Dr Pepper gets flat reception on Wall Street

Brad Dorfman — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:50:18 +0000

Dr Pepper Snapple Group debuted on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday after being spun off from British candy and gum company Cadbury.

The company is putting together a five-year plan to improve its business in Latin America, but its main focus will be on selling more drinks in the United States, Chief Executive Larry Young told Reuters.

Unfortunately, that might not be what Wall Street wants to hear.

Dr Pepper’s exposure to the sluggish U.S. soft drinks business could hurt growth.

”The firm has a mixed stable of brands, lacks the scale and product portfolio breadth enjoyed by larger rivals Coke and Pepsi, and relies almost exclusively on the mature and highly competitive U.S. market,” Morningstar analyst Mitchell Corwin said.

Still, Young says the company’s brands will take care of themselves.

“We have great brands, great people and are focused on delivering great results,” he said. “We’ll let the market take care of the price.”

(Reuters photo)

Check Out Line: A Monday morning sugar rush

Nicole Maestri — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:47:30 +0000

Check Out investors waking up to a sweet deal on Monday morning.

M&M’s maker Mars Inc and Berkshire Hathaway Inc are buying Wm Wrigley Jr Co, the largest U.S. chewing gum maker, for $23 billion.

The deal will create a confectionary giant, bringing together Wrigley’s Altoids, Extra and Eclipse brands, with Mars’ M&M’s, Snickers, Starburst and Twix.

The newly announced deal could trigger a renewed push toward consolidation in the global candy business.

One potential deal that has been discussed previously, and could invite fresh interest, is that between London-based Cadbury Schweppes, known for its Dairy Milk chocolate, and Trident gum brands, and top U.S. chocolate maker Hershey Co.

The two companies are reported to have talked in the past, though the Hershey Trust, which controls about 78 percent of Hershey’s voting shares, has said Pennsylvania law requires it to maintain control of Hershey.

Also in the basket:

Tyson posts loss due to feed costs, charges

RadioShack posts lower quarterly profit

France plans retail reform to curb price pressures

(Photo: Reuters)

Shop Talk » Cadbury

Dr Pepper gets flat reception on Wall Street

Check Out Line: A Monday morning sugar rush