Member Articles

Big Movers for the Week Ending September 28

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Those topping the big-movers board for the week ended September 28 include Gilead, Apple, Altria, Hasbro, Novartis, and more. By Christopher Araos This is a new weekly series launched to help readers stay up to date with big movers within the simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. Best Ideas Newsletter Winners Biotech powerhouse Gilead Sciences (GILD) advanced 2.3% during the week ending September 28 as the company announced a launch of generic versions for Epclusa and its blockbuster Harvoni. Another key mover of 2.2% on the week was Apple (AAPL), which persuaded a federal appeals court to throw out $234 million in damages for infringement of University of Wisconsin’s computer processing technology. Altria Group (MO) … Read more

In the News: Tesla’s Musk Charged with Securities Fraud; Facebook’s Security Issue

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We continue to stay as far away from Tesla as possible. The company’s stock could still crater even more. It does not have a firm foundation at all. Facebook, despite being under continuous and tremendous scrutiny, is operating on a firm foundation, however. We continue to like shares of the social media giant, despite a recently-disclosed security problem. The more Facebook beefs up security and augments its platform, the bigger its competitive advantages become, as the entry costs for new entrants become even more insurmountable. By Brian Nelson, CFA On Thursday, market observers were glued to CNBC as the television network broke the story: The SEC has charged Tesla’s (TSLA) Elon Musk with securities fraud. You can read the press … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending September 28

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 28. 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 $1.46 per share semi-annual dividend, was $1.33. American Express (AXP): now $0.39 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.35. Artesian Resources (ARTNA): now $0.2423 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2387. Banner (BANR): now $0.38 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.35. Boston Prop (BXP): now $0.95 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.80. City Holding (CHCO): now $0.53 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.46. The First … Read more

HCA Healthcare – Building Out a Healthcare Network

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Image Source: HCA Q2 2018 Investor Update We are becoming increasingly intrigued by the consolidation occurring in the hospital sector as HCA Healthcare is well on its way to developing a dominant position in some of the more populated states in the US. By Alexander J. Poulos Key Takeaways The pace with which HCA Healthcare has built out its network of care centers is impressive, and it now holds impressive share in notable markets across the US. By utilizing the low interest rate environment, HCA has methodically expanded its care network. We like the economies of scale and pricing power that come with its large network, but its balance sheet health has paid the price. HCA is working to reward … Read more

BMW’s Profit Warning Hits Automakers; General Motors Still Attractive

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Image Source: Ya, saya inBaliTimur BMW became one of the first auto manufacturers to note a tangible negative impact of the US-China trade war, and its reduced expectations have impacted investor confidence in the near-term profit levels of other automakers, including simulated newsletter portfolio idea General Motors. By Kris Rosemann Simulated newsletter portfolio idea General Motors (GM) continues to fight through near-term challenges, but we remain fans of its longer-term outlook thanks to its initiative to expand its North America EBIT-adjusted margin to 10% as well as the positioning of its GM Cruise division, which received a nice injection of capital earlier this year via a partnership with SoftBank’s (SFTBY) Vision Fund. The company’s shares are trading at a miniscule multiple … Read more

Register to Join This Online Financial Statement Analysis Webinar: September 26

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Register for This Online Financial Statement Analysis Webinar!   Valuentum’s President of Investment Research Brian Nelson will be hosting an online webinar (workshop) that will walk through the in’s and out’s of financial statement analysis.   You do not have to have any previous analyst experience to attend. We’ll cover ground from the beginner to the advanced, and everything in between.     The online webinar will be held Wednesday, September 26. Recordings will be made available to those that register in advance.   What You’ll Learn: How to assess the operating strength and earnings power of a company (income statement) How to assess the financial health and leverage of a company (balance sheet) How to assess the cash flow generating capacity and … Read more

In the News: Geopolitical Uncertainty Rules the Day

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Let’s take a look at some of the recent top stories and their implications on the market. By Kris Rosemann Brexit negotiations continue to be a messy ordeal for British Prime Minister Theresa May and her countrymen. The EU (VGK) rejected her most recent proposal without proposing counteroffers, and if there is no agreement, there will be no transition to keep the UK (EWU) and its businesses from being stuck in a sort of trade policy purgatory. May has been quoted as saying, “No deal is better than a bad deal,” as well as, “No one wants a good deal more than me.” A good deal would assure frictionless trade in goods and would not disrupt any intertwined supply chains multinational businesses … Read more

Update on 5 Top Energy Stocks: KMI, ETP, EPD, MMP, XOM

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We generally like the diversification provided in the Energy Select SPDR ETF (XLE) as one way to consider exposure to the energy resource arena, but let’s get the highlights on some of the most-viewed energy-related ideas on our website: Kinder Morgan, Energy Transfer Partners/Equity, Enterprise Product Partners, Magellan Midstream, and Exxon Mobil. By Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA An estimate of intrinsic value is as important as a view that shares of a company are undervalued or overvalued, and we think an application of a fair value estimate range is most helpful. The question, “What is a company worth?”, remains paramount to any investment thesis. The fair value estimate is the outcome of any research and analysis. We’d view … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending September 21

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 21. 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 ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG): now $0.3586 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2628. ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL): now $0.38179 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.35945. ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG): now $0.3924 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.3836. Canadian Banc Corp (CNDCF): now CAD 0.1069 per share monthly dividend, was CAD 0.1057. Citizens Financial Services (CZFS): now $0.44 per share quarterly … Read more

In The News: 10-Year Treasury Yield, Wage Pressure in Restaurants, Cannabis Volatility

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Let’s take a look at some of the hottest topics around the markets. By Kris Rosemann Financial stocks (XLF) rallied during the trading session September 19 as the 10-year US Treasury yield crossed the 3% threshold for the first time since late May 2018 and investors anticipated rising net interest margins for banks. Strong levels of consumer confidence are likely helping the banking sector as well, but we’re watching closely as the Fed continues on its hawkish path with two more rate hikes expected in 2018 after completing seven hikes since December 2015. The potential for an inverted yield curve cannot be ruled out, but some observers are expecting a continued rise in the 10-year Treasury yield through the end … Read more