Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Aug 9, 2024

Paper: Value and Momentum Within Stocks, Too
Abstract: This paper strives to advance the field of finance in four ways: 1) it extends the theory of the “The Arithmetic of Active Management” to the investor level; 2) it addresses certain data problems of factor-based methods, namely with respect to value and book-to-market ratios, while introducing price-to-fair-value ratios in a factor-based approach; 3) it may lay the foundation for academic literature regarding the Valuentum, the value-timing, and ultra-momentum factors; and 4) it walks through the potential relative outperformance that may be harvested at the intersection of relevant, unique and compensated factors within individual stocks.

Jul 29, 2024

McDonald’s Speaks of Cautious Consumer But Traction with $5 Meal Deal
McDonald’s second quarter results weren’t great. Comparable store sales and consolidated operating income fell during the period, but McDonald’s lapped a very strong second quarter of 2023, which included a double-digit comp. Diluted earnings per share also declined at a mid-single-digit pace. That said, however, McDonald’s $5 meal deal is gaining traction, and we think it is part of the solution for lower guest counts driven by its recent strategic pricing actions. McDonald’s hasn’t been a strong performer in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio of late, but we remain optimistic on its prospects in the current inflationary environment. Shares yield 2.6%.

Jun 10, 2024

Update: Frequently Asked Questions About Valuentum Securities, Inc.
Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports and dividend reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information. We address a number of questions from both subscribers and visitors to our site.

May 1, 2024

McDonald’s Continues to Be Impacted By the War in the Middle East
Image: McDonald's shares have largely traded sideways the past couple years. Though impacts from the Middle East weren’t great and the pace of adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per share growth weren’t as high as we would have liked in the first quarter, we’re sticking with McDonald’s in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. McDonald’s mostly franchised business model works well in the current inflationary environment, and we continue to like the value it provides to consumers.

Mar 22, 2024

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of March 22
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

Feb 5, 2024

McDonald’s Facing Macro Challenges, Impacts from the War in the Middle East
Image Source: Mike Mozart. On February 5, McDonald’s Corp reported decent fourth-quarter results with strong revenue growth coming roughly in-line with consensus estimates and non-GAAP earnings per share exceeding the Street’s forecast. Though the firm noted that it is experiencing some macro challenges and that its operations continue to be impacted by the war in the Middle East, we like having McDonald’s as a core restaurant holding in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio in part because of its mostly franchised business model that handles inflationary pressures well and its strong and world-renowned brand name. The high end of our fair value estimate range of McDonald’s stands at $345 per share, and the company yields ~2.25% at the time of this writing.

Dec 28, 2023

6%+ Dividend Yielder Cracker Barrel Needs to Raise Menu Prices More Aggressively
Image: Cracker Barrel remains focused on returning cash to shareholders. We think performance at Cracker Barrel is fixable, but it has to be menu price-driven as commodity price and hourly wage inflation continues to eat into operating income, and traffic remains troubled even with increased spend on marketing. Notwithstanding its long-term unit growth opportunities at its Cracker Barrel and Maple Street stores, Cracker Barrel’s unique concepts continue to resonate with consumers, but the firm is being left behind in a world where other restaurants are sacrificing price-conscious consumers for those less concerned about price increases. Its ~6.3% dividend yield at the time of this writing speaks of heightened risk, as does its 0.5 Dividend Cushion ratio, but if Cracker Barrel can turn things around by ratcheting up its pricing initiatives more aggressively in fiscal 2025 and beyond, the stock could end up being one of the most attractive income ideas on the market today. For now, however, we’re watching and waiting for a strategic shift.

Dec 22, 2023

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of December 22
Let's take a look at firms raising/lowering their dividends this week.

Apr 18, 2023

Brief Take: Chart of Best Ideas Newsletter Portfolio Idea Chipotle Looks Beautiful!
Image: Chipotle’s shares have surged to a 52-week high. We continue to like the company’s long-term market opportunity. Chipotle’s shares have surged past the high end of our fair value estimate range, but we expect to take another look at our valuation model to reflect greater confidence in an established restaurant concept that has plans to more than double its current store count in the longer run. Younger millennials and Generation Z (born 1997-2012) generally did not grow up when Yum Brands’ Taco Bell dominated Mexican cuisine, and many prefer Chipotle hands down. It’s probable, in our view, that Chipotle’s long-term target of 7,000 restaurants may also be conservative. Readers should expect us to increase our fair value estimate of Chipotle upon the next report update.

Mar 30, 2023

Dividends, Dividends, Dividends
Valuentum's President of Investment Research Brian Nelson shares three unique insights on dividends not commonly discussed among investors. The transcript of the video can be found in this article.