Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Feb 8, 2021

Stock Market Outlook for 2021
2020 was one from the history books and a year that will live on in infamy. That said, we are excited for the future as global health authorities are steadily putting an end to the public health crisis created by COVID-19, aided by the quick discovery of safe and viable vaccines. Tech, fintech, and payment processing firms were all big winners in 2020, and we expect that to continue being the case in 2021. Digital advertising, cloud-computing, and e-commerce activities are set to continue dominating their respective fields. Cybersecurity demand is moving higher and the constant threats posed by both governments (usually nations that are hostile to Western interests) and non-state actors highlights how crucial these services are. Retailers with omni-channel selling capabilities are well-positioned to ride the global economic recovery upwards. Green energy firms will continue to grow at a brisk pace in 2021, though the oil & gas industry appears ready for a comeback. The adoption of 5G wireless technologies and smartphones will create immense growth opportunities for smartphone makers, semiconductor players and telecommunications giants. Video streaming services have become ubiquitous over the past decade with room to continue growing as households “cut the cord” and instead opt for several video streaming packages. We’re not too big of fans of old industrial names given their capital-intensive nature relative to capital-light technology or fintech, but there are select names that have appeal. Cryptocurrencies have taken the market by storm as we turn the calendar into 2021, but the traditional banking system remains healthy enough to withstand another shock should it be on the horizon. Our fair value estimate of the S&P 500 remains $3,530-$3,920, but we may still be on a roller coaster ride for the year. Here’s to a great 2021!

Jan 21, 2021

ICYMI: Valuentum's Brian Nelson on the Latest Howard Marks' Memo: "Something of Value"
Valuentum's President of Investment Research Brian Michael Nelson, CFA, explains why there are not really value and growth stocks, why most of the research in quantitative finance is spurious and needs to be redefined on a forward-looking basis, and why enterprise valuation (not the efficient markets hypothesis) should be the organizing principle of finance. Nelson explains his views about valuation, what it means to be a value investor, and investing in the context of Oaktree Capital Howard Marks' latest memo, "Something of Value," January 11, 2021.

Dec 18, 2020

Omni-Channel Strategy at Dick’s Sporting Goods Makes It a Long-Term Dividend Growth Idea
Image Source: Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc – Third Quarter of 2020 Earnings Infographic. The ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic, due to the desire of households to socially distance, has seen a meaningful amount of consumer spending shift to e-commerce platforms. Retailers that invested heavily in their online operations, while also bulking up their omni-channel sales capabilities, were in a much better position when the pandemic hit than those that had to rely largely on their physical footprint. Over the past year, “contactless” delivery options have become much more popular. That includes fulfillment options such as curbside pickup and in-store pickup (usually in specially designated areas), where consumers purchase goods online and then travel to the relevant physical store location to acquire those products. Demand for home delivery services has surged as well. On November 27, we added Dick’s Sporting Goods to the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio to gain exposure to a high-quality retailer with strong omni-channel sales operations, and the rise of e-commerce more broadly. In this note, let's focus on Dick’s Sporting Goods’ operational improvements and e-commerce strategy.

Nov 16, 2020

Value Is Not Static and the Qualitative Overlay Is Vital to Our Process
With prudence and care, the Valuentum Buying Index process and its components are carried out. Our analyst team spends most of its time thinking about the intrinsic value of companies within the context of a discounted cash-flow model and evaluating the risk profile of a company's revenue model. We have checks and balances, too. First, we use a fair value range in our valuation approach as we embrace the very important concept that value is a range and not a point estimate. A relative value overlay as the second pillar helps to add conviction in the discounted cash-flow process, while a technical and momentum overlay seeks to provide confirmation in all of the valuation work. There's a lot happening behind the scenes even before a VBI rating is published, but it will always be just one factor to consider. Within any process, of course, we value the human, qualitative overlay, which captures a wealth of experience and common sense. We strive to surface our best ideas for members.

Oct 30, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week October 30
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Jul 31, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 31
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

May 8, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending May 8
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Feb 21, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 21
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Jan 2, 2020

FLIR Systems Repositions Itself
Image Source: FLIR Systems Inc – November 2019 IR Presentation. US equity indexes continue to march upwards, and as of this writing, are at or near all-time highs. We couldn’t be more pleased with the performance of our Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolios. Our team continues to sift through Valuentum’s coverage universe to find top quality investment opportunities, and we are taking a deeper look at the defense industry in light of its counter-cyclical and (somewhat) recession-resistant qualities.

Nov 8, 2019

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending November 8
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.