Today we are watching…
1. Beyond Meat (#bynd)
McDonald’s has heard the fuss about Beyond Meat’s new burger, and now it wants a taste! For the time being, the franchise will only make the plant-based creation available in a petri dish of small Canadian locations. However, Beyond Meat investors have been on a rollercoaster since the stock went public a few months ago, and they won’t live this success down for a while. The stock jumped 10% on news of McDonald’s interest, which is fascinating in itself. It’s a brand ridiculed for serving junk food, which is now reaching for a healthy and ethically-put-together alternative. Bold and brave. MaccieD’s says it’s still in “learning mode,” but investors in both companies hope that a partnership can be formed to rival the Burger King-Impossible Foods alliance. We’re watching this one closely!
2. Delta Air Lines (#delta)
The shrewdest airlines on the planet are US airlines, spinning off 40% of the world’s profits from only 20% of the world’s passengers. Fittingly, the country’s long-haul carriers are going overseas for growth. Their hands are tied slightly by rules preventing full-on buyouts of smaller airlines, but minority stakes still fly. American Airlines was about to land one such deal with Latin American outfit LATAM, but you have to move fast in this business. In one swoop yesterday, Delta snatched LATAM for its own with a billion-dollar merger! The airline is digging into its cash reserves for this, but it’s reassured investors that it won’t be long before this starts paying dividends. As for American, better luck next time!
