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Recent articles

Microsoft Remains a Net-Cash-Rich, Free-Cash-Flow Generating Powerhouse Oct 30, 2024: Image: Microsoft’s shares continue to flirt with all-time highs.

Microsoft ended the quarter with $78.4 billion in cash and short-term investments against long-term debt of $42.9 billion. Cash flow from operations increased to $34.2 billion from $30.6 billion in the year-ago period, while capital spending swelled to $14.9 billion from $9.9 billion in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow in the quarter of $19.3 billion handily covered cash dividends paid of $5.6 billion over the same time. Microsoft remains one of our top ideas in both the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio.

Republic Services Pricing Strength Continues to be Evident Oct 30, 2024: Image Source: Republic Services.

Year-to-date, Republic Services returned $834.3 million to shareholders in the form of $329.5 million of share buybacks and $504.8 million in dividends paid. Looking to 2024, Republic Services now expects revenue near the low end of its 2024 guidance range ($16.075-$16.125 billion) and adjusted EBITDA at the high end of the range ($4.9-$4.925 billion). We like Republic Services moaty business model and its pricing strength, and the company remains a core holding in the newsletter portfolios.

Chipotle Targets 7,000 Restaurants in North America Oct 30, 2024: For 2024, management is targeting full-year comparable restaurant sales growth in the mid to high-single digit range, while it adds 285-315 new company-operated restaurant openings with 80% having a Chipotlane. For 2025, Chipotle is targeting opening 315-345 company-operated restaurants with over 80% having a Chipotlane. Though comparable restaurant sales were lower than the consensus forecast in the third quarter, we like Chipotle’s long-term plans calling for 7,000 restaurants in North America, up from the 3,600 restaurants it currently has in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait. Chipotle remains a key idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.

Visa Reports Strong Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results Oct 30, 2024: Image: Visa’s shares look poised to break out to new all-time highs.

At the end of the quarter, Visa’s cash and investment securities totaled $17.7 billion, while long-term debt stood at $20.8 billion, reflecting a modest but manageable net debt position. Visa returned $6.8 billion to investors in the form of share repurchases and dividends during the fiscal fourth quarter, while the board increased Visa’s quarterly cash dividend 13%, to $0.59 per share. For the twelve months ended September 30, Visa put up a 65.7% operating margin and a free cash flow margin of 52%. We continue to like Visa as a top idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. The high end of our fair value estimate range stands at $329 per share.