ICYMI: Valuentum’s Improved Stock and ETF Web Pages

Valuentum has rolled out improved stock and ETF web pages on its website valuentum.com/. Now, subscribers can access key proprietary information on the stock and ETF web pages in addition to the customary stock and ETF reports. Dear reader, We have some exciting news that we can’t wait to share with you! At valuentum.com/, we have rolled out new stock and ETF pages that conveniently include a variety of our proprietary metrics from the Dividend Cushion ratio to the Economic Castle rating and beyond! There’s even mouseover functionality so you can learn about how we define the key metrics across our stock-selection and dividend growth methodologies. You’ll still have access to the stock and dividend reports on the landing pages, … Read more

The “Luck” and “Randomness” of Index Funds

Please select the image below to download the document. Image shown, page 1 of 14. Tickerized for Valuentum’s coverage universe.

Video: Quants! You’re NOT Measuring VALUE and Nelson’s Theory of Universal Value

President of Investment Research Brian Nelson defines the concept of universal value and shows how quantitative statistical methods are inextricably linked to those of fundamental, financial, business-model related analysis. Value does not exist in respective process vacuums! Value is universal. Find out why. Running time: ~10 minutes.  Tickerized for Valuentum’s stock and ETF coverage universe. Transcript Hi this is Brian Nelson from Valuentum Securities, and this is the tenth edition of a series that I call “Off the Cuff,” where I get in front of the camera and I talk for ten minutes. This is what we have to talk about today. We have to talk about this concept: The Theory of Universal Value. Value does not exist in vacuums … Read more

Shoe Retailing Stocks Stumble

The market didn’t like the smell of Foot Locker’s first-quarter report, released May 19. Finish Line and Dick’s Sporting Goods likely forewarned of trouble. By Brian Nelson, CFA Shoe stocks have been stinking up the market lately. The writing may have been on the wall a couple months ago when Finish Line (FINL) released a weak fiscal fourth-quarter report for the period ending February 25 that showed consolidated sales falling 0.4% and (Finish Line) comparable sales dropping 4.5%. CEO of Finish Line Sam Sato said at the time that the company’s fiscal fourth quarter had finished off a “challenging year financially” for the company, and we can’t really disagree. It was tough fiscal year for the retailer. Here’s more of … Read more

Valuentum’s 3 Breakthroughs in the Field of Finance and More

Valuentum’s President Brian Nelson pauses for a picture before speaking at the CFA Society of Houston in March 2017. By Valuentum Editorial Staff Let’s cover Valuentum’s 3 major breakthroughs in the field of finance. The first one is big and may challenge you to rethink everything you think you know about investing. 1. On a logical framework, Valuentum has debunked John C. Bogle’s landmark syllogism that has paved the way for the concept of index investing. Index investing has been built on a logical shortcoming, whether supported by evidence or not. We think it is important that the investment community know of this. Read (pdf): The “Luck” and “Randomness” of Index Funds (2018), Brian Nelson, CFA See video documentation: /FALLACY_of_Index_Funds To … Read more

Value Opportunities Not To Be Found In Footwear Market

Athleisure, a term used to describe athletic-inspired leisure apparel, has been a source of strength for retailers in recent quarters and has found a solid niche in the heart of consumers. Athletic-casual wear has become a popular style choice and continues to be more accepted in a wide variety of social situations. The footwear market is following a similar trend. The dominant player in athletic footwear in the US is Nike (NKE); there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The Nike Free franchise–that’s only one of its running shoe franchises–recently eclipsed the $1 billion annual sales rate, which makes it bigger than 7 of the 10 largest shoe brands in the US. With well over $18 billion in … Read more

Valuentum Economic Castleâ„¢ Rating Update

Read: Keeping the Horse Before the Cart: Valuentum’s Economic Castle™ Rating The Economic Castle Focuses on the Magnitude of Economic Value Creation The Valuentum Economic Castle™ rating is an enhancement of the competitive advantage framework (commonly known as economic moat analysis) that has become widespread and ubiquitous within the investing world. Whereas an economic moat framework evaluates a firm on the basis of the sustainability and durability of its competitive advantages, Valuentum’s Economic Castle™ rating evaluates a firm on the basis of the firm’s future economic profit spread (return on invested capital less its weighted average cost of capital). The companies with the strongest Valuentum Economic Castle™ ratings are poised to generate the most economic value for shareholders in the … Read more

Nike’s Earnings Expansion Will Continue to Be Challenged

On Thursday, Nike (NKE) reported strong fiscal second-quarter results. Revenue expanded 8% during the period (9% on a currency neutral basis), while diluted earnings per share from continuing operations nudged 4% higher, to $0.59 per share. Sales at its Nike brand expanded in every product type, geography and key category. Sales in its Converse brand advanced 11% on a currency-neutral basis thanks to strong performance in its largest owned markets. Though we liked that gross margins advanced 140 basis points in the period thanks to a mix of higher-margin products, higher prices, and lower input costs, selling and administrative expenses leapt 14%, exceeding the pace of revenue growth. Earnings before interest and taxes for the three months ended November 30, … Read more

PLG Brands Continues to Drive Wolverine Worldwide

Shoe seller Wolverine Worldwide (click ticker for report: ) posted strong third-quarter results driven largely by former Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio holding Collective Brands’ PLG brands. Revenue surged 9% year-over-year on a pro forma basis and more than doubled on a year-over-year reported basis, to $717 million (modestly exceeding consensus estimates). Earnings per share were even stronger, rising 61% year-over-year to $1.16 (excluding acquisition costs) and coming in handily above consensus expectations. Year-to-date, the company has generated $96.2 million in free cash flow, equal to 5% of total revenue. Image Source: Wolverine Worldwide Wolverine’s ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Performance’ groups were the drivers behind revenue expansion during the quarter as the company continues to capitalize on the success of recently-acquired Sperry Top-Sider … Read more