Santander Working Its Way Through the Pandemic
August 11, 2020
The underlying first-half results from Banco Santander are quite reasonable. We are impressed by how well the South American, Corporate & Investment Banking, and Wealth Management & Insurance segments are holding up in such a tough environment. In its large European operations, pressures that come from the whole continent being overbanked were evident, however. By Matthew Warren On July 29, Banco Santander (SAN) reported first-half 2020 results. The bank is working its way through the pandemic, with total income down 8% in the first half and underlying attributable profit down 53%. While it took massive goodwill write downs in the quarter, these do not affect its capital levels, which are healthy and growing since last quarter end. As one can
Consumer Staples Sector Surprisingly Hasn’t Done Much, Net Debt Positions Have Kept Us on the Sidelines
August 11, 2020
The consumer staples sector (XLP) hasn’t done much relative to the broad market index (SPY) this year. Many might find this surprising given the pantry stuffing and perhaps changed consumer purchasing behavior. However, many names continue to be saddled with hefty net debt positions, an anchor to cash-based intrinsic value calculations, keeping them down while net cash and free-cash-flow giants continue to soar in this market. We’re still keeping a watchful eye on the sector. By Brian Nelson, CFA Church & Dwight Church & Dwight (CHD) tends to fall under the radar for many seeking consumer-staples exposure, but the company is one of the best, with shares advancing a cool 35% this year. During its second quarter, report released July
Digital Realty Boosts Guidance, Extends Growth Runway
August 10, 2020
Image Shown: An overview of Digital Realty Trust Inc’s asset base. Image Source: Digital Realty Trust Inc – Second Quarter of 2020 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan Data center real estate investment trusts (‘REITs’) are well-positioned to ride out the storm created by the ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic due to surging demand for cloud computing services, which in turn is driving up demand for data centers. In short, data centers are primarily facilities that house server farms along with vast amounts of fiber-optic cables that interconnect with existing networks. These facilities form the backbone of modern IT infrastructure. We include Digital Realty Trust Inc (DLR) as a holding in both our Dividend Growth Newsletter and High Yield Dividend Newsletter
Newmont Surges Higher, Posts Solid Earnings Report
August 7, 2020
Image Shown: Newmont Corporation’s operational and financial performance has held up well in the face of the pandemic, relatively speaking. Image Source: Newmont Corporation – Second Quarter of 2020 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan Back on January 13, 2020, we added gold miner Newmont Corporation (NEM) to the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio at a modest weighting. Since then, shares of NEM are up ~64% as of this writing on August 6. Please note we significantly increased our fair value estimate for Newmont in July, and the firm’s updated 16-page Stock Report can be viewed here. Part of the reason for the positive revision came from Newmont expecting that it will generate greater synergies than first envisioned when it acquired Goldcorp
Republic Services Remains a Cash Cow, Raises Dividend
August 7, 2020
Image Source: Arvell Dorsey Jr. We continue to be huge fans of the garbage hauler industry. One of our favorites, Republic Services reported second-quarter results that displayed the resilience of its operations and its cash-flow-generating prowess. The company raised its dividend payout 5%, and we plan to continue to include the company as an idea in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. By Brian Nelson, CFA On August 6, Republic Services (RSG) reported solid second-quarter results. Despite a global pandemic that is wreaking havoc across many industries, Republic Services reported adjusted net income for the period of $0.81 per share, which advanced a couple pennies on a year-over-year basis. We credit management for driving adjusted earnings higher in an environment of
Value Trap, Second Edition, Is Here and More!
August 6, 2020
Value Trap, Second Edition, Is Here and More! — Hi everyone, — I wanted to thank you for making the launch of the second edition of Value Trap: Theory of Universal Valuation a huge success. It just hit the “digital shelves” on Amazon yesterday. For those that have yet to order their copy, it is available for the introductory price of $14.99 here. I sincerely hope you enjoy the added commentary to the first edition, from a new 40+ page Prologue to a new Appendix and even a few “clever” multiple choice questions that hit home the arbitrary nature of multiple analysis. — There is truly no short cut to the process of enterprise valuation, in my humble opinion. Now at 426 pages,
Disney’s Video Streaming Strength Shines Through Latest Earnings
August 6, 2020
Image Shown: The Walt Disney Company recently reported earnings which highlighted the ongoing success of its video streaming strategy. Shares of DIS surged upwards on August 5, 2020. By Callum Turcan On August 4, The Walt Disney Company (DIS) reported third quarter fiscal 2020 earnings (period ended June 27, 2020) that missed consensus top-line estimates but beat consensus bottom-line estimates. Shares of DIS were higher by ~11% on August 5 as of this writing, as investors looked past its weak historical performance (which was expected) and towards Disney’s improving outlook. We appreciated the announcement that Disney now has over 100 million paid subscriptions across its “portfolio of direct-to-consumer services” including Disney+, EPSN+, and Hulu (Disney owns 67% of Hulu’s equity).
Deutsche Bank is Muddling Along, Aiming for Self Help
August 6, 2020
Image Shown: Deutsche Posted Meager Second Quarter Results. Image Source: Deutsche Bank 2Q2020 Earnings Presentation While Deutsche Bank is working on a five pillar self-help plan with the goal of an 8% return on tangible equity by 2022, and seems to be making some progress on these fronts, the fact that the end goal is so timid shows just how overbanked the German and greater European markets are. The CEO is calling for consolidation in the medium term, but it cannot come fast enough, especially for those banks with very little in the way of earnings power, which must deal with a pandemic and the broad effect on the economy and the client base in the meantime. By Matthew Warren
Alphabet Remains a Cash Flow Juggernaut
August 6, 2020
Image Shown: Alphabet Inc Class C shares, GOOG, are up 27% over the past year as of this writing on August 4. We continue to like shares of GOOG as a top-weighted holding in our Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. By Callum Turcan We include Alphabet Inc (GOOG) (GOOGL) Class C shares as a top-weighted holding in the simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio, with shares of GOOG trading near their fair value estimate of $1,436 per share as of this writing. Given its pristine balance sheet, promising long-term growth trajectory and resilient business model, we see room for material capital appreciation upside at Alphabet as the top end of our fair value estimate range sits at $1,795 per share of GOOG.
Facebook’s Growth Story Continues
August 6, 2020
Image Shown: Shares of Facebook Inc are up ~23% year-to-date as of the end of normal trading hours on August 3. We continue to like shares of FB as a top-weighted holding in our Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio, and we see room for meaningful capital appreciate upside. By Callum Turcan On July 30, Facebook Inc (FB) reported second quarter 2020 earnings that beat consensus top- and bottom-line estimates by a mile. Advertising revenue was up 10% year-over-year last quarter, a slower growth rate than the 17% year-over-year increase posted during the first quarter of this year but still very impressive given the headwinds facing the digital advertising space due to the ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic. Facebook’s revenues and bottom-line grew
