Conagra Brands Facing Major Inflationary Headwinds

Image Shown: Conagra Brands Inc recently reduced its full-year guidance for fiscal 2022 in the face of major inflationary headwinds. Image Source: Conagra Brands Inc – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan On July 13, the company behind the Slim Jim, Duncan Hines, Gardein brands (among other), Conagra Brands Inc (CAG), reported fourth quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended May 30, 2021) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. However, its guidance for fiscal 2022 came in a bit light in the face of major inflationary headwinds which saw shares sell off initially after the report was published. Please note that its fiscal 2020 was a 53 week reporting period while its fiscal … Read more

ICYMI — Video: Exclusive 2020 — Furthering the Financial Discipline

ICYMI — Video: Exclusive 2020 — Furthering the Financial Discipline — — In this 40+ minute video jam-packed with must-watch content, Valuentum’s President Brian Nelson talks about the Theory of Universal Valuation and how his work is furthering the financial discipline. Learn the pitfalls of factor investing and modern portfolio theory and how the efficient markets hypothesis holds little substance in the wake of COVID-19. He’ll talk about which companies Valuentum likes and why, and which areas he’s avoiding. This and more in Valuentum’s 2020 Exclusive conference call.   Note: This video was originally published August 2, 2020.    To watch the video >>   The Theory of Universal Valuation —– Valuentum members have access to our 16-page stock reports, … Read more

General Mills Prepares for Cost Inflation, Pet Business Growing Rapidly

Image Source: General Mills Inc – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan On March 24, General Mills Inc (GIS) posted third quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended February 28, 2021) that beat consensus top- and bottom-line estimates on a GAAP basis, though its adjusted non-GAAP bottom-line performance missed consensus estimates. General Mills has seen demand surge higher for its products in the wake of the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic as households stockpiled goods and started eating at home more often. The company posted a solid fiscal third quarter earnings report, though its outlook is facing headwinds as General Mills is contending with cost inflation concerns. Shares of GIS yield ~3.4% and are trading just above … Read more

Mondelez Capturing Share, Generating Strong Free Cash Flow

Image Source: Mondelez International Inc – November 2020 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan On January 28, snacks giant (generates most of its annual revenues from biscuits, chocolates, gum and candy) Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ) reported fourth quarter earnings for 2020 that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. Management noted in the earnings press release that the firm “enter[ed] 2021 in a strong position financially and in the marketplace which gives us confidence that we can deliver on our long-term growth targets in 2021 and beyond.” Mondelez reported 3.7% net organic revenue growth in 2020, supported by favorable volume and pricing movements, and negatively impacted by product mix. The firm’s GAAP revenues were up just under 3% year-over-year in 2020, … Read more

Valuentum Website Overview

Overview of the key features of valuentum.com/ (03:55). Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports, dividend reports, and ETF 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. The Benefits of Premium Membership >> Subscribe Now!

Our Reports on Stocks in the Food Products (Small/Mid-Cap) Industry

Structure of the Food Products Industry The food products industry is composed of a number of firms with strong brand names. However, market supply/demand dynamics and intense competition still impact product prices, while fluctuations in commodity costs can make earnings quite volatile. Private-label competition, competitors’ promotional spending, and changing consumer preferences often drive demand trends. The group’s customers—such as supermarkets, warehouses, and food distributors—continue to consolidate, increasing buying power over constituents and hurting margins. Still, we’re generally neutral on the group. We’ve reallocated our resources to cover more recession-resistant stocks. See here.

Kroger Fighting for Market Share in the Online US Grocery Business

Image Source: The Kroger Company – Fiscal 2019 Annual Report By Callum Turcan On June 18, The Kroger Company (KR) released its first quarter fiscal 2020 earnings (period ended May 23, 2020) that beat both top- and bottom-line estimates. Comparable store sales (excluding fuel) grew by 19% year-over-year as consumers flocked to its various grocery stores and supermarkets (under brands such as Fred Meyer, Fry’s Marketplace, Pick ‘n Save, and others) to stock up on consumer staples products as the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) spread across North America. Kroger’s digital sales surged 92% year-over-year last fiscal quarter as curbside and home delivery options have become increasingly popular during the pandemic. Shares of KR yield ~2.0% and are trading in the upper bound … Read more

Reiterating Our Bullish Long-Term View on Stocks

Reiterating Our Bullish Long-Term View on Stocks Image: The NASDAQ 100 Index remains resilient, bouncing off support, after breaking out to new highs recently. Some of our best ideas are included in the NASDAQ 100, and our favorite concentrations include exposure to big cap tech and large cap growth. We continue to be bullish on equities for the long run. — By Brian Nelson, CFA — Hi everyone, — Hope you are doing great! First, I wanted to let you know that we’re still working to get the second release of the survey out to you. Your participation in the survey will determine whether we launch a new business, so please do fill it out and keep a watchful eye out for … Read more

ICYMI: Survey Coming Later Today, More Market Volatility Expected

ICYMI: Survey Coming Later Today, More Market Volatility Expected Image: The market’s levels of volatility so far in 2020 have been among the greatest in history. Expectations for increased volatility in the marketplace as a result of the proliferation of price-agnostic trading (indexing and quantitative trading) is a key theme of Valuentum’s text, Value Trap: Theory of Universal Valuation. We continue to emphasize the importance of due diligence, enterprise valuation, behavioral thinking, the information contained in prices, and stock selection across equity portfolios. Page 256. — Hi everyone, — Hope you all are doing great!  — Many of you have already filled out the survey, and I can’t thank you enough for that. For those that may have missed the email housing … Read more

*ALERT* Scribbles and More Newsletter Portfolio Changes

*ALERT* Scribbles and More Newsletter Portfolio Changes Image: Why are stock prices increasing while the near-term economy and near-term earnings outlook isn’t as bright as before…How unlimited quantitative easing, runaway government spending, increased inflation expectations impact equity values…Why this year’s earnings expectations or next year’s earnings expectations don’t matter much…Why Valuentum thinks equity values are rising today, even as the near-term outlook remains unclear. Scribbles on page 76 of Value Trap. — “I know it sounds crazy to say so during a global pandemic and during a recession, but the right multiple and the right earnings to use to value this market is an 18-20x multiple on $196 earnings, putting a fair value range on the S&P 500 today of 3,530-3,920. The … Read more