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IPG

The Emerging Tech Assessment Enables IPG Mediabrands Agencies to Deliver Unparallelled Campaign Results for Brands Despite Impending Signal LossNEW YORK, March 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KINESSO, the IPG Mediabrands technology-driven performance marketing agency within Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today the launch of their Emerging Tech Assessment (ETA), a next-gen solution for brands looking to optimize campaign performance in a post-cookie world. This proprietary offering is the most comprehensive offering of its kind, specifically designed to assess and mitigate potential performance risks for clients and marketers alike.The quickly approaching phase-out of third-party cookies signifies a pivotal shift in the digital advertising landscape, with significant impact expected to attribution, cross-platform measurement, audience tactics, and optimization capabilities. The ETA is an exciting and necessary advancement, offering a unified approach to measure campaign success through the analysis of client’s digital media investments – categorizing spend into high, medium, and low risk – in the absence of cookies. The ETA also grants brands access to a qualitative review that examines the readiness of their technological infrastructure to adopt next-generation strategies and improves their preparedness for performance continuity.KINESSO has built a global solution that outshines competitor offerings through pioneering features that provide empowering and actionable insights, including evaluating digital spend holistically across channels. Notably, ETA prioritizes actions based on a thorough risk evaluation, a critical step missing from most in-market solutions. It is backed by a systematic and automated data collection process that is integral to assessing campaigns in forensic detail to inform strategic decision-making. This custom approach not only de-risks client spend but simultaneously opens avenues for service revenue growth.Story continues"Our clients rely on us to navigate the complexities of digital marketing, and the demise of third-party cookies presents a significant challenge," said Chris Schimkat, Global Head of Analytics at KINESSO. "The Emerging Tech Assessment is our proactive solution to safeguard client investments, maintain campaign effectiveness, and leverage our strategic partnerships with industry giants like Google, Amazon Ads, and Meta."Key benefits of the Emerging Tech Assessment include:Sophisticated Risk Analysis: Detailed and advanced risk examination of digital media spend across channels and partners to provide the most viable use of advertising technology to reach their target.Tech Readiness Assessment: Qualitative evaluation of the current tech stack to ensure technological preparedness for next-gen solutions.Customization: A personalized approach for each brand, with innovative recommendations, and the development of a strategic roadmap in collaboration with brand-side teams.KINESSO’s commitment to innovation and client success is at the heart of the ETA, positioning the agency as a trusted advisor in the face of industry-wide transformation. The agency is currently working to scale this offering so that all IPG Mediabrands clients have the opportunity to benefit from the ETA.For more information about the Emerging Tech Assessment and how KINESSO can help your business adapt to the digital advertising evolution, visit kinesso.com.About KINESSOKINESSO is the technology-driven performance marketing agency that sits at the very heart of IPG Mediabrands, providing actionable growth for both our agency partners and clients. We turn ‘action’ into ‘outcome’ for our clients, leveraging our unique capabilities in optimization, analytics, AI and experimentation. KINESSO has brought together the collective power of what was formerly Matterkind, Reprise, and Kinesso under one collective entity that will serve as the most powerful delivery engine in the industry. We have extensive offerings spanning across performance marketing and data and technology. Fueled by a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we offer an end-to-end engine of planning and optimization while also delivering on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client's function and needs. The company has more than 6,000 employees operating in more than 60 countries. Learn more at www.KINESSO.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240307883083/en/ContactsIsabelle [email protected]

Business Wire

KINESSO Unveils Industry’s Most Cutting-Edge Solution to Optimize Campaign Performance in the Post-Cookie Era

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kinesso-unveils-industry-most-cutting-150900829.html

0adc9d78-bb7f-311d-a8ef-f273d5cc8f07

IPG

Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (The)The Martin Agency and The Weber Shandwick Collective Named to the A-ListIPG Health Wins Health Care Network of the YearIPG Mediabrands Named U.S. Network of the YearUM Named Media Agency of the YearNew York, NY, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced that five of its agencies were honored at the Ad Age A-List & Creativity Awards — the trade publication's coveted ranking of agencies, companies and innovators and their efforts to move the advertising industry forward, with IPG companies winning more honors than any other agency group. Recognized as top-performers in the industry, IPG Health, IPG Mediabrands, The Martin Agency, UM and The Weber Shandwick Collective were honored for their innovative and market-moving work across the advertising, media, PR and healthcare sectors.The Martin Agency secured the No. 5 position on Ad Age’s 2024 Agency A-List, marking its second consecutive year on the esteemed list. This recognition follows the agency’s viral campaign for Solo Stove featuring Snoop Dogg, as well as a series of new business wins, including Papa Johns, Google Chrome, Sanofi, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Miracle-Gro. With impressive new business growth in 2023, The Martin Agency continues to demonstrate how integrating creativity and culture into its core operations can drive remarkable business growth and success.Ranked at No. 10 on the A-List, The Weber Shandwick Collective stood out for its remarkable achievements in leading clients toward culturally relevant success. Under the leadership of CEO Gail Heimann and President Susan Howe, the agency crafted innovative campaigns — such as the viral Pop-Tarts mascot stunt and Barbie's transformation from an iconic doll to feminist hero — that effectively engaged audiences and increased brand visibility.For the second year in a row, IPG Health earned the title of "Health Care Network of the Year," recognized for its excellence in DE&I and innovation in data and AI integration. This recognition follows a year of groundbreaking achievements, including the launch of industry-first initiatives like the clinical trial diversity offering and IPG Health Influencer ID (IDI). Since the introduction of this category last year, IPG Health remains the sole healthcare network to receive this prestigious accolade.Story continuesAdditionally, under the leadership of Eileen Kiernan, IPG Mediabrands stood out as Ad Age's 2024 U.S. Network of the Year. The network, which includes Initiative, KINESSO, MAGNA, Mediahub and UM, saw transformative growth marked by strategic initiatives like a dedicated retail media unit, and a partnership with Google for AI innovation. The publication notes that, despite industry challenges, IPG Mediabrands achieved substantial revenue growth, showcasing its commitment to technology and data analytics for tangible business outcomes.Finally, Ad Age named UM its Media Agency of the Year, highlighting its leadership in retail and commerce, marketplace equity and DEI as significant drivers of the agency’s success. With the development of innovative tools like Shoptimizer, UM continues to excel in delivering tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of brands in today's dynamic marketplace."It’s gratifying to see so many of our agencies being recognized — underscoring their talent and the exceptional capabilities they bring to bear in delivering client success, whether in the creative and earned space, in media or in healthcare communications,” commented Philippe Krakowsky, CEO, IPG. “These honors reflect the breadth of expertise across our companies, and we congratulate the teams at The Martin Agency, IPG Mediabrands, IPG Health, The Weber Shandwick Collective and UM for their ongoing commitment to effectiveness and excellence.”Winners will be celebrated at Ad Age’s in-person A-List & Creativity Awards Gala in New York City on April 24, 2024.# # #About InterpublicInterpublic (NYSE: IPG) (www.interpublic.com) is a values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven provider of marketing solutions. Home to some of the world’s best-known and most innovative communications specialists, IPG global brands include Acxiom, Craft, FCB, FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, IPG Health, IPG Mediabrands, Jack Morton, KINESSO, MAGNA, McCann, Mediahub, Momentum, MRM, MullenLowe Global, Octagon, R/GA, UM, Weber Shandwick and more. IPG is an S&P 500 company with total revenue of $10.89 billion in 2023. # # #Contact InformationTom Cunningham (Press) (212) 704-1326Jerry Leshne (Analysts, Investors) (212) 704-1439

GlobeNewswire

IPG Tops the 2024 Ad Age 'A-List'

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ipg-tops-2024-ad-age-203400446.html

9a730b8b-b82c-3971-929d-9c77e7f7fa53

IQV

Key InsightsUsing the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, IQVIA Holdings fair value estimate is US$363Current share price of US$247 suggests IQVIA Holdings is potentially 32% undervalued Analyst price target for IQV is US$272 which is 25% below our fair value estimateToday we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for IQVIA Holdings The CalculationWe are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:Story continues10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate2024202520262027202820292030203120322033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.73bUS$2.12bUS$2.44bUS$3.09bUS$3.40bUS$3.64bUS$3.84bUS$4.01bUS$4.17bUS$4.31bGrowth Rate Estimate SourceAnalyst x6Analyst x5Analyst x3Analyst x2Analyst x2Est @ 6.88%Est @ 5.51%Est @ 4.54%Est @ 3.87%Est @ 3.39% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.2% US$1.6kUS$1.8kUS$2.0kUS$2.3kUS$2.4kUS$2.4kUS$2.4kUS$2.3kUS$2.2kUS$2.1k("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$22bThe second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.2%.Terminal Value (TV)= FCF2033 × (1 + g) ÷ (r – g) = US$4.3b× (1 + 2.3%) ÷ (7.2%– 2.3%) = US$89bPresent Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$89b÷ ( 1 + 7.2%)10= US$45bThe total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$66b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$247, the company appears quite undervalued at a 32% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.dcfThe AssumptionsNow the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at IQVIA Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.072. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.SWOT Analysis for IQVIA HoldingsStrengthEarnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.Debt is well covered by earnings.WeaknessEarnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.OpportunityAnnual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.ThreatDebt is not well covered by operating cash flow.Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.Next Steps:Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For IQVIA Holdings, there are three essential aspects you should further examine:Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for IQVIA Holdings (1 can't be ignored!) we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company.Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for IQV's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors.Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) Shares Could Be 32% Below Their Intrinsic Value Estimate

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iqvia-holdings-inc-nyse-iqv-110026393.html

62498f63-dff6-3ecf-a67a-dcf1719c1da7

IQV

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., February 26, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IQVIA™ (NYSE:IQV), has published its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The annual report provides a detailed account of the organization’s focus on reducing its environmental impact and commitment to accelerating positive outcomes for public health and patients."At IQVIA our mission is to accelerate innovation for a healthier world. Our 87,000 healthcare focused employees integrate AI-powered analytics and healthcare expertise to solve the most complex problems for our life science, regulator and provider customers," said Ari Bousbib, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IQVIA. "We are proud that we delivered on our sustainability commitments despite the tumultuous macro-environment we have been operating in."IQVIA’s full 2023 ESG report can be downloaded here. Below are selected highlights:Driving environmental change. In line with our commitment to net zero, we verified our GHG emissions reduction targets – including our net zero by 2050 target – with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We reduced our absolute scope 3 emissions by 31% and removed over 3,000 kg of single use plastics from our business. In addition, we increased the reuse of electronic devices by more than five times. In furtherance of our sustainability agenda, 13 of our labs across Europe, Asia and the U.S. have now achieved the My Green Lab certification and we continue to work with our suppliers to commit to and set SBTi targets, including mandatory training as part of their supplier agreements.Investing in our people. The company continued to make significant investments in its people, ensuring that they feel they are making a meaningful contribution to driving healthcare forward. 87% of employees see a clear link between their work and our shared vision, 5 points above the Fortune 500 benchmark. 79% of employees feel like they belong at the company, 3 points above the Fortune 500 benchmark, and 88% feel they are acquiring the skills they need to be successful, 7 points above the Fortune 500 benchmark.Advancing public health. We established our dedicated global public health business in 2023, which now works with more than 75 clients across the globe. IQVIA also worked with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) in support of its 100 Days Mission, an ambitious plan to compress vaccine development timelines to 100 days. In our work to impact patient outcomes, we partnered with the UK’s National Health Service to improve the survival rates of lung cancer patients, materially improving the speed to diagnosis. Additionally, we leveraged our unique capabilities to enroll patients from traditionally underserved populations into a trial for an RSV vaccine, enrolling 1.7 times the number of Black participants and 1.6 times the number of Hispanic participants than the customer originally planned.Story continuesSustaining our strong diversity and inclusion performance. As the company’s workforce has expanded to better reflect the communities we serve, we now have 90 different ethnicities represented across our employee population. 61% of our global workforce are women, 52% of our global managers are women and 40% of IQVIA’s Board of Directors are women. In the U.S. alone, almost 40% of our employees identify as minority and 44% of new hires identify as minority.External recognition. For the seventh year in a row, IQVIA was named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies in FORTUNE’s annual survey. For the third year in a row, IQVIA was named the number one most admired company in our category, Healthcare: Pharmacy and Other Services. In addition, IQVIA earned first place ranking in six of nine categories, including quality of management, people management, innovation, quality of products and services, global competitiveness, and use of corporate assets.About IQVIAIQVIA (NYSE:IQV) is a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life sciences industry. IQVIA creates intelligent connections across all aspects of healthcare through its analytics, transformative technology, big data resources and extensive domain expertise. IQVIA Connected Intelligence™ delivers powerful insights with speed and agility — enabling customers to accelerate the clinical development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments that improve healthcare outcomes for patients. With approximately 87,000 employees, IQVIA conducts operations in more than 100 countries.IQVIA is a global leader in protecting individual patient privacy. The company uses a wide variety of privacy-enhancing technologies and safeguards to protect individual privacy while generating and analyzing information on a scale that helps healthcare stakeholders identify disease patterns and correlate with the precise treatment path and therapy needed for better outcomes. IQVIA’s insights and execution capabilities help biotech, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, medical researchers, government agencies, payers and other healthcare stakeholders tap into a deeper understanding of diseases, human behaviors and scientific advances, in an effort to advance their path toward cures. To learn more, visit www.iqvia.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226680195/en/ContactsKerri Joseph, IQVIA Investor Relations ([email protected])+1.610.244.3020Trent Brown, IQVIA Media Relations ([email protected])+1.919.780.3221

Business Wire

IQVIA Publishes its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Report

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iqvia-publishes-2023-environmental-social-130000353.html

39c9c77a-bcf9-32a6-9526-bd902e53aba2

IQV

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. TNDM shares rallied 9.6% in the last trading session to close at $29.67. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 15.9% gain over the past four weeks.Tandem Diabetes scored a strong price increase, driven by investor’s optimism surrounding the company’s recent announcement of pricing of $275.0 million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The offering was upsized from the previously announced offering size of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes.This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.79 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -25.4%. Revenues are expected to be $172.98 million, up 2.1% from the year-ago quarter.Earnings and revenue growth expectations certainly give a good sense of the potential strength in a stock, but empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.For Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 46.1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. And a negative trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't usually translate into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on TNDM going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. is a member of the Zacks Medical - Instruments industry. One other stock in the same industry, IQVIA Holdings IQV, finished the last trading session 2.2% higher at $258.59. IQV has returned 18% over the past month.For IQVIA , the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has changed -3.7% over the past month to $2.47. This represents a change of +0.8% from what the company reported a year ago. IQVIA currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportTandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (TNDM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportIQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (TNDM) Surges 9.6%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tandem-diabetes-care-inc-tndm-111900707.html

8459320b-4725-3d3f-b1a5-0b953069e364

IQV

Today we're going to take a look at the well-established IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV). The company's stock led the NYSE gainers with a relatively large price hike in the past couple of weeks. The company's trading levels have reached its high for the past year, following the recent bounce in the share price. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock’s share price. However, what if the stock is still a bargain? Let’s take a look at IQVIA Holdings’s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists. Check out our latest analysis for IQVIA Holdings What Is IQVIA Holdings Worth?Good news, investors! IQVIA Holdings is still a bargain right now. According to our valuation, the intrinsic value for the stock is $351.66, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. However, given that IQVIA Holdings’s share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us another chance to buy in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility.What does the future of IQVIA Holdings look like?earnings-and-revenue-growthFuture outlook is an important aspect when you’re looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it’s the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. IQVIA Holdings' earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 36%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.What This Means For YouAre you a shareholder? Since IQV is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to increase your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation.Story continuesAre you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping an eye on IQV for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its prosperous future outlook isn’t fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means it’s not too late to buy IQV. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed buy.If you'd like to know more about IQVIA Holdings as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. For example, IQVIA Holdings has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is concerning) we think you should know about.If you are no longer interested in IQVIA Holdings, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Is There Now An Opportunity In IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV)?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/now-opportunity-iqvia-holdings-inc-120023892.html

08aaa48b-341d-3048-96b4-bc744fe9d4e0

IR

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.Achieving those goals is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on popular investing methodologies, namely value, growth, and momentum. The Style Scores can help you narrow down which stocks are better for your portfolio and which ones can beat the market over the long-term.Why This 1 Growth Stock Should Be On Your WatchlistGrowth investors build their portfolios around companies that are financially strong and have a bright future, and the Growth Style Score helps take projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.Ingersoll Rand (IR)Headquartered in Davidson, NC, Ingersoll Rand Inc. is a global industrial company, with expertise in industrial and mission-critical flow creation technologies. It came into existence when Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. acquired the Industrial segment of Ingersoll-Rand plc in February 2020.IR sits at a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), holds a Growth Style Score of B, and has a VGM Score of B. Earnings and sales are forecasted to increase 6.8% and 5.7% year-over-year, respectively.Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.11 to $3.16 per share. IR boasts an average earnings surprise of 15.9%.Looking at cash flow, Ingersoll Rand is expected to report cash flow growth of 21.9% this year; IR has generated cash flow growth of 29.4% over the past three to five years.With solid fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, IR should be on investors' short lists.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportStory continuesIngersoll Rand Inc. (IR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why Ingersoll Rand (IR) is a Strong Growth Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-ingersoll-rand-ir-144511401.html

280ac24a-ffc5-3a14-b205-2f41bbba853e

IR

In a recent transaction filed with the SEC, Michael Scheske, VP, Chief Accounting Officer of Ingersoll Rand Inc (NYSE:IR), sold 11,401 shares of the company on February 21, 2024. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.66, resulting in a total transaction amount of $999,999.66.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with IR.Ingersoll Rand Inc is a diversified industrial company that operates globally. The company provides mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions, including air compressors, pumps, blowers, and systems for fluid management, loading and material handling. Ingersoll Rand serves a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, and transportation.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 11,401 shares and has not made any purchases. The recent sale by the insider is part of a trend observed over the past year, where there have been no insider buys and 10 insider sells for Ingersoll Rand Inc.Ingersoll Rand Inc's VP, Chief Accounting Officer Michael Scheske Sells 11,401 SharesOn the valuation front, Ingersoll Rand Inc's shares were trading at $87.66 on the day of the insider's sale, giving the company a market capitalization of $36.619 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 47.78, which is above both the industry median of 21.48 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.According to the GF Value, with a price of $87.66 and a GuruFocus Value of $71.45, Ingersoll Rand Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.23, indicating that the stock is considered Modestly Overvalued.Ingersoll Rand Inc's VP, Chief Accounting Officer Michael Scheske Sells 11,401 SharesThe GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor related to the company's past performance, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.The transaction details can be found in the SEC Filing.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Ingersoll Rand Inc's VP, Chief Accounting Officer Michael Scheske Sells 11,401 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ingersoll-rand-incs-vp-chief-045444585.html

31e6e263-d447-3c6d-b481-f06af1161ca5

IR

Trane Technologies PLC (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, provides HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services a portfolio of solutions that enhance indoor environmental quality.According to a recent SEC filing, Executive Vice President of Trane Technologies PLC, Paul Camuti, sold 5,643 shares of the company on March 4, 2024. The transaction was executed at an average price of $288.3 per share, resulting in a total value of $1,626,614.9. Following this transaction, the insider's stake in Trane Technologies PLC has been adjusted accordingly.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with TRU.Over the past year, Paul Camuti has engaged in multiple transactions involving the company's stock. The insider has sold a total of 17,377 shares and has not made any purchases of the stock during this period.The insider transaction history for Trane Technologies PLC indicates a pattern of sales by insiders over the past year. There have been no insider purchases recorded, while there have been 31 insider sales in the same timeframe.On the valuation front, Trane Technologies PLC's shares were trading at $288.3 on the day of the insider's recent sale, giving the company a market capitalization of $65.02 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 32.58, which is above both the industry median of 15.17 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's current price relative to the GuruFocus Value (GF Value) indicates that Trane Technologies PLC is significantly overvalued. With a share price of $288.3 and a GF Value of $217.75, the price-to-GF-Value ratio is 1.32.The GF Value is determined by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past performance, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Executive Vice President Paul Camuti Sells 5,643 Shares of Trane Technologies PLC (TT)The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders at Trane Technologies PLC.Story continuesExecutive Vice President Paul Camuti Sells 5,643 Shares of Trane Technologies PLC (TT)The GF Value image above illustrates the current valuation of Trane Technologies PLC in comparison to its intrinsic value estimate according to GuruFocus.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Executive Vice President Paul Camuti Sells 5,643 Shares of Trane Technologies PLC (TT)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/executive-vice-president-paul-camuti-042813138.html

05ff268b-e179-3386-8d30-6a2e3fe80789

IR

The Business Services group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Spotify (SPOT) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Business Services sector should help us answer this question.Spotify is a member of our Business Services group, which includes 315 different companies and currently sits at #7 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Spotify is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SPOT's full-year earnings has moved 61% higher within the past quarter. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.Based on the most recent data, SPOT has returned 43.9% so far this year. At the same time, Business Services stocks have gained an average of 10.2%. This means that Spotify is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.Another stock in the Business Services sector, Trane Technologies (TT), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 17.9%.In Trane Technologies' case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 1.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).To break things down more, Spotify belongs to the Technology Services industry, a group that includes 174 individual companies and currently sits at #83 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 18.4% this year, meaning that SPOT is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. Trane Technologies is also part of the same industry.Story continuesInvestors with an interest in Business Services stocks should continue to track Spotify and Trane Technologies. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportSpotify Technology (SPOT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTrane Technologies plc (TT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Is Spotify Technology (SPOT) Stock Outpacing Its Business Services Peers This Year?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spotify-technology-spot-stock-outpacing-144010678.html

f81c3951-60d7-3729-8355-1f1526620786

IRM

Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) demonstrates robust global presence with services in 60 countries and a strong customer base including over 90% of the Fortune 1000.The company's strategic growth plan, Project Matterhorn, aims to transform operations and capture larger market share, indicating a proactive approach to business evolution.IRM's commitment to sustainability and DEI initiatives reflects a forward-thinking corporate culture that aligns with modern corporate responsibility standards.Despite strengths, IRM faces challenges such as the need to adapt to digital transformation and manage the costs associated with regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 13 Warning Signs with IRM.On February 22, 2024, Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM), a leading provider of record management services and a real estate investment trust (REIT), filed its 10-K report with the SEC. The company, which prides itself on its storage business and value-added services, caters primarily to enterprise clients in developed markets. With a market capitalization of approximately $16.1 billion as of mid-2023, IRM operates in three business segments: Global RIM Business, Global Data Center Business, and Corporate and Other Business. The financial overview from the filing reveals a strategic investment in Project Matterhorn, aimed at accelerating business growth, with costs of approximately $150 million annually from 2023 through 2025. This investment underscores IRM's commitment to evolving its business model and enhancing its global service offerings.Decoding Iron Mountain Inc (IRM): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsGlobal Market Leadership and Diverse Customer Base: Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) stands out with its expansive global presence, serving customers in 60 countries, including more than 90% of the Fortune 1000. This wide-reaching network is a testament to IRM's ability to cater to a diverse array of industries, offering a competitive edge in terms of market penetration and brand recognition. The company's extensive customer base across commercial, legal, financial, healthcare, and government sectors ensures a stable revenue stream and resilience against market fluctuations in individual industries.Story continuesStrategic Growth Initiatives: IRM's Project Matterhorn reflects a strategic commitment to growth and operational transformation. This initiative is designed to optimize shared services and adopt a solution-based sales approach, positioning IRM to capture a larger share of the addressable market. The investment in Project Matterhorn, totaling approximately $175.2 million in 2023, signals IRM's dedication to innovation and customer service excellence, which are crucial for long-term success in the information management and storage industry.WeaknessesAdaptation to Digital Transformation: As the shift from physical to digital media continues, IRM must navigate the challenges of adapting its storage and information management services to meet changing customer preferences. The company acknowledges the need to incorporate alternative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), into its offerings to stay relevant. Failure to effectively manage this digital transition could result in reduced demand for IRM's traditional storage services and impact its financial performance.Regulatory Compliance and Cybersecurity Concerns: IRM operates in a highly regulated environment, with stringent data privacy and cybersecurity requirements. The costs of compliance and the potential liabilities associated with data breaches pose significant risks to the company. Any failure to protect customer information could lead to reputational harm, legal penalties, and financial losses, highlighting the need for IRM to continuously invest in and enhance its security measures.OpportunitiesExpansion into Emerging Markets: IRM has the opportunity to expand its footprint in emerging markets, where the demand for data storage and management services is growing rapidly. By leveraging its global brand and expertise, IRM can tap into new customer segments and diversify its revenue sources, reducing dependence on developed markets and driving growth in untapped regions.Advancements in Technology and Services: The ongoing digital revolution presents IRM with opportunities to develop new products and services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers. By investing in technology such as AI and machine learning, IRM can enhance its information management solutions, offering more value to clients and staying ahead of the competition in a rapidly changing industry.ThreatsCompetitive Landscape: IRM faces intense competition from both traditional and new entrants in the information management and data center markets. Competitors with similar or more advanced offerings could erode IRM's market share if the company does not continuously innovate and differentiate its services. The competitive pressure necessitates ongoing investment in technology and customer service to maintain IRM's market position.Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties: As a global entity, IRM is exposed to geopolitical and economic risks that could disrupt its operations. Changes in political climates, trade policies, and economic conditions in the countries where IRM operates can impact its business performance. Additionally, events such as natural disasters or pandemics could lead to service interruptions, affecting IRM's reputation and financial results.In conclusion, Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) exhibits significant strengths, including its global reach and strategic growth initiatives, which position it well in the information management industry. However, the company must address weaknesses related to digital transformation and regulatory compliance to maintain its competitive edge. Opportunities for expansion and technological advancements present pathways for growth, while threats from competition and global uncertainties require vigilant risk management. IRM's forward-looking strategies, including Project Matterhorn, demonstrate a proactive approach to leveraging strengths and opportunities while addressing weaknesses and threats, ensuring the company's continued success in a dynamic market landscape.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Decoding Iron Mountain Inc (IRM): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-iron-mountain-inc-irm-051046745.html

4c28efd5-6acf-3c1d-87dd-5b1659103017

IRM

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript February 22, 2024Iron Mountain Incorporated misses on earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $0.52 EPS, expectations were $1.05. Iron Mountain Incorporated isn’t one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).Operator: Good morning, and welcome to the Iron Mountain Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. [Operator Instructions] After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. [Operator Instructions] Please note, today's event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Gillian Tiltman, Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.Gillian Tiltman: Thanks, Rocco. Good morning and welcome to our fourth quarter 2023 earnings conference call. On today's call, we will refer to materials available on our Investor Relations website. We are joined here today by Bill Meaney, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Barry Hytinen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. After prepared remarks, we'll open up the lines for Q&A. Today's earnings materials contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our expectations. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Please refer to today's earnings materials, the Safe Harbor Language on Slide 2, and our annual report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the major risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those in our forward-looking statements.In addition, we use several non-GAAP measures when presenting our financial results. We have included the reconciliations to these measures in our supplemental financial information. And with that, I'll turn the call over to Bill.William Meaney: Thank you, Gillian. And thank you all for joining us today. We are pleased to report another outstanding year for Iron Mountain. We achieved record revenue and adjusted EBITDA in both the fourth quarter and the full year. Our record results are a testament to the devotion and hard work of our team and our resilient and growing business model. In the fourth quarter we achieved revenue of 1.4 -- $1.42 billion, yielding 8.7% total organic revenue growth and record adjusted EBITDA of $525 million up 11%. For the full year we delivered record results across the board, revenue of $5.5 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $2 billion, and AFFO of $1.2 billion. I'll now discuss some ways in which we have been working with our customers, which has led to this growth.Story continuesLet's begin with our records management business. A win of note was with one of the largest health systems in the US awarding Iron Mountain a contract to significantly enhance its management of records across 140 hospitals and 2,600 care sites. Building on a strong long-term relationship with the customer, we are now implementing a rigorous compliance program that will reduce the cost and meet records retention requirements leading to a more efficient service. This win is particularly representative of our focus on cross-selling through Matterhorn as this customer is utilizing a variety of our products and services across our business lines, including digital services along with traditional records management and shredding. Another win showing Iron Mountain's cross-selling power occurred with a Hungarian industrial gas supplier.We are helping this customer to create space at its facilities by storing and then digitizing its records. We are also exploring opportunities to deploy our digital mailroom solution as our partnerships develop, thereby expanding this relationship across our product suite. The last win to highlight in our records management business is a new contract with the Swiss Division of a British multinational asset management company to relocate its physical records to one site and digitize them over time. In addition to freeing up physical space, our solution will ensure our customers' records are stored safely and compliantly, and enables more efficient access to the digitized information. Moving now to some wins in our digital solutions business, we won a contract from a large aerospace customer to deploy our InSight platform to manage and translate invoices from 22 languages into English.The customer chose our solution ahead of competing proposals, thanks to InSight's embedded AI engine, which gives it the ability to not only store, but to automatically classify a range of documents in a highly secure manner. Another win this quarter was with a Canadian government agency. This agency, which manages workplace compensation claims has been a customer of our records management services for more than 15 years. Our successful delivery of digital mailroom and imaging on demand solutions during the COVID pandemic has led to a new Master Services Agreement for digitizing services worth more than $10 million over the contract length. We will preserve, scan around 47,000 rolls of microfilm to produce 240 million images on our InSight platform, helping the agency to process compensation claims faster than ever and delivering a solid recurring revenue stream to drive our growth.In Brazil, a major television network that has been a records management customer for almost 25 years has asked us to manage the indexing and digitization of 50,000 boxes of records stored at its locations in Iron Mountain's facilities in the country. Our InSight platform is at the heart of our solution, enabling the customer to manage requests to digitize from all parts of the business in one place effectively and efficiently. Finally, the Hong Kong division of a major multinational bank has chosen Iron Mountain to be its partner in a major transformation of its finance operations. This customer manages a large volume of finance documents and has outsourced this work to Iron Mountain with a goal of streamlining the process of checking and scanning these files.We see the potential to scale the solution for the bank in other locations including Singapore, India, the US, United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Now let's turn to our data center business. We continue to be pleased with the growth trajectory of our data center business, which has only accelerated with the rapid adoption of AI-enabled services. We are pleased to have signed 124 megawatts well ahead of our initial plan for the year. We continue to see tremendous opportunity in serving both hyperscale and co-location customers and significant growth potential for our footprint. An example in the quarter, we signed a seven-year agreement to provide capacity at our New Jersey data center for an automated trading technology company that is expanding in the US.Our reputation for compliance and sustainability were key to winning this business and it was important for our customer to receive 100% traceable and verifiable energy and carbon records in support of its sustainability goals. Also in the U.S., we were pleased to win a data center deal with a secure cloud storage company that is growing rapidly across North America. Our reliability and close relationships since first doing business with this customer a year ago helped to seal this new deal as did the strategic location of our facility in Northern Virginia. Moving to India, we continue to see strong demand for capacity. We closed a data center contract with a major bank in the country in the fourth quarter. This customer chose our Mumbai facility specifically and Iron Mountain more broadly for our ability to provide a secure data center for its large domestic branch platform close to its headquarters.Turning to our Asset Lifecycle Management business, or ALM, we secured a significant contract with a global financial services company. Our ability to integrate our secure ALM services with the customer’s existing business management platform was critical and has enabled them to streamline how they order, complete and report on their IT asset disposition activities. Our solution was an excellent demonstration of how deeply we understand the needs of our customers, especially in the highly regulated world of financial services. Staying with ALM business, in the quarter we won a contract with a U.S. vehicle insurance company that has been an existing customer of ours for many years. Having shifted its employees to a remote working model, our customer needed to partner with the capacity to retrieve over 37,000 devices from more than 240 locations nationwide, then process, refurbish, and return them for distribution.Our solution provides our customer with better visibility of its IT assets and enables them to manage this activity more efficiently. I should also highlight the synergy between our ALM and data center business when it comes to data center renewal and decommissioning. We are now in a position to not only provide co-location and cloud migration services, but we can also securely and responsibly dispose of obsolete IT equipment. An example of such an opportunity in this quarter was a major win with one of the world's leading producers of business process management software. We managed the secure decommissioning of over 40 data centers globally, sanitized the IT assets and remarketed them to deliver a significant return in value. Also in the quarter, we were awarded a contract by one of the oldest financial institutions in the US for a similar data center decommissioning project.A storage facility with boxes and shelves to store records, representing the company's secure records storage.Both wins demonstrate that Iron Mountain is uniquely positioned to minimize risk and maximize savings as a single source partner for these activities. Finally, let me take a moment to highlight our acquisition of Regency Technologies. Regency's team makes a great addition to the leadership of our rapidly growing ALM business and gives us additional capabilities to serve this fast growing sector at the heart of the circular economy. Furthermore, this acquisition together with the momentum we have been building in ALM through the strengthening of component pricing and cross selling sets us up well for continued success. To conclude, I would like to thank our team for their resilience, hard work and dedication as we continue our Matterhorn clime and continue to serve over 225,000 customers.We are thrilled to progress ahead of expectations and it is due to the commitment of our Mountaineers. As we look to 2024 and beyond, the momentum we have built will continue to drive the opportunities ahead with another year of double digit top line growth expected. Barry will speak in detail about our financial guidance for the year ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to Barry.Barry Hytinen: Thanks, Bill. And thank you all for joining us today to discuss our fourth quarter and full year 2023 results and our outlook for 2024. Turning to our financials, in the fourth quarter our team continued the trend of delivering record performance on all of our key financial metrics. On a reported basis, revenue of $1.42 billion grew 11% year-on-year or 10% on a constant currency basis, reflecting a new quarterly record. On an organic basis, total organic revenue grew 8.7%. A key highlight in the quarter is our organic storage revenue, which grew 10.4% as a result of strong performance in both our records management and our data center businesses. Total service revenue increased 8% to $549 million. This was driven by Global RIM at 10% on a reported basis and 9% on an organic basis.Project Matterhorn's focus on selling our entire range of products and services has driven these strong results and are a testament to our commercial team's efforts. Adjusted EBITDA was $525 million, a new record, up 11% on a reported basis and 10% year-on-year on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EBITDA margin was better than we projected at 37% and improved 100 basis points sequentially, driven by strong mix and cost productivity across all of our businesses. As we've stated in our earnings press release, effective in the fourth quarter of 2023, our AFFO definition has been updated to exclude amortization of capitalized commissions. In light of the growth of our data center business, we conducted a benchmarking analysis of other companies in the industry and as such, have aligned our AFFO reporting accordingly, which provides investors better insight into the funds available to support the growth of our business.AFFO was $328 million or $1.11 on a per share basis, up $29 million and $0.09 respectively from the fourth quarter of last year. To allow for comparison to our guidance and consensus, we are reporting our prior methodology as well. On our previous calculation, AFFO was $317 million or $1.07 on a per share basis. This was $7 million better than our AFFO guidance and $0.02 better than our guidance on a per share basis. Now, let me briefly summarize the full year. Revenue of $5.5 billion increased 7% on a reported basis and 8% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EBITDA increased 7% year-on-year to $1.96 billion, an increase of $135 million. AFFO increased over 5% to $1.2 billion or $4.12 on a per share basis. On our previous calculation, AFFO was $1.168 billion or $3.97 on a per share basis.And now turning to segment performance for the quarter. Our global RIM business delivered revenue of $1.19 billion, an increase of $108 million from last year or 10% on a reported basis. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue increased 8.5%. Global RIM adjusted EBITDA was $534 million, an increase of $48 million year-on-year. Global RIM adjusted EBITDA margin was 44.7%, up 100 basis points sequentially, driven by strong services mix and productivity. Our data center business continues to grow and deliver strong performance. From a total revenue perspective, we delivered 32% year-on-year growth on a reported basis and 30% year-on-year growth on a constant currency basis. Our data center storage revenue grew 34% year-on-year or 32% on a constant currency basis, driven by new development coming online.Data center EBITDA was up approximately $10 million year-on-year and EBITDA margin was up 80 basis points sequentially. Moreover, pricing trends have continued to be strong and we have seen returns expanding 100 basis points to 150 basis points in advance of higher interest rates. Turning to new and expansion leasing, we completed 4 megawatts in the Q4. For the full year, we leased 124 megawatts, exceeding the projection we provided on our last call. Nearly 100% of those leases resulted from cross selling, which you know is a key initiative in our Project Matterhorn plan. Our pipeline is at record levels. We are expanding our relationships with key hyperscale clients and our team is executing well. So we are pleased to project new and expansion leasing of 100 megawatts for 2024.Incidentally, that represents a 25% increase from our initial 2023 projection at this time last year. Turning to our Asset Lifecycle Management business. In the fourth quarter, we delivered improved performance for both revenue and EBITDA, achieving the expectations we set on our last call. Our team drove strong operating productivity and we saw component pricing beginning to trend up modestly on a sequential basis. Similar to data center, cross selling activity has been particularly strong in our ALM business with nearly all deals coming in as a result of it. We completed our acquisition of Regency Technologies early in January. This acquisition strengthens our ability to serve an expanding ALM customer base and broadens our capability in the category, especially in the enterprise segment.Regency brings robust remarketing and recycling capabilities to better serve our customers and help them achieve their environmental and data security goals. We have long admired the leadership at Regency and are thrilled to welcome their entire organization to our team. Turning to capital, for the full year 2023, we invested $1.2 billion of growth $140 million of recurring, consistent with the expectation we shared on our last call. For 2024, we are planning for capital expenditure to be approximately $1.35 billion of growth and approaching $150 billion of recurring. Given our strong pre lease activity, the vast majority of our growth capital will be dedicated to data center development. Turning to the balance sheet, with strong adjusted EBITDA performance, we ended the quarter with net lease adjusted leverage of 5.1 times and our leverage remains at its lowest level in a decade.For 2024, we expect to exit the year at similar levels to year end 2023. Our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share to be paid in early April. And on a trailing four quarter basis, our payout ratio is now 62%, in line with our long term target range of low to mid-60s percent. Now, let me provide an update on our progress as to the Project Matterhorn growth objectives we shared at our Investor Day in September of 2022. You will recall that we introduced [tighter] (ph) targets for growth between the period of 2021 through 2026 of approximately 10% for revenue, approximately 10% for adjusted EBITDA and approximately 8% for AFFO. Two years into our Matterhorn journey, we are well on track, even ahead of those commitments, having achieved 13% annual revenue growth from 2021 to the end of 2023 on a constant currency basis.We have achieved 11% annual adjusted EBITDA growth and in excess of 10% annual AFFO growth. The dollar has been particularly strong over this period and despite this, we have been delivering on our commitments on a reported basis as well. Now let me share our projections for the full year 2024. We expect total revenue to be within the range of $6 billion to $6.15 billion, which represents year-on-year growth of 11% at the midpoint. We expect adjusted EBITDA to be within the range of $2.175 billion to $2.225 billion, which represents year-on-year growth of 12% at the midpoint. We expect AFFO to be within the range of $1.3 billion to $1.335 billion, which represents year-on-year growth of 9% at the midpoint. And we expect AFFO per share for the full year to be $4.39 to $4.51 and this represents year-on-year growth of 8% at the midpoint.In terms of foreign exchange, we are using a forecast based on those of several major financial institutions. Compared to 2023, this results in a full year FX headwind of $25 million to revenue and approximately $10 billion to EBITDA and AFFO. Turning to the first quarter, we expect revenue of approximately $1.45 billion, adjusted EBITDA in excess of $510 billion and AFFO of approximately $310 billion and AFFO per share of approximately $1.05. To conclude, we are pleased to have delivered a strong year in 2023. I am confident that we will build on our momentum and continue to drive strong growth in 2024. We are well on track to achieve our Project Matterhorn goals. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to our entire team for delivering a successful year and their continued dedication to serving our clients.And with that, operator, will you please open the line for Q&A?See also 25 Largest Economies in the World by 2100 and 14 Best Canadian Stocks To Buy and Hold In 2024.To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.

Insider Monkey

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iron-mountain-incorporated-nyse-irm-164254552.html

0306c2c3-2131-39d2-b3c2-dbe7673b3f7d

IRM

Iron Mountain Incorporated IRM is well-poised to benefit from its resilient business model and expansion into the data center business. Its solid balance sheet position also bodes well.Last month, this Boston, MA-based real estate investment trust (REIT) reported fourth-quarter adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share of $1.11, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05. Moreover, the figure improved 8.8% on a year-over-year basis, attributable to solid performances in the storage and service segments and the data-center business.Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have rallied 24.4% over the past three months, outperforming its industry's growth of 4.8%. Given the strength in its fundamentals, there seems to be additional room for growth of this stock.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFactors That Make Iron Mountain a Solid PickBusiness Model: IRM has stable and resilient core storage and records management businesses. It derives the majority of its revenues from fixed periodic (usually earned on a monthly basis) storage rental fees charged to customers based on the volume of their records stored. This assures a steady stream of recurring revenues for the company.In the fourth quarter of 2023, organic storage rental revenues grew 10% year over year, highlighting the continued pricing strength coupled with positive volume trends and data center growth.Diverse Tenant & Revenue Base: Iron Mountain enjoys a diversified tenant and revenue base and serves more than 240,000 clients across different industries and locations. No single customer accounted for more than 1% of its revenues in 2023, reflecting a well-diversified revenue generation base.Also, the company’s retention rate for its records management business was 92.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023. It is also seeing strong customer retention in the global data center business. These factors are likely to help the company generate stable cash flows over time.Story continuesExpansion Efforts: This REIT has been expanding its fast-growing businesses, especially the data center segment, to supplement its storage segment performance. Given the increasing demand for connectivity, interconnection and colocation space, demand for data centers is likely to rise in the coming years, poising this segment well for growth.In 2023, IRM leased 124 megawatts of data center capacity.FFO Growth: Over the past three to five years, IRM recorded FFO per share growth of 16.33% compared with the industry’s average of 1.50%. Moreover, the company issued its guidance for 2024 and expects AFFO per share in the range of $4.39-$4.51.Analysts also seem bullish regarding IRM’s FFO per share growth prospects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's 2024 FFO per share has been revised 3.5% upward over the past month to $4.38, suggesting 6.3% growth year over year.Balance Sheet Strength & Cash Flow: Iron Mountain maintains a healthy balance sheet position with ample financial flexibility to meet its near-term debt obligations and other capital commitments while pursuing growth opportunities. As of Dec 31, 2023, it had $2.8 billion of total liquidity and no significant debt maturities until 2027. Such a strong financial footing is likely to support its growth endeavors in the future.Additionally, IRM’s current cash flow growth is projected at 4.46% compared with the -0.67% estimated for the industry.Its trailing 12-month return on equity is 178.02% compared with the industry’s average of 2.92%. This reflects that the company is more efficient in using shareholders’ funds than its peers.Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked stocks from the REIT sector are EastGroup Properties EGP, SL Green Realty SLG and Lamar Advertising LAMR, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EGP’s 2024 FFO per share is pegged at $8.30, suggesting year-over-year growth of 6.6%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SLG’s 2024 FFO per share stands at $5.90, indicating an increase of 19% from the prior-year level.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LAMR’s 2024 FFO per share stands at $7.74, indicating an increase of 3.6% from the year-ago quarter.Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIron Mountain Incorporated (IRM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportLamar Advertising Company (LAMR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportSL Green Realty Corporation (SLG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportEastGroup Properties, Inc. (EGP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Key Reasons to Add Iron Mountain (IRM) to Your Portfolio Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/key-reasons-add-iron-mountain-170700216.html

109ba8ff-1043-3924-9b35-3d32ac5daf29

IRM

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – March 11, 2024 – Stocks in this week’s article are Cardinal Health Inc. CAH, Toll Brothers TOL, Iron Mountain IRM, NetApp NTAP and Ralph Lauren Corp. RL.5 Dividend Stocks with High Growth ProspectsDividend investing remains a popular choice, irrespective of market conditions. This strategy focuses on companies that not only pay dividends but also consistently increase them over time. This approach offers a unique blend of income and growth potential, appealing to a broad range of investors. Additionally, it provides a sense of security in times of market uncertainty or downturns, as dividend-paying stocks can reduce the volatility of a portfolio and tend to outperform in a choppy market.Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth form a healthy portfolio with a greater scope of capital appreciation, as opposed to simple dividend-paying stocks or those that have high yields. We have selected five dividend growth stocks — Cardinal Health Inc., Toll Brothers, Iron Mountain, NetApp and Ralph Lauren Corp. — that could be solid choices for your portfolio.Dividend Growth: A Winning StrategyStocks that have a strong history of dividend growth belong to mature companies, which are less susceptible to large swings in the market and, thus, act as a hedge against economic or political uncertainty, as well as stock market volatility. At the same time, these offer downside protection with their consistent increases in payouts.Additionally, these stocks have superior fundamentals that make dividend growth a quality and promising investment for the long term. These include a sustainable business model, a long track of profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, a strong balance sheet and some value characteristics. Further, a history of strong dividend growth indicates that a dividend increase is likely in the future.Although these stocks do not necessarily have the highest yields, they have outperformed for a longer period than the broader stock market or any other dividend-paying stock.Story continuesHere are five of the 11 stocks that fit the bill:Ohio-based Cardinal Health is a nationwide drug distributor and provider of services to pharmacies, healthcare providers and manufacturers. The company saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 16 cents over the past 30 days for the fiscal year (ending June 2024), with an expected earnings growth rate of 25.7%.Cardinal Health presently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers builds single-family detached and attached home communities, master-planned luxury residential resort-style golf communities, and urban low, mid, and high-rise communities, principally on the land it develops and improves. TOL saw a solid earnings estimate revision of $1.34 over the past 30 days for the fiscal year (ending October 2024) and has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.8%Toll Brothers has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of A.Massachusetts-based Iron Mountain provides records and information management services and data center space and solutions in 59 countries. It saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 15 cents over the past 30 days for this year with an estimated earnings growth of 6.3%.Iron Mountain has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Growth Score of B.California-based NetApp provides enterprise storage as well as data management software and hardware products and services. It assists enterprises in managing multiple cloud environments, adopting next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence, Kubernetes, and contemporary databases, and navigating the complexity brought about by the quick development of data and cloud usage.NetApp saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 3 cents for the fiscal year (ending April 2024) over the past 30 days, with an estimated earnings growth rate of 10.7%. NetApp currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of A.New York-based Ralph Lauren is a major designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia and internationally. It offers products in apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings and other licensed product categories. The company saw a solid earnings estimate revision of 60 cents over the past month for the fiscal year (ending March 2025) and has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.5%.Ralph Lauren has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of A.You can get the remaining stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2237807/5-dividend-stocks-with-high-growth-prospectsDisclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.About Screen of the WeekZacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine.  But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use.Strong Stocks that Should Be in the NewsMany are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has more than doubled the market from 1988 through 2016. Its average gain has been a stellar +25% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.Follow us on Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/zacksresearchJoin us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearchZacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Contact: Jim GiaquintoCompany: Zacks.comPhone: 312-265-9268Email: [email protected]: https://www.zacks.com/Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIron Mountain Incorporated (IRM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNetApp, Inc. (NTAP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportRalph Lauren Corporation (RL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportToll Brothers Inc. (TOL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks.com featured highlights include Cardinal Health, Toll Brothers, Iron Mountain, NetApp and Ralph Lauren

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-com-featured-highlights-cardinal-133300472.html

fdcb27bc-cb21-303e-b623-a4467bb400ac

ISRG

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG).Intuitive Surgical, Inc. currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.61, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 23 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.61 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.Of the 23 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 15 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 65.2% and 8.7% of all recommendations.Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ISRGBroker Rating Breakdown Chart for ISRGCheck price target & stock forecast for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. here>>>While the ABR calls for buying Intuitive Surgical, Inc., it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.Story continuesZacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.Is ISRG a Good Investment?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Intuitive Surgical, Inc., the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 1.3% over the past month to $6.18.Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge in the near term.The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. with a grain of salt.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIntuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Wall Street Bulls Look Optimistic About Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG): Should You Buy?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-bulls-look-optimistic-143010945.html

6dd228e5-6664-38ba-a4f1-bb92e96bcdc5

ISRG

The stock market has given investors a lot to keep up with over the last few years. From market highs during the early days of the pandemic to the market doldrums that followed, long-term investors have dealt with regular bouts of volatility. In the early days of 2024, the market has clocked numerous fresh highs, a sign that investors are feeling more optimistic than they were a year ago, even though worries about the global economy persist.No matter what the market does in the coming months, consistently building stock positions that can deliver long-term portfolio growth can help you construct a basket of holdings that can weather many market storms. Here are two top growth stocks to consider adding to your portfolio right now.1. Intuitive SurgicalIntuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) dealt with a tough time earlier in the pandemic as changes in procedure volumes occurred in key markets, as many people put off surgeries. Throughout that time, the company continued to report steady revenue growth and consistent profitability.In 2023, the company had a banner year on multiple fronts, a testament to the strength of its business and core revenue model. Intuitive Surgical manufactures and sells surgical robotics systems, and they cost a pretty penny. Its flagship da Vinci surgical system costs anywhere from $0.7 million to $2.5 million. However, the company makes even more money from recurring revenue sources.Given the intricacy and cost of these surgical systems, once a hospital or other medical provider acquires one through a purchase, sales-type lease, or usage-based agreement, there's a significant incentive to maintain these systems. That's due to the intensive capital investment involved, and the time required to learn how to use them. And Intuitive Surgical provides just about every service and solution imaginable to meet the needs of its customers, from replacement tools to customer support solutions to training courses to software.Story continuesThe single-largest source of revenue for Intuitive Surgical -- and recurring revenue at that -- is from the instruments and accessories it sells to go with these systems. Any surgical instrument or accessory has a limited usage period, which means that the company earns anywhere from $700 to $3,600 of instruments and accessories revenue for every surgery performed using one of its da Vinci systems.Recurring revenue -- which is derived from sales of instruments and accessories, as well as other sources such as operating leases -- comprised 83% of total revenue in the full-year 2023. Last year, Intuitive Surgical generated overall revenue of $7.1 billion, a 14% increase from 2022. It also reported net income of $1.8 billion, a 35% growth rate.Demand for robotic surgical systems is only growing, thanks to the benefits for patients across a wide range of surgical types. Given Intuitive Surgical's market leadership in this space and continued financial strength, this looks like a company that can continue contributing steady growth rates to a long-term investor's portfolio.2. FiverrFiverr (NYSE: FVRR) became a favorite with many investors in the earlier days of the pandemic when the work-from-home surge occurred and the gig economy witnessed explosive growth. However, this space continues to see steady gains, even as macroeconomic difficulty continues.A 2023 report released by the World Bank found that an astonishing 12% of the entire global labor market could be attributable to the gig economy. Everyone from small mom-and-pop businesses to large global brands is using freelancers.In turn, there's a significant opportunity for workers across a range of skill sets to earn a primary or secondary income in a flexible online setting. These are value propositions that are hard to pass up for both buyers or sellers of freelance services, and Fiverr is one of the platforms at the forefront of this explosive space.The company is focusing heavily on growing its base of skilled freelancers and enterprise buyers of freelance services. It's also made steady progress in increasing its take rate of transactions, driven by rising adoption of its programs like Seller Plus and Promoted Gigs.Seller Plus offers tiered subscription options for sellers that give them access to benefits like advanced analytics and faster payouts for completed gigs. Promoted Gigs is essentially a paid ad program that allows certain qualifying freelancers to heighten the visibility of their freelance services to buyers. Fiverr's take rate of 31.3% by the end of the third quarter of 2023 was a notable step up from its take rate of 27% three years ago and 26.6% four years ago.The company brought in a revenue of $353 million over the trailing-12-month period. It's also proven to be a cash-flow machine, with operating cash flow in that period totaling $65 million and levered free cash flow coming in at $41 million for the trailing 12 months. If you want to capitalize on the future growth of the gig economy, Fiverr looks like a smart place to park some cash as part of a well-diversified portfolio.Should you invest $1,000 in Intuitive Surgical right now?Before you buy stock in Intuitive Surgical, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Intuitive Surgical wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of February 20, 2024Rachel Warren has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Fiverr International and Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.2 Unparalleled Growth Stocks That Are Smart Buys Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

2 Unparalleled Growth Stocks That Are Smart Buys Right Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-unparalleled-growth-stocks-smart-133500670.html

3d6004d5-2a62-3935-a2a5-df51a2103824

ISRG

In this article, we discuss 12 best AI to invest in 2024. If you want to skip our discussion on the artificial intelligence industry, head over to 5 Best AI ETFs To Invest In 2024. In 2023, artificial intelligence drove numerous technological advancements, with automation and machine learning expected to further enhance the tech ecosystem in 2024. Larger companies were twice as likely to utilize AI in 2022, and 80% of retail executives plan to implement AI-driven automation by 2025. Despite a projected 38% growth in the AI market in 2023, skepticism exists among tech enthusiasts for AI's growth in 2024. Some experts cite the expensive nature of generative AI creation, coupled with chip shortages, as potential challenges. While there are concerns about an "AI cold shower," it is considered a myth, and extensive investments in AI continue despite uncertainties. 2024 is anticipated to be a crucial year for AI, with researchers and enterprises exploring practical integration into daily life. The evolution of generative AI parallels that of computers, progressing from large mainframes to smaller, more efficient machines. 2023 saw the rise of efficient open-source foundation models, like Meta's LlaMa, StableLM, Falcon, Mistral, and Llama 2. These models, with fine-tuning techniques, rival proprietary ones in performance despite smaller parameter counts.A Bloomberg Intelligence report predicts that the generative AI market will experience explosive growth, reaching $1.3 trillion over the next decade from $40 billion in 2022. The estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 42%, driven initially by training infrastructure and later shifting to inference devices for large language models, digital ads, specialized software, and services. The rising demand for generative AI products could generate around $280 billion in new software revenue, benefiting companies like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) as enterprises transition more workloads to the public cloud. Bloomberg Intelligence expects generative AI to represent 10% of total spending on IT hardware, software services, ad spending, and gaming markets by 2032, with significant revenue drivers including infrastructure-as-a-service, digital ads, and specialized AI assistant software. The life sciences and education sectors are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of generative AI, particularly in areas like specialized AI-based software assistants that could transform search and information summarization in these segments. Mandeep Singh, Senior Technology Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence and lead author of the BI report commented:Story continues“The world is poised to see an explosion of growth in the generative AI sector over the next ten years that promises to fundamentally change the way the technology sector operates. The technology is set to become an increasingly essential part of IT spendig, ad spending, and cybersecurity as it develops”.On February 26, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon expressed confidence in the significance of artificial intelligence, stating that it is not just a passing trend and extends beyond large language models like ChatGPT. Dimon compared the current state of AI to the tech bubble around the turn of the century, emphasizing the substantial impact AI is expected to have. JPMorgan has internally explored the use of these technologies, with Dimon foreseeing AI playing a role in almost every job. JPMorgan has dedicated resources, including a chief data and analytics officer, for AI-related initiatives, with around 200 employees actively researching large language models. Dimon, while acknowledging potential misuse, expressed optimism about AI's positive contributions, citing cybersecurity and pharmaceutical research as areas where it can be particularly beneficial.Some of the best AI ETFs offer investors exposure to stocks like Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). You can also check out our article about 12 Best Artificial Intelligence Stocks to Buy.Our Methodology We used an ETF screener and filtered out the best performing AI ETFs based on year-to-date share price performance. These ETFs provide investors exposure to companies involved in manufacturing hardware, software, and technologies related to artificial intelligence, data analytics and big data, semiconductors, machine learning and automation, robotics, cloud computing, and AI-driven services. We have also discussed the top holdings of the ETFs to offer better insight to potential investors. The list is ranked in ascending order of the year-to-date share price performance of these AI ETFs as of March 8, 2024.12 Best AI ETFs To Invest In 2024A computer screen showcasing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms at work.Best AI ETFs To Invest In 202412. First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ:ROBT)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 4.59%First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ:ROBT) aims to mirror the performance of the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. The fund primarily invests in common stocks and depositary receipts, with a focus on companies involved in artificial intelligence and robotics across different sectors. As of February 1, 2024, the ETF offers an expense ratio of 0.65%, with a portfolio comprising 108 stocks. First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ:ROBT) is one of the best AI ETFs to buy. SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) is one of the largest holdings of First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ:ROBT). SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) is a cybersecurity provider operating globally. It offers the Singularity Extended Detection and Response Platform. This platform utilizes artificial intelligence for autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response across an organization's endpoints and cloud workloads. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) was part of 33 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 45 in the earlier quarter. Anchorage Advisors is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 9.86 million shares worth $270.75 million. Like Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) is one of the favorite stocks of hedge funds.Baron Discovery Fund stated the following regarding SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) is a cybersecurity software company that specializes in endpoint protection, cloud security, and security data analytics. Shares rose on outstanding quarterly financial results and strong guidance. SentinelOne is one of the fastest growing public cybersecurity companies, with revenue expected to grow more than 46% this fiscal year. Growth has been driven by a combination of: 1) market share capture from legacy endpoint vendors that struggle to compete against SentinelOne’s AI-enabled platform; 2) an ongoing shift of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure to the cloud driving demand for cloud application protection (growing triple digits); and 3) cybersecurity vendor consolidation favoring end-to-end platforms with comprehensive security portfolios over single-point solutions. The company is also leveraging its single data store and AI capabilities to cross-sell more products into its existing customer base and increase average sale prices. Between larger deal sizes and improving operating efficiencies, we believe the company can continue to expand margins at a significant rate and begin generating positive free cash flow in the next fiscal year.”11. Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (NYSE:ROBO)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 6.45%Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (NYSE:ROBO) invests in global companies leading advancements in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. As of March 7, 2024, Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (NYSE:ROBO)’s portfolio holds 77 stocks and has an expense ratio of 0.95%. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is the biggest position in the ETF’s portfolio. It is a leading technology company known for its contributions to artificial intelligence. On March 7, Mizuho raised its price target for NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares from $850 to $1,000, citing growing opportunities in artificial intelligence and custom silicon. The investment firm views Nvidia as the largest beneficiary in the near-term AI landscape, emphasizing the company's significant success in this sector.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 173 hedge funds were long NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), compared to 180 funds in the last quarter. Capital stated the following regarding NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“We were fortunate to have some exposure to some of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ – Amazon, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), Meta Platforms and Google (although in aggregate, we still hold a smaller weighting than the S&P 500).While we are cautious in AI infrastructure, we do think there are mispriced opportunities in areas of application software where AI can be infused to make a step change improvement. Posted in our office is this chart that ASML provides at each of its investor days. This chart is a little outdated from 2021, but we think illustrates how value (in operating profit) was distributed across semiconductors, hardware, and then software & services. It’s very clear that most of the economic value in the past has accrued to the software services (in gray) built on the backs of highly technical companies run by extremely smart people.Why is this? We think it is due to a combination of distribution and network effects. Our working hypothesis right now is that this will likely remain a similar outcome in the AI epoch. One outlier right now is Nvidia which is capturing 80% margins..” (Click here to read the full text)10. WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (CBOE:WTAI)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 6.85%WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (CBOE:WTAI) aims to replicate the performance of the WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Index, investing in companies primarily engaged in AI and innovation. The ETF, established in September 2021, has an expense ratio of 0.45% as of March 7, 2024. It is one of the best AI ETFs to invest in. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is the largest holding of WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (CBOE:WTAI). Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) specializes in designing, developing, and licensing central processing unit products, microprocessors, intellectual property for systems, graphics processing units, physical IP, software, and associated services. On February 7, Arm published financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2023. The company announced a non-GAAP EPS of $0.29 and a revenue of $824 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.04 and $61.01 million, respectively. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 22 hedge funds were bullish on Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM), compared to 35 funds in the prior quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 15.3 million shares worth $1.15 billion. 9. QRAFT AI-Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (NYSE:QRFT)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 8.95%QRAFT AI-Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (NYSE:QRFT), established on May 21, 2019, actively manages a portfolio of artificial intelligence companies. It aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation by dynamically adjusting its portfolio based on five factors: quality, size, value, momentum, and low volatility. The ETF carries an expense ratio of 0.75%. QRAFT AI-Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (NYSE:QRFT) is one of the best AI ETFs to buy. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the largest holding of QRAFT AI-Enhanced U.S. Large Cap ETF (NYSE:QRFT). On February 1, the company announced financial results for its fiscal 2024 first quarter ended December 30, 2023. Apple reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of $2.18 and a revenue of $119.6 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.07 and $1.34 billion, respectively. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 131 hedge funds were long Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), compared to 134 funds in the prior quarter. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 905.56 million shares worth $174.3 billion. Horizon Kinetics stated the following regarding Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“The full point is that if BYD has turned its attention from its domestic market to direct global competition, then other Chinese companies can do the same. The next most visible example of Chinese commercially applied technological prowess relates to the 2nd highest-weight company in the S&P 500, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).In September 2023, Huawei Technologies introduced its Mate 60 Pro smartphone. It uses its own, internally developed 5G enabled chip that is apparently competitive with the Apple A17 chip. For practical purposes it has the functionality of the iPhone 15 Pro. This came as a great surprise – perhaps even shock – to the U.S. technology community, because four years ago the U.S. placed strict sanctions on China’s access to state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing technology…” (Click here to read the full text)8. Franklin Exponential Data ETF (CBOE:XDAT)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 9.69%Franklin Exponential Data ETF (CBOE:XDAT) is an ETF established on January 12, 2021, focusing on companies related to big data, data infrastructure, and innovative data applications such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and personalized healthcare. The fund employs bottom-up fundamental research and is actively managed by an experienced portfolio management team, known for investing in innovation. As of March 7, 2024, its net assets amounted to $6.96 million, with a net expense ratio of 0.50% as of August 1, 2023.Franklin Exponential Data ETF (CBOE:XDAT)’s biggest holding is Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). Microsoft's impressive December quarter results, exceeding expectations, received positive feedback on Wall Street. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives sees substantial opportunities for the company in artificial intelligence. He increased his price target for Microsoft from $450 to $475 and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares, emphasizing the transformative impact of the ongoing AI revolution.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 302 hedge funds were long Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), compared to 306 funds in the last quarter. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 38.2 million shares worth $14.3 billion. Alger Spectra Fund stated the following regarding Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a beneficiary of corporate America’s transformative digitization. Microsoft’s CEO expects technology spending as a percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to jump from about 5% now to 10% in 10 years and that Microsoft will continue to capture market share within the technology sector. The company operates through three segments: Productivity and Business Processes (Office. LinkedIn, and Dynamics), Intelligent Cloud (Server Products and Cloud Services, Azure, and Enterprise Services), and More Personal Computing (Windows, Devices. Gaming, and Search). During the quarter, the company reported strong fiscal first quarter results, where revenues and earnings beat analyst estimates, driven in large part to growing Al demand. Regarding Intelligent Cloud segment, management noted Azure optimizations were similar to the previous quarter, but new Al and traditional workloads are helping drive greater consumption growth, which resulted in their first reacceleration since March 2022. We believe the strong Azure performance suggests diminishing cost optimization headwinds and growing strength in Al service consumption.”7. Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 11.76%Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ), established on May 11, 2018, focuses on investing in companies poised to benefit from the advancement and increased adoption of artificial intelligence technology. It tracks the performance of the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. As of March 7, 2024, Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ) has an expense ratio of 0.68% and has a portfolio of 85 stocks. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is one of the top holdings of Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ). On February 1, Meta reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $5.33 and a revenue of $40.11 billion, exceeding Wall Street estimates by $0.39 and $940 million, respectively.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 242 hedge funds were bullish on Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), compared to 234 funds in the last quarter. Chase Coleman’s Tiger Global Management is a prominent stakeholder of the company, with 7.46 million shares worth $2.6 billion. SaltLight Capital stated the following regarding Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“Meta Platforms, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:META) primary mission is all about capitalising on user engagement and maintaining its network effects. AI is augmenting their objectives in two ways: 1) Improving engagement time per daily active user (AI Job One) 2) Matching ad buyers (advertisers) with ad consumers (AI Job Two)Improving Engagement Time per Daily Active User Meta is in the business of making sure that when you’re scrolling through your feed or watching videos, you’re glued to the screen as long as possible. Why? Because the longer you watch, the more ads they can slip into your viewing experience (think of digital billboards). But these ‘digital billboards’ are a finite resource – only more engagement time creates them.And here’s where the magic of ‘AI job one’ comes in – finding that perfect video that keeps you hooked – thereby increasing the time you spend on the platform. It’s a cycle that feeds itself: more engagement means more opportunities to serve ads, which in turn means more revenue…” (Click here to read the full text)6. Robo Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (NYSE:THNQ)YTD Share Price Gain as of March 8: 12.02%Robo Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (NYSE:THNQ) ranks 6th on our list of the best AI ETFs. Robo Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (NYSE:THNQ) focuses on investing in companies worldwide at the forefront of the AI revolution. Its portfolio includes companies involved in developing AI technology, infrastructure, computing, data, cloud services, and those applying AI across sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, and business processes. The ETF seeks to mirror the price and yield performance of the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index. As of March 7, 2024, the ETF carries an expense ratio of 0.68% and holds 62 stocks in its portfolio. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is one of the top holdings of Robo Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (NYSE:THNQ). The company is a global semiconductor company operating in the Data Center, Client, Gaming, and Embedded segments. On March 4, investment firm UBS expressed a positive outlook, particularly focusing on opportunities within artificial intelligence. AMD reiterated its confidence in meeting its $3.5 billion target for 2024 data center GPU revenue, asserting that it currently has more supply than needed. UBS analysts estimate that AMD is poised to capture approximately 10% of the data center GPU market by the end of the year.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 120 hedge funds were long Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), compared to 110 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 28.3 million shares worth nearly $4.2 billion. In addition to Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is one of the best AI stocks to buy. Jackson Peak Capital stated the following regarding Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“On the long side of the portfolio, a core theme we remain invested behind is the data center infrastructure buildout and AI chips arms race that we’ve discussed since our first letter in Q2. Some skepticism has crept into the market, and it’s understandable given the huge ramp in 2023. However, our research continues to suggest 2023 was the start of a multi-year platform shift. Value will accrue to varying segments of the AI value chain at different parts of the cycle. We continue to see value in the “boots on the ground” winners in the data center buildout (Vertiv, Modine Manufacturing, Celestica). Our positioning in AI semiconductor companies (NVDA and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD)) has ebbed and flowed given we are cognizant (perhaps too much so) that these names are crowded positions across investor style types. We’ve done well in these chip stocks since inception and NVDA is currently a long, and we’re trying to “let winners run” while using sizing to risk manage these names due to the market-wide positioning bias in semiconductors.”Click to continue reading and see 5 Best AI ETFs To Invest In 2024.  Suggested articles:10 Best Performing Growth Stocks in January & February 202412 Best American Stocks To Buy In 202411 Best Engineering Stocks to Buy For 2024 Disclosure: None. 12 Best AI ETFs To Invest In 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

12 Best AI ETFs To Invest In 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/12-best-ai-etfs-invest-130338071.html

bf374039-6a26-31c3-98d6-be59039dd53b

ISRG

In this article, we will examine Wall Street picked these 13 AI stocks for 2024. To see a summary of these stocks, read our article Wall Street Picked These 5 AI Stocks for 2024.Artificial Intelligence continues to rule the markets and remains the primary factor driving tech stocks to new heights. After causing the stock market to rise in 2023, artificial intelligence remains at the forefront of the media, investors, and even the government. This comes as companies continue assuring investors and the markets at large that they are well-positioned to capture the growth around the revolutionary technology.Likewise, Wall Street continues to pick AI stocks, given the vast potential for applications of technology in healthcare, finance, and entertainment, among other facets of the economy. Institutional investors and venture capitalists are increasingly investing in emerging AI startups as they look to take advantage of the new frenzy that promises significant returns on investments.While venture investment slowed down in 2023 amid the high-interest rate environment and concerns about recession, that was not the case for the AI sector. Generative AI and AI-related startups attracted close to $50 billion in investments, affirming the growing interest in the technology and its applications.OpenAI, Anthropic, and Inflection were some startups that attracted the most significant share of venture capital investments. For instance, Microsoft invested close to $13 billion in OpenAI as it sought to gain a front seat in the startup's AI innovations.Anthropic is one of the startups that raised close to $2 billion from investors led by Google as it sought a valuation of close to $30 billion. More than 70 rounds of $100 million funding went into startups creating AI-powered models, providing infrastructure, and applying the technology to various applications.Wall Street Picked These 13 AI Stocks for 2024Source: unsplashOur MethodologyArtificial Intelligence is a powerful and lasting investment trend for the future. In this article, we will present 13 AI stocks that Wall Street analyst firms like Wedbush, Goldman Sachs, and Jefferies are excited about. These stocks are praised by financial experts for their AI achievements and potential. For each stock discussed, we've included information on hedge fund sentiment and organized them based on the number of hedge funds holding them in Q4 2023, illustrating their popularity and significance. Hedge funds' top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). That's why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.Story continuesWall Street Picked These AI Stocks for 202413. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: -4.4%California-based Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) provides products and solutions for the cybersecurity industry. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) has more than doubled in value over the past 12 months as the company is seen as one of the top artificial intelligence players, given its array of cybersecurity offerings. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives is on record terming Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) the “Messi” of AI insisting the market is yet to recognize its full potential."And while we recognize this stock is in the penalty box, Palo Alto is a core name in the cybersecurity sector to play the emerging cloud and AI trends we see on the horizon,” Ives at Wedbush writes.Despite lowering his Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) price target from $425 to $375, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives maintained his outperform rating.According to Insider Monkey's database, 77 hedge funds held a stake in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) 's stock in the fourth quarter. With 464,942 company shares worth $137.102 million, Alex Sacerdote's Whale Rock Capital Management was the most significant investor in Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW).Here is what TimesSquare Capital Management said about Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Across the Information Technology universe, we seek companies possessing differentiated capabilities, products, and services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) supplies network and cloud-based security solutions to enterprises, service providers, and government entities. The latest quarter was mixed with the company falling shy versus the Street on billings, in line for revenues, and outpacing earnings. Palo Alto’s updated guidance was materially ahead of lowered Street expectations. Nevertheless, its shares pulled back by -8%.”12. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: +16%Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is a robotics company that aims to revolutionize the healthcare sector by using artificial intelligence-powered surgical medical assistants. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) gained 19% in 2023 as investors noted the company leveraging hardware and artificial intelligence to improve patient care. According to BTIG analyst Ryan Zimmerman  Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is a  pioneer in robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery that  should benefit from artificial intelligence“There continue to be headwinds entering FY23, but we think ISRG is poised to continue to see improving market dynamics coupled with the potential for the launch of a next-generation system. We would be buyers on today’s weakness,” said Zimmerman, justifying his bullishness.Of the 933 hedge funds profiled by Insider Monkey during the fourth quarter of 2023, 82 had investments in the robotics company. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)'s largest shareholder is Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management, owning 4.5 million shares worth $1.52 billion.In its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter, Baron Health Care Fund stated the following regarding Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG):“Additional tailwinds to performance came from robotic surgical system pioneer Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG). We believe Intuitive Surgical will continue to innovate and launch new products that enhance surgical outcomes, and we think the company has a long runway for growth.Intuitive Surgical, Inc. sells the da Vinci surgical robotic system for minimally invasive surgical procedures. The stock rose on investor speculation that the company could launch a new robotic system in 2024. We believe Intuitive Surgical will continue to innovate and launch new products that enhance surgical outcomes, and we think the company has a long runway for growth.”11. Snowflake Inc (NYSE:SNOW) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: -11.6%Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is a cloud computing company that offers Data Cloud that enables customers to consolidate data into a single source. Its analytical business model stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of any advancement in AI.According to RBC Capital analyst Mathew Hedberg Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is one of the best AI stocks because the company has a comprehensive data strategy.“We believe a comprehensive data strategy is a precursor to a gen AI strategy. As such, we believe Snowflake is well positioned given the large amount of customer data on their platform and new gen AI offerings that should help drive incremental workload utilization. That said, we expect the more material impact on results is likely to come in 2025 and beyond as the new products go into general availability,” said Hedberg  in a report.As of December 2023, 86 of the 933 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research were Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW)'s investors. Brad Gerstner's Altimeter Capital Management was the largest investor through its $2.47 billion stake.Here is what ClearBridge Multi Cap Growth Strategy said about Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) in its Q2 2023 investor letter:“While the ClearBridge Multi Cap Growth Strategy has limited mega cap exposure, which has been a recent headwind to relative performance, we own several companies that stand to benefit from the explosive growth in generative AI. These holdings play key roles in building out the necessary infrastructure and helping customers leverage capabilities enabled by this emerging technology.Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW), a cloud-based data platform company, is positioned well to help enterprises better leverage their own data to get the most out of AI models. Though it is still early days in terms of adoption, Snowflake saw workloads for data science, machine learning, and AI use cases grow more than 90% year-over-year in its most recent quarter.”10. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 100 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: +7.7%Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a software infrastructure company from Austin, Texas. It offers IT products and services worldwide. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) gained 30% last year and became a top AI stock. Enterprises use its generative AI for productivity and efficiency. Analysts have already taken note of Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) recent update of its OCI Generative AI Service to better compete against AWS Microsoft and Google . According to the analysts the updates makes it attuned to needs of enterprises  therefore benefit from the AI frenzy.“Oracle can offer enterprises a more streamlined approach to lowering the expense and resource or time commitment to pre-train, fine-tune, and continuously train large language models (LLMs) on an enterprise’s knowledge or data, which has proven to be an obstacle in many of today’s enterprise environments, with the exception of some call center and customer experience support applications,” said Ron Westfall, research director at The Futurum Group.Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) has already signed more than $4 billion in contracts to sell its AI training capacity in the Generation 2 cloud as of the end of the September quarter, more than doubling the amount signed the previous year. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) anticipates a 29% to 31% increase in cloud revenue in the December quarter.By the end of last year's fourth quarter, 100 out of the 933 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research were Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) shareholders. Out of these, the largest stakeholder was Jean-Marie Eveillard's First Eagle Investment Management, courtesy of its $1.95 billion investment.Madison Investments, an investment management company, expects AI to drive growth for Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL). Here is what the firm stated about Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL):"Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) provides products and services that address enterprise information technology (IT) environments. The company's products and services include enterprise applications and infrastructure offerings delivered worldwide through various flexible and interoperable IT deployment models. The company operates in three segments: cloud and license business, hardware, and services.Oracle's cloud infrastructure product, OCI 2.0, continues to demonstrate strong revenue growth over several quarters. Additionally, we see the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) computing needs as a differentiated growth driver for Oracle. We believe that Oracle will continue to drive positive outcomes for the Cerner business through a better margin structure and topline sales synergies."9. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 105 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: +45%Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is another chip giant that has entered the artificial intelligence era on a solid note. Management has been exploring ways to capture AI semiconductor demand by developing chips for data center devices and other Internet of Things systems.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) has emerged as one of the top AI play propelling Taiwan’s benchmark index to record highs. According to Xin-Yao Ng, an investment director for Asian equities at abrdn the stock has emerged as an alternative to Nvidia which has been the center of attention on AI plays."Taiwan’s been driven by tech, especially the AI theme. Nvidia has been a catalyst adding on to the sentiment, after Jensen Huang visited Taiwan, boosting investors’ appetite for AI value chain plays and Nvidia suppliers.” Xin Yao NG said.Insider Monkey's December quarter of 2023 survey covering 933 hedge funds revealed that 105 were the firm's shareholders. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)'s biggest hedge fund investor was Fisher Asset Management since it held a $3.23 billion stake.8. Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 105 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: -7.8%Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) is a software company that helps people and teams create, publish and promote content. It also offers cloud-based document services. Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) is a top AI stock for adding generative AI to its products, like Acrobat PDT. It is one of the 13 AI stocks that Wall Street picked for 2024.Bernstein analyst Mark Moerdler is enthusiastic about Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE)’s presentations on its evolving AI software portfolio. “Adobe is using AI differently from most of their competitors—it is used to improve the creative process and decrease the time required for repetitive steps rather than to just create a quick image,” he writes in a research note.“Furthermore, Adobe is bringing to market image, video, audio and 3-D Generative AI, and the depth and breadth of functionality is unique and will drive growth for years to come.”Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) has set out to completely transform the digital document experience by making information in long documents easier to find. The company has also integrated an AI assistant into Reader and Acrobat to utilize generative AI. Increased focus on AI catalyzed the stock, causing it to gain 65% in 2023 and remain a firm favorite on Wall Street.As of the end of September 2023, 105 of the 933 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research held Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE). Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management was the largest investor with its $2.72 billion stake.7. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 120 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: +52%Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is an AI semiconductor company that makes products for data centers, gaming, and embedded segments. Its AMD Vitis AI platform M1300 and Ryzen 8040 laptop process are optimized for AI applications.According to analysts at Barclays, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is well positioned to sell far more artificial intelligence chips than expected. Analyst Tom O’Malley reiterated a 'Buy' rating on the stock and raised his target for the price to $235 from $200.As of December 2023, 120 out of the 933 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research were Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) investors. Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management was the largest investor through its $4.18 billion stake.This is how White Falcon Capital Management expressed its views on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“It is important to note that the returns depicted above actually originated in the market turmoil of 2022 and were only realized in 2023. We assess that about 75% of the returns in 2023 were derived from just 35% of the portfolio. Notably, the technology companies we acquired in 2022 – Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), Amazon, Docebo, NU, Rover – performed exceptionally well. In hindsight, the decision to allocate to technology stocks appears straightforward; but it actually demanded courage and conviction to buy and add to these stocks during the fear and uncertainty of the 2022 bear market.The top 5 positions in the portfolio were: Precious Metals royalty basket, Nu Holdings, AMD Amazon.com and Converge Technology Services. AMD has worked out great for us but we must admit that it has gotten expensive. AI was not part of our original investment thesis and AMD is a great reminder of how one can get ‘lucky’ investing in quality businesses run by competent management teams (ditto for Amazon).”6. Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 131 YTD Performance as of March 7, 2024: +20.7%Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) was one of the top artificial intelligence stocks in 2023 as it rallied 95%.The rally has continued to gather steam in 2024 on Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) expanding its AI offerings by introducing a bot that helps users spot their work charts.Morgan Stanley’s Keith Weiss wrote in a note: “Low investor expectations versus potential top-line upside drivers in price increases, product bundling and data cloud adoption, frame an attractive risk-reward for Salesforce”.In December 2023, 131 of the 933 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research were the Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM)'s stakeholders. The biggest Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) shareholder out of these is Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management due to its $3.93 billion stake.Here is what Polen Focus Growth Strategy stated about Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“In the fourth quarter, the top relative and absolute contributors to the Portfolio’s performance were Netflix, ServiceNow, and Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM).Salesforce has continued to grow its revenues at what we see as a healthy rate despite market concerns about the impact of the weaker macroeconomy on its business and penetration rates in its core CRM offering. Even its most mature and largest offerings, Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, are still growing revenue at double-digit rates. In addition, management realized that their cost structure, especially in salespeople, had gotten too bloated. Over the past year and a half, the company has run a much more streamlined expense structure that has led to strong operating margin expansion and earnings growth. Importantly, we do not feel Salesforce has cut into its innovation or sales muscle through these cost cuts but has eliminated unnecessary excess fat from the organization.” Click to continue reading and see Wall Street Picked These 5 AI Stocks for 2024. Suggested articles:12 Best Single Digit Stocks To Invest In12 Best Battery Stocks To Invest In Before They Take Off16 Best Large-Cap Value Stocks To Invest In in 2024Disclosure: None. Wall Street Picked These 13 AI Stocks for 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

Wall Street Picked These 13 AI Stocks for 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-picked-13-ai-191128471.html

deb776d9-971b-32eb-85cd-456bdf3a5d8a

IT

If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. So when we looked at the ROCE trend of Gartner (NYSE:IT) we really liked what we saw.What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Gartner:Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)0.28 = US$1.1b ÷ (US$7.8b - US$3.8b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).Therefore, Gartner has an ROCE of 28%. That's a fantastic return and not only that, it outpaces the average of 13% earned by companies in a similar industry. Check out our latest analysis for Gartner roceAbove you can see how the current ROCE for Gartner compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Gartner here for free.What Can We Tell From Gartner's ROCE Trend?Gartner is showing promise given that its ROCE is trending up and to the right. The figures show that over the last five years, ROCE has grown 172% whilst employing roughly the same amount of capital. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. The company is doing well in that sense, and it's worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects.Story continuesOn a side note, Gartner's current liabilities are still rather high at 48% of total assets. This can bring about some risks because the company is basically operating with a rather large reliance on its suppliers or other sorts of short-term creditors. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be beneficial if this ratio is lower.Our Take On Gartner's ROCETo bring it all together, Gartner has done well to increase the returns it's generating from its capital employed. And a remarkable 215% total return over the last five years tells us that investors are expecting more good things to come in the future. With that being said, we still think the promising fundamentals mean the company deserves some further due diligence.If you'd like to know about the risks facing Gartner, we've discovered 2 warning signs that you should be aware of.High returns are a key ingredient to strong performance, so check out our free list ofstocks earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Returns On Capital Are A Standout For Gartner (NYSE:IT)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/returns-capital-standout-gartner-nyse-142651274.html

a594140a-d9be-30f1-9e16-44fa49efcbc5

IT

On February 23, 2024, James Smith, a director at Gartner Inc (NYSE:IT), sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock. The transaction was filed with the SEC and can be found in the following SEC Filing.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with AON.Gartner Inc is a leading research and advisory company that provides insights, advice, and tools for leaders in IT, finance, HR, legal and compliance, marketing, sales, and supply chain functions across the world.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 70,968 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock.The insider transaction history for Gartner Inc indicates that there have been no insider buys and 45 insider sells over the past year.On the day of the insider's recent sale, shares of Gartner Inc were trading at $457.5, resulting in a market cap of $35.940 billion.The price-earnings ratio of Gartner Inc stands at 41.68, which is above the industry median of 27.7 but below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.With a trading price of $457.5 and a GuruFocus Value of $382.46, Gartner Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.2, indicating that the stock is considered Modestly Overvalued according to its GF Value.The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Director James Smith Sells 10,000 Shares of Gartner Inc (IT)Director James Smith Sells 10,000 Shares of Gartner Inc (IT)This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Director James Smith Sells 10,000 Shares of Gartner Inc (IT)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/director-james-smith-sells-10-031944904.html

135ca5b9-0af7-3769-af36-c3f771bd8072

IT

Investors interested in stocks from the Consulting Services sector have probably already heard of Information Services Group (III) and Gartner (IT). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.Right now, Information Services Group is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Gartner has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell). This means that III's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.III currently has a forward P/E ratio of 7.89, while IT has a forward P/E of 41.28. We also note that III has a PEG ratio of 0.53. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. IT currently has a PEG ratio of 4.28.Another notable valuation metric for III is its P/B ratio of 1.92. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, IT has a P/B of 53.98.Story continuesThese metrics, and several others, help III earn a Value grade of A, while IT has been given a Value grade of D.III sticks out from IT in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that III is the better option right now.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportInformation Services Group, Inc. (III) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGartner, Inc. (IT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

III or IT: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iii-better-value-stock-now-164006743.html

15e895b5-8457-3115-826e-c35778e9da1a

IT

This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.While EV manufacturing expenses have been a consistent roadblock for automakers, new research claims hope is on the horizon.Research firm Gartner recently predicted that, by 2027, battery electric vehicles will be cheaper on average to produce than comparable cars with internal combustion engines. Gartner theorizes the price drop will come as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) adopt new manufacturing methods that decrease the overall cost of production.“New OEM incumbents want to heavily redefine the status quo in automotive,” said Pedro Pacheco, vice president of research at Gartner. “They brought new innovations that simplify production costs such as centralized vehicle architecture or the introduction of gigacastings that help reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time, which legacy automakers had no choice [but] to adopt to survive.” The EV optimism follows more recent Gartner research that estimates electric car shipments will increase 19% in 2024 over last year’s numbers, to a total of 18.4 million. The research also predicts that, by 2030, EV platforms will comprise over half the models that automakers market.While the start of 2024 hasn’t been ideal for electric vehicle investing, the research from Gartner seems to indicate that the best is yet to come. Investors seeking to capitalize on potential growth in the EV market could find great appeal in the KraneShares Electric Vehicles & Future Mobility Index ETF (KARS).KARS possesses a net expense ratio of 0.72%. The fund is benchmarked to the Bloomberg Electric Vehicles Index, providing exposure to companies that produce electric vehicles or their components. The index includes companies engaged in markets in China, the United States, and South Korea.Pure-Play EV BetsRegarding OEM allocations, the investments within KARS concentrate more heavily on electric-focused producers such as Li Auto and Tesla. Due to the nature of their vehicle lineups, these automakers engage in the construction of internal combustion engine construction far less, if at all. This adjusted focus could possibly liberate the OEMs to focus efforts on streamlining the EV battery construction process.Story continuesEV investing has taken a few lumps, but KARS has shown some resilience. Despite beginning the year in the red, the fund is currently up 6.19% over the last month.KraneShares currently has at least 30 ETFs listed in the United States, with $6.9 billion in total assets under management. Their largest ETF, the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB), has $5.3 billion in AUM.For more news, information, and analysis, visit VettaFi | ETF Trends. POPULAR ARTICLES AND RESOURCES FROM ETFTRENDS.COMSPY ETF QuoteVOO ETF QuoteQQQ ETF QuoteVTI ETF QuoteJNUG ETF QuoteTop 34 Gold ETFs Top 34 Oil ETFs Top 57 Financials ETFs The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq Since Their 2000 HighsAnother Strong Start For Active ETFsEquity Symposium to Provide Critical GuidanceBull vs Bear: Is It Time for Value ETFs to Rotate Into Favor?ETF Prime: Brian Coco on Index Construction and More READ MORE AT ETFTRENDS.COM >

ETF Trends

Optimism Grows for EV Manufacturing Relief

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/optimism-grows-ev-manufacturing-relief-212032466.html

d00c73fb-acbf-3c77-8dc3-ead16d7ccc2b

ITW

These days it's easy to simply buy an index fund, and your returns should (roughly) match the market. But in our experience, buying the right stocks can give your wealth a significant boost. For example, the Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) share price is 80% higher than it was five years ago, which is more than the market average. Zooming in, the stock is up a respectable 12% in the last year.Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. Check out our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.During five years of share price growth, Illinois Tool Works achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 5.3% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 12% per year, over the same period. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth.You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).earnings-per-share-growthIt's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. This free interactive report on Illinois Tool Works' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.What About Dividends?As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Illinois Tool Works' TSR for the last 5 years was 103%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!Story continuesA Different PerspectiveIllinois Tool Works shareholders are up 14% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 15% over five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Illinois Tool Works .Illinois Tool Works is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Those who invested in Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) five years ago are up 103%

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/those-invested-illinois-tool-works-140015444.html

ccb2fc47-c6f2-3f89-aef2-65a9253a2542

ITW

Illinois Tool Works Inc. ITW has been benefiting from stable demand environment and improving supply chains. Strong market share and penetration gains in the rapidly growing electric vehicle markets are boosting revenues in the Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer segment. The company’s Food Equipment segment is being aided by growth in the institutional, retail and service end markets. Driven by strength across its businesses, the company expects organic revenues to increase 1-3% and total revenues to rise 2-4% from the year-ago reported figure.The company’s focus on cost management and enterprise initiatives are supporting its margin performance. For instance, its cost of sales declined 1.2% year over year in 2023. Also, in the year, the operating margin of 25.1% increased 130 basis points due to the contribution of enterprise initiatives. Management expects the operating margin in the range of 25.5–26.5% for 2024 compared with 25.1% in 2023. Enterprise initiatives are expected to contribute 100 basis points to the operating margin in 2024.ITW remains committed on rewarding its shareholders through dividend payouts and share buybacks. In 2023, the company paid dividends worth $1.6 billion and repurchased shares worth $1.5 billion. Also, in August 2023, it hiked its dividend by 7%. Simultaneously, the company’s board approved a new $5 billion buyback program. In 2024, Illinois Tool expects to repurchase $1.5 billion worth of shares.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchIn the past three months, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 7.6% compared with the industry’s 17.8% growth.However, the company has been experiencing softness in the semiconductor, equipment and consumables end markets, of late. Also, weakness in the consumables business has been affecting its Specialty Products segment. Softness in the housing market has been weighing on the Construction Products segment, revenues from which declined 5.4% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2023.Also, weak liquidity position remains concerning for Illinois Tool. Exiting the fourth quarter, its cash and cash equivalents were $1.1 billion, lower than the short-term debt of $1.8 billion.Story continuesKey PicksWe have highlighted three better-ranked stocks from the same space, namely Nordson Corporation NDSN, Parker-Hannifin Corporation PH and Ingersoll-Rand plc IR, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Nordson delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 5.2%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for NDSN’s 2024 earnings has increased 1.1%.Parker-Hannifin delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 14.4%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PH’s 2024 earnings has increased 2.6%.Ingersoll-Rand delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.9%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for IR’s 2024 earnings has increased 3.6%.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIllinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportParker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportIngersoll Rand Inc. (IR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNordson Corporation (NDSN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Illinois Tool (ITW) Gains From Business Strength, Risks Remain

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/illinois-tool-itw-gains-business-120300394.html

56e261e3-bf22-32b9-8b54-b9c0cb92c863

ITW

Generating steady streams of passive income, no matter what the market is doing, is one of the simplest, low-stress ways to compound wealth over time. Investors regularly turn to companies with long track records of dividend raises. A particularly elite cohort is Dividend Kings, which have paid and raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.Supporting a gradually rising dividend payment requires earnings growth, a strong balance sheet, and the ability to endure downturns and recessions. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) have these qualities in spades.With an average yield of 2.63% among the three companies, investing $19,000 in each stock should produce $1,500 in passive income per year -- and likely more in subsequent years, considering these companies have raised their dividends every year for decades.Here's why all three Dividend Kings are worth buying now.Image source: Getty Images.This is how you operate an industrial conglomerateLook no further than Illinois Tool Works for a near-perfect dividend stock. Commonly known as ITW, the company has put on an operational clinic by streamlining its business and achieving high margin, gradual growth.Over the last decade, ITW has increased its dividend by 233%, raised its earnings by 139%, grown its operating margin to above 25%, and reduced its outstanding share count by 29% thanks to stock buybacks.ITW Operating Margin (TTM) ChartThis is exactly what you want to see from a quality dividend stock. The dividend is steadily rising over time, the shares outstanding are slowly going down, and there's even margin expansion, which shows the business is improving in quality.Not all Dividend Kings can repurchase stock and grow the dividend. ITW can do this because it operates seven highly successful segments, achieving diversification across cyclical industries. If it were too concentrated in a single industry, it would be far more challenging to steadily return capital to shareholders. ITW is trading near an all-time high, but it's a great business worth considering owning a piece of for the long term.Story continuesP&G's margin is the difference between a good and an outstanding dividend stockDespite being in a completely different industry, P&G is a similar investment to ITW. P&G has done an excellent job raising the dividend, buying back stock, and boosting its margin.PG Operating Margin (TTM) ChartP&G hasn't repurchased stock or raised its dividend at nearly the pace of ITW. But that's mainly because ITW, as an industrial conglomerate, has more growth opportunities than P&G, which is a low-growth, stodgy consumer staples company.Still, P&G's margin expansion is in a league of its own. The strategic shift came between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2017 when P&G reduced its brand count from 170 to 65 and its product categories from 16 to 10. By focusing on its best brands (quality) instead of quantity, P&G has streamlined its supply chain and unlocked consistent pricing power. Its pricing power came in clutch over the last few years, as P&G was able to offset higher input costs due to inflation. Here's a look at P&G's operating margin compared to similar companies.PG Operating Margin (TTM) ChartHaving a high operating margin may not sound like a big deal. However, it can mean the difference between supporting sizable dividend raises and buybacks or maybe only negligible buybacks. P&G earned $14.8 billion in trailing-12-month (TTM) net income, spent $9.09 billion on dividends, and paid $3.9 billion on buybacks. It had repurchased $7.4 billion in stock in fiscal 2023 and plans to buy back $5 billion to $6 billion in fiscal 2024. So, some of its stock buybacks were front-loaded at the beginning of the last fiscal year, which is why the TTM buybacks look lower.P&G is funding a massive dividend program and needs the high margins to support a sizable buyback program. This quality is what separates P&G from the competition.Get a high yield from Coca-ColaCoke hasn't reduced its outstanding share count at nearly the rates of ITW and P&G. But it does have a higher yield, now at 3.3% thanks to its recent dividend raise.Coke has raised its dividend at a faster rate than P&G. And despite being a smaller company, it is now paying nearly as much in dividends, with $8 billion in TTM dividends paid compared to $9.1 for P&G. Coke also has incredibly impressive margins for a beverage maker. For comparison, PepsiCo's margin is just 14.1% -- just half of Coke's margin.KO Operating Margin (TTM) ChartCoke is one of the most reliable pure-play dividend stocks out there. While Coke has been and will probably continue to underperform in a market fueled by growth stocks, it does offer less downside risk than many companies. Of course, any stock could go to $0. But Coke has a recession-resilient business that tends to do well no matter the economic cycle.In this vein, investing in Coke isn't necessarily about beating the market but preserving capital and generating passive income. It's a good pick if you are nearing retirement or are in retirement but may be unsuitable for investors early into their journeys or that have a high risk tolerance.The through lineA common theme among ITW, P&G, and Coke is that they are high-margin, high-quality businesses that directly reward shareholders. But the market knows it. ITW and P&G both have price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios over 26.6, while Coke has a 24 P/E. Paying up for a stock sounds counterintuitive, but these companies have track records of growing into their valuations over time.If you're looking for bargain-bin dividend choices, ITW, P&G, and Coke are not for you. But if you're OK with paying a premium, these three stocks are certainly worth a closer look.Should you invest $1,000 in Illinois Tool Works right now?Before you buy stock in Illinois Tool Works, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Illinois Tool Works wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kenvue. The Motley Fool recommends Unilever Plc and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $13 calls on Kenvue. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Want $1,500 in Passive Income Per Year? Invest $19,000 Into Each of These 3 Dividend Kings was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Want $1,500 in Passive Income Per Year? Invest $19,000 Into Each of These 3 Dividend Kings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/want-1-500-passive-income-143400264.html

2670fe42-481a-308a-ba18-1e4620dcdfa5

ITW

There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. Looking at Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW), it does have a high ROCE right now, but lets see how returns are trending.Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Illinois Tool Works:Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)0.38 = US$4.1b ÷ (US$16b - US$4.7b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).Thus, Illinois Tool Works has an ROCE of 38%. In absolute terms that's a great return and it's even better than the Machinery industry average of 13%. See our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works roceIn the above chart we have measured Illinois Tool Works' prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Illinois Tool Works .The Trend Of ROCEThings have been pretty stable at Illinois Tool Works, with its capital employed and returns on that capital staying somewhat the same for the last five years. This tells us the company isn't reinvesting in itself, so it's plausible that it's past the growth phase. So it may not be a multi-bagger in the making, but given the decent 38% return on capital, it'd be difficult to find fault with the business's current operations. With fewer investment opportunities, it makes sense that Illinois Tool Works has been paying out a decent 49% of its earnings to shareholders. Unless businesses have highly compelling growth opportunities, they'll typically return some money to shareholders.Story continuesWhat We Can Learn From Illinois Tool Works' ROCEWhile Illinois Tool Works has impressive profitability from its capital, it isn't increasing that amount of capital. Investors must think there's better things to come because the stock has knocked it out of the park, delivering a 103% gain to shareholders who have held over the last five years. But if the trajectory of these underlying trends continue, we think the likelihood of it being a multi-bagger from here isn't high.Like most companies, Illinois Tool Works does come with some risks, and we've found 1 warning sign that you should be aware of.High returns are a key ingredient to strong performance, so check out our free list ofstocks earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

The Returns At Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) Aren't Growing

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/returns-illinois-tool-works-nyse-140016150.html

851b634f-4119-3154-b393-4f7987032326

IVZ

Growth of the QQQ investing audience has fostered a larger ecosystem of related Nasdaq Index investment products, including QQQMATLANTA, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a leading global asset management firm, announced today that Invesco QQQ, the flagship fund of the Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite, celebrates 25 years as a proxy for innovation. Over the last 25 years the evolution of the Invesco QQQ, and the Nasdaq-100® Index, have mirrored the expansion of its constituents, as well as the investor mindset around technology and innovation. This has contributed to Invesco QQQ's position as one of the most important large-cap growth strategies, making it the second most traded ETF1 in the world based on average daily value traded.(PRNewsfoto/Invesco Ltd.)"We are proud of Invesco QQQ's role, over its 25-year track record, in shaping how investors' view and access many of the technological advancements driving daily life," said Ryan McCormack, Senior Factor and Core Equity ETF Strategist, Invesco. "As a trailblazing product, Invesco QQQ has inspired a suite of potential solutions that allow investors to choose an investment in innovation that suits their personal financial goals."The 25-year evolution of the Invesco QQQ closely mirrors the advancement and evolution of the innovative, forward-thinking companies included in the Nasdaq-100 Index. Of the 23 companies that have been a part of Invesco QQQ since inception, many were in early stages of development in 1999. Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Adobe have scaled up successfully, using technology to create competitive advantages in the market. The average market cap of companies included in QQQ was $157.5 billion in 1999, growing to $882.1 billion at the end of 2023. Innovation-through-technology extends to companies beyond the technology sector, as evidenced by the shift in the weighting of the technology sector of Invesco QQQ from 70.7% in 1999 to 49.6% at the end of 2023.Story continues"We're thrilled to celebrate 25 years and the continued evolution of our strong partnership with Invesco," said Emily Spurling, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Index at Nasdaq. "The underlying index for the fund, the Nasdaq-100 Index, is the world's preeminent large-cap growth index tracking 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq by market capitalization. The products tracking the NDX®, such as Invesco QQQ, provide investors exposure to many of the world's top brands that are investing in research and development to innovate and impact the future."Invesco and Nasdaq also have a legacy of innovation in their partnership, working together to launch 81 ETFs listed on Nasdaq with $290 billion in assets under management2 including the Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite.The Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite offers investors seven unique opportunities to choose how best to access the groundbreaking companies in the Nasdaq Indexes, including the flagship Invesco QQQ. Expanding on our pioneering partnership with Nasdaq, clients can now choose if they prefer a product with liquidity and a 25-year track record like QQQ, or a more cost-effective* ETF tracking the same Nasdaq-100 index like QQQM. The Invesco QQQ Innovation Suite also provides optionality for investors seeking the next generation of innovators through QQQJ or using the metric of patent innovation to target the next potential group of companies investing in tools for the future, like QQQS."After 25 years, Invesco QQQ continues to be a highly ranked US fund in the Large-cap Growth category as of Dec. 31, 2023, received a five-star fund overall rating from Morningstar3 out 1,118 funds, based on risk adjusted returns and ranked #1 from Lipper3 for the 10yr (462 funds), 15yr (347 funds) and 20yr (249 funds) periods based on total return. As we move into the next quarter-century, Invesco QQQ will continue to offer a commitment to innovation to long-term growth investors," said McCormack.QQQ Top 10 Holdings (%)MICROSOFT CORP8.83APPLE INC8.07NVIDIA CORP5.61AMAZON.COM INC5.25META PLATFORMS INC-CLASS A4.97BROADCOM INC4.51TESLA INC2.79COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP2.44ALPHABET INC-CL A2.35ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES2.31As of February 29, 2024, Holdings are subject to change and are not buy/sell recommendations.1 Bloomberg as of January 31, 2024.2 Bloomberg AUM Data as of January 31, 20243 Morningstar, as of 12/31/2023. As of 12/31/23 the Fund had an overall rating of 5 stars out of 1118 funds and was rated 4 stars out of 1118 funds, 5 stars out of 1031 funds and 5 stars out of 810 funds for the 3-, 5- and 10- year periods, respectively. Ratings are based on a risk-adjusted return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. Open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are considered a single population for comparison purposes. Ratings are calculated for funds with at least a three year history. The overall rating is derived from a weighted average of three-, five- and 10-year rating metrics, as applicable, excluding sales charges and including fees and expenses. ©2024 Morningstar Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers. It may not be copied or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The top 10% of funds in a category receive five stars, the next 22.5% four stars, the next 35% three stars, the next 22.5% two stars and the bottom 10% one star. Ratings are subject to change monthly. Had fees not been waived and/or expenses reimbursed currently or in the past, the Morningstar rating would have been lower. Ratings for other share classes may differ due to different performance characteristics.4 Lipper, as of 12/31/2023. As of 12/31/23, the fund ranked 12 of 675, 4 of 591 and 1 of 462 for the 1-, 5- and 10-year periods, respectively. Since Inception Lipper Rank data begins the month-end date of the ETF's inception month. Lipper fund percentile rankings are based on total returns, excluding sales charges and including fees and expenses, and are versus mutual funds, ETFs and funds of funds in the category tracked by Lipper.* Since ordinary brokerage commissions apply for each buy and sell transaction, frequent trading activity may increase the cost of ETFs.About Invesco Ltd.Invesco Ltd. (Ticker NYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed US$1.58 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of December 31, 2023. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.Important Information: Invesco Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with Nasdaq.The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index™ is designed to measure the performance of the next generation of Nasdaq-listed non-financial companies; that is, the largest 100 securities outside of the Nasdaq-100 Index®. An investment cannot be made directly into an index.About Risk:There are risks involved with investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. Shares are not actively managed and are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, including those regarding short selling and margin maintenance requirements. Ordinary brokerage commissions apply. The Fund's return may not match the return of the Underlying Index. The Fund is subject to certain other risks. Please see the current prospectus for more information regarding the risk associated with an investment in the Fund.Investments focused in a particular sector, such as information technology, are subject to greater risk, and are more greatly impacted by market volatility, than more diversified investments.QQQM, QQQJ and QQQSThe Fund is non-diversified and may experience greater volatility than a more diversified investment.The risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers can include fluctuations in foreign currencies, political and economic instability, and foreign taxation issues.QQQJStocks of medium-sized companies tend to be more vulnerable to adverse developments, may be more volatile, and may be illiquid or restricted as to resale.QQQSStocks of small and mid-sized companies tend to be more vulnerable to adverse developments, may be more volatile, and may be illiquid or restricted as to resale.The Fund's Underlying Index (Index) is composed of companies with valuable portfolios of patents. The Index Provider relies on an independent data provider to ascertain the potential value of an issuer's patents and related intangible assets (i.e., intellectual property and research & development activities) for inclusion in the Index. The Fund's performance may suffer if the data provider's does not correctly value an issuer's patents or if the companies included in the Index ultimately do not benefit from holding such patents. There is no guarantee that the Index will be composed of companies with the most valuable patents.Before investing, investors should carefully read the prospectus/summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and more complete information about the Fund call 800 983 0903 or visit invesco.com for the prospectus/summary prospectus.Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco's retail products, and is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd.The sponsor of the Invesco QQQ TrustSM, Series 1 (QQQ), a unit investment trust, is Invesco Capital Management LLC (Invesco). NASDAQ, Nasdaq-100 Index, Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock and QQQ are trade/service marks of Nasdaq, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Invesco. Nasdaq makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in QQQ and makes no warranty and bears no liability with respect to QQQ, the Nasdaq-100 Index, its use or any data included therein.Nasdaq®, Nasdaq-100 Index®, Nasdaq-100®, NDX®, Nasdaq Next Gen 100™ , Nasdaq Composite Index®, QQQ®, are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. (which with its affiliates is referred to as the "Corporations") and are licensed for use by Invesco Distributors Inc..  The Product(s) have not been passed on by the Corporations as to their legality or suitability.  The Product(s) are not issued, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Corporations.  The Corporations make no warranties and bear no liability with respect to the product(s).NA3416665     03/24Contact: Stephanie Diiorio, [email protected] 212.278.9037CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invesco-qqq-celebrates-25-years-of-access-to-innovation-302084727.htmlSOURCE Invesco Ltd.

PR Newswire

Invesco QQQ Celebrates 25 years of Access to Innovation

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invesco-qqq-celebrates-25-years-130000254.html

af27fdbb-0372-3950-ada2-4753a0ae36b5

IVZ

ATLANTA, March 11, 2024  /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) today reported preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) of $1,630.9 billion, an increase of 3.0% versus previous month-end. The firm delivered net long-term inflows of $1.8 billion in the month. Non-management fee earning net inflows were $1.9 billion and money market net inflows were $3.5 billion. AUM was positively impacted by favorable market returns which increased AUM by $42 billion. FX decreased AUM by $2.6 billion. Preliminary average total AUM for the quarter through February 29 were $1,594.5 billion, and preliminary average active AUM for the quarter through February 29 were $975.8 billion.(PRNewsfoto/Invesco Ltd.)Total Assets Under Management(in billions)TotalEquityFixed IncomeBalancedMoney MarketAlternativesFebruary 29, 20241$1,630.9$871.9$325.1$61.4$194.7$177.8January 31, 2024$1,583.9$830.8$324.0$59.5$191.2$178.4December 31, 2023$1,585.3$823.7$325.7$62.7$192.7$180.5November 30, 2023$1,542.1$778.2$317.2$62.0$205.4$179.3Active2(in billions)TotalEquityFixed IncomeBalancedMoney MarketAlternativesFebruary 29, 20241$986.7$309.2$277.7$60.5$194.7$144.6January 31, 2024$971.2$298.9$277.2$58.6$191.2$145.3December 31, 2023$985.3$302.9$280.0$61.8$192.7$147.9November 30, 2023$976.2$291.4$270.6$61.2$205.4$147.6Passive2(in billions)TotalEquityFixed IncomeBalancedMoney MarketAlternativesFebruary 29, 20241$644.2$562.7$47.4$0.9$0.0$33.2January 31, 2024$612.7$531.9$46.8$0.9$0.0$33.1December 31, 2023$600.0$520.8$45.7$0.9$0.0$32.6November 30, 2023$565.9$486.8$46.6$0.8$0.0$31.71    Preliminary – subject to adjustment.  2    Passive AUM includes index-based ETF's, UIT's, non-fee earning leverage, foreign exchange overlays and other passive mandates.  Active AUM are total AUM less passive AUM.About Invesco Ltd.Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. With offices in more than 20 countries, our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.Story continuesCategory: AUMInvestor Relations Contacts: Greg Ketron            404-724-4299                                              Jennifer Church      404-439-3428Media Relations Contact:      Andrea Raphael     212-323-4202 CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invesco-ltd-announces-february-29-2024-assets-under-management-302085453.htmlSOURCE Invesco Ltd.

PR Newswire

Invesco Ltd. Announces February 29, 2024 Assets Under Management

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invesco-ltd-announces-february-29-201500445.html

841918c8-d865-37e8-8b96-69f01b69242d

J

First Quarter Revenue up 9.5% Year-Over-YearPeople and Places Solutions Revenue up 10.9% Year-Over-Year Reported EPS up 28% Year-Over-Year; Adjusted EPS up 28% Year-Over-Year1Reported $418M in Cash Flow from Operations; Repurchased $100M in Shares Announced 11.5% Quarterly Dividend Increase  Reiterates Fiscal 2024 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS Outlook DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE: J) today announced its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended December 29, 2023.Q1 2024 Highlights:Revenue of $4.2 billion up 9.5% y/y; adjusted net revenue1 increased 7.0% y/y and up 5.4% in constant currency1Backlog1 of $29.6 billion, up 4.7% y/y; gross profit in backlog1 up 6.1% y/yEPS of $1.37, up 28% y/y; adjusted EPS from continuing operations1 of $2.02, up 28% y/y, which includes a $0.49/share non-cash deferred tax benefit and ($0.09)/share non-cash inventory write downStrong cash flow from operations of $418 million; continue to expect greater than 100% fiscal year adjusted free cash flow conversion1Jacobs' CEO Bob Pragada commented, "We kicked off fiscal 2024 with strong performance, underpinned by robust organic revenue growth in our People and Places Solutions (P&PS) business, reflecting the broad-based strength that we see in global infrastructure and sustainability investment. We are diligently working to create a leaner operating model that delivers higher growth, higher margin value for our stakeholders by focusing on disciplined execution and project delivery excellence. Aligned with our position as a global leader in science-based, digitally-enabled solutions, our portfolio remains resilient. We are pleased with the progress we continue to make toward the merger of our Critical Mission Solutions (CMS) and Cyber & Intelligence businesses with Amentum as we look to stand up two independent companies."Jacobs CFO Claudia Jaramillo added, "Jacobs delivered $418M in cash flow from operations and $401M in free cash flow1 while repurchasing $100M in shares and increasing our dividend. We remain committed to the consistent return of capital to shareholders, and will look to increase return of capital while maintaining discipline and an investment grade credit profile."Story continuesFinancial Outlook2 The Company reiterates its outlook for fiscal 2024 adjusted EBITDA of $1,530M to $1,600M and adjusted EPS of $7.70 to $8.20, up 9% and 10% at the midpoints, respectively.1See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics" and the GAAP Reconciliation tables that follow for additional detail. 2Reconciliation of fiscal 2024 adjusted EBITDA,  adjusted EPS and expectations for fiscal year 2024 adjusted cash flow conversion to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because the Company cannot predict with sufficient certainty all the components required to provide such reconciliation, including with respect to the costs and charges relating to transaction expenses, restructuring and integration to be incurred in fiscal 2024. The Company's forecasts assume full year contribution from the Separated Businesses.Update on Planned Separation TransactionOn November 20, 2023, Jacobs announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to separate and combine its CMS and portions of the Divergent Solutions businesses (the "Separated Businesses") with Amentum in a tax-efficient Reverse Morris Trust transaction. Until closing, the Separated Businesses will operate as business units of Jacobs and financial results for the businesses will be reported in continuing operations. Closing of the transaction is subject to various customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals, receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, opinions from tax advisors and the effectiveness of a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company continues to make progress towards the separation and expects the transaction to close in the second half of fiscal year 2024.First Quarter ReviewFiscal Q1 2024Fiscal Q1 2023ChangeRevenue$4.2 billion$3.8 billion$0.4 millionAdjusted Net Revenue1$3.3 billion$3.1 billion$0.2 millionGAAP Net Earnings from Continuing Operations$172 million$136 million$36 millionGAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share (EPS) from Continuing Operations$1.37$1.07$0.30Adjusted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations1,3$256 million$201 million$55 millionAdjusted EPS from Continuing Operations1,3$2.02$1.57$0.45The Company's adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 exclude certain adjustments that are further described in the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release. For a reconciliation of Revenue to Adjusted Net Revenue, see "Segment Information", below.The Company's U.S. GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations is (9.8)% for the fiscal first quarter 2024, and fiscal first quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations reflects an adjusted effective tax rate of 4.2%.  The current quarter adjusted effective tax rate benefited from a $61.6 million non cash deferred tax benefit2. The Company's U.S. GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations was 25.4% for the fiscal first quarter 2023, and fiscal first quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations was 24.9%.Jacobs is hosting a conference call at 10:00 A.M. ET on Tuesday February 6, 2024, which it is webcasting live at www.jacobs.com.3Beginning with our fiscal first quarter in 2024, the Company has revised its presentation of adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations to no longer apply an adjustment which previously resulted in the application of the expected annual effective tax rate to all quarterly periods. Prior comparable periods are also being presented on this basis.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," "target," "goal" and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make concerning our expectations as to our future growth, prospects, financial outlook and business strategy, including our expectations for our fiscal year 2024 adjusted EBITDA,  adjusted EPS, and adjusted free cash flow conversion, as well as our expectations for how our Separated Businesses are tracking against their forecasts, our plan to increase return of capital to shareholders, and our fiscal year 2024 effective tax rates, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Although such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations, and/or currently available competitive, financial, and economic data, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements as actual results may differ materially. We caution the reader that there are a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is contained, projected or implied by our forward-looking statements. Such factors include uncertainties as to the structure and timing of the proposed transaction to spin off and merge with Amentum the Separated Businesses in a proposed transaction that is intended to be tax-free to stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes (hereinafter referred to as the "Separation Transaction"), the impact of the Separation Transaction on Jacobs' and the combined company's businesses if the transaction is completed, including a possible impact on Jacobs' credit profile, and a possible decrease in the trading price of Jacobs' and/or the combined company's shares, the possibility that the Separation Transaction, if completed, may not qualify for the expected tax treatment, the ability to obtain all required regulatory approvals, the possibility that closing conditions for the Separation Transaction may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, the risk that any consents or approvals required in connection with the Separation Transaction may not be received, the risk that the Separation Transaction may not be completed on the terms or in the time-frame expected by the parties, uncertainties as to our and our stockholders' respective ownership percentages of the combined company and the value to be derived from the disposition of Jacobs' stake in the combined company, unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Separation Transaction, business and management strategies and the growth expectations of the combined company, the inability of Jacobs and the combined company to retain and hire key personnel, customers or suppliers while the Separation Transaction is pending or after it is completed, and the ability of the Company to eliminate all stranded costs, as well as other factors related to our business, such as our ability to fully execute on our three-year corporate strategy, including our ability to invest in the tools needed to implement our strategy, competition from existing and future competitors in our target markets, our ability to achieve the cost-savings and synergies contemplated by our recent acquisitions within the expected time frames or to achieve them fully and to successfully integrate acquired businesses while retaining key personnel, the impact of any pandemic, and any resulting economic downturn on our results, prospects and opportunities, measures or restrictions imposed by governments and health officials in response to the pandemic, the timing of the award of projects and funding and potential changes to the amounts provided for under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as other legislation related to governmental spending, any changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances that may adversely impact our future financial positions or results of operations, financial market risks that may affect the Company, including by affecting the Company's access to capital, the cost of such capital and/or the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans, as well as general economic conditions, including inflation and the actions taken by monetary authorities in response to inflation, changes in interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in capital markets, instability in the banking industry, or the impact of a possible recession or economic downturn on our results, prospects and opportunities, and geopolitical events and conflicts among others. The impact of such matters includes, but is not limited to, the possible reduction in demand for certain of our product solutions and services and the delay or abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to the financial condition of our clients and suppliers or to governmental budget constraints or changes to governmental budgetary priorities; the inability of our clients to meet their payment obligations in a timely manner or at all; potential issues and risks related to a significant portion of our employees working remotely; illness, travel restrictions and other workforce disruptions that have and could continue to negatively affect our supply chain and our ability to timely and satisfactorily complete our clients' projects; difficulties associated with retaining and hiring additional employees; and the inability of governments in certain of the countries in which we operate to effectively mitigate the financial or other impacts of any future pandemics or infectious disease outbreaks on their economies and workforces and our operations therein. The foregoing factors and potential future developments are inherently uncertain, unpredictable and, in many cases, beyond our control. For a description of these and additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2023, and in particular the discussions contained therein under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,  and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the Company's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.About Jacobs At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With approximately $16 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of more than 60,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sectors. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Financial Highlights:Results of Operations (in thousands, except per-share data):For the Three Months EndedUnauditedDecember 29,2023December 30,2022Revenues$             4,159,225$          3,798,668Direct cost of contracts(3,308,687)(2,983,955)Gross profit850,538814,713Selling, general and administrative expenses(646,475)(576,908)Operating Profit 204,063237,805Other Income (Expense):Interest income8,2333,007Interest expense(43,352)(40,077)Miscellaneous expense(3,195)(3,254)Total other expense, net(38,314)(40,324)Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes165,749197,481Income Tax benefit (expense) from Continuing Operations16,279(50,103)Net Earnings of the Group from Continuing Operations182,028147,378Net Loss of the Group from Discontinued Operations(574)(708)Net Earnings of the Group181,454146,670Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests from Continuing Operations(7,226)(7,031)Net Earnings Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling interests(2,618)(3,992)Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs from Continuing Operations172,184136,355Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs$                171,610$              135,647Net Earnings Per Share:Basic Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$                      1.38$                    1.08Basic Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Per Share$                         —$                   (0.01)Basic Earnings Per Share$                      1.37$                    1.07Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$                      1.37$                    1.07Diluted Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Per Share$                         —$                   (0.01)Diluted Earnings Per Share$                      1.37$                    1.06 Segment Information (in thousands):Three Months EndedUnauditedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Revenues from External Customers:Critical Mission Solutions$           1,128,603$           1,075,175People & Places Solutions2,470,4412,226,985Pass Through Revenue(826,480)(710,158)People & Places Solutions Adjusted Net Revenue     $           1,643,961$           1,516,827Divergent Solutions$              254,180$              214,465Pass Through Revenue(43,907)(13,714)Divergent Solutions Adjusted Net Revenue$              210,273$              200,751PA Consulting$              306,001$              282,043Total Revenue$           4,159,225$           3,798,668Adjusted Net Revenue$           3,288,838$           3,074,796Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30,2022Segment Operating Profit:Critical Mission Solutions$                93,407$                82,220People & Places Solutions224,998226,619Divergent Solutions (1)7,58111,967PA Consulting54,45551,027Total Segment Operating Profit380,441371,833Other Corporate Expenses (2)(121,060)(93,686)Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges (3)(55,318)(40,342)Total U.S. GAAP Operating Profit204,063237,805Total Other Expense, net(38,314)(40,324)Earnings Before Taxes from Continuing Operations$              165,749$             197,481(1)Includes an approximate $15 million pre-tax non-cash charge associated with an inventory write down during the fiscal 2024 period.(2)Other corporate expenses included intangibles amortization of $51.1 million and $49.8 million for the three months ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022, respectively, along with an approximate $10 million intangibles impairment charge in the three month ended December 29, 2023 period. Additionally, the comparison of the three month period of fiscal 2024 to the corresponding 2023 period was unfavorably impacted by the one-time net favorable impacts of $41 million relating mainly to changes in employee benefits programs in the prior year, partly offset by year over year favorable department spending as well as favorable impacts of corporate functional overhead cost recovery by our lines of business.(3)The three months ended December 29, 2023 included $40.1 million in restructuring and $11.0 million of transaction charges, mainly relating to the Separation Transaction (primarily professional services and employee separation costs). Included in the three months ended December 30, 2022 were mainly $27.1 million in restructuring and other charges associated mainly with real estate impairments with the remainder associated with other miscellaneous separation and transaction professional services costs from the prior year. Balance Sheets (in thousands):December 29, 2023September 29, 2023UnauditedASSETSCurrent Assets:Cash and cash equivalents$               1,142,227$                    926,582Receivables and contract assets3,676,5083,558,806Prepaid expenses and other156,533204,965Total current assets4,975,2684,690,353Property, Equipment and Improvements, net353,305357,032Other Noncurrent Assets:Goodwill7,421,3987,343,526Intangibles, net1,268,3291,271,943Deferred income tax assets46,52553,131Operating lease right-of-use assets405,748414,384Miscellaneous481,631486,740Total other noncurrent assets9,623,6319,569,724$              14,952,204$                14,617,109LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYCurrent Liabilities:Short-term debt$                     55,839$                       61,430Accounts payable1,114,7901,143,802Accrued liabilities1,375,5531,301,644Operating lease liability152,472152,077Contract liabilities945,892763,608Total current liabilities3,644,5463,422,561Long-term debt2,834,8802,813,471Liabilities relating to defined benefit pension and retirement plans276,307258,540Deferred income tax liabilities153,869221,158Long-term operating lease liability522,670543,230Other deferred liabilities131,006125,088Commitments and ContingenciesRedeemable Noncontrolling interests654,076632,979Stockholders' Equity:Capital stock:Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized - 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding- none——Common stock, $1 par value, authorized - 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding- 125,599,058 shares and 125,976,998 shares as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, respectively125,599125,977Additional paid-in capital2,729,4162,735,325Retained earnings4,604,8504,542,872Accumulated other comprehensive loss(781,591)(857,954)Total Jacobs stockholders' equity6,678,2746,546,220Noncontrolling interests56,57653,862Total Group stockholders' equity6,734,8506,600,082$             14,952,204$              14,617,109 Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):For the Three Months EndedUnauditedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Cash Flows from Operating Activities:Net earnings attributable to the Group$           181,454$          146,670Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows (used for) provided by operations:Depreciation and amortization:Property, equipment and improvements25,16927,979Intangible assets51,11949,773Stock based compensation19,31020,231Equity in earnings of operating ventures, net of return on capital distributions1,8702,613Loss on disposals of assets, net608241Impairment of long-lived assets and equity method investment—27,142Deferred (benefit) loss on income taxes(58,239)13,797Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of businesses acquired:Receivables and contract assets, net of contract liabilities102,705127,144Prepaid expenses and other current assets50,2168,219Miscellaneous other assets28,38542,578Accounts payable(35,843)(51,669)Accrued liabilities37,584(127,043)Other deferred liabilities(1,665)8,462      Other, net15,6886,160          Net cash provided by operating activities418,361302,297Cash Flows from Investing Activities:Additions to property and equipment(17,306)(32,187)Disposals of property and equipment and other assets438Capital contributions to equity investees, net of return of capital distributions1,266384Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired—(16,943)          Net cash used for investing activities(15,997)(48,738)Cash Flows from Financing Activities:Net payments of borrowings(33,613)(7,421)Debt issuance costs(1,606)—Proceeds from issuances of common stock11,35514,798Common stock repurchases(100,016)(140,522)Taxes paid on vested restricted stock(22,387)(22,530)Cash dividends to shareholders(33,366)(29,811)Net dividends associated with noncontrolling interests(4,708)(2,307)Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests(24,360)(58,353)            Net cash used for financing activities(208,701)(246,146)Effect of Exchange Rate Changes34,14851,806Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash227,81159,219Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash, at the Beginning of the Period929,4451,154,207Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash, at the End of the Period$        1,157,256$       1,213,426 Backlog (in millions):December 29, 2023December 30, 2022Critical Mission Solutions$                        8,311$                        7,632People & Places Solutions17,85717,243Divergent Solutions3,1103,077PA Consulting317306            Total$                      29,595$                      28,258 Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics:In this press release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These non-GAAP measures are described below.Adjusted Net revenue is calculated excluding pass through revenue of the Company's People & Places Solutions and Divergent Solutions segments from the Company's revenue from continuing operations. Pass through revenues are amounts we bill to clients on projects where we are procuring subcontract labor or third-party materials and equipment on behalf of the client. These amounts are considered pass throughs because we receive no or only a minimal mark-up associated with the billed amounts. We have amended our name and convention for revenue, excluding pass-through costs from "net revenue" to "adjusted net revenue." Note, this is simply a name change intended to make the non-GAAP nature of this measure more prominent and does not impact measurement.Adjusted operating profit, adjusted earnings from continuing operations before taxes, adjusted income taxes from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated by:1.Excluding items collectively referred to as Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges, which include:a.costs and other charges associated with our Focus 2023 transformation initiatives, including activities associated with the re-scaling and repurposing of physical office space, employee separations, contractual termination fees and related expenses, referred to as "Focus 2023 Transformation, mainly real estate rescaling efforts";b.transaction costs and other charges incurred in connection with the Separation Transaction and acquisitions of BlackLynx and StreetLight and the strategic investment in PA Consulting, including advisor fees, change in control payments, and the impact of the quarterly adjustment to the estimated performance based payout of contingent consideration to the sellers in connection with certain acquisitions; impacts resulting from the EPS numerator adjustment relating to the redeemable noncontrolling interests preference share repurchase and reissuance activities and similar transaction costs and expenses (collectively referred to as "Transaction Costs");c.recoveries, costs and other charges associated with restructuring activities implemented in connection with the Separation Transaction, including advisor fees, involuntary terminations and related costs, the acquisitions of CH2M, BlackLynx, and StreetLight, the strategic investment in PA Consulting, the sale of the ECR business and other related cost reduction initiatives, which included involuntary terminations, costs associated with co-locating offices of acquired companies, separating physical locations of continuing operations, professional services and personnel costs, amounts relating to certain commitments and contingencies relating to discontinued operations of the CH2M business, including the final settlement charges relating to the Legacy CH2M Matter, net of previously recorded reserves, third party recoveries recorded as receivables reducing SG&A, and charges associated with the impairment and final closing activities of our AWE ML joint venture (collectively referred to as "Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges").2.Excluding items collectively referred to as "Other adjustments",1 which include:a.adding back intangible assets amortization and impairment charges;b.impact of certain subsidiary level contingent equity-based agreements in connection with the transaction structure of our PA Consulting investment;cimpacts related to tax rate increases in the UK in a prior period.Adjustments to derive adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated on an after-tax basis.Free cash flow (FCF) is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities as reported on the statement of cash flows less additions to property and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is calculated as Free Cash Flow adjusted for certain non-recurring adjustments (such as restructuring, transaction, legal and tax related items).Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding income tax expense, depreciation expense and interest expense, and deducting interest income from adjusted net earnings from continuing operations.1Beginning with our first fiscal quarter in 2024, the Company has revised its presentation of adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS to no longer reflect adjustments to align these non-GAAP measures to our annual effective tax rates.Certain percentage changes are quantified on a constant currency basis, which provides information assuming that foreign currency exchange rates have not changed between the prior and current periods. For purposes of constant currency calculations, we use the prior period average exchange rates as applied to the current period adjusted amounts.We believe that the measures listed above are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the Company's operating results and understanding the Company's operating trends by excluding or adding back the effects of the items described above and below, the inclusion or exclusion of which can obscure underlying trends. Additionally, management uses such measures in its own evaluation of the Company's performance, particularly when comparing performance to past periods, and believes these measures are useful for investors because they facilitate a comparison of our financial results from period to period.This press release also contains certain operating metrics which management believes are useful in evaluating the Company's performance. Backlog represents revenue or gross profit, as applicable, we expect to realize for work to be completed by our consolidated subsidiaries and our proportionate share of work to be performed by unconsolidated joint ventures. For more information on how we determine our backlog, see our Backlog Information in our most recent annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to a ratio of adjusted EBITDA to adjusted net revenue. Cash conversion refers to a ratio of cash flow from operations to GAAP net earnings from continuing operations. FCF conversion refers to a ratio of FCF to adjusted net earnings attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations. Adjusted FCF conversion refers to a ratio of adjusted FCF to adjusted net earnings attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations. We regularly monitor these operating metrics to evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our business, and make strategic decisions.The Company provides non-GAAP measures to supplement U.S. GAAP measures, as they provide additional insight into the Company's financial results. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation and are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, U.S. GAAP measures. In addition, other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently, which limits the ability of investors to compare non-GAAP measures of the Company to those used by our peer companies.The following tables reconcile the components and values of U.S. GAAP earnings from continuing operations before taxes, income taxes from continuing operations, net earnings attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations, Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share (which we refer to as EPS from continuing operations), operating profit, to the corresponding "adjusted" amount, net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow and revenue to adjusted net revenue. For the comparable period presented below, such adjustments consist of amounts incurred in connection with the items described above. Amounts are shown in thousands, except for per-share data (note: earnings per share amounts may not total due to rounding).Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes to Adjusted Earnings fromContinuing Operations Before Taxes (in thousands)Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes$             165,749$             197,481Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges (1):Focus 2023 Transformation, mainly real estate rescaling efforts4927,172Transaction costs13,9495,270Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges41,3207,272Other Adjustments (2):Amortization of intangibles51,11949,773Other11,3864,290Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes$              283,572$              291,258(1) Includes pre-tax non-cash charges primarily relating to the Separation Transaction for the three months ended December 29, 2023, and real estate impairments charges associated with the Company's Focus 2023 transformation program of $27.1 million charges associated with various transaction costs incurred with our acquisition and restructuring related activity associated with Company restructuring and integration programs for the three-months ended December 30, 2022.(2) Includes pre-tax charges for the removal of amortization of intangible assets and the impact of certain subsidiary level contingent equity-based agreements in connection with the transaction structure of our PA Consulting investment of $1.6 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022, respectively. The three months ended December 29, 2023 also includes an approximate $10 million intangibles impairment charge. Reconciliation of Income Tax Benefit (Expense) from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations (in thousands)Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30,2022Income Tax Benefit (Expense) from Continuing Operations$                16,279$            (50,103)Tax Effects of Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges (1)Focus 2023 Transformation, mainly real estate rescaling efforts(12)(6,677)Transaction costs(3,140)(1,250)Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges(9,900)(1,788)Tax Effects of Other Adjustments (2)Amortization of intangibles(12,824)(11,880)Other(2,414)(944)Adjusted Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations$              (12,011)$            (72,642)(1) Includes estimated income tax impacts on restructuring activities primarily relating to the Separation Transaction for the three months ended December 29, 2023, along with impacts on real estate impairments associated with the Company's Focus 2023 transformation program and charges associated with various transaction costs incurred with our acquisition and restructuring related activity associated with Company restructuring and integration programs for the three months ended December 30, 2022.(2) Includes estimated income tax impacts on amortization of intangible assets and on certain subsidiary level contingent equity-based agreements in connection with the transaction structure of our PA Consulting investment for the three months ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022. The three months ended December 29, 2023 also includes the income tax impact on an approximate $10 million intangibles impairment charge. Reconciliation of Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Net Earnings Attributableto Jacobs from Continuing Operations (in thousands)Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs from Continuing Operations$             172,184$             136,355After-tax effects of Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges (1):Focus 2023 Transformation, mainly real estate rescaling efforts3720,495Transaction costs10,4513,551Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges31,0645,484After-tax effects of Other Adjustments (2):Amortization of intangibles33,65332,857Other8,4972,232Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs from Continuing Operations$              255,886$              200,974(1) Includes estimated after-tax impacts primarily relating to the Separation Transaction for the three months ended December 29, 2023, along with non-cash real estate impairment charges associated the Company's Focus 2023 program and charges associated with various transaction costs incurred with our acquisition and restructuring related activity associated with Company restructuring and integration programs for the three months ended December 30, 2022.(2) Includes estimated after-tax and noncontrolling interest impacts from amortization of intangible assets and estimated tax impacts on certain subsidiary level contingent equity-based agreements in connection with the transaction structure of our PA Consulting investment for the three months ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022. The three months ended December 29, 2023 also includes the estimated after-tax impact from an approximate $10 million intangibles impairment charge. Reconciliation of Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share to Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings fromContinuing Operations Per Share (in thousands)Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30,2022Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$                     1.37$                     1.07After-tax effects of Restructuring, Transaction and Other Charges (1):Focus 2023 Transformation, mainly real estate rescaling efforts—0.16Transaction costs0.070.03Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges0.240.04After-tax effects of Other Adjustments (2):Amortization of intangibles0.270.26Other0.060.02Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$                      2.02$                      1.58(1) Includes estimated per-share impacts from the restructuring activities primarily relating to the Separation Transaction for the three months ended December 29, 2023, along with real estate impairments associated with the Company's Focus 2023 transformation program and impacts associated with various transaction costs incurred with our acquisition and restructuring related activity costs associated with Company restructuring and integration programs for the three months ended December 30, 2022.(2) Includes estimated per-share impacts from amortization of intangible assets and certain subsidiary level contingent equity-based agreements in connection with the transaction structure of our PA Consulting investment for the three months ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022. The three months ended December 29, 2023 also includes the per-share impact from an approximate $10 million intangibles impairment charge. Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands)Three Months EndedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Net cash provided by operating activities     $                 418,361$                 302,297Additions to property and equipment(17,306)(32,187)Free cash flow$                 401,055$                 270,110Net cash used for investing activities$                  (15,997)$                 (48,738)Net cash used for financing activities$                (208,701)$               (246,146) Reconciliation from Adjusted Net Revenue to constant currency Adjusted Net Revenue Three Months Ended(in thousands)December 29, 2023December 30, 2022% ChangeAdjusted Net Revenue$        3,288,838$       3,074,7967.0 %Exchange rate effect$            (49,482)Constant currency Adjusted Net Revenue     $        3,239,3565.4 % Earnings Per Share:Three Months EndedUnauditedDecember 29, 2023December 30, 2022Numerator for Basic and Diluted EPS:Net earnings attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations$       172,184$       136,355Preferred Redeemable Noncontrolling interests redemption value adjustment     1,766—Net earnings from continuing operations allocated to common stock for EPS calculation$       173,950$       136,355Net loss from discontinued operations allocated to common stock for EPS calculation$             (574)$             (708)Net earnings allocated to common stock for EPS calculation$       173,376$       135,647Denominator for Basic and Diluted EPS:Shares used for calculating basic EPS attributable to common stock126,105126,824Effect of dilutive securities:Stock compensation plans708672Shares used for calculating diluted EPS attributable to common stock126,813127,496Net Earnings Per Share:Basic Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$              1.38$             1.08Basic Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Per Share$                  —$            (0.01)Basic Earnings Per Share$              1.37$             1.07Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share$              1.37$             1.07Diluted Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Per Share$                 —$            (0.01)Diluted Earnings Per Share$              1.37$             1.06Note: Per share amounts may not add due to rounding. For additional information contact:Investors:Jonathan [email protected]:Louise [email protected] Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jacobs) CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-reports-fiscal-first-quarter-2024-earnings-302054150.htmlSOURCE Jacobs

PR Newswire

Jacobs Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2024 Earnings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jacobs-reports-fiscal-first-quarter-114000380.html

0d5eda6c-c1bd-3882-874a-254cb79a5f79

J

Supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 enhancing Madinah as a global destinationDALLAS, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) has been appointed by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company as the Lead Design Consultant for a major urban development project in Al Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. The appointment was announced during the Public Investment Fund's Private Sector Forum.Image Credit: Rua Al Madinah HoldingA distinctive urban environment, Rua Al Madinah project, will include a collection of hotels with overall capacity to accommodate 47,000 people, residential buildings and diverse hospitality offerings. Jacobs will deliver full design services covering all disciplines to ensure the masterplan reflects Al Madinah's religious and cultural significance. Supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategic objectives, the 370-acre (1.5 km2) development aims to elevate the city's status as a global destination prioritizing services and hospitality for the 30 million visitors expected by 2030."Rua Al Madinah urban development project is poised to become a cornerstone of Madinah's urban environment and a celebration of culture and history in the region," said Jacobs Senior Vice President Keith Lawson. "This project leverages Jacobs' architectural experience and history in the region balancing tradition and innovation to strengthen the spiritual and social fabric of the Kingdom.""As part of our company's endeavor to develop a comprehensive urban and developmental system within Rua Al Madinah project, we have sought to engage pioneers and experts in the real estate industry across all sectors, to ensure a unique experience for visitors and guests is delivered," said Rua Al Madinah Holding CEO, Engineer Ahmed W. Al Juhani. "This will have a significant impact on enhancing the status of Madinah as a prestigious destination with a modern architectural system, characterized by high quality of life and a rich cultural experience."Story continuesAt Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With approximately $16 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of more than 60,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations, as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our plans to spin off and merge with Amentum our Critical Missions Solutions  business and a portion of our Divergent Solutions business in a proposed transaction that is intended to be tax-free to stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the timing of the award of projects and funding and potential changes to the amounts provided for under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other legislation related to governmental spending, as well as general economic conditions, including inflation and the actions taken by monetary authorities in response to inflation, changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in capital markets, the possibility of a recession or economic downturn, geopolitical events and conflicts, and the impact of any future pandemic or infectious disease outbreak, including the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions, among others. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.For press/media inquiries:[email protected] Jacobs Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jacobs)CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-awarded-lead-design-consultant-for-middle-east-urban-development-project-302062944.htmlSOURCE Jacobs

PR Newswire

Jacobs Awarded Lead Design Consultant for Middle East Urban Development Project

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jacobs-awarded-lead-design-consultant-102300440.html

0957def3-a7e7-38c7-b65b-054ec4218268

J

Framework to help shape delivery of future asset investment programsSupports efforts to manage water supply resiliency in London and surrounding areasDALLAS, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) and Mott MacDonald have been selected by Thames Water, the U.K.'s largest water and waste utility, as technical partner to support delivery of the water company's $5.9 billion (£4.7B) future asset investment programs under its Strategic Resource Option (SRO) framework.Artist illustration of the proposed South East Strategic Reservoir Option. Image: Thames Water.The SRO technical framework supports three major water infrastructure projects critical to delivering water security for the south of England: the London Water Recycling, South East Strategic Reservoir Option and Severn to Thames Transfer projects. Under this eight-year professional services framework agreement, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald will deliver a range of technical, engineering, environmental, regulatory and planning consent services to take the schemes through the development phase and into delivery."Jacobs and Mott MacDonald combine tremendous global capabilities from major complex water infrastructure programs, and together with our U.K. planning experience will provide innovative support," said Jacobs Senior Vice President Kate Kenny. "As the need for long-term, integrated water management solutions intensifies, we'll work collaboratively with Thames Water to solve some of the U.K.'s greatest water resources challenges."Mott MacDonald Managing Director UK & Europe Richard Risdon said: "I'm delighted to announce our appointment to this framework. Mott MacDonald and Jacobs have an impressive track-record of providing industry leading services to the U.K. water sector and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Thames Water, helping deliver pioneering solutions for the benefit of the communities they serve."The two companies integrate industry-leading capabilities across both the full water and project lifecycle – from planning and consulting to design and technical capabilities. Having been involved in early stages of the development of the SROs, both companies understand the strategic context, need and basis of design for these projects.Story continuesTo date, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald have delivered more than 100 development consent orders (DCOs) in the U.K. water sector, including Thames Tideway Tunnel, the sector's first project to be developed under the U.K.'s Specified Infrastructure Projects Regulations and one of the largest DCO projects in the U.K. water sector.At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With approximately $16 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of more than 60,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.Mott MacDonald is an employee-owned engineering, development and management consultancy, with projects worldwide. We plan, design, deliver and care for the infrastructure that society depends on – transport, energy, water and buildings. We apply digital innovation and technical excellence to improve outcomes for our clients, society and the environment.mottmac.comCertain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations, as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our plans to spin off and merge with Amentum our Critical Missions Solutions business and a portion of our Divergent Solutions business in a proposed transaction that is intended to be tax-free to stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the timing of the award of projects and funding and potential changes to the amounts provided for under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other legislation related to governmental spending, as well as general economic conditions, including inflation and the actions taken by monetary authorities in response to inflation, changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in capital markets, the possibility of a recession or economic downturn, geopolitical events and conflicts, and the impact of any future pandemic or infectious disease outbreak, including the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions, among others. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.For press/media inquiries:[email protected] Mott MacDonald press/media inquiries:E: [email protected] T: +44 20 8774 2272E: [email protected]  Jacobs Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jacobs)Mott MacDonald LogoCisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-and-mott-macdonald-appointed-technical-partner-by-thames-water-in-the-uk-302084336.htmlSOURCE Jacobs

PR Newswire

Jacobs and Mott MacDonald Appointed Technical Partner by Thames Water in the UK

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jacobs-mott-macdonald-appointed-technical-080000006.html

a85ea447-e993-30ca-8c05-f4dcbc56200f

JBHT

JBHT's robust intermodal and dedicated services segments drive its competitive edge.Technological advancements and strategic partnerships offer significant growth opportunities.Challenges include economic fluctuations and the competitive, fragmented industry landscape.JBHT's commitment to sustainability and innovation positions it well for future industry shifts.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with DUK.On February 23, 2024, JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT), a leading North American surface transportation company, filed its annual 10-K report with the SEC. The company, known for its intermodal delivery and dedicated trucking services, reported a strong financial performance with key segments contributing to a diverse revenue stream. The financial tables within the filing reveal a company that is not only managing its assets efficiently but also maintaining a healthy balance sheet, indicative of strategic growth and operational excellence. This SWOT analysis delves into the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, providing investors with a comprehensive understanding of JBHT's market position and future prospects.Decoding JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsMarket Position and Diverse Services: JBHT's dominant market position is bolstered by its comprehensive service offerings, which include intermodal delivery, dedicated trucking, final-mile delivery, and truck brokerage. Its intermodal segment, which accounted for 48% of sales in 2023, leverages partnerships with major North American rail carriers, offering a competitive edge in terms of cost and efficiency. The dedicated services segment, contributing 28% to sales, provides tailored solutions that foster long-term customer relationships. These core segments benefit from JBHT's commitment to technological innovation, such as the J.B. Hunt 360 platform, enhancing supply chain visibility and efficiency.Financial Health and Investment in Assets: JBHT's financial health is a testament to its prudent management and strategic investments. The company's balance sheet reflects a modern fleet, with an average tractor age of 1.9 years, which not only attracts quality drivers but also reduces maintenance expenses and improves fuel efficiency. This investment in assets, coupled with a diversified revenue stream, positions JBHT to capitalize on market opportunities while mitigating risks associated with economic downturns.Story continuesWeaknessesDependence on Top Customers: A significant portion of JBHT's revenue is concentrated among its top customers, with one customer alone accounting for approximately 13% of total revenue in 2023. This reliance on a limited number of clients could pose risks if there are changes in their shipping needs or if they decide to shift towards other service providers or expand their private fleets. Diversifying its customer base could help JBHT reduce this dependency and stabilize its revenue streams.Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Laws: As a transportation and logistics provider, JBHT is subject to stringent regulatory oversight, including DOT and FMCSA regulations, as well as environmental laws. Compliance with these regulations incurs significant costs, and any changes or increased stringency in these regulations could further impact JBHT's operations and profitability. The company's proactive approach to fleet modernization and sustainability initiatives, however, positions it well to adapt to regulatory changes.OpportunitiesTechnological Advancements and Efficiency: JBHT's investment in technology, such as the J.B. Hunt 360 platform, presents significant opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. By leveraging data analytics and AI, JBHT can optimize routing, reduce empty miles, and improve asset utilization. These technological advancements not only provide a competitive advantage but also open new avenues for service offerings and market expansion.Environmental Sustainability Initiatives: With increasing focus on environmental sustainability, JBHT's efforts to maintain a modern fleet and explore alternative fuel vehicles align with industry trends and customer demands for greener transportation solutions. These initiatives not only contribute to cost savings through improved fuel efficiency but also offer the potential to capture market share from environmentally conscious customers.ThreatsEconomic Fluctuations and Customer Business Cycles: JBHT's operations are sensitive to economic conditions and customer business cycles. A downturn in the economy or in key industries served by JBHT could lead to reduced freight volumes and pressure on rates. The company's diversified service offerings provide some buffer against these fluctuations, but the potential for significant adverse effects on financial performance remains.Competitive and Fragmented Industry: The transportation and logistics industry is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous players ranging from small carriers to large conglomerates. JBHT faces competition on price, service quality, and capacity availability. While its size and range of services provide a competitive edge, the company must continuously innovate and enhance its value proposition to maintain and grow its market share.In conclusion, JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT) exhibits a strong market position with a diversified portfolio of transportation and logistics services. Its financial health and strategic investments in technology and assets are commendable strengths. However, reliance on a few major customers and the ever-present regulatory landscape present challenges that require vigilant management. Opportunities in technological advancements and sustainability initiatives are promising, while economic fluctuations and intense competition pose threats that JBHT must navigate. Overall, JBHT's strategic focus on efficiency and customer value, combined with its commitment to innovation and sustainability, positions it well to capitalize on market opportunities and mitigate risks.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Decoding JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-jb-hunt-transport-services-050904532.html

90457e49-479f-3a53-837c-d746a9a4a7c5

JBHT

Bradley Hicks, EVP of People & Pres Hwy Svcs at JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT), sold 1,000 shares of the company on February 23, 2024. The transaction was filed with the SEC and can be found through the following SEC Filing.JB Hunt Transport Services Inc is a transportation and logistics company based in North America. It provides a wide range of services, including intermodal transport, dedicated freight services, and integrated capacity solutions, among others. The company operates one of the largest fleets of trucks and trailers and offers logistics management and supply chain solutions.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 1,500 shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock.The insider transaction history for JB Hunt Transport Services Inc shows a pattern of insider selling, with 20 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year.JB Hunt Transport Services Inc EVP of People & Pres Hwy Svcs Bradley Hicks Sells 1,000 SharesOn the day of the sale, shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc were trading at $212.24, resulting in a market cap of $21.542 billion.The company's price-earnings ratio stands at 29.94, which is above the industry median of 14.15 and also above the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.JB Hunt Transport Services Inc's stock, with a price of $212.24 and a GuruFocus Value of $183.94, has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.15, indicating that the stock is considered Modestly Overvalued according to the GF Value metric.JB Hunt Transport Services Inc EVP of People & Pres Hwy Svcs Bradley Hicks Sells 1,000 SharesThe GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

JB Hunt Transport Services Inc EVP of People & Pres Hwy Svcs Bradley Hicks Sells 1,000 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jb-hunt-transport-services-inc-180106813.html

adfb0580-1d56-38c3-877b-52211b7ace11

JBHT

Director Patrick Ottensmeyer has recently increased his stake in JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (NASDAQ:JBHT) by purchasing 5,000 shares of the company's stock, according to a SEC Filing dated 2024-03-04. This transaction has expanded Ottensmeyer's holdings in the transportation and logistics company, which specializes in freight shipping and supply chain solutions across North America.Over the past year, the insider has executed a total of one buy transaction, acquiring 5,000 shares. There have been no recorded sales from the insider during this period. The recent acquisition by Ottensmeyer reflects the only insider buy for JB Hunt Transport Services Inc over the past year, contrasting with 23 insider sells within the same timeframe.On the day of the transaction, shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc were priced at $202.99, resulting in a market capitalization of $20.641 billion for the company. The price-earnings ratio stood at 28.67, surpassing both the industry median of 13.95 and the historical median price-earnings ratio for the company.The stock's valuation, when compared to the GuruFocus Value (GF Value) of $184.17, indicates a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.1, suggesting that JB Hunt Transport Services Inc is Fairly Valued. The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which is derived from historical trading multiples, an adjustment factor based on the company's return and growth history, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Director Patrick Ottensmeyer Buys 5,000 Shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT)The insider trend image above illustrates the pattern of insider transactions over the past year, highlighting the recent buy by Ottensmeyer.Director Patrick Ottensmeyer Buys 5,000 Shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT)The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value as calculated by GuruFocus.Insider buying can often be an indicator of a company's future prospects as seen by its executives and directors. Investors typically monitor such insider transactions as part of their due diligence process when evaluating potential investment opportunities.Story continuesWarning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with ZM.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Director Patrick Ottensmeyer Buys 5,000 Shares of JB Hunt Transport Services Inc (JBHT)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/director-patrick-ottensmeyer-buys-5-045459494.html

a6fbfce3-c6d3-3bc0-94d5-1677f1dfdc6c

JBHT

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.’s JBHT consistent efforts to reward its shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases look encouraging. Concurrent with the fourth quarter of 2023 earnings release, JBHT’s board of directors approved a dividend hike of 2%, thereby raising its quarterly cash dividend to 43 cents from 42 cents per share. The raised dividend was paid on Feb 23, 2024, to all its shareholders of record as of Feb 9. The move reflects JBHT’s intention to utilize free cash to enhance its shareholders’ returns.The company is also active on the buyback front, having resumed the same in the fourth quarter of 2020 after a temporary pause amid coronavirus concerns. In the fourth quarter of 2023, JBHT purchased almost 137,000 shares for $25 million. As of Dec 31, 2023, JBHT had approximately $392 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.Declining operating expenses due to lower fuel costs, purchased transportation costs, and salaries, wages and benefits expenses have the potential to boost J.B. Hunt's bottom line. In 2023, operating expenses fell 12.2% year over year.On the flip side, J.B. Hunt’s top line continues to grapple with lower revenues across all the business segments, mainly due to a combination of lower volume and customer rates. JBHT’s fourth-quarter 2023 revenues of $3,303.70 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,236.2 million but fell 9.5% year over year. Total operating revenues, excluding fuel surcharge revenues, fell 6% year over year. The downfall was due to a 12% and 7% decline in volume in Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) and Truckload (JBT), respectively, a 10% and 13% decline in revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharge revenue in Intermodal (JBI) and JBT, respectively, and a 12% decline in stops in Final Mile Services (FMS). These were partially offset by a 6% increase in volume in JBI, a 3% increase in productivity (revenue per truck per week excluding fuel surcharge revenue) in Dedicated Contract Services (DCS), and the revenue contribution from the acquisition of the brokerage assets of BNSF Logistics.Story continuesHigher net interest expense is likely to mar J.B. Hunt’s bottom line. JBHT continues to incur higher interest expenses owing to higher interest rates and debt issuance costs. Net interest expense for 2023 increased 16.2% year over year due to higher effective interest rates.J.B. Hunt’s weak cash position is worrisome. JBHT's cash and cash equivalents were $53.34 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, much lower than the long-term debt of $1,326.10 million.Partly due to these headwinds, shares of JBHT, despite gaining 12.6%, have underperformed its industry’s growth of 31.5% in the past year.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchZacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderCurrently, JBHT carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks from the Zacks Transportation sector are GATX Corporation GATX, SkyWest, Inc. SKYW and Copa Holdings, S.A. CPA. Each stock presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.GATX has an encouraging track record with respect to earnings surprise, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters (missing the mark in the remaining one). The average beat is 16.47%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings has been revised 6.1% upward over the past 90 days. GATX has an expected earnings growth rate of 3.68% for 2024. Shares of GATX have gained 13.9% in the past year.SkyWest's fleet-modernization efforts are commendable. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SKYW’s 2024 earnings has improved 11.1% over the past 90 days. Shares of SKYW have surged 222.2% in the past year.SKYW has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for 2024. SKYW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 128.02%, on average.CPA has an encouraging track record with respect to earnings surprise, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters (missing the mark in the remaining one). The average beat is 18.02%.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJ.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCopa Holdings, S.A. (CPA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportSkyWest, Inc. (SKYW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGATX Corporation (GATX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Dividends, Buyback Aid J.B. Hunt (JBHT), Interest Expense High

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dividends-buyback-aid-j-b-154100336.html

9270cc53-9dd1-3079-b5d8-c73dc78f9f84

JBL

Jabil (JBL) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Over the past month, shares of this electronics manufacturer have returned +13.2%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry, which Jabil falls in, has gained 14.6%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.Jabil is expected to post earnings of $1.94 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +3.2%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $9.11 points to a change of +5.6% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.Story continuesFor the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.71 indicates a change of +17.5% from what Jabil is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Jabil.The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSRevenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.In the case of Jabil, the consensus sales estimate of $6.91 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -15.1%. The $30.61 billion and $32.25 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of -11.8% and +5.4%, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryJabil reported revenues of $8.39 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -13%. EPS of $2.60 for the same period compares with $2.31 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.35 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.43%. The EPS surprise was +2.36%.The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.Jabil is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Jabil. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJabil, Inc. (JBL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Jabil, Inc. (JBL) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jabil-inc-jbl-trending-stock-140014139.html

468b1118-644d-3b53-b444-502115888eea

JBL

In the latest trading session, Jabil (JBL) closed at $140.06, marking a +0.39% move from the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.38%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.16%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.13%.Shares of the electronics manufacturer have appreciated by 13.23% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 3.93% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.74%.The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Jabil in its forthcoming earnings report. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.94, reflecting a 3.19% increase from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $6.91 billion, down 15.08% from the year-ago period.JBL's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $9.11 per share and revenue of $30.61 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +5.56% and -11.78%, respectively.Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Jabil. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Jabil is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesValuation is also important, so investors should note that Jabil has a Forward P/E ratio of 15.32 right now. This represents a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 14.66.Meanwhile, JBL's PEG ratio is currently 1.28. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.05.The Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 217, this industry ranks in the bottom 14% of all industries, numbering over 250.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJabil, Inc. (JBL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Jabil (JBL) Advances While Market Declines: Some Information for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jabil-jbl-advances-while-market-224515251.html

93e522b1-e111-31ef-b346-bdb32f0e0fda

JBL

Jabil (JBL) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.Shares of this electronics manufacturer have returned +13.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.4% change. The Zacks Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry, to which Jabil belongs, has gained 17.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.Jabil is expected to post earnings of $1.86 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -1.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.The consensus earnings estimate of $9.09 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +5.3%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.71 indicates a change of +17.8% from what Jabil is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.Story continuesHaving a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Jabil is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSProjected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.For Jabil, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.91 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -15.1%. For the current and next fiscal years, $30.61 billion and $32.25 billion estimates indicate -11.8% and +5.4% changes, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryJabil reported revenues of $8.39 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -13%. EPS of $2.60 for the same period compares with $2.31 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.35 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.43%. The EPS surprise was +2.36%.The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.Jabil is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Jabil. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJabil, Inc. (JBL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Jabil, Inc. (JBL) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jabil-inc-jbl-attracting-investor-140016262.html

62c4ee6b-bb59-399a-9f08-1fc110ee1f56

JBL

Investment bank JPMorgan on Friday called out several alternative AI stocks beyond Dell, Super Micro and others.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

AI Stocks: JPMorgan Names Alternatives To Nvidia, AMD

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/d6df7649-5f4c-3f6a-bb85-ac198b50aeaf/ai-stocks-jpmorgan-names.html

d6df7649-5f4c-3f6a-bb85-ac198b50aeaf

JCI

Overview of Dodge & Cox's Latest Investment MoveOn January 31, 2024, the esteemed investment firm Dodge & Cox made a significant addition to its portfolio by acquiring 7,496,500 shares of Johnson Controls International PLC (NYSE:JCI), a leader in building technologies and solutions. This transaction, executed at a price of $52.69 per share, has increased the firm's total holdings in JCI to 74,965,000 shares, marking a substantial impact of 0.27% on the portfolio. The addition has also adjusted Dodge & Cox's position in JCI to 2.65% of its portfolio, with the firm now holding an 11.00% stake in the company.Dodge & Cox: A Legacy of Value InvestingWarning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with JCI.Founded in 1930, Dodge & Cox stands as a paragon of value investing, guided by a collective decision-making process. The firm's Investment Policy Committees are at the heart of its investment strategy, ensuring continuity in philosophy, research, and culture. Dodge & Cox's approach is characterized by a relentless pursuit of superior relative value, favoring long-term investments in undervalued companies with promising earnings and cash-flow prospects.Dodge & Cox Bolsters Position in Johnson Controls International PLCStrategic Expansion of Dodge & Cox's PortfolioThe recent acquisition of JCI shares represents a strategic move by Dodge & Cox, further cementing the stock's position within its diverse portfolio. With a current portfolio allocation of 2.65% to JCI, the firm has demonstrated confidence in the company's future performance. This trade not only reflects Dodge & Cox's investment acumen but also its commitment to capitalizing on market opportunities that align with its value-driven philosophy.Johnson Controls International PLC: A SnapshotJohnson Controls International PLC, headquartered in Ireland, has been a prominent player in the construction industry since its IPO in 1965. The company specializes in HVAC systems, building management, fire and security solutions, and industrial refrigeration units. With a diverse range of segments including Building Solutions Asia Pacific, EMEA/LA, North America, and Global Products, JCI generated nearly $27 billion in revenue in fiscal 2023.Story continuesFinancial Health and Market Position of JCIAs of the latest data, Johnson Controls boasts a market capitalization of $37.82 billion and a stock price of $55.5, reflecting a modest undervaluation according to GuruFocus metrics. The stock's PE ratio stands at 18.08%, and it is currently rated as "Modestly Undervalued" with a GF Value of $70.33. JCI has experienced a 5.33% gain since Dodge & Cox's trade and a staggering 2457.6% increase since its IPO. Despite a slight year-to-date dip of -2.77%, the company's financial strength and market performance remain robust.Dodge & Cox Bolsters Position in Johnson Controls International PLCComparative Analysis of Investor Interest in JCIDodge & Cox's recent trade places it as the largest shareholder in JCI, a testament to its belief in the company's value proposition. Other notable investors such as Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio), Chris Davis (Trades, Portfolio), and Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) also maintain positions in JCI, although none hold as significant a stake as Dodge & Cox.Valuation and Performance Metrics of JCIJCI's valuation is supported by a GF Value Rank of 9/10, indicating strong potential for investment. The company's historical performance and growth prospects are further underscored by its GF Score of 88/100, suggesting a high potential for outperformance. With a solid Profitability Rank of 7/10 and a Growth Rank of 8/10, JCI's financial health and expansion trajectory are well-recognized in the industry.Concluding Insights on Dodge & Cox's JCI TradeThe acquisition of additional shares in Johnson Controls International PLC by Dodge & Cox is a strategic move that aligns with the firm's investment philosophy and reflects confidence in JCI's future growth. As the company continues to innovate and expand within the construction industry, Dodge & Cox's increased stake positions it to potentially reap the benefits of JCI's market performance and intrinsic value. This trade not only diversifies Dodge & Cox's portfolio but also highlights the firm's commitment to value investing and its ability to identify companies with strong long-term prospects.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Dodge & Cox Bolsters Position in Johnson Controls International PLC

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dodge-cox-bolsters-position-johnson-120311817.html

01fcb935-19b2-337f-bc93-59203fad67ae

JCI

CORK, Ireland, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, will present at the Citi's 2024 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Chairman and CEO, George Oliver, will participate on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 9:40 a.m. EST.A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the company's website at: http://investors.johnsoncontrols.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations.About Johnson ControlsAt Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.INVESTOR CONTACT:                          MEDIA CONTACT:Jim Lucas                                               Danielle CanzanellaDirect: 651.391.3182                               Direct: 203.499.8297Email: [email protected]                       Email: [email protected]             Story continuesJohnson Controls Logo. (PRNewsFoto/JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC.) (PRNewsFoto/) CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/johnson-controls-to-present-at-the-citis-2024-global-industrial-tech-and-mobility-conference-302063068.htmlSOURCE Johnson Controls International plc

PR Newswire

JOHNSON CONTROLS TO PRESENT AT THE CITI'S 2024 GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL TECH AND MOBILITY CONFERENCE

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/johnson-controls-present-citis-2024-133000863.html

a8e9aae1-8d06-3efe-86e2-1c776077bce1

JCI

Annual recognition highlights organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to business integrity through robust ethics, compliance, and governance programs CORK, Ireland, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has received the 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, marking the 17th time Johnson Controls has been named to this list."What we do every day at Johnson Controls makes the world more productive, more secure, and more sustainable. Creating winning solutions for our customers is the key to winning in the marketplace, and how we do it matters," said Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver. "We are immensely proud of our role as a global leader in ethical practices and are resolute about doing what is right to fuel employee empowerment and drive business value. This recognition underscores our deeply engrained culture of ethics at Johnson Controls."Values First, the Johnson Controls Code of Ethics, is the cornerstone of the Johnson Controls Ethics & Compliance Program and is an integrated approach to ensuring that individual conduct, business operations, and organizational culture maintain the highest standards of integrity. Through leadership, commitment, communication, training, monitoring, and reporting, Johnson Controls has operationalized ways to identify and safely navigate ethics and compliance risks and conduct business according to the company's stringent set of values."Acting with integrity, being purpose led, and always putting the customer first are just a few of the values that lead our teams at Johnson Controls. This recognition is a testament to our culture and the employees who live our values every day," said Mara Murphy, Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer of Johnson Controls.Story continuesThe World's Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere's proprietary Ethics Quotient®, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. In 2024, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 20 countries and 44 industries."It's always inspiring to recognize the World's Most Ethical Companies. Through the rigorous review process, we see the dedication of these organizations to continually improving their ethics, compliance and governance practices to the benefit of all stakeholders," said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair. "Companies that elevate best-in-class cultures of ethics and integrity set a standard for corporate citizenship for their peers and competitors to follow. Congratulations to Johnson Controls for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business."To learn more about integrity and ethics at Johnson Controls visit https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us/ethics-and-compliance.Methodology & ScoringThe World's Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere's proprietary Ethics Quotient®, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year's group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify truly best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.Honorees To view the full list of this year's honorees, please visit the World's Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.About Johnson Controls:At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social Platforms.About EthisphereEthisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust, and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World's Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also helps to advance business performance through data-driven assessments, guidance, and benchmarking against its unparalleled data: the Culture Quotient dataset focused on ethical culture and featuring the responses of 2+ million employees around the world; and the Ethics Quotient dataset, featuring 200+ data points highlighting the ethics, compliance, social, and governance practices of the World's Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.INVESTOR CONTACT:                                          MEDIA CONTACT:Michael Gates                                                         Danielle Canzanella Direct: +1 414.524.5785                                         Direct: +1 203-499-8297Email:  [email protected]                            Email: [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT:Anne [email protected] Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has received the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, marking the 17th time Johnson Controls has been named to this list. Johnson Controls Logo. (PRNewsFoto/JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC.) (PRNewsFoto/)CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ethisphere-names-johnson-controls-as-one-of-the-worlds-most-ethical-companies-for-the-17th-time-302078541.htmlSOURCE Johnson Controls International plc

PR Newswire

ETHISPHERE NAMES JOHNSON CONTROLS AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES FOR THE 17TH TIME

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ethisphere-names-johnson-controls-one-150000083.html

f5a84bdc-788e-3140-a367-73a0456ff902

JCI

George Oliver, chairman and CEO, unveiled Johnson Controls' new office at one-north in Singapore.The office will house an OpenBlue Innovation Center for local partners, institutions and industry experts to collaborate and drive technological advancements and deliver cutting-edge solutions.SINGAPORE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, today announced the opening of its new office in Singapore. Strategically located at one-north, the office serves as a living lab for collaboration, research, and development, further strengthening Johnson Controls' commitment to its partners and community across Southeast Asia."Singapore's vibrant and innovative ecosystem aligns with our vision for a more sustainable future, where economic progress goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social responsibility, ensuring a brighter and more resilient future for all," said George Oliver, chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls at the new office opening. "Our Singapore office represents an exciting next step in our continued commitment to this dynamic and culturally diverse country."Spanning 3,535 square meters, the location will accommodate around 450 employees and host an OpenBlue Innovation Center, which will showcase solutions for building owners, operators, and industry leaders to create smart buildings that are secure, healthy, and sustainable."Johnson Controls' OpenBlue Innovation Centre is a good example of how companies are partnering with our ecosystem on innovation and technology development to support this transition. We look forward to the smart and sustainable building solutions that this centre will develop and bring to the Southeast Asia region." said Jacqueline Poh, managing director, Singapore Economic Development Board.One-north's interconnected ecosystem extends the impact of the new facility, fostering collaboration with local partners, institutions and industry experts to drive technological advancements and solution integration to deliver cutting-edge innovation to the market.Story continuesThe new office opening also supports The Singapore Green Plan 2030, which will further advance Singapore's national agenda on sustainable development amid climate change and urbanization challenges, while also reinforcing Johnson Controls' dedication to driving the smart city transformation in Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia.Johnson Controls has been at the forefront of Singapore's smart city transformation, equipping more than 40% of the city-state's commercial buildings with smart building solutions, directly supporting the nation's sustainability goals. Recently recognized with the SkillsFuture Employer Awards (Gold) for championing skills development, Johnson Controls continues to contribute to Singapore's vision for a greener and more efficient future while nurturing expertise within its workforce.Anu Rathninde, president, Asia Pacific, Johnson Controls said, "We are excited about the opportunities that are ahead of us in the Southeast Asia market. With Singapore as our strategic hub, Johnson Controls is well-positioned to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and create lasting partnerships that will shape the future of the built environment here and in the region."With Southeast Asian governments striving to meet the needs of their rapidly growing urban populations, Johnson Controls' expanded presence in the region will play a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices and driving innovation in the built environment.MEDIA CONTACT:   Michelle JiangJohnson ControlsEmail: [email protected] Samuel CheeWeber Shandwick SingaporeEmail: [email protected] ###About Johnson Controls:At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.CisionView original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/johnson-controls-opens-new-office-and-innovation-center-in-singapore-ceo-visit-underscores-commitment-to-regional-growth-and-sustainability-302079476.htmlSOURCE Johnson Controls

PR Newswire

JOHNSON CONTROLS OPENS NEW OFFICE AND INNOVATION CENTER IN SINGAPORE, CEO VISIT UNDERSCORES COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/johnson-controls-opens-office-innovation-072900490.html

79e7a382-45e6-3d54-8869-13ffdb06f23a

JKHY

MONETT, Mo., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® (Nasdaq: JKHY) announced today that it will be participating in several upcoming conferences.New Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.)David Foss, Board Chair & CEO, will present at the following conferences:KBW Fintech & Payments Conference on February 27th; the presentation takes place at 8 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://wsw.com/webcast/kbw106/jkhy/1743378.8th Annual Evercore ISI Payments & Fintech Innovators Forum on February 29th; the presentation takes place at 1 p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://wsw.com/webcast/evercore41/jkhy/2374848.Raymond James & Associates' 45th Annual Institutional Investors Conference on March 5th; the presentation takes place at 9:15 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://wsw.com/webcast/rj129/jkhy/1614480.David Foss and Greg Adelson, President & COO, will present at the following conferences:Citi's 2024 13th Annual FinTech Conference on February 28th; the presentation takes place at 2:45p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://kvgo.com/citi/jack-henry-associates-inc-feb-2024.Wolfe FinTech Forum 2024 on March 13th; the presentation takes place at 8:05 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://wsw.com/webcast/wolfe9/jkhy/1903524.Mimi Carsley, CFO & Treasurer, will present at the following conference:Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on March 6th; the presentation takes place at 1:15 p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible at https://cc.webcasts.com/morg007/030424a_js/?entity=42_JY7CPC1.Replays of all events will be available on ir.jackhenry.com following the live presentation.About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.®Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 47 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.Story continuesStatements made in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date of the news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-henry-executives-to-present-at-numerous-investor-conferences-302069353.htmlSOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

PR Newswire

Jack Henry Executives to Present at Numerous Investor Conferences

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-henry-executives-present-numerous-220000514.html

1b39881d-0938-3bba-8bf8-9e6302ed4b03

JKHY

 Open, flexible technology empowers focus on underserved communities and commercial banking, positions CDFI to continue strong growth MONETT, Mo., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) announced today that Legacy Bank & Trust has doubled its asset size in two years by implementing a differentiated business strategy and revamping its technology stack to meet new growth areas and complex needs. The bank grew from $800 million assets in the first quarter 2022 to $1.7 billion today.New Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.)The 117-year-old Springfield, Missouri-based bank has a long history in rural markets. Over the last decade, the leadership team saw market needs and opportunities for growth in three new niche areas of business: affordable housing, new markets tax credits and commercial banking. New growth also led to competing in larger urban areas in Oklahoma and Texas. The bank's timely response to strong demand from financially underserved communities made it one of the largest affordable housing lenders in the Midwest and a reputable Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).Legacy Bank & Trust has been running on Jack Henry systems since 2003. To meet its new strategic direction, the bank decided to revamp its technology stack, selecting Jack Henry's more scalable hosted core processing solution, SilverLake. It also added new tools to boost operational efficiencies, improve communication between branches, standardize compliance processes, and increase security. Today, the bank has competitive technology to enter new markets easily and create positive user experiences."As a long-term Jack Henry customer, we value their expertise, availability, and dedication to our service, even when we were a lot smaller than we are today," said Jeremy Loftin, EVP and Chief Operations Officer at Legacy Bank & Trust. "When our growth spurt started, we had to perform the due diligence of searching for technology that best matched the size we aspired to be. Once again, Jack Henry did not disappoint. Their robust and competitive solutions stood out in the market, and once implemented, the results came quickly. They've allowed us to automate processes, be more efficient, and scale.Story continuesLegacy Bank & Trust continues to explore new niche markets and potential acquisitions while growing organically. The bank is continuing its geographic expansion into Texas' metropolitan areas to strengthen its deposits. "Jack Henry technology has powered our journey from a small, rural community bank to a $1.7-billion asset bank now operating in three states," Loftin continues. "We are confident that their vision for the future and comprehensive technology suite will also support our journey going forward."Stacey Zengel, senior vice president of Jack Henry and president of Bank Solutions, said, "Legacy Bank & Trust is a dynamic community bank with a unique business model. Their niche focus in recent years has not only helped thousands of customers in underserved communities but has also led to strong growth for the institution. We are grateful to have been by their side through this transformation and will continue to provide the right technology solutions for their evolving needs."About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 47 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legacy-bank--trust-doubles-its-assets-with-niche-strategy-and-technology-from-jack-henry-302069970.htmlSOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

PR Newswire

Legacy Bank & Trust Doubles its Assets with Niche Strategy and Technology from Jack Henry

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/legacy-bank-trust-doubles-assets-140000213.html

498b7276-ae39-3a9c-b809-0f542da2e43e

JKHY

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Jack Henry (JKHY). Shares have added about 3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Jack Henry due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Jack Henry Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Up Y/YJack Henry & Associates reported second-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings of $1.22 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.02%. The bottom line increased 10.9% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s reported figure.Revenues improved 8% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s reading to $545.7 million. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $539.45 million.JKHY’s non-GAAP revenues were $540.8 million, up 8.4% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s level.Top-line growth was driven by growing services and support and processing revenues.Strong momentum across the Core, Payments, Complementary and Corporate segments drove the results further.Top Line in DetailServices & Support: Jack Henry generated revenues of $311.99 million from the category (57.2% of revenues). The figure grew 7.3% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s level, owing to an 11% rise in data processing and hosting fees. Further, the increase in user group revenues was a positive.Processing: The category yielded $233.71 million in revenues (42.8% of revenues), up 8.9% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s actuals. This can be attributed to a 29.6% and 5.6% increase in Jack Henry's digital and card revenues, respectively. Growing payment-processing revenues contributed well.Segments in DetailCore: Revenues totaled $165.6 million (30.3% of total revenues), rising 7.9% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s figure. However, it lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $166.3 million.Payments: Revenues summed up to $203.8 million (37.3% of total revenues), increasing 6.5% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s level. The figure came ahead of the consensus mark of $203.1 million.Complementary: Revenues came in at $152.5 million (28% of total revenues), up 7.3% from the year-earlier fiscal quarter’s number. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $151.6 million.Corporate & Other: Revenues grossed $23.8 million (4.4% of the total revenues) and surged 30.9% from the prior-year fiscal quarter’s level. The figure came ahead of the consensus mark of $17.1 million.Story continuesOperating DetailsIn second-quarter fiscal 2024, total operating expenses were $426.7 million, indicating a 7.2% increase from the prior-year fiscal quarter.As a percentage of revenues, the figure contracted 60 basis points (bps) from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s number to 78.2%.The operating margin was 21.8%, expanding 60 bps from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s number.Balance SheetAs of Dec 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents totaled $26.71 million compared with $31.5 million as of Sep 30, 2023.Trade receivables were $270.6 million in the reported quarter, down from $288.7 million in the previous fiscal quarter.The current and long-term debt was $255 million at the end of second-quarter fiscal 2024 compared with $245 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024.GuidanceFor fiscal 2024, Jack Henry revised its guidance for GAAP revenues from $2.211-$2.232 billion to $2.215-$2.228 billion.It also updated guidance for non-GAAP revenues from $2.193-2.214 billion to $2.197-2.210 billion.Management raised the guidance for earnings from $4.98-$5.04 to $5.09-$5.13 per share.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in estimates review.VGM ScoresAt this time, Jack Henry has an average Growth Score of C, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions has been net zero. It comes with little surprise Jack Henry has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJack Henry & Associates, Inc. (JKHY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Is Jack Henry (JKHY) Up 3% Since Last Earnings Report?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-jack-henry-jkhy-3-163057341.html

2405fa5f-3d30-3236-8963-c72f88046bb5

JKHY

McLachlan has served as President of Jack Henry Credit Union Solutions since 2019MONETT, Mo., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Henry & Associates Inc.® (Nasdaq: JKHY) announced today that Shanon McLachlan, President of Jack Henry Credit Union Solutions, will become Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective July 1, 2024. As previously announced, Jack Henry President and COO Greg Adelson is being elevated to President and CEO on July 1, 2024. McLachlan, who also will become a Senior Vice President and executive officer of the company, will continue to report to Adelson.New Logo (PRNewsfoto/Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.)In his new role, McLachlan will be responsible for all business lines, operations, and infrastructure. McLachlan joined Jack Henry in 2015 and served as Senior Managing Director of ProfitStars® before becoming President of Symitar® (now Credit Union Solutions) in 2019."Shanon is a strategic, visionary leader who has done an outstanding job leading key businesses and significantly contributing to our company's overall success," Adelson said. "His significant technology and operational experience in both the banking and the credit union industry positions him extremely well for this new opportunity. His expertise and skills will help ensure a seamless transition as we continue to execute our strategic objectives, advance our technology modernization strategy, and further adopt One Jack Henry to optimize our business operations to deliver value for our associates, clients, and shareholders."Under McLachlan's leadership, the Credit Union Solutions team has improved operations and service, at both the business and enterprise level, through an unwavering focus on the company's One Jack Henry program to simplify and enhance the associate and client experience. Prior to joining Jack Henry, McLachlan worked at a core systems company where he supported both banks and credit unions and was engaged in all aspects of implementations and customer support. In addition, he held Chief Technology Officer and SVP of Operations roles where he was an integral part of the Executive Leadership team and heavily involved in mergers and acquisitions.Story continues"I'm excited and humbled for the opportunity to step into the COO role and continue building on the great momentum that we've experienced under Greg's leadership," McLachlan said. "We will remain focused on innovation and execution and keeping our clients at the center of everything that we do. Greg has built an outstanding team of talented, driven, and dedicated professionals in the COO organization, and I am honored to collaborate with them as we continue to move our company forward."About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 47 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date of the news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-henry--associates-to-elevate-shanon-mclachlan-to-coo-in-july-2024-302085679.htmlSOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

PR Newswire

Jack Henry & Associates to Elevate Shanon McLachlan to COO in July 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-henry-associates-elevate-shanon-201000167.html

5a15bfd1-322b-3994-8681-1cb97e2d1f03

JNJ

Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) stock up by 7.0% over the past three months. As most would know, long-term fundamentals have a strong correlation with market price movements, so we decided to look at the company's key financial indicators today to determine if they have any role to play in the recent price movement. Specifically, we decided to study Johnson & Johnson's ROE in this article.Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity. See our latest analysis for Johnson & Johnson How To Calculate Return On Equity?The formula for return on equity is:Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' EquitySo, based on the above formula, the ROE for Johnson & Johnson is:19% = US$13b ÷ US$69b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. So, this means that for every $1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of $0.19.What Is The Relationship Between ROE And Earnings Growth?So far, we've learned that ROE is a measure of a company's profitability. Depending on how much of these profits the company reinvests or "retains", and how effectively it does so, we are then able to assess a company’s earnings growth potential. Assuming all else is equal, companies that have both a higher return on equity and higher profit retention are usually the ones that have a higher growth rate when compared to companies that don't have the same features.A Side By Side comparison of Johnson & Johnson's Earnings Growth And 19% ROETo begin with, Johnson & Johnson seems to have a respectable ROE. Even when compared to the industry average of 17% the company's ROE looks quite decent. However, we are curious as to how Johnson & Johnson's decent returns still resulted in flat growth for Johnson & Johnson in the past five years. Based on this, we feel that there might be other reasons which haven't been discussed so far in this article that could be hampering the company's growth. For example, it could be that the company has a high payout ratio or the business has allocated capital poorly, for instance.Story continuesWe then compared Johnson & Johnson's net income growth with the industry and found that the average industry growth rate was 6.5% in the same 5-year period.past-earnings-growthThe basis for attaching value to a company is, to a great extent, tied to its earnings growth. The investor should try to establish if the expected growth or decline in earnings, whichever the case may be, is priced in. This then helps them determine if the stock is placed for a bright or bleak future. Has the market priced in the future outlook for JNJ? You can find out in our latest intrinsic value infographic research report. Is Johnson & Johnson Using Its Retained Earnings Effectively?The high three-year median payout ratio of 70% (meaning, the company retains only 30% of profits) for Johnson & Johnson suggests that the company's earnings growth was miniscule as a result of paying out a majority of its earnings.Moreover, Johnson & Johnson has been paying dividends for at least ten years or more suggesting that management must have perceived that the shareholders prefer dividends over earnings growth. Existing analyst estimates suggest that the company's future payout ratio is expected to drop to 47% over the next three years. The fact that the company's ROE is expected to rise to 31% over the same period is explained by the drop in the payout ratio.ConclusionOn the whole, we do feel that Johnson & Johnson has some positive attributes. Although, we are disappointed to see a lack of growth in earnings even in spite of a high ROE. Bear in mind, the company reinvests a small portion of its profits, which means that investors aren't reaping the benefits of the high rate of return. That being so, the latest industry analyst forecasts show that the analysts are expecting to see a huge improvement in the company's earnings growth rate. Are these analysts expectations based on the broad expectations for the industry, or on the company's fundamentals? Click here to be taken to our analyst's forecasts page for the company.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Do Fundamentals Have Any Role To Play In Driving Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Stock Up Recently?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fundamentals-role-play-driving-johnson-120023824.html

47a8cf9d-9a35-3891-b6cb-aead9ca4aa95

JNJ

In this piece we are going to look at 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024. If you want to skip and jump directly to the top countries on our list, you can go to 5 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.The global birth rate issue is a critical concern impacting countries worldwide. Over the past 70 years, there has been a significant decrease in birth rates across the nations. This trend is particularly evident in countries like China and South Korea, where birth rates have plummeted by over 80% since 1950. The decline in birth rates is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative implications.On the positive side, it signifies progress in socio-economic development. As countries advance and living standards improve, societal norms shift towards prioritizing education, career, and personal goals over starting families. This shift is empowered by factors such as enhanced opportunities for women, urbanization, and access to family planning services.However, the downside of declining birth rates cannot be ignored. One of the significant consequences is the rapidly aging population. With fewer children being born, the proportion of elderly individuals increases, straining social welfare systems, healthcare, and pension schemes. Additionally, a shrinking workforce due to declining birth rates may lead to labor shortages, skill gaps, and reduced economic productivity. It is evident that declining birth rates have far-reaching implications, impacting not only demographics but also the labor market and global economy. Urgent action and strategic planning are needed to address these challenges and ensure sustainable development in the face of a changing population landscape.By the end of this century, a worrying trend of declining populations may affect nearly every country worldwide. While advancements in healthcare and reduced poverty levels have resulted in increased life spans, the number of births per woman has significantly decreased. In the last five decades, the global fertility rate has dwindled by half to 2.3. In advanced economies, this rate falls below the critical replacement level of 2.1, necessary for population maintenance across generations. Developing nations are also witnessing a parallel decline in fertility rates. Immediate attention and action are imperative to understand and mitigate the implications of this demographic shift.Story continuesOn the other hand, in the United States, the birth rate has been steadily declining since the onset of the Great Recession, plunging by nearly 23% from 2007 to 2022. Presently, the typical American woman gives birth to approximately 1.6 children, a stark drop from the three children per woman in 1950 and well below the crucial "replacement rate" of 2.1 children required to maintain a stable population. Immediate attention is essential to grasp the implications of this concerning demographic shift.Let’s now look at some of the companies which are keeping their eyes on the birth rate trend globally, and adjusting their operations accordingly. We are going to discuss 3 such companies, namely, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG).Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) is a renowned innovator and international authority in the realm of reliable baby and child care products and brands, encompassing diapers, wipes, and training pants. In the quarter ending 31st December 2023, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) reported modest gains in their Personal Care sales, reaching $2.6 billion, marking a 2% increase. Noteworthy advancements in innovation, effective commercial strategies, and supply chain enhancements resulted in notable volume growth, especially in North America, where sales surged by 4%. Throughout 2023, Personal Care exhibited a 1% growth overall, with organic sales soaring by 5%, showcasing widespread growth across various region.Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a key indicator of the health sector's performance, reported total sales of $21.40 billion in the last quarter of 2023 ending 31 December, showing an impressive 7.3% increase from the corresponding quarter in 2022. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), the pharmaceutical industry leader, disclosed a net income of $4.13 billion, equating to $1.70 per share in the quarter, a notable increase from the prior year's net income of $3.23 billion, equivalent to $1.22 per share.The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), another personal care products manufacturer, revealed a rise in net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 ending 31 December 2023, reaching $21.4 billion, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. Organic sales, which exclude the impacts of foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestitures, saw a more significant surge of 4%. Despite a dip in diluted net earnings per share to $1.40, a 12% decrease from the prior year, attributed primarily to a non-cash impairment of the Gillette intangible asset, core net earnings per share surged to $1.84, marking a notable 16% increase compared to the previous year.15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024Freer/Shutterstock.comMethodology To come up with the list of 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024, we referred to The World Factbook list of countries with their birth rates – comparison of the average annual number of births of countries in a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. We took the birth rates for 2023 and 2022, respectively and then arrived at the percentage change between the two years’ rates, which provided us the basis for our ranking of 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.15 countries with declining birth rates in 202415. BelarusChange in Birth Rate: -5.3%15th on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is Belarus, which is witnessing a distressing record low in the number of births in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Justice, with just over 65,000 births recorded. This figure is alarmingly low, marking the lowest recorded in the country's history.14. North Korea Change in Birth Rate: -5.7%North Korea is facing a concerning trend, with the United Nations Population Fund reporting a fertility rate of 1.8 in 2023, reflecting a continuous decline in recent decades. Despite this decline, the fertility rate in North Korea remains higher than in some neighboring countries also experiencing a downward trend.13. FranceChange in Birth Rate: -6.5%In France, as of January 2023, the total population stands at 68.0 million, with a marginal increase of 0.3% in 2022. However, the number of births dropped significantly, with 723,000 babies born, 19,000 fewer than in 2021, resulting in its inclusion here in the list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024. After a brief rebound in 2021, births plummeted again in 2022, hitting a historical low. The total fertility rate in 2022 stood at 1.80 children per woman, down from 1.84 in 2021. This alarming trend requires immediate attention and action to address the implications for each respective country's demographics.12. IrelandChange in Birth Rate: -8.3%Ireland observed a decrease in births in 2022, with 57,540 babies born, marking a 1.5% decline compared to 2021. A stark contrast can be seen from a decade ago in 2012 when 71,674 children were born, despite a smaller population. The peak of the Celtic Tiger baby boom was in 2009, with 75,554 births that year.11. Republic of the CongoChange in Birth Rate: -8.6%In the Democratic Republic of Congo, cultural norms traditionally support large families, with recent surveys indicating that women desire an average of six children and men of seven. However, a shift is emerging in recent data trends.10. LiberiaChange in Birth Rate: -9.9%10th on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is Liberia. In Liberia, the government has been actively spearheading initiatives to reduce adolescent pregnancies and foster equal opportunities for girls. These efforts extend beyond the health sector, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these critical issues, resulting in the declining birth rate for the latest year.9. RussiaChange in Birth Rate: -10.1%Russia is currently grappling with its most severe demographic crisis in recent history, marked by a significant decline in births attributed to the prevailing uncertainty in the economic and political landscape. The demographic statistics are deeply concerning.In August 2023, a sharp 29% decrease in Russia's natural population during January-June 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was reported, plummeting from 383,800 to 272,500. The number of births also declined by 3%, falling from 635,200 to 616,200, and the number of deaths registered a substantial 12.8% drop from 1,019,000 to 888,700. Furthermore, the natural population decrease in 2022 exhibited a staggering 42.5% decline from 1,042,675 in 2021 to 599,616. Immediate action is imperative to address this critical demographic crisis in Russia.8. The BahamasChange in Birth Rate: -10.5%The Bahamas is experiencing a concerning rise in maternal mortality rates, with 77 women per 100,000 live births succumbing to pregnancy-related causes. This ratio has deteriorated from 61 in 2000 to 77 in 2020. Despite being lower than the regional average, these figures highlight a critical need for immediate attention to address maternal health challenges in The Bahamas. Maternal mortality ratio reflects the number of women lost due to pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births. Immediate action is essential to combat this alarming trend.7. ZimbabweChange in Birth Rate: -11.1%Zimbabwe, 7th country on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024, is facing a dire situation with one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates. Pregnant women are forced to take risky chances by resorting to home births. This decision is often driven by the insufficient funding and resources in government hospitals or the inability to afford medical costs. Additionally, cultural norms compel some women to accept home births conducted by untrained family or community individuals, further exacerbating the risks and challenges faced by expectant mothers. Immediate action is required to address these critical maternal health concerns in Zimbabwe.6. NorwayChange in Birth Rate: -13.3%In 2022, Norway recorded 51,480 newborns, a figure that may appear substantial but, in reality, signifies a significant decline in the country's fertility rate. The actual number of newborns also decreased significantly, with 4,500 fewer births compared to the previous year and 1,500 fewer than in 2020. Shockingly, among the women from the '1992 cohort' who reached the age of 30 in 2022, a striking 54% had not yet experienced childbirth. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need to address and understand the implications of declining birth rates in Norway.Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.Suggested Articles:20 Cities with Highest Elderly Population25 Countries with Highest Fertility Rates10 Most Effective Methods of Birth Control and Biggest Brands In This SpaceDisclosure: None. 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-countries-declining-birth-rates-171707716.html

51ba9e61-36b1-36f0-9832-7115cb0609f0

JNJ

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) will host a conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, April 16th to review first-quarter results. Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph J. Wolk, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Jessica Moore, Vice President, Investor Relations will host the call. The question and answer portion of the call will also include additional members of Johnson & Johnson’s executive team.Investors and other interested parties can access the webcast/conference call in the following ways:The webcast and presentation material are accessible at Johnson & Johnson’s website www.investor.jnj.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes.By telephone: for both "listen-only" participants and those financial analysts who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the telephone dial-in number in the U.S. is 877-869-3847. For participants outside the U.S., the dial-in number is 201-689-8261.A replay of the conference call will be available until approximately 12:00 a.m. on April 30th. The replay dial-in number for U.S. participants is 877-660-6853. For participants outside the U.S., the replay dial-in number is 201-612-7415. The replay conference ID number for all callers is 13744844.The press release will be available at approximately 6:45 a.m. (Eastern Time) the morning of the conference call.Please refer to www.investor.jnj.com for a complete list of currently planned earnings webcast/conference calls.  Please note the second-quarter date of Wednesday, July 17th, 2024.About Johnson & JohnsonAt Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/.Story continuesView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311271898/en/ContactsMedia contact:[email protected] Investor contact:[email protected]

Business Wire

Johnson & Johnson to Host Investor Conference Call on First-Quarter Results

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/johnson-johnson-host-investor-conference-203000038.html

dd31ed0e-787b-3bc7-ba30-72ed00d83840

JNJ

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) closed at $161.23 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.07% move from the prior day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.12%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.41%.The world's biggest maker of health care products's shares have seen an increase of 1.76% over the last month, not keeping up with the Medical sector's gain of 3.03% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.The upcoming earnings release of Johnson & Johnson will be of great interest to investors. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.64, signifying a 1.49% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $21.38 billion, indicating a 13.59% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $10.65 per share and revenue of $88.38 billion. These totals would mark changes of +7.36% and -4.99%, respectively, from last year.Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Johnson & Johnson. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.08% decrease. At present, Johnson & Johnson boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn terms of valuation, Johnson & Johnson is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 14.97. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 14.4, which means Johnson & Johnson is trading at a premium to the group.We can also see that JNJ currently has a PEG ratio of 2.68. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. JNJ's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.67 as of yesterday's close.The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry is part of the Medical sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 190, finds itself in the bottom 25% echelons of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportJohnson & Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Increases Despite Market Slip: Here's What You Need to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/johnson-johnson-jnj-increases-despite-214519960.html

7b19a006-894f-36ee-a8c3-1795a75b6ba0

JNPR

KK Networks is transforming broadband services in Pakistan with Juniper to support exponential demand and an improved digital economySUNNYVALE, Calif., February 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-Native Networks, today announced that it is providing KK Networks, one of the fastest growing internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Pakistan, with a scalable and resilient Cloud Metro network. The network will provide residential users with affordable internet access and an enhanced quality of experience, while also providing a sustainable services delivery platform for KK Networks (KKN). KKN is also expanding its offering with business-grade internet services using the transformed network. The new, robust Cloud Metro infrastructure will cover extensive areas of Lahore, Pakistan with plans to extend further over time.The company has also upgraded its data centers with state-of-the-art automation software and secure, high-performance platforms from Juniper to streamline and optimize the design, deployment and operations of the network fabric. This will complement the Cloud Metro platform, further enhancing the overall user experience at scale.KKN is a fast-growing internet service provider that has rapidly evolved to accommodate the surging demand in Pakistan for digital services. Following a four-fold increase in its user base in Lahore in just two years, KKN needed a robust metro network to handle the increasing demand on bandwidth which today serves 140,000 residential customers and growing. Juniper’s Cloud Metro solution was chosen specifically to provide a platform that can scale alongside KKN’s continued traffic growth and support the distributed nature of its user base and therefore traffic patterns.With its previous network, internet performance would often slow during peak hours. Frequent network congestion meant that subscribers’ internet connections would often drop. With a transformed metro network that keeps up with the pace and scale of demand, KKN can now deliver reliable internet connectivity with enhanced quality of experience for its subscribers. The company is continuing a high-growth trajectory with an opportunity to bring high-performance, differentiated internet services to thousands of homes and businesses in Pakistan.Story continuesKKN has an ongoing objective to help support and enhance the digital economy in Pakistan. Approximately half of the 230 million population is still without access to broadband internet services today, according to the Pakistan Telecom Authority. The Cloud Metro network from Juniper equips KKN to create reliable, high-quality digital connections that can improve economic opportunity, build a stronger community and foster better education. Juniper Cloud Metro’s compact and efficient system design enables KKN to deliver more energy-efficient operations. Additional to improving its own operational costs, this also bolsters its ability to offer affordable broadband for customers across the region.News HighlightsKKN deployed the Juniper Cloud Metro solution to scale capacity, improve resiliency and deliver low-latency user experiences for residential and business services.High-capacity Juniper ACX7100-32C Cloud Metro routers form the aggregation network, meeting KKN’s growth requirements with a compact, power-efficient design for operational efficiency.The Juniper ACX710 Universal Metro Router is used for the access layer. As a compact, hardened platform, the ACX710 can be deployed indoors or outdoors. Its high port density and small footprint allow KKN to support a higher number of customers efficiently. Lower energy consumption means KKN can deliver its services more sustainably.KKN also uses Juniper’s AI-driven, high-performance EX2300 Ethernet Switch to extend connectivity to its business customers. The cloud-ready EX switches are easy to onboard, configure and manage, ensuring quick and easy deployment for KKN’s business customers.KKN uses Juniper QFX5120 switches for the data center underlay network, EVPN-VXLAN for the overlay network and EX2300s to create a data center fabric that supports up to 100GbE interfaces. This enables the network to keep pace with customer demand for content delivery, voice, video and other bandwidth-hungry services.KKN plans to deploy Juniper Apstra™ intent-based networking software in its product roadmap, to automate and validate the design, deployment and operation of the data center fabric to ensure reliable operations. With multi-vendor support, Apstra will empower KKN to automate and manage networks across any data center location, vendor and topology.Supporting Quotes"KKN is determined to improve and expand internet services across Lahore, Pakistan, to ensure that our customers have the best digital experiences. With Juniper, our new Cloud Metro network has observed 99.9 per cent uptime, delivering an accessible, high-performance digital platform to 14 regions in Lahore. With this new low-latency, resilient network, KKN can continue to grow our customer base with confidence that residential and business customers can rely on great connectivity to a sustainable network that can handle the demand."- Imran Ali, CEO, KK Networks"Juniper continuously strives to enable remarkable digital experiences for our customers’ users, and the Cloud Metro solution is a perfect example of our market-leading innovation, applying cloud principles to metro networks. KK Networks is undertaking a transformative journey, upgrading from a traditional "Retro Metro" that cannot keep up with demand for today’s digital services at scale, to Juniper’s high-performance Cloud Metro infrastructure that makes sustainable, future-proof business growth possible for service providers globally."- AE Natarajan, Executive Vice President, Juniper NetworksAdditional ResourcesJuniper Solution: Cloud MetroAbout Juniper NetworksJuniper Networks believes that connectivity is not the same as experiencing a great connection. Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform is built from the ground up across the AIOps layer and our systems to fully harness the power of AI. From real-time fault isolation to proactive anomaly detection and self-driving corrective actions, it provides campus, branch, data center, and WAN operations with next-level predictability, reliability, and security. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222111099/en/ContactsMedia Relations: Chloe BrownJuniper [email protected] +44 (0) 7903746867

Business Wire

Juniper Networks Selected by KK Networks for Sustainable Cloud Metro Network Deployment Delivering Superior Quality of Experience for Residential & Business Users

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/juniper-networks-selected-kk-networks-110000885.html

03f3c378-71a0-39ac-b76a-c9967785e059

JNPR

Manoj Leelanivas, EVP COO of Juniper Networks Inc (NYSE:JNPR), executed a sale of 91,558 shares in the company on February 21, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 11 Warning Signs with JNPR.Juniper Networks Inc is a company that develops and markets networking products, including routers, switches, network management software, network security products, and software-defined networking technology. The company operates in the networking industry, providing solutions to create responsive and trusted environments for service providers, enterprises, and public sector organizations.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 190,088 shares and has not made any purchases. The recent transaction reflects a continuation of this selling trend.The insider transaction history for Juniper Networks Inc shows a pattern of 0 insider buys and 26 insider sells over the past year.On the date of the insider's recent transaction, shares of Juniper Networks Inc were trading at $36.96, resulting in a market capitalization of $11.962 billion.The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 39.12, surpassing both the industry median of 22.75 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.With the current share price of $36.96 and a GuruFocus Value of $33.87, Juniper Networks Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.09, indicating that the stock is Fairly Valued according to the GF Value metric.The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Juniper Networks Inc EVP COO Manoj Leelanivas Sells 91,558 SharesJuniper Networks Inc EVP COO Manoj Leelanivas Sells 91,558 SharesThis article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Juniper Networks Inc EVP COO Manoj Leelanivas Sells 91,558 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/juniper-networks-inc-evp-coo-045544945.html

2f8daa03-7eca-3690-b13d-87c011ee4231

JNPR

In this article, we will look at the 15 countries with the shortest working hours in the world. We have also discussed the growing popularity of a four day work-week. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Countries With the Shortest Working Hours in the World. A report reveals that 89% of British companies from the largest trial of a four-day working week have made the policy permanent, with 51% permanently adopting the shorter workweek. The study, conducted one year after the trial, highlights positive impacts on organizations, with 55% of CEOs describing it as "very positive" and 82% reporting improved staff wellbeing. However, concerns arise in firms where an additional day off is conditionally provided, leading to stress and feelings of inequity among employees. Despite this, London ranks as the No. 2 most-visited city globally in 2023. Director of research at Autonomy, Will Stronge, emphasizes the sustained benefits observed one year post-trial, including improved health and work-life balance.Across Europe, the trend of reduced working hours is evident, with median hours worked per employee remaining below 37 hours per week. This decline reflects a long-term trend dating back to the 19th century, with working hours in developed economies steadily decreasing. The reduction is especially pronounced among young people, men, and men with young children, with personal preferences and increased education enrollment cited as contributing factors. Moreover, the IMF study reveals that the decline in working hours is more pronounced in wealthier countries, suggesting an income effect over the substitution effect in determining labor supply. It is also worth noting that the longest working hours in the world per day are observed in Mexico with 2128 annual hours worked in an year. Hence, Mexico is often called the hardest working country in the world. We also know that the future of work in 2024 is shaped by data-driven insights as trends indicate a major shift towards flexibility and support for mental health. A study analyzing 9,360 job ads, 2.7 million searches, and 27,880 worker preferences revealed an increase in interest for shorter workweeks, with searches for four-day week jobs increasing by 68% since February 2023. Employers are also adapting, as evidenced by a 400% rise in jobs offering compressed workweeks in Q4 2023 compared to the previous year.Story continuesFurthermore, one in three workers now seeks jobs with mental health support, signalling a growing awareness of the importance of well-being in the workplace. As the demand for flexibility continues, companies are expected to adopt hybrid models, with an average job ad in 2023 asking for just 1 to 2 days of in-office work.Two companies with a strong focus on employee well-being and mental health are Unilever Plc (NYSE:UL) and Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR). Unilever Plc (NYSE:UL)’s commitment to employee well-being is deeply ingrained in its culture and operations, evident in the extensive efforts dedicated to fostering a healthy work environment. With over 57,000 employees benefiting from the 'Discover your Purpose' workshop, the company empowers individuals to align personal purpose with professional growth, thereby enhancing engagement and well-being. Furthermore, mental health support is prioritized, recognizing its critical role in overall wellness, with almost 4,000 employees trained as mental health champions, indicating a proactive approach to breaking stigma and providing peer support.Unilever Plc (NYSE:UL)’s holistic approach to well-being extends beyond individual support to encompass team dynamics, as showcased by the Team Energy Assessment tool, utilized by over 16,500 employees, facilitating discussions on physical, emotional, mental, and purposeful well-being within teams. Moreover, Unilever Plc (NYSE:UL)’s dedication to occupational health is evident in its rigorous occupational health services, with a steady decline in Occupational Illness Frequency Rate (OIFR) since 2017, now standing at an impressive 0.10 per million hours worked in 2022. By focusing on a supportive workplace culture, promoting mental health awareness, and implementing comprehensive occupational health programs, Unilever Plc (NYSE:UL) demonstrates a strong commitment to employee well-being, fostering a conducive environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally. On the other hand, Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR) employs a multifaceted approach to prioritize mental health within its organization. Across the company, they actively promote mental wellness, backed by comprehensive efforts. These include providing a variety of easily accessible mental health support tools and resources. Notably, since the launch of the TaskHuman app in 2021,  Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR) employees globally have engaged in over 4 million minutes of coaching on the platform.In addition to global initiatives,  Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR) tailors its efforts to regional needs. For instance, they have relaunched their APAC benefits with a renewed focus on health and wellness, emphasizing the "Be Well. Making Your Health and Wellness a Priority" message. Moreover,  Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR)  recently organized its first APAC Wellness Fair. To sustain their efforts,  Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR)  conducts regular health and wellness webinars and offers unique benefits like the Optum Employee Assistance Program, ensuring comprehensive, 24/7 support for employees facing mental health challenges. Furthermore,  Juniper Networks, Inc (NYSE:JNPR) continually seeks feedback through annual employee-wide voice surveys, allowing them to understand employees' needs and prioritize mental health initiatives accordingly.15 Countries With The Shortest Working Hours in the Worldbaranq/Shutterstock.comOur MethodologyTo list the countries with the shortest working hours in the world, we relied on Ourworldindata’s database on average annual work hours per person in 2019. The list is presented in a descending order.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.15. ArgentinaAverage Annual Work Hours: 1609Despite low working hours, the country benefits from abundant natural resources, a highly educated population, a diverse industrial base, and a flourishing export-oriented agricultural sector. Argentina has the third-largest economy in Latin America and the second-largest in South America. It is one of the countries with the shortest work hours.14. SwedenAverage Annual Work Hours: 1605Despite the shorter work weeks, Sweden's productivity remains competitive compared to other EU nations. Sweden also provides abundant amenities for families. With amenities such as pram ramps, playgrounds, and designated park sections for children, the country offers numerous public spaces and features to cater to the needs of the whole family. It is one of the countries that work the least. 13. SloveniaAverage Annual Work Hours: 1593In Slovenia, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is $25,250 annually, below the OECD average of $30,490. Employment rates are favorable, with 71% of people aged 15 to 64 having paid jobs, surpassing the OECD average of 66%. However, gender disparities persist, with 74% of men compared to 68% of women in paid work. 12. FinlandAverage Annual Work Hours: 1591Finland has a high employment rate, with 72% of individuals aged 15 to 64 in paid jobs, surpassing the OECD average of 66%. Gender-wise, 74% of men and 71% of women are engaged in paid work. Notably, only 4% of employees in Finland work very long hours, significantly lower than the OECD average of 10%. 11. BelgiumAverage Annual Work Hours: 1586Similar to Finland, only 4% of employees in Belgium work very long hours with men at 6% and women at 3%. It is one of the best countries to live and work in 2024. Belgium leads Europe in work-life balance, with over half (53%) of Belgians content with their equilibrium between professional and personal life, according to a survey by SD Worx. Despite this, 19% believe there's room for improvement. 10. SwitzerlandAverage Annual Work Hours: 1557Swiss work norms often involve Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 17:30. Yet, some Swiss companies are trying shorter workweeks, with employees working four longer days. This experiment aims to enhance productivity. 9. EcuadorAverage Annual Work Hours: 1552As per local labor regulations, employees are typically permitted to work up to eight hours per day, with overtime being the exception for exceeding this limit. In a standard 5-day work week, employees are generally allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours, excluding overtime. 8. UruguayAverage Annual Work Hours: 1533Owing to the low working hours in the country, it is considered one of the least-hardworking countries in the world. Nevertheless, Uruguay has a highly educated workforce, with a 97% literacy rate, the highest in Latin America. However, racial and gender disparities persist. Black Uruguayans face a 1.5 times higher unemployment rate and earn 20 percent less than their white counterparts. Women, despite legal equality, encounter discrimination in employment and wages, receiving only 65 percent of men's pay in similar roles.7. LuxembourgAverage Annual Work Hours: 1506Luxembourg has a strong economy with high productivity levels, allowing workers to achieve more in less time. The government focuses on quality over quantity, promoting efficiency and employee well-being. Generous social benefits and strong labor laws ensure adequate rest periods and vacation time. Apart from being one of the countries with the highest salaries, it is also one of the countries with the lowest full-time hours.6. FranceAverage Annual Work Hours: 1505Based on OECD statistics, individuals in France enjoy an average of 16.2 hours daily for personal and leisure activities, ranking second only to Italy in this regard. France holds the third position on the Remote’s list for work-life balance, having one of the highest statutory annual leave days (36). France is also one of the countries with the lowest working hours in Europe.Click here to see the 5 Countries With the Shortest Working Hours in the World.Suggested Articles:30 Countries with Best Work-Life Balance in the World25 Best Work-Life Balance Jobs to Enjoy Life15 Least Hardworking States in the USDisclosure: None. 15 Countries With the Shortest Working Hours in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 Countries With The Shortest Working Hours in the World

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-countries-shortest-working-hours-174531245.html

d0b8ce2f-ba7b-3984-8c27-18b6d347f7e1

JNPR

Juniper Networks is Positioned Furthest in Completeness of Vision and Highest for Ability to ExecuteJuniper’s full-stack portfolio of AI-native wired, wireless, location, security and SD-WAN solutions continues to gain momentum with exceptional customer traction and prestigious industry recognition.SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure AI-Native Networking, today announced that Gartner, Inc. has named it a Leader in the 2024 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure for the fourth time in a row. In the latest iteration of this Magic Quadrant, for the third time straight, Juniper is also positioned furthest in "Completeness of Vision," a Gartner rating criterion that reflects innovation, and evaluates vendors on their ability to communicate that they understand client business issues in their target markets and have the products, services, vision and strategies to address these issues. In addition, Juniper was once again positioned highest for "Ability to Execute," a Gartner rating criterion that evaluates vendors on their product/service, market responsiveness and customer experience.As Gartner explains, "Magic Quadrants offer visual snapshots, in-depth analyses and actionable advice that provide insight into a market’s direction, maturity and participants. Assessing the market and its technology and service providers is a business-critical task. Vendor differentiation based on variations in operations, customer satisfaction, level of complexity and strategy can make comparisons of vendor offerings challenging. In addition, the market’s overall direction is often evolving. Gartner’s Magic Quadrants solve these problems by offering snapshots of markets and their participants, and help you map vendor strengths and cautions against your current and future needs.""We believe this latest recognition as a Leader by Gartner reinforces the value our products deliver for our customers," said Sudheer Matta, Group Vice President, Products for the AI-Native Enterprise, Juniper Networks. "By delivering full-stack automation, insight and self-driving actions, Mist AI continues to stand out from the rest of the industry for fast deployments, the fewest tickets and quickest problem resolution. The momentum we are seeing is a true testament to our vision to design the industry’s first AI-Native Networking Platform from the ground up to provide reliable and consistent Wi-Fi experiences. By using automation to reduce or eliminate time-consuming manual tasks, and implementing automated workflows to proactively fix issues before they impact users, we consistently deliver proven value, saving substantial time and money for our customers and partners worldwide."Story continuesIn addition, Juniper recently announced record 2023 revenue results, marking the third consecutive year of business growth on a year-over-year basis. Juniper’s AI-Native enterprise solutions significantly outpaced the market, with revenue from wired and wireless access products attached to the Mist cloud growing nearly 70% on a full-year basis.And as reported by the 650 Group Wireless LAN Infrastructure Quarterly Market & Long-Term Forecast Report 4Q23, published on March 1, 2024, while most of the industry contracted in Q4, Juniper continued its strong growth both Q/Q and Y/Y. In addition, Juniper was the fastest growing vendor on a full calendar year basis from 2022 to 2023.Juniper solutions are deployed and helping drive better connections in 4 of the Fortune 10, 3 of the top-3 retailers, 2 of the top-5 Fintech companies, top Global universities, and the #1 healthcare provider in the United States. And Juniper’s public customer wins continue to expand across all verticals, with a host of new public success stories, including:James Cook University SingaporeSeacoast BankCity of Parkland FloridaServiceNowJuniper’s recognition in the Magic Quadrant for latest Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure report is in addition to Gartner also recently naming Juniper Networks a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services for the third year in a row.As the only vendor named a Leader in both the Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure and Indoor Location Services Magic Quadrant reports, Juniper believes its solutions are uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional experiences for both operators and end users. Automation in Juniper’s wired and wireless solutions not only helps accelerate deployments and eliminate up to 90% of networking-related trouble tickets, but our indoor location services offer customers and partners a scalable and cost-effective way to personalize wireless experiences with value-added features like wayfinding, asset location, and contextual notifications.Additional Resources2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure: View ReportBlog: Juniper’s Fourth Time in a Row: A Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services: View ReportBlog: Three Years in a Row: Juniper Networks® Once Again Named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Indoor Location ServicesJuniper industry recognition: Learn moreGartner DisclaimerGartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, Tim Zimmerman, Christian Canales, Nauman Raja, Mike Leibovitz 6 March 2024.Gartner Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services, Global, Tim Zimmerman, Annette Zimmermann, et al., 28 February 2024.Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Juniper Networks is recognized as Juniper in the 2024, 2022, and 2021 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure reports.About Juniper NetworksJuniper Networks believes that connectivity is not the same as experiencing a great connection. Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform is built from the ground up to leverage AI to deliver the best and most secure user experiences from the edge to the data center and cloud. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter) LinkedIn and Facebook.Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311703596/en/ContactsPenny StillJuniper Networks+44 (0) 1372 385 [email protected]

Business Wire

Gartner® Names Juniper Networks a Leader in 2024 Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure for Fourth Time in a Row

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gartner-names-juniper-networks-leader-192500537.html

f4cd6a0d-5071-34de-8cdc-c39e2084b32e

JPM

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said the market sentiment is improving for equities as well as mergers and acquisitions, even as he maintained a cautious outlook about the economy at large in an interview on Monday."Confidence is up, there is more M&A chatter," equity markets are strengthening and high-yield markets are open, Dimon said in an interview on CNBC. "Markets are high, people feel it, so far so good."Dimon added that "there are things out there which are concerning," and cast doubt on the probability of a soft landing for the U.S. economy. While market participants are pricing in 70% to 80% odds of a soft landing, Dimon said he thinks the likelihood is "half of that."The U.S. economy has so far avoided sinking into a recession amid the Federal Reserve's effort to tamp down stubbornly high inflation. Dimon has previously warned that geopolitical tensions, such as Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the conflict between Hamas and Israel, could weigh on global growth. In October, he said that "this may be the most dangerous time the world has seen in decades."JPMORGAN CEO JAMIE DIMON WARNS US DRIVING TOWARD A CLIFF AS DEBT SNOWBALLSJPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said market sentiment is improving but he remains cautious about the prospects for a soft landing.Dimon, the CEO of the largest bank in the U.S., welcomed more regulatory scrutiny of private market participants competing with banks for deals.READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APPWall Street lenders have been raising billions of dollars to regain ground in lending to companies in debt-backed deals as competition from giant private equity and asset management firms has risen in the last two years.JPMorgan has set aside $10 billion of its capital for private credit, but that could grow significantly depending on demand, sources told Reuters earlier this month.CAPITAL ONE'S PURCHASE OF DISCOVER FACES POLITICAL AND REGULATORY HURDLESJPMorgan Chase will face new competition if Capital One's acquisition of Discover is approved.Dimon also weighed in on the deal announced last week that will see Capital One acquire Discover for $35.3 billion, saying that companies should be allowed to grow, merge and innovate.Story continuesThe pending merger would create the largest U.S. credit card issuer with $250 billion in card balances and a market share of 22% — an amount larger than JPMorgan's."I am not worried about it," Dimon said. However, he noted that Capital One's debit network could have an unfair advantage following the merger.Dimon acknowledged different pricing standards for cards provided by banks versus those from car issuers and said, "Of course I have a problem with that."Reuters contributed to this report.Original article source: JPMorgan CEO Dimon cautious about soft landing for economy

Fox Business

JPMorgan CEO Dimon cautious about soft landing for economy

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jpmorgan-ceo-dimon-cautious-soft-232509224.html

423a8b34-fb29-3c2e-98e2-d9a771d84730

JPM

Run 2024 - Mumbai - Image 1 (Photo: Business Wire)Run 2024 - Bengaluru (Photo: Business Wire)Run 2024 Pune (Photo: Business Wire)Run 2024 - Mumbai - Image 2 (Photo: Business Wire)Run 2024 - Hyderabad (Photo: Business Wire)More than 27,000 employees participated across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and PuneMUMBAI, India, February 27, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JPMorgan Chase recently held its 11th annual corporate employee run across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. The Run championed sustainability, zero-waste, diversity, inclusion, and community impact. This event was marked by team camaraderie, commitment to healthy living, sustainable practices, diversity, and the spirit of community giving. More than 27,000 employees came together, forging closer relationships between colleagues, creating shared experiences and memorable moments."Each year, the JPMC Run gets bigger and more energetic. The event offers shared experiences, memories driven by a common sense of purpose for all of us. Apart from pursuing our impact initiatives for children’s education, welfare, and sustainability, this annual celebration of team camaraderie unifies us in the spirit of healthy living, supporting our personal and collective goals," said Deepak Mangla, CEO, Corporate Centers, India and Philippines, JPMorgan Chase.This year, participants from four cities had the option of participating in a 5K or 10K format, with additional categories, less commonly found in such events such as 45+ years of age and non-binary gender – underlying the spirit of inclusion. The event brings together first-timers, amateurs, and expert runners."We are raising the bar every year, celebrating teamwork, wellness and community impact and creating a space where every employee is welcome to experience their runner’s high," said Kaustubh Kulkarni, Senior Country Officer, India, and Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific.The event was also a platform to celebrate human connections with employees pledging their support for causes and champion themes at display covering disability, LGBTQ+, veterans, women and intergenerational inclusion, sustainability, wellness, camaraderie, and community impact.Story continuesThe RUN is supporting child welfare and education, health and nutrition kits, hygiene kits, school supplies and other materials are donated to children from the underserved communities, particularly those who are HIV+ or suffer from terminally ill diseases.Volunteers worked together to make this a zero-waste event, by adopting a strategy to reduce the plastic usage, and food wastage at the event, reuse unconsumed food items and personal athletic wear instead of single use event t-shirts and recycle the waste collected by segregating it at source.JPMorgan Chase in IndiaJPMorgan Chase is a leading global financial services firm with a presence in India since 1922 through its predecessors. With a long history and robust presence in India, JPMorgan Chase is committed to supporting its clients, and strengthening the communities in which it operates. The India franchise caters to the firm’s global clients with business interests in India and local multinationals growing their footprint internationally. It is among the country’s leading players in all lines of businesses, including Commercial and Investment Bank, Global Markets, Payments and Custody Services. The firm continues to strengthen its presence with the addition of its new corporate center facilities in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bengaluru that provide critical technology and business operations support for every division of the firm, and through its commitments in India to help advance a more inclusive and sustainable economy, complemented by the efforts of robust employee volunteer programs.About JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America ("U.S."), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $3.9 trillion in assets and $328 billion in stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2023. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226664735/en/ContactsMedia Contacts:Aradhana [email protected] T: +91-9765999749Sanam [email protected] T: +91-9930766432

Business Wire

JPMorgan Chase RUN 2024 Celebrates Its 11th Edition in India

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jpmorgan-chase-run-2024-celebrates-081100260.html

35e50e67-7701-3fd7-9d13-0235afc2ac82

JPM

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) on Monday surged above $72,000, a new all-time high, but that’s far from the peak expected by some who track the world’s largest cryptocurrency.Lender Standard Chartered anticipates bitcoin will reach $100,000 by the end of the year. Research firm Fundstrat has a target range of $116,000 to $137,000. Hedge fund SkyBridge predicts $170,000 by April 2025.Read more: Is this a good time to invest in bitcoin?"People think we're nuts and that's fine, but I don't think we're nuts and that's why we have such a big position," Anthony Scaramucci, founder and CEO of SkyBridge Capital, told Yahoo Finance Live.Anthony Scaramucci's SkyBridge Capital, which owns some bitcoin, is predicting it will rise to a price of $170,000 by April 2025. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) (PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images)Some on Wall Street say it is quite difficult to estimate the future price of bitcoin because it has no intrinsic value, and most big firms with large research arms are currently staying away from setting targets. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon has likened it to a "pet rock.""Bitcoin is like art," said a Wall Street research analyst who requested anonymity. "There's no way to come up with a target.”That hasn’t stopped other financial firms from trying — and setting the price significantly higher than it is today. Some of the companies making these predictions also sell products that provide investors with exposure to the digital asset.One is VanEck, among the money managers that received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission in January to launch a new spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund.VanEck recently scrapped its $80,000 target for 2024 as bitcoin began hitting new all-time highs in the past week. However, the firm's "medium-term" target of $350,000 still holds."We are in unchartered territory," Matthew Sigel, head of VanEck's digital assets research, told Yahoo Finance by email.Another money manager that received approval to launch a bitcoin ETF, Ark Invest, has thrown out a long-term bull case estimate of more than $1.3 million per coin in the next decade.Story continuesArk's director of digital assets, Yassine Elmandjra, acknowledged such a lofty projection may seem "absurd."His reasoning is that bitcoin will rise in value as its various use cases add to the eventual size of the digital asset’s market value. Bitcoin can be a "store of value" independent of central banks and governments, serve as a hedge against inflation, and potentially take greater share in global payments, he said.Demand, Elmandjra added, is key to evaluating how high the price could go.Wall Street strategists often project out future prices for a stock using a company's earnings per share —based on the company's growth strategy— multiplied by the valuation investors will be willing to pay for the stock."Earnings per share, you're going to look at an equity balance sheet," Elmandjra said. "Here [with bitcoin], you're going to look at, okay, what is the demand to hold an unseasonable strictly scarce, digitally native asset."Right now, demand for bitcoin is clearly greater than supply thanks largely to the trading of 11 new spot bitcoin ETFs that have pulled in billions since their launches in January.The new ETFs have been purchasing a daily average of 4,000 coins since their January launch through Thursday, according to Mark Connors, head of research for crypto asset manager 3iQ.That is considerably more than the 900 coins being created daily by the bitcoin network.More supply problems are expected for bitcoin this year in light of the "halving" estimated to occur sometime between April 19 and 20. After that next cut the daily supply of new coins will be 450 instead of 900.Connors's firm has a base target for bitcoin to reach $110,000 in 2024 and $140,000 the next year.It also has a more ambitious prediction. In that case, bitcoin gets to $180,000 this year and $450,000 in 2025.Click here for the latest crypto news, updates, and more related to ethereum and bitcoin prices, crypto ETFs, and market implications for cryptocurrenciesRead the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Yahoo Finance

Bitcoin to $350,000? Bulls say the current rally is just the beginning.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-to-350000-bulls-say-the-current-rally-is-just-the-beginning-184753964.html

272ef074-2730-46ab-911f-3fba6970f02b

JPM

(Bloomberg) -- Reddit Inc. disclosed further details of what is set to be one of the year’s biggest initial public offerings, with the company and some existing shareholders seeking to raise as much as $748 million.Most Read from BloombergOne of the Most Infamous Trades on Wall Street Is Roaring BackStock Rally Stalls in Countdown to Inflation Data: Markets WrapTech CEOs Are Addicted to Taking Needless RisksChina Has Never Canceled This Many Shipments of US WheatReddit and the holders are planning to sell 22 million shares for $31 to $34 each, the social media platform said in a filing Monday. About 15.3 million those shares will be sold by the company and the rest by the investors, who are Reddit employees.At the top of that range, Reddit, whose users helped create the meme stock frenzy of 2021, would have a market value of $5.4 billion, based on almost 159 million shares outstanding. Fully diluted to include employee stock options and restricted share units, the company’s valuation would be about $6.4 billion, the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission shows.About 8% of the IPO shares are being set aside for Reddit users and moderators who created accounts before Jan. 1, as well as some board members and friends and family of some employees and directors. Those shares won’t be subject to a lockup, meaning the owners can sell them on the opening day of trading, according to Reddit’s filing that confirms an earlier report by Bloomberg News.The IPO is being led by Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp., according to Reddit’s filings. Reddit plans for its shares to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RDDT.The company intends to price the IPO on March 20 and begin trading the following day, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the information wasn’t public. A representative for Reddit didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing.Story continuesReddit’s ValuationReddit’s more than two-year slog to listing reflects the ups and downs of the market, beginning with its initial confidential filing in 2021, when IPOs on US exchanges set an an all-time record of $339 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Reddit raised funds that year valuing it at $10 billion, and Bloomberg News reported the following year that it could be valued at as much as $15 billion in an IPO.Meanwhile, IPOs in the US tumbled, reaching only $26 billion last year, the data show. In January, Bloomberg News reported that Reddit was weighing feedback from early meetings with potential IPO investors that it should consider a valuation of at least $5 billion.The company is a high-profile addition to the year’s roster of newly and soon-to-be public companies. The biggest of those listings was the $1.57 billion offering by Amer Sports Inc. in January. Astera Labs Inc., a software maker focused on artificial intelligence, said in a filing Friday that it would seek up to $534 million in its IPO, which will likely proceed Reddit’s.Read More: Intel-Backed Astera Seeks $534 Million in IPO With AI AppealReddit’s listing will be watched closely by IPO candidates such as Microsoft Corp.-backed data security start up Rubrik Inc. and health-care payments company Waystar Technologies Inc. Their deliberations come after a quartet of US listings led by semiconductor designer Arm Holdings Plc’s $5.23 billion offering in September failed to ignite a lasting rebound in the market.Shrinking LossesFounded in 2005, Reddit averaged 73.1 million daily active unique visitors in the fourth quarter, according to its filings. The company reported a net loss of $91 million on revenue of $804 million in 2023, compared with a net loss of about $159 million on revenue of $667 million a year earlier.Reddit’s largest shareholder is Advance Magazine Publishers Inc., part of the Newhouse family publishing empire that owns Conde Nast, which bought Reddit in 2006 and spun it out in 2011.Reddit said its millions of loyal users and moderators pose risks as well as a benefit for the company. Redditors have a historically combative relationship with the site, launching revolts over everything from racism on the platform to executives’ staffing decisions.Meme StocksThousands of members of the WallStreetBets forum — which boasts around 15 million users and helped popularize meme stocks like GameStop Corp. — voted to boost a forum post about shorting Reddit’s stock when it begins trading. Their reasons varied from the company’s lack of profitability to competitive concerns.Some of the largely anonymous users on Reddit expressed an interest in buying IPO shares, while others called the IPO a “mistake” or predicted that the stock will crash.“Honestly don’t believe it will be successful,” one user wrote. “Too many social media companies chasing a few dollars. They already throw all the ads at me and I will not pay them to disable it. I never clicked on an ad on purpose.”Read More: Reddit’s IPO Success Hinges on Company’s Unruly User BaseReddit co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steven Huffman said in a signed letter included in the filings that the company has many opportunities to grow both the platform and the business.“Advertising is our first business, and advertisers of all sizes have discovered that Reddit is a great place to find high-intent customers that they aren’t able to reach elsewhere,” Huffman said. “Advertising on Reddit is rapidly evolving, and we are still in the early phases of growing this business.”AI LicensingReddit said it’s in the early stages of allowing third parties to license access to data on the platform, including to train artificial intelligence models. The company said that in January it entered into data licensing arrangements with an aggregate contract value of $203 million and terms ranging from two to three years. It expects a minimum of $66.4 million of revenue from those agreements this year, according to the filings.Reddit also has announced a deal with Alphabet Inc.’s Google, allowing Google’s AI products to use Reddit data to improve their technology. Large language models often need vast troves of human-generated content to improve.Huffman owns shares that will give him 3.3% of the voting power after the offering. That includes Class B shares that will have 10 votes each compared with one each for the Class A shares to be sold in the IPO, the filings show. Huffman also has a voting proxy agreement with Advance.Other large shareholders include Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Wong, as well as FMR LLC and entities affiliated with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, Tencent Holdings Ltd., Vy Capital and Quiet Capital and Tacit Capital, according to the filings.In all Huffman and those investors will hold about three-quarters of the shareholder voting rights after the IPO.Huffman’s fellow co-founder, venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian, isn’t listed among the investors with stakes of 5% or more and isn’t named elsewhere in the filings.--With assistance from Katie Roof.(Updates with expected IPO timing in sixth paragraph.)Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekAcademics Question ESG Studies That Helped Fuel Investing BoomLuxury Postnatal Retreats Draw Affluent Parents Around the USHow Apple Sank About $1 Billion a Year Into a Car It Never BuiltThe Battle to Unseat the Aeron, the World’s Most Coveted Office ChairHow Microsoft’s Bing Helps Maintain Beijing’s Great Firewall©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

Reddit Launches Long-Awaited IPO With $748 Million Target

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/reddit-launches-long-awaited-ipo-102310736.html

7bffff6a-8d0e-33ed-bdc8-fa8259f34949

K

In celebration of National Pancake Day, the brand best known for waffles unveils a one-of-a-kind rental property—larger-than-life stack of flapjacks—bookable exclusively on HomeToGo.com  CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wake up and smell the pancakes! From the brand whose pancakes pack the same punch as their iconic waffles, comes this humble ab-ode to flapjacks. Eggo® is celebrating its other favorite breakfast staple with the ultimate Eggo experience in honor of National Pancake Day on Feb. 28.The first-ever Eggo House of Pancakes—a literal “pancake house” you can rent for a flapjacks-filled vacation—is opening in Gatlinburg, TN and available for booking exclusively on HomeToGo.com starting Wed. February 28, 2024.You can now book the first-ever Eggo House of Pancakes, a literal "pancake house" complete with a stick-of-butter-shaped chimney and breakfast-inspired decor, available for rent exclusively on HomeToGo. It's here just in time for spring break to rescue families and fans from the chaos that comes with planning a vacation for the whole crew.Located in the Pancake Capital of the South – Gatlinburg, Tenn. – fans will soon be able to book a unique stay at the Eggo House of Pancakes and enjoy this short-stack-shaped home-away-from-home in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Flapjack-loving fans and families visiting this unique vacation destination will be transported into a pancake paradise from the moment they step inside. Breathe in the scent of sweet syrup-infused mountain air. Get cozy in the fluffy pancake beds and bean bag chairs. Toast up Eggo Mini Pancake s'mores at the fire pit overlooking the Smokies. Pour it on thick at the maple syrup fountain. Dive into game night in the basement gameroom, complete with an Eggo pancake-fied pool table and more.The best part? Parents can actually relax because vacationing here is easy, from start to finish. First, HomeToGo's seamless booking process ensures your pancake-filled vacation begins effortlessly. Then, Eggo's array of products ensure you don't have to worry about breakfast once you're there.That's right. We've packed the freezer full of Eggo pancakes for chaos-free mornings throughout your stay. Expertly crafted and irresistibly fluffy, Eggo pancakes are a convenient, ready-in-30-seconds breakfast classic that come in a variety of flavors and sizes: Buttermilk, Blueberry, Chocolatey Chip, Minis & Chocolatey Chip Minis. All you need is a microwave…and butter and syrup.Story continues"Eggo and waffles are an iconic combination, so much so that fans might forget about our pancakes. That's why we're flipping our focus with this unexpected experience that celebrates Eggo pancakes as a breakfast go-to that's equally good at making parents' lives easier and making breakfast delicious," said Joe Beauprez, Senior Director of Marketing for Frozen Foods at Kellanova. "Plus, we know that planning a family vacation can be chaotic, so we're helping parents check one more thing off their to-do list for spring break season with this deliciously fun house."The Eggo House of Pancakes will be exclusively listed on HomeToGo.com, a vacation rental marketplace specializing in making incredible homes easily accessible to everyone. According to HomeToGo data, Gatlinburg not only tops the charts as the most-searched destination in Tennessee, but also ranks as one of the top ten most searched destinations in the entire U.S., making it the perfect pancake haven for this mouthwatering collaboration."At HomeToGo, we're on a mission to make vacation planning as delightful as the trips themselves. And, we love pancakes. That's why we are thrilled to partner with Eggo to bring their House of Pancakes to fans of unique vacation rentals," said Danielle Finch, Director of Customer Experience at HomeToGo. "We look forward to inspiring adventure-seeking families to embark on unforgettable journeys, all while showcasing the simplicity of booking their dream stays using HomeToGo. We believe booking a vacation rental should be as easy as a pancake breakfast with Eggo: without any chaos and full of fun."HOW TO BOOK YOUR STACKED STAYFamilies and fans can request to book one of four different three-night stays at the Eggo House of Pancakes beginning on National Pancake Day, Feb. 28, at the chaos-solving cost of $0 a night, by visiting www.hometogo.com/EggoHouseofPancakes. And yes, you can bring the whole crew, as the House accommodates up to 8 guests.Set your alarms! Bookings will be available throughout the month of March. The first weekend opens for booking on National Pancake Day (2/28 at 12 PM EST) and the rest will open on Mondays at 12 PM EST on a rolling basis through Monday, March 18.* Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from the Eggo House of Pancakes. See below for exact booking dates and openings.Looking for more ways to L'Eggo with Eggo? Fans can find their favorite Eggo pancakes in freezer aisles nationwide. Plus, check us out on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or visit leggowitheggo.com for all the latest Eggo news.*The four 3-night stays are not a contest. The stays will be available for booking as follows:Wednesday, Feb. 28: March 7-10 open for bookingMonday, March 4: March 14-17 open for bookingMonday, March 11: March 21-24 open for bookingMonday, March 18: March 28-31 open for bookingAbout KellanovaKellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special K®, Coco Pops®,and more, Kellanova's vision is to become the world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2023 were $13 billion.At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands. We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing, and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at https://www.kellanova.com.About HomeToGoHomeToGo is the SaaS-enabled marketplace with the world's largest selection of vacation rentals, listing millions of offers from thousands of trusted partners. From vacation homes, cabins, beach houses, apartments, condos, house boats, castles, farm stays and everything in between, HomeToGo combines price, destination, dates and amenities to find the perfect accommodation for any trip worldwide.Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates local apps & websites in 25 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo also operates brands such as Agriturismo.it, AMIVAC, Casamundo, CaseVacanza.it, e-domizil, EscapadaRural, Tripping.com and Wimdu. To learn more, visit www.hometogo.com or download the HomeToGo app.The first-ever Eggo House of Pancakes—a literal “pancake house” you can rent for a flapjacks-filled vacation—is opening in Gatlinburg, TN and available for booking exclusively on HomeToGo.com starting Wed. February 28, 2024.The first-ever Eggo House of Pancakes—a literal “pancake house” you can rent for a flapjacks-filled vacation—is opening in Gatlinburg, TN and available for booking exclusively on HomeToGo.com starting Wed. February 28, 2024.Kellanova (PRNewsfoto/Kellanova)CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eggo-house-of-pancakes-is-here-a-literal-pancake-house-you-can-stay-in-302071130.htmlSOURCE Kellanova

PR Newswire

EGGO HOUSE OF PANCAKES IS HERE: A LITERAL "PANCAKE HOUSE" YOU CAN STAY IN

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/eggo-house-pancakes-literal-pancake-145900696.html

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“Let them eat Corn Flakes” appears to be Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pilnick’s advice to cash-strapped shoppers who are spending the highest portion of their income on food than at any point in the last 30 years.In an interview with CNBC last week, WK Kellogg CEO Pilnick said the company was advertising cereal for dinner to consumers looking for more affordable options. “Give chicken the night off,” the ad’s cheery tagline reads. WK Kellogg owns cereals such as Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran and others.“The cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a great destination when consumers are under pressure,” Pilnick said. “If you think about the cost of cereal for a family versus what they might otherwise do, that’s going to be much more affordable.”His advice hasn’t landed well with people frustrated by spending 26% more on groceries since 2020; on social media the campaign is being seen as insensitive.CNBC host Carl Quintanilla asked Pilnick if encouraging weary customers to eat cereal for dinner could “land the wrong way.”Pilnick thought the opposite.“In fact, it’s landing really well right now,” Pilnick said. “Cereal for dinner is something that is probably more on trend now, and we would expect to continue as that consumer is under pressure.”Prices for groceries and restaurants have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. In 2022, consumers spent 11.3% of their disposable income on food, the highest level since 1991, the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing data from the US Agriculture DepartmentFood companies have raised prices since the start of the pandemic to cover higher costs for labor, ingredients and transportation — and because they could.Cereal prices alone increased 28% since January of 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In its latest fiscal year, Kellogg raised prices by 12%.Food brands under fireDespite the CEO’s assurances, Kellogg’s advertisement and Pilnick’s comments have led to a backlash on social media.Story continuesSome consumers have called the comments tone deaf from an executive who made more than $4 million last year. They note that boxes of popular cereals now cost more than $7 and cereal is not an adequate substitution for a full dinner.Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pilnick. - From WK Kellogg Co.The backlash highlights consumer anger at companies for raising prices on everyday foods and, in some cases, boasting about it.“This is what [companies] think of you,” one user on TikTok wrote of Pilnick’s suggestion. “#CorporateGreed” wrote another.McDonald’s also has become a regular target for social media users complaining about prices. Viral stories lamenting the cost of a Big Mac meal — particularly the $18 ones at a widely maligned Darien, Connecticut, location off I-95 — have become a TikTok genre unto themselves.For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

CNN Business

Kellogg’s CEO: Let them eat Corn Flakes for dinner

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kellogg-ceo-faces-backlash-saying-183948675.html

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In this piece, we are about to look at 15 Best Nachos in The US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis on nachos and snacks market, you can go directly to 5 Best Nachos in The US.The global nachos market is cooking up some serious dough! It was worth about $1.61 billion in 2022, and experts predict it'll grow at a solid rate of 6.5% each year until 2029, reaching nearly $2.50 billion.Nachos, those mouthwatering Mexican snacks with tortilla chips and various toppings, are gaining popularity worldwide. Nowadays, with health and wellness in mind, folks are looking for healthier nacho options. Producers are stepping up by offering whole-grain and organic varieties with less sodium, catering to the health-conscious crowd without sacrificing taste. Sustainability is a big buzzword, pushing nacho makers to go green in their ingredient sourcing, packaging, and production methods.North America is leading the nacho charge, with the U.S. gobbling up a big share – 21% of the overall market share. Whether it's flavored or plain tortilla chips, creative nacho recipes with unique toppings are fueling the growth here.Over in the Asia-Pacific region, things are heating up fast, thanks to the growing demand for convenient foods like tortilla chips and urbanization trends. The fusion of different cuisines and exciting snacking choices is driving the nachos market forward in Asia-Pacific. The future looks bright for nacho lovers everywhere!Now since snacks industry and nachos go hand in hand, it’s essential that we also look at some key players in the snacks industry. Namely, WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG), Kellanova (NYSE:K) and PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQGS:PEP) are going to be discussed.WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG)WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG) is a big player in the snacks industry across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. They're known for their popular ready-to-eat cereals like Frosted Flakes, Special K, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini-Wheats, and Kashi brands.Story continuesIn 2023, they had some impressive results: their total sales hit $2.763 billion, a 2.5% increase from the year before. Plus, their Standalone Adjusted EBITDA Margin rose to 9.4%, beating expectations. And to top it off, their net income shot up to $110 million, showing a massive 540% increase from the previous year.Kellanova (NYSE:K)Another big player in the snacks industry is Kellanova (NYSE:K). It's an American food company based in Chicago, Illinois. Its product portfolio includes including Cheez-It®, Pringles®, Pop-Tarts®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, RXBAR®, Rice Krispies Treats® and more! In the fourth quarter of 2023 ending 31 December 2023, Kellanova pulled in a net income of $58 million from continuing operations, a major improvement from the $28 million loss the year before. They also reported a profit per share of $0.16 from continuing operations, in contrast to the $0.08 loss previously. And get this – their adjusted operating profit shot up to $392 million, showing a solid 30% increase when adjusted for currency fluctuations.PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQGS:PEP)PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQGS:PEP) U.S. branch Frito-Lay, Inc., is all about making and selling those tasty corn and potato chips we all love. In the final quarter of 2023 ending 31 December 2023, PepsiCo brought in a net income of $1.3 billion, that's 94 cents per share, which was better than the year before. They also had adjusted earnings of $1.78 per share, showing how they're holding strong despite market ups and downs. Sales took a tiny hit, dropping by less than 1% to $27.85 billion, the first decrease since 2020, highlighting the hurdles they're facing in today's business world.15 Best Nachos in The USMethodologyTo curate our list of 15 Best Nachos in The US, we searched across some sources across the internet listing the Best Nachos in The US, for shortlisting over 60 nachos places in the USA. From that vast list, we noted down each restaurant’s ratings from several sources like Google reviews, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Grubhub, along with also noting down the number of ratings. Based on the two metrics, we ranked our list and present to you 15 Best Nachos in The US.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.15. Taco Escobarr, Portland, Maine            Rating: 4.4        Number of Ratings: 2,208Taco Escobarr is the ultimate spot for nacho lovers! Fans can't get enough of their legendary nachos, hailed as the best in the state. Choose between El Nino's Nachos, loaded with all the toppings you crave like queso, jalapeños, guac, and more, or opt for El Jefe's Nachos for a unique twist. The party never stops at Taco Escobarr, where every bite is a fiesta in mouth!14. The Pig & Pint, Jackson, Mississippi   Rating: 4.6        Number of Ratings: 2,349The BBQ Nachos from the award-winning barbecue joint The Pig & Pint are a real crowd-pleaser, no doubt! They're packed with your pick of smoked chicken, brisket, BBQ pork rind, or pulled pork, along with all the fixins like queso, beans, jalapeños, and a tasty barbecue sauce. It's no wonder they're known as some of the yummiest nachos in the U.S.!13. The Tamale Place, Indianapolis, Indiana     Rating: 4.5        Number of Ratings: 2,412At The Tamale Place, those in the know opt for the Steak Nachos, despite its reputation for tamales. Succulent steak crowns a bed of thick tortilla chips, paired with whole black beans, housemade white cheese dip, and shredded lettuce. Extra toppings like red and green salsa, jalapeños, and guacamole are available to enhance the flavorful experience. These nachos have made a name for themselves as some of the best nachos in the U.S.!12. Mullets, Des Moines, Iowa         Rating: 4.5        Number of Ratings: 2,681Mullets is where you want to be if you're craving the mouth watering nachos in the U.S.! Their Brisket Nachos have all the fixings – tomato, lettuce, onions, jalapeños, banana pepper, and cheese – and they're big enough to satisfy a group. With amazing downtown views from the outdoor patio, you can enjoy the scenery while diving into this epic dish. And don't miss their breakfast nachos with scrambled eggs, onions, sausage, bacon, and jalapeños if you're there before lunch! So good!11. Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano, Wyoming, MichiganRating: 4.5        Number of Ratings: 2,693At Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano, they've got some serious nacho game! The chef-owned joint offers a variety of mouthwatering nacho options using their fresh, homemade chips as the base. Their Nachos Especiales come loaded with refried beans, ground beef, cheese, onions, cilantro, sour cream, and Mexican cheese. For Nachos Lindo Mexico, you can pick your protein – beef, chicken, steak, or marinated pork – along with lettuce, tomato, pico de gallo, and guac. Moreover, Vegy Nachos cater to all the non-meat eaters out there, ensuring everyone can dig into some of the best nachos in the U.S.!10. The Raleigh Times Bar, Raleigh, North Carolina   Rating: 4.4        Number of Ratings: 2,669The Raleigh Times Bar serves up some of the best nachos in the U.S.! Their Times Nachos feature thick, crunchy tortilla chips heaped with fresh toppings like jalapeños, cilantro, Cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guac. And if you're in the mood for it, you can add some top-rated juicy chicken tinga or barbacoa. Plus, they've got a fantastic rooftop patio where you can kick back with your nachos, a drink, and catch the sunset. Perfect nacho vibes!9. Nacho Hippo, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina            Rating: 4.3        Number of Ratings: 3,091So, at Nacho Hippo, they've got some of the highest quality nachos in the U.S.! They offer eight different nacho plates on the menu, and you can even customize your own. The Hungry Hippo is a popular choice with taco beef, shredded chicken, cheese, queso, black olives, coriander, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Don't forget to try the veggie-friendly Tree Hugger or the flavorful Bangin' Shrimp with fried shrimp, spicy bangin' sauce, mango pico de gallo, queso, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. Lots of delicious options to dig into!8. Mussel and Burger Bar, Louisville, Kentucky            Rating: 4.6        Number of Ratings: 3,375At Mussel and Burger Bar, they're putting a unique spin on nachos by using regular potato chips instead of the usual tortilla chips. Picture this: loaded with mouthwatering braised beef short rib, guac, pico de gallo, black bean purée, cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and a cheese dip. It's a different twist on nachos, but trust me, it's absolutely delicious!7. The Rum House, New Orleans, Louisiana      Rating: 4.6        Number of Ratings: 3,798You have got to try the 'Damn Good Nachos' at The Rum House – they're known as some of the best in the U.S.! Picture a mountain of tortilla chips piled high with pulled pork, black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onion, lime crema, cilantro, and ooey-gooey melted cheese. Trust me, one plate is perfect for sharing between two nacho lovers!6. Brick Alley Pub, New Port, Rhode Island        Rating: 4.6        Number of Ratings: 3,879One must go to Brick Alley Pub for some of the tastiest nachos in the U.S.! They're famous for their Ultimate Nacho Platter, loaded with house-fried corn tortillas smothered in Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, topped with refried beans, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. And if you're feeling fancy, they also offer options like marinated chicken or delicious eight-hour slow-cooked beef brisket. It's a nacho paradise, for sure!Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 Best Nachos in The US.Suggested Articles:10 Largest Fast Food Chains In The World20 Countries with the Best Food in the World16 Most Popular Breakfast Foods in AmericaDisclosure: None. 15 Best Nachos in The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 Best Nachos in The US

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-best-nachos-us-143409047.html

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Just five months after WK Kellogg became an independent company, CEO Gary Pilnick says the Frosted Flakes maker is focusing on cereal before expanding its reach into other categories through M&A. “I see there being real opportunities and synergies with certain types of businesses that would fit very nicely with a cereal business,” Pilnick said in an interview on the sidelines of the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in Florida. “But right now, we need to take the advantage of being cereal only, integrate this business, invest in the business, because it's been deprioritized.”WK Kellogg became an independent company last October after Kellogg split up its snacking and cereal operations. Kellogg’s snacks business, which includes Cheez-It, Eggo and Pringles, was renamed Kellanova.The split left WK Kellogg, a 118-year storied company that views itself as a scrappy startup, as a standalone player in the shrinking cereal category. The space has seen demand dwindle for years as consumers cut back on sugar and carbohydrates, two attributes long associated with cereal, in favor of protein-laden foods and more portable options. Still, for WK Kellogg, the newfound independence also has provided it with plenty of opportunity.In the wake of the split was a standalone business that could focus solely on innovating and selling cereal. It no longer had to compete for finite resources with the faster-growing snacks business. WK Kellogg also could modernize its supply chain and streamline its operations to better reflect its needs, helping to reduce costs, increase margins and boost efficiencies.“There's a lot of different areas that we can go to, to enhance the category and enhance our business,” Pilnick said. “We just think this is a pretty remarkable category.”Despite the challenges cereal has faced, Pilnick said there are opportunities to reinvigorate the space and increase the times when consumers decide to pour a bowl. WK Kellogg has targeted expanding consumption in dinner and snacking, investing in its core six brands — Frosted Flakes, Special K, Froot Loops, Frosted Mini Wheats and Rice Krispies which currently make up about 75% of its sales — and expanding its premium offerings.Story continuesIn January, WK Kellogg introduced Eat Your Mouth Off, a cereal that contains 22 grams of protein and zero grams of sugar.Perhaps the biggest opportunity, however, could come from convincing consumers that cereal is more than just a nutritionless bowl of sugar. Pilnick is quick to point out that cereal, which spans nearly 70 feet of shelf space in some stores, addresses a range of consumer needs from taste to balance to wellness.“I see there being real opportunities and synergies with certain types of businesses that would fit very nicely with a cereal business. But right now, we need to take the advantage of being cereal only, integrate this business, invest in the business, because it's been deprioritized.”Gary PilnickCEO, WK KelloggHe said cereal is low in fat and calories and that individuals who consume it typically get more nutrients, like vitamin D and fiber, than those who avoid it. People who eat the breakfast staple also tend to have less sodium and saturated fat intake than those who don’t eat cereal. In addition, cereal also is only responsible for about 5% of the added sugar in the average daily diet.“We need to change consumer perception,” he said. “We need the perception, and innovation is part of it. Messaging is part of it. Education is part of it. We just need the world to understand the facts.”Pilnick received some criticism last month after he suggested some consumers might want to turn to cereal for dinner because of its affordability. “The cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a great destination when consumers are under pressure,” Pilnick said amid a discussion about high grocery prices on CNBC. “If you think about the cost of cereal for a family versus what they might otherwise do, that’s going to be much more affordable.” Overcoming a slew of obstacles Robert Moskow, an analyst at TD Cowen, said in a research note in February that WK Kellogg management described the cereal category as stable with good performance in the premium segment, rational pricing, and opportunities to capitalize on value-seeking behavior. Still, he added that despite its early success since the spinoff, WK Kellogg has a challenging road ahead.WK Kellogg not only faces further downward volume pressure in cereal, but “heightened investment needs, and ... the risk of operating a small company against better-capitalized competitors,” Moskow said. The report also expressed skepticism about how well the company’s brands resonate with today’s consumers.At the same time, getting more consumers to embrace cereal again comes at a difficult time for the food space overall.Prices have increased in recent years as manufacturers look for ways to offset costs such as labor, ingredients and shipping. The price hikes have helped increase revenue for many food companies but led to a drop in volume as consumers cut back on purchases or look for cheaper options. WK Kellogg’s product volume dropped 10% in the most recent year, and it was forecast to be roughly flat in the upcoming year.WK Kellogg could choose to engage in M&A to accelerate growth before prioritizing its iconic cereal business. But Pilnick, who did corporate development and M&A at Kellogg for 20 years, insists that his company is better off invigorating its portfolio of well-known brands and tapping into its broad expertise in a category where it has more than a century of experience.“You could do it the other way, you could,” Pilnick added. “But at some point, you have to choose, you can't do everything within an organization and assume you're going to execute it well…. We think this is the better path.”When cereal is on a firmer foundation, likely a few years from now, WK Kellogg could decide to move ahead with M&A. He said the company would look for businesses — most likely in the center of the store — that have synergies with cereal and could benefit from WK Kellogg’s sales force and distribution system.Erin Lash, a director of consumer equity research at Morningstar, applauded the decision by WK Kellogg to “right the ship first” by enhancing the efficiency of their supply chain and their manufacturing footprint before deciding to bring on new business outside of cereal.Some on Wall Street have speculated that WK Kellogg, with improving margins and a steady predictable cash flow from its cereal business, could find itself in the cross-hairs of a private equity firm.“It seems prudent that they're focused on the near term,” Lash said. “Whether that ultimately does put them within striking distance of being an acquisition target, I don't know that that's necessarily a bad thing.”This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter.

Food Dive

WK Kellogg focusing on cereal before turning to M&A, CEO says

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wk-kellogg-focusing-cereal-turning-090000786.html

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KDP

Earnings To Watch: Boston Beer (SAM) Reports Q4 Results TomorrowBeer company Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM) will be reporting earnings tomorrow after market hours. Here's what to expect.Last quarter Boston Beer reported revenues of $601.6 million, flat year on year, beating analyst revenue expectations by 1.2%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with EPS missing analysts' expectations.Is Boston Beer buy or sell heading into the earnings? Read our full analysis here, it's free.This quarter analysts are expecting Boston Beer's revenue to decline 7.6% year on year to $413.5 million, a further deceleration on the 28.6% year-over-year decrease in revenue the company had recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted loss is expected to come in at -$0.28 per share.Boston Beer Total RevenueMajority of analysts covering the company have reconfirmed their estimates over the last thirty days, suggesting they are expecting the business to stay the course heading into the earnings. The company missed Wall St's revenue estimates twice over the last two years.Looking at Boston Beer's peers in the beverages and alcohol segment, some of them have already reported Q4 earnings results, giving us a hint of what we can expect. Keurig Dr Pepper delivered top-line growth of 1.7% year on year, missing analyst estimates by 1% and Coca-Cola reported revenues up 7.4% year on year, exceeding estimates by 2.8%. Keurig Dr Pepper traded down 4.6% on the results, Coca-Cola was down 0.7%.Read our full analysis of Keurig Dr Pepper's results here and Coca-Cola's results here.Investors in the beverages and alcohol segment have had steady hands going into the earnings, with the stocks down on average 0.4% over the last month. Boston Beer is down 2.1% during the same time, and is heading into the earnings with analyst price target of $353.1, compared to share price of $354.4.Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) semiconductor stock benefitting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report on our favorite semiconductor growth story.

StockStory

Earnings To Watch: Boston Beer (SAM) Reports Q4 Results Tomorrow

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/earnings-watch-boston-beer-sam-070050595.html

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KDP

Zevia PBC (ZVIA) Q4 Earnings: What To ExpectBeverage company Zevia (NYSE:ZVIA) will be reporting earnings tomorrow before market open. Here's what to expect.Last quarter Zevia PBC reported revenues of $43.09 million, down 2.6% year on year, beating analyst revenue expectations by 9%. It was a slower quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.Is Zevia PBC buy or sell heading into the earnings? Read our full analysis here, it's free.This quarter analysts are expecting Zevia PBC's revenue to grow 5.6% year on year to $37.35 million, improving on the 3.5% year-over-year increase in revenue the company had recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted loss is expected to come in at -$0.15 per share.Zevia PBC Total RevenueThe analysts covering the company have been growing increasingly bullish about the business heading into the earnings, with revenue estimates seeing two downward revisions over the last thirty days. The company missed Wall St's revenue estimates twice over the last two years.Looking at Zevia PBC's peers in the beverages and alcohol segment, some of them have already reported Q4 earnings results, giving us a hint of what we can expect. Keurig Dr Pepper delivered top-line growth of 1.7% year on year, missing analyst estimates by 1% and Coca-Cola reported revenues up 7.4% year on year, exceeding estimates by 2.8%. Both stocks (Keurig Dr Pepper and Coca-Cola) traded flat on the results.Read our full analysis of Keurig Dr Pepper's results here and Coca-Cola's results here.Investors in the beverages and alcohol segment have had steady hands going into the earnings, with the stocks down on average 0.4% over the last month. Zevia PBC is down 7.6% during the same time, and is heading into the earnings with analyst price target of $3.7, compared to share price of $1.58.Today’s young investors likely haven’t read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next.

StockStory

Zevia PBC (ZVIA) Q4 Earnings: What To Expect

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zevia-pbc-zvia-q4-earnings-070112618.html

393a0f53-ba0c-3e14-8bb4-c0bacaad64fb

KDP

Investors closely monitor insider buys. But who are ‘insiders’?An insider is defined by Section 16 of the Security Exchange Act as an officer, director, 10% stockholder, or anyone who possesses information because of their relationship with the company.Of course, many strict rules apply to insiders. Notably, they have a longer holding period than most, a critical aspect investors should know.Several companies – Dominion Energy D, Carvana CVNA, Keurig Dr Pepper KDP, American Homes 4 Rent AMH, and Enphase Energy ENPH – have all seen recent insider activity. Let’s take a closer look at the transactions for those interested in trading like the insiders.Enphase Energy Enphase Energy is a global energy technology company that delivers energy management technology for the solar industry.The CEO of Enphase Energy recently made a splash, acquiring 4000 shares at a total transaction value of roughly $480k. Analysts have taken a bearish stance on the stock, revising their earnings expectations lower over the last several months.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDown 40% over the last year, the purchase reflects a confident stance among the CEO, scooping up shares at slashed levels. American Homes 4 RentAmerican Homes 4 Rent is an internally managed real estate investment trust. A Director recently purchased roughly 1,000 shares, totaling $23.7k.Investors stand to reap a passive income from AMH shares, currently yielding 2.4% annually. And dividend growth is robust, with the company carrying a 50% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchKeurig Dr PepperKeurig Dr Pepper is a beverage and coffee company in the United States and Canada. The CEO recently made a big purchase, acquiring 171k shares at a total cost of $5 million.Like AMH, KDP shares reward investors nicely, paying out 2.9% annually. Dividend growth is also apparent, with the company carrying a 10% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.Story continuesThe current yield is a few ticks higher than the average of those in the Zacks Beverages – Soft Drinks industry, as shown below.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDominion EnergyDominion Energy and its subsidiaries produce and transport energy in the United States. Analysts have taken a bearish stance on the company’s outlook, with the current $3.01 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate down 22% over the last year and pushing the stock into an unfavorable Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe CEO of Dominion recently bought 21.7k shares at a total cost of just under $1 million. The company’s near-term outlook is undoubtedly cloudy, and investors would likely be better off waiting for positive earnings estimate revisions to hit the tape.CarvanaCarvana is a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars. A Director recently purchased 1.3k shares at a total cost of $100k.Shares have been on a remarkable run over the last year, gaining nearly 800% in value and crushing its respective Zacks industry performance.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchBottom LineMany investors closely monitor insider buys, as they can provide insight into the longer-term picture. After all, if an insider didn’t believe in the company’s future pathway, why would they buy?All five stocks above – Dominion Energy D, Carvana CVNA, Keurig Dr Pepper KDP, American Homes 4 Rent AMH, and Enphase Energy ENPH – have seen recent insider activity.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportDominion Energy Inc. (D) : Free Stock Analysis ReportEnphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAmerican Homes 4 Rent (AMH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCarvana Co. (CVNA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportKeurig Dr Pepper, Inc (KDP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Insiders Are Buying These 5 Stocks

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/insiders-buying-5-stocks-232600985.html

47e8e7ef-602d-30c4-8508-e6685cb8f541

KDP

In this article, we will take a detailed look at Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These 10 Stocks. For a quick overview of such stocks, read our article Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These 5 Stocks.Investors are on tenterhooks before the latest inflation report scheduled to be out on Tuesday. While many believe a more-than-expected uptick in prices could further derail the Fed’s plan of action regarding rate hikes, the bulls believe the market is set for further gains in 2024 and beyond as stocks continue to rage higher and market gains that were once concentrated in a few names are now rewarding other companies as well. A latest Wall Street Journal report cited data from Bespoke Investment Group, which showed that the equal-weighted S&P 500 rose to a record high last week, as about one-fifth of the stocks in the index hit new 52-week highs.The WSJ report also quoted Joseph Amato, chief investment officer of Neuberger Berman, who said that risky assets could perform well as inflation is coming down and the Fed is “no longer fighting you.”Market Gains are Broadening OutScott Chronert, Citi U.S. equity strategist, who has been bullish on the S&P 500 fundamentals for several weeks now, recently said in a program on CNBC that there is a lot to support his bullish view on the market. The analyst said while the Magnificent Seven group of stocks certainly contributed to the market rally, the “broadening” of the rally to other stocks is also playing a key role in the bull run. Chronert said that after being on the sidelines for most part of 2023, investors are now trying to join the market rally since he believes inflows in ETFs are growing. The analyst also said the generative AI growth drivers are still pulling the Magnificent Seven tech stocks. Chronert expects the S&P 500 to touch 5,700 this year based on his bullish case assumptions.Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These StocksMethodologyIn this backdrop, when market experts are expecting further growth in the stock market, it's important to see which stocks insiders and hedge funds are buying. For this article we used Insider Monkey's stock screener to first list down the stocks that have seen heavy insider buying activity over the past few months. From these stocks we selected 10 stocks in which billionaire Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Associates has stakes, based on the fund's Q4'2023 portfolio. Some top names in the list are Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM), Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:ENPH) and Block Inc (NYSE:SQ). The idea was to find stocks that both Ray Dalio and corporate insiders love. But why is it important to keep tabs on hedge fund activity? Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).Story continuesBillionaire Ray Dalio and Corporate Insiders are Loading Up on These Stocks10. CNX Resources Corp (NYSE:CNX)Bridgewater Associates’ Stake: $1,084,440 Bridgewater Associates reported owning a $1 million stake in CNX Resources Corp (NYSE:CNX) as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. This was a 68% decline in the fund’s stake in CNX Resources Corp (NYSE:CNX) when compared to the previous quarter. Bernard Lanigan, a board member at CNX Resources Corp (NYSE:CNX), amassed 172,830 shares of CNX Resources Corp (NYSE:CNX) on June 30, 2023, at  $21.25 per share. Since then, the stock has gained about 19% in value through March 8. In addition to CNX, hedge funds also like Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM), Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:ENPH) and Block Inc (NYSE:SQ).Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund made the following comment about CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE:CNX) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE:CNX) – Natural gas company CNX Resources was the top performer in the quarter. The company benefited from rising energy prices, as well as strong operational execution. CNX remains highly discounted, as the market does not give the company credit for its longer-term undrilled assets or its “new technology investments,” which include methods to reduce carbon on a net basis. Management expects this to be a material business for CNX over the longer term, but for now it is a high-quality hidden asset. CNX has taken advantage of the price disconnect through meaningful share repurchase.”9. Block Inc (NYSE:SQ)Bridgewater Associates’ Stake: $1,356,719 As of the end of the last quarter of 2023, Ray Dalio’s hedge fund reported owning 17,540 shares of Block Inc (NYSE:SQ). On November 8, Roelof Botha, a board director at the payments company, snapped up 540,646 shares of Block Inc (NYSE:SQ) at $50.89 per share. Since then, the stock has gained about 47% in value as of March 8.As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, 75 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had stakes in Block Inc (NYSE:SQ). The biggest sake in Block Inc (NYSE:SQ) is owned by Catherine D. Wood’s ARK Investment Management which owns a $920 million stake in Block Inc (NYSE:SQ).Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund stated the following regarding Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“During the quarter, we also added to our existing investment in Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ). The company provides a point-of-sale technology to small businesses and operates the Cash App ecosystem of financial services for individuals. After the company reported solid quarterly result, it has also guided to reach a rule of 40 on GAAP profitability for fiscal year 2026 (implying that the combination of gross profit growth and GAAP operating margins would be at least 40%). We believe Block’s businesses are resilient, and greater management focus on cost discipline should drive further margin expansion over the long term. We also believe that Block has a long runway for growth, durable competitive advantages, and a robust track record of innovation.”8. Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG)Bridgewater Associates’ Stake: $1,741,132American drilling company Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG) is a new addition in Ray Dalio’s portfolio since Bridgewater bought $1.7 million worth of Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG) shares during the last quarter of 2023. On February 27, Frederik Wilhelm Mohn, a director at Transocean LTD's (NYSE:RIG) board, bought one million shares of Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG) at $4.89 per share. Since then the stock has gained about 6.6% in value.7. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP)Bridgewater Associates’ Stake: $1,907,004 Beverage company Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) ranks seventh in our list of the stocks both Ray Dalio and Insiders love. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.'s (NASDAQ:KDP) CEO  Robert Gamgort on March 5 bought 171,821 Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) shares at $29.10 per share. Two directors at Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.'s (NASDAQ:KDP) board also bought 171,821 shares each at the same price. Since March 5 through market close on March 7 the stock jumped 1.39%.6. Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT)Bridgewater Associates’ Stake: $2,544,595 Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater decreased its stake Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT) by 48% in the fourth quarter of 2023, concluding the year with a $2.5 million stake in the Massachusetts-based medical research and drug development company. Richard Barry, a director at Sarepta Therapeutics Inc's (NASDAQ:SRPT) board, bought 50,000 shares of Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT) on November 3 at $78.81 per share. As of March 7 market close the stock was trading at around $120.78 per share. This shows a whopping 53% increase in stock price. In addition to SRPT, insiders are also piling into Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM), Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:ENPH) and Block Inc (NYSE:SQ).Bronte Capital Amalthea Fund made the following comment about Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRPT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“The FDA is widely considered to be the world’s foremost regulator of drug products, with a stringent and rigorous process for evaluating new marketing applications. Disagreements between the FDA and regulators in other developed markets (such as the European Medicines Agency or the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)) are rare, and when they do occur, it is usually because the FDA has taken a more critical view of the applicant’s evidence.For a drug to be approved in the US, it must meet the statutory requirement of “substantial evidence of effectiveness” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. There are essentially three ways to meet this requirement. Normally, the FDA expects the sponsor to succeed in two “adequate and well-controlled studies”. Alternatively, the sponsor can rely on success from a single study if the results from that study are “very persuasive”, or if they are combined with some sort of independent confirmatory evidence. For the most part lobbying from the cohort of patients, the “patient voice”, has played a relatively minor role in the FDA’s decision-making process and the agency has been prepared to make tough but rational decisions when the “substantial evidence” standard is clearly not met.However, this was not the case in 2016 when the FDA famously overruled its own review team and external advisory committee to approve Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:SRPT) controversial drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Exondys 51). At the time, Sarepta had completed a single phase 2 trial in just 12 patients which, per the FDA Commissioner (Robert Califf) himself, had “major flaws” in both its design and conduct. Ellis Unger, director of the Office of Drug Evaluation at the FDA, declared that the drug was a “scientifically elegant placebo”, and that patients and their families were taking on unknown risks for likely non-existent benefits…” (Click here to read the full text) Click to continue reading and see Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These 5 Stocks. Suggested Articles:10 Stocks Warren Buffett and Insiders Are Crazy About11 Stocks Insiders and Billionaires Are Crazy AboutWarren Buffett and Corporate Insiders Love These StocksDisclosure. None. Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These 10 Stocks was initially published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

Billionaire Ray Dalio and Insiders Love These 10 Stocks

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/billionaire-ray-dalio-insiders-love-130324479.html

94f334ae-edab-39b6-9fce-9073fa817daf

KEY

CLEVELAND, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) announced that Douglas M. Schosser, currently Chief Accounting Officer, will be leaving the company to pursue a senior executive position at another company, effective March 15, 2024. Stacy L. Gilbert will succeed him as KeyCorp's Chief Accounting Officer at that time.Stacy has served as Corporate Controller of KeyCorp since August 2023. She previously served as Assistant Corporate Controller and Senior Director of External Reporting and Accounting Policy. Stacy first joined Key in 2002, holding a variety of accounting roles, before leaving to join FirstMerit Corporation in 2008. She re-joined Key in 2016."I would like to congratulate Stacy on her appointment," said Clark Khayat, Chief Financial Officer of KeyCorp. "Her more than 25 years of accounting and financial reporting experience with publicly traded financial institutions will serve us well. I am confident that this well-planned succession will result in a smooth transition.""I want to thank Doug for his significant contributions to Key during his more than 25 years at our company," Clark added. "We wish him all the best in his next endeavor."About KeyCorpKeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications, and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com. KeyBank is Member FDIC.Story continuesStacy Gilbert(PRNewsfoto/KeyCorp)CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keycorp-announces-stacy-l-gilbert-to-succeed-douglas-m-schosser-as-chief-accounting-officer-302070509.htmlSOURCE KeyCorp

PR Newswire

KEYCORP ANNOUNCES STACY L. GILBERT TO SUCCEED DOUGLAS M. SCHOSSER AS CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keycorp-announces-stacy-l-gilbert-123000958.html

7d6558f2-0dc4-3a0a-8b22-356618cc4094

KEY

CLEVELAND, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) announced today that Clark Khayat, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the 2024 RBC Capital Markets Global Financial Institutions Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:40 a.m. ET in New York City.KeyCorp plans to review its performance, strategy, and outlook. The live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at www.key.com/ir. If you are unable to join the live conference call, or wish to hear a re-broadcast, access www.key.com/ir and select Events & Presentations.KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications, and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com. KeyBank is Member FDIC.(PRNewsfoto/KeyCorp)CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keycorp-to-present-at-the-2024-rbc-capital-markets-global-financial-institutions-conference-302071397.htmlSOURCE KeyCorp

PR Newswire

KEYCORP TO PRESENT AT THE 2024 RBC CAPITAL MARKETS GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CONFERENCE

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keycorp-present-2024-rbc-capital-213000627.html

059eab52-49ef-3570-8b49-7632e705ab92

KEY

KeyCorp (KEY) closed the most recent trading day at $14.97, moving -0.13% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's 1.03% gain on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.34%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 1.51%.Shares of the company have appreciated by 7.84% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Finance sector's gain of 4.69% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.21%.Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of KeyCorp in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on April 18, 2024. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.23, down 47.73% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.51 billion, down 11.56% from the year-ago period.For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.22 per share and revenue of $6.39 billion, which would represent changes of +10.91% and +0.1%, respectively, from the prior year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for KeyCorp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.45% lower. KeyCorp is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Looking at valuation, KeyCorp is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 12.29. This denotes a premium relative to the industry's average Forward P/E of 11.12.Story continuesThe Banks - Major Regional industry is part of the Finance sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 60, which puts it in the top 24% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKeyCorp (KEY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

KeyCorp (KEY) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keycorp-key-stock-sinks-market-230012282.html

55cd7206-ca64-3e77-afcc-27ebe21c7ef9

KEY

Home Possible® mortgage offers more options and credit flexibilities than ever before to help eligible individuals attain the dream of owning a homeNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / As part of its commitment to making homeownership more accessible, KeyBank is pleased to announce that it now offers Freddie Mac Home Possible®i mortgage loans.The Home Possible® mortgage offers more options and credit flexibilities than ever before to help eligible individuals attain the dream of owning a home. In addition to its down payment requirement of as little as 3%, Home Possible® also offers more options to responsibly increase homeownership for more individuals. Many types of down payment sources are acceptable with Home Possible®, including family, employer-assistance programs, and secondary financing.Learn more about Freddie Mac Home Possible® mortgage loans"We are excited to partner with Freddie Mac to offer Freddie Mac's Home Possible® mortgage loan, which helps eliminate barriers to owning a home," said Dale Baker, KeyBank President of Home Lending. "Our commitment to making homeownership more accessible and achievable helps us deliver on KeyBank's purpose of helping the clients and communities we serve thrive."KeyBank's 2024 Financial Mobility Survey found increasingly rising costs have made many Americans question whether owning a home is feasible. Of those people (20%) who are not currently in the market to purchase a home and haven't purchased one in the past year, 69% believe the dream of owning a home is not very attainable.The Freddie Mac Home Possible® mortgage loan product can be combined with KeyBank's two special purpose credit programsii, which can also help make homeownership more affordable and attainable. The KeyBank Home Buyer Creditiii and KeyBank Neighbors First Creditiv provide homebuyers purchasing eligible properties in eligible communities up to $5,000v to be used towards closing costs and pre-paid fees that may come with financing a new home. Since its launch in September 2022, through March 1, 2024, KeyBank has funded more than $1.63 million in KeyBank Home Buyer Credits, helping 368 clients achieve their dream of homeownership in areas where the program is available. The Neighbors First Credit launched in July 2023. Through that program, Key has funded more than a half million dollars in credits, helping 104 clients through March 1, 2024.Story continues"Home Possible® is a new option for our clients that will have a transformative effect, providing them with yet another option to unlock the possibility of sustainable homeownership," said Rachael Sampson, KeyBank Head of Community Banking for the Consumer Bank. "Home Possible® and our KeyBank special purpose credit programs show how committed we are to adding products and programs that help make the dream of owning a home a reality."For more information about Freddie Mac Home Possible® mortgage loans or KeyBank's SPCPs, clients can visit a KeyBank branch or use the Find a KeyBank Mortgage Loan Officer tool on key.com.NMLS# 399797. NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All home lending products, including mortgage, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, are subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all home lending products are available in all states. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance are required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees, and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice.CFMA #240304-2483328iMaximum income is limited to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in all census tracts.iiSpecial Purpose Credit Programs ("SPCPs") are, generally, programs that are established to meet special social needs or the needs of economically disadvantaged persons by extending credit to persons who would probably be denied credit or would receive it on less favorable terms, under certain conditions. See 15 U.S.C. § 1691(c)(1)-(3); 12 C.F.R. § 1002.8(a).iiiAvailable on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community as determined by KeyBank. Eligible Communities are subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.ivAvailable on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank's retail footprint or Florida. Eligible communities are determined by KeyBank and subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.vCredits up to $5,000 to be used towards closing costs and prepaid fees.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.Contact Info:Spokesperson: KeyBankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybankEmail: [email protected]: KeyBankView the original press release on accesswire.com

ACCESSWIRE

KeyBank Offers Freddie Mac Home Possible(R) Mortgage Loans as Part of Commitment to Making Homeownership More Accessible to All

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keybank-offers-freddie-mac-home-131500028.html

389d79c1-3a9c-3406-ba5d-9b79f69af976

KEYS

Keysight Technologies, Inc. KEYS recently announced that Autotalks, a prominent auto chip manufacturer, will employ Keysight's advanced testing solutions to validate their TEKTON3 V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) system-on-a-chip. Autotalks intends to ensure compliance with the physical layer specifications of the 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) Release-16 Sidelink standards.During the process, Keysight’s easy-to-use PathWave NR V2X signal analysis and generation software suite was utilized, which provided access to 3GPP standard compliant measurements. Autotalks also leveraged the Pathwave X-series measurement application. It is a one-button testing feature for the 5G NR V2X spectrum and a wide array of power measurements, such as channel power, spectral emission mask and adjacent channel power ratio, occupied bandwidth and more.Sidelink technology offers direct communication between devices, eliminating the need for a central network. In the context of Vehicle-to-Everything communication, sidelink plays an essential role in facilitating vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-pedestrian communication. Its ability to ensure minimal latency for efficient functioning of time-sensitive applications, stable connections even in challenging conditions, and adaptability to dense urban settings are vital for advanced automotive use cases. These key factors, such as low latency, reliability and scalability, underscore Sidelink’s significance in V2X communication.Keysight's advanced validation process is enabling Autotalks to effectively assess the baseband and radio characteristics of their third-generation V2X chipset. It is also optimizing Autotalks’ R&D resources and accelerating the development of advanced safety applications in the automotive industry.Keysight boasts a robust 5G portfolio. Its 5G product design validation solutions, ranging from Layer 1 to 7, enable telecom and semiconductor companies to accelerate their 5G initiatives. Apart from strength in the 5G domain, the company is expected to benefit from the growing proliferation of electronic content in vehicles, momentum in space and satellite applications and rising adoption of driver-assistance systems globally.The company is gaining traction with strong industry-wide growth. It is witnessing solid adoption of its electronic design and test solutions. Electronic devices form the fulcrum of IoT services, wireless devices, data centers and 5G technologies. The rapid adoption of these devices is increasing demand for electronics testing equipment.It has lost 5.6% over the past year against the industry’s growth of 1%.Story continuesZacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchKeysight currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Stocks to ConsiderNVIDIA Corporation NVDA, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 20.18%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 13.41%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.NVIDIA is the worldwide leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the graphic processing unit. Over the years, the company’s focus evolved from PC graphics to AI-based solutions that support high-performance computing, gaming and virtual reality platforms.InterDigital, Inc. IDCC, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 170.50%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 16.53%.IDCC is a pioneer in advanced mobile technologies that enable wireless communications and capabilities. The company engages in designing and developing a wide range of advanced technology solutions, which are used in digital cellular as well as wireless 3G, 4G and IEEE 802-related products and networks.Arista Networks, Inc. ANET, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, is likely to benefit from strong momentum and diversification across its top verticals and product lines. The company has a software-driven, data-centric approach to help customers build their cloud architecture and enhance their cloud experience. Arista has delivered an earnings surprise of 13.28%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.The company holds a leadership position in 100-gigabit Ethernet switching share in port for the high-speed data center segment. It is increasingly gaining market traction in 200 and 400-gig high-performance switching products and remains well-positioned for healthy growth in the data-driven cloud networking business with proactive platforms and predictive operations.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportInterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportArista Networks, Inc. (ANET) : Free Stock Analysis ReportKeysight Technologies Inc. (KEYS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Keysight (KEYS) Solution Validates Autotalks' 5G V2X Chipset

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keysight-keys-solution-validates-autotalks-172100985.html

fffb8df3-ddaf-3a26-b4f2-5486899d71f9

KEYS

Solution optimizes the performance of Intel PSG’s complex massive MIMO beamforming technologyAccelerates adoption of Open RAN network architectures by validating Intel PSG’s massive MIMO beamforming technologySANTA ROSA, Calif., February 26, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) is enabling Intel to develop and validate massive multiple-input, multiple-output (mMIMO) beamforming designs for use in Open Radio Access Networks (RAN) with Open RAN Studio, accelerating the adoption of Open RAN architectures by mobile network operators.By separating software from hardware through open interfaces and virtualization, Open RAN network architectures allow mobile operators to mix and match network elements from different vendors for increased flexibility and reduced costs. Operators can further improve network performance by implementing mMIMO, a technique of using large numbers of antennas to send and receive data to boost coverage and capacity. While Open RAN and mMIMO offer significant advantages, they also present significant conformance and interoperability challenges.Implemented on a single Intel Agilex™ 7 system-on-chip field-programmable gate array (SoC FPGA), the Intel solution delivers efficient, high-quality signals through the antenna array using an Open RAN-compliant, weight-based dynamic beamforming method.Intel ensured that its mMIMO digital beamforming solution could be seamlessly deployed in an Open RAN network by using the Keysight Open RAN Studio solution to validate its interoperability within the Open RAN ecosystem. Open RAN Studio enabled Intel to optimize the performance of its complex mMIMO beamforming technology to accommodate the large number of simultaneous connections needed to deliver the high data rates needed for 5G services.Designed for LTE and 5G Open RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) testing, Open RAN Studio includes powerful Open RAN focused tools to construct, play, capture, and measure Open RAN traffic over Ethernet fronthaul interfaces. Open RAN Studio is part of the comprehensive Keysight Open RAN Architect (KORA) portfolio that provides test solutions for functional, performance, energy efficiency, security, and artificial intelligence and machine learning training and optimization.Story continuesMike Fitton, Vice President and General Manager, Intel’s Networking Business Division, said: "Keysight’s support and robust equipment enables our engineering teams to develop and validate O-RAN compliant radios with a wide range of complex functionalities. Through our collaborative efforts, Intel and Keysight are empowering not only emerging but also established radio vendors to channel focus on core innovations in pursuit of providing vendor-agnostic O-RAN equipment within the dynamic landscape of 5G RAN."Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager, Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, said: "Keysight continues to play an instrumental role in enabling the Open RAN ecosystem with its world-class test solutions. The successful validation of Open RAN mMIMO technology on Intel’s solution is a significant step in the deployment of Open RAN networks. This milestone will help to accelerate the adoption of Open RAN network architectures by validating massive MIMO beamforming technology."ResourcesKeysight Open RAN StudioIntel O-RU Enablement PackageAbout Keysight TechnologiesAt Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226217034/en/ContactsKeysight Media ContactsPaul ErwinAmericas+1 248 430 [email protected] DohiAsia+81 42 [email protected] GallacherEurope+44 (0) 7800 737 [email protected]

Business Wire

Keysight Enables Open RAN Massive MIMO Innovation

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keysight-enables-open-ran-massive-160000720.html

9d08c0f8-15d8-3ba7-acc2-90a9b2ca566e

KEYS

Key InsightsKeysight Technologies' estimated fair value is US$159 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to EquityWith US$157 share price, Keysight Technologies appears to be trading close to its estimated fair valueOur fair value estimate is 3.3% lower than Keysight Technologies' analyst price target of US$165Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. Check out our latest analysis for Keysight Technologies What's The Estimated Valuation?We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:Story continues10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast2024202520262027202820292030203120322033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.17bUS$1.21bUS$1.42bUS$1.50bUS$1.57bUS$1.63bUS$1.69bUS$1.74bUS$1.79bUS$1.84bGrowth Rate Estimate SourceAnalyst x4Analyst x4Analyst x3Est @ 5.60%Est @ 4.61%Est @ 3.91%Est @ 3.43%Est @ 3.09%Est @ 2.85%Est @ 2.68% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.5% US$1.1kUS$1.0kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.0kUS$976US$933US$891("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$10bAfter calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.5%.Terminal Value (TV)= FCF2033 × (1 + g) ÷ (r – g) = US$1.8b× (1 + 2.3%) ÷ (7.5%– 2.3%) = US$36bPresent Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$36b÷ ( 1 + 7.5%)10= US$17bThe total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$28b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$157, the company appears about fair value at a 1.3% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.dcfImportant AssumptionsNow the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Keysight Technologies as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.138. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.SWOT Analysis for Keysight TechnologiesStrengthDebt is not viewed as a risk.WeaknessEarnings declined over the past year.OpportunityAnnual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.ThreatAnnual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.Next Steps:Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Keysight Technologies, we've compiled three relevant aspects you should look at:Risks: For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Keysight Technologies that you should be aware of.Future Earnings: How does KEYS's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart.Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Estimating The Fair Value Of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/estimating-fair-value-keysight-technologies-114634247.html

9e01aed0-4fba-30c1-ab3c-749ea60218a0

KEYS

SANTA ROSA, Calif., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS):What:The use of AI is growing rapidly and the race to develop and deploy high-speed, high-bandwidth optical interconnects is a top priority for data center and cloud service providers. At OFC 2024, Keysight will demonstrate its market-leading design, simulation, and test solutions that accelerate the adoption of AI through the validation of high-speed optical and electrical technologies.  When:March 26-28, 2024  Where:Keysight Booth Number 3701San Diego Convention Center  Media:Contact Paul Erwin to schedule media briefings and solution demonstrations.Join Keysight experts at Booth #3701 for the following demonstrations:PCIe® 7.0 technology over optics: Keysight presents a low-power PCIe 7.0 optical interconnect technology supporting emerging large language model needs for higher efficiency signaling using Eoptolink 800G DR8 linear pluggable optics.Linear drive optics: Linear drive optical transceivers exhibit lower latency, power consumption, and cost than traditional re-timed transceivers making then an ideal solution for AI applications. This demo showcases Keysight’s validation solutions for the CEI-112G-Linear-PAM4 standard on linear pluggable optics, including new measurements such as EECQ (Electrical Eye Closure Quaternary) and new reference receiver equalization techniques.224G TX and RX validation with new 64 GHz interference source: Keysight demonstrates a 224G receiver test with interference tolerance as well as intersymbol interference (ISI) and bit error ratio (BER) measurements based on built-in counters of a SERDES chip. This includes Keysight’s new M8053A 64 GHz Interference Source that enables interference tolerance test of receivers that operate up to 120 Gbaud PAM4. The 224G transmitter validation is performed on a 5 nm 224G Phy, illustrating jitter decomposition, SNDR, and Partial Response Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (PR-MLSE) equalization.Story continues800ZR transceiver test: New interoperability solutions in 800ZR, 400ZR, and OpenZR+ optics are needed to address the unprecedented demand for next-generation network solutions that will support future AI needs. For the first time, Keysight will demonstrate signal analysis on 800ZR high-speed coherent pluggable optics from multiple vendors at both the physical and the protocol levels. The demo includes Keysight‘s Optical Modulation Analyzer to measure physical layer transmitter characteristics to characterize and validate 400ZR / 800ZR pluggable modules. In addition, layer 1-3 testing will be performed using the AresONE 800GE-M Dual Interface Model Network Tester in a single platform for 800GE, 400GE, and 100GE with PAM4 and NRZ signaling, with up to 106.25 Gb/s host electrical lane.Pathway to 448G optics: Keysight uses a Mitsubishi Electric Corporation externally modulated laser (EML) running far above current 106/113 GBaud rates to demonstrate the progression to 448G optics by generating signals and test waveforms to 180 GBaud and verifying 200G TDECQ (Transmitter and Dispersion Eye Closure Quaternary).Photonic IC testing: Collaborating with FormFactor, Keysight presents a complete measurement automation and probing solution for photonic integrated circuits (PIC). The demo will show how to verify wafer / die PIC modulator and photodetector designs for optoelectronic S-parameters, S (lambda), and polarization-dependent responsivity / insertion loss using a measurement algorithm to seamlessly control wavelength, biasing, and polarization.About Keysight TechnologiesAt Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311879899/en/ContactsKeysight Media Contacts Paul ErwinAmericas+1 248 430 [email protected] DohiAsia+81 42 [email protected] GallacherEurope+44 (0) 7800 737 [email protected]

Business Wire

Keysight Showcases Solutions Accelerating AI Adoption for Data Center and Cloud Service Providers at OFC 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/keysight-showcases-solutions-accelerating-ai-150000733.html

1010caea-c4af-3910-836b-59a8a56bc59a

KHC

Did you know there are some financial metrics that can provide clues of a potential multi-bagger? Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. However, after investigating Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. To calculate this metric for Kraft Heinz, this is the formula:Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)0.066 = US$5.4b ÷ (US$90b - US$8.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).So, Kraft Heinz has an ROCE of 6.6%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Food industry average of 10%. See our latest analysis for Kraft Heinz roceAbove you can see how the current ROCE for Kraft Heinz compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Kraft Heinz .How Are Returns Trending?Things have been pretty stable at Kraft Heinz, with its capital employed and returns on that capital staying somewhat the same for the last five years. Businesses with these traits tend to be mature and steady operations because they're past the growth phase. With that in mind, unless investment picks up again in the future, we wouldn't expect Kraft Heinz to be a multi-bagger going forward. With fewer investment opportunities, it makes sense that Kraft Heinz has been paying out a decent 49% of its earnings to shareholders. Unless businesses have highly compelling growth opportunities, they'll typically return some money to shareholders.Story continuesOur Take On Kraft Heinz's ROCEIn summary, Kraft Heinz isn't compounding its earnings but is generating stable returns on the same amount of capital employed. Although the market must be expecting these trends to improve because the stock has gained 41% over the last five years. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward.One more thing to note, we've identified 1 warning sign with Kraft Heinz and understanding it should be part of your investment process.If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Returns On Capital At Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) Have Hit The Brakes

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/returns-capital-kraft-heinz-nasdaq-140008661.html

7969a9d1-98b8-31f6-84b2-345899c8067b

KHC

In this article, we will take a detailed look at Bill Gates' 16 Dividend Stocks To Buy. For a quick overview of such stocks, read our article Bill Gates' 5 Dividend Stocks To Buy.The era of low interest rates did not bode well for dividend investing as investors preferred to pile into growth stocks instead of dividend-paying equities. Especially after the 2008 financial crisis ended, dividend stocks' contribution to overall market returns declined. A Wall Street Journal report said that US stocks with dividend yields above 5% returned 450% since the end of 2008, compared the 640% gain posted by the broader S&P Composite 1500. On the other hand, companies that do not pay dividends have posted gains of about 1500%. But since the Federal Reserve started increasing interest rates and speculation of a "higher for longer" scenario becomes relevant, investors are starting to pay attention to dividend stocks.The WSJ report also quoted Daniel Peris, the portfolio manager at investment banking company Federated Hermes, who said in his book “The Ownership Dividend" that the trend in which dividend stocks lost their mojo amid low interest rates was temporary as he believes the pendulum is about to swing in the favor of dividend stocks.But does all dividend stocks worth your attention? As you will see in this article, smart investors and billionaires prefer high-quality dividend stocks with low volatility and strong businesses. The WSJ report said investing in dividend stocks with low volatility has outperformed other notable investment strategies about 60% of the time since 1998.Bill Gates' 16 Dividend Stocks To BuyMethodologyFor this article we scanned the Q4'2023 portfolio of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and chose its top dividend stocks picks. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).16. Hormel Foods Corp (NYSE:HRL)Bill Gates' Stake: $70,490,762With a dividend yield of about 3.7%, Hormel Foods Corp (NYSE:HRL) ranks 16th in our list of the top dividend stocks in Bill Gates' portfolio as of the end of 2023.Story continuesBill & Melinda Gates Foundation owns a $70 million stake in Hormel Foods Corp (NYSE:HRL).15. Danaher Corp (NYSE:DHR)Bill Gates' Stake: $86,289,820Earlier this month Danaher Corp (NYSE:DHR) increased its dividend by a whopping 12.5%.As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, 90 hedge funds out of the 933 funds in Insider Monkey's database had stakes in Danaher Corp (NYSE:DHR). The most notable stake in Danaher Corp (NYSE:DHR) is owned by Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management which owns a $978 million stake in Danaher Corp (NYSE:DHR).Headwaters Capital Management stated the following regarding Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“Danaher Corporation’s (NYSE:DHR) acquisition offer for ABCM was approved by shareholders on 11/6/23. Shareholders approved the deal based on trough fundamentals (potential China weakness) and trough valuation (the broader market bottomed on 10/27). DHR took advantage of broader market fears and mis-aligned management incentives to acquire Abcam at a cheap price. While disappointing, ABCM was still a very successful investment for Headwaters as it outperformed the market by +27% during our ownership. The cash received from the acquisition was immediately re-deployed into the newest addition to the portfolio, IPAR (discussed below).”14. Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC)Bill Gates' Stake: $96,983,748With a 4.4% dividend yield and a recession-proof business, American food company Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC) ranks 14th in our list of the best dividend stocks according to Bill Gates. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation owns a $97 million stake in Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC).As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, 44 hedge funds out of the 933 funds tracked by Insider Monkey had stakes in Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC).13. Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD)Bill Gates' Stake: $110,047,860Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD) is in the spotlight for two reasons. First, data from Nielsen has shown that the Bud Light brand saw improvement in sales during the one-month period ending January 27. Second, Donald Trump has called on his supporters to give Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD) a "second chance" and called Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD) a "Great American Brand." Trump was referring to the backlash Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD) received from conservatives in the US after its collaboration with  transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney.As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, Bill Gates' foundation owns a $110 million stake in Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA (NYSE:BUD).12. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)Bill Gates' Stake: $118,722,643United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) ranks 12th in our list of the best dividend stocks in Bill Gates' 2024 portfolio. Last month, UPS declared a 0.6% increase in its prior dividend. Forward dividend yield came in at over 4%.A total of 46 hedge funds out of the 933 funds in Insider Monkey's database had stakes in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS). Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation owns a $119 million stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS).ClearBridge Large Cap Value Strategy made the following comment about United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“A higher-for-longer rate mentality taking hold was a headwind for economically sensitive stocks. Rising wages have been one of the main drivers of inflation, and this has proved to be a sticky area, keeping the Fed’s attention and weighing on share prices. For example, United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) renegotiated a wage increase for its union-backed workforce this summer, which weighed on margins that were already being constricted by slowing volumes. While the new union deal will dampen profits over the next 12 months due to the front-end-loaded nature of the new five-year contract, management gained increased flexibility to deploy automation, which we think should further enhance UPS’s strong competitive position and provide a long-term tailwind to profitability.”11. Crown Castle Inc (NYSE:CCI)Bill Gates' Stake: $163,578,094Telecom infrastructure REIT Crown Castle Inc (NYSE:CCI) is a high-yield dividend stock in Bill Gates' Q4 portfolio. The stock has a dividend yield of over 5.5%.The stock is making waves after Crown Castle Inc's (NYSE:CCI) founder Ted Miller nominated four people for board director positions and outlined a restructuring plan that includes selling off its fiber assets.Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund made the following comment about Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI) in its Q2 2023 investor letter:“Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI) detracted from performance as telecom companies have temporarily slowed their deployment of additional cellular spectrum. This slowdown could impair future growth for cell tower companies.”10. Waste Connections Inc (NYSE:WCN)Bill Gates' Stake: $320,807,352Canadian-based Waste Connections Inc (NYSE:WCN) is a low-yield dividend stock in Bill Gates' portfolio. Earlier this month Waste Connections Inc (NYSE:WCN) posted fourth quarter results. Adjusted EPS in the quarter came in at $1.11, beating estimates by $0.02. Revenue in the quarter jumped 9.1% year over year to $2.04 billion.Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation owns a $321 million stake in Waste Connections Inc (NYSE:WCN).TimesSquare Capital U.S. FOCUS Growth Strategy made the following comment about Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN), a non-hazardous waste company, pulled back by -6%. They serve residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial customers in the U.S. and Canada. Second quarter results included inline revenues, an upside to profits on better margins, though with slightly lower volumes. Management noted that volumes came in weaker than anticipated due to intentionally shedding low margin contracts. Forward revenue guidance was lowered slightly, reflecting lower surcharges from falling diesel prices.”9. FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX)Bill Gates' Stake: $388,147,555FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX) has a dividend yield of over 2% as of February 24. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation owns a $388 million stake in FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX). This fund is the biggest hedge fund stakeholder in FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX) out of the 70 funds that had stakes in FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX) as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023.The London Company Large Cap Strategy stated the following regarding FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) – After a very positive start to the year, FDX lagged during 4Q after a weak earnings report and lowered guidance. Fundamentals improved throughout the year as FDX enacted major cost cuts, but a decline in volumes in the quarter was too much for the new cost structure to overcome. Longer term, FDX has the potential to be a strong player in the transportation industry, but it will have to continue adjusting its fleet and network to an evolving marketplace.”8. Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT)Bill Gates' Stake: $477,704,566Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) recently increased its annual dividend by 9%. This marked the 51st consecutive year of dividend increases from Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT).As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, 85 hedge funds out of the 933 funds tracked by Insider Monkey had stakes in Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT).7. Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV (NYSE:KOF)Bill Gates' Stake: $588,161,006The Mexican arm of Coca Cola, Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV (NYSE:KOF), ranks seventh in our list of the top dividend stocks in Bill Gates' portfolio. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had a $478 million stake in Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV (NYSE:KOF).Hayden Capital made the following comment about The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) in its third 2023 investor letter:“It’s not just emerging markets either, where one could argue a “scarcity premium” given fewer quality public companies. Even in the US, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) trades at ~30x P/E despite having the same earnings as 10 years ago.Both of these companies actually have lower revenues than 10 – 15 years ago too, indicating that their profit growth is mostly from margin expansion. This can only last for so long before there’s no more excess expenses left to cut.I find it ironic that all these companies trade as “bond-equivalents” in the minds of investors – even commanding lower yields than US treasuries, the safest security in the world. But it’s clear that their businesses are not nearly as safe. Coca-Cola is facing disruption risk from consumers shifting to new, heathier beverage brands.But these companies are ~35% more expensive than US Treasuries, despite the heightened risk. On a risk-adjusted basis, one could argue the implied premium is even higher.”Perhaps the explanation is simply the price volatility difference between these stocks and treasuries over the last two years. For example, 10-year Treasury bonds are down ~-20% since the beginning of 2022. By comparison, KO and PG are remarkably down only -4 – 6% over that time frame.”6. Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL)Bill Gates' Stake: $1,034,999,027Water treatment and cleaning solutions company Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) is one of the top performers in Bill Gates' portfolio, with the stock up 40% over the past one year. It has a dividend yield of just over 1% as of February 24. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has a $1 billion stake in Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL).Earlier this month Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) posted Q4 results. Adjusted EPS in the fourth quarter came in at $1.55, beating estimates by $0.01. Revenue in the quarter jumped 7% year over year to $3.9 billion, missing estimates by $40 million.Mairs & Power Growth Fund stated the following regarding Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“All of our Materials holdings—Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL), HB Fuller (FUL), and Sherwin Williams (SHW)—also posted strong results in 2023, a stark reversal from the prior year. After oil prices spiked above $100 in 2022 due to the Ukraine-Russia Conflict, oil has since pulled back to the low $70s. Oil and its by-products are major inputs for all of our Materials holdings; as such, lower oil prices have led to a rebound in profits. For example, our largest Materials holding—Ecolab—is expected to increase earnings more than 15% this year after declining 5% last year.” Click to continue reading and see Bill Gates' 5 Dividend Stocks To Buy.Suggested articles:What Ray Dalio Is Doing These Days? – Top 10 Stock Picks in 202315 Stocks Dumb Money’s Steve Cohen Is Betting On NowAQR Capital Management: AUM, Performance, Stock PicksDisclosure: None. Bill Gates' 16 Dividend Stocks To Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

Bill Gates’ 16 Dividend Stocks To Buy

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bill-gates-16-dividend-stocks-193811657.html

6e7b9ace-c2e8-30bc-88cc-ebd3ecce90f6

KHC

Kraft Heinz (KHC) ended the recent trading session at $34.84, demonstrating a +0.99% swing from the preceding day's closing price. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.65%. At the same time, the Dow lost 0.18%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.16%.Shares of the the processed food company with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago witnessed a loss of 5.4% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Consumer Staples sector with its gain of 0.16% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.4%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Kraft Heinz in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $0.68, reflecting no change from the same quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $6.42 billion, reflecting a 1.12% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $3.02 per share and revenue of $26.77 billion. These totals would mark changes of +1.34% and +0.49%, respectively, from last year.Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Kraft Heinz. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.47% higher within the past month. At present, Kraft Heinz boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesFrom a valuation perspective, Kraft Heinz is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.41. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 17.49 of its industry.Investors should also note that KHC has a PEG ratio of 2.73 right now. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. KHC's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.02 as of yesterday's close.The Food - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 146, which puts it in the bottom 43% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.To follow KHC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKraft Heinz Company (KHC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why the Market Dipped But Kraft Heinz (KHC) Gained Today

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-market-dipped-kraft-heinz-224520620.html

b5d85d5c-95b3-3ce7-904f-fcd264089b28

KHC

With its stock down 6.5% over the past three months, it is easy to disregard Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC). But if you pay close attention, you might find that its key financial indicators look quite decent, which could mean that the stock could potentially rise in the long-term given how markets usually reward more resilient long-term fundamentals. Specifically, we decided to study Kraft Heinz's ROE in this article.Return on Equity or ROE is a test of how effectively a company is growing its value and managing investors’ money. Simply put, it is used to assess the profitability of a company in relation to its equity capital. Check out our latest analysis for Kraft Heinz How To Calculate Return On Equity?ROE can be calculated by using the formula:Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' EquitySo, based on the above formula, the ROE for Kraft Heinz is:5.7% = US$2.8b ÷ US$50b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. That means that for every $1 worth of shareholders' equity, the company generated $0.06 in profit.Why Is ROE Important For Earnings Growth?Thus far, we have learned that ROE measures how efficiently a company is generating its profits. Based on how much of its profits the company chooses to reinvest or "retain", we are then able to evaluate a company's future ability to generate profits. Generally speaking, other things being equal, firms with a high return on equity and profit retention, have a higher growth rate than firms that don’t share these attributes.Kraft Heinz's Earnings Growth And 5.7% ROEOn the face of it, Kraft Heinz's ROE is not much to talk about. We then compared the company's ROE to the broader industry and were disappointed to see that the ROE is lower than the industry average of 14%. In spite of this, Kraft Heinz was able to grow its net income considerably, at a rate of 72% in the last five years. We reckon that there could be other factors at play here. Such as - high earnings retention or an efficient management in place.Story continuesAs a next step, we compared Kraft Heinz's net income growth with the industry, and pleasingly, we found that the growth seen by the company is higher than the average industry growth of 15%.past-earnings-growthThe basis for attaching value to a company is, to a great extent, tied to its earnings growth. It’s important for an investor to know whether the market has priced in the company's expected earnings growth (or decline). This then helps them determine if the stock is placed for a bright or bleak future. One good indicator of expected earnings growth is the P/E ratio which determines the price the market is willing to pay for a stock based on its earnings prospects. So, you may want to check if Kraft Heinz is trading on a high P/E or a low P/E, relative to its industry.Is Kraft Heinz Using Its Retained Earnings Effectively?The high three-year median payout ratio of 88% (implying that it keeps only 12% of profits) for Kraft Heinz suggests that the company's growth wasn't really hampered despite it returning most of the earnings to its shareholders.Besides, Kraft Heinz has been paying dividends over a period of eight years. This shows that the company is committed to sharing profits with its shareholders. Upon studying the latest analysts' consensus data, we found that the company's future payout ratio is expected to drop to 48% over the next three years. As a result, the expected drop in Kraft Heinz's payout ratio explains the anticipated rise in the company's future ROE to 7.6%, over the same period.SummaryOverall, we feel that Kraft Heinz certainly does have some positive factors to consider. That is, quite an impressive growth in earnings. However, the low profit retention means that the company's earnings growth could have been higher, had it been reinvesting a higher portion of its profits. Having said that, the company's earnings growth is expected to slow down, as forecasted in the current analyst estimates. To know more about the latest analysts predictions for the company, check out this visualization of analyst forecasts for the company.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Should Weakness in The Kraft Heinz Company's (NASDAQ:KHC) Stock Be Seen As A Sign That Market Will Correct The Share Price Given Decent Financials?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/weakness-kraft-heinz-companys-nasdaq-120013226.html

2c9ab844-189a-3e61-b525-1b84121db952

KIM

Federal Realty Investment Trust’s FRT fourth-quarter 2023 funds from operations (FFO) per share of $1.64 was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This marked a rise of 3.8% from the year-ago quarter’s tally of $1.58.Results reflect a rise in revenues and healthy leasing activity that aided FRT’s fourth-quarter performance. However, lower occupancy levels affected the results to some extent. This retail REIT also provided an outlook for 2024.Quarterly revenues of $291.8 million missed the consensus mark of $293.3 million but improved 4.2% from the year-ago quarter’s tally.Per Donald C. Wood, Federal Realty's chief executive officer, "Our multi-faceted business plan drove FFO growth, marked by continued growth in our comparable pool, contributions from our redevelopment and expansion program and accretive acquisition activity. We believe that Federal's high-quality open-air shopping centers and mixed-use communities located in the first-tier suburbs of major metropolitan markets remain the real estate of choice for today's top-tier tenants."For the full-year 2023, Federal Realty’s FFO per share came in at $6.55, higher than the prior-year tally of $6.32, while missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. This was backed by 5.4% growth in revenues to $1.13 billion.Behind the HeadlinesIn terms of leasing, during the reported quarter, Federal Realty signed 102 leases for 398,378 square feet of retail space. On a comparable space basis, the company signed 100 leases for 393,761 square feet of space at an average rent of $44.57 per square foot. This denotes cash-basis rollover growth of 12% and 23% on a straight-line basis.On the operational front, occupancy rates in the portfolio decreased 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 92.2% as of Dec 31, 2023. The portfolio was 94.2% leased as of the same date. Our estimate for the metric was the same as the reported figure. Moreover, FRT’s comparable residential properties were 95.9% leased as of the same date.Story continuesSustained robust leasing activity for small shops resulted in a quarter-ending lease rate of 90.7%, marking a 70 bps rise year over year.Federal Realty exited 2023 with cash and cash equivalents of $250.8 million, up from $85.6 million recorded at the end of 2022.GuidanceFor 2024, FRT estimates FFO per share in the range of $6.65-$6.87. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.77 also stands within this range.DividendConcurrent with the fourth-quarter earnings release, Federal Realty announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.09 per share, indicating an annual rate of $4.36 per share. The dividend will be paid out on Apr 15 to shareholders of record as of Mar 13, 2024.Federal Realty currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Federal Realty Investment Trust Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseFederal Realty Investment Trust Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseFederal Realty Investment Trust price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Federal Realty Investment Trust QuotePerformance of Other Retail REITsSimon Property Group, Inc.'s SPG fourth-quarter 2023 FFO per share of $3.69 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.34. Also, the figure increased 8.5% year over year.SPG’s results reflect better-than-anticipated revenues on lower property operating expenses and a rise in the base rent per square foot and occupancy levels. However, higher interest expenses partly offset the upsides. This retail behemoth’s 2024 FFO per share outlook was lower than expected.Kimco Realty Corp. KIM reported fourth-quarter 2023 funds from operations (FFO) per share of 39 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure was only a cent higher than the year-ago quarter’s tally.Though KIM reported growth in revenues, a rise in interest expenses acted as a dampener. This retail REIT provided an initial outlook for 2024 FFO per share, which is below the consensus mark.Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportSimon Property Group, Inc. (SPG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportKimco Realty Corporation (KIM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFederal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Federal Realty (FRT) Q4 FFO Meets Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/Y

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/federal-realty-frt-q4-ffo-154800117.html

4b7c3c79-e6cc-3503-a7a3-d01622563577

KIM

In this article, we will look at the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the global housing market, then you can go directly to 5 Fastest-Declining Cities in the US. An Analysis of Trends in the Housing MarketAccording to a report by the National Association of Realtors, home sales in the US declined by 1.0% and reached an annual rate of 3.78 million in 2023. This has been the lowest level of sales in the past 3 decades, with the usual annual rate being 4.09 million. The number of sales declined 6.2% between 2022-2023. On the bright side, the median existing-home sales price increased 4.4% between 2022-2023, reaching a rate of $382,600.Savills reported that in 2022, the residential real estate market decreased in sales by 1.6%, whereas commercial real estate fell by 1.8%. The residential real estate market did incur benefits from low interest rates during the pandemic era, post-2019. During this period, the majority of people choose to invest in the redevelopment of their current residential assets rather than new properties. Investments into commercial real estate, as well as agricultural land, were on the back burner.Multiple sources, such as RealAssets Adviser, have reported a continuing increase in population shifts to the 'US Sunbelt'. The collective 18 southern states between North Carolina and California are known as the Sunbelt. Statistically about 75% of the US population has shifted to the Sun Belt states over the past decade. This is largely due to the lower rates of taxation, affordable housing, and most importantly, a growing commercial and business sector. Single-family homes that were otherwise unaffordable outside of the Sunbelt are increasingly being bought in these states, even multi-family homes. These states have less dense populations and have far less congested metropolitan areas compared to major cities like New York.The growth of social media and digitization in general has been quite fruitful for the real estate market, among other sectors. Real estate manufacturers and agents have utilized various modes of virtual reality to increase sales, without having buyers physically visit numerous properties. 3D Tours, Drone photographs and videos, and virtual staging are some of the most common ways agents conduct virtual tours of properties. An example of this is Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z), an online real estate company. Zillow has a home-valuation tool that allows buyers to compare the value of the home based on sales history and the local market. Moreover, the company lets users buy properties online after taking virtual tours of the property. You might be interested in 20 Most Affordable Housing Markets in the US in 2023 and 30 Countries with Most Affordable Housing in the World Story continuesLet's now look at some of the major companies in the real estate market which include LGI Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:LGIH), Kimco Realty (NYSE:KIM), and Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL). You can also take a look at 20 Countries where Housing Prices are Declining or Flat.Key Players in the Housing MarketLGI Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:LGIH) is a Texas-based home construction and selling company. The company has manufactured over 65,000 homes in the US, with a business model focused on family homes. On February 13, LGI Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:LGIH) announced the expansion of Terrata Homes, a range of brand-new homes, in Brooksville, Florida. Terrata Homes would be part of the Southern Hills neighborhood, a prime community in Brooksville. These new homes would offer four different designs to home buyers and include a wide range of first-class amenities.Kimco Realty (NYSE:KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the US, with a considerable portfolio of commercial properties. The company focuses on re-developing sub-urban areas to increase commercial activity. On January 2, Kimco Realty (NYSE:KIM) announced its latest acquisition of RPT Realty. This acquisition will bring 56 open-air shopping centers to the company's portfolio, taking the company's total properties to 527. Furthermore, the RPT acquisition will increase growth and partnership opportunities for the company.Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) is a luxury home builder and a Fortune 500 company. The company has properties in 24 states across the US. On December 5, 2023, Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) reported earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share of $4.11 and outperformed EPS estimates by $0.39. The company's revenue for the quarter grew by 18.64% and amounted to $3.02 billion.With this context, let's take a look at the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US.17 Fastest-Declining Cities in the USPhoto by Breno Assis on UnsplashMethodologyIn this article, we have listed 18 fastest-declining cities in the US. We consulted data from the US Census Bureau, which gave estimates of the annual population growth of over 800 US cities between 2020-2022. We calculated the percentage change in the population of each city between 2020-2022 and ranked the cities based on their population decline. We have listed the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US below in ascending order of their percentage fall in population between 2020 and 2022.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.18 Fastest-Declining Cities in the US18. Monterey Park, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -3.83%First up on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US is Monterey Park, California. It is part of the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County. The city hosts a dominantly Asian American population and is considered a good locality due to its proximity to the Downtown Los Angeles Civic Center. Between 2020-2022, there was a -3.83% of population change in Monterey Park.17. South San Francisco, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -3.99%Second up on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US is South San Francisco, California. Situated in San Mateo County, it is also commonly known as the 'South City'. The city has a wide range of activities to offer, from various culinary restaurants to other outdoor activities. Between 2020-2022, there was a -3.99% change in population in South San Francisco.16. Sandy City, UtahPercentage Change in Population: -4.02%Sandy City, Utah, ranks sixteenth on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US. It is part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Between 2020-2022, there was a -4.02% change in population in Sandy City.15. Union City, New JerseyPercentage Change in Population: -4.05%Union City, New Jersey is part of Hudson County. There are several parks in the city such as Washington Park and the Union City Reservoir Park. Between 2020-2022, there was a -4.05% population change in Union City.14. Lynwood, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.08%Lynwood, California, ranks fourteenth on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US. It is part of Los Angeles County and is near the South Gate and Compton area. The Lynwood Dairy and Creamery is the city's most significant business. Between 2020-2022, there was a -4.08% of population change in Lynwood.13. Taylorsville, UtahPercentage Change in Population: -4.12%Ranking thirteenth on our list of the 17 fastest-declining cities in the US, Taylorsville is situated in Salt Lake County in Utah. The city has a dense population and hosts a diverse community. It is part of the Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area and Salt Lake City. The percentage change in population in Taylorsville was -4.121% between 2020 and 2022.12. San Mateo, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.12%San Mateo, California, ranks twelfth on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US. Situated in San Mateo County, it is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is home to several technology companies such as Roblox and Sony Interactive Entertainment. San Mateo had a -4.123% change in population between 2020-2022.11. Union City, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.20%Union City is situated in Alameda County, California. It is part of the Hayward and Fremont Tri-City area. The city has a strong industry of shipping companies as well as historical attractions such as the Bay Area Flight 93 Memorial. The percentage change in population in Union City was -4.20%.10. Berkeley, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.23%Berkeley, California is ranked tenth on our list of the 18 fastest-growing cities in the US. It is situated on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is home to several high-ranking universities such as the University of California. The percentage change in population in Berkeley was -4.23% between 2020-2022.9. Redwood City, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.30%Redwood City, California, is situated in the Northern California Bay Area. It is known for its lively downtown area that offers a range of entertainment activities such as movie theaters. Between 2020-2022, the percentage change in population in Redwood City was -4.30%.8. San Leandro, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.34%Ranking eighth on our list of the 18 fastest-declining cities in the US is San Leandro, California. The city is situated in Alameda County and is close to Oakland and San Francisco. There was a -4.34% population change in San Leandro between 2020-2022.7. Daly City, CaliforniaPercentage Change in Population: -4.42%Daly City is part of San Mateo County in the state of California. Due to its proximity to San Francisco, it is known as an extension of the state. Between 2020-2022, there was a -4.42% change in population in Daly City.6. Jackson, MississippiPercentage Change in Population: -4.57%Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi and ranks sixth on our list of the fastest-declining cities in the US. It is the largest and most densely populated area in the metropolitan area and generates good revenue from tourism. Jackson had a -4.57% change in population between 2020-2022.Click to continue reading and see 5 Fastest-Declining Cities in the US.Suggested Articles:Top 16 Aircraft Manufacturers In The World13 Overlooked Tax Deductions for Retirees That Could Save Them Money20 Popular Brands That Use ShopifyDisclosure: None. 18 Fastest-Declining Cities in the US is published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

18 Fastest-Declining Cities in the US

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/18-fastest-declining-cities-us-173834631.html

34a54500-fdb9-3542-84bc-786bf5ad7a6f

KIM

JERICHO, N.Y., March 01, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kimco Realty® (NYSE: KIM) announced today that its management will present at the Citi 2024 Global Property CEO Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.Event: Kimco Realty® Management PresentationWhen: Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 7:30 AM – 8:05 AM, ETLive Webcast: Kimco Realty Management to Present at Citi ConferenceA replay of the webcast will be available 12 hours after the conclusion of the live event until March 4, 2025, at the above link.About Kimco Realty®Kimco Realty® (NYSE:KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Jericho, N.Y. that is North America’s largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets. The company’s portfolio is primarily concentrated in the first-ring suburbs of the top major metropolitan markets, including those in high-barrier-to-entry coastal markets and rapidly expanding Sun Belt cities, with a tenant mix focused on essential, necessity-based goods and services that drive multiple shopping trips per week. Kimco Realty is also committed to leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and is a recognized industry leader in these areas. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991, and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center ownership, management, acquisitions, and value enhancing redevelopment activities for more than 60 years. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned interests in 523 U.S. shopping centers and mixed-use assets comprising 90 million square feet of gross leasable space. For further information, please visit www.kimcorealty.com.The company announces material information to its investors using the company’s investor relations website (investors.kimcorealty.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. The company also uses social media to communicate with its investors and the public, and the information the company posts on social media may be deemed material information. Therefore, the company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information that it posts on the social media channels, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/kimcorealty), Twitter (www.twitter.com/kimcorealty) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/kimco-realty-corporation). The list of social media channels that the company uses may be updated on its investor relations website from time to time.Story continuesView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240301755906/en/ContactsDavid F. BujnickiSenior Vice President, Investor Relations and StrategyKimco Realty Corporation(833) [email protected]

Business Wire

Kimco Realty® Management to Present at the Citi 2024 Global Property CEO Conference

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kimco-realty-management-present-citi-115000329.html

0aa9b3c1-7133-3207-bfc2-4435d7711f74

KIM

In this article, we discuss 12 most undervalued REIT stocks to buy. If you want to skip our discussion on the REIT industry, head over to 5 Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To Analysts. In 2023, REITs faced a challenging landscape marked by the persistent impact of rising borrowing costs, which continued to be the primary factor influencing the sector for the second consecutive year. The high interest rates and limited access to capital contributed to a subdued performance as the overall volume of real estate purchases and sales remained low last year. Negative headlines surrounding vacant downtown office spaces, a consequence of the widespread shift to remote work, further weighed on investor sentiment, collectively contributing to a sideways trajectory for REITs throughout the year. However, despite these challenges, several REITs demonstrated resilience, reporting robust fundamentals driven by an uptick in rental income. The supply-and-demand dynamics in commercial real estate generally favored the market in 2023, with REITs maintaining well-positioned balance sheets to weather the prevailing market conditions.Looking forward, Fidelity Investments has a cautiously optimistic outlook for the REIT sector in 2024, contingent upon a stabilization of interest rates and a gradual normalization of commercial real estate transaction volumes. Fidelity's interest in shopping centers stems from a nuanced analysis of consumer behavior. While malls, traditionally associated with discretionary spending on luxury items, face headwinds during economic uncertainty, shopping centers have emerged as compelling investment opportunities. These centers cater to essential needs such as grocery shopping and prescription filling, making them more resilient during economic downturns. The trend is further supported by budget-conscious consumers turning to shopping centers amidst weakening household credit quality under high-interest rates. Additionally, the changing lifestyle patterns associated with remote and hybrid work have positioned shopping centers, often located closer to residential areas, as beneficiaries of evolving consumer preferences.Story continuesAnother sub-sector identified by Fidelity that offers promising long-term growth potential is data centers, driven by the increasing demand from cloud providers to meet massive storage needs. Healthcare real estate, particularly senior housing, is identified as another theme with potential for sustained growth. The aging population in the US and other developed nations is expected to fuel demand for quality assisted living and memory-care facilities. Furthermore, the nationwide shortage of affordable housing has created opportunities in the lower-cost manufactured-housing market. This includes RV resorts and mobile-home communities, particularly those targeting retirees. The business models in this sector offer favorable economics, as the owner/operator primarily owns the land, collects rent, and requires minimal additional investment. Amidst economic uncertainty since 2022, REIT share prices faced a challenging environment, experiencing a 21.4% decline by December 1, 2023, triggered by a notable increase in the 10-year Treasury yield and REIT implied cap rates. However, there are promising signs for a REIT recovery in 2024, according to a recent report by Nareit. Historically, REITs have demonstrated robust total return performances post-monetary policy tightening cycles, and the expected convergence of valuations between REITs and private real estate in 2024 is likely to attract investors. The solid balance sheets of REITs position them well to navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, offering advantages for acquisitions and growth. The valuation divergence, particularly in capitalization rates, is anticipated to narrow in 2024, making REITs an appealing option for investors compared to private real estate.On the other hand, Fitch Ratings has a deteriorating outlook for the U.S. equity REITs in 2024 due to widespread market hesitation amid persistent inflation and global uncertainties. Higher borrowing rates, coupled with a slowdown in property market activities, have led to discounted prices for investment-grade REITs, creating opportunities for well-capitalized companies with low leverage and ample liquidity to acquire premium properties. The challenging environment is driven by a combination of factors, including banking sector turmoil in the first half of 2023 and the tightening of lending activities.Investors looking to explore the REIT sector can pick up the most undervalued stocks like VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI), Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT), and Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE). Our Methodology For this article, we used a stock screener and shortlisted the most undervalued stocks in the REIT sector by their PE ratios, which were under 20. The most undervalued stocks according to analysts were chosen by considering their upside potential, relying on analyst price targets as of March 5. The price targets were taken from Yahoo Finance. We have also assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of 933 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).12 Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To AnalystsView of a mall entrance, showcasing the retail experiences offered by the company's REIT.Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To Analysts12. AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3Average Upside Potential: 28.23%PE Ratio as of March 5: 7.24Average Analyst Price Target: $14.67AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG) specializes in originating, structuring, underwriting, and investing in senior secured loans and other debt securities for established businesses in the cannabis industry. The company focuses on states where medical and/or adult-use cannabis is legalized. AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG) has chosen to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is one of the most undervalued stocks to monitor. On February 22, AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG) announced that it plans to spin off its commercial real estate portfolio into a new publicly traded company, Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc., intending to achieve REIT status. The spin-off will create two distinct entities – one focusing on the cannabis industry and the other on commercial real estate in the southern United States. AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG) shareholders will receive a pro-rata distribution of  Sunrise Realty Trust’s common stock and a special cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, with the separation set for completion in mid-2024.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 3 hedge funds were bullish on AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG), compared to 7 funds in the prior quarter. John Overdeck and David Siegel’s Two Sigma Advisors is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 46,700 shares worth $561,801. Like VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI), Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT), and Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE), AFC Gamma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFCG) is one of the best REIT stocks. 11. Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 6Average Upside Potential: 26.8% PE Ratio as of March 5: 3.83Average Analyst Price Target: $10.69Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC) ranks 11th on our list of the most undervalued stocks. It is a real estate finance company operating in the United States. The company engages in the origination, acquisition, financing, and servicing of different types of loans, including small to medium balance commercial loans, small business administration loans, residential mortgage loans, construction loans, and mortgage-backed securities. On February 27, Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.26 and a revenue of $112.55 million, falling short of Wall Street estimates by $0.03 and $137.99 million, respectively. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 6 hedge funds were bullish on Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC), compared to 9 funds in the prior quarter. Dmitry Balyasny’s Balyasny Asset Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 1.32 million shares worth $13.5 million. 10. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11Average Upside Potential: 20%PE Ratio as of March 5: 17.07Average Analyst Price Target: $117.40Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR) specializes in acquiring, owning, and managing properties dedicated to regulated cannabis facilities. The company leases these properties to experienced, state-licensed operators. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR) has opted for real estate investment trust (REIT) taxation. It is one of the most undervalued stocks to invest in. On February 26, Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR) reported a Q4 FFO of $2.07 and a revenue of $79.16 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.05 and $2.68 million, respectively. Revenue for the quarter increased 12.3% year-over-year. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 11 hedge funds were long Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR), compared to 16 funds in the prior quarter. Stuart J. Zimmer’s Zimmer Partners is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 950,628 shares worth nearly $96 million. 9. Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14Average Upside Potential: 31.1%PE Ratio as of March 5: 18.25Average Analyst Price Target: $33.18Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI) is one of the most undervalued stocks in the REIT sector. The company is involved in investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure markets within the United States. The company's diverse portfolio includes equity investments, government and commercial receivables, real estate, and debt securities. On February 15, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI) declared a $0.415 per share quarterly dividend, a 5.1% increase from its prior dividend of $0.395. The dividend is to be paid on April 19, to shareholders on record as of April 5. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 14 hedge funds were bullish on Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI), compared to 17 funds in the last quarter. Philip Hempleman’s Ardsley Partners is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 781,750 shares worth $21.5 million. Aristotle Small/Mid Cap Equity Strategy made the following comment about Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI) in its first quarter 2023 investor letter:“Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI), a Maryland-based sustainable asset financing and investing company was added to the portfolio. We believe the company remains uniquely positioned to benefit as the demand for sustainable energy and infrastructure continues to grow. Additionally, we believe the company’s diverse portfolio, emphasis on proven technologies and long-term partnerships will result in less cyclical, lower risk, more predictable cash flows which can drive shareholder value in periods to come.”8. Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17Average Upside Potential: 18.23%PE Ratio as of March 5: 19.50Average Analyst Price Target: $23.28Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM) ranks 8th on our list of the most undervalued stocks. It is a real estate investment trust that operates open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers in North America. The company also holds a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets. On February 8, Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM) declared a $0.24 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 21, to shareholders on record as of March 7. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 17 hedge funds were bullish on Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM), compared to 16 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is the leading stakeholder of the company, with 5.2 million shares worth $111.28 million. Horizon Kinetics made the following comment about Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:“The return differential between land and the REIT model can be observed at another relatively long-lived company. The inherent economics of a business emerge with the benefit of time, which blurs the noise of quarterly and annual results. One of the oldest publicly traded REITs is Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM), which predates even Simon Property Group. 14 Kimco came public near year-end 1991, so it has a 30-plus year operating history. It has an $11 billion stock market value and is one of the 30 companies in the REIT sector of the S&P 500. The REIT sector has an aggregate market cap of $773 billion; this figure will be mentioned again very shortly.Kimco revenues have risen 10.7% annually since 1991, and flow of funds from operations have compounded at 11.2%. This is very creditable, as far as it goes…”(Click here to read the full text)7. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17Average Upside Potential: 20.3%PE Ratio as of March 5: 7.46Average Analyst Price Target: $15.17Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is an investment company focusing on a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes, with a commitment to distributing at least 90% of its taxable income to stockholders. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is one of the most undervalued stocks to invest in. On February 16, Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 15, to shareholders on record as of March 4. The company also reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.54 and a revenue of $103.58 million, exceeding Wall Street estimates by $0.09 and $5.93 million, respectively. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 17 hedge funds were bullish on Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), compared to 13 funds in the last quarter. Leon Cooperman’s Omega Advisors is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 2.38 million shares worth over $36 million. Silver Beech Capital made the following comment about Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:“Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR) is a small-capitalization mortgage REIT that primarily originates bridge multifamily and single-family home loans. Arbor also has in-house asset-light agency loan origination and mortgage servicing right segments that are a good strategic fit for properties that mature out of Arbor’s bridge multifamily loan program. Over the last decade, in part due to Arbor’s unique business combination and capital allocation strength, the company has earned among the highest returns on equity and shareholder returns in the mortgage REIT sector.On March 14, an unidentified short seller published a report that claimed Arbor had engaged in fraud by hiding toxic assets off-balance sheet, reporting fake revenues, and accused management of looting funds from the company, among several similar claims. The report’s claims were among the most extraordinary we have read in a short report and resulted in a dramatic decline in the company’s share price. Additionally, the report was released three days after Silicon Valley Bank was put into foreclosure by the FDIC. Investor fear and the short report drove selling, compounded by a Wall Street Journal article highlighting a multifamily loan to a distressed Houston project…” (Click here to read the full text)6. Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19Average Upside Potential: 10.95%PE Ratio as of March 5: 10.04Average Analyst Price Target: $12.05Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM) operates as an asset manager with a focus on real estate, credit, and financial services. Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM) qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes, making it exempt from federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to stockholders. On February 7, Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM) reported Q4 earnings that were less of a decline than anticipated. Additionally, the company announced new share repurchase programs for both common and preferred shares, with a total allocation of up to $300 million.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 19 hedge funds were long Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM), compared to 24 funds in the preceding quarter. Israel Englander’s Millennium Management is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 3.18 million shares worth $34 million. Like VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI), Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT), and Urban Edge Properties (NYSE:UE), Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM) is one of the most undervalued stocks in the REIT space.  Click to continue reading and see 5 Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To Analysts.  Suggested articles:13 Best Dividend Stocks For Rising Interest Rates15 Countries with Most Car Exports in the WorldJim Cramer’s Latest Lightning Round: 11 Stock Recommendations Disclosure: None. 12 Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To Analysts is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

12 Most Undervalued REIT Stocks To Buy According To Analysts

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/12-most-undervalued-reit-stocks-112758473.html

2cace6bc-6d96-3ed6-ba2b-5815cafd3341

KLAC

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 3 days. The ex-dividend date occurs one day before the record date which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Thus, you can purchase KLA's shares before the 15th of February in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 1st of March.The company's next dividend payment will be US$1.45 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$5.80 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, KLA stock has a trailing yield of around 0.9% on the current share price of US$649.80. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! As a result, readers should always check whether KLA has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for KLA Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Fortunately KLA's payout ratio is modest, at just 27% of profit. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. What's good is that dividends were well covered by free cash flow, with the company paying out 23% of its cash flow last year.It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously.Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.Story continueshistoric-dividendHave Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. That's why it's comforting to see KLA's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 31% per annum for the past five years. KLA is paying out less than half its earnings and cash flow, while simultaneously growing earnings per share at a rapid clip. Companies with growing earnings and low payout ratios are often the best long-term dividend stocks, as the company can both grow its earnings and increase the percentage of earnings that it pays out, essentially multiplying the dividend.The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. KLA has delivered 14% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years. It's exciting to see that both earnings and dividends per share have grown rapidly over the past few years.To Sum It UpIs KLA an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? KLA has been growing earnings at a rapid rate, and has a conservatively low payout ratio, implying that it is reinvesting heavily in its business; a sterling combination. Overall we think this is an attractive combination and worthy of further research.In light of that, while KLA has an appealing dividend, it's worth knowing the risks involved with this stock. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for KLA that we recommend you consider before investing in the business.Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) Looks Interesting, And It's About To Pay A Dividend

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kla-corporation-nasdaq-klac-looks-125010657.html

2fc1bbf8-7855-3d4f-acdd-99c6999c97d4

KLAC

MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC) today announced the webcast for an upcoming investor conference:Monday, March 4, 2024 - Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference at 12:40 p.m. PTThe live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations page of KLA's website at http://ir.kla.com/ and a replay of the webcast will be posted after the event.Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/806571/KLA_Corporation_Logo.jpgAbout KLA:KLA Corporation ("KLA") develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward. Investors and others should note that KLA announces material financial information including SEC filings, press releases, public earnings calls and conference webcasts using an investor relations website (ir.kla.com). Additional information may be found at: www.kla.com.CisionView original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kla-announces-upcoming-investor-webcast-302062311.htmlSOURCE KLA Corporation

PR Newswire

KLA Announces Upcoming Investor Webcast

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kla-announces-upcoming-investor-webcast-213000803.html

eaeefd76-9b43-39da-85c0-ae5499f7cc75

KMB

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 2nd of April to $1.22. This will take the dividend yield to an attractive 4.0%, providing a nice boost to shareholder returns. View our latest analysis for Kimberly-Clark Kimberly-Clark's Dividend Is Well Covered By EarningsImpressive dividend yields are good, but this doesn't matter much if the payments can't be sustained. The last payment made up 90% of earnings, but cash flows were much higher. Since the dividend is just paying out cash to shareholders, we care more about the cash payout ratio from which we can see plenty is being left over for reinvestment in the business.Over the next year, EPS is forecast to expand by 45.8%. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 65%, which would make us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend, despite the levels currently being quite high.historic-dividendKimberly-Clark Has A Solid Track RecordThe company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. The annual payment during the last 10 years was $3.24 in 2014, and the most recent fiscal year payment was $4.88. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 4.2% over that duration. Slow and steady dividend growth might not sound that exciting, but dividends have been stable for ten years, which we think makes this a fairly attractive offer.Kimberly-Clark Could Grow Its DividendThe company's investors will be pleased to have been receiving dividend income for some time. It's encouraging to see that Kimberly-Clark has been growing its earnings per share at 5.3% a year over the past five years. The payout ratio is very much on the higher end, which could mean that the growth rate will slow down in the future, and that could flow through to the dividend as well.Story continuesIn SummaryIn summary, while it's always good to see the dividend being raised, we don't think Kimberly-Clark's payments are rock solid. The company has been bring in plenty of cash to cover the dividend, but we don't necessarily think that makes it a great dividend stock. We don't think Kimberly-Clark is a great stock to add to your portfolio if income is your focus.Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For instance, we've picked out 3 warning signs for Kimberly-Clark that investors should take into consideration. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) Is Increasing Its Dividend To $1.22

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kimberly-clark-nyse-kmb-increasing-140741764.html

6875eacd-f2eb-35bf-8433-4c693351898a

KMB

In this piece we are going to look at 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024. If you want to skip and jump directly to the top countries on our list, you can go to 5 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.The global birth rate issue is a critical concern impacting countries worldwide. Over the past 70 years, there has been a significant decrease in birth rates across the nations. This trend is particularly evident in countries like China and South Korea, where birth rates have plummeted by over 80% since 1950. The decline in birth rates is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative implications.On the positive side, it signifies progress in socio-economic development. As countries advance and living standards improve, societal norms shift towards prioritizing education, career, and personal goals over starting families. This shift is empowered by factors such as enhanced opportunities for women, urbanization, and access to family planning services.However, the downside of declining birth rates cannot be ignored. One of the significant consequences is the rapidly aging population. With fewer children being born, the proportion of elderly individuals increases, straining social welfare systems, healthcare, and pension schemes. Additionally, a shrinking workforce due to declining birth rates may lead to labor shortages, skill gaps, and reduced economic productivity. It is evident that declining birth rates have far-reaching implications, impacting not only demographics but also the labor market and global economy. Urgent action and strategic planning are needed to address these challenges and ensure sustainable development in the face of a changing population landscape.By the end of this century, a worrying trend of declining populations may affect nearly every country worldwide. While advancements in healthcare and reduced poverty levels have resulted in increased life spans, the number of births per woman has significantly decreased. In the last five decades, the global fertility rate has dwindled by half to 2.3. In advanced economies, this rate falls below the critical replacement level of 2.1, necessary for population maintenance across generations. Developing nations are also witnessing a parallel decline in fertility rates. Immediate attention and action are imperative to understand and mitigate the implications of this demographic shift.Story continuesOn the other hand, in the United States, the birth rate has been steadily declining since the onset of the Great Recession, plunging by nearly 23% from 2007 to 2022. Presently, the typical American woman gives birth to approximately 1.6 children, a stark drop from the three children per woman in 1950 and well below the crucial "replacement rate" of 2.1 children required to maintain a stable population. Immediate attention is essential to grasp the implications of this concerning demographic shift.Let’s now look at some of the companies which are keeping their eyes on the birth rate trend globally, and adjusting their operations accordingly. We are going to discuss 3 such companies, namely, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG).Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) is a renowned innovator and international authority in the realm of reliable baby and child care products and brands, encompassing diapers, wipes, and training pants. In the quarter ending 31st December 2023, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) reported modest gains in their Personal Care sales, reaching $2.6 billion, marking a 2% increase. Noteworthy advancements in innovation, effective commercial strategies, and supply chain enhancements resulted in notable volume growth, especially in North America, where sales surged by 4%. Throughout 2023, Personal Care exhibited a 1% growth overall, with organic sales soaring by 5%, showcasing widespread growth across various region.Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a key indicator of the health sector's performance, reported total sales of $21.40 billion in the last quarter of 2023 ending 31 December, showing an impressive 7.3% increase from the corresponding quarter in 2022. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), the pharmaceutical industry leader, disclosed a net income of $4.13 billion, equating to $1.70 per share in the quarter, a notable increase from the prior year's net income of $3.23 billion, equivalent to $1.22 per share.The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), another personal care products manufacturer, revealed a rise in net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 ending 31 December 2023, reaching $21.4 billion, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. Organic sales, which exclude the impacts of foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestitures, saw a more significant surge of 4%. Despite a dip in diluted net earnings per share to $1.40, a 12% decrease from the prior year, attributed primarily to a non-cash impairment of the Gillette intangible asset, core net earnings per share surged to $1.84, marking a notable 16% increase compared to the previous year.15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024Freer/Shutterstock.comMethodology To come up with the list of 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024, we referred to The World Factbook list of countries with their birth rates – comparison of the average annual number of births of countries in a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. We took the birth rates for 2023 and 2022, respectively and then arrived at the percentage change between the two years’ rates, which provided us the basis for our ranking of 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.15 countries with declining birth rates in 202415. BelarusChange in Birth Rate: -5.3%15th on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is Belarus, which is witnessing a distressing record low in the number of births in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Justice, with just over 65,000 births recorded. This figure is alarmingly low, marking the lowest recorded in the country's history.14. North Korea Change in Birth Rate: -5.7%North Korea is facing a concerning trend, with the United Nations Population Fund reporting a fertility rate of 1.8 in 2023, reflecting a continuous decline in recent decades. Despite this decline, the fertility rate in North Korea remains higher than in some neighboring countries also experiencing a downward trend.13. FranceChange in Birth Rate: -6.5%In France, as of January 2023, the total population stands at 68.0 million, with a marginal increase of 0.3% in 2022. However, the number of births dropped significantly, with 723,000 babies born, 19,000 fewer than in 2021, resulting in its inclusion here in the list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024. After a brief rebound in 2021, births plummeted again in 2022, hitting a historical low. The total fertility rate in 2022 stood at 1.80 children per woman, down from 1.84 in 2021. This alarming trend requires immediate attention and action to address the implications for each respective country's demographics.12. IrelandChange in Birth Rate: -8.3%Ireland observed a decrease in births in 2022, with 57,540 babies born, marking a 1.5% decline compared to 2021. A stark contrast can be seen from a decade ago in 2012 when 71,674 children were born, despite a smaller population. The peak of the Celtic Tiger baby boom was in 2009, with 75,554 births that year.11. Republic of the CongoChange in Birth Rate: -8.6%In the Democratic Republic of Congo, cultural norms traditionally support large families, with recent surveys indicating that women desire an average of six children and men of seven. However, a shift is emerging in recent data trends.10. LiberiaChange in Birth Rate: -9.9%10th on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is Liberia. In Liberia, the government has been actively spearheading initiatives to reduce adolescent pregnancies and foster equal opportunities for girls. These efforts extend beyond the health sector, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these critical issues, resulting in the declining birth rate for the latest year.9. RussiaChange in Birth Rate: -10.1%Russia is currently grappling with its most severe demographic crisis in recent history, marked by a significant decline in births attributed to the prevailing uncertainty in the economic and political landscape. The demographic statistics are deeply concerning.In August 2023, a sharp 29% decrease in Russia's natural population during January-June 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was reported, plummeting from 383,800 to 272,500. The number of births also declined by 3%, falling from 635,200 to 616,200, and the number of deaths registered a substantial 12.8% drop from 1,019,000 to 888,700. Furthermore, the natural population decrease in 2022 exhibited a staggering 42.5% decline from 1,042,675 in 2021 to 599,616. Immediate action is imperative to address this critical demographic crisis in Russia.8. The BahamasChange in Birth Rate: -10.5%The Bahamas is experiencing a concerning rise in maternal mortality rates, with 77 women per 100,000 live births succumbing to pregnancy-related causes. This ratio has deteriorated from 61 in 2000 to 77 in 2020. Despite being lower than the regional average, these figures highlight a critical need for immediate attention to address maternal health challenges in The Bahamas. Maternal mortality ratio reflects the number of women lost due to pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births. Immediate action is essential to combat this alarming trend.7. ZimbabweChange in Birth Rate: -11.1%Zimbabwe, 7th country on our list of countries with declining birth rates in 2024, is facing a dire situation with one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates. Pregnant women are forced to take risky chances by resorting to home births. This decision is often driven by the insufficient funding and resources in government hospitals or the inability to afford medical costs. Additionally, cultural norms compel some women to accept home births conducted by untrained family or community individuals, further exacerbating the risks and challenges faced by expectant mothers. Immediate action is required to address these critical maternal health concerns in Zimbabwe.6. NorwayChange in Birth Rate: -13.3%In 2022, Norway recorded 51,480 newborns, a figure that may appear substantial but, in reality, signifies a significant decline in the country's fertility rate. The actual number of newborns also decreased significantly, with 4,500 fewer births compared to the previous year and 1,500 fewer than in 2020. Shockingly, among the women from the '1992 cohort' who reached the age of 30 in 2022, a striking 54% had not yet experienced childbirth. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need to address and understand the implications of declining birth rates in Norway.Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 countries with declining birth rates in 2024.Suggested Articles:20 Cities with Highest Elderly Population25 Countries with Highest Fertility Rates10 Most Effective Methods of Birth Control and Biggest Brands In This SpaceDisclosure: None. 15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 countries with declining birth rates in 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-countries-declining-birth-rates-171707716.html

51ba9e61-36b1-36f0-9832-7115cb0609f0

KMB

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 8, 2024 / For the Kotex® She Can Initiative, #ProgressFeelsLike everyone working together to end period stigmas and remove barriers to champion women and girls everywhere.On this International Women's Day, we're happy to announce a partnership with our Kotex® brand and She's the First to promote access to education in schools and communities and open doors for women and girls to gain equal opportunities.Since She Can's inception five years ago, Kotex® and its partners WASH United, Plan International and Girl Up have impacted 100 million lives globally around menstrual hygiene management, access and education and fighting period stigmas. We're excited that She's the First has joined the Kotex® mission, and we're looking forward to seeing the advancements we make together for women and girls.About Kimberly-Clark:Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies(R) by Ethisphere for the fifth year in a row. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Kimberly-Clark Corporation on 3blmedia.com.Contact Info:Spokesperson: Kimberly-Clark CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/kimberly-clark-corporationEmail: [email protected] continuesSOURCE: Kimberly-Clark CorporationView the original press release on accesswire.com

ACCESSWIRE

Kotex(R), She’s the First Announce Partnership to Champion Women and Girls

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kotex-r-she-first-announce-205500982.html

e5262675-8b77-3045-8e9c-2674a3780e37

KMB

In the latest trading session, Kimberly-Clark (KMB) closed at $126.78, marking a +0.9% move from the previous day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.12%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.41%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the maker of consumer products such as Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissue had gained 4.87% over the past month. This has outpaced the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 0.25% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7% in that time.Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Kimberly-Clark in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.59, showcasing a 4.79% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $5.05 billion, down 2.81% from the year-ago period.KMB's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $6.83 per share and revenue of $20.41 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +3.96% and -0.1%, respectively.Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Kimberly-Clark. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.02% decrease. Right now, Kimberly-Clark possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesLooking at valuation, Kimberly-Clark is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 18.4. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 18.25, which means Kimberly-Clark is trading at a premium to the group.Also, we should mention that KMB has a PEG ratio of 3.95. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The average PEG ratio for the Consumer Products - Staples industry stood at 2.04 at the close of the market yesterday.The Consumer Products - Staples industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 155, this industry ranks in the bottom 39% of all industries, numbering over 250.The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Advances While Market Declines: Some Information for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kimberly-clark-kmb-advances-while-220020908.html

427c1c3a-aa6b-37e1-a06f-c27cb1504b0a

KMI

Investors with an interest in Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines stocks have likely encountered both Kinder Morgan (KMI) and Pembina Pipeline (PBA). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.Kinder Morgan has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Pembina Pipeline has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that KMI is likely seeing its earnings outlook improve to a greater extent. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.KMI currently has a forward P/E ratio of 14.45, while PBA has a forward P/E of 15.54. We also note that KMI has a PEG ratio of 4.82. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. PBA currently has a PEG ratio of 5.18.Another notable valuation metric for KMI is its P/B ratio of 1.21. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, PBA has a P/B of 1.90.Story continuesBased on these metrics and many more, KMI holds a Value grade of B, while PBA has a Value grade of C.KMI sticks out from PBA in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that KMI is the better option right now.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPembina Pipeline Corp. (PBA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

KMI or PBA: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kmi-pba-better-value-stock-164014569.html

88fd5d88-c9ea-3585-98b6-06ec90458907

KMI

Kinder Morgan (KMI) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Kinder Morgan basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.For Kinder Morgan, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.Story continuesHarnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>.Earnings Estimate Revisions for Kinder MorganThis oil and natural gas pipeline and storage company is expected to earn $1.19 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2024, which represents a year-over-year change of 11.2%.Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Kinder Morgan. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.2%.Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of 'buy' and 'sell' ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a 'Strong Buy' rating and the next 15% get a 'Buy' rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>The upgrade of Kinder Morgan to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Kinder Morgan (KMI) Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kinder-morgan-kmi-upgraded-buy-170010908.html

5498497e-3522-3313-9af9-77fceb177d1a

KMI

The U.S. stock market is currently at all-time highs, which has been a joy for investors. But nothing lasts forever, and sell-offs are a normal part of long-term investing. Instead of panicking, treat sell-offs like an opportunity to buy great companies at lower prices.Buying dividend stocks at lower prices means starting with higher yields and generating more passive income with your money. Here are four fabulous dividend energy stocks as prime buys that can put lots of cash in your pocket.When prices fall, buy these four energy stocks. You'll have North America's energy infrastructure covered.1. NextEra EnergyFossil fuels aren't going away anytime soon, but renewable energy has steadily contributed more to America's electric grid. NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is one of the world's largest green energy producers and the largest electric utility business in the United States. Growth in renewable energy has fostered big investment returns. Since going public, NextEra has beaten the S&P 500.The company is also an excellent dividend growth stock. The payout has increased for 30 years, and investors get a solid 3.7% starting yield.The best part? Its dividend growth. Management has raised the dividend by an average of 11% annually over the past five years and is guiding for 10% increases through at least this year. That makes NextEra a dividend growth stock you want to snap up whenever the price dips.2. ExxonMobilEnergy giant ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) explores for, refines, and sells energy products worldwide. The company's premier assets in the Permian Basin and Guyana will serve as ExxonMobil's foundation for fossil fuel production. Additionally, ExxonMobil has invested in other areas, including carbon capture and lithium mining, to diversify itself.Financially, ExxonMobil is rock-solid with just $6 billion in net (total minus cash) long-term debt. The company has paid and raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years, enduring the industry's down cycles, recessions, and a pandemic. Investors can confidently grab the stock and enjoy its starting 3.5% yield. Management is repurchasing $40 billion of shares over the next two years, a sign of confidence in the business.Story continues3. EnbridgeOil and gas must move from where they are extracted to refineries and exports. This doesn't happen by itself. Midstream companies like Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) own vast networks of pipelines and storage to make this possible.Enbridge is one of North America's largest energy companies. Its network of pipelines spans thousands of miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It also operates renewable energy projects and a natural gas utility business.Enbridge acts like a toll booth, making money on fees when oil and gas flow through its lines. That makes the business less volatile, and the utility business also helps create dependable revenue streams.Enbridge has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years, a testament to its business model. Additionally, investors get a high starting yield of 7.4%. The payout ratio is manageable at 81%, so investors can feel reasonably confident in it despite its abnormally high yield.4. Kinder MorganA peer of Enbridge's, Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) is a pipeline company that transports natural gas, oil, and other materials through a network that spans over 80,000 miles and covers most of the United States. Natural gas is Kinder Morgan's primary business. It moves an estimated 40% of America's natural gas production flowing through its system at some point, which makes it a crucial component of U.S. energy. The company has paid and raised its dividend for the past seven years.Today, the dividend payout ratio is healthy at 61% of Kinder Morgan's cash flow. Additionally, management believes that U.S. demand for natural gas will grow by 19% by 2030, and liquified natural gas and Mexican exports, where Kinder Morgan's lines run, will nearly double from current levels. That creates a backdrop for potential growth over the coming years, making Kinder Morgan a dividend stock worth scooping up at its hefty starting yield of 6.3%.Should you invest $1,000 in NextEra Energy right now?Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NextEra Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.4 Supercharged Dividend Stocks to Buy if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

4 Supercharged Dividend Stocks to Buy if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-supercharged-dividend-stocks-buy-131600987.html

7550ecfb-1049-3e90-bc76-e3ef1b56b44c

KMI

In the latest market close, Kinder Morgan (KMI) reached $17.97, with a +0.79% movement compared to the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.11%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.12%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.41%.The oil and natural gas pipeline and storage company's shares have seen an increase of 7.34% over the last month, surpassing the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 3.56% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Kinder Morgan in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.32, marking a 6.67% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $4.26 billion, showing a 9.62% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $1.17 per share and a revenue of $16.8 billion, indicating changes of +9.35% and +9.54%, respectively, from the former year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Kinder Morgan. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability.Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.85% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Kinder Morgan currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn the context of valuation, Kinder Morgan is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 15.27. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 15.46 for its industry.It's also important to note that KMI currently trades at a PEG ratio of 5.09. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry had an average PEG ratio of 4.37.The Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 174, which puts it in the bottom 31% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportKinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Kinder Morgan (KMI) Advances While Market Declines: Some Information for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kinder-morgan-kmi-advances-while-215016747.html

6113b38b-ec7f-3a45-9ec6-477f874b201b

KMX

CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) saw a decent share price growth of 14% on the NYSE over the last few months. Shareholders may appreciate the recent price jump, but the company still has a way to go before reaching its yearly highs again. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock’s share price. But what if there is still an opportunity to buy? Today we will analyse the most recent data on CarMax’s outlook and valuation to see if the opportunity still exists. View our latest analysis for CarMax Is CarMax Still Cheap?According to our price multiple model, where we compare the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average, the stock currently looks expensive. We’ve used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because there’s not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stock’s ratio of 22.8x is currently well-above the industry average of 14.71x, meaning that it is trading at a more expensive price relative to its peers. But, is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since CarMax’s share price is quite volatile, this could mean it can sink lower (or rise even further) in the future, giving us another chance to invest. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.What does the future of CarMax look like?earnings-and-revenue-growthFuture outlook is an important aspect when you’re looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it’s the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. CarMax's earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 95%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.Story continuesWhat This Means For YouAre you a shareholder? It seems like the market has well and truly priced in KMX’s positive outlook, with shares trading above industry price multiples. At this current price, shareholders may be asking a different question – should I sell? If you believe KMX should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards the industry PE ratio can be profitable. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed.Are you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping tabs on KMX for some time, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. The price has surpassed its industry peers, which means it is likely that there is no more upside from mispricing. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for KMX, which means it’s worth diving deeper into other factors in order to take advantage of the next price drop.If you'd like to know more about CarMax as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. For example - CarMax has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.If you are no longer interested in CarMax, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

At US$71.88, Is It Time To Put CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) On Your Watch List?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-71-88-time-put-100709536.html

b3a2a7fa-230e-37de-8ef6-a6a1e33d297b

KMX

In this article, we discuss 13 best car stocks to invest in. If you want to skip our discussion on the auto industry, head over to 5 Best Car Stocks To Buy Right Now. Fitch Ratings' 2024 outlook for the global auto manufacturing and supply sector is neutral. Fitch forecasts improved supply chains boosting global vehicle production, but overall sales are expected to be hindered due to less robust economic conditions, particularly in the US and China. Fitch predicts a 4% increase in global sales and production in 2024. Fitch also foresees slower economic growth and higher interest rates impacting overall vehicle demand in 2024. Despite this, the existence of pent-up demand resulting from years of industry underproduction is likely to bolster sales. The normalization of vehicle pricing and product mix is expected to attract customers who were previously priced out of the market. Vehicle production has been operating at or slightly above recessionary levels for nearly three years. While Fitch does not anticipate a sales decline, sales are expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels. S&P Global Mobility predicts 88.3 million new vehicle sales globally in 2024, anticipating a 2.8% year-over-year increase in global new light vehicle sales. The recovery in light vehicle output continues, driven by supply chain improvements and recovering demand, particularly from pent-up consumer demand. However, S&P Global Mobility expresses caution about the recovery's sustainability due to challenges such as elevated vehicle pricing, difficult credit and lending conditions, and consumer confidence fluctuations. The forecast takes into account factors like persistent interest rates, supply chain improvements, affordability issues, high vehicle prices, varying consumer confidence, concerns about energy prices and supply, auto lending risks, and challenges associated with ongoing electrification efforts. Colin Couchman, executive director of global light vehicle forecasting for S&P Global Mobility, commented: Story continues"2024 is expected to be another year of cagey recovery, with the auto industry moving beyond clear supply-side risks, into a murkier macro-led demand environment. A major concern is how 'natural' EV demand will fare as governments consider scaling back interventionist policy support - especially for incentives and subsidies, industrial policy, and OEM planning targets."In 2024, the automotive industry is experiencing shifts in trends. The electrification of vehicles, a dominant theme, faces a reality check as consumer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in North America slows down, signaling a more extended journey for widespread acceptance. Meanwhile, autonomous technologies are advancing, with Level 3 conditional driving automation being adopted on certain vehicles. Chinese and Indian automakers are making strides in international markets like the EU, US, and Africa, challenging established brands like Toyota and Volkswagen. Economic uncertainties are influencing consumer spending, leading to increased demand for used cars and extended ownership of existing vehicles. The car-as-a service (CaaS) model is emerging as an alternative to traditional leasing, offering subscription-based programs with potential long-term commitments. Additionally, micro-mobility, represented by electric scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes, is gaining popularity as a cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation for short urban trips. These trends collectively signify a transformative period in the automotive industry.Investors looking to put their money in the automotive sector can buy stocks like General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F). Our Methodology We chose the top auto stocks based on overall hedge fund sentiment toward each stock. We have assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of 933 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). 13 Best Car Stocks To Buy Right NowA modern car on a highway, its wheels reflecting the setting sun.Best Car Stocks To Buy Right Now13. Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) is an American automotive retailer that provides new and used vehicles, vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts, and collision repair services. On February 8, Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $7.12, missing market consensus by $0.47. The revenue climbed 2.7% year-over-year to $3.8 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $100 million. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 33 hedge funds were bullish on Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG), compared to 30 funds in the prior quarter. David Abrams’ Abrams Capital Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 2.10 million shares worth $474.35 million. Like General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) is one of the best auto stocks to monitor. Bonhoeffer Capital Management stated the following regarding Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“Our broadcast TV franchises, leasing, building products distributors and dealerships, plastic packaging, and roll-on roll-off (“RORO”) shipping fall into this category. One trend we find particularly compelling in these firms is growth creation through acquisitions, which provides synergies and operational leverage associated with vertical and horizontal consolidation. The increased cash flow from acquisitions and subsequent synergies are used to repay the debt and repurchase stock; and the process is repeated. This strategy’s effectiveness is dependent upon a spread between borrowing interest rates and the cash returns from the core business and acquisitions. Over the past 12 months, interest rates have been increasing, which has reduced the economics of this strategy; but a large spread still exists if assets can be purchased at the right price. Increasing interest rates have affected the returns on public LBO firms. Some firms have been reducing debt to reduce the impact of higher rates on earnings.Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG), a US-based automobile dealer group, a portfolio holding, is an example of a private LBO. Given Asbury’s current valuation of an 18% earnings yield and, more importantly, a five-year forward earnings yield of 38%, buybacks are accretive. Management has developed a long-term plan that includes acquisitions and operational leverage from internet sales and prepaid service plans. The net income annual growth is expected to be 25% over the next two years based upon management’s plan. Holding the current modest 6 times multiple of earnings constant, the rate of earnings growth implies a 25% total return…” (Click here to read the full text)12. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is a global company involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles, light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is one of the best auto stocks to buy. On February 15, Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) declared a €1.55 per share annual dividend, a 15.7% increase from its prior dividend of €1.34. The dividend is payable on May 3, to shareholders on record as of April 23. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) also plans to implement a €3 billion open-market share buyback program in 2024. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 33 hedge funds were long Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA), compared to 27 funds in the prior quarter. Karthik Sarma’s SRS Investment Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 8.4 million shares worth $197.4 million.Miller Value Partners Income Strategy made the following comment about Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:“We initiated a starter position in Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA), which makes Jeep, Dodge and Fiat cars. The company has a nearly 8% dividend yield with enough net cash (cash minus debt) on the balance sheet to cover the dividend for almost five years. The company trades at 1.7x operating profits, which means the market is already expecting a likely drop in cash flow. Still, the shares appear to be worth meaningfully more than where they trade, and management is heavily aligned with stockholders with a 14% stake. They share our view that the valuation is compelling, as the company plans on repurchasing ~3% of shares outstanding this year.”11. Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and supplying digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass, and fire protection products globally. On January 26, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX) reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.50 and a revenue of $589.1 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.05 and $26.93 million, respectively. Revenue for the quarter increased 19.3% compared to the same period last year. The revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 incorporated one-time cost recoveries of around $5 million.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 33 hedge funds were bullish on Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ:GNTX), compared to 32 funds in the prior quarter. John W. Rogers’ Ariel Investments is the leading stakeholder of the company, with 6.5 million shares worth $214 million. Here is what Ariel Fund & Ariel Appreciation Fund has to say about Gentex Corporation  in its Q3 2021 investor letter:“During the quarter, we added leading supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors for the automotive industry, Gentex Corporation (GNTX), to Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund. With over 90% market share and a long history of technological innovation and manufacturing capability, the company consistently outgrows the broader industry, produces best-in-class operating margins, and generates attractive free cash flows. Recently, the stock has underperformed due to broad-based supply chain concerns and the disruption of global automotive production. We view these worries as overblown and see this as an opportunity to own a high-quality, niche franchise with excellent and improving growth prospects, well-positioned to benefit from growing market adoption of its essential technologies.”10. AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) is an American automotive retailer operating through three segments – Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. AutoNation provides a variety of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles, automotive repair and maintenance, wholesale parts, collision services, and automotive finance and insurance products. It is one of the best auto stocks to watch. On February 13, AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $5.02 and a revenue of $6.8 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.15 and $120 million, respectively. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 34 hedge funds were bullish on AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN), compared to 38 funds in the last quarter. Anand Parekh’s Alyeska Investment Group is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 604,684 shares worth $90.8 million. Here is what Bonhoeffer Capital Management has to say about AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:“AutoNation has followed an organic growth and buyback strategy versus a consolidation strategy. All of the firms have had a reduction in PE over the last 10 years. The question is: will these historical trends continue? There is a large TAM for continued consolidation, and given the PEs (6-8x earnings) today, buybacks will be accretive to all of these firms. I think the historical trends are intact and will continue into the future; thus, I am bullish on growth for the consolidation-focused automobile dealers.”9. Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) is engaged in the design, development, engineering, manufacturing, and supply of automotive seating, electrical distribution systems, and related components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry. Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) ranks 9th on our list of the best auto stocks. On February 20, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 27, to shareholders on record as of March 8. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 34 hedge funds were bullish on Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA), compared to 32 funds in the earlier quarter. Richard S. Pzena’s Pzena Investment Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 6.25 million shares worth over $833 million. Diamond Hill Capital Mid Cap Strategy made the following comment about Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) in its Q2 2023 investor letter:“As markets have risen, we have been cautious about deploying cash. That said, we are still finding attractive values in the market and capitalized on attractive entry points to initiate three new positions in Q2: Ferguson, SBA Communications Corp and Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA).Lear is a leading manufacturer of global automotive seating and is end-market agnostic to the ICE/EV (internal combustion engine to electric vehicles) secular shift. Lear has a stable business with attractive cash-generation capabilities. A recent market selloff allowed us to establish a market position at an attractive discount to our estimate of intrinsic value.”8. Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) is a global luxury performance sports car manufacturer that engages in the design, engineering, production, and sale of various car models, including special series, limited edition supercars, and track cars. It is one of the best auto stocks to monitor. On February 1, Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of Є1.62 and a revenue of Є1.52 billion, up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Shipments for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled 3,245 units, reflecting a 2% decrease compared to the same period in 2022.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 34 hedge funds were bullish on Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE), compared to 31 funds in the earlier quarter. Paul Marshall and Ian Wace’s Marshall Wace LLP is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 345,009 shares worth $116.3 million. Ensemble Capital made the following comment about Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:“Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) (+26.48%): The luxury automaker’s long awaited Purosangue, their first four door, four seater vehicle, has proven so popular that the company announced that they have ceased accepting new orders as they are sold out through all of this year and into 2024. The Purosangue is designed not as a copycat sports utility vehicle that many other luxury automakers sell, but as a true Ferrari car that their devoted fan base can use for more practical transportation needs. Since the average Ferrari is only driven a few thousand miles a year or less, they are best understood as mechanical works of art rather than a means of transportation. But with the introduction of the Purosangue, Ferrari enthusiasts will have a vehicle that meets transportation needs, while still delivering the extremely high end experience that you would expect from a car that costs about $500,000.”7. Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV) specializes in the development, manufacturing, and supply of passive safety systems for the automotive industry globally. It is one of the top auto stocks to invest in. In Q4 2023, Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV) achieved significantly improved profitability attributed to price increases, organic growth, and cost-cutting measures. The net income per share reached $3.74, more than doubling the figure reported in the previous year. On February 20, Autoliv declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on March 27, to shareholders on record as of March 12. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 35 hedge funds were bullish on Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV), compared to 37 funds in the prior quarter. Christer Gardell and Lars Forberg’s Cevian Capital is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 6.3 million shares worth $694 million. 6. CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) is a used vehicle retailer in the United States, operating through two segments – CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance. The company sells a variety of used vehicles, including domestic, imported, luxury, hybrid, and electric vehicles. On December 21, 2023, CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) reported a Q3 GAAP EPS of $0.52, beating market estimates by $0.11. The revenue of $6.1 billion, however, fell short of Street consensus by $200 million. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 38 hedge funds were bullish on CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX), compared to 35 funds in the last quarter. Ric Dillon’s Diamond Hill Capital is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 6.7 million shares worth over $514 million. CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) ranks 6th on our list of the best auto stocks, along with hedge fund favorites like General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F).Madison Mid Cap Fund stated the following regarding CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“The bottom five detractors for the quarter were Arch Capital Group, Liberty Broadband, Brown & Brown, Markel Group, and CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX). Finally, shares in CarMax were volatile in the quarter, but ended up lagging the index as investors continue to wait for stabilization in the weak used car market.” Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Car Stocks To Buy Right Now.  Suggested articles:12 Best Gold Mining Companies to Invest In According to Analysts13 High Growth Penny Stocks That Are Profitable13 Largest Refineries in the US Disclosure: None. 13 Best Car Stocks To Buy Right Now is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

13 Best Car Stocks To Buy Right Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-best-car-stocks-buy-193413571.html

57a15d87-57fe-3082-be9b-93243258f5db

KMX

Carvana (NYSE:CVNA), which operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the U.S., has seen its market value increase by a staggering 802% in the last 12 months. On the back of these gains, Carvana stock looks overvalued today despite the improving fundamentals. Carvana still enjoys a long runway to grow, but this expected growth seems priced in already. I am bearish on Carvana stock, as I believe the company’s valuation has detached from its economic reality.Slowing Growth Is Compensated by Improving ProfitabilityIn Fiscal 2023, Carvana’s revenue declined by 21% year-over-year to $10.77 billion. This decline in revenue does not come as a surprise, given that growth decelerated from 129% in 2021 to just 6% in 2022. However, in contrast to a company that is losing revenue because of macroeconomic developments out of its control, Carvana’s revenue losses are primarily stemming from its strategic decision to focus on profitable growth.More than a year ago, the company pledged to focus on improving the unit economics of the business by growing the gross profit generated per used car sold (also known as gross profit per unit or GPU). In 2023, GPU reached $5,984, a notable improvement from around $2,000 in 2022. This eclipsed the previous high of around $4,600 registered in 2021 as well. Adjusted EBITDA per unit, which is a strong indicator of the company’s cash-flow generating ability, improved by more than $900 in 2023 as well.In 2023, CVNA’s adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 3.1% from a negative 7.7% in 2022, highlighting the effectiveness of Carvana’s new strategy, which is centered around profitability targets.This strategy involved a focus on reducing costs, enhancing the efficiency of the used vehicle purchasing process, employing sophisticated data analytics for pricing and credit risk evaluation, and maximizing the utilization of existing infrastructure to minimize additional capital outlays. These measures all played a part in improving the operational efficiency of the business last year.Story continuesCarvana seems to be enjoying certain competitive advantages stemming from its vertical integration efforts that enable the company to have greater control over the business process. Carvana manages all parts of the customer journey, including buying, reconditioning, selling, and financing used vehicles.The Debt Problem PersistsIn 2023, Carvana took decisive steps to reduce its debt burden. After initiating debt exchange offers with bondholders, the company successfully converted a portion of its unsecured debt into secured notes, thereby extending maturities and reducing total debt by approximately $1.3 billion. Even more importantly, the company was able to reduce its short-term interest expenditure by around $455 million for the next two years.With a reduced short-term debt burden, Carvana can now afford to redirect its resources to other initiatives to maximize profitability and cash flows. These measures include improving the customer experience, which could likely turn out to be a differentiator between Carvana and its competitors.The company, according to management, has eliminated $1.1 billion of annualized expenses since 2022 by reducing its headcount by more than 4,000 and using AI to streamline several business processes, including vehicle reconditioning.Despite these positive developments on the debt reduction front, Carvana still carries $5.2 billion in long-term debt. If challenging macroeconomic conditions limit Carvana’s cash-flow generating ability this year, its debt problem will once again resurface, potentially deteriorating the investor sentiment toward the company.According to Cox Automotive, in 2023, sales of used vehicles in the U.S. came in ahead of expectations and ended with a decline of 3% year-over-year. The continued shortage of new vehicle supply drove this outperformance, but the used vehicle market is expected to move toward normalcy, with easing chip shortages enabling auto manufacturers to double down on new vehicle launches.If the used vehicle market softens this year, Carvana may face difficulties in growing retail sales, which, in turn, will negatively reflect on its adjusted EBITDA. Any hit to the expected cash flows this year – even if they prove to be temporary – will likely have a negative impact on its market value.Valuation Comparison: Carvana vs. CarMaxCarvana is currently valued at a price-to-sales multiple of 0.82 compared to 0.43 for CarMax (NYSE:KMX), which is one of the most established players in the used car market in the United States. CarMax is a much larger business, with revenue of over $28 billion in the last 12 months. Even more importantly, CarMax has been consistently profitable in the last decade in complete contrast to Carvana, which is still trying to generate positive GAAP net income on a consistent basis.While it’s true that Carvana has been growing at faster rates than CarMax, this valuation disparity between the two companies deserves scrutiny.Is Carvana Stock a Buy, According to Analysts?Earlier this month, Hedgeye listed Carvana as one of its top short ideas, citing 50% downside risk in the next 18 months. Hedgeye analyst Brian McGough believes Carvana’s highly leveraged balance sheet may bring about the downfall of the company at a time when the macroeconomic environment is proving to be challenging.BTIG, in contrast, identified Carvana stock as a potential winner of a short squeeze opportunity a couple of weeks ago, with short interest rising to as much as 33% of the company’s float back then. After digesting the firm’s fourth-quarter earnings, Raymond James upgraded Carvana based on rosy expectations for adjusted EBITDA this year.Overall, based on the ratings of 15 Wall Street analysts, the average Carvana stock price target is $51.45, which implies downside risk of 31.8% from the current market price.The Takeaway: Carvana Is Too Risky Despite Recent ProgressCarvana made a strong comeback in 2023 with a fresh focus on profitability. In addition, the company successfully addressed bankruptcy concerns by restructuring some of its debt to extend maturities. While the recent progress deserves credit, Carvana seems expensively valued today on the back of a stellar stock market performance in the last 12 months.Disclosure

TipRanks

Carvana Stock (NYSE:CVNA): Overvalued Despite Improving Financials

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/carvana-stock-nyse-cvna-overvalued-062026395.html

53fd4287-aa04-3508-b7be-44e4e7e6f26b

KMX

Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.The earnings figure itself is key, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb even higher.2 Stocks to Add to Your WatchlistThe Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. CarMax (KMX) earns a Zacks Rank #3 right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.50 a share, just 29 days from its upcoming earnings release on April 9, 2024.CarMax's Earnings ESP sits at 11.42%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.50 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.45.KMX is part of a big group of Retail-Wholesale stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at TJX (TJX) as well.TJX, which is readying to report earnings on May 15, 2024, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently $0.87 a share, and TJX is 65 days out from its next earnings report.For TJX, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.86 is 0.13%.Story continuesKMX and TJX's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportCarMax, Inc. (KMX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportThe TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Want Better Returns? Don't Ignore These 2 Retail-Wholesale Stocks Set to Beat Earnings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/want-better-returns-dont-ignore-130005338.html

247074ce-41b5-334b-b0f1-cad56c1b62c2

KO

Sure, Coca-Cola's (NYSE: KO) most famous drinks are its eponymous colas in various flavors and packaging. But Coca-Cola has a brand assortment with 200 labels that you may or may not realize are owned the by largest beverage company in the world. And some of them are the top names in their own categories.Coca-Cola has the best ... water?Coca-Cola operates six distinct beverage segments in its non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink business. These include sparkling soft drinks; juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages; water, sports, coffee, and tea; energy drinks; hot beverages; and emerging.You likely drink or at least know of Coca-Cola sparkling labels, such as Sprite and Fresca, and some of its juices, like Minute Maid. Dasani, the top-selling water brand in the world, also falls under its umbrella.Image source: StatistaCoca-Cola's business thrives on two key operating principles: Coca-Cola and other signature brands bring in the cash, while newer innovations bring in the growth. Coca-Cola the brand is still growing and accounts for significant volume but not the majority. The company needs the contributions from its other brands that keep Coca-Cola at the top of its game and in the leading position in the beverage industry.The company introduced Dasani in 1999, and over the past 24 years, it has become the top-selling water brand in the world. It also owns SmartWater and AHA.Bringing you the best in beverages and dividendsDasani's leading position in water isn't insurmountable, but it's strong. Coca-Cola has an unmatched distribution network and robust marketing machine that keep it in stores and on customers' minds, leading to high sales and profits. The company uses the proceeds to fund new brands and ideas that can become the next Fresca or Dasani, and it uses lots of its cash to keep shareholders happy with its famous dividend.Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now?Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:Story continuesThe Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of February 26, 2024Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Like Bottled Water? You Might Love Coca-Cola Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Like Bottled Water? You Might Love Coca-Cola Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bottled-water-might-love-coca-163000672.html

33c269a3-4a72-3d6f-97e1-35c0930ca199

KO

This story was first published on the Benzinga India portal.This week, the Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is making a significant move by sending a 220-member leadership team to India, led by its global chairman and CEO, James Quincey.Why it matters? India’s young and expanding population presents a ripe opportunity for Coca-Cola to broaden its reach. According to an Economic Times report, the team is set to meet government officials and engage with bottling partners, who are instrumental in Coca-Cola’s operations in India, handling nearly half of its bottling business. These partners are vital as they bring in the investment needed for the business’s growth.See also: Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg May Attend Anant Ambani's WeddingExecutives highlighted India’s growing importance to Coca-Cola’s global strategy, citing strong earnings in the past two years and ongoing investments to increase capacity. The focus is on ensuring that growth is accompanied by profitability.Efforts to expand: Adding to its innovative efforts, Coca-Cola India ventured into the domestic alcohol market last December with Lemon-Dou, a global alcoholic beverage, starting pilot tests in select Indian states. Furthermore, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd (HCCB), a Coca-Cola subsidiary, is optimizing its supply chain in northern India by transferring bottling operations across three territories, aiming for streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency.Read Next: Adani And Uber Team Up For Large-Scale EV Adoption In India: Report"ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now!Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?COCA-COLA (KO): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article Coca Cola CEO James Quincey Spearheads India Mission For Market Dominance originally appeared on Benzinga.com© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Benzinga

Coca Cola CEO James Quincey Spearheads India Mission For Market Dominance

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coca-cola-ceo-james-quincey-074357420.html

98232f76-8034-35e2-ad9b-58eb3101eccf

KO

Generating steady streams of passive income, no matter what the market is doing, is one of the simplest, low-stress ways to compound wealth over time. Investors regularly turn to companies with long track records of dividend raises. A particularly elite cohort is Dividend Kings, which have paid and raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.Supporting a gradually rising dividend payment requires earnings growth, a strong balance sheet, and the ability to endure downturns and recessions. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) have these qualities in spades.With an average yield of 2.63% among the three companies, investing $19,000 in each stock should produce $1,500 in passive income per year -- and likely more in subsequent years, considering these companies have raised their dividends every year for decades.Here's why all three Dividend Kings are worth buying now.Image source: Getty Images.This is how you operate an industrial conglomerateLook no further than Illinois Tool Works for a near-perfect dividend stock. Commonly known as ITW, the company has put on an operational clinic by streamlining its business and achieving high margin, gradual growth.Over the last decade, ITW has increased its dividend by 233%, raised its earnings by 139%, grown its operating margin to above 25%, and reduced its outstanding share count by 29% thanks to stock buybacks.ITW Operating Margin (TTM) ChartThis is exactly what you want to see from a quality dividend stock. The dividend is steadily rising over time, the shares outstanding are slowly going down, and there's even margin expansion, which shows the business is improving in quality.Not all Dividend Kings can repurchase stock and grow the dividend. ITW can do this because it operates seven highly successful segments, achieving diversification across cyclical industries. If it were too concentrated in a single industry, it would be far more challenging to steadily return capital to shareholders. ITW is trading near an all-time high, but it's a great business worth considering owning a piece of for the long term.Story continuesP&G's margin is the difference between a good and an outstanding dividend stockDespite being in a completely different industry, P&G is a similar investment to ITW. P&G has done an excellent job raising the dividend, buying back stock, and boosting its margin.PG Operating Margin (TTM) ChartP&G hasn't repurchased stock or raised its dividend at nearly the pace of ITW. But that's mainly because ITW, as an industrial conglomerate, has more growth opportunities than P&G, which is a low-growth, stodgy consumer staples company.Still, P&G's margin expansion is in a league of its own. The strategic shift came between fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2017 when P&G reduced its brand count from 170 to 65 and its product categories from 16 to 10. By focusing on its best brands (quality) instead of quantity, P&G has streamlined its supply chain and unlocked consistent pricing power. Its pricing power came in clutch over the last few years, as P&G was able to offset higher input costs due to inflation. Here's a look at P&G's operating margin compared to similar companies.PG Operating Margin (TTM) ChartHaving a high operating margin may not sound like a big deal. However, it can mean the difference between supporting sizable dividend raises and buybacks or maybe only negligible buybacks. P&G earned $14.8 billion in trailing-12-month (TTM) net income, spent $9.09 billion on dividends, and paid $3.9 billion on buybacks. It had repurchased $7.4 billion in stock in fiscal 2023 and plans to buy back $5 billion to $6 billion in fiscal 2024. So, some of its stock buybacks were front-loaded at the beginning of the last fiscal year, which is why the TTM buybacks look lower.P&G is funding a massive dividend program and needs the high margins to support a sizable buyback program. This quality is what separates P&G from the competition.Get a high yield from Coca-ColaCoke hasn't reduced its outstanding share count at nearly the rates of ITW and P&G. But it does have a higher yield, now at 3.3% thanks to its recent dividend raise.Coke has raised its dividend at a faster rate than P&G. And despite being a smaller company, it is now paying nearly as much in dividends, with $8 billion in TTM dividends paid compared to $9.1 for P&G. Coke also has incredibly impressive margins for a beverage maker. For comparison, PepsiCo's margin is just 14.1% -- just half of Coke's margin.KO Operating Margin (TTM) ChartCoke is one of the most reliable pure-play dividend stocks out there. While Coke has been and will probably continue to underperform in a market fueled by growth stocks, it does offer less downside risk than many companies. Of course, any stock could go to $0. But Coke has a recession-resilient business that tends to do well no matter the economic cycle.In this vein, investing in Coke isn't necessarily about beating the market but preserving capital and generating passive income. It's a good pick if you are nearing retirement or are in retirement but may be unsuitable for investors early into their journeys or that have a high risk tolerance.The through lineA common theme among ITW, P&G, and Coke is that they are high-margin, high-quality businesses that directly reward shareholders. But the market knows it. ITW and P&G both have price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios over 26.6, while Coke has a 24 P/E. Paying up for a stock sounds counterintuitive, but these companies have track records of growing into their valuations over time.If you're looking for bargain-bin dividend choices, ITW, P&G, and Coke are not for you. But if you're OK with paying a premium, these three stocks are certainly worth a closer look.Should you invest $1,000 in Illinois Tool Works right now?Before you buy stock in Illinois Tool Works, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Illinois Tool Works wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kenvue. The Motley Fool recommends Unilever Plc and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $13 calls on Kenvue. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Want $1,500 in Passive Income Per Year? Invest $19,000 Into Each of These 3 Dividend Kings was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Want $1,500 in Passive Income Per Year? Invest $19,000 Into Each of These 3 Dividend Kings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/want-1-500-passive-income-143400264.html

2670fe42-481a-308a-ba18-1e4620dcdfa5