MDLZ

Kraft Posts Solid Second-Quarter Results, Raises Outlook, and Breaks Up Company

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Kraft Foods (KFT) reported solid second-quarter results Thursday and indicated that it would split its high-growth global snacks business and its mature, high-margin North American grocery business. The firm also bumped up its 2011 organic net revenue growth and operating earnings per share outlook, to at least 5% (was 4%) and $2.25 (was $2.20), respectively. We were impressed with the firm’s second-quarter performance and think its move to create two independent public companies will create value for shareholders over the long haul. Kraft’s second-quarter net revenues advanced over 13% (7.1% organic) thanks to strong pricing expansion, which accounted for 5.5 percentage points of growth, while operating income jumped 6% as pricing effectively offset higher raw material costs, though its underlying … Read more

The Best Years Are Ahead

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By Brian Nelson, CFA — The wind is at our backs. — The Federal Reserve, Treasury, and regulatory bodies of the U.S. may have no choice but to keep U.S. markets moving higher. The likelihood of the S&P 500 reaching 2,000 ever again seems remote, and I would not be surprised to see 5,000 on the S&P 500 before we see 2,500-3,000, if the latter may be in the cards. The S&P 500 is trading at ~4,100 at the time of this writing. — The high end of our fair value range on the S&P 500 remains just shy of 4,000, but I foresee a massive shift in long-term capital out of traditional bonds into equities this decade (and markets … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of August 1

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending August 1. 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                          American States Water (AWR): now $0.5040 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.4655. Ardmore Shipping (ASC): now $0.07 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.05. Artisan Partners Asset Management (APAM): now $0.73 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.68. AudioCodes (AUDC): now $0.20 per share semi-annual dividend, was $0.18. Banco Bradesco S.A. (BBDO): now $0.0021 per share monthly dividend, was $0.0019. The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & … Read more

US Congress Is Getting Ready to Pass a Massive ~$2.2 Trillion Fiscal Stimulus Bill

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Image Shown: US equities have started to recover some of their lost ground as the likelihood that the US Congress will pass a massive ~$2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus and emergency spending package, dubbed the CARES Act, has increased significantly over the past week as seen through the bounce in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). President Trump has clearly indicated that he intends to sign such a bill into law as soon as possible, with the US House of Representatives expected to take up the legislation this upcoming Friday morning on March 27. By Callum Turcan On March 25, the US Senate worked late into the night to secure a bipartisan compromise on a massive ~$2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week July 30

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending July 30. 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 Alexander & Baldwin (ALEX): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.16. American States Water (AWR): now $0.365 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.335. Arbor Realty Trust (ABR): now $0.35 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.34. Arc Resources (AETUF): now CAD 0.066 per share annual dividend, was CAD 0.060. Ares Capital (ARCC): now $0.41 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.40. Apartment Income REIT (AIRC): now $0.44 … Read more

Update: Frequently Asked Questions About Valuentum Securities, Inc.

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What is Valuentum Securities? Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports and dividend reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information. How do I subscribe to Valuentum’s investment research services? 1)    Click the following link: signup-page. 2)    Select your membership plan. 3)    Enter your contact details. 4)    Click ‘Sign Up.’ 5)    Complete your purchase. 6)   Your payment profile may be recurring, so please check … Read more

Roaring 20s? — Consumer Staples Valuations Stretched

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Strong outlooks for Kimberly-Clark, United Technologies, Hexcel and Lockheed Martin point to an economy that is still gaining momentum. We caution investors of consumer staples stocks, however, with many equities holding large net debt positions, and the sector trading at almost 20 times forward earnings. Learn about the difference between the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and the Exclusive publication and much more in this note. Image Source: Alan Levine — By Brian Nelson, CFA Welcome new members!    As you’re getting familiar with the website, please watch the Navigation Video. For those passionate about financial analysis and to see how deep our team goes with our research, please watch the Financial Analysis Video. Finally, don’t forget to flip through the , and read our … Read more

Nelson: The 16 Most Important Steps To Understand The Stock Market

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A previous version of this article appeared on our website July 21, 2013. Refreshed and updated throughout, as of July 2018. By Brian Nelson, CFA After earning my MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and training stock and credit analysts from large organizations over the past decade or so, I have heard just about every question (though I admit I am still surprised by many things and remain a very humble student of the markets). I’ve also spent years perfecting the discounted cash flow process for large research organizations such as Morningstar and studied under one of the most famed aggressive growth investors of all time, Richard Driehaus. My knowledge runs the gamut from value through … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending August 2

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending August 2. 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 Alexander & Baldwin (ALEX): now $0.19 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.165. AllianceBernstein (AB): now $0.56 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.49. American States Water (AWR): now $0.305 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.275. Apollo Global Management (APO): now $0.50 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.46. Arbor Realty Trust (ABR): now $0.29 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.28. Artisan Partners Asset Management (APAM): now $0.60 per … Read more