Ingredion Stock (NYSE:INGR), Trade Ideas

Ingredion

Ingredion is an ingredients provider for the food, beverage, brewing, and animal nutrition industries. The company processes corn, tapioca, potatoes, stevia, grains, fruits, gums, and vegetables into value-added ingredients. The company has two main product lines: specialty and core ingredients. Specialty ingredients includes starch-based texturizers, natural alternative sweeteners such as stevia, and plant proteins for alternative dairy and snacks. Core ingredients includes sweeteners, such as high-fructose corn syrup, and commodity starches, such as those used for sustainable packaging.

News

Price Target

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

AKAM

CMCSA

ENTG

HUBS

INGR

MEDP

UBER

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our analyst ratings page.

Uber To Rally Around 14%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Thursday

Earnings

Equities

Guidance

General

Ingredion Inc (NYSE: INGR) reported third-quarter FY23 sales growth of 1% year-on-year to $2.03 billion, 

Ingredion Q3 Topline Misses Hit By Lower Corn Costs; Hints On Softer Volume Demand

Analyst Color

Mid Cap

Initiation

Oppenheimer analyst Kristen Owen initiated coverage on Ingredion Inc (NYSE: INGR) with an Outperform rating

Ingredion&#39;s Growth Strategy To Please Health-Conscious Consumers Can Make It A Winner: Analyst

Ingredion Inc

<p>In the last three months, 4 analysts have published ratings on Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.</p>
<p>The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $130.5, a high estimate of $135.00, and a low estimate of $122.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 9.05% from the previous average price target of $119.67.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1709730025_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration</h2>
<p>A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Ingredion is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Benjamin Theurer</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Samuelson</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Samuelson</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Bienvenu</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Ingredion. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Ingredion compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
<p>Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Ingredion's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INGR/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Ingredion analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>About Ingredion</h2>
<p>Ingredion is an ingredients provider for the food, beverage, brewing, and animal nutrition industries. The company processes corn, tapioca, potatoes, stevia, grains, fruits, gums, and vegetables into value-added ingredients. The company has two main product lines: specialty and core ingredients. Specialty ingredients includes starch-based texturizers, natural alternative sweeteners such as stevia, and plant proteins for alternative dairy and snacks. Core ingredients includes sweeteners, such as high-fructose corn syrup, and commodity starches, such as those used for sustainable packaging.</p>
<h3>Ingredion: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization:</strong> Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Ingredion's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately <strong>-3.32%</strong>. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Consumer Staples sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Ingredion's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of <strong>6.82%,</strong> the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Ingredion's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of <strong>3.74%</strong>, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of <strong>1.72%,</strong> the company showcases effective utilization of assets.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of <strong>0.67</strong>, Ingredion adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.</p>
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


Expert Ratings For Ingredion

<p>Barclays  analyst Benjamin Theurer   maintains Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $115 to $122.</p>


Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on Ingredion, Raises Price Target to $122

<p>Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/">analyst ratings page</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li>Piper Sandler raised the price target for <strong> HubSpot, Inc. </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hubs#NYSE">HUBS</a>) from $630 to $675. Piper Sandler analyst Brent Bracelin maintained an Overweight rating. HubSpot shares rose 4.3% to close at $629.64 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HUBS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Needham boosted <strong> Entegris, Inc. </strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/entg#NASDAQ">ENTG</a>) price target from $120 to $150. Needham analyst Charles Shi maintained a Buy rating. Entegris shares gained 5.7% to close at $131.17 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ENTG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group boosted the price target for <strong> The Home Depot, Inc. </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hd#NYSE">HD</a>) from $325 to $335. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintained a Market Perform rating. Home Depot shares rose 0.2% to close at $358.23 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs raised <strong> Ingredion Incorporated </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ingr#NYSE">INGR</a>) price target from $122 to $135. Goldman Sachs analyst Adam Samuelson upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. Ingredion shares gained 2.2% to close at $110.79 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INGR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>UBS increased the price target for <strong> Medpace Holdings, Inc. </strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/medp#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>) from $282 to $452. UBS analyst John Sourbeer upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. Medpace shares gained 7.1% to close at $389.80 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MEDP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group cut the price target for <strong> Owens Corning </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/oc#NYSE">OC</a>) from $163 to $154. Evercore ISI Group analyst Stephen Kim downgraded the stock from Outperform to In-Line. Owens Corning shares fell 2.7% to close at $143.03 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley increased <strong> United States Steel Corporation </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/x#NYSE">X</a>) price target from $40 to $51. Morgan Stanley analyst Carlos De Alba downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal-Weight. United States Steel shares rose 0.1% to close at $45.64 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/X/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Redburn Atlantic cut <strong> Comcast Corporation </strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cmcsa#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) price target from $50 to $44. Redburn Atlantic analyst Hamilton Faber downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. Comcast shares rose 0.4% to close at $42.02 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CMCSA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Keybanc boosted <strong> Uber Technologies, Inc. </strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/uber#NYSE">UBER</a>) price target from $79 to $90. Keybanc analyst Justin Patterson maintained an Overweight rating. Uber shares gained 14.7% to close at $79.15 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UBER/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>HSBC cut <strong> Akamai Technologies, Inc. </strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/akam#NASDAQ">AKAM</a>) price target from $109 to $96. HSBC analyst Stephen Bersey downgraded the stock from Hold to Reduce. Akamai shares fell 8.2% to close at $114.80 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AKAM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/02/37149816/cisco-deere-and-3-stocks-to-watch-heading-into-thursday"><em> Cisco, Deere And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Thursday </em></a></p>


<p>Goldman Sachs  analyst Adam Samuelson   upgrades Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) from Neutral to Buy and raises the price target from $122 to $135.</p>


Upgrades

Goldman Sachs Upgrades Ingredion to Buy, Raises Price Target to $135

<p>Stephens &amp; Co.  analyst Ben Bienvenu   reiterates Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) with a Overweight and maintains $130 price target.</p>


Reiteration

Stephens & Co. Reiterates Overweight on Ingredion, Maintains $130 Price Target

WIIM

Ingredion shares are trading higher after the company reported mixed Q4 FY23 financial results and provided Q1, FY24 outlook.

Ingredion Expects Q1 Net Sales To Be Down Mid-Single-Digits; Reported And Adjusted Operating Income To Be Down 25-35%, Which Includes Impact Of Argentina Peso Devaluation

<div>The Company expects its full-year 2024&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;for reported EPS to be in the range of&nbsp;$10.20&nbsp;to&nbsp;$11.15&nbsp;and adjusted EPS to be in the range of&nbsp;$9.15&nbsp;to&nbsp;$9.85, reflecting the impact of the S. Korea business divestiture.&nbsp;Excluding the effects of the divestiture of its S. Korea business, the Company expects full-year 2024 net sales to be flat to up low single-digits reflecting greater volume demand partially offset by price mix. Reported operating income is expected to be up low to mid-double-digits including the expected gain on the divestiture. Adjusted operating income is expected to be up mid-single-digits.</div>


Ingredion Expects Its Full-Year 2024 Adjusted EPS Of $9.15-$9.85; Est. $9.76

<p>Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) reported quarterly Adj earnings of $1.97 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.87 by 5.35 percent. This is a 19.39 percent increase over earnings of $1.65 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.92 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.07 billion by 7.33 percent. This is a 3.32 percent decrease over sales of $1.99 billion the same period last year.</p>


Ingredion Q4 Adj EPS $1.97 Beats $1.87 Estimate, Sales $1.92B Miss $2.07B Estimate

AEIS

AGCO

AMCR

AMGN

AMRK

AOSL

ARCB

ARMK

ARWR

ASTL

ATEN

ATHM

AUDC

AVNW

AZEK

AZPN

CARR

CEIX

CHKP

CINF

CRNC

CRUS

CTSH

DCPH

DIOD

ENPH

EXEL

FRSH

FTNT

GAIN

GEHC

GILD

HIMX

HLNE

ICHR

INNV

INSP

INTA

JKHY

KREF

KTCC

LPTV

LSAK

LUMN

MODN

MRCY

MSGS

MSTR

PLUS

QGEN

Earnings Scheduled For February 6, 2024

<p><strong>Ingredion's</strong> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) short percent of float has risen 18.75% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has <strong>436 thousand shares sold short</strong>, which is 0.76% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, <strong>it would take traders 1.33 days to cover their short positions on average.</strong></p>
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
<p>Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.</p>
<p>Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.</p>
<p><strong>See Also:</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest"><strong>List of the most shorted stocks</strong></a></p>
<h3>Ingredion Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1706880612_0.png" alt="short_fig" /></p>
<p>As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Ingredion has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.</p>
<h3>Comparing Ingredion's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
<p>Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Ingredion's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.09%, which means the company has <strong>less</strong> short interest than most of its peers.</p>
<p>Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be <strong>bullish</strong> for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/"><strong>This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</strong></a></p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Peering Into Ingredion's Recent Short Interest

<p>On January 23, 2024, <b>Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>)</b> will distribute a dividend payout of $0.78 per share, equating to an annualized dividend yield of 2.92%. Shareholders who owned the stock before the ex-dividend date on December 29, 2023 will receive this payout.</p>
<h3>Ingredion Recent Dividend Payouts</h3>
<style>
        table {
            width: 100%;
            border-collapse: collapse;
            font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
            font-size: 14px;
        }

        th, td {
            padding: 8px;
            text-align: left;
        }

        th {
            background-color: #293a5a;
            color: #fff;
            text-align: left;
        }

        tr:nth-child(even) {
            background-color: #f2f4f8;
        }

        tr:hover {
            background-color: #e1e4ea;
        }

        td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
            text-align: left;
        }

        .dividend-amount {
            font-weight: bold;
            color: #0d6efd;
        }

        .dividend-frequency {
            font-size: 12px;
            color: #6c757d;
        }
    </style><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th><strong>Ex-Date</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Payments per year</strong></th>
<th><strong>Dividend</strong></th>
<th><strong>Yield</strong></th>
<th><strong>Announced</strong></th>
<th><strong>Record</strong></th>
<th><strong>Payable</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2023-12-29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.78</td>
<td>2.92%</td>
<td>2023-12-12</td>
<td>2024-01-02</td>
<td>2024-01-23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-09-29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.78</td>
<td>2.85%</td>
<td>2023-08-08</td>
<td>2023-10-02</td>
<td>2023-10-24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-06-30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>2.55%</td>
<td>2023-05-19</td>
<td>2023-07-03</td>
<td>2023-07-25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-03-31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>2.92%</td>
<td>2023-03-15</td>
<td>2023-04-03</td>
<td>2023-04-25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022-12-29</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>2.89%</td>
<td>2022-12-16</td>
<td>2023-01-02</td>
<td>2023-01-24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022-10-05</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.71</td>
<td>3.55%</td>
<td>2022-09-26</td>
<td>2022-10-06</td>
<td>2022-10-25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022-06-30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.65</td>
<td>2.82%</td>
<td>2022-05-20</td>
<td>2022-07-01</td>
<td>2022-07-26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2022-03-31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.65</td>
<td>3.14%</td>
<td>2022-03-16</td>
<td>2022-04-01</td>
<td>2022-04-26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021-12-31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.65</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
<td>2021-12-10</td>
<td>2022-01-03</td>
<td>2022-01-24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021-10-01</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.65</td>
<td>2.98%</td>
<td>2021-09-22</td>
<td>2021-10-04</td>
<td>2021-10-25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021-06-30</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.64</td>
<td>2.64%</td>
<td>2021-05-19</td>
<td>2021-07-01</td>
<td>2021-07-26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2021-03-31</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td>$0.64</td>
<td>2.77%</td>
<td>2021-03-16</td>
<td>2021-04-01</td>
<td>2021-04-26</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Ingredion's dividend yield falls in the middle range when compared to its industry peers, with <b>Brasilagro - Cia Bras (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LND#NYSE">LND</a>)</b> having the highest annualized dividend yield at 13.12%.</p>
<h3>Analyzing Ingredion Financial Health</h3>
<p>Companies that pay out steady cash dividends are attractive to income-seeking investors, and companies that are financially healthy tend to maintain their dividend payout schedule. For this reason, investors can find it insightful to see if a company has been increasing or decreasing their dividend payout schedule and if their earnings are growing. </p>
<h3>YoY Growth in Dividend Per Share</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1706022320_0.png" alt="dividend chart graph" /></p>
<p>From 2020 to 2023, the company's dividend per share showed a positive trend, increasing steadily from $2.54 in 2020 to $2.98 in 2023. This demonstrates the company's commitment to rewarding shareholders by consistently raising dividends.</p>
<h3>YoY Earnings Growth For Ingredion</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1706022320_1.png" alt="earning chart graph" /></p>
<p>The earnings chart above shows that from 2020 to 2023, Ingredion has experienced an increase in their earnings from $6.09 per share to $9.10 per share. This positive earnings trend is promising for income-seeking investors as it suggests that the company has more potential to increase its cash dividend payout if the trend continues.</p>
<h3>Recap</h3>
<p>In this article, we delve into Ingredion's recent dividend payout and examine how it impacts shareholders. The company has announced a dividend distribution of $0.78 per share today, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 2.92%.</p>
<p>Ingredion's dividend yield falls in the middle range when compared to its industry peers, with Brasilagro - Cia Bras having the highest annualized dividend yield at 13.12%.</p>
<p>With an increase in dividend per share and earnings per share from 2020 to 2023, Ingredion demonstrates a healthy financial status and is likely to maintain their dividend distribution to investors.</p>
<p>To stay well-informed about potential changes in financials or dividend disbursements, investors should closely observe the company's performance in the upcoming quarters.</p>
<p>\To read more news on Ingredion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock//">click here</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/dividends">Click here</a> to visit our Dividends Calendar.  </p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Dividends

Unleashing Growth Potential: Ingredion Surpasses Expectations with Strong Performance and Increasing Profits

Ingredion Partners With Start-Up Better Juice To Offer Sugar Reduction Solutions

<p>Over the past 3 months, 4 analysts have published their opinion on Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) stock. These analysts are typically employed by large Wall Street banks and tasked with understanding a company's business to predict how a stock will trade over the upcoming year.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>These 4 analysts have an average price target of $124.0 versus the current price of Ingredion at $102.39, implying  upside.</p>
<p>Below is a summary of how these 4 analysts rated Ingredion over the past 3 months. The greater the number of bullish ratings, the more positive analysts are on the stock and the greater the number of bearish ratings, the more negative analysts are on the stock</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2023/1699894843_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<p>This current average has decreased by 0.8% from the previous average price target of $125.00. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INGR/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Ingredion analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h1>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h1>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


What 4 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About Ingredion

<p>UBS  analyst Cody Ross   maintains Ingredion (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INGR#NYSE">INGR</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $132 to $136.</p>


UBS Maintains Buy on Ingredion, Raises Price Target to $136

<p>The transaction is expected to close in the&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.</p>


Asset Sales

Ingredion Inks Definitive Agreement To Divest Business In South Korea To An Affiliate Of Sajo Group; No Terms Disclosed

<p><strong>Ingredion Inc</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ingr#NYSE">INGR</a>) reported third-quarter FY23 sales growth of 1% year-on-year to $2.03 billion,&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/11/g35638016/ingredion-incorporated-reports-strong-third-quarter-results-and-raises-full-year-outlook" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">missing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.114 billion.</a></p>
<p>The revenue increase was driven by both price mix and foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by volume declines.</p>
<p>Sales in North America increased 3% Y/Y to $1.3 billion, South America decreased 8% to $269 million, Asia-Pacific fell 2% to $272 million, and EMEA climbed 1% to $192 million.</p>
<p>Gross profit increased 13% Y/Y to $421 million, and the gross margin expanded 220 basis points to 20.7%.</p>
<p>The operating margin was 10.5%, and the operating income for the quarter was $213 million, a 17% Y/Y increase.</p>
<p>Adjusted EPS of $2.33&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" style="background-image:initial; background-position:initial; background-size:initial; background-repeat:initial; background-attachment:initial; background-origin:initial; background-clip:initial; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; color:#4a6ee0" target="_blank">beat the consensus estimate of $1.95.</a></p>
<p>Ingredion held $341 million in cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2023. Cash from operating activities for nine months totaled $647 million.</p>
<p>&quot;We continued to successfully manage our business in the third quarter with our approach to product pricing and customer mix, while also driving operational excellence and productivity to mitigate the impact of cost inflation,&quot; said President and CEO Jim Zallie.</p>
<p>Ingredion declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share paid on October 24, 2023, representing a 10% increase from the prior quarterly dividend rate.</p>
<p><strong>Outlook</strong>: Ingredion raised its FY23 adjusted EPS outlook from $8.80 - $9.40 to $9.05 - $9.45 against the consensus of $9.00.</p>
<p>INGR expects FY23 sales growth to be up mid-single-digits, reflecting softer volume demand (prior view: up mid to high single digits).</p>
<p>Capital expenditures for FY23 are expected to be about $310 million.</p>
<p><strong>Price Action</strong>: INGR shares closed lower by 0.28% at $95.62 on Monday.</p>


Ingredion Intends To Reorganize Its Business Operations To Focus Its Production Assets And Commercial Efforts

Ingredion Now Expects 2023 Net Sales To Be Up Mid-Single-Digits Reflecting Softer Volume Demand (Prior View: Net Sales To Be Up Mid To High Single Digits)

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>With the growing demand for healthier food, pay close attention to undervalued plant-based <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/consumer-staples/food/">food stocks</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/11/race-plant-based-foods-market-us-falling-behind">According to EWG.com</a>, plant-based food sales &ldquo;increased 44 percent, from $5 billion in 2019 to more than $8 billion in 2022. Plant-based egg sales grew by 65 percent over the same period. And 15 percent of all milk sold in the U.S. is now plant-based milk.&rdquo; </p>



<p>Better, the U.S. market is expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/17/2811019/28124/en/United-States-Plant-based-Food-Market-Trends-2024-2030-in-QSRs-Full-Service-Restaurants-Education-Healthcare-Lodging-Casino-Recreation-Business-Industry-and-Other-Sectors.html">grow to about $19.07 billion by 2030</a>, added Research and Markets. Globally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/53/plant-based-food-market-2029">according to Meticulous Research</a>, the market could be worth about $95.52 billion by 2029. </p>



<p>Thanks to a growing intolerance of animal proteins, a growing demand for healthier plant-based alternatives and an increasing number of vegans and vegetarians. In the U.S., for example, about&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/510038/identify-vegetarian-vegan.aspx#:~:text=U.S.%20Adults'%20Eating%20Preferences&amp;text=Line%20graph.,have%20been%20stable%20over%20time.">4% of the population identifies as vegetarian</a>, with 1% to 2% vegan.</p>



<p>In addition, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/corporate/docs/about-us/research/publications/csri-the-young-consumer-and-a-path-to-sustainability.pdf">2022 Credit Suisse report</a>, &ldquo;Our survey suggests that the growth outlook for plant-based products is positive. Across all the countries, we find that 66% of consumers surveyed intend to increase spending on plant-based products in the future.&rdquo;</p>



<p>That being said, investors may want to keep an eye on undervalued plant-based food stocks.</p>



<h2><strong>Ingredion (INGR)</strong></h2>



<p>Let&rsquo;s start with&nbsp;<strong>Ingredion</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ingr-stock-quote/"><strong>INGR</strong></a>), a major player in the plant-based food market, and one of the top undervalued plant-based food stocks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the company is known for providing starches and sweeteners, it has increased its selection of plant-based proteins. Making it a bit more attractive, the company just declared a&nbsp;<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ingredion-incorporated-declares-quarterly-dividend-of-0-78-per-share-1033161230">dividend of 78 cents a share</a>, payable on Apr. 23 to shareholders of record as of Apr. 1.</p>



<p>Earnings haven&rsquo;t been too shabby either. For 2023, its net sales were up about 3% year over year to $8.16 billion. It also posted a 29% increase in EPS year over year to $9.60. It also announced its ninth consecutive dividend, and allocated even more funds for buybacks. Total liabilities also dropped for the full year, from $4.347 billion to $4.047 billion.</p>



<p>Better,&nbsp;<a href="https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ingredion-incorporated-reports-strong-2023-fourth-quarter-and">as noted by President and CEO, Jim Zallie</a>, &ldquo;Our business performed exceptionally well and remained resilient throughout 2023, delivering more than 20% operating income growth for both the fourth quarter and full year. Our targeted pricing actions and proactive cost savings initiatives helped overcome inflation and raw material volatility, leading to a sixth consecutive, quarter-over- quarter expansion of gross margin. Additionally, cash from operations exceeded $1 billion dollars, and we returned $295 million dollars to shareholders in the year.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>



<h2><strong>Oatly (OTLY)</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Oatly </strong>(NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/otly-stock-quote/"><strong>OTLY</strong></a>) is another interesting plant-based food stock to keep an eye on.</p>



<p>Over the last few months, the company, which provides alternatives to dairy products from oats, ran from about 45 cents to a high of $1.31 before pulling back to $1.02.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Granted, earnings and guidance were nothing to write home about.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The company did manage to beat revenue, but it&rsquo;s still struggling on the bottom line. Overall&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/15/why-oatly-stock-was-sliding-today/">sales were up 4.6% to $204.1 million</a>, which was better than estimates of $191.3 million. Unfortunately, revenues fell nearly 19% to $33 million.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&ldquo;At the same time, analysts anticipate steady growth. At the end of the current fiscal year, they project sales to reach $831.26 million. By 2025, this figure could expand to $906.29 million. That would come out to a growth rate of 6.1% and 9%, respectively,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/03/the-top-3-vegan-stocks-to-buy-in-march-2024/">as noted by Investorplace contributor Josh Enomoto</a>.</p>



<p>Plus, consider this. The global oat milk market is seeing big growth,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/oat-milk-market-overview-2030-trends-challenges-lily-morrow-zp6uc">as noted by Market Research Future</a>.</p>



<p>&ldquo;The United States and Canada have witnessed significant growth in oat milk consumption, he wrote. &ldquo;The increasing popularity of vegan diets, lactose intolerance, and environmental concerns are driving this trend. Oat milk has a strong presence in European markets. Asia-Pacific is an emerging market for oat milk, with countries like China and India showing rapid adoption.&rdquo;</p>



<h2><strong>US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN)</strong></h2>



<p>Or, if you want to diversify at a low cost, there&rsquo;s always an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the&nbsp;<strong>US&nbsp;Vegan Climate ETF</strong>&nbsp;(CBOE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/vegn-stock-quote/">VEGN</a>).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The ETF invests in plant-based food stocks, like <strong>Beyond Meat</strong> (NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bynd-stock-quote/"><strong>BYND</strong></a></span>), as well as companies that abide by ESG (environmental, social, governance) considerations, primarily animal harm and exploitation, as well as fossil fuels, environmental damage, and human rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://veganetf.com/">as noted by VeganETF.com</a>.</p>



<p>Some of its top holdings include&nbsp;<strong>Nvidia</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>),&nbsp;<strong>Tesla</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>),&nbsp;<strong>Broadcom</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Cisco&nbsp;</strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>).</p>



<p>Even better, the ETF outperformed the S&amp;P 500 in 2023.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.einpresswire.com/article/683190854/us-vegan-climate-etf-outperforms-s-p500-index-with-strong-2023-performance-avoiding-environmentally-damaging-activities">According to a recent press release</a>, &ldquo;The US Vegan Climate ETF has announced a remarkable 38.08% increase in market price for 2023, surpassing the <strong>S&amp;P 500</strong> index&rsquo;s 26.29% growth. We believe this impressive performance can be attributed to the ETF&rsquo;s unique approach of avoiding companies that sell animal-derived products and engage in other environmentally damaging and socially harmful activities.&rdquo;</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Ian Cooper did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/?utm_source=Nasdaq&amp;utm_medium=referral">Publishing Guidelines.</a></em></p>
<div><p>Ian Cooper, a contributor to InvestorPlace.com, has been analyzing stocks and options for web-based advisories since 1999.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
		<ul><li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/10/no-1-ai-investment-might-be-this-company-youve-never-heard-of/?cid=MKT764787&amp;eid=MKT793992">The #1 AI Investment Might Be This Company You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/02/wall-street-legend-issues-urgent-ai-code-red/?cid=MKT781156&amp;eid=MKT793990">&ldquo;America&rsquo;s Top Trader&rdquo; Issues A.I. Code Red: Act Now or Miss Out</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2021/01/one-percenter-issues-urgent-warning/?cid=MKT499868&amp;eid=MKT793999">It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you have $500 or $5 million. Do this now.</a>
					</li>
									</ul><div>
			<div></div>
						<div></div>
					</div>
	<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/03/the-3-most-undervalued-plant-based-food-stocks-to-buy-in-march-2024/">The 3 Most Undervalued Plant-Based Food Stocks to Buy in March 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

The 3 Most Undervalued Plant-Based Food Stocks to Buy in March 2024

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>With the growing demand for healthier food, pay close attention to undervalued plant-based <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/consumer-staples/food/">food stocks</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/11/race-plant-based-foods-market-us-falling-behind">According to EWG.com</a>, plant-based food sales &ldquo;increased 44 percent, from $5 billion in 2019 to more than $8 billion in 2022. Plant-based egg sales grew by 65 percent over the same period. And 15 percent of all milk sold in the U.S. is now plant-based milk.&rdquo; </p>



<p>Better, the U.S. market is expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/17/2811019/28124/en/United-States-Plant-based-Food-Market-Trends-2024-2030-in-QSRs-Full-Service-Restaurants-Education-Healthcare-Lodging-Casino-Recreation-Business-Industry-and-Other-Sectors.html">grow to about $19.07 billion by 2030</a>, added Research and Markets. Globally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/53/plant-based-food-market-2029">according to Meticulous Research</a>, the market could be worth about $95.52 billion by 2029. </p>



<p>Thanks to a growing intolerance of animal proteins, a growing demand for healthier plant-based alternatives and an increasing number of vegans and vegetarians. In the U.S., for example, about&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/510038/identify-vegetarian-vegan.aspx#:~:text=U.S.%20Adults'%20Eating%20Preferences&amp;text=Line%20graph.,have%20been%20stable%20over%20time.">4% of the population identifies as vegetarian</a>, with 1% to 2% vegan.</p>



<p>In addition, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/corporate/docs/about-us/research/publications/csri-the-young-consumer-and-a-path-to-sustainability.pdf">2022 Credit Suisse report</a>, &ldquo;Our survey suggests that the growth outlook for plant-based products is positive. Across all the countries, we find that 66% of consumers surveyed intend to increase spending on plant-based products in the future.&rdquo;</p>



<p>That being said, investors may want to keep an eye on undervalued plant-based food stocks.</p>



<h2><strong>Ingredion (INGR)</strong></h2>



<p>Let&rsquo;s start with&nbsp;<strong>Ingredion</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ingr-stock-quote/"><strong>INGR</strong></a>), a major player in the plant-based food market, and one of the top undervalued plant-based food stocks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the company is known for providing starches and sweeteners, it has increased its selection of plant-based proteins. Making it a bit more attractive, the company just declared a&nbsp;<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ingredion-incorporated-declares-quarterly-dividend-of-0-78-per-share-1033161230">dividend of 78 cents a share</a>, payable on Apr. 23 to shareholders of record as of Apr. 1.</p>



<p>Earnings haven&rsquo;t been too shabby either. For 2023, its net sales were up about 3% year over year to $8.16 billion. It also posted a 29% increase in EPS year over year to $9.60. It also announced its ninth consecutive dividend, and allocated even more funds for buybacks. Total liabilities also dropped for the full year, from $4.347 billion to $4.047 billion.</p>



<p>Better,&nbsp;<a href="https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ingredion-incorporated-reports-strong-2023-fourth-quarter-and">as noted by President and CEO, Jim Zallie</a>, &ldquo;Our business performed exceptionally well and remained resilient throughout 2023, delivering more than 20% operating income growth for both the fourth quarter and full year. Our targeted pricing actions and proactive cost savings initiatives helped overcome inflation and raw material volatility, leading to a sixth consecutive, quarter-over- quarter expansion of gross margin. Additionally, cash from operations exceeded $1 billion dollars, and we returned $295 million dollars to shareholders in the year.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>



<h2><strong>Oatly (OTLY)</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Oatly </strong>(NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/otly-stock-quote/"><strong>OTLY</strong></a>) is another interesting plant-based food stock to keep an eye on.</p>



<p>Over the last few months, the company, which provides alternatives to dairy products from oats, ran from about 45 cents to a high of $1.31 before pulling back to $1.02.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Granted, earnings and guidance were nothing to write home about.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The company did manage to beat revenue, but it&rsquo;s still struggling on the bottom line. Overall&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/15/why-oatly-stock-was-sliding-today/">sales were up 4.6% to $204.1 million</a>, which was better than estimates of $191.3 million. Unfortunately, revenues fell nearly 19% to $33 million.&nbsp;</p>



<p>&ldquo;At the same time, analysts anticipate steady growth. At the end of the current fiscal year, they project sales to reach $831.26 million. By 2025, this figure could expand to $906.29 million. That would come out to a growth rate of 6.1% and 9%, respectively,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/03/the-top-3-vegan-stocks-to-buy-in-march-2024/">as noted by Investorplace contributor Josh Enomoto</a>.</p>



<p>Plus, consider this. The global oat milk market is seeing big growth,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/oat-milk-market-overview-2030-trends-challenges-lily-morrow-zp6uc">as noted by Market Research Future</a>.</p>



<p>&ldquo;The United States and Canada have witnessed significant growth in oat milk consumption, he wrote. &ldquo;The increasing popularity of vegan diets, lactose intolerance, and environmental concerns are driving this trend. Oat milk has a strong presence in European markets. Asia-Pacific is an emerging market for oat milk, with countries like China and India showing rapid adoption.&rdquo;</p>



<h2><strong>US Vegan Climate ETF (VEGN)</strong></h2>



<p>Or, if you want to diversify at a low cost, there&rsquo;s always an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the&nbsp;<strong>US&nbsp;Vegan Climate ETF</strong>&nbsp;(CBOE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/vegn-stock-quote/">VEGN</a>).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The ETF invests in plant-based food stocks, like <strong>Beyond Meat</strong> (NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bynd-stock-quote/"><strong>BYND</strong></a></span>), as well as companies that abide by ESG (environmental, social, governance) considerations, primarily animal harm and exploitation, as well as fossil fuels, environmental damage, and human rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://veganetf.com/">as noted by VeganETF.com</a>.</p>



<p>Some of its top holdings include&nbsp;<strong>Nvidia</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>),&nbsp;<strong>Tesla</strong>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>),&nbsp;<strong>Broadcom</strong> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Cisco&nbsp;</strong>(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>).</p>



<p>Even better, the ETF outperformed the S&amp;P 500 in 2023.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.einpresswire.com/article/683190854/us-vegan-climate-etf-outperforms-s-p500-index-with-strong-2023-performance-avoiding-environmentally-damaging-activities">According to a recent press release</a>, &ldquo;The US Vegan Climate ETF has announced a remarkable 38.08% increase in market price for 2023, surpassing the <strong>S&amp;P 500</strong> index&rsquo;s 26.29% growth. We believe this impressive performance can be attributed to the ETF&rsquo;s unique approach of avoiding companies that sell animal-derived products and engage in other environmentally damaging and socially harmful activities.&rdquo;</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Ian Cooper did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/?utm_source=Nasdaq&amp;utm_medium=referral">Publishing Guidelines.</a></em></p>
<div><p>Ian Cooper, a contributor to InvestorPlace.com, has been analyzing stocks and options for web-based advisories since 1999.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
		<ul><li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/10/no-1-ai-investment-might-be-this-company-youve-never-heard-of/?cid=MKT764787&amp;eid=MKT771245">The #1 AI Investment Might Be This Company You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/07/elon-musks-project-omega-stuns-silicon-valley-insiders/?cid=MKT738510&amp;eid=MKT771236">Musk&rsquo;s &ldquo;Project Omega&rdquo; May Be Set to Mint New Millionaires. Here&rsquo;s How to Get In.</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2021/01/one-percenter-issues-urgent-warning/?cid=MKT499868&amp;eid=MKT793997">It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you have $500 or $5 million. Do this now.</a>
					</li>
									</ul><div>
			<div></div>
						<div></div>
					</div>
	<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/03/the-3-most-undervalued-plant-based-food-stocks-to-buy-in-march-2024/">The 3 Most Undervalued Plant-Based Food Stocks to Buy in March 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

Dividend Champion, Contender, And Challenger Highlights: Week Of March 24

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>The United States economy is showing robust signs of growth, with the latest data indicating faster expansion than previously estimated. Strong consumer spending and increased business investment are key drivers, leading to higher profits and a more stable economic landscape. Despite concerns about recession and inflation, the economy continues to outpace global peers, demonstrating resilience and potential for sustained growth. This positive trajectory is supported by various sectors, including manufacturing, retail and healthcare, indicating a well-rounded and promising outlook for the future.</p>



<p>With this strong consumer spending and indicated confidence in the economy, we can be sure that people will continue to spend and allow the retail industry to grow. The consumer goods sector has a projected CAGR of <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/io/manufacturing/consumer-goods/worldwide">3.22%</a>, reaching $3.18 trillion in 2024. We can see all of these positive indicators for the industry, if you buy these top three leading companies you are sure to profit greatly.</p>



<h2><strong>Alibaba (BABA)</strong></h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/baba1600b-300x169.jpg" alt="A photo of the Alibaba (BABA) app on a smartphone."><div>Source: BigTunaOnline / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>Alibaba</strong> (NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/baba-stock-quote/"><strong>BABA</strong></a></span>) is a multinational technology company based in China focusing on e-commerce, retail, internet and technology. Valued at <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BABA">$72.84</a>, BABA saw a negative growth of 25.99% in the past year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alibaba maintains its dominant figure in e-commerce, boasting a 50% market share in China. The <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/emo/ecommerce/worldwide#:~:text=Revenue%20in%20the%20eCommerce%20Market,3.2bn%20users%20by%202029.">e-commerce industry</a> is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.47% to $4.9 trillion by 2029. The company also dominates China&rsquo;s finance payment system through Alipay and cloud computing, both growing at a CAGR of <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/app/finance/china#:~:text=Total%20revenue%20in%20the%20Finance,US%240.86bn%20by%202027.">10.35%</a> and a CAGR of 18% respectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The company continues to report strong earnings with revenue YOY growth of 5.98% in the <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BABA/income-statement">fiscal year</a> of 2023. More impressive figures show 22.23% YOY growth in net income and 21.83% in diluted EPS. Alibaba&rsquo;s levered FCF margin outperforms the market at a staggering <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BABA/profitability">15.77%</a>, over 184.47% larger compared to the industry average of 5.54%.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alibaba continues to dominate China&rsquo;s e-commerce, finance and technology markets and rapid expansion throughout the world. Alibaba&rsquo;s stock suffered great losses from the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3227753/timeline-chinas-32-month-big-tech-crackdown-killed-worlds-largest-ipo-and-wiped-out-trillions-value">Chinese anti-monopoly crackdown</a> as a result of the previous CEO, Jack Ma, criticizing the Chinese government&rsquo;s practices. Therefore, the market has completely undervalued a company with solid financials and industry dominance &mdash; something investors should consider. Alibaba <a href="https://chozan.co/blog/alibaba-vision-future/#:~:text=As%20for%20their%20plans%20for,an%20economy%20within%20that%20system.">plans to focus</a> on customer experience and building an ecosystem within China furthering Alibaba&rsquo;s growth. In conclusion, Alibaba is extremely undervalued by the market and is destined for mouth-watering growth in the future.&nbsp;</p>



<h2><strong>Lululemon Athletica (LULU)</strong></h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/lulu1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A close-up picture of the Lululemon (LULU) sign in the Hong Kong airport."><div>Source: Sorbis / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>Lululemon Athletica </strong>(NASDAQ:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/lulu-stock-quote/"><strong>LULU</strong></a></span>) is an athletic apparel retailer. The stock is currently valued at <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LULU">$377.15</a>, a 2.62% increase from last year.</p>



<p>LULU saw <a href="https://companiesmarketcap.com/lululemon-athletica/revenue/">revenue</a> grow from $9.18 billion in 2023 to $9.61 billion in 2024 representing an increase of 4.72%. The <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LULU/profitability">Gross Profit Margin</a> was also substantial at 58.31% or 62.58% more than the sector median of 35.87%. EBIT Margin (<span>TTM</span>) was monumental as well at 22.95%, 201.53% more than the sector median of 7.61%. These metrics indicate stability, profitability and consistency making LULU a gem for all investors looking for massive returns.</p>



<p>Lululemon has recently <a href="https://corporate.lululemon.com/media/press-releases/2024/02-01-2024-143021807">expanded</a> its offerings to include men&rsquo;s apparel. Previously, this was one of LULU&rsquo;s major flaws as it only marketed towards females; however, this recent expansion has opened up a brand new market for it. It also launched brand-new running and trail running shoes in an attempt to gain a large slice of the athletic footwear market. These new launches expand LULU&rsquo;s reach of customers while increasing the addressable market. Sales will reflect this and it will see its stock price rocket, therefore prompting me to give it the &ldquo;Buy&rdquo; rating.</p>



<h2><strong>Ingredion (INGR)</strong></h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ingredion-ingr-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Ingredion Canada Inc head office in Brampton, Ontario, Canada"><div>Source: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>Ingredion </strong>(NYSE:<span><a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ingr-stock-quote/"><strong>INGR</strong></a></span>)<strong> </strong>manufactures and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterial solutions derived from wet milling and processing corn and other starch-based materials to a range of global markets. Its products are used in industries ranging from food to textiles.</p>



<p>Earnings estimates are relatively stable, with earnings <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/INGR">consistently meeting or exceeding </a>projections, showing management&rsquo;s proficiency. Simply put, Wall Street analysts predict a growth potential of around <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-undervaluing-ingredion-incorporated-nyse-134007309.html">49%</a>. A profit margin of <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/INGR/key-statistics">7.88%</a>, an operating margin of 10.41% and a return on equity of 19.12% show management&rsquo;s efficiency and competence. INGR has a &ldquo;Buy&rdquo; rating on Yahoo! Finance and bullish ratings from financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Stephens &amp; Co.</p>



<p>The consumer goods industry strength is complemented by INGR&rsquo;s diversification into sector-specific products, which opens up both growth potential and stability. This puts INGR in a great position. <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-undervaluing-ingredion-incorporated-nyse-134007309.html">FCF and DCF</a> models show impressive cash flow growth, making this stock immensely undervalued.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Diversification leads this stock to be much more stable than its counterparts. Additionally, annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-undervaluing-ingredion-incorporated-nyse-134007309.html">3 years</a>. All this makes this undervalued stock a great pick.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Michael Que did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;</em><a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank"><em>Publishing Guidelines</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>The researchers contributing to this article did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.</em><span></span></p>
<div><p>Michael Que is a financial writer with extensive experience in the technology industry, with his work featured on Seeking Alpha, Benzinga and MSN Money. He is the owner of Que Capital, a research firm that combines fundamental analysis with ESG factors to pick the best sustainable long-term investments.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
		<ul><li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/10/no-1-ai-investment-might-be-this-company-youve-never-heard-of/?cid=MKT764787&amp;eid=MKT771245">The #1 AI Investment Might Be This Company You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/07/elon-musks-project-omega-stuns-silicon-valley-insiders/?cid=MKT738510&amp;eid=MKT771236">Musk&rsquo;s &ldquo;Project Omega&rdquo; May Be Set to Mint New Millionaires. Here&rsquo;s How to Get In.</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2021/01/one-percenter-issues-urgent-warning/?cid=MKT499868&amp;eid=MKT793997">It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you have $500 or $5 million. Do this now.</a>
					</li>
									</ul><div>
			<div></div>
						<div></div>
					</div>
	
<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/04/the-3-most-undervalued-consumer-stocks-to-buy-in-april-2024/">The 3 Most Undervalued Consumer Stocks to Buy in April 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>

The 3 Most Undervalued Consumer Stocks to Buy in April 2024

These are the most crowded longs within consumer staples - UBS

Buy 9 Sustainable Dividend Dogs Of Barron's Top 100

<p><a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a></p>
<p>Consumer stocks to buy now aren&rsquo;t just a fleeting trend. As the second quarter (Q2) rolls in, consumer stocks present themselves as excellent bets, offering the dual benefit of steady portfolio growth and attractive shareholder rewards.</p>



<p>Moreover, we&rsquo;ve seen in recent quarters how the U.S. continues to exhibit robust signs of growth, outperforming analyst estimates. The robust consumer spending environment leads to higher profits and a more stable economic landscape. Despite the possibility of prolonged inflationary pressures, the resilience of the U.S. economy shines through. Its enduring strength underscores why consumer stocks remain compelling for those seeking security and growth amidst the market uncertainty. That said, here are three consumer stocks to buy now that embody the earlier discussion.</p>



<h2>E.l.f. Beauty (ELF)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/elf1600-300x169.jpg" alt="an elf branded beauty product on a stone counter"><div>Source: Lisa Chinn / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>E.l.f. Beauty&nbsp;</strong>(NYSE:<a target="_blank" href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/elf-stock-quote/"><strong>ELF</strong></a>) is one of the leading cosmetics businesses, thriving on the back of its unique blend of clean and vegan products with a remarkably affordable price point. It effectively caters to Gen Z&rsquo;s preferences, with its brand having established a dominant online and social media footprint. Its innovative approach has positioned it as one of the top <a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-types/growth-stocks/">growth stocks</a> in its niche, with its stock&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ELF/momentum/performance">gaining an eye-watering 475%</a>&nbsp;in the past three years.</p>



<p>Looking ahead, its financial outlook remains exceptionally bright. It kicked into gear during the pandemic, delivering double-digit top-line growth, and has continued the momentum since then. Not only has it delivered double-digit sales growth in the past consecutive quarters, but it has also outperformed analyst estimates across both lines.</p>



<p>In the third quarter, its net sales surged 85% year-over-year (YOY) to $270.9 million while besting analyst estimates of $32 million. This momentum is projected to continue, with the company expecting net sales for the year to fall in the $980 million and $990 million range, marking an impressive increase of 69% to 71% compared to the prior year. Moreover, according to TipRanks analysts, ELF stock is a &lsquo;moderate buy&rsquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/elf/forecast" target="_blank">offering a healthy 28% upside</a>&nbsp;from current price levels.</p>



<h2>Alibaba (BABA)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/baba1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Alibaba Group headquarters sign located in Hangzhou China BABA stock."><div>Source: Kevin Chen Photography / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>Alibaba</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/baba-stock-quote/" target="_blank"><strong>BABA</strong></a>) is a Chinese e-commerce giant that&rsquo;s flown under the radar in the past few years. Like its peers, the company has weathered its fair share of headwinds alongside the struggling Chinese economy. Current market conditions are far from conducive, but the company remains agile and has multiple long-term growth catalysts, which makes it an attractive bet. Additionally, BABA stock trades <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BABA/valuation/metrics">at just a forward 1.30 times</a> trailing-twelve-month-sales (<span>TTM</span>), 69% lower than the sector median.</p>



<p>It boasts a massive cash reserve exceeding $91.6 billion, which positions it incredibly well to navigate economic turbulence. Its financial robustness allows the tech giant to push forward with aplomb and undertake potentially risky ventures without the pressure of external financing.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the company continues to refine its core operations and revenue strategies through Taobao and Tmall while actively expanding into burgeoning markets and new business areas. Moreover, new segments, such as the Digital Commerce group and the Cainiao logistics arm, <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4668248-alibaba-group-holding-limited-baba-q3-2024-earnings-call-transcript">delivered 44%</a> and 27% YOY growth, respectively, in its most recent quarter. Its move into digital commerce and logistics is particularly strategic, as it efficiently taps into the rapid e-commerce adoption across high-growth regions, including Southeast Asia and Latin America.</p>



<h2>Ingredion (INGR)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ingredion-ingr-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Ingredion Canada Inc head office in Brampton, Ontario, Canada"><div>Source: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com</div></div><p><strong>Ingredion&nbsp;</strong>(NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ingr-stock-quote/" target="_blank"><strong>INGR</strong></a>) manufactures diverse ingredient solutions catering to various sectors, from food to textiles. Over the years, it has operated a business that&rsquo;s exhibited consistent growth across both lines. This growth has been mirrored by its stock, which has gained over 21% in the past three years. However, its excellent dividend profile helps INGR&rsquo;s stock stand out.&nbsp;<a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/INGR/dividends/scorecard" target="_blank">It yields a tremendous 2.83%</a>&nbsp;while growing its payouts in the past 13 years, beating the sector median of two years.</p>



<p>While top-line growth in recent quarters has been uninspiring due to multiple headwinds, the company has efficiently maintained its solid profitability profile. For instance,&nbsp;<a href="https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/INGR/profitability" target="_blank">its free cash flow margin of 6.40%</a>&nbsp;beats the sector median by 30%, while its return on common equity is an eye-catching 20%.</p>



<p>Given the company&rsquo;s role in multiple growing market segments, I expect INGR stock to bounce back in a more conducive business environment.</p>



<p><em>On the date of publication, Muslim Farooque did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/">Publishing Guidelines</a></em>.</p>
<div><p>Muslim Farooque is a keen investor and an optimist at heart. A life-long gamer and tech enthusiast, he has a particular affinity for analyzing technology stocks. Muslim holds a bachelor&rsquo;s of science degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University.</p></div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
		<ul><li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/10/no-1-ai-investment-might-be-this-company-youve-never-heard-of/?cid=MKT764787&amp;eid=MKT771245">The #1 AI Investment Might Be This Company You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/07/elon-musks-project-omega-stuns-silicon-valley-insiders/?cid=MKT738510&amp;eid=MKT771236">Musk&rsquo;s &ldquo;Project Omega&rdquo; May Be Set to Mint New Millionaires. Here&rsquo;s How to Get In.</a>
					</li>
																<li>
						<a href="https://investorplace.com/2021/01/one-percenter-issues-urgent-warning/?cid=MKT499868&amp;eid=MKT793997">It doesn&rsquo;t matter if you have $500 or $5 million. Do this now.</a>
					</li>
									</ul><div>
			<div></div>
						<div></div>
					</div>
	
<p>The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/04/3-consumer-stocks-to-buy-now-q2-edition/">3 Consumer Stocks to Buy Now: Q2 Edition</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.</p>