Beverages

Capital Calls: Greensill/Bluestone

1 Jun 2021

Concise views on global finance: The collapse of the supply-chain finance group may have left the governor of West Virginia personally on the hook for $700 million.

Oatly IPO pumps fresh air into plant-based stocks

20 May 2021

The Swedish group that makes dairy substitutes out of oats surged 30% on its debut, valuing it at $13 bln. Despite heavy losses and growing competition, investors clearly believe the shift in consumption habits is more than a fad. It bodes well for other stock market hopefuls.

Capital Calls: Apollo, Microsoft

20 May 2021

Concise views on global finance: The second of the asset manager’s three founders moves on; the software firm is pulling the plug on Internet Explorer.

Capital Calls: JPMorgan, FirstGroup, Break fees

18 May 2021

Concise insights on global finance: Jamie Dimon is shuffling his deputies; the UK bus-to-rail group’s sale of its U.S. businesses to EQT has hit an investor revolt; deals involving AT&T and Canadian National Railway highlight the fees due for walking away.

AB InBev’s new CEO will inherit debt hangover

6 May 2021

The $120 bln brewer picked insider Michel Doukeris to replace Carlos Brito. He’ll lead a shift to investing in brands, away from the M&A and cost control that defined his predecessor’s 15-year tenure. Any stumbles will threaten AB InBev’s plan to halve net debt of 4 times EBITDA.

Capital Calls: Peloton, Honest Co, Office Depot

5 May 2021

Concise views on global finance: Treadmill recall leaves investors in the workout app stranded; shares in Jessica Alba’s consumer packaged goods company opened more than 30% above their IPO price; the office-supply company paper-shuffles its way to a higher valuation.

Capital Calls: Pfizer, ConocoPhillips

4 May 2021

Concise views on global finance: About $6 bln of additional earnings from Covid vaccines at the U.S. drug giant should mean more capital returned to investors; the independent oil group is offloading stock in Canada-based Cenovus it collected as part of a deal four years ago.

Kweichow Moutai distills a governance discount

29 Apr 2021

The $396 bln Chinese baijiu maker’s bottom line rose just 6.6% in the first quarter, far slower than sales, while rivals boosted profitability. Unusually high tax payments are to blame, as local officials milk Moutai. The deteriorating trust could erode further value.

Oatly’s IPO health depends heavily on China

20 Apr 2021

A partnership with Starbucks in the People’s Republic boosted the Swedish oat milk maker’s sales and profile. Major investor China Resources should help with future growth. But the state-backed group’s involvement is also a risk for buyers of its mooted $10 bln U.S. listing.

Next Danone CEO can serve up faux-milk spinoff

20 Apr 2021

The $50 bln Activia maker is searching for a new boss to lead its turnaround. Listing its Alpro unit would be a tasty way to tap into investor demand for dairy substitutes. Even at half the sales multiple that rival Oatly is seeking in an IPO, the unit could be worth $11 bln.

Capital Calls: Volvo IPO, Walgreens, Saudi Arabia

31 Mar 2021

Concise views on global finance in the Covid-19 era: Geely’s mooted $20 bln valuation for its Swedish brand still looks ambitious; Amazon can't match the transatlantic pharmacy chain's in-store clinics; Mohammed bin Salman grabs private cash to pay for a switch away from oil.

Capital Calls: Sports versus the Trump slump

26 Mar 2021

Concise views on global finance in the Covid-19 era: Political news startup Axios may merge with sports site The Athletic.

Danone’s purpose will survive chairman’s departure

22 Mar 2021

Emmanuel Faber’s sustainability credentials did not prevent the yoghurt maker from ousting him. But fears the group will disavow its ESG ideals are misplaced. The standards are embedded in the French company’s operations and legal status. Besides, investors still support them.

Capital Calls: Bank M&A, Wine trades

19 Mar 2021

Concise views on global finance in the Covid-19 era: Sabadell’s decision to keep its UK unit nixes hopes of a deal with BBVA; U.S. vintner Duckhorn’s IPO ups pressure on Treasury Wine.

JDE Peet’s spilt milk has lessons for IPO hopefuls

9 Mar 2021

Shares in the $19 bln JAB-backed coffee group dived after weak 2021 guidance. Rivals Illy and Unilever, which may spin off its tea arm, will shudder at the L’OR maker trading below its May IPO. More marketing spends and premium drinks could set them apart in any future listings.

White supremacy dies hard on the grocery shelf

5 Mar 2021

New Orleans craft beer Dixie will soon shed its name for a less racially divisive marque. It’s a big risk for a small company. But if a Southern staple can jettison a racially insensitive brand, what’s taking $60 bln giant Colgate, maker of “Black person toothpaste,” so long?

Bubble tea IPO can avoid bitter aftertaste

4 Mar 2021

Nayuki is planning to list in Hong Kong. Demand for its brews is growing quickly, though Covid-19 was a drag. It could be worth $2.4 bln based on where peers trade. Investors may be wary after the Luckin Coffee saga, but smart expansion and cost control would sweeten the pot.

Coupang’s next delivery: better disclosures

2 Mar 2021

South Korea's e-commerce darling is seeking a $50 bln valuation. It boasts heady growth and hefty losses. Metrics such as fulfillment costs, reported by peers like Amazon, are missing from its prospectus, though. Scant detail on new bets also makes the IPO math hard to justify.

Evergrande contagion tests Beijing’s generosity

26 Feb 2021

China’s $10 bln retailer Suning.com threw a financial lifeline to the troubled property developer. Its founder is now selling a controlling stake as the embattled group faces $5 bln of debt due this year. A government bailout, which may be imminent, would send the wrong message.

Pandemic speeds AB InBev’s necessary revamp

25 Feb 2021

More drinking at home and higher raw materials costs will pressure the $100 bln brewer’s margins in 2021. After years of zero-based budgets, it needs looser purse strings to revive sales. But with $83 bln of debt, its valuation discount to less profitable rivals will persist.