Brian Nelson

Delta Air Lines Generates Record September Quarter Revenue

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Image Source: TradingVIew By Brian Nelson, CFA On October 9, Delta Air Lines (DAL) reported excellent third quarter fiscal 2025 results with adjusted revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus forecast. Total operating revenue increased 6%, as passenger revenue increased 3% and cargo revenue advanced 19%. Operating income increased 21%, to $1.68 billion, in the quarter. Income before income taxes jumped 14%, while net income increased 11% in the quarter. Diluted earnings per share of $2.17 increased from $1.97 in the year-ago period. Management had the following to say about the quarter: Delta’s competitive advantages and differentiation have never been more evident, and thanks to the hard work of our people, we continue to elevate the customer experience … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of October 10

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending October 10. 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                          Avient (AVNT): now $0.275 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.270. Lockheed Martin (LMT): now $3.45 per share quarterly dividend, was $3.30. MSC Industrial Direct (MSM): now $0.87 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.85. MV Oil Trust (MVO): now $0.205 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.185. Northwest Natural Holding (NWN): now $0.4925 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.4900. Riley Exploration Permian (REPX): now $0.40 per … Read more

Casey’s General Stores Executing Well

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Casey’s General Stores (CASY) recently reported solid results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Revenue advanced 11.5% from the same period a year ago, while diluted earnings per share of $5.77 was up 19.5% from the same quarter last year. EBITDA of $414.3 million was up 19.8% from last year’s period. Inside same-store sales increased 4.3% compared to the prior year, and 6.7% on a two-year stacked basis, with an inside margin of 41.9%. Total inside gross profit increased 14.8%, while total fuel gross profit increased 18.8%. Management had the following to say about the results: Casey’s delivered an excellent first quarter highlighted by strong sales growth both inside and outside the … Read more

Lennar Continues to Navigate Weakness in the Housing Market

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Lennar Corp. (LEN) recently reported third quarter fiscal 2025 results that missed expectations on both the top and bottom lines. Total revenues declined 6.4% as revenues from home sales decreased 9% primarily due to a decline in the average sales price of homes delivered. Deliveries of 21,584 homes were consistent with the prior year, and the company ended the quarter with a backlog of 16,953 homes with a dollar value of $6.6 billion. Management had the following to say about the results: Our third quarter results reflect both the continued pressures of today’s housing market and the consistency of Lennar’s operating strategy. This quarter, we delivered 21,584 homes and recorded 23,004 new orders. … Read more

Nike Has Posted 23 Consecutive Years of Increasing Dividend Payouts

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Nike (NKE) recently reported decent first quarter fiscal 2026 results with both revenue and GAAP earnings per share beating the consensus forecast. First quarter revenues of $11.7 billion were up 1% on a reported basis, but down 1% on a currency neutral basis. Nike Direct revenues fell 5% on a currency neutral basis, while wholesale revenues advanced 5% on a currency neutral basis. Revenues for the Nike brand were flat on a currency neutral basis in the quarter, while sales for Converse dropped 28% on a currency neutral basis. Its gross margin fell 320 basis points, to 42.2%, due to pricing pressure, higher discounts and channel mix, as well as higher tariffs, while … Read more

Costco’s Shares Are Not Cheap

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Image Source: Costco By Brian Nelson, CFA Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) recently reported fourth quarter fiscal 2025 results, and they were quite good. Both revenue and GAAP earnings per share exceeded expectations. Net sales for the quarter increased 8%, to $84.4 billion, while adjusted comparable sales increased 6.4% on a total company basis, a deceleration from the adjusted annual rate of 7.6%, but still strong. Adjusted comps in the U.S. increased 6%, 8.3% in Canada, and 7.2% in its Other International segment. Adjusted e-commerce revenue grew 13.5% on an adjusted basis. Paid memberships grew 6.3%, while the number of total cardholders expanded 6.1%. Its worldwide membership renewal rate was 89.8%. Management was upbeat on its outlook on the conference call: … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of October 3

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending October 3. 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                          Armanino Foods of Distinction (AMNF): now $0.05 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.04. Autohome (ATHM): now $0.59/ADS dividend, was $0.57. Bank OZK (OZK): now $0.45 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.44. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMAO): now $0.2275 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2213. Kish Bancorp (KISB): now $0.40 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.39. RPM (RPM): now $0.54 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of September 26

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 26. 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                          Accenture (ACN): now $1.63 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.48. Bank of South Carolina (BKSC): now $0.23 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.21. City Holding (CHCO): now $0.87 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.79. Concentrix (CNXC): now $0.36 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.33. First United (FUNC): now $0.26 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.22. Honeywell International (HON): now $1.19 per share quarterly dividend, … Read more

TJX Companies Is a Standout in Retail

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA TJX Companies (TJX) recently reported better than expected second quarter fiscal 2026 results. The off-price apparel and home fashions retailer posted consolidated comparable store sales growth of 4%, which was above the company’s target. Comparable store sales growth at Marmaxx was 3%, HomeGoods came in at 5%, TJX Canada was 9%, while TJX International came in at 5%. Net sales for the second quarter were $14.4 billion, an increase of 7% versus the second quarter of last year. Its pre-tax profit margin in the quarter of 11.4% increased 0.5 percentage points over last year and was also above its plan. Second quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.10 was up 15% and well … Read more

Starbucks’ Turnaround Continues

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Starbucks (SBUX) recently reported fiscal third quarter results that came in better than feared. Global comparable store sales declined 2%, driven by a 2% decline in comparable transactions, offset in part by a modest increase in average ticket. North America comparable store sales declined 2%, less than the 2.49% decline expected, driven by a 3% decline in comparable transactions, offset in part by a 1% increase in average ticket. U.S. comparable sales dropped 2%, driven by a 4% decline in comparable transactions, offset in part by a 2% increase in average ticket. International comparable store sales were flat, while China comparable store sales increased 2% (versus 1.44% estimate), driven by a 6% increase … Read more