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Recent Articles
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Microsoft Remains a Net-Cash-Rich, Free-Cash-Flow Generating Powerhouse
Oct 30, 2024
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Image: Microsoft’s shares continue to flirt with all-time highs.
Microsoft ended the quarter with $78.4 billion in cash and short-term investments against long-term debt of $42.9 billion. Cash flow from operations increased to $34.2 billion from $30.6 billion in the year-ago period, while capital spending swelled to $14.9 billion from $9.9 billion in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow in the quarter of $19.3 billion handily covered cash dividends paid of $5.6 billion over the same time. Microsoft remains one of our top ideas in both the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio.
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Republic Services Pricing Strength Continues to be Evident
Oct 30, 2024
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Image Source: Republic Services.
Year-to-date, Republic Services returned $834.3 million to shareholders in the form of $329.5 million of share buybacks and $504.8 million in dividends paid. Looking to 2024, Republic Services now expects revenue near the low end of its 2024 guidance range ($16.075-$16.125 billion) and adjusted EBITDA at the high end of the range ($4.9-$4.925 billion). We like Republic Services moaty business model and its pricing strength, and the company remains a core holding in the newsletter portfolios.
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Chipotle Targets 7,000 Restaurants in North America
Oct 30, 2024
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For 2024, management is targeting full-year comparable restaurant sales growth in the mid to high-single digit range, while it adds 285-315 new company-operated restaurant openings with 80% having a Chipotlane. For 2025, Chipotle is targeting opening 315-345 company-operated restaurants with over 80% having a Chipotlane. Though comparable restaurant sales were lower than the consensus forecast in the third quarter, we like Chipotle’s long-term plans calling for 7,000 restaurants in North America, up from the 3,600 restaurants it currently has in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait. Chipotle remains a key idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.
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Visa Reports Strong Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results
Oct 30, 2024
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Image: Visa’s shares look poised to break out to new all-time highs.
At the end of the quarter, Visa’s cash and investment securities totaled $17.7 billion, while long-term debt stood at $20.8 billion, reflecting a modest but manageable net debt position. Visa returned $6.8 billion to investors in the form of share repurchases and dividends during the fiscal fourth quarter, while the board increased Visa’s quarterly cash dividend 13%, to $0.59 per share. For the twelve months ended September 30, Visa put up a 65.7% operating margin and a free cash flow margin of 52%. We continue to like Visa as a top idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. The high end of our fair value estimate range stands at $329 per share.
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