Time to Recover to Pre-Pandemic GDP Per Capita For Select Countries: Chart

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Economic recovery is underway in most countries of the world. China’s economy was the least adversely impacted last year due to the swift control of the pandemic. However most the developed countries are now in a better position to grow their economies with the invention of the vaccine last year. After initial dithering and chaos in the vaccine deployment, developed Europe is now catching up with the UK and US in terms of vaccination rates.

The economies of emerging and frontier countries may struggle for a while since they haven’t procured enough vaccines for all their citizens. So with the exception of a few, recovery is going to be slow and take many months if not years to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

The following chart from OECD shows how long it will take to recover to pre-pandemic GDP per capita for select countries. Argentina’s economy is projected to recover to pre-pandemic levels beyond 2025. This is not surprising since the country is the basket case of how to mismanage an economy and had structural problems long before the pandemic. The pandemic only prolongs the misery for the country.

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Source: OECD Economic Outlook May 2021

10 US Food Stocks To Consider

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Inflation is making a comeback in the US economy. The latest figures showed prices grew 5% in May according to a journal article yesterday. It is not just used cars, fuel, services and other items that are increasing in prices basic necessities such as food is also going up in prices. Unlike other products, people will have to eat and its unlikely food can be avoided despite higher prices. Consumers may switch to cheaper food products but still people that value quality and lack of changes in purchase behavior is likely to benefit food producers. Though higher costs are passed on to customers in higher prices, it is possible for some firms to earn higher profits. From the journal article:

More companies also have started passing on to consumers the higher costs they are facing for raw materials and wages.

Food makers said their costs are climbing at an alarming rate, prompting them to raise some prices.

“The inflation pressure we’re seeing is significant,” General Mills Inc. Chief Executive Jeff Harmening said at a recent investor conference. “It’s probably higher than we’ve seen in the last decade.”

He and his peers point to transportation, commodity and labor costs all increasing at the same time. They expect the trend to continue for at least the rest of this year. As a result, General Mills, Campbell Soup Co. , Unilever PLC, J.M. Smucker Co. and other big food companies are raising prices. Some increases are already visible on supermarket shelves, and more are coming this summer.

Source: U.S. Inflation Is Highest in 13 Years as Prices Surge 5%, WSJ

So what are some of the public food companies in the US?

Some of the 10 large food companies that investors can consider for further research are listed below:

1.Company: Kellogg Co (K)
Current Dividend Yield:

2.Company: General Mills Inc (GIS)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.28%

3.Company: Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ)
Current Dividend Yield: 1.99%

4.Company: Campbell Soup Co (CPB)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.22%

5.Company: ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG)
Current Dividend Yield: 2.95%

6.Company: Kraft Heinz Co (KHC)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.72%

7.Company: The Hershey Company (HSY)
Current Dividend Yield: 1,86%

8.Company: J M Smucker Co (SJM)

Current Dividend Yield: 2.65%

9.Company: Post Holdings  (POST)
Current Dividend Yield: N/A

10.Company: Hormel Foods Corp (HRL)
Current Dividend Yield: 2.03%

Disclosure: Long GIS

Sea Rescue in the North and Baltic Seas: Video

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Millions of people volunteer around the world helping others that get into trouble. The following is a documentary about the work of The German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked People (DGzRS). This society of rescuers help rescue people in the North and Baltic seas battling dangerous waves and weather day and night. Their unique boats are purpose-built for their missions.

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Source: WELT Documentary via YouTube

Train Journey Across Turkey on The Dogu Express: Video

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The Dogu Express is an overnight train that travels between Anakara and Kars in Turkey covering a distance of 1,310 km. The below video is an informative world-class documentary on this train from German broadcaster DW. Though the service is currently suspended this train trip should be on the bucket list of every train enthusiast.

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Source: DW Documentary via YouTube