Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Feb 16, 2024

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of February 16
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

Dec 28, 2023

6%+ Dividend Yielder Cracker Barrel Needs to Raise Menu Prices More Aggressively
Image: Cracker Barrel remains focused on returning cash to shareholders. We think performance at Cracker Barrel is fixable, but it has to be menu price-driven as commodity price and hourly wage inflation continues to eat into operating income, and traffic remains troubled even with increased spend on marketing. Notwithstanding its long-term unit growth opportunities at its Cracker Barrel and Maple Street stores, Cracker Barrel’s unique concepts continue to resonate with consumers, but the firm is being left behind in a world where other restaurants are sacrificing price-conscious consumers for those less concerned about price increases. Its ~6.3% dividend yield at the time of this writing speaks of heightened risk, as does its 0.5 Dividend Cushion ratio, but if Cracker Barrel can turn things around by ratcheting up its pricing initiatives more aggressively in fiscal 2025 and beyond, the stock could end up being one of the most attractive income ideas on the market today. For now, however, we’re watching and waiting for a strategic shift.

Nov 3, 2023

People Love Their Starbucks
Image: Starbucks remains a strong free cash flow generator. Operational efficiencies, sales leverage and pricing strength helped drive Starbucks' GAAP operating income growth of 42.7% and non-GAAP earnings per share to $1.06 in the quarter, up 31% on a year-over-year basis. Starbucks ended its fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 with ~$3.95 billion in cash and short-term investments and short- and long-term debt of ~$15.4 billion, resulting in a net debt position on the books. Free cash flow generation remains robust at Starbucks, however, with the measure coming in at ~$3.7 billion for the fiscal year ending October 1, 2023. We’re reiterating the high end of our fair value estimate range of $120 for Starbucks’ shares.

Feb 17, 2023

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of February 17
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

May 11, 2022

Domino’s Longer Term Growth Runway Intact, Chipotle's Free Cash Flow Remains Robust
Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – 2022 ICR Conference Presentation. Domino’s Pizza is contending with serious inflationary pressures and headwinds from changing consumer spending habits as the worst of the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic fades. We continue to view the firm’s longer term outlook quite favorably and appreciate its franchise-heavy business model (~98% of its stores are franchised), which enables Domino’s to generate substantial free cash flows in almost any operating environment. Our fair value estimate for Domino’s sits at $517 per share, and we include shares of DPZ as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. Shares of DPZ yield ~1.3% as of this writing, offering incremental income generation upside potential to its favorable capital appreciation risk-reward scenario, in our view. Another one of our favorite restaurants, Chipotle Mexican Grill posted 9.0% year-over-year comparable restaurant sales growth in the first quarter of 2022. During Chipotle’s latest earnings call, management noted that in-store sales surged 33% due to the economy opening back up and consumers resuming “normal” dining activities. The firm’s digital sales held up relatively well and represented 42% of Chipotle’s total sales last quarter. During the period, Chipotle reported 16% year-over-year GAAP revenue growth and 18% year-over-year GAAP operating income growth as the firm effectively took advantage of its pricing power to get ahead of inflationary pressures. As with Domino's, we continue to like Chipotle as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.

Apr 12, 2022

Best Idea Domino’s Is Incredibly Shareholder Friendly
Image Shown: Domino’s Pizza Inc is incredibly shareholder friendly. Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation. Domino’s Pizza Inc is one of our favorite restaurant franchises. We include Domino’s as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio as we are huge fans of its asset-light business model, strong free cash flow generating abilities, bright growth outlook, and shareholder friendly management team. Our fair value estimate for Domino’s sits at $517 per share, substantially above where shares of DPZ are trading at as of this writing. Additionally, shares of DPZ yield a modest ~1.1% as of this writing, and its dividend program offers incremental upside to the potential return from capital appreciation.

Feb 18, 2022

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week February 18
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Feb 10, 2022

Chipotle Sees Bigger Unit Growth Opportunity in North America, Continued Pricing Power
Image: Chipotle’s shares look like they are poised to breakout of a downtrend on news that its long-term unit restaurant opportunity is bigger than expected and that its pricing power remains intact. Chipotle's fast-casual focus and premium food offerings coupled with its Chipotlane rollouts and its breakfast “call option” are a few things that give the company a runway for continued strength that may be unprecedented by an established brand, particularly as it sees an even greater opportunity for unit development in North America than it did before. Because it serves a higher-end fast-casual customer, we think product pricing ahead of inflation won’t be an issue (helping to augment margins), and we’re reiterating our fair value estimate of ~$1,640 per share, above where shares are currently trading at the time of this writing (~$1,580 per share). A more optimistic take on Chipotle could see shares reach the higher end of our fair value estimate range of ~$1,970 per share.

Jan 6, 2022

Best Idea Domino’s Has a Massive Growth Runway
Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation. Domino’s Pizza runs a great business. Most of its store locations are franchised (~98% as of September 2021), meaning inflation cost headwinds fall more squarely on its franchisees. The company has put up great same store sales performance on both a domestic and international basis in recent fiscal years, and it continues to have an immense growth runway. Domino’s is a stellar generator of free cash flow, too, thanks to its asset light revenue model. We include shares of Domino’s as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.

Oct 24, 2021

Best Idea Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Growth Runway is Enormous
Image Shown: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc’s restaurant level unit economics continued to improve in the third quarter of 2021, supporting the company’s growth trajectory. Image Source: Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc – Third Quarter of 2021 Non-GAAP Reconciliation Presentation. On October 21, Chipotle Mexican Grill reported third-quarter 2021 earnings that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. Comparable restaurant sales grew 15% year-over-year last quarter as Chipotle’s e-commerce business held up well, with digital sales up 9% year-over-year (representing 43% of its total sales during this period), while customers resumed in-store dining activities in earnest. We liked what we saw in Chipotle’s latest earnings report. Shares of CMG are included as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.