to put together with its business.

Innovative Industrial paid its first dividend just three years ago, in the second quarter of 2017. The first quarterly payment of $0.15 per share was modest, but it still made the REIT special in the marijuana stock world. Most cannabis companies still pay no dividend, leaving Innovative Industrial as an obvious pick for income investors.

Since then, Innovative Industrial has declared 12 quarterly dividends. Five of those happened to be exactly the same as the previous quarter's payout. However, on seven occasions -- in just three years! -- the cannabis REIT has delivered a dividend increase.

Moreover, most of those increases have been far more significant than its latest increase. Take a look:

Innovative Industrial's December 2017 dividend was up 67% to $0.25 per share.

In September 2018, a 40% increase brought the payout to $0.35 per share.
March 2019 included a 29% rise to $0.45 per share.
The very next quarter, in June 2019, shareholders got a 33% boost to $0.60 per share.

September 2019's payment of $0.78 per share was up another 30% and brought the quarterly streak to two in a row.

Innovative paid an even $1 per share in December 2019, up 28% from the dividend it distributed three months before.

All in all, Innovative is now paying more than seven times what it did in its first-ever dividend.

Where Innovative is finding all this income

As a real estate investment trust, Innovative Industrial is required to pay out 90% of its net income to shareholders, so it's not surprising to see dividends increasing consistently as the company grows. What's impressive, though, is the pace of that growth, especially during economically challenging times.

However, the nature of Innovative Industrial's business model explains some of the growth. The REIT looks for and purchases suitable properties that it can lease out to tenants, which are typically cannabis cultivators or other companies with operations related to the marijuana industry. Given the difficulty in getting financing right now, most cannabis producers can't afford to purchase greenhouses or other buildings outright. A lease with Innovative Industrial solves their cash flow issues while giving the REIT an opportunity for growth.

Moreover, regulations on cannabis businesses can make real estate transactions more complicated. Working with Innovative Industrial means having an expert in the field that already knows what requirements there are, and the REIT is willing to work with prospective tenants. That's been an invaluable service, and one that Innovative Industrial can profit from.

Expect more growth ahead

Innovative Industrial continues to find lucrative new properties for investment, and it's been successful in raising capital whenever it's needed. That points to a strong future for the marijuana REIT. It also suggests that dividends should continue to be on the rise -- building further on one of the biggest success stories among cannabis stocks .

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>>> Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST), together with its subsidiaries, operates as a vertically-integrated solid waste services company in the northeastern United States. The company operates through Eastern Region, Western Region, Recycling, and Other segments. It offers resource management services primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling, and organics services to residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial customers. The company provides a range of non-hazardous solid waste services, including collections, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, and disposal facilities. It also markets recyclable metals, aluminum, plastics, and paper and corrugated cardboard that are processed at its facilities, as well as recyclables purchased from third parties. In addition, the company is involved in commodity brokerage operations. As of January 31, 2020, it owned and/or operated 43 solid waste collection operations, 58 transfer stations, 20 recycling facilities, 8 Subtitle D landfills, 4 landfill gas-to-energy facilities, and 1 landfill permitted to accept construction and demolition materials. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont.

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>>> Everbridge, Inc. (EVBG) operates as a software company in the United States and internationally. The company's Critical Event Management, a software as a service based platform with various software applications that address tasks an organization has to perform to manage a critical event, including Mass Notification that enables enterprises and governmental entities to send notifications to individuals or groups to keep them informed before, during, and after natural or man-made disasters, and other emergencies; Safety Connection that enables organizations to send notifications based on last known location of an individual; Incident Management for organizations to automate workflows and make their communications relevant; and IT Alerting that enables IT professionals to alert and communicate with members of their teams during an IT incident or outage. Its software applications also include Visual Command Center that enables customers to monitor and integrate threat data, as well as information on internal incidents; Public Warning that is used to reach international mobile populations; Community Engagement that integrates emergency management and community outreach; Crisis Management that provides mobile access to crisis, recovery, and brand protection plans; Risk Intelligence that aggregates data to assess incidents and provide incident information and analysis; and Secure Messaging for employees to communicate and share nonpublic information. The company provides customer support services. It serves enterprises, small businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in technology, energy, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing, media and entertainment, retail, higher education, and professional services industries. The company was formerly known as 3n Global, Inc. and changed its name to Everbridge, Inc. in April 2009. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.

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>>> Alarm.com (ALRM) -


https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/stocks/small-cap-stocks/601067/10-splendid-small-cap-growth-stocks-to-buy


Market value: $3.3 billion
YTD total return: 59.8%
3-year annualized revenue growth: 24.4%


Alarm.com (ALRM, $68.67) was founded in 2000 to provide residential and commercial customers with cloud-based security solutions that work at all times. That means if the internet is down, the power is out, or the phone line is down, customers still have connectivity.

The firm has experienced significant growth over its 20-year history. In 2009, its growth attracted venture capital firm ABS Capital, which paid $27.7 million for the company. Three years later, it obtained $136 million in funding from Technology Crossover Ventures. In June 2015, Alarm.com went public, selling 7 million shares to investors at $14 a share. Except for 525,000 shares sold by ABS Capital, all of the net proceeds of the offering went to general corporate purposes.

According to the company's IPO prospectus, Alarm.com had revenues of $37.2 million in revenue in 2010 and an operating profit of $6.6 million. In 2019, it recorded sales of $502.4 million with operating income of $50.4 million. If you're counting (and we are), that's compound annual growth of 33.5% and 25.3%, respectively.

ALRM continues to grow the business through a combination of organic sales and strategic acquisitions. In May, it acquired Doorport Inc., which provides rental property owners with a cellular-based intercom system that can be inexpensively retrofitted to an existing setup.

Investors in this small-cap growth stock have done very well. And they should continue to do well given the strong execution of its business plan.

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>>> Celsius Holdings (CELH) -


https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/stocks/small-cap-stocks/601067/10-splendid-small-cap-growth-stocks-to-buy


Market value: $928.4 million
YTD total return: 177.0%
3-year annualized revenue growth: 48.9%


Morningstar classifies Celsius Holdings (CELH, $13.38) as a "speculative growth" stock, which isn't surprising given that it participates in the ultra-competitive world of beverage sales.

Operating under the Celsius brand, the Florida-based company sells healthy carbonated and non-carbonated energy drinks that contain no sugar, aspartame, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, etc. Instead, it focuses on healthy ingredients such as ginger, guarana, green tea and essential vitamins.

When Celsius first launched its products in 2009, it marketed its drinks to the weight-loss crowd and found limited traction. It burned through $15 million in IPO money within a year. Current CEO John Fieldly came on board as CFO in 2012, just as it was headed to bankruptcy.

After its setback, Celsius changed its focus from fat-burning to energy and fitness. Fieldly took over as interim CEO in 2017, then took the role on a permanent basis a year later. CELH has been off to the races since then.

CELH's arguably biggest break came in 2018, when 7-Eleven brought Celsius into all of its U.S. convenience stores. It also doesn't hurt to have large investors such as Kimora Lee Simmons (5.7%), ex-wife of record executive Russell Simmons, and Li Ka Shing, one of Hong Kong's wealthiest persons (13.1%).

Celsius's revenues have more than doubled, to $75.2 million, over the past three years. During the first quarter of 2020, sales rocketed 95% higher to $28.2 million; international revenues were up 186%, while U.S. sales climbed 70%. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $2.8 million more than tripled year-over-year.

If you're going to speculate in small-cap growth stocks, CELH offers the kind of growth you want to be a part of.

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>>> Sunrun Inc. (RUN) engages in the design, development, installation, sale, ownership, and maintenance of residential solar energy systems in the United States. It also sells solar energy systems and products, such as panels and racking, as well as solar leads generated to customers. In addition, the company offers battery storage along with solar energy systems. Its primary customers are residential homeowners. The company markets and sells its products through direct-to-consumer approach across online, retail, mass media, digital media, canvassing, field marketing, and referral channels, as well as its partner network. Sunrun Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

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>>> Innovative Industrial Properties Announces Public Offering of 1,800,000 Shares of Common Stock


Business Wire

June 29, 2020


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/innovative-industrial-properties-announces-public-200600062.html


Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: IIPR) announced today that it has commenced a public offering of 1,800,000 shares of its common stock. The Company expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 270,000 shares of its common stock. All of the shares are being sold by the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to invest in specialized industrial real estate assets that support the regulated cannabis cultivation and processing industry that are consistent with its investment strategy, and for general corporate purposes.

BTIG, LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering; Roth Capital Partners, Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS), are acting as co-lead managers for the offering.

The offering of the Company’s common stock will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, final prospectus supplement (when available) and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained by contacting BTIG, LLC at 65 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022, or by email at equitycapitalmarkets@btig.com; Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or by email at rothecm@roth.com; Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC at 1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W., Suite 303, Washington, DC 20007, or by email at syndicate@compasspointllc.com; or Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., 277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10172, or by email at prospectus@ladenburg.com.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the offered securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Innovative Industrial Properties

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized industrial properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated medical-use cannabis facilities. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with the year ended December 31, 2017.

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Innovative Industrial Properties - >>> 3 Recession-Proof Stocks to Buy Now


These companies will likely prosper in almost any economic environment.


Motley Fool

Will Healy

Jun 7, 2020


https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/06/07/3-recession-proof-stocks-to-buy-now.aspx

Innovative Industrial Properties allows investors in the marijuana industry to benefit in two ways. First, marijuana companies are a trending investment sector at the moment and are considered one of the few recession-proof sectors of the market. Second, while marijuana growers are still considered risky investments, a real estate investment trust (REIT) which rents property to cannabis growers has some insulation from the risks inherent in the industry. Being a REIT also somewhat shields the company from the excessive regulations associated with marijuana growers and allows Innovative Industrial to earn a profit and pay a dividend while many grower stocks are losing money and not rewarding shareholders.

Over the last year, Innovative Industrial has benefited from two key trends. One trend involves small start-ups selling their production properties to generate ready cash flow needed to operate and then leasing the property back immediately from the company they sold it to (in this case, Innovative Industries). The second trend is a change in legislation. Where previous laws limited the Innovative Industries' reach to states that had legalized medical or recreational cannabis, now federal hemp production legalization means the company can operate properties in all 50 states.

Because the potential is still not being realized for this industry, this stock trades at a forward P/E of 23.4, meaning it seels at a premium. But this appears reasonable considering that analysts predict earnings increases of 78.8% this year and 37.2% in fiscal 2021.

As a REIT, Innovative Industrial Properties must pay out at least 90% of net income to its shareholders. The company has not disappointed in that regard and its $4 per-share dividend payout yields about 4.6%. This dividend has also increased every year since Innovative Industrial paid its first dividend in 2017.

Grandview Research forecasts a compound annual growth rate for the global cannabis industry of 18.1% through 2027. This should ensure that the company will continue to attract tenants.

As hemp grows more popular and as more jurisdictions loosen restrictions on marijuana use, demand for properties like the type owned by Innovative Industrial should continue to surge.

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>>> SJW Group (SJW), through its subsidiaries, provides water utility services in the United States. It engages in the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of water and wastewater services. The company also provides non-tariffed services, including water system operations, maintenance agreements, and antenna site leases; contracted services and sewer operations to water utilities in Connecticut; and a Linebacker, subscription service line protection plan for public drinking water customers, as well as offers repair or replace a leaking or broken water service line, curb box, curb box cover, meter pit, meter pit cover, and meter pit valve. Its water supply consists of groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The company offers water service to approximately 231,000 connections that serve approximately one million people residing in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino, as well as in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and the Town of Los Gatos; and adjacent unincorporated territories in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. In addition, it provides water service to approximately 18,000 connections, which serve 54,000 people in a service area comprising 246 square miles in the region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas; and 137,000 connections that serve approximately 480,000 people in 80 municipalities in Connecticut and Maine, and approximately 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut. Further, the company owns undeveloped land in California and Tennessee; and owns and operates commercial buildings and warehouse properties in Tennessee. The company was formerly known as SJW Corp. and changed its name to SJW Group in November 2016. SJW Group was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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Balchem - >>> NEW APPLICATIONS LAB IN BRIDGETON, MO


By Robert Mason

Senior Scientist, Encapsulates & Inclusions


https://www.sensoryeffects.com/content/new-applications-lab-bridgeton-mo


With the integration of Balchem Corporation and SensoryEffects, the Balchem Encapsulates Applications research lab has relocated from New Hampton, NY to Bridgeton, MO. The Applications lab is now housed in a newly renovated lab space to accommodate all of the equipment moved from New York and is now ready to take on new projects.

Applications research and development is an important part of the SensoryEffects technical team, as they study the performance of our ingredient portfolio in the finished formulations used by customers. The lab has a wide variety of equipment and instrumentation suited for analytical, bakery, meat and confectionery research to support new product development or trouble shoot customer issues.

Our team is comprised of talented scientists trained in bakery, meat and encapsulation technologies and they work diligently to overcome the many challenges our customers encounter in their products and/or processes. They are highly skilled in formula development for meat, bakery and confectionery products and are always willing to share their expertise.

The integration has made a wider range of ingredients available to customers in the bakery and meat industry, including lipid inclusions for Balchem customers and encapsulated ingredients for SensoryEffects customers. Along with the ability to develop bakery, meat and confectionery products, our lab can analyze the raw materials and finished products in-house for CO2 production, pH, texture, moisture, color, flavor matching and conduct sensory tests. The Applications team has been hard at work in their new lab with new product applications research and they are looking forward to supporting our new and existing customers from this new facility.

Looking forward

We currently support many research efforts for European line extensions of our encapsulate and inclusion products, and will be launching lipid inclusions for the European market by the end of 2015. Look for them to roll out at the FI Natural Products in Istanbul and IBA in Munich trade shows!

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>>> John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (JBSS), together with its subsidiary, JBSS Ventures, LLC, processes and distributes tree nuts and peanuts in the United States. The company offers raw and processed nuts, including almonds, pecans, peanuts, black walnuts, English walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, and filberts in various styles and seasonings. It also offers peanut butter in various sizes and varieties; snack and trail mixes, salad toppings, snacks, snack bites, dried fruit, and chocolate and yogurt coated products; baking ingredients; bulk food products; sunflower kernels, pepitas, almond and cashew butter, candy and confections, corn snacks, sesame sticks, and other sesame snack products; and various toppings for ice cream and yogurt. In addition, the company operates a retail store. The company provides its products under the Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, Squirrel Brand, Southern Style Nuts, and Sunshine Country brands, as well as under various private brands. It serves retailers and wholesalers, and commercial ingredient and contract packaging customers through a network of independent brokers, distributors, and suppliers. John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois.

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>>> Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW), through its subsidiaries, provides outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It operates through three segments: ACMI, Charter, and Dry Leasing. The company offers outsourced cargo and passenger aircraft operating solutions, including contractual service arrangements, such as the provision of aircraft; and value-added services, including crew, maintenance, and insurance to aircraft and other customers. It also provides cargo and passenger aircraft charter services to the U.S. Military Air Mobility Command, charter brokers, freight forwarders, direct shippers, airlines, sports teams and fans, and private charter customers; and aircraft and engines dry leasing services. In addition, the company offers administrative and management support services, and flight simulator training services. It also serves express delivery providers, e-commerce retailers, and airlines. The company has operations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.

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>>> Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG), through its subsidiaries, operates in the airfreight and logistics industry. The company owns and leases cargo aircraft to airlines and other customers. It also provides airline operations to delivery companies, airlines, freight forwarders, and the U.S. Military, as well as operates charter agreements. In addition, the company offers mail and package sorting services, as well as related maintenance services for material handling equipment, ground equipment, and facilities; airframe modification and maintenance, component repair, engineering, aircraft line maintenance, and insurance services; and flight crew training, load transfer and sorting services. Further, it rents ground equipment and sells aviation fuel; and resells and brokers aircraft parts. As of December 31, 2018, the company owned a fleet of 91 serviceable Boeing 777,767, 757, and 737 passenger and cargo aircraft. The company, formerly known as ABX Holdings, Inc., was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio.

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Calavo - >>> Avocado Seller Erases Two-Month Gain After Mexico Tariff Threat


Bloomberg

By Catherine Larkin

May 31, 2019


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-31/avocado-seller-erases-two-month-gain-after-mexico-tariff-threat?srnd=premium


President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on all Mexico imports helped wipe out two months of share gains for leading avocado seller Calavo Growers Inc.

Calavo fell 6.6% to its lowest level since April 3, just after Trump’s threats pushed Mexican avocado prices higher. The Santa Paula, California-based company has four plants in Mexico and about 20 in the U.S. Its Calavo Foods guacamole business produces the “overwhelming majority” of its products in Uruapan, Mexico, according to its annual report. Calavo didn’t immediately return a voice-mail message before normal business hours on Friday.


<<< Bad News For Brunch: Avocado Prices Jump After Trump Tariff Threat


Bloomberg

By Alfred Cang

May 31, 2019


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-31/avocado-seller-erases-two-month-gain-after-mexico-tariff-threat?srnd=premium


Avocados, berries and asparagus -- some of the ingredients favored by American millennials for a perfect brunch -- just got more expensive thanks to Donald Trump’s latest salvo on Mexico.

The U.S. President rattled global markets by imposing a 5% tariff on Mexican goods and threatening to increase it to 25%. The lower rate will take effect on June 10 and won’t be lifted “until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our country, STOP,” Trump said in a Twitter post. Mexico, the biggest buyer of American corn, said it doesn’t want a trade war and won’t retaliate until the countries discuss the issue.

Price of Mexican fruit surge amid Trump's threats

Prices of avocado, a fruit that’s seen sales surge worldwide in recent years on growing popularity with the younger crowd, have almost doubled in the past two months amid Trump rhetoric about a possible border closing with Mexico, which is also a major mixed berry and asparagus supplier to the U.S.

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Calavo Growers (CVGW) - >>> Avocado sales could more than double this year, helped by demand from China's middle class


CNBC

by Jeff Daniels

Jan 2018


https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/10/chinas-middle-class-is-boosting-demand-for-avocados.html



Avocado sales are expected to more than double this year as more health-conscious consumers in China show an interest in the "heart-healthy" avocados.

One big beneficiary of the growing demand is Mexico the global leader in avocado production.

China could start producing enough of its own crop, including the Hass variety, to cut into imports of the fruit, yet, experts say that is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

A worker of the San Lorenzo Packing Company checks and fills boxes with avocados that will be shipped to U.S. in the state of Michoacan, Uruapan, Mexico.

Avocado sales to China are expected to more than double this year as demand continues to grow for the fruit from the country's expanding middle-class population.

"It appears to just double every year, from what we've seen," Steve Barnard, president of Oxnard, California-based Mission Produce, the world's largest distributor of avocados. "It maybe more than double this year."

And, the pace of growth shows no sign of slowing as more health-conscious consumers in the world's most populous nation show an interest in the "heart-healthy" avocados, executives say. The fruit also appeals to "young, trendy people," said Barnard.

One big beneficiary of the growing demand is Mexico, the global leader in avocado production. Even through the U.S. market remains lucrative, avocado marketers in the Mexican state of Jalisco recently hosted a Chinese delegation in hopes of grabbing a piece of the action that now is dominated by the neighboring state of Michoacan.

"The Chinese market has been growing at a very fast pace," said Ramon Paz, an advisor for the Avocado Producers and Exporting Packers Association of Mexico (APEAM). "Our numbers show big growth but the total absolute numbers are still modest compared to other markets like the U.S. But of course the potential is huge."

According to Chicago-based researcher Technomic, "Avocado has evolved into a trending ingredient worldwide and has particular resonance in China — where it's commonly known as butter fruit — due to its somewhat exotic positioning."

Most of the demand in China is from "urban consumers" in the largest cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, said Paz. He said Chinese millennials who have traveled overseas also are helping to grow the market.

Still, Paz said the U.S. market remains a priority market for Mexican shippers for several reasons, including shorter transportation time, reduced risks and generally more favorable payment arrangements too. That said, he also indicated that demand for avocados also is strong in Japan and parts of Europe.

Mexico plans to ship 1.8 billion pounds of avocados to the U.S. in the current 2017-18 season, which runs from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, according to Paz. By comparison, Latin American countries as a group shipped about 76 million pounds of avocados last season to China.

Even so, there's a risk that with all the Latin American avocados going to China it could one day increase the cost to American consumers. Mexican-grown avocados account for almost 80 percent of the creamy fruit sold in the U.S. market.

"It could affect it, yes, because it's pulling product out of Chile, Peru or Mexico that would would be available to ship here," said Barnard. And he added, "The Chinese pay pretty good — you get a premium."

The wholesale prices of avocado in the United States more than doubled last fall due to supply hiccups in Mexico. Supplies from Mexico ended up about 20 percent below the average last season and California's harvest was about half its usual amount, according to Paz.

"When you see 20 percent less, it has an impact in the market," said Paz. "We had a short crop basically because avocados have a tendency to produce more one year and less the next year. This year the Mexican crop is back to normal and California is forecasting a regular crop, although they had some problems with the recent wildfires."

Despite last year's higher prices, demand didn't fall off as Americans appear to be willing to pay more for their avocado and guacamole. Paz estimates avocado demand in the U.S. is growing about 10 to 12 percent per year.

Executives say there's also demand for avocados coming from other parts of Asia as well as Europe along with countries such as Argentina, which in the past two years has increased exports by around 50 percent from Chile.

"Between the nutrition and the health benefits and the versatility of use, avocados is obviously one of the fastest-growing produce items in the world as far as consumption," said Barnard.

Mission, which is privately held, grows, packs and ships avocados all over the world and has production operations in Chile, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and the United States.

Said Barnard, "As someone right in the middle of it, we're continuing to increase supply because we don't see this thing slowing down any."

Barnard believes the retail prices of avocados in the U.S. will average "significantly lower" in 2018 compared with 2017. "If you get it down to around a dollar apiece for a medium-sized fruit, the stuff will fly off the shelves."

Per capita consumption in the U.S. of avocados is around 7 pounds per person, up from 4 pounds in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And produce executives say China is just a fraction of that amount today but if it approached the American levels it would be about 10 times the amount of fruit produced in the world.

Meantime, more avocados entering the Chinese market this year will get sent to ripening rooms in large distribution centers to allow the green fruit to become ready-to-eat. A drawback before the ripening rooms was Chinese consumers having to wait for the fruit to ripen before consuming it.

"The ripe fruit is growing much faster than unripe fruit, for obvious reasons — same as it does here," said Barnard. "We put a ripening distribution center over there last March, and we're already adding a second one."

Mission Produce sends full containers of avocados packed either in Mexico, Chile or Peru to China and then refrigerates it. "Upon demand, we'll ripen it and ship it out to the customers," said Barnard.

The ripening process for avocados is similar to bananas shipped green from Latin America that are then put into special ripening rooms to make them ideal for eating. Nature's ripening process is stimulated by using ethylene, which is a natural gas, along with ideal heat, humidity and airflow.

Mission first started selling into the Chinese market about four years ago and has two local partners for its ripe avocado brand, Mr. Avocado, in the Asian country. The U.S. company's joint venture partners include Chinese importer Lantao and a local retailer Pagoda, operator of 2,500 fruit-shop outlets.

"I have been in those fruit shops and you see a little bit of everybody buying," said Barnard. "You see mothers and college kids. They eat pretty healthy over there — a lot of vegetables. And the fruit just adds another variable to the diet."

Bernstein analyst: Higher avocado prices the source of Chipotle's earnings miss Bernstein analyst: Higher avocado prices the source of Chipotle's earnings miss

The Mr. Avocado brand has been using social media advertising in China to spread awareness of avocados and their health benefits. They also are doing suggestions on how to eat the fruit.

Interestingly, the Chinese also have some avocados grown within their borders in regions such as Guangxi, located north of Vietnam. There also have been state-run farms doing trial plantings over the decades, even before significant demand existed in the domestic market.

"They have some trials in the south," said Barnard. "We're monitoring it."

He said the Chinese "have a big learning curve to go over" to launch large-scale avocado production and also would face logistical challenges since production is "in the middle of nowhere."

The avocado plant found in China is largely a tropical variety and similar to the kind found in Brazil or the Dominican Republic. It tends to have less oil and less flavor than the more popular Hass avocado.

One future possibility is China could start producing enough of its own crop, including the Hass variety, to cut into imports of the fruit. Yet, experts say that is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

"Relative to the market, it will not have very large impact ... in the next several years," said Paz. "But you never know with China how big they will go with Hass avocados."

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J+J Snack Foods - >>> Food Recall of Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches


GlobeNewswire

October 29, 2018


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/food-recall-fit-active-southwest-001040336.html



Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Contamination in Vegetables

PENNSAUKEN, N.J., Oct. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- J&J Snack Foods Handheld Corp. of Holly Ridge, NC is voluntarily recalling two lots of Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

The Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches products affected have production dates of Julian code: 20027230003106:15 BEST BY FEB 09 2019 and Julian code: 20027235003115:13 BEST BY FEB 14 2019.

Below is information to help identify the product.

UPC Code Brand / Label Product Description Best By Dates
0 4149815117 1 Fit & Active Southwest Veggie Stuffed Sandwiches FEB 09 2019 &

FEB 14 2019

Although this product is not ready-to-eat and has baking instructions which, if followed, will reduce consumer risk, there remains some risk that mishandling of this product prior to or without adequate baking may cause illness. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products and this recall has been initiated as a precautionary measure.

The potential for contamination was discovered after a supplier, McCain Foods, IL, announced it was recalling frozen vegetables which are ingredients used in the product.

Products were distributed between 08/22/2017 – 09/20/2017 to Aldi retail stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. Product was also available for purchase to ALDI customers in the Atlanta area through the company’s partnership with Instacart, a grocery delivery service.

Consumers with affected products are urged to discard or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers or consumers with questions may call 856-532-9064 between Monday – Friday 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time.

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>>> J & J Snack Foods Corp. is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of a range of snack foods and beverages for the food service and retail supermarket industries. The Company operates in three business segments: Food Service, Retail Supermarkets and Frozen Beverages. Its portfolio of products includes soft pretzels, frozen beverages, frozen juice treats and desserts, stuffed sandwiches, burritos, churros, fruit pies, funnel cakes, cookies and bakery goods, and other snack foods and drinks. Its principal snack food products are soft pretzels marketed primarily under brand names SUPERPRETZEL and BAVARIAN BAKERY; frozen juice treats and desserts marketed primarily under LUIGI'S, WHOLE FRUIT, ICEE, PHILLY SWIRL and MINUTE MAID brand names; churros marketed primarily under the TIO PEPE'S, CALIFORNIA CHURROS and OREO brand names, and bakery products sold primarily under the READI-BAKE, COUNTRY HOME, MARY B'S and DADDY RAY'S brand names, as well as for private label and contract packing. <<<

>>> Calavo Growers, Inc. engages in marketing, and distribution of avocados, prepared avocados, and other perishable foods. It operates through Fresh Products, Calavo Foods, and Renaissance Food Group segments. The Fresh Products segment grades, sizes, packs, cools, and ripens avocados for delivery to the customers. The Calavo Foods segment procures and processes avocados into wide variety of guacamole products, and distributes the processed products to the customers. The Renaissance Food Group segment produces, markets, distributes, nationally a portfolio of healthy fresh packaged food products for consumers via the retail channel. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Santa Paula, CA. <<<

>>> Exponent, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a science and engineering consulting company worldwide. It operates in two segments, Engineering and Other Scientific; and Environmental and Health. The Engineering and Other Scientific segment provides services in the areas of biomechanics, biomedical engineering, buildings and structures, civil engineering, construction consulting, electrical engineering and computer science, engineering management consulting, human factors, industrial structures, materials and corrosion engineering, mechanical engineering, polymer science and materials chemistry, statistical and data sciences, technology development, thermal sciences, and vehicle analysis. The Environmental and Health segment offers services in the areas of chemical regulation and food safety, ecological and biological sciences, environmental and earth sciences, occupational and environmental health risk assessment, and toxicology and mechanistic biology, as well as epidemiology, biostatistics, and computational biology. The company offers approximately 90 different technical disciplines to solve complicated issues facing industry and government. It serves clients in automotive, aviation, chemical, construction, consumer products, energy, government, health, insurance, manufacturing, technology, and other sectors. The company was formerly known as The Failure Group, Inc. and changed its name to Exponent, Inc. in 1998. Exponent, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. <<<

>>> Flowers Foods (FLO) Stock Tumbles on Compliance Review


Aug 10, 2016



https://www.thestreet.com/story/13671379/1/flowers-foods-flo-stock-tumbles-on-compliance-review.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO




NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Flowers Foods (FLO) were retreating 7.38% to $16.44 on heavy trading volume early Wednesday afternoon after the Department of Labor notified the company that it is scheduled for a compliance review under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Flowers disclosed the review in an SEC filing today but didn't mention the issue at hand, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The company is currently being sued by a number of truck drivers alleging they were wrongly classified as independent contractors, causing them to miss overtime pay and other employee benefits, the Journal adds. The lawsuits claim that Flowers violated Fair Labor Standards acts with the alleged misclassifications.

Flowers Foods is a Thomasville, GA-based bakery that owns Wonder Bread, Nature's Own and Tastykake brands.

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About 3.97 million shares of Flowers Foods have been traded so far today vs. its average trading volume of roughly 1.88 million shares per day.

Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates the stock as a "buy" with a ratings score of B-.

Flowers Foods' strengths such as its revenue growth, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

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>>> WD-40 Company develops and sells maintenance products, and homecare and cleaning products. It offers multi-purpose maintenance products, including aerosol sprays, non-aerosol trigger sprays, and in liquid form under the WD-40 Multi-Use brand for various consumer uses; and specialty maintenance products that comprise penetrants, degreasers, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and rust removers under the WD-40 Specialist brand name. The company also provides products under the WD-40 Bike product brand consisting of wet and dry chain lubricants, heavy-duty degreasers, foaming wash, and frame protectants for avid cyclists, bike enthusiasts, and mechanics; multi-purpose drip oils and spray lubricant products, as well as other specialty maintenance products under the 3-IN-ONE brand; and professional spray maintenance products and lubricants for the bike market under the GT85 brand. In addition, it offers liquid mildew stain removers and automatic toilet bowl cleaners under the X-14 brand; automatic toilet bowl cleaners under the 2000 Flushes brand; and a range of room and rug deodorizers sold as powder, aerosol quick-dry foam, and trigger spray products under the Carpet Fresh brand. Further, the company provides aerosol carpet stain removers, and liquid trigger carpet stain and odor eliminator under the Spot Shot brand; carpet and household cleaners, and rug and room deodorizers under the 1001 brand; and hand cleaner products under the Lava and Solvol brand names. It offers products primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, sport retailers, independent bike dealers, and industrial distributors and suppliers in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

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>>> Sensient Technologies Corporation manufactures and markets colors, flavors, and fragrances in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Flavors & Fragrances Group, and Color Group. The Flavors & Fragrances Group segment develops, manufactures, and supplies systems products, including flavor-delivery systems, and compounded and blended products; ingredient products, such as essential oils, natural and synthetic flavors, and aroma chemicals; chili powder; paprika; chili pepper; and dehydrated vegetables comprising parsley, celery, and spinach. This segment sells its products to the food, beverage, personal care, and household-products industries. The Color Group segment develops, manufactures, and supplies natural and synthetic color systems for use in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals; colors and other ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; and technical colors for industrial applications. It also offers industrial colors, specialty inks, and other dyes and pigments used in various non-food applications. This segment sells products under the Sensient Food Colors, Sensient Pharmaceutical Coating Systems, Sensient Cosmetic Technologies, Sensient Inks, and Sensient Industrial Colors trade names. The company was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. <<<