XLK

Resetting Your Mental Model

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Image Source: affen ajlfe A version of this article was originally published on our website October 6, 2013. Having the right mental model and using the right information can be the reason why you win or lose in investing. “What is the definition of timeliness? Many believe it is getting information to investors as quickly as possible after an event, or updating something every single day or week for immaterial information. I believe in a different definition of timeliness. I believe timeliness is using all information available in a mosaic approach to accurately predict the event before it even happens. Take Kinder Morgan as the latest example. We were the only ones predicting what was going to happen before it did. To investors, … Read more

US Government Launches Anti-Trust War Against Alphabet, Apple, and Facebook

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Image shown: Technology shares took a beating during the trading session June 3. The DOJ and FTC are coming after Alphabet, Apple and Facebook, and we can’t help but feel the moves are in some ways politically motivated. Even if regulators decide to break up these companies, it doesn’t mean they will “confiscate” their businesses. Worst case scenario, perhaps pieces of their businesses would be auctioned off at arguably above-market prices, which could be a net positive. By Brian Nelson, CFA Nobody seemingly wants big “new” tech to win, and while such a dynamic may counterintuitive turn them into great long-term investments as a result, the stock-price behavior by some of the tech heavyweights, including Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Facebook … Read more

In the News: Apple vs. Qualcomm, Intel and AMD, Visa in China, and Netflix’s Pricing

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Let’s take a look at some of the top stories on some of the biggest names in tech. Apple secured a legal victory in Germany, rumors swirl Intel and AMD, Visa’s efforts in China may have hit a speedbump, and Netflix is enacting its largest price hike ever on its US subscribers. By Kris Rosemann Though an end may be far from imminent, the legal battle between Qualcomm (QCOM) and simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio idea Apple (AAPL) took a turn in Apple’s favor after a patent lawsuit filed by Qualcomm was thrown out by a German court. Qualcomm had previously won a case that enabled it to ban the sale of older iPhones in Germany–it also recently won a … Read more

Valuentum Stock Screeners

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This article was sent to members via email December 29. That email can be accessed at the link that follows this article. By Brian Nelson, CFA Hi everyone, I wanted to provide an update with respect to Valuentum’s stock screeners. We believe our stock screeners are among the most robust when it comes to providing forward-looking data, or data that is important with respect to the investment decision-making process. We publish screens in each of the monthly newsletters, but we also provide a basic weekly screener for download on the left column of the website, “Download Weekly Stock Screener (xls) — login required.”   We also have other products. The more robust DataScreener, for example, is part of the quarterly Financial … Read more

Market Mayhem — Alerts for Members

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During these extremely volatile times, it’s important to stay focused. On December 15, we informed all of our members to “Pay Attention.” Shortly thereafter, we notified members of the potential for a stock market technical breakdown. This morning, we offered a pre-market briefing about the importance of thinking about portfolio protection. For Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=e2406cd6-c113-4344-8731-493f33fc44a4&id=preview For High Yield Dividend Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=b3ba530f-38b3-489a-ac96-2961dca89c6b&id=preview For Exclusive members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=ba6d90c0-4433-48b2-9b8a-aac4ddf9006e&id=preview We’re here for any questions. Please just let us know how we can help! Kind regards, Brian Nelson, CFA  brian@valuentum.com

Oracle Raises Internal Guidance; Share Buybacks Abound

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Image Source: May Wong Oracle’s fiscal 2019 second quarter report revealed expectations for accelerating top-line growth thanks in large part to strong momentum in bookings. The company’s technology leadership may be greater than ever before, and it continues to generate robust free cash flow. Management’s appetite for buybacks appears insatiable. By Kris Rosemann Simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio idea Oracle (ORCL) released its fiscal 2019 second quarter report December 18, and management brought with it an increase in its internal expectations for top- and bottom-line growth for the full fiscal year. On the quarterly conference call, CEO Safra Catz stated expectations for an acceleration of constant currency revenue growth in the second half of the fiscal year, and the company’s … Read more

In the News: Generic Drug Price Fixing and Apple’s Legal Battle in China

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An investigation into pricing practices in the generic drug industry has substantially expanded, and implications may be far more widespread than initially expected. Meanwhile, Apple is fighting a preliminary order that will ban the sale of its iPhones that utilize certain software. By Kris Rosemann Price fixing of generic drugs broke into the news as an antitrust lawsuit over just two drugs in late 2016, but the investigation now reportedly involves at least 16 companies and 300 drugs. The generic drug industry is one that has been lauded as a potential savior of rampant healthcare costs in the US, but Joseph Nielsen, an assistant attorney general and antitrust investigator in Connecticut, used evidence such as the volume of drugs and … Read more

Trade Uncertainty Update

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Image Source: John Karakatsanis The arrest of a high profile Chinese tech executive has renewed concerns over trade tensions after the US markets were closed for a day of remembrance for the 41st President of the US. Also, the Fed released its Beige Book. By Kris Rosemann Despite the markets being closed December 5 in remembrance of the passing of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US, investors continue to be pulled in different directions regarding the state of US-China trade negotiations, and the situation continues to become more muddled. After a weekend of optimism, a new round of doubt was cast over the legitimacy of the progress made at the G20 Summit, but China’s (FXI) commerce ministry offered … Read more

In The News: Market Volatility, iPhone Unit Concerns, Wildfire Liabilities Piling Up

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Let’s take a look at some top stories from around the markets including headlines in the biotech and tobacco spaces, some household names facing material selling pressure, and the significant impact of massive wildfires in California. By Kris Rosemann Market volatility persists as of the November 12 trading session. Concerns surrounding global trade disputes and a stronger dollar are weighing on investor expectations, and multiple big name companies facing selling pressure only add to less than rosy outlooks. The biotech space (XBI) remains under pressure with future price uncertainty providing a material overhang, and big tobacco is under pressure as a result of the potential for a ban on menthol cigarettes from the FDA. Simulated newsletter portfolio holding Altria (MO) … Read more

In the News: Geopolitical Uncertainty Rules the Day

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Let’s take a look at some of the recent top stories and their implications on the market. By Kris Rosemann Brexit negotiations continue to be a messy ordeal for British Prime Minister Theresa May and her countrymen. The EU (VGK) rejected her most recent proposal without proposing counteroffers, and if there is no agreement, there will be no transition to keep the UK (EWU) and its businesses from being stuck in a sort of trade policy purgatory. May has been quoted as saying, “No deal is better than a bad deal,” as well as, “No one wants a good deal more than me.” A good deal would assure frictionless trade in goods and would not disrupt any intertwined supply chains multinational businesses … Read more