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    Bill Chappell

    Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Truist Securities

    Bill Chappell is a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Truist Securities specializing in the U.S. consumer goods and consumer staples sectors, with coverage including companies such as e.l.f. Beauty, Celsius Holdings, Energizer, BellRing Brands, and Freshpet. Over his analyst career, Chappell has issued over 700 ratings with a historical success rate of approximately 50% and an average return of 1.6% per rating, with notable successful calls such as a 254% return on e.l.f. Beauty. He has been with Truist Securities since at least 2013 and previously held equity research roles at other major financial institutions. Chappell holds multiple FINRA licenses and is registered to provide investment advice on U.S. equities.

    Bill Chappell's questions to FLOWERS FOODS (FLO) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to FLOWERS FOODS (FLO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell inquired whether the competitive environment in the bread category is reverting to a 'race to the bottom' on profitability, similar to several years ago, and asked if competitors are also focused on profitability or if competitive pressures could worsen.

    Answer

    Chairman & CEO A. Ryals McMullian responded that he doesn't believe the situation is that severe, characterizing the current environment as a significant category transition driven by shifting consumer trends like health and wellness. He stated the primary challenge is in the traditional loaf segment, which Flowers is addressing through aggressive innovation in areas like Dave's Killer Bread, Canyon Bakehouse, and Keto products. He affirmed that while the category is competitive, Flowers' focus remains on its own brand strength and innovation pipeline.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to FLOWERS FOODS (FLO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell inquired whether the competitive landscape is reverting to a 'race to the bottom' on profitability, as seen years ago, and asked if competitors are similarly focused on profits or if competitive pressures might intensify.

    Answer

    CEO A. Ryals McMullian stated he does not believe the situation is that severe, framing it as a significant category transition driven by shifting consumer trends like health and wellness, which primarily affects traditional loaf bread. He emphasized that Flowers Foods is focused on aggressive innovation with brands like Dave's Killer Bread and new Keto products. McMullian concluded that while competitors' actions are out of his control, Flowers' strategy is centered on the strength of its brands and innovation pipeline.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to Westrock Coffee (WEST) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to Westrock Coffee (WEST) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell of Truist Securities inquired about the company's production visibility over the next six to nine months, including the potential for upside from new orders. He also asked about the progress in securing new business to fill the capacity at the new single-serve facility.

    Answer

    CEO Scott Ford stated that while they have good line of sight on current customer volumes, the exact timing of new customer onboarding for the second can line and the glass line startup introduces some variability, which is accounted for in their guidance. CFO Chris Pledger added that customer demand remains strong and there is existing capacity to grow. Pledger also noted that winning new business was the primary catalyst for building the second single-serve facility and that a healthy pipeline of new customers is in place.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Bill Chappell of Truist Securities asked for color on what drove the business acceleration in the U.S. from Q4 to Q1, questioning if it was due to new 'Holy Grail' products gaining traction, easier comps, or an improving category.

    Answer

    Senior VP & CFO Mandy Fields explained that Q4 faced multiple headwinds, including tougher comps against exceptional prior-year innovation and lower social media chatter. In contrast, Q1 benefited from category stabilization and a stronger slate of fall innovation. She emphasized that the company's core strategies of value, powerhouse innovation, and disruptive marketing continue to drive its performance and market share gains.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell asked for more color on the expected duration of the January consumption slowdown, questioning if it's a temporary issue or part of a longer trend, and inquired about international performance.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO Tarang Amin explained that the company is taking a cautious stance after a soft January, attributing it to three factors: a category decline, lapping the exceptionally strong launch of the lip oil, and a slower start for a few new spring items. He noted that social media conversation was also down but expects trends to improve as marketing activations and retail resets roll out. Amin confirmed that international business remains strong, growing 66% in Q3 and not facing the same headwinds as the U.S. market.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell asked about the potential impact of future tariffs from China and how the company has prepared for and managed this risk in the past.

    Answer

    CFO Mandy Fields detailed the company's previous playbook from 2019, which included cost savings, supplier concessions, favorable FX, and selective price increases. She noted that today the company is more diversified, with only 80% of products from China versus 99% previously. CEO Tarang Amin added that any potential impact would not be felt until 2026, giving the company ample time to execute its mitigation plan.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to ENERGIZER HOLDINGS (ENR) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to ENERGIZER HOLDINGS (ENR) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell of Truist Securities inquired about the competitive landscape, particularly potential actions from Duracell, given its recent market share losses. He also asked for Energizer's initial outlook for the upcoming holiday season.

    Answer

    President and CEO Mark LaVigne stated that market shares are currently stable and private label is flat. He expressed confidence in Energizer's position, citing a strong brand portfolio, product performance, and a dynamic network. For the holidays, LaVigne said the company is planning for a "normal" season, but noted it may start earlier and be more spread out, requiring flexibility.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to Freshpet (FRPT) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to Freshpet (FRPT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell of Truist Securities asked if the current economic environment alters the long-term outlook for household penetration and if the company is approaching a saturation point for super-premium pet food. He also requested clarification on the variable compensation commentary.

    Answer

    COO Nikki Beatty stated that the company sees a significant runway for growth, with a total addressable market (TAM) goal in the mid-thirties million households. She emphasized the plan to grow their 'Most Valuable Pet Parents' (MVPs) from 2.2 million to 7 million. CFO Todd Comfort clarified that the variable compensation impact was due to a lower year-over-year accrual based on performance, not a reversal of previous accruals.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to Freshpet (FRPT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell questioned if the current economic environment alters the long-term outlook for household penetration, suggesting the company might be approaching a ceiling. He also requested clarification on the variable compensation expense.

    Answer

    COO Nikki Beatty asserted that Freshpet has a 'tremendous runway' for growth, with a total addressable market goal in the mid-thirties million households. She highlighted a key strategy is to grow their 'Most Valuable Pet parents' (MVPs) from 2 million to 7 million. CFO Todd Cunfer clarified that the variable compensation variance was due to a lower accrual this year compared to a very high payout in the prior year, not a reversal of previous accruals.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to NEWELL BRANDS (NWL) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to NEWELL BRANDS (NWL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell questioned if innovation success in certain categories like Baby and Writing could be replicated in others like Yankee Candle or Outdoor & Rec, and expressed concern about achieving growth if underlying categories remain weak.

    Answer

    CEO Chris Peterson responded that while macro factors affect category growth, Newell can outperform through strong innovation, citing examples of competitors doing so in all of Newell's categories. He stressed that the company's innovation capability was previously 'worst in class' and is now being systematically rebuilt, with results appearing at different rates. He reiterated that margin and cash flow improvements were the first phase of the turnaround, with top-line growth being the final piece to materialize.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to MGP INGREDIENTS (MGPI) leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to MGP INGREDIENTS (MGPI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Bill Chappell from Truist Securities inquired about the status of new distillate contract negotiations, visibility into the revenue trough, and the potential for customer conservatism in their ordering. He also asked for color on the better-than-expected aged spirits sales.

    Answer

    CFO Brandon Gall stated that no contracts have been canceled; all have been confirmed or amended, providing strong visibility for the rest of 2025. He noted the back half of the year will be lighter, as expected, and that this dynamic will persist into 2026. Gall explained that better-than-expected aged spirit sales are driven by increased outreach to craft/regional customers and new customers seeking a long-term supply partner for both aged and new distillate.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to PETQ leadership

    Bill Chappell's questions to PETQ leadership • Q1 2024

    Question

    Asked for a breakdown of gross margin drivers, the impact of a new distributed product, the status of distribution gains for Rocco & Roxie, and the current vet hiring environment for the Services segment.

    Answer

    Gross margin expansion was driven by the mix of higher-margin manufactured products, operational efficiencies, and the closure of underperforming service centers, not just a temporary channel mix shift. The new distributed product's impact is factored into guidance. Rocco & Roxie distribution gains have played out as expected and will have a larger impact in Q2. The vet population for community clinics is healthy, with cancellation numbers back to 2019 levels.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to PETQ leadership • Q4 2023

    Question

    Asked for a breakdown of the 2024 EBITDA bridge, focusing on savings from the Services segment shutdown and reinvestment plans. Also inquired about the drivers behind the growth of company-owned products and the timing of expanded distribution.

    Answer

    Savings from the services optimization are being reinvested into a larger marketing budget to drive long-term brand growth. The success of owned products is attributed to healthy category trends, expanded distribution, and some consumer trade-down, a trend expected to continue with major retail resets happening in the spring.

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    Bill Chappell's questions to PETQ leadership • Q3 2023

    Question

    Asked about the rationale for increased Q4 advertising spend, the potential to convert closed service centers to mobile clinics, and the timeline for converting remaining centers to the new hygiene model.

    Answer

    The Q4 ad spend is for top-of-funnel brand awareness across various product categories, not just seasonal flea & tick, to prepare for 2024. Only a small portion of closed service centers might be recouped by mobile clinics; the main goal was to reallocate capital. The remaining 133 centers are suitable for the hygiene model, but the company is still in a 'test and learn' phase before a broader rollout.

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