Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Apr 27, 2022

Microsoft Soars, Strong Revenue Growth Continues Unabated
Image Shown: Microsoft Corporation put up a solid fiscal third quarter earnings report and we continue to be big fans of the name. Image Source: Microsoft Corporation – Power Point Earnings Presentation Covering the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2022. On April 26, Microsoft Corp reported third quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended March 31, 2022) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. Shares of MSFT jumped higher by ~4%-5% in afterhours trading on April 26 as investors cheered on the good news and its promising near term outlook. Microsoft’s cloud-oriented products and services were a bright spot in the fiscal third quarter and underpinned its impressive pricing power. The firm was able to stay ahead of inflationary pressures and maintain its strong margins while growing its revenues. We include shares of MSFT as an idea in both the Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolios. Our fair value estimate for Microsoft sits at $332 per share, well above where Microsoft is trading at as of this writing, indicating that the company has substantial capital appreciation upside. Additionally, we view Microsoft’s dividend growth trajectory quite favorably due to its rock-solid financial position, bright longer-term growth outlook that is underpinned by secular tailwinds and recent acquisition activity, its pricing power, fortress-like balance sheet, and ability to generate sizable free cash flows in almost any operating environment. Shares of MSFT yield ~0.9% as of this writing.

Mar 7, 2022

Valuentum Weekly: Outsized Energy Exposure Continues to Buoy Newsletter Portfolios
Image: Light crude oil futures once traded for roughly -$40 (negative $40) during the COVID-19 crisis, but have now rocketed to more than $120 in recent trading. Image Source: TradingView. The S&P 500, as measured by the SPY, is down 9% year-to-date, a modest pullback, in our view, particularly in light of the fantastic performance the past few years. Though not necessarily welcome, a down year every now and then for the broader market indexes and a modest bear market can only be expected, at times. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, as measured by the DIA, is down more than 7% year-to-date (not too bad), while the Nasdaq--as measured by the QQQ--and 'disruptive innovation' stocks--as measured by the Ark Innovation ETF--have fallen more than 15% and 36%, respectively, so far this year (data from Seeking Alpha). We like how the simulated newsletter portfolios are positioned. Energy resource prices continue to surge (with WTI crude oil prices skyrocketing north of $120 per barrel at last check), and they are bringing energy equities higher along with them. The simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio, simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio, and simulated High Yield Dividend Newsletter portfolio are all materially overweight energy equities relative to the energy sector’s weighting in the S&P 500, and we expect to maintain such high tactical "exposure." Both the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF and the Vanguard Energy ETF soared to 13-year highs last week. Our favorite energy ideas are the largest two energy majors, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, and both have hefty 'weightings' in each of the three aforementioned simulated newsletter portfolios. Russian equities, as measured by the RSX, are down nearly 80% so far this year, and we're pleased to say that we've largely avoided the fall out. We continue to like the broader areas of U.S.-heavy, large cap growth and big cap tech when it comes to long-term secular exposure, and we continue to like energy as a tactical overweight for the foreseeable future across the simulated newsletter portfolios, as much as we did even prior to the huge advance in energy resource prices and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Jan 8, 2020

Our Reports on Stocks in the Software Security Industry
Image Source: Martin McKeay. We've optimized our technology coverage universe.

Dec 6, 2018

Verint Systems’ Strategy Delivers
Image Source: Verint Systems Investor Presentation. Actionable intelligence leader Verint Systems continues to deliver on its strategy in its ‘Customer Engagement’ segment, while its ‘Cyber Security’ segment is taking advantage of a number of trends. Management’s initial guidance for next fiscal year impressed.

Feb 7, 2018

Hasbro, Boeing Pop as Market Bounces Back
Image Source: US Missile Defense Agency. June 22, 2014 - The Missile Defense Agency's Flight Test 06b Ground-Based Interceptor launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. on June 22, 2014. The markets have finally been getting the volatility that we’ve all been waiting for, and we don’t like the idea that the market is now trading more like a cryptocurrency. Granted, it’s important to stay focused over a long-term time horizon, which irons out the ups and downs, but there’s just something about 1,000+ daily swings on the Dow Jones Industrial Average that really doesn’t sit well with us, regardless of what that implies with respect to the percentage change. Can you imagine -- All of this over just a couple basis point increase in the 10-year and one very, very small ETF losing most of its value? What if something truly material happens? This market is fragile.

Oct 2, 2017

Verint Systems: An Overlooked Idea on Cybersecurity
Image Source: Verint. The Best Ideas Newsletter idea is trying to break through the mid-$40s level, which has been illusive since late 2015.

Jun 8, 2017

Verint’s Cyber Intelligence Division Impresses
Image Source: Blogtrepreneur. One of the latest additions to the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio experienced strong top-line growth in both of its operating segments during the first quarter, and we continue to like the company’s exposure to the cyber intelligence arena.

May 17, 2017

Volatility Spikes, Oh Cisco, the Mighty US Dollar, and More
Image Source: CBOE. Let’s talk about recent market events May 17. There’s a lot going on.

May 15, 2017

Podcast: Defense Spending and the Explosion of Cyber Crime
The Valuentum analyst team discusses trends in US and global defense spending and the explosion of Internet crime that is fueling investment in cyber security both in the public and private sectors. ~7 mins.

Nov 10, 2016

Assessing Reactions to Trump’s Victory
Image Source: Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States of America. Let’s dig into some of the reactions across the market. We’re keeping our cool.