Deutsche Bank AG reduced its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) by 4.4%, selling 43,640 shares and now holding 940,939 shares valued at $73 million. Despite a 4.3% year-over-year revenue decline to $2.76 billion, IFF reported an EPS of $1.15, exceeding expectations. Institutional investors, including Allspring Global Investments and Achmea Investment Management, increased their positions, with 96.02% of shares owned by institutions. Dodge & Cox, Vanguard Group, Freemont Capital Pte Ltd, First Pacific Advisors LP, and Northern Trust Corp also expanded their holdings. Insiders acquired 52,100 shares worth $3.63 million, with one director increasing their position significantly. The stock traded at $66.49, with a market cap of $17.04 billion, a negative P/E ratio of -42.90, and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Analysts have adjusted ratings, with Oppenheimer downgrading to 'market perform' and Barclays lowering their price target to $78.00. A quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share is set for October 10th.

IFF, a global leader in food ingredients and biosciences, has launched POWERFRESH ACE 2000, a next-generation enzyme solution designed to extend the freshness of bread in industrial bakeries. The product improves softness, resilience, and cohesiveness for up to 34 days, helping bakeries meet consumer demand for longer shelf life without increasing operational costs or waste. The solution has been tested in both white and whole-wheat bread and performs well at lower dosage levels, preserving texture and visual appeal. The launch targets the US market and is positioned to support bakery efficiency and brand equity.

Global agribusiness company Bunge Global S.A. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire key assets from International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), including its lecithin, soy protein concentrate, and soy crush operations. The acquisition, which includes businesses generating approximately US$240 million in 2024 revenue and employing around 250 people worldwide, aligns with Bunge’s strategy to deepen its presence in food, feed, and biofuel sectors. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. For IFF, the divestiture reflects a portfolio optimization strategy, as the assets are described as commoditized and low-margin, allowing the company to focus on innovation in its core food ingredients segment. This move is part of IFF’s broader transformation, including the earlier divestiture of its Nitrocellulose business. The acquired assets will be integrated into Bunge’s agribusiness segment, enhancing its vertical integration in plant-based protein and oilseed processing.

The global beverage essence ingredient market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2025 to 2032, expanding from USD 65.0 billion in 2025 to USD 82.6 billion by 2032. The market, which includes natural and synthetic flavoring agents, carriers, enhancers, and emulsifiers, is driven by consumer demand for unique, exotic flavors and the clean-label movement favoring natural ingredients. Europe currently leads the market due to mature industries and innovation, while the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing. Key players such as Givaudan, Symrise, Firmenich, IFF, Sensient Technologies, Takasago, Kerry Group, ADM, and others are focusing on sustainable sourcing, plant-based ingredients, and customized solutions. Challenges include varying global regulations, volatile raw material costs, and competition from synthetic alternatives. Opportunities lie in exotic flavor profiles, emerging market demand, and functional beverage innovation. The report segments the market by type (natural flavors, artificial flavors, carriers, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers) and application (alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, functional drinks, energy drinks, flavored water), and includes regional analysis across North America, South & Central America, Middle East & Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

Wells Fargo downgraded its target price for International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) from $90 to $85 while maintaining an 'Overweight' rating. The firm cited pressure from lower raw material costs and competition, but noted IFF's 15% improvement in EBITDA margins for Q2 2025. IFF reported strong financial results, exceeding EPS and revenue forecasts. No mergers, acquisitions, or analyst upgrades/downgrades were reported.