FXI

News Roundup: US-China Trade Talks, Plastics Prices, Vale, and Philip Morris

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No changes to newsletter portfolios. By Kris Rosemann Reports of a potential trade agreement between the US and China (FXI) have hit the wire. The deal is rumored to include lower Chinese tariffs on farm, chemical, auto, and other US products, and the elimination of many or all US tariffs on Chinese products. China is also reportedly exploring a 3% reduction in the value-added tax it imposes on manufacturing, which could provide a 0.6% boost to Chinese GDP, according to some estimates. Both reports are welcome news to investors as concerns over global economic growth persist. A US-China trade deal could be announced as soon as the end of this month, but the recent breakdown in conflict resolution talks between … Read more

Hasbro’s Tough 2018 Comes to an End

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Image Source: Mike Mozart Hasbro battled a number of challenges in 2018, but it anticipates a return to profitable growth in 2019. By Kris Rosemann 2018 brought a number of challenges for simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio idea Hasbro (HAS), not the least of which was the bankruptcy and liquidation of Toys ‘R’ Us and the shifting retail and consumer landscape. The impact of the Toys ‘R’ Us’ struggles were greater than Hasbro expected during the year, and it was not able to recapture as much of the lost business during the holiday period as anticipated due to the impact of the retailer’s liquidated inventory being available. Prior to the bankruptcy filing, Toys ‘R’ Us was Hasbro’s third largest customer … Read more

In The News: European Growth Concerns, Continued Weakness in Generic Pharma, Johnson & Johnson Enters Robotics Market

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Let’s take a look at some of the top stories from February 13. Concerns over industrial production in Europe may present challenges to economic growth, generic pharma companies face material competition, and Johnson & Johnson gets into the robotics market. By Kris Rosemann Equities continue to benefit from optimism surrounding US-China trade talks, as President Trump recently stated a willingness to let the March 2 trade conflict resolution deadline slide, but industrial production in Europe, which fell at the greatest sequential rate since 2009 in December 2018, has caught the eye of many a market observer. Demand softness from China (FXI) is playing a role, and the usual suspects such as Greece, Italy (EWI), and uncertainty over Brexit (EWU) continue … Read more

General Motors Rallies, Tesla and Toyota Improve, Auto Parts Suppliers Getting Squeezed

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Image shown: General Motors may very well be on its way to $50+ per share. We continue to like General Motors, and we think Tesla is getting back on the right track with its financials. Auto parts suppliers have faced their fair share of pressure in recent months as the potential for a slowdown in global light vehicle production rises and input cost inflation also makes its presence felt. By Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA On February 6, General Motors (GM) reported fourth-quarter 2018 earnings, and they were quite good. We continue to believe shares of GM are ultra-cheap, as we wrote in: “We Think General Motors Is Poised for New Highs.” The automaker is included as an idea … Read more

Apple’s Services Growth on Track; Weakness to Persist in China

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Image Source: William Hook Apple delivered fiscal first quarter results after the close January 29 that were largely in-line with recently adjusted expectations. China has been and will likely continue to be a soft spot, but the company’s Services revenue continues to impress. Strong free cash flow generation and balance sheet health are synonymous with the company. By Kris Rosemann Apple (AAPL) reported fiscal 2019 first quarter reports after the close January 29, but the market already had a good idea of what to expect due to a January 2 update from CEO Tim Cook that included a stark warning on the current demand environment in China (FXI, MCHI). Here’s some of what Valuentum’s President of Investment Research Brian Nelson … Read more

Caterpillar Crushed by Expectations for No Growth in China

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Image Source: Mining.com Heavy equipment giant Caterpillar saw its share price drop significantly following its fourth quarter report January 28 as it reported disappointing bottom-line results for the quarter and announced expectations for softness in China. By Kris Rosemann Concerns regarding macroeconomic uncertainty and the impact of the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China have dominated headlines of late, and these areas, as expressed through notable company outlooks, will remain in focus throughout this earnings season. Caterpillar’s (CAT) fourth quarter report, released January 28, was no exception as its comment on the recent demand environment and forward-looking expectations were closely dissected. The market was significantly disappointed with what it found, particularly as it relates to the company’s operating … Read more

Markets Continue to Recover

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Image shown: The markets continue to rally significantly since the near-term bottom in December. The decision to move the cash “weightings” to zero in the simulated portfolios of the Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter during the trading session December 27 has been quite rewarding for members that have been following our research and newsletters. The S&P 500 SPDR. No Changes to Simulated Newsletter portfolios. This article was sent to members via email January 18. The original email can be accessed via the link that follows this article. Brian Nelson, CFA The S&P 500 (SPY) continues to march higher in this young 2019, and we trust many of you are pleased with what is turning into quite a nice … Read more

Best Ideas Newsletter Idea Dollar General Strong in Difficult Market

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Image shown: Dollar General has exceeded the market’s return by more than 50 percentage points since being added to the simulated Best Ideas Newsletter in April 2017. The dollar stores are a nice area to be when the economic environment grows more uncertain, and we continue to like Dollar General as the play in this area. It remains a staple in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. By Brian Nelson, CFA There may be one certainty when it comes to the economic environment, and that is uncertainty. The markets have had one of the best bull-runs in history since the doldrums of the March 2009 bottom, and perhaps nobody could have predicted the magnitude of the pace of economic expansion since … Read more

Here It Comes… Apple’s Shot Across the Bow

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Image Source: Tinh tế Photo Apple surprised the market by issuing first-quarter 2019 guidance below expectations. The company pointed to weakness in China as the main culprit. We continue to expect heightened levels of volatility, and investors in key American icons that might be impacted by consumer backlash in China should be on high alert. No changes to the simulated newsletter portfolios as a result of the news. By Brian Nelson, CFA We had yet another volatile day to kick off the new year. The Dow opened with a near 400-point slide and then jumped considerably mid-session only to barely finish higher. You have to read Value Trap. You’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. In case you missed the announcement, … Read more

Automakers Gain on Potential Tariff Easing

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Image Source: Truck Hardware A potential easing of tariffs on auto imports to China, as President Trump had previously hinted, has improved sentiment across the auto manufacturing space as investors eye up the potential for more free exchange of autos between the world’s two largest economies. By Kris Rosemann US equities continue to be quite sensitive to US-China trade talk reports, and the auto manufacturing space has been the most recent beneficiary of potentially favorable developments. China (FXI) is reportedly considering a reduction of its auto import tariff to 15% from 40%, a win President Trump had pointed to as a positive development resulting from his meeting with Chinese officials during the recent G20 summit. The month of November marked … Read more