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

Nike’s Fundamental Backdrop Speaks of Serious Impending Global Recession

Image Source: Raul Gonzalez By Brian Nelson, CFA In a rapidly declining market as we have been witnessing the past many months, it becomes a relative “game.” Taking on outsize risk to drive positive returns is a quick way to the poor house. There are too many things working against the market for it to pull sustainably higher before year’s end, and we think investors are better off playing defense than attacking the bear. Things are bad out there, and they are likely going to get worse, “Things Are Bad Out There.” It is perfectly reasonable and understandable to have been bullish during the first half of this year, as we were, to at least give the market some breathing … Read more

We’ve Suspended Coverage of Stocks in the Disruptive Innovation Industry

Order the Exclusive publication here to gain access to idea generation that covers some of the most innovative stocks. As a member to the Exclusive publication, you’ll receive one income idea, one capital appreciation idea, and one short idea consideration each month! Order today >> — We’ve suspended coverage of stocks in the ‘Disruptive Innovation’ industry. The ‘Disruptive Innovation’ industry is unique in almost every way. The companies included don’t necessarily share a similar traditional industry or sector make-up, but they do share one big thing in common: They continue to disrupt the traditional way of doing things. Carvana is changing how consumers buy used cars, Roku is leading the streaming charge against linear TV, Teradyne’s industrial robotics technology is … Read more

Dividend Growth Idea Dick’s Sporting Goods Beats Estimates, Raises Guidance

Image Shown: Shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc have been on a nice upward climb of late. The sporting goods retailer raised its full-year guidance for fiscal 2022 during its fiscal second quarter earnings report. By Callum Turcan On August 23, Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc (DKS) reported second quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended July 30, 2022) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The sporting goods retailer also raised its full-year guidance for fiscal 2022 in conjunction with the report, after previously lowering its guidance during its fiscal first quarter earnings update in May 2022. We continue to like Dick’s Sporting Goods as an idea in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. Shares of DKS yield ~1.8% as … Read more

Walmart’s Business Update Likely Means U.S. Is In Recession, But Near-Term Weakness Is Already Baked Into Stock Market

Image Shown: Shares of Walmart Inc dropped sharply during afterhours trading on July 25 as the retailer sharply cut its adjusted operating income and EPS guidance for the current fiscal year as inflationary pressures are taking a sizable toll on its bottom-line. By Callum Turcan On July 25, Walmart Inc (WMT) issued a business update that saw the retailer sharply cut its adjusted operating income and EPS guidance for fiscal 2023 (period ended January 2023), while boosting its consolidated net sales guidance. The company also adjusted its guidance for the fiscal second quarter. Shares of WMT plummeted during afterhours trading on July 25 as investors began to price in concerns over the retailer’s deteriorating margins. We anticipated ongoing weakness in … Read more

Nike’s Gross Margin Falls, Inventory Leaps in Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022

Image Source: Valuentum By Valuentum Analysts Very few other companies, if any other, have built such deep, personal connections with the consumer as Nike, Inc. (NKE) has, let alone the tremendous brand strength, and its endorsement deal with LeBron James gives it yet another top-notch globally marketable superstar. Nike’s annual free cash flows averaged ~$4.0 billion from fiscal 2019-2021, versus its ~$1.6 billion in dividend obligations in fiscal 2021, and it had a solid net cash position on the books at the end of fiscal 2022. The sustained strength seen at its digital and direct-to-consumer operations supports Nike’s outlook. Nike’s Dividend Cushion ratio is impressive; however, its ~1.1% dividend yield is relatively modest. From its namesake to Jordan Brand to … Read more

Lululemon Firing on All Cylinders; Shares Recovering

Image Shown: Shares of Lululemon Athletica Inc are recovering in the wake of the company’s recent earnings report. By Callum Turcan On March 29, Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU) reported fourth quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended January 30, 2022) that matched consensus top-line estimates and beat consensus bottom-line estimates. Lululemon also announced it had initiated a new $1.0 billion stock buyback program after completing its previous program in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The company issued favorable guidance for fiscal 2022 during its latest earnings update, which helped drive shares of LULU sharply higher during normal trading hours on March 30. Shares of LULU are up more than 20% during the past 52 weeks through the time of … Read more

Nike Holding Its Own Against Major Exogenous Shocks

Image Shown: Shares of Nike Inc are on an upward climb again after dropping significantly from November 2021 to March 2022. By Callum Turcan On March 21, Nike Inc (NKE) reported its third quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended February 28, 2022) that beat both top- and bottom-line estimates. Shares of Nike are trading around ~$135 as of this writing, near our fair value estimate of $139 per share, after dropping significantly from November 2021 to March 2022. The company’s stock shot up initially after its latest earnings report was made public as Nike indicated it was getting a better handle on its supply chain issues, which have made keeping up with robust consumer demand quite difficult of late. … Read more

Nike Beats Estimates in the Face of Supply Chain Constraints

Image Shown: Shares of Nike Inc shifted higher in the wake of its latest earnings report. By Callum Turcan On December 20, Nike Inc (NKE) reported second quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended November 30, 2021) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The company did its best to navigate serious supply chain hurdles as efforts by public health officials and governments to contain the spread of the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic in Southeast Asia (a major production hub for apparel and footwear) weighed quite negatively on its ability to meet demand. Earnings Update Nike’s GAAP revenues grew 1% year-over-year in the fiscal second quarter, hitting $11.4 billion, as the company, and the apparel and footwear industry at large, … Read more

Dividend Growth Idea Dick’s Sporting Goods Is Firing on All-Cylinders; Raises Guidance (Again) While Generating Gobs of Free Cash Flow

Image Source: Valuentum By Callum Turcan On November 23, Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc (DKS) reported third quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended October 30, 2021) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The sporting goods retailer once again raised its full-year guidance for fiscal 2021 in conjunction with its latest earnings report. Dick’s Sporting Goods also raised its guidance when reporting its fiscal second quarter earnings back in August 2021 and its fiscal first quarter earnings back in May 2021, highlighting management’s growing confidence in the company’s near term performance. Though shares of DKS sold off following its latest earnings update, likely due to concerns over inflationary pressures and supply chain hurdles, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ outlook remains rock-solid. … Read more