Brian Nelson

Verizon’s Debt Load is Too High for Our Income-Oriented Preference

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Verizon Communications (VZ) recently reported second quarter results that came in better than expectations. Wireless service revenue in the second quarter was $20.9 billion, up 2.2% year-over-year, while total operating revenue of $34.5 billion was up 5.2% year-over-year. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $12.8 billion in the second quarter versus $12.3 billion in the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted earnings per share, excluding special items, came in at $1.22 versus $1.15 in the prior-year quarter. Management had the following to say about the results: Verizon’s strong second-quarter financial performance reflects our high-quality, industry-leading customer base, our multiple growth paths, the success of our disciplined, segmented approach, and the inherent strength of our company. Our … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 19

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 19. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week                          Adamas Trust (ADAM): now $0.23 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.20. Apartment Investment (AIV): now $2.23 per share special dividend, was $0.60. Banco Macro (BMA): now $0.3665 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.3658. CareRx (CRRX:CA): now CAD 0.02 per share quarterly dividend. Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation 8.250 CUM PFD B (CHMI.PR.B): now $0.6523 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.6413. Cross Timbers Royalty Trust … Read more

Dick’s Sporting Goods Raises Guidance as It Closes its Deal for Foot Locker

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) recently reported second quarter results that came in better than expected. Net sales increased 5% on a year-over-year basis, with comparable sales coming in at a similar clip. Non-GAAP income before income taxes as a percentage of sales fell 93 basis points, however. Non-GAAP net income fell 2%, while non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was roughly flat on a year-over-year basis. Total debt was $1.5 billion at the end of the quarter, while cash and cash equivalents were $1.2 billion. Management had the following to say about the results: We are very pleased with our strong Q2 results. Our performance shows how well our long-term strategies are working, the … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 12

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 12. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week                          AGNC Investment Corp. 6.5% DP SH PFD E (AGNCO): now $0.6115 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.6013. AGNC Investment Corp. 6.875 DEP REP D (AGNCM): now $0.5693 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.5595. AGNC Investment Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (AGNCN): now $0.6191 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.6088. AGNC INVT 1000 DR REP 1 SRS F PRF (AGNCP): now $0.5926 per … Read more

Booking Holdings Expects Mid-Teens Adjusted EBITDA Growth in 2025

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Booking Holdings (BKNG) recently reported second quarter results that came in better than expectations. Total revenue grew 16% in the quarter, while adjusted EBITDA advanced 28% and adjusted earnings per share increased 32%. Gross bookings were up 13%, while room nights advanced 8% year-over-year. Net cash provided by operating activities increased 27%, to $3.2 billion, while free cash flow increased 32%, to $3.1 billion. Booking Holdings ended the quarter with $18.2 billion in cash and long-term investments and $18.5 billion in short- and long-term debt. It repurchased $1.3 billion of stock in the quarter, with total remaining authorization of $24.6 billion. Management had the following to say about the results: We are pleased … Read more

Shares of Dividend Growth Idea Oracle Surge!

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA On September 9, Oracle (ORCL) reported fiscal first quarter 2026 results that came in below expectations, but the firm’s remaining performance obligations surged 359% year-over-year in both USD and constant currency, to $455 billion. Total revenue in the quarter was up 12% in USD and 11% in constant currency. Cloud revenues (IaaS plus SaaS) were up 27% in constant currency, to $7.2 billion, in the quarter. Cloud Infrastructure (IaaS) revenue increased 54% in constant currency, while Cloud Application (SaaS) revenue increased 10% in constant currency. Sales of Fusion Cloud ERP (SaaS) were up 16% in constant currency in the quarter, while sales of NetSuite Cloud ERP (SaaS) were up 15% in constant currency. … Read more

Tesla’s Second Quarter Results Weren’t Great

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Image Source: Tesla By Brian Nelson, CFA Tesla (TSLA) recently announced second quarter results that were mixed at best. Revenue beat expectations but fell 11.8% year-over-year, while non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.40 was in-line with what the Street was expecting. Total gross profit fell 15% in the quarter on a year-over-year basis while income from operations dropped 42%. Adjusted EBITDA fell 7%, while non-GAAP earnings per share dropped 23%. Management had the following to say about the results: Q2 2025 was a seminal point in Tesla’s history: the beginning of our transition from leading the electric vehicle and renewable energy industries to also becoming a leader in AI, robotics and related services. Our first Robotaxi service launched in Austin … Read more

Albemarle Targets Positive Free Cash Flow for 2025

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Albemarle (ALB) recently reported better than feared second quarter results with both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus forecast. Net sales of $1.3 billion included volume growth in Energy Storage and Specialties, but the measure still fell 7% versus the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was up sequentially, to $336 million, thanks in part to improved fixed cost absorption, ongoing cost savings, and Energy Storage product mix. Adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $0.11 versus $0.04 in the year ago period. Management had the following to say about the results: We delivered strong second quarter results and are maintaining our previous outlook considerations assuming current lithium market pricing persists. … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 5

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 5. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week                          Brady (BRC): now $0.245 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.240. BrilliA Inc (BRIA): now $0.133 per share quarterly dividend. Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited PFD SHS SER G (FFH.PR.G:CA): now CAD 0.1852 per share quarterly dividend, was CAD 0.1851. FFW (FFWC): now $0.31 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.30. MFA Financial Cum Red PFD Shares Series C (MFA.PR.C): now $0.6395 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Republic Services Remains a Cash Cow

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Garbage hauler Republic Services (RSG) recently reported second quarter results that were mixed. The firm beat non-GAAP earnings per share estimates but missed when it came to revenue growth. Total revenue growth of 4.6% included 3.1% organic growth and the balance coming from growth from acquisitions. Net income was $550 million in the quarter, reflecting a margin of 13%, while adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.77, an increase of 9.9% over the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.36 billion, as its adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 100 basis points, to 32.1%. Management had the following to say about the results: We are pleased with our second quarter results which demonstrate the resilience … Read more