We Have Dropped Coverage of the Auto Parts Supplier Industry

Image Source: Don O’Brien, Darryl Braaten Structure of the Auto Parts Supplier Industry The highly-cyclical auto supplier industry depends on economic conditions and consumer confidence. Volatile gas prices impact a supplier’s input costs and the types of vehicles demanded by consumers. OEMs have considerable bargaining power over suppliers in negotiating terms on largely-commoditized parts. The industry is regulated by environmental and safety laws, providing both challenges and opportunities. Suppliers have considerable operating leverage and remain extremely competitive, which prevents outsize economic returns over the long haul. In general, we don’t like the structure of the group. We have dropped coverage of the Auto Parts Supplier industry.

Tenneco’s Shares Undervalued Leading Up to Business Separation

  Image Source: Tenneco fourth quarter earnings presentation We think shares of Tenneco are undervalued as the company gears up to complete a business separation in the back half of 2019, but we’re not interested in the stock as a great deal of uncertainty surrounds not only the company itself but the auto supplier industry in general. Expectations for a decline in global light vehicle production in 2019 coupled with heightened concerns over the pace of global economic growth do not bode well for the group, and the auto landscape is one that may see material change in coming years. By Kris Rosemann The auto and transportation space continues to evolve, and companies in all verticals within it are working … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending March 8

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending March 8. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week Aecon (AEGXF): now CAD 0.145 per share quarterly dividend, was CAD 0.125. Americold Realty Trust (COLD): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.1875. American Tower (AMT): now $0.90 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.84. Applied Materials (AMAT): now $0.21 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.20. Armanino Foods of Distinction (AMNF): now $0.025 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.0225. BWX Technologies (BWXT): now $0.17 per share … Read more

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

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

Valuentum Stock Screeners

This article was sent to members via email December 29. That email can be accessed at the link that follows this article. By Brian Nelson, CFA Hi everyone, I wanted to provide an update with respect to Valuentum’s stock screeners. We believe our stock screeners are among the most robust when it comes to providing forward-looking data, or data that is important with respect to the investment decision-making process. We publish screens in each of the monthly newsletters, but we also provide a basic weekly screener for download on the left column of the website, “Download Weekly Stock Screener (xls) — login required.”   We also have other products. The more robust DataScreener, for example, is part of the quarterly Financial … Read more

Market Mayhem — Alerts for Members

During these extremely volatile times, it’s important to stay focused. On December 15, we informed all of our members to “Pay Attention.” Shortly thereafter, we notified members of the potential for a stock market technical breakdown. This morning, we offered a pre-market briefing about the importance of thinking about portfolio protection. For Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=e2406cd6-c113-4344-8731-493f33fc44a4&id=preview For High Yield Dividend Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=b3ba530f-38b3-489a-ac96-2961dca89c6b&id=preview For Exclusive members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=ba6d90c0-4433-48b2-9b8a-aac4ddf9006e&id=preview We’re here for any questions. Please just let us know how we can help! Kind regards, Brian Nelson, CFA  brian@valuentum.com

BMW’s Profit Warning Hits Automakers; General Motors Still Attractive

Image Source: Ya, saya inBaliTimur BMW became one of the first auto manufacturers to note a tangible negative impact of the US-China trade war, and its reduced expectations have impacted investor confidence in the near-term profit levels of other automakers, including simulated newsletter portfolio idea General Motors. By Kris Rosemann Simulated newsletter portfolio idea General Motors (GM) continues to fight through near-term challenges, but we remain fans of its longer-term outlook thanks to its initiative to expand its North America EBIT-adjusted margin to 10% as well as the positioning of its GM Cruise division, which received a nice injection of capital earlier this year via a partnership with SoftBank’s (SFTBY) Vision Fund. The company’s shares are trading at a miniscule multiple … Read more

Valuentum’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Distribution

The weighted average cost of capital is one of the most subjective measures in corporate finance, but it is also one of the most important ones. “The most important item over time in valuation is obviously interest rates…If interest rates are destined to be at low levels…It makes any stream of earnings from investments worth more money. The bogey is always what government bonds yield….Any investment is worth all the cash you’re going to get out between now and judgment day discounted back. The discounting back is affected by whether you choose interests rates like those of Japan or interest rates like those we had in 1982…When we had 15 percent short-term rates in 1982, it was silly to pay … Read more

In the News: More Tariff Talk Keeps Markets Volatile

Many market observers were caught by surprise after President Trump continued down a path of escalating trade tensions late July 10. By Kris Rosemann As with many developments surrounding the Chinese (FXI, MCHI) economy, metals have found themselves at the fore of the discussion. After the Trump Administration threatened additional 10% tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports July 10, copper (COPX) and other metals prices plunged as the newest list of targeted goods includes manufacturing export industries, electronics, textiles, metal components, and auto parts. It is worth noting that the US imports far more Chinese goods than vice versa, suggesting China would not be able to match US tariffs dollar-for-dollar if a full-on trade war ensues, though such a … Read more

Study: Valuentum’s Best Ideas Newsletter Portfolio

To read the study, please click on the image to download the pdf document (pdf).