FB

Netflix: Is NOW Finally the Time?

by

Netflix’s shares are soaring, and we are licking our proverbial chops on the opportunity to add puts to the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. The bubble in Netflix’s shares continues to inflate—and that spells opportunity for bears, but at the right price at the right time. For now, we’re going to continue to watch shares run higher until we’re finally ready to take a stab at them. It’s been about a year since we highlighted our concerns about Netflix’s valuation, but our patience has paid off as we watched shares move ever-higher — timing is pretty much everything when it comes to betting on the decline of a stock price via put options, and we’re being careful. Options aren’t for everybody. … Read more

The Coming “Goldman Sachs Era”

by

Valuentum covers recent developments in the financials sector, including hopes for a relaxation of certain prohibitive Dodd-Frank rules that, if repealed, could pave the way for improved economic returns across the banking sector during the Trump administration. A look back at the month of September 2008, and how Goldman Sachs may very well shape the financial markets during the next few years are two other areas in the piece. Financials stocks have come roaring back since Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. We’ve participated. By Brian Nelson, CFA It’s been more than 8 years now. The month of September 2008 shaped my view of the financials and banking sector more than any other month possibly could–The … Read more

Image: Returns Following the Trump Victory

by

To download the table for easier viewing, please select the link . Financials: Trump’s Treasury Secretary choice Steven Mnuchin wants to repeal most of the burdensome Dodd-Frank legislation. A steepening yield curve is helping banks and may drive improved net interest margins in coming periods. Goldman Sachs is ripping higher, leading the Dow’s charge.   Crude Oil: The world is moving to a better balance in supply/demand dynamics in the energy markets. OPEC is talking, has agreed to cuts, and expectations for improved economic growth are helping energy resource pricing. High-beta companies such as Continental Resources are rallying hard.   Energy: Capital spending cuts are bolstering free cash flow in the upstream space as energy resource pricing improves. Reduced regulations could help … Read more

Hit or Miss in the Video Gaming Entertainment Industry

by

The Valuentum analyst team talks the latest and greatest trends in the video game entertainment industry from tried-and-true titles to the financial positions of the largest players to retail big box and beyond. ~9 mins. Kris Rosemann: Welcome to Valuentum’s podcast. I’m Kris Rosemann and joining us today is Mr. Chris Araos. Chris, you have a strong background as an observer of trends in the video game entertainment industry. How would you say the world of gaming is shaping up these days? Chris Araos: Well, Kris — a lot has changed in video gaming in just the past five years thanks to the emergence of more-advanced mobile phones, which are just great devices to play games on. Unlike PCs or … Read more

VBI Case Study — Priceline’s 3Q Earnings Insight

by

Let’s take a look at Best Idea Newsletter holding Priceline’s (PCLN) third quarter 2016 report, released November 7. Image Source: Priceline What management said: “The Priceline Group brands executed well during our peak summer travel season,” said Jeffery H. Boyd, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Priceline Group. “Globally, our accommodation business booked 150 million room nights in the 3rd quarter, up 29% over the same period last year. The acceleration in room night growth demonstrates the favorable market in which we operate as well as the value of our diverse global platform.” Shares are breaking out… The scoop: Priceline executed fantastically in its peak summer travel season, turning in 25% gross travel bookings growth in the third quarter of … Read more

Earnings Insight – Facebook

by

Image Source: benstein Let’s dig into Best Ideas Newsletter holding Facebook’s (FB) third-quarter results, released November 2. By Kris Rosemann What management said: “We had another good quarter,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO. “We’re making progress putting video first across our apps and executing our 10 year technology roadmap.” The scoop: Though shares of Facebook sold off on worries about slowing revenue growth after its third-quarter report, released November 2, the social media giant continues to grow at a tremendous rate. On a year-over-year basis, advertising revenue jumped 59% in its third quarter thanks to mobile advertising revenue growth of 78%. Mobile advertising revenue now accounts for roughly 84% of total advertising revenue. Declining total payments and fees revenue is … Read more

Podcast: The ABCs of Investing in Alphabet

by

The company formerly known as Google, Alphabet, has a pristine balance sheet and generates a tremendous amount of free cash flow. A paid search powerhouse that is making some big bets in other areas of the future is one of our favorite ideas. The Valuentum analyst team digs in. ~6 minutes Please access the transcript below. Tickerized for Google, Twitter, Facebook, and various Internet ETFs. Brian Nelson, CFA: This is Brian Nelson for Valuentum Securities and welcome to our podcast. Today I have joining me Mr. Kris Rosemann and Mr. Chris Araos. The topic today is going to be on Google, now calling itself Alphabet. Google is a company that we include in our Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio — ticker symbol … Read more

PayPal: The Way of the Future

by

Image Source: PayPal “As a customer champion and a leader in financial technology, our goal is to provide simple, affordable, secure, and reliable financial services and digital payments that enable the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of millions of people and businesses around the world, including those who have been underserved by the traditional financial system. This focus and clarity enabled us to achieve strong growth across every key aspect of our business in 2015. For the year, revenue increased 19 percent* to $9.24 billion, and our total payment volume reached $282 billion, an increase of 27 percent. We also generated $1.8 billion in free cash flow.” – PayPal’s 2015 Annual Report By Brian Nelson, CFA Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio holding … Read more

Video: An Overview of Our 16-page Stock Research Reports

by

Can’t view the video walk-through of our 16-page reports on your mobile device? Download the Puffin Web Browser App from Apple free. Click here. Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.

Apple V. Samsung

by

Image Source: Lr43_L1000009 By Kris Rosemann Samsung’s (SSNLF) issues with its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone began in late August when the firm postponed shipments of the smartphone due to product quality testing. The event was not a major issue, as early demand for the device had outpaced supply, already causing shipment delays to some markets. Shortly after the delay was announced, claims of the smartphones’ batteries exploding surfaced, and Samsung subsequently announced it would recall Galaxy Note 7s across the globe. The recall announcement only began the saga of despair for the Galaxy Note 7 series. One week later, the FAA issued a warning that the devices could be an airborne fire hazard and suggested consumers refrain from using the smartphones … Read more