In the News: Expensive Energy, China’s Trade Surplus and Auto Market, and Big Tobacco Developments

The IEA is concerned about the impact of rising energy prices on global economic growth, and both it and OPEC have lowered near-term oil demand growth expectations. The impact of the US-China trade dispute continues to be sized up by a number of industries, including automakers, and big tobacco companies may be looking to the cannabis market for future growth as the space remains sensitive to potentially increasing regulations.  By Kris Rosemann US stocks bounced back early in the October 12 trading session thanks in part to encouraging earnings reports from the likes of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C) and a slight reversal of the yield curve’s recent flattening move. Simulated Best Idea Newsletter portfolio idea Visa (V) gained … Read more

Constellation Sets Optimistic Tone, Outlines Cannabis Opportunity

Image Source: Constellation Brands The producer of beer, wine and spirits reported excellent second quarter fiscal 2019 results and described cannabis as a “once-a-century disruptive market transition.” Without a doubt, the opportunity in cannabis looks tremendous, but the landscape is fast-evolving. We think Constellation will be a long-term winner in the space, but outsize profits in cannabis may be tough to come by initially. By Brian Nelson, CFA Constellation Brands (STZ) reported solid second quarter fiscal 2019 results October 4 that showed a very healthy and growing business. Net sales advanced 10%, while operating income increased 9% on a comparable basis. The company raised its fiscal 2019 earnings per share outlook to $14.10-$14.25 on a reported basis (was $11.47 in … Read more