Member Articles

Domino’s Pizza Misses First Quarter U.S. Same Store Sales Consensus Estimate

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Image Source: Domino’s By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 28, Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) reported mixed first quarter results with GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus estimate, but revenue falling short of what the Street was looking for. Excluding foreign currency impacts, global retail sales growth came in at 4.7%, but U.S. same store sales declined 0.5% in the period, missing the consensus estimate. International same store sales growth was 3.7%, excluding foreign currency impacts, beating the consensus estimate. Domino’s experienced a global net store decline of 8 in the quarter, consisting of 17 net store openings in the U.S and 25 net store closings internationally.   Management had the following to say about the quarter: Domino’s Q1 results demonstrate … Read more

Chipotle’s Comparable Restaurant Sales Fall in First Quarter

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Image Source: Valuentum By Brian Nelson, CFA  On April 23, Chipotle (CMG) reported mixed first quarter results with non-GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus forecast, but revenue coming up a bit short relative to expectations. Total revenue increased 6.4%, to $2.9 billion, but comparable restaurant sales fell 0.4%, a disappointment. Chipotle’s operating margin came in at 16.7% in the quarter, an increase from 16.3% in the prior year period. Restaurant level operating margins fell, but the company still grew diluted earnings per share 7.7%, to $0.28, in the quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 7.4% year-over-year.  Management spoke of concerning consumer spending trends in the press release:  While our first quarter results were impacted by several headwinds including weather … Read more

Philip Morris Hits Record High!

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 23, Philip Morris (PM) reported excellent first quarter results with revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share coming in higher than the consensus forecasts. Total net revenues advanced to $9.3 billion, which was up 5.8% on a reported basis and 10.2% on an organic basis. Gross profit increased to $6.3 billion, up 11.8% on a reported basis and 16% on an organic basis. Operating income increased to $3.5 billion, up 16.4% on a reported basis and 16% organically. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 12.7%, to $1.69, in the quarter. Management was optimistic in the earnings report: We achieved exceptionally strong performance in the first quarter, with continued volume growth supporting an … Read more

Tesla’s Revenue Falls in First Quarter, Pulls 2025 Outlook

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Image Source: Tesla By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 22, Tesla (TSLA) reported dismal first quarter results with revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share coming in below expectations. Total revenue fell 9% in the period, as total automotive revenues dropped 20%, while energy generation and storage revenue increased 67%. Services and other revenue increased 15%. Income from operations fell 66%, while adjusted EBITDA slid 17%. Adjusted EBITDA fell 17% in the quarter on a year-over-year basis. Management spoke of uncertainty in the quarterly update: In Q1, we accomplished an industry first: simultaneously changing over production lines across all factories for the world’s best-selling vehicle4 – the Model Y. The Tesla team successfully ramped our production lines across four factories while … Read more

Verizon’s Dividend Is Nice But Its Debt Keeps Us on the Sidelines

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 22, Verizon (VZ) reported mixed first quarter results that showed revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus forecast, but total postpaid phone net losses coming in at 289,000 in the period. Total operating revenue increased 1.5% in the quarter year-over-year, while adjusted earnings per share excluding special items advanced to $1.19 compared to $1.15 in the first quarter of 2024. Cash flow from operations totaled $7.8 billion, up from $7.1 billion in last year’s quarter, while free cash flow came in at $3.6 billion, up from $2.7 billion in the first-quarter 2024. Management had the following to say about the quarter: Verizon plays an essential role in our customers’ … Read more

Lockheed Martin Reaffirms 2025 Outlook

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Image: Lockheed Martin’s shares have been on a wild ride the past few years. By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 22, Lockheed Martin (LMT) reported better than expected first quarter results with revenue and GAAP earnings per share exceeding the consensus forecast. Sales increased 4%, while net earnings came in at $1.7 billion, or $7.28 per share, compared to $1.5 billion, or $6.39 per share, in the same period a year ago. Cash flow from operations came in at $1.4 billion compared to $1.6 billion in last year’s quarter, while free cash flow dipped to $955 million from $1.3 billion in the year-ago period. Management was optimistic in the press release: The momentum we created last year continued into the … Read more

Netflix’s Operating Margin Continues to Delight

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Image: Netflix has a long runway of growth given market share opportunities. By Brian Nelson, CFA On April 17, Netflix (NFLX) reported strong first quarter results with revenue and GAAP earnings coming in ahead of the consensus estimates. Revenue and operating income advanced 12.5% (16% on a foreign exchange neutral basis) and 27.1% on a year-over-year basis, respectively. Netflix’s operating margin increased to 31.7% from 28.1% in the year-ago period, while net income leapt to $2.89 billion from $2.33 billion in last year’s quarter. Diluted earnings per share increased 25.2% to $6.61 from $5.28 in the same period last year. Netflix’s performance was in part propelled by membership growth and higher pricing. Management continues to execute on its 2025 priorities: … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of April 18

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending April 18. 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                          ASML (ASML): now $1.92 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.57. Bar Harbor Bankshares (BHB): now $0.32 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.30. Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CHP.UN:CA): now CAD 0.0642 per share monthly dividend, was CAD 0.0641. Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF): now $0.8830 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.7811. Companhia Paranaense de Energia – COPEL (ELPC): now $0.1172 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Key Comments from the Banks This Earnings Season

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Image: The big banks have done well recently. By Valuentum Analysts JP Morgan’s (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon: “The Firm reported strong underlying business and financial results in the first quarter, producing net income of $14.6 billion.” “In the CIB, Investment Banking fees rose 12% in the first quarter, although clients have become more cautious amid an increase in market volatility driven by geopolitical and trade-related tensions. Meanwhile, we saw increased activity in the Markets business. Markets revenue rose to $9.7 billion, an exceptionally strong quarter with record revenue in Equities. In CCB, the franchise continued to acquire new customers at a robust pace, opening 500,000 net new checking accounts and adding record first-time investors in wealth management. Finally, AWM had … Read more

UnitedHealth Group Lowers 2025 Outlook

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Image: UnitedHealth’s shares were pummeled after it lowered its 2025 earnings outlook. By Brian Nelson, CFA UnitedHealth Group (UNH) reported dismal first-quarter 2025 results that came in lower than expected on both the top and bottom lines. Revenues of $109.6 billion grew $9.1 billion year-over-year, while first quarter earnings were $6.95 per share, with adjusted earnings coming in at $7.20 per share. Management shared its disappointment in the commentary in the press release: UnitedHealth Group grew to serve more people more comprehensively but did not perform up to our expectations, and we are aggressively addressing those challenges to position us well for the years ahead, and return to our long-term earnings growth rate target of 13 to 16%. UnitedHealth Group … Read more