Fictor Alimentos (FICT3): "maturity and confidence in the business model", says IR

PART 1

Dear Investor!

Today we continue our series of interviews with Investor Relations (IR) professionals from publicly traded companies. Just as we did with Estapar (check it out here) last December. The aim is for you to learn more about these companies, regardless of whether they are in your portfolio or not.

The continuation will be with André Vasconcellos, RI from Fictor Foods (FICT3), and will be published in four parts, this Wednesday (16); Friday (18), Tuesday (22) and Thursday (24).

André Vasconcellos has a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from IBMEC/RJ, where he received three Academic Excellence Awards and the "Magna Cum Laude" Academic Laureate. He specializes in Corporate Law and Capital Markets at FGV/Rio and is currently studying for a master's degree in Business Administration at PUC/Rio.

Check it out below:

Shareholder - Considering that the company is new to the stock market, how do you see the evolution of the company's sector and the current market condition? 

André Vasconcellos - We are very excited about Fictor Alimentos' moment (FICT3) on the stock exchange. Debuting on the stock market is an important milestone and reflects the company's maturity and the confidence we have in our business model. We are entering a sector that has been undergoing major transformations - driven by changes in consumer behaviour, growing demand for healthier, more sustainable and convenient food, as well as the digitalization of distribution channels. Even in the face of a challenging macroeconomic environment, we see clear opportunities for inorganic growth. The food sector has resilient characteristics, and we are positioned in categories that continue to expand. Our commitment to innovation, production efficiency and a sustainable value chain is what sets us apart. And now as a public company, we have even more responsibility and incentive to deliver consistent and transparent results to the market. 

A - How is the company dealing with macroeconomic and sectoral pressures? 

AV - The animal protein sector is, by nature, highly exposed to macroeconomic variables - such as exchange rates, input inflation, logistics and regulatory costs - and global dynamics, such as export flows, customs tariffs, sanitary barriers and per capita consumption. We know that the current environment poses challenges, but it also expands the space for efficient and well-prepared companies. Fictor Alimentos has not yet started its M&A journey, so it has not dealt with these pressures, but we are preparing to overcome them with operational discipline, a focus on cost management and market diversification. In addition, we will seek to dilute risks with a product portfolio that is increasingly aligned with new consumer demands - with an emphasis on quality, sustainability and added value. Our listing on the Stock Exchange reinforces this commitment to transparent, resilient and long-term management, even in more volatile cycles. While we are still mitigating macroeconomic and sectoral pressures, in December alone, FICT3 shares rose 121.43%, more than doubling in value in the last month of the year.

For comparison purposes, in second place was the BDRx index, which summarizes the appreciation of Brazilian Depositary Receipts (BDR), shares in international companies listed on B3. The BDRx advanced by 4.64%, despite the 2.29% rise in the Ptax dollar that month. It is also worth noting that over the course of last year, Fictor Alimentos' ordinary shares rose 314.79%, proving the brilliance of strategic acquisition theses. Institutional investors and large funds are paying more and more attention to the paper. We are looking for risk agencies and coverage by the main analysis houses to confirm the market's confidence in our growth and the financial solidity of the company's operations. We are committed to evaluating and acquiring stressed businesses in the animal protein sector that may present solid and sustainable growth potential over the quarters. This strengthens the company's credibility and the confidence of the capital markets. In the coming years, Fictor Alimentos will demonstrate a capacity for organic growth combined with strategic acquisitions. We will be recognized for technological innovation in the breeding and processing of animal protein, driven by a capital structure, maintained at healthy debt levels, good cash generation and the ability to finance its growth without compromising its financial health are our competitive differentials." 

A - Why should investors keep an eye on company trends? 

AV - Fictor Alimentos has been building a position that goes beyond the production and processing of animal protein. We will build our value chain based on innovation, sustainability and efficiency - pillars that we believe are essential for the future of the sector. The investor who follows FICT3 is faced with a young company on the capital market, but with a solid investment thesis and a clear ambition: to be a benchmark in high-quality protein, with socio-environmental responsibility and the ability to adapt to the new demands of the global consumer. We plan major investments in traceability technologies, new distribution channels, data intelligence and products with greater added value. We believe that to follow the evolution of Fictor Alimentos is to follow the movement of a new generation of agribusiness companies - more aware, more connected and more committed to consistent long-term results.

A - How is innovation being incorporated into the company's business model? 

AV - Innovation, for Fictor Alimentos S.A., is not just technology - it is a mentality to be incorporated into every stage of our business. From animal genetics to the end product, we will continually look for ways to operate with more intelligence, quality and responsibility. We will adopt innovation in a practical and strategic way: with automation in industrial plants, real-time traceability of the production chain and the development of new products with greater added value and less environmental impact. This is not a one-off move - it is part of our growth plan. As a company listed on B3, we are reinforcing our commitment to transparency and to building a more resilient, data-driven business model that is prepared for the challenges of the future of food." 

Source: Shareholder