Verizon’s Big Share-Price Drop Opens Opportunity for 6.8% Dividend Yield

Image: Verizon’s shares have been punished, but this has opened an opportunity for a 6.8% dividend yield. Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA When Verizon (VZ) reported third-quarter results in late October, the company’s revenue advanced 4% on a year-over-year basis, exceeding the consensus estimate, while non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $1.32 per share, beating the consensus estimate by a few pennies, but down slightly on a year-over-year basis. Adjusted EBITDA fell 0.4% from the same period last year. Verizon is one of the leading communication service providers in the world, and its operations span data, video and voice services across its networks and platforms. The company’s two reportable segments, Verizon Consumer Group and Verizon Business Group, … Read more

American Tower Ups Dividend Payout 6%+ But Shares Not Immune to REIT Sector Weakness

Image Source: American Tower By Brian Nelson, CFA On December 8, American Tower (AMT) upped its quarterly payout by 6.1%, to $1.56 per share relative to its last sequential dividend issued in October, and now shares yield ~2.9% on a forward estimated basis. Equity REITs have been pummeled in 2022, and AMT has unfortunately failed to buck the trend. Though we like the scale and leverage inherent to cell tower stocks’ business models (which we’ll talk about in this work), we’re taking note of weakening adjusted funds from operations (FFO) and free cash flow trends at AMT, particularly in light of the tower operator’s massive net debt position. Interest rates have been working against REITs during 2022. Image Source: American … Read more

2022 Showcased the Value of a Valuentum Membership

In bull markets, almost everyone is a winner. But 2022 was different. This year was a big test for Valuentum, and we passed with flying colors. We delivered across the board during the year from ideas in the Exclusive publication and the efficacy of the dividend growth methodology to the resilience of high yield ideas and simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio relative performance–despite setbacks from Meta Platforms, PayPal, and beyond. Tune in to the latest video installment from Valuentum. Thanks for listening! Tickerized for holdings in the SPY. ——————————————— About Our Name But how, you will ask, does one decide what [stocks are] “attractive”? Most analysts feel they must choose between two approaches customarily thought to be in opposition: “value” … Read more

Market Whipsaw: Crypto Collapse and a Lower-than-Expected Inflation Print

Image: Uncertainty in the cryptocurrency markets has surged with concerns over the liquidity of a key exchange. Investors are weighing the spillover effects of crypto with the view that the pace of inflation may have peaked. — By Brian Nelson, CFA — The U.S. equity market continues to be highly volatile as it whipsaws between concerns over the health and sustainability of cryptocurrency and optimism over lower-than-feared inflation readings. We maintain our bearish/defensive stance on equities, but at the same time, we continue to be “fully-invested” across the simulated newsletter portfolios in part because we don’t want to miss out on days like today, November 10, when the markets are soaring ~2.5%-5.5% depending on which index you are monitoring. We’re also … Read more

Something New!

Hi everyone: To stay true to our mission, you’ll find something new regarding our methodology. In the coming weeks, you’ll see this table in our work going forward. We just wanted to let you know. We appreciate your membership very much!   ——————————————— About Our Name But how, you will ask, does one decide what [stocks are] “attractive”? Most analysts feel they must choose between two approaches customarily thought to be in opposition: “value” and “growth,”…We view that as fuzzy thinking…Growth is always a component of value [and] the very term “value investing” is redundant.                          — Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway annual report, 1992 At Valuentum, we take Buffett’s thoughts one step further. We think the best opportunities arise from an understanding of … Read more

Announcing Valuentum’s Customer Appreciation Day Winners!

In no particular order — the five winners… As a Chief Investment Strategist that oversees a significant amount of assets, it is vital to have unbiased research that we can lean on for decision making. Brian and the Valuentum team help provide a disciplined and fundamental approach to stock analysis without the typical Wall Street bias or conflicts of interest. The value we get on a monthly basis for having this detailed thought analysis and wise long-term thinking greatly outweighs the cost. We are very happy to have them on our short list of management we trust.  – Stephen H. (October 2022) —– I’d like you to know what my takeaways are from your research: 1) Be wary of capital … Read more

AT&T’s Free Cash Flow Coverage of Its Dividend Is Looking Better But Economic Malaise Awaits

Image: AT&T’s dividend obligations have been substantially reduced, aiding in its coverage of the payout with free cash flow. Image Source: AT&T. By Brian Nelson, CFA AT&T Inc. (T) has taken investors on a wild ride the past couple years, first saying it would support its payout as recently as early 2021, and then cutting it as it pulled a 180 on its strategic vision. However, in the communication giant’s third-quarter report, released October 20, AT&T showed robust free cash flow generation ($3.84 billion) that nearly doubled cash dividends paid in the period ($2.01 billion). We liked this a lot as it reveals marked improvement in coverage on a year-over-year basis. However, the uncertain economic climate coupled with inflationary pressures … Read more

New Payment Option! Valuentum Research Update!

Hi everyone: — We’re excited to say that we’re adding additional payment flexibility at Valuentum. — Many members have expressed interest in paying via other providers, and we have added Square to the mix. You can use credit or debit card or bank (ACH) to pay via invoice. — With all of the goings-on in the financial technology and payments space, we wanted to continue to provide members options to pay their memberships how they want and through who they want. You can always reach out to us at info@valuentum.com. — You’ll notice that we’ve also tightened our focus at Valuentum during the past 12-24 months in advance of what has certainly become a more difficult 2022 than even some … Read more

Recent Fair Value Estimate Updates

Image Source: Valuentum By Brian Nelson, CFA  Our work is always forward-looking in nature, consistent with the markets, which drive pricing and valuation on the basis of future expectations. 2022 has no doubt been a difficult year for many an investor across asset classes, not just equities. Perhaps the biggest insight provided by the Valuentum analyst team for this year came in the second edition of the book Value Trap, “Renowned Investor Brian Nelson Publishes Second Edition of Best Indie Book Award Winner Value Trap: Theory of Universal Valuation,” but such an insight has often been reiterated on our website and through the newsletters, too. To put it bluntly: We became significantly worried about the diversification benefits of the 60/40 stock/bond … Read more

Nelson: Executing the Valuentum Strategy

Video: Valuentum’s President Brian Nelson, CFA, explains why he’s turned bearish on the equity markets after a great bull run. In this 8-minute video, learn about the fantastic returns of the stock market the past three years, and how the Valuentum way has cushioned the market decline in 2022. Watch now to learn about the textbook execution of the Valuentum strategy and more! –——— Tickerized for holdings in the SPY. Brian Nelson owns shares in SPY, SCHG, QQQ, DIA, VOT, BITO, and IWM. Valuentum owns SPY, SCHG, QQQ, VOO, and DIA. Brian Nelson’s household owns shares in HON, DIS, HAS, NKE. Some of the other securities written about in this article may be included in Valuentum’s simulated newsletter portfolios. Contact … Read more