Monster Beverage reported strong Q2 2026 performance with energy drink case sales jumping 21.6% and net sales reaching $2.36 billion. The company is expanding its product portfolio across Ultra, Juice Monster, and other brands while implementing selective pricing actions. However, EPS estimates have recently declined despite favorable market conditions and international expansion efforts.

Hormel Foods reported Q3 adjusted EPS of 37 cents, beating consensus estimates, but net sales fell 2.4% to $2.96B, missing expectations. The company expanded operating margins by 60 basis points despite volume declines across segments. Hormel lowered fiscal 2026 sales guidance to $12.1-$12.2B but raised EPS guidance to $1.45-$1.51, reflecting a Brazil divestiture and challenging external environment.

With consumer confidence hitting its lowest level since January due to inflation concerns and labor market uncertainty, five defensive stocks from consumer staples, healthcare, and utilities sectors are recommended: COCO, DAR, CNC, EXC, and AMRX. These stocks offer upside potential with strong earnings growth estimates and improved analyst consensus over the past 60 days.

The global protein ingredients market is projected to grow from USD 83.14 billion in 2026 to USD 121.53 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 7.9%. Europe leads with 33.3% market share, while South America shows fastest regional growth. Insect-based proteins are the fastest-growing segment due to sustainability benefits. Key players include ADM, Cargill, Kerry Group, and Roquette, with recent product launches and partnerships driving innovation in plant-based and alternative proteins.

The global food thickeners market is projected to grow from USD 20.04 billion in 2026 to USD 35.02 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 6.4%. Growth is driven by increasing demand for clean-label ingredients, plant-based products, and functional foods. North America currently leads the market with 41% share, while Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region. Hydrocolloids dominate by type, and beverages lead by application, with sauces and dips expected to grow fastest.

The global cooking oil recycling market is projected to grow from $2.19 billion in 2024 to $3.85 billion by 2032, driven by stricter environmental regulations, circular economy adoption, and biodiesel production expansion. Key applications include biofuels, animal feed, and cosmetics, with innovations in processing technology and blockchain traceability enhancing supply chain resilience.

The article highlights three stocks showing potential for upside momentum in 2026 based on golden cross technical signals and fundamental analysis: Sun Communities, Darling Ingredients, and Wave Life Sciences.

San Francisco-based investment firm No Street GP LP acquired 2.25 million shares of Darling Ingredients for $69.5 million in Q3, representing 4.6% of its reportable assets, despite the stock's 15% decline over the past year.

Darling Ingredients reported Q2 2025 results with flat revenue of $1.5 billion but significantly reduced earnings, primarily due to challenges in its renewable fuels segment, leading to a downward revision of full-year guidance.

The global turmeric oleoresin market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2034, reaching an estimated US$ 192.2 Mn by 2034. This growth is driven by rising consumer demand for natural food ingredients, health-conscious choices, and increasing preference for plant-based skincare products.

The U.S. cooking oil recycling industry is facing challenges, with industry revenue expected to contract at a CAGR of 7.1% to $2.1 billion by 2024. The decline is attributed to the preference for virgin vegetable oil over recycled oil, and the limited scale of alternative markets like soap, cosmetics, and animal feed production.

The global blood meal industry is projected to grow to $3.1 billion by 2035, driven by rising demand for animal feed. Blood meal is a cost-effective alternative to traditional protein sources like soybean and fishmeal, and its use is increasing due to growing meat consumption and sustainable agricultural practices.