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Looks like a decent entry point now
PANW - >>> 1 Amazing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Down 29% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip
by Anthony Di Pizio
Motley Fool
February 26, 2024
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-amazing-artificial-intelligence-ai-102900913.html
Cyber threats are a growing concern among the world's top businesses. Technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) are helping bad actors craft sophisticated attacks by creating hyper-realistic phishing emails, and voice recordings that can trick employees into handing over sensitive information.
In fact, 64% of the 4,702 CEOs recently surveyed by PwC believe generative AI will increase cybersecurity risk in their organizations over the next 12 months. It was their biggest concern when it comes to AI, outranking the spread of misinformation and potential legal risks.
Advanced cybersecurity tools that use AI to deliver smarter, more automated protection are required to combat these new-age threats -- and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) is a leader in that very field, but the stock has had a rough go of it lately.
The company recently released results for its fiscal 2024's second quarter (ended Jan. 31). That sent the shares plunging 29% as the company announced a shift in its business strategy. However, these new steps could bear fruit over the long term. Here's why investors should consider the stock now.
Palo Alto is a leader in AI-based cybersecurity
Palo Alto's business is split into three platforms: network security, cloud security, and security operations. The company is gradually weaving AI through many of the products under those banners to give businesses the most advanced protection possible.
Here's a notable statistic. Palo Alto says 93% of security operations centers within organizations still rely on human-led processes. Cybersecurity managers are under such a heavy workload that 23% of incidents are left uninvestigated, which creates an unacceptable number of vulnerabilities.
Palo Alto's Cortex XSIAM security operations platform was designed to solve that problem. AI and automation are at its core, and for one large customer, it has reduced the number of incidents that require manual investigation by 75%. Another customer now has 90% of their security incidents solved by automation, up from 10% prior to adopting XSIAM. XSIAM was launched a little over one year ago, and it has already amassed a revenue pipeline worth $1 billion.
But the AI opportunity is just heating up. Organizations and their employees will be using AI an increasing amount in the coming years, and Palo Alto says security isn't yet front and center. They could be accessing AI in an insecure manner that places their critical data at risk, and plugging those vulnerabilities could be a $5 billion opportunity by 2030.
Plus, Palo Alto says the frequency of phishing emails has increased 12-fold over the last year because of AI's ability to generate them instantly. According to CrowdStrike, 90% of successful cyberattacks originate at the endpoint -- the computer or device used by each employee -- making it the most vulnerable part of every company.
Phishing emails tend to target those employees, and since Palo Alto already protects roughly 100 million individual users, it has a huge opportunity ahead in limiting the damage.
A strong Q2, but reduced full-year forecast
Palo Alto delivered $2 billion of revenue in the second quarter, marking a 19% increase from the year-ago period. It also delivered $1.46 in non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings per share, which was a 39% increase. Palo Alto was profitable on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, too, although the result benefited from a large one-off income tax benefit.
The point is, this company is delivering revenue growth without substantial losses at the bottom line, unlike many of its competitors, which are still burning through cash each quarter. Palo Alto's remaining performance obligations (RPOs) also soared 22% to $10.8 billion, which typically converts to revenue over time.
However, Palo Alto's management team unexpectedly reduced its forecast for both RPOs and revenue for the fiscal 2024 full year. The company is undergoing a major strategy shift to position itself for accelerated growth in the future.
The shift toward platformization
The cybersecurity industry is fragmented, with companies often piecing products together from different providers based on their needs. Historically, Palo Alto has relied on the quality of its products to attract its customers to use more of them.
I mentioned earlier that Palo Alto's business is split into three platforms. Well, the lifetime value of customers using all three platforms is 40 times greater than those using just one. Therefore, incentivizing large customers to use Palo Alto for all of their needs could drive enormous growth in the long term.
The problem is that large organizations often have existing contracts with their cybersecurity providers and can't simply opt out whenever they please. So, Palo Alto is offering them fee-free periods to capture them while they are still contracted with a competitor. Then, once that contact runs out, they will convert into paying customers for Palo Alto.
It's a great strategy that forgoes short-term revenue (hence the drop in billings and revenue guidance) in exchange for potentially significant growth in the long term. Plus, it squeezes out Palo Alto's competitors in the process.
Why Palo Alto stock is a buy now
Palo Alto believes the accelerated shift to platformization will help the company reach $15 billion in annual revenue by 2030, 90% of which will be recurring revenue, creating a stable and reliable business.
Considering that the company expects to deliver $8 billion in revenue during fiscal 2024, hitting that goal would translate to an 87.5% increase between now and then -- or a compound annual growth rate of 11%.
However, Palo Alto thinks there could be upside to its $15 billion target thanks to AI. That isn't surprising given that so many companies developing AI technologies are delivering explosive growth right now. The truth is, nobody knows exactly how much the threat landscape might be altered by sophisticated AI-based attacks, so the true size of Palo Alto's long-term opportunity is hard to discern.
So, while investors rushed for the exits following the reduction in Palo Alto's guidance, the 29% drop in its stock price presents an opportunity for investors who are willing to hold for the long term. They might be glad they bought in when they look back on this moment in a few years, assuming Palo Alto's vision becomes reality.
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>>> PTC for the new manufacturing world
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-great-value-stocks-set-172200800.html
This industrial software company's solutions lie at the heart of the digitization of the manufacturing sector. Its computer-aided design (CAD) software helps customers digitally create and modify designs. The products that are designed can be digitally analyzed and tested via simulation before they are built. This interface between the physical and digital worlds continues with PTC's product lifecycle management (PLM) software. Meanwhile, its Internet of Things (IoT) software digitally integrates products and assets.
Digital technology is revolutionizing manufacturing and helping reduce product development times while creating so-called "closed loop" manufacturing, whereby data is being constantly analyzed to improve production iteratively, and can even lead to adjustments to the product design.
These are hot concepts in modern manufacturing plants, and PTC is a leader in the field. The company continues to grow its annual run rate revenue, a figure that represents its recurring revenue, at a mid-teens growth rate, and it's likely to drop down into significantly more free-cash-flow generation in the coming years. Wall Street analysts have PTC growing its free cash flow to around $1 billion in 2026, putting the stock at a ratio of 20 times estimated 2026 free cash flow at the current price. That's a good value for a company growing at a mid-teens rate.
<<<
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>>> Is Prologis Stock a Buy?
by Reuben Brewer
Motley Fool
March 2, 2024
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/prologis-stock-buy-141800671.html
Prologis (NYSE: PLD) has a market cap of $120 billion, making it one of the largest publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) you can buy. There's a good reason it's so large, but size alone is no reason to buy the stock of a company. In fact, Prologis, despite being a well-run company, may be a less than desirable choice for some investors. Here's what you need to know.
Prologis' business is big, diversified, and attractive
Prologis owns warehouses, which is not unique at all in the REIT sector. What sets it apart from its peers is the size and diversification of its portfolio. Prologis owns 1.2 billion square feet of leasable space spread over 5,500 properties across four continents and 20 countries. No other warehouse REIT comes close to those statistics.
Notably, the properties Prologis owns are mostly located in key global distribution hubs. So not only is its portfolio big, but its properties are located where its over 6,700 customers want to operate. Given its scale, meanwhile, Prologis can actually offer something of a one-stop shop for customers with global operations.
On top of that, the company has been benefiting from leases ending and being resigned at materially higher rates. So there's built-in growth within the active properties it owns. Prologis, however, also owns over 12,000 acres of developable land around the world. That's another $40 billion growth opportunity, by management's estimate.
Now add in a decade of dividend growth at a compound annual rate of around 11%. That's an attractive track record for any company, but particularly impressive for a REIT. The most recent annual increase was 10%, so the company is still going strong on this measure. Given the business backdrop, meanwhile, there's good reason to think the dividend growth story will continue. If you are a dividend growth investor, Prologis could be a very attractive choice.
Prologis' yield is both good and bad
Prologis is currently offering investors a 2.8% dividend yield. If you're looking to live off of the income your portfolio generates, that probably won't be the least bit exciting to you. The average REIT, using Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEMKT: VNQ) as a proxy, is offering a yield of over 4.1%. This is a dividend growth stock, not a high-yield stock.
That said, the dividend yield is around the middle of the road if you look at the REIT's yield range over the past decade. So while it would be hard to suggest the stock is cheap right now, it also doesn't look expensive, using yield as a rough proxy for valuation. If you're a growth-and-income or dividend growth-focused investor, a fair price for a well-positioned industry giant like Prologis is a pretty attractive proposition.
But the stock isn't trading at depressed levels, so value investors will probably also want to take a pass here. A yield above 3% would be a far more compelling entry point if you're value conscious. However, even that might not be enough to entice a yield-focused investor.
A fair price for a great company
Prologis is not a value stock, and it's not a high yield stock. It will probably never be either of those things, given its strong industry position. But it is a solid option for dividend growth and growth-and-income investors. While it looks fully priced today, it's not a bad thing to pay a fair price for a well-run company if you have a long investment horizon.
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2 year play
CEO buyout in two years
X 1. Cash Flow Positive Status - 5 years
X 2. Purchase main building housing their cGMP registered facility for research, development, manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products.
X 3. Adderall IR $335 Million Approved and Launched
X 4. Adderall XR $1.56 Billion Approved and Launched
X 5. Double digit quarterly revenues in millions
X 6. In house marketing and distribution: Kirkov
X 7. Prasco/Burel Adderall agreement starting January 1st 2024
X 8. First shipment Adderall XR to PRASCO Dec 2023
X 9. DEA increases manufacturing quotas for Adderall & Vyvance
X 10. Generic Vyvanse - $5.1 BILLION - FDA submission Dec 2023
X 11. FDA Acceptance of Generic OxyContin Sept 2023
__12. $50 million in yearly revenues
__13. Generate revenues over $20 million/quarter
__14. Generic OxyContin Approval -;FIRST TO FILE Aug 17, 2023 $720 Million
__15. Prevail over Purdue in Generic OxyContin infringement suit - 6 month stay
X 16. Lease additional manufacturing space and storage vault for new Needle Mover ANDAs Jan 2024
__17. European distribution - Dexcel partnership approval by Israeli Health
__18. Full ownership of Adderall IR $ 335 Million
__19. Full ownership of Adderall XR $ 1.56 Billion
__20. Generic Concerta- $1.2 BILLION FDA submission
__21. Vigabatrin - VigPoder approved Pyros $233 Million trade mark challenge
__22. $100 million in yearly revenues
__23. Dopamine Agonist (probably Requip XL or Mirapex ER). $12 Million
__24. Patented Unique ADF (w/o naltrexone)-- NDA
__25. Mikah ANDA (s)
__26. Undisclosed ANDAs/NDAs
__27. Antimetabolite ANDA- Methotrexate -$600 Million - unconfirmed
__28. Undisclosed Antimetabolite ANDA- $42 Million
__29. Generic Vyvanse Approval
__30. DollarLand PPS
__31. Uplist to the NASDAQ Exchange
__32. ELTP Elite Pharmaceutical Buyout - less than 2 1/2 years from Feb 2024
__33. Vegas Baby !!!!!!!
What would Mr. Hakim say is the likelihood that Elite will get bought out by a large rival within the next five years?
Two things I'll say to that. One, cut that prediction in half or more than half. Five years is a very long time to do either. We are at a point where our fundamentals are solid, and we are in a growth stage, as I said earlier. We're not flattening out at $30 million and $40 million. We skip the 40s, went to 50s. And we'll talk in June once I have a little more data, what I expect for the future. But definitely, the year after, we're going to beat that. And the year after, we're going to be that.
So we're at a growth stage. So the fundamentals are looking great, a buyout is looking great. And five years is way too long for that. So I would say either of this will happen in a couple of years.
Ya had to know SMCI would respond like "tulipmania". Like I told you before it got there....$1000 was going to be a trigger point and it just depended on who'd be first to sell. I guess the stock needed a "roaring kitty" to calm the masses, but that money was so fast and easy, people weren't going to wait to find out its true worth. After all, I'd bet more than half the people who bought it, didn't have a clue what the company did.
My guess is $555 is a support level, but you really can't tell since it went up so quickly. The fact that my selling too soon cost me a new Volvo kind of ticks me off.
The spousal_unit keeps reminding me how much I made on it though.....who wants calm and reasoning at a time like this?!!
edit: just looked it up. Current support is at $300...THREE HUNDRED!!! But that's gonna rise quickly over the days. I'll stick with the $555 guess only because it's somewhere in the middle of reality.
Meanwhile, I don't know why I never jumped into NVDA...other than I guess I didn't understand it.
What is $AI doing wrong?
Derf, With SMCI, I figure it had to have a correction / pullback eventually, and as you predicted, 1000 was a logical near term top. But interest in Ai is going to continue for some time, so these Ai stocks should have continued interest from investors.
Other Ai related stocks like NVDA and PLTR are still remaining buoyant today, so we'll see where SMCI goes from here. Chart-wise it's tough to say since the move up was so large and fast. The only real point of reference support-wise would be the rising 50 MA at 438, but it was 'left in the dust' by the big move, so it's anyone's guess where support areas will be right now. Possibly around the 600-700 area, but just a guess, and more likely it might only retrace to 800, or 700 - 800 (?) I'm just going to hang with it since AI isn't going away, and the remaining shares are essentially 'free' after the double.
The PLTR chart is still suggesting another leg up to 30. It has that 'pregnant pause' look to it, so might have another near term blast (to 30), though after that who knows. I'm not that enamored with PLTR, but figure a small position makes sense.
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SMCI may fall faster than GME.....People late to the game will be pissed today as they realize they were both too late to buy and too late to sell.
Any predictions how far it falls today before a dead cat bounce?
LESS PUNISHING GUIDANCE
Companies that lower guidance when they
report quarterly earnings have historically
averaged a one-day decline of 5.4% in
reaction to the news. Stocks that have
lowered guidance when reporting earnings
this quarter, however, have only fallen 2.8%
on their earnings reaction days, meaning
that so far in 2024, investors aren’t punishing
weak earnings guidance nearly as much as
OPENING THE SPIGOT
According to the NY Fed’s quarterly Household
Debt and Credit report, 8.52% of credit card
loans became newly delinquent in Q4 2023,
which was the highest reading since Q2 2011.
Credit card utilization, or the percentage of
credit extended to consumers that’s been
used, also ticked up to 23.5% in Q4, which was
the highest reading since Q4 2019 just before
COVID hit.
(SOURCE: NY FED)
I guess I hit that one right. Up about 40% in it.
Looks like PLTR could be poised for another up leg? That's how the current chart looks anyway. I have a tiny position, but am not a huge fan of the company.
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Nice job. I kept forgetting to buy AVGO on several occasions.
Derf, In addition to Ai, the semiconductor related stocks in general have been doing well. I have some AVGO, KLAC, MPWR, which have great long term charts. Munger said he never liked the semi sector because it's so capital intensive, and the companies have to continually spend to upgrade their equipment, which hurts profitability. But in recent years the sector has been going gangbusters. 10 years ago Broadcom was already a fairly big player, but the stock is up 50 fold in a decade, so pretty amazing.
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Good job. I do see it has hit $999 today. Considering I had bought at $37, it may well be one of those once in a lifetimes, but sure wouldn't want to end up like the GME people who have kept their shares.
For some dumb reason, I'm currently buying conservative stocks, when AI does seem like the play. Picking the right one is the tricky part.
Again, there was a time when all managers strived to beat the index. The only fund family I see doing it with any consistency now is American Funds.....which is who I use mostly.
Derf, I took your advice with SMCI and took some profits today. It had doubled in 3 weeks, so I sold half and will keep the other 'free' half for the longer term. Looks like it should reach 1000 soon, but I figure no sense getting too greedy. A double in 3 weeks was pretty exciting, albeit only a small position.
Looks like the Ai space is entering bubble territory, but conceivably may keep elevating way beyond the point of reason. So a sign of a frothy market, but what will end the party? Lots of geopolitical landmines out there right now, which the market has so far been ignoring. Also, I figure the election uncertainty and angst will become more of an issue by summer. But hopefully there's a 'window' of months before Wall Street's party runs into trouble.
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Derf, >> S&P index fund. It is the only fund guaranteed to underperform the index <<
It will only underperform by the fund's expense ratio, which is negligible (0.02%, 0.03%, or for the SPY 0.09%)
The problem with stock picking is that hardly anybody can beat the S+P 500's return over time. Active managers might get lucky for a few years, but then they underperform for the next period of years. Even a whiz like Buffett or Peter Lynch owe most of their overperformance to the early years when they had much less $$ to deploy, and could thus have concentrated positions. Unfortunately as stock pickers, none of us are in their league, or even close.
So might as well face it, Jack Bogle was right ---> use a low cost index fund for the bulk of one's stock allocation. I add in a bunch of individual stocks, but these are just minor add-ons to help keep it fun / interesting. The unfortunate reality seems to be that -- 'the more you trade, the more you lose' / underperform. That's been my experience anyway.
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Hey, I love Warren as much as the next guy (provided the next guy isn't bar1080), but no one ever talks about his ability to get inside information AND not have to report his sales like a mutual fund would.
I am NOT a fan of buying an S&P index fund. It is the only fund guaranteed to underperform the index. Of course almost all mutual fund managers have become panty wastes and more afraid of risk than they are overperforming the market. There was a time the Index was far below average. If ya gotta buy the S&P, I prefer $RSP where at least you're getting an equal weighting. The time WILL come when the big 6 stocks don't carry the market. Although I read now that all the cool kids have left the FAANG and moved on to the MAMAA. 26% of the S&P right there!
Anywho, my only point with your stocks posted is, at they are typically at their all time high. Not a place I like to start out....unless its SCMI.
Derf, >> find a way to spot these breakout stocks a week earlier <<
That would help for trading, but my strategy has evolved into mainly buy / hold. Trading can be fun, but I figure that buy / hold should produce the best results by simply riding the stock market's historical long term uptrend, and using a broad index like the S+P 500 to eliminate the vagaries of picking stocks and sectors.
But I figure that also having a group of individual stocks makes sense. It's not only a fun and interesting hobby, but having a group of individual stocks also makes it too cumbersome to sell, so that forces you to 'stay the course' with at least something. Meanwhile, since the S+P 500 ETF component can be sold off quickly, this reduces the angst of feeling trapped in a deteriorating market.
Anyway, Buffett says the #1 challenge we have as investors is controlling our temperament / emotions, so the idea is to minimize the angst aspects down to a manageable level. Anyway, still a 'work in progress', but it seems to be producing much better results than my earlier forays into active trading. So, boring but better results, and the individual stock side is still fun to follow even though the positions are relatively small. Everyone is different, but for nervous nellies like me, I figure the key is getting the right balance.
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Well, it certainly poisoned my board. We went from a fun loving and informative sharing of thoughts, to some people demanding I boot others, and others too angry to think objectively.
On the positive side, an ineffective government is good for the economy and Wall Street. Let 'em argue amongst themselves, it keeps them from finding a reason to tax me further.
There is no right any more from either side of the aisle. I'd root for a good clear thinking third party if one could be created. However, as I've always said, no intelligent person suited to be President would ever want to BE President.
So, first off....the media is calling for $1000 for this stock, so expect people thinking that's an exit point. Better to be a bit early than a bit late (although not in my case).....Personally, if I were you, I'd be happy over $950. Its like earnings reports, everyone now wants to sell in advance.
BTW, just noticed how many different boards you moderate! Geez! How have I never run across you before?
You need to find a way to spot these breakout stocks a week earlier than you do. I'm guessing, you have a computer setting to spot stocks moving up a certain percent, or maybe based on volume. If you can hone a better criteria, you'll be onto something. I'd suggest a sector tracker.
If you are unaware of Tommy Dorsey and his point and figure system, it may be just the thing for you.
Derf, >> no benefit of arguing politics <<
Yes, it's an area where people's objectivity has largely been switched off. The political landscape can play a role in the stock markets, ie whether the oil/gas sector is in vogue, or the dog house, etc. But US politics has become so divisive that it can easily 'poison the well' on I-Hub boards.
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I've never seen that guy's posts before, but doing a quick reading through the years, I like his thought process.
Although, he does waste a bit too much time trying to argue politics around here.
Funny, I'll argue all day over the lack of value of a penny stock, but see no benefit of arguing politics with people who aren't in my voting area anyway.
Derf, Btw, looks like SMCI is likely heading for the 1000 level, which is where I'll probably take some profits. It's a miniscule position, but nice to see it zooming. But the 'Ai mania' may indicate the market is getting over-frothy.
Fwiw, I'm figuring the stock and bond markets could have a tailwind over the next several years, thanks to falling % rates, lower inflation, and a resilient economy. But also lots of landmines out there -- geopolitical, war, election angst, regional bank problems, etc. 30% is about all I'm willing to risk on the stock allocation side, and will 'hope for the best'.
On the positive side (for the US / West), it looks like BRICS expansion has been blunted, with Argentina deciding to not join BRICS, and Saudi Arabia also putting its BRICS plans on hold. So a reprieve for the US and the Petrodollar system, at least for now.
The BRICS Juggernaut -
https://investorshub.advfn.com/The-BRICS-Juggernaut-30100
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Derf, >> Lithium <<
It turns out there's a glut of lithium supply, which has tanked the price and most of the lithium plays -
Battery metals glut - >>> Base Metals Up, Gold Edged Higher, Battery Metals Glut <<<
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=173718639
A good source of info on this area is the poster n4807g (link below). I've re-posted some of his posts on my 'Energy Storage' board.
It's been a frustrating area for investors, along with the rare earths and strategic metals in general. I only follow them very loosely -
Re-post - >>> With price of Spodumene continuing to slide have decided to sell most of my remaining PILBF. I expect the 1st half of 2024 (and maybe beyond) to be a difficult year for battery minerals. Better to lock in profits today and look for lower prices in the 2nd half of 2024. <<<
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=173546830
Energy Storage Sector -
https://investorshub.advfn.com/Energy-Storage-38181
Strategic Materials -
https://investorshub.advfn.com/Strategic-Materials-37554
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Every one of these sucks....
The 7 Best Lithium Stocks to Buy Now
Sigma Lithium ( SGML)
Albemarle ( ALB)
Livent ( LTHM)
Lithium Americas ( LAC)
Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF ( LIT)
Standard Lithium ( SLI)
Ganfeng Lithium Group ( GNENF)
The 7 Best Lithium Stocks to Buy Now | InvestorPlace
investorplace.com/best-lithium-stocks/
investorplace.com/best-lithium-stocks/
A while back I went searching for a trustworthy lithium stock to buy. I didn't find one so settled on the ETF, $LIT. It did not work and I don't understand why?
I do know of several Chinese and Russian companies that have made deals to buy up rare earth mines in California. Not even sure why our government allows this. IF, the government truly sees this as the future, why are we not mining and hoarding??
As Lithium Demand Continues to Rise, the Lithium Market Projected to Reach $6.4 Billion By 2028
Globe Newswire8:45 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Feb 06, 2024
PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FN Media Group News Commentary - Lithium metal is used in various industrial applications, including the private, consumer, aerospace and defense industries. The aerospace industry, in particular, requires lightweight and high-performance batteries, making lithium metal an attractive choice, thus enhancing the demand for lithium metal. Lithium metal is an essential component of lithium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries, as it is used to create the anode or negative electrode of the battery. Lithium metal has a very high energy density and can store a lot of energy in a small volume and allows for longer run times. Lithium metal batteries currently use graphite as the anode material, which has a limited capacity for storing lithium ions. Lithium metal has 10 times the specific capacity for storing lithium ions as compared to graphite battery. Furthermore, consumer electronics like watches, toys, and remote controls mainly use lithium metal batteries where lithium metal is used as an anode material. Thus, the increasing demand for lithium metal batteries is expected to enhance the market for lithium metal during the forecast period. A recent report from MarketsAndMarkets said that the lithium metal market is projected to grow from USD 2.5 billion in 2023 to USD 6.4 billion by 2028, at a cagr 20.4% from 2023 to 2028. The market has observed stable growth throughout the study period and is expected to continue with the same trend during the forecast period. Active stocks in the mining markets this week include Canter Resources Corp. (OTCPK: CNRCF) (CSE: CRC), LithiumBank Resources Corp. (OTCQX: LBNKF) (TSX-V: LBNK), Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB).
The MarketsAndMarkets report added: “Lithium metal is a lightweight, high-energy density, and highly reactive metal, and it can be alloyed with other metals to improve their properties. When lithium is combined with aluminum or magnesium, it forms lightweight alloys that have high strength-to weight ratios and unique properties that make it ideal for use in body structures, particularly in applications where weight and volume are critical factors. The addition of lithium to aluminum increases its strength and stiffness, while also reducing its density. This makes aluminum-lithium alloys ideal for aircraft and drone structures, as they provide improved fuel efficiency, greater payload capacity, and better performance. Thus, the use of lithium metal in alloy making is expected to propel the lithium metal industry.”
Canter Resources Corp. (OTCPK:CNRCF) (CSE:CRC) Advances Drill Plan and Submits Notice of Intent - Canter Resources Corp. (FRA:601) (“Canter” or the “Company”) is pleased to report that the Company has submitted its Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for planned work associated with phase I exploration and drilling at the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project (“Columbus” or the “Columbus Basin”), located near Tonopah, Nevada.
The Company’s technical team recently completed a site trip that included engagement with the local BLM office as well as a field review. The recent field trip also included reconnaissance sampling at Columbus and the identification of a potential local gravel source that is expected to reduce road and drill site preparation costs for phase I drilling.
“The filing of our NOI marks another key milestone and step towards commencing our first drillhole and corresponding exploration well to begin testing of the prospective 5 km by 2.5 km target area at Columbus,” commented Joness Lang, CEO and Director of Canter Resources. “We are also finalizing plans to complete a shallow-grid auger drill program that will compliment our exploration well drilling by providing greater lateral coverage and generate valuable near-surface data from the shallowest layer of brine in the basin.”
The Company is advancing its exploration within the Columbus Basin by deploying a comprehensive auger sampling grid. This initiative targets the shallow brine-generating strata, where historical data indicates substantial lithium and boron concentrations. This approach allows for a broad assessment of the basin's mineral potential with minimal environmental impact and refines the geochemical profile of the near-surface brines.
Concurrently, Canter Resources is launching a long-screen well program to explore deeper aquifer systems. Leveraging insights from historical drilling and geophysical data, the program aims to reach depths of up to 300 metres, targeting areas with significant potential for lithium brine deposits. The initial well, strategically sited based on integrated geophysical analysis, is designed to penetrate at least three distinct aquifer systems. The long-screened well technique will enable discrete sampling from these aquifers, enhancing sample quality and data representativeness. Additionally, a second well location has been planned 1 kilometer away to broaden the scope of our exploration efforts.
Building upon these shallow and intermediate exploration phases, Canter is considering the integration of Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) into its geophysical exploration program. ANT, capable of penetrating depths of up to 2,500 meters, will further enhance the understanding of the basin's deep structure. This deeper exploration layer aims to delineate potential structural traps for lithium-bearing brines at depths previously unexplored, thereby augmenting the precision of subsequent drilling phases at greater depths. By employing this integrated, multi-depth approach, Canter aims to thoroughly evaluate the Columbus Basin's potential across a spectrum of geological strata, from near-surface to deep-seated brine reservoirs. Dirt work and drill site preparation will commence once the Company’s NOI permit is received and approved. CONTINUED… Read this entire release for the Canter Resources at: https://canterresour...
Other recent developments in the mining markets include:
LithiumBank Resources Corp. (OTCQX: LBNKF) (TSX-V: LBNK) recently announced the highlights from an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("Updated PEA") by Hatch Inc. ("Hatch") for its 100%-owned Boardwalk Lithium Brine Project ("Boardwalk") located in west-central Alberta. The significant difference from the initial PEA ("Original PEA") released in May 2023 was the incorporation of newly licensed continuous Direct Lithium Extraction ("cDLE®") technology from G2L Greenview Resources Inc ("G2L") The G2L technology has numerous advantages over the direct lithium extraction ("DLE") process applied in the original PEA. This update builds upon a lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") updated resource estimates at the Boardwalk Project of 395,000 tonnes LCE of indicated and 5.73 million tonnes LCE of inferred resources. The mineral resource update was completed by APEX Geoscience Ltd. ("APEX"). The updated NI 43-101 PEA Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this announcement.
"We are very pleased to provide an updated PEA which highlights the effectiveness of our newly licensed cDLE® technology from G2L," commented LithiumBank CEO Rob Shewchuk. "Reducing the operating cost by 34% to US $4,588 /t LHM both shortens the payback period to 3.5 years and increases NPV to US$ 3.7B, making our Boardwalk project highly competitive on the world stage. We believe having district scale, 100% owned, unconventional lithium development projects in North America makes LithiumBank a unique investment opportunity. This, along with the combination of substantial LCE resources and the ability to utilize the wealth of experience, data and infrastructure provided by major energy companies in Central Alberta, positions us well for continued success."
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) recently said it will drive development of Australia’s largest solar power project near Gladstone, after agreeing to buy all electricity from the 1.1GW1Upper Calliope Solar Farm to provide renewable power to Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations.
The agreement will bring more renewable power into one of Australia’s most important industrial hubs and marks another step towards Rio Tinto’s climate goal of halving its global Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions this decade2. If combined with more renewable power and suitable firming, transmission and industrial policy, it could also provide the core of a solution to repower Rio Tinto’s three Gladstone production assets - the Boyne aluminium smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery and the Queensland Alumina refinery.
Under a new power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with European Energy Australia, Rio Tinto will buy all power generated from the Upper Calliope solar farm for 25 years. The plant will be built and operated by European Energy, at a site about 50 kilometres south-west of Gladstone, pending development and grid connection approvals.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) recently said that in the fourth quarter, we produced approximately 495,000 vehicles and delivered over 484,000 vehicles. In 2023, vehicle deliveries grew 38% YoY to 1.81 million while production grew 35% YoY to 1.85 million. Thank you to all of our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us achieve a great 2023.
Tesla posted its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023 after market close on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. At that time, Tesla issued a brief advisory containing a link to the Q4 and full year 2023 update, which will be available on Tesla’s Investor Relations website.
Approximately two hours after the Q&A session, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, recently announced that it will release its fourth-quarter 2023 earnings after the NYSE closes on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
The company will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth-quarter 2023 results on Thursday, February 15, at 9:00 a.m. ET. Access to the call is available via webcast or direct dial. A link to the webcast can be found through Albemarle Corporation's website at http://investors.alb... Direct dial numbers are provided below:
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION:
Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: +1 (888) 330-2007
Participant Toll Dial-In Number: +1 (646) 960-0105
Conference ID: 5205664
INTERNATIONAL ACCESS NUMBERS: https://events.q4irp...
Participants will need to enter the participant access code before being met by an operator.
Webcast Details
Event Title: Albemarle's Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call
Event Date: February 15, 2024
Start Time: 09:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Attendee URL:
https://events.q4inc...
Encore Dial-In Information
Encore Toll Free Dial in Number: 1-800-770-2030
Encore Toll Dial in Number: 1-647-362-9199
Encore Replay Dates: 02/15/2024 – 02/22/2024 23:59 ET
About FN Media Group:
>>> Medpace Holdings Inc (MEDP) Reports Robust Revenue Growth and Solid Earnings in Q4 and Full ...
GuruFocus Research
Feb 12, 2024
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/medpace-holdings-inc-medp-reports-213433201.html
Revenue Growth: Q4 revenue increased by 26.5% to $498.4 million, and full-year revenue jumped by 29.2% to $1.885.8 million.
Net Income: Q4 GAAP net income rose to $78.3 million, with a net income margin of 15.7%. Full-year net income reached $282.8 million.
Earnings Per Share: Diluted EPS for Q4 was $2.46, up from $2.12 in the prior-year period. Full-year diluted EPS increased to $8.88.
EBITDA: Q4 EBITDA grew by 19.2% to $95.8 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 19.2%. Full-year EBITDA was $362.5 million.
Backlog and Book-to-Bill Ratio: Backlog as of December 31, 2023, increased by 20.2% to $2.813.0 million, with a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.23x for Q4.
2024 Financial Guidance: Medpace forecasts 2024 revenue in the range of $2.150 billion to $2.200 billion, with GAAP net income expected between $326.0 million and $348.0 million.
Liquidity and Share Repurchase: Cash and cash equivalents stood at $245.4 million, and the company repurchased 781,068 shares for $144.0 million in 2023.
On February 12, 2024, Medpace Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:MEDP) released its 8-K filing, announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. The late-stage contract research organization, known for its full-service drug development and clinical trial services, reported significant revenue growth and an increase in net income, reflecting a strong performance in a competitive industry.
Financial Performance Highlights
Medpace's revenue for Q4 2023 reached $498.4 million, a 26.5% increase from the $394.1 million reported in the same period last year. This growth was attributed to a backlog conversion rate of 18.5%. The full-year revenue also saw a substantial rise, with a 29.2% increase to $1.885.8 million compared to the previous year. The company's net new business awards for Q4 were $614.7 million, marking a 26.7% increase from the prior-year period and resulting in a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.23x.
GAAP net income for Q4 was $78.3 million, or $2.46 per diluted share, compared to $68.7 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, for the same quarter in the previous year. The net income margin slightly decreased to 15.7% from 17.4% in Q4 2022. For the full year, GAAP net income was $282.8 million, or $8.88 per diluted share, up from $245.4 million, or $7.28 per diluted share, in 2022.
EBITDA for Q4 2023 increased by 19.2% to $95.8 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 19.2%. The full-year EBITDA also grew by 17.7% to $362.5 million. These financial achievements underscore Medpace's ability to efficiently manage its operations and maintain profitability in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry.
Operational and Strategic Developments
Medpace's operational efficiency is reflected in its direct costs and SG&A expenses. For Q4 2023, total direct costs were $361.6 million, and SG&A expenses were $42.5 million. The company's balance sheet remains strong, with cash and cash equivalents of $245.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Medpace generated $156.4 million in cash flow from operating activities during Q4 2023 and repurchased 781,068 shares for $144.0 million throughout the year.
Looking ahead, Medpace provided its 2024 financial guidance, forecasting revenue in the range of $2.150 billion to $2.200 billion, which would represent a growth of 14.0% to 16.7% over 2023 revenue. The company also anticipates GAAP net income for the full year 2024 to be between $326.0 million and $348.0 million, with EBITDA expected in the range of $400.0 million to $430.0 million.
Medpace's continued investment in its global infrastructure and its disciplined approach to clinical development have positioned the company for sustained growth. With a strong financial foundation and a clear strategic direction, Medpace is well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries.
For more detailed information on Medpace Holdings Inc's financial results, investors and interested parties are encouraged to review the full 8-K filing.
Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Medpace Holdings Inc for further details.
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When I was a younger trader, my strategy was always....
sell if I have a 30% profit....or a 15% loss. I only had to be right half as often this way.
However, as I got older and also, the changing of the stock market (I think things started changing when companies quit doing stock splits), my strategy changed with it, and I sell off my cost basis on the winners and let them ride...or sell them in thirds.
I did this with $SMCI until I really believed it was due for a pullback. The stock of the decade and I sold all of it too soon. I really have to take that stock off my screen. Driving me nuts.
Anyway, I've never been a bottom fisher and try not to ever buy at a top. I look to buy just as stocks break through a major resistance, and go for the meaty middle of the stock cycle. In my situation, I really don't need the home runs any more. More important to avoid any major mistakes. That's the problem with having a lot of money in the market. A correction gets magnified, which is why I keep leaking money over to annuities. Lock in those gains.
Although, if you read those prospectuses. They leave themselves a lot of outs in things go south.
There are insurance companies I see teetering on the edge of implosion, and only this ridiculous printing of money non stop from our government has saved them.
Not nearly enough people consider what inflation does to their nest egg.
I like to refer people back to the Milton Bradley game, The Game of Life. See what they considered to be wealthy in 1970.
Derf, >> all time highs <<
Yes, it seems like a lot of stocks are now at / near their all time highs. But for stocks like AAON, the long term trajectory has been well established over many years, so I see it as a long term buy / hold. It has reached the upper boundary of its long term channel, so one trading strategy might be to take profits and then try to re-enter later once it returns to the lower channel line area. But you would have to be right twice -- at the exit point, and again at the re-entry point, so getting both right would be a tall order. So with these I figure long term buy / hold makes the most sense.
For active trading strategies, I tried different approaches over the years, but never found one that worked consistently. I tried biotech stocks (big mistake), and also did a few 'pincher plays', which were fun to analyze on the charts, but are treacherous. A conservative trading approach would be to channel trade a stock during an extended uptrend or downtrend. This should be a high percentage strategy since the odds are that an established trend will continue / resume. Covered call options is another conservative idea, as a way to enhance the yield on a stock you already own, though I haven't tried it,
Lots of ways to make or lose money in the market. I figure buying quality and holding long term has its advantages :o)
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Not knocking your picks, but you're finding them at all time highs.
AAON up 15% last week. Their earning projections are very high, if it misses the next few quarters that's gonna hurt. They've also cut the dividend recently.
Same industry as LEN and WIRE.
$WIRE probably the most steady.
Had totally forgotten about that stock. Owned it many years ago. I think I sold it at $24. Now $245. Although that was probably 20 years ago.
>>> What Makes AAON (AAON) a Lucrative Investment?
Insider Monkey
by Soumya Eswaran
February 7, 2024
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/makes-aaon-aaon-lucrative-investment-112143112.html
Baron Funds, an investment management company, released its “Baron Discovery Fund” fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. In 2023, the fund (Institutional Shares) returned 22.58% outperforming the 18.66% return for the Russell 2000 Growth Index. In Q4, the fund returned 12.44% compared to a 12.75% return for the index. Since its inception, investors in the fund have earned an annualized return of 12.42%, resulting in a more than tripled investment. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2023.
Baron Discovery Fund featured stocks such as AAAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) in the fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) is an air conditioning and heating equipment manufacturer. On February 6, 2024, AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) stock closed at $72.07 per share. One-month return of AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) was 0.31%, and its shares gained 40.29% of their value over the last 52 weeks. AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) has a market capitalization of $5.855 billion.
Baron Discovery Fund stated the following regarding AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:
"AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) is a high-quality manufacturer of HVAC equipment based in Tulsa, OK. It is a leader in providing premium, semi-custom HVAC equipment to the non-residential market with products that are more energy efficient, have longer life spans, and overall are better customized than peers to fit customers’ needs. This has driven significant outperformance over the past decade with organic growth in the high single-digit to low double-digit range compared to a low to mid-single-digit range for its peers.
Strong secular growth driven by decarbonization and broader ESG trends/ regulations is leading to greater demand for the types of products AAON specializes in such as energy efficient HVAC equipment that provides better air quality. To satisfy incoming regulations, peers have been forced to update their offerings and raise prices, while AAON today has ready-to-ship products satisfying all regulations. This dynamic is reducing the price premium between AAON’s products and the industry standards from 15% to 20% historically to a high single-digit level today. This price gap reduction is accelerating volume growth and enabling the company to take share. With the acquisition of BasX Solutions, a leader in data center, cleanroom systems, and custom HVAC units in December 2021, AAON expanded its addressable market by around 50% to over $30 billion in segments of the market where its focus on energy efficient units is extremely valuable. BasX’s adjusted cash flow (EBITDA) has roughly doubled over the past two years under AAON’s ownership. Lastly, CEO Gary Fields has undertaken a multi-year reorganization of the company’s management team and invigoration of company culture with a greater focus on selling and pushing the AAON solution from niche to mainstream. A simple illustration of the change brought by Gary is the opening of the exploration center this past April. This is a 28,000 square foot facility with over 10,000 square feet of exhibits and AAON products. We toured this facility at the company’s Analyst Day this past May where AAON units were placed next to competitor solutions. By purchasing and deconstructing competitors solutions, the team clearly highlighted the value of AAON’s superior products. They are more durable and have higher levels of efficiency. The team hoped that they would bring one to two potential customers a week to the center, but the demand has been so strong that one to two customers a day are visiting with a strong conversion from visits to eventual orders.
Going forward, with run-rate revenue at a little over $1 billion in a $30 billion market, there is ample opportunity ahead for AAON to grow and take market share. We expect mid-single-digit price increases across its product set along with mid-single-digit volume growth. The business is about 65% replacement/35% new construction with a mix of end-markets and limited exposure to new office construction. Given the growth opportunity ahead, the company is continuing to invest aggressively but at the same time has taken steps to maximize its physical footprint and, over time, will achieve greater levels of operating leverage. We believe the company will drive gross margins from the low 30% to the mid-high 30% levels with EBITDA margins expanding from the low to high 20% levels over our five year investment horizon. We calculate this combination of above market growth combined with significant margin expansion will allow us to double our investment over the next five years."
AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 20 hedge fund portfolios held AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) at the end of third quarter which was 19 in the previous quarter.
We discussed AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) in another article and shared the list of best growth stocks to buy according to billionaire Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater Associates. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q4 2023 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
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I thought the same thing........
I think Latoria might be an 'Ai Bot', based on the content and writing style. No real person writes like that, with the possible exception of a professional financial writer. Anyway, nice to have another poster on the board, even if she's a computerized 'bot' :o)
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Welcome to the board Latoria, nice posts.
Winmark's impressive performance, both in terms of stock price and dividend payouts, underscores its resilience and potential for growth in the retail sector. The company's focus on franchise-based retail businesses specializing in secondhand goods has proven to be a lucrative model, attracting investors with its consistent returns.
The surge in Winmark's stock price, particularly over the past year, highlights the market's recognition of its value and growth prospects. While its current valuation may seem expensive compared to historical averages, the company's strong financial performance and expansion opportunities justify investor confidence.
The prospect of another special dividend announcement, typically made in October, further adds to Winmark's appeal for income-oriented investors. Additionally, CEO Brett Heffes' optimistic outlook on the company's growth potential, with thousands of open territories for franchises, signals a promising future for Winmark.
The rise of fractional shares trading is certainly an intriguing development, especially in the current market climate where accessibility and flexibility are key. The ability to invest in fractions of shares opens up opportunities for a wider range of investors to participate in the stock market, even with limited funds.
What's particularly fascinating is how this trend has gained momentum alongside the recent market rally. With major players like Fidelity and Schwab joining the fray, fractional shares are becoming increasingly mainstream, reflecting a growing demand for more inclusive investment options.
It's noteworthy to see the significant uptake in fractional trading, with platforms like SoFi reporting that a substantial portion of trades are now conducted in fractional shares. This shift indicates a shift in investor behavior towards smaller, more accessible investments, which could have broader implications for the investment landscape.
Furthermore, the surge in fractional trading during the pandemic, particularly with the arrival of stimulus checks, highlights the role of technology in democratizing investing. Platforms like CashApp have witnessed record-high brokerage volumes, underscoring the appetite among retail investors to engage with the market, even during times of economic uncertainty.
Great! It's encouraging to see that the Institute for Supply Management's data indicates a gradual uptick in manufacturing activity following a period of significant decline.
The correlation between consumer demand for durable goods and housing and the subsequent benefits to manufacturers is a key insight. As consumers gradually resume spending and take advantage of low interest rates, manufacturers stand to benefit from increased demand for their products.
The selection of seven American manufacturing stocks to buy reflects this optimistic outlook on the sector's recovery. Companies like Builders FirstSource, AAON Inc, and Generac Holdings are positioned to capitalize on growing consumer demand and economic recovery efforts. It's notable that these stocks have demonstrated resilience throughout the pandemic-induced market volatility, and they continue to offer compelling growth potential.
Moreover, the mention of the Portfolio Grader tool's "Buy" ratings for these stocks adds credibility to their investment attractiveness. Investors seeking opportunities in the manufacturing sector may find value in considering these stocks as part of a diversified portfolio.
I think the information presented highlights the significant challenges faced by the economy and the stock market due to the global lockdowns. It's concerning to see the extent of losses experienced by individual investors as a result of extreme selling.
However, the mention of monetary and fiscal assistance from the Federal Reserve and the Trump administration offers some hope for companies and the broader economy. This assistance could potentially provide much-needed relief during these difficult times.
The emphasis on evaluating a company's credit health before making investment decisions resonates with me. It's crucial to consider factors like cash coverage of liabilities and debt obligations, especially given the current economic uncertainty. This approach underscores the importance of financial stability in navigating market volatility.
The selection of stocks highlighted in the post, particularly those with positive returns despite the market downturn, indicates potential opportunities for investors. These companies have demonstrated resilience and could be well-positioned for future growth.
While the agreement may provide some relief for the two Ohio counties involved, it's important to note that this settlement doesn't absolve J&J from facing numerous other opioid-related lawsuits across the country.
The opioid epidemic has had devastating effects on communities, and it's encouraging to see efforts to allocate funds towards programs aimed at supporting those affected, such as treatment for babies born to opioid-addicted mothers. However, it's clear that there's still much work to be done in holding all parties accountable for their role in fueling the crisis.
These insights into the animal health sector are truly eye-opening! It's fascinating to see how demographic shifts and changing consumer behaviors are reshaping investment opportunities in such a unique niche. The emphasis on preventive pet care and the increasing importance of pets within families are trends that certainly resonate with many of us.
The strategic focus on companies like Idexx Labs, Zoetis, and Dechra Pharmaceuticals makes a lot of sense given their strong market positions and the favorable landscape in which they operate. It's clear that you've identified a promising area for growth within the healthcare sector, and your analysis underscores the importance of staying ahead of the curve when it comes to investment opportunities.
Thanks for sharing your insights – it's inspiring to see how thoughtful analysis can uncover exciting prospects for investors. Looking forward to hearing more about your perspectives in the future!
Right. It's the K-1 I was thinking of. Cost me more than the dividend every year to file the extra tax page.
Derf, >> extra tax forms? <<
In my experience, nothing extra has been required for individual foreign stocks that are traded on US exchanges. I've only had smaller positions though, so it might be different for very large positions.
With taxes, an area to watch out for are the energy Ltd partnership investments, which can require a K-1 form. Also, some of the commodity ETNs can be a hassle at tax time. Also the bitcoin / crypto stuff, so just one more reason to avoid those :o)
With zero commissions, it's now possible to put together your own quasi 'ETF' using relatively small positions. Here's the full stock list I came up with, broken down by sector (link below). Most of the stock allocation is in the S+P 500, but these individual stocks / sectors can be interesting and fun to follow -
https://investorshub.advfn.com/5G-Telecom-Sector-37555
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$NVO looks very strong. Would have been more impressed had you recommended it a year ago though. Their earnings projections look very strong.
Looks like they pay a dividend twice a year with one coming soon. Not great for taxable accounts. Also, as a foreign company, do you have to do with the extra tax forms?
>>> Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO), a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease.
The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases.
The Rare Disease segment offers products in the areas of haemophilia, blood disorders, endocrine disorders, growth disorders, and hormone replacement therapy.
The company has a collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc.; and research collaboration with Novo Nordisk to discover cell-specific carriers of nucleic acid therapeutics. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Bagsvaerd, Denmark.
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https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NVO/profile?p=NVO
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>>> WASTE CONNECTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE SECURE ENERGY'S WASTE DISPOSAL-CENTRIC ASSET DIVESTITURES IN WESTERN CANADA
PR Newswire
December 11, 2023
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/waste-connections-announces-agreement-acquire-120000117.html
TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or the "Company") today announced that its subsidiary, Waste Connections of Canada Inc., has entered into an agreement with Secure Energy Services Inc. (TSX: SES) ("Secure") to acquire a portfolio of 30 energy waste treatment and disposal facilities in Western Canada for an aggregate purchase price of CAD$1.075 billion plus certain adjustments as provided in the definitive purchase agreement.
The assets to be acquired by the Company include 18 treatment, recovery and disposal facilities; six landfills; four saltwater disposal injection wells; and two disposal caverns and represent all of the required divestitures as mandated by the Canadian Competition Tribunal following Secure's 2021 merger with Tervita Corporation. The oil and gas exploration and production ("E&P") waste treatment and disposal facilities are strategically located in key geographic Canadian oil and gas basins and serve a diverse customer base largely oriented to production. The combined annual revenue being acquired by the Company is currently estimated at approximately CAD$300 million.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of Canadian Competition Bureau approval, and it is expected to close during the first quarter of 2024.
"This acquisition represents a unique opportunity for outsized value creation from the expansion of our presence in Canada through a network of E&P waste treatment and disposal assets located in the most attractive and growing basins," said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The divestitures are a rare combination of high-quality, well-situated disposal and treatment assets with significant internal capacity for growth. With a heavy orientation towards serving customers engaged in energy production activity, these assets will be complementary to our U.S. R360 Environmental Solutions operations."
Mr. Mittelstaedt added, "Once closed, this acquisition is expected to add over 50 basis points to our consolidated EBITDA margin, given the high margin, disposal-oriented profile of the facilities. Moreover, we also expect this transaction to be accretive to earnings per share and free cash flow margins."
Waste Connections
Waste Connections (wasteconnections.com) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves approximately nine million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 44 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S., as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections views its Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") efforts as integral to its business, with initiatives consistent with its objective of long-term value creation and focused on reducing emissions, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety and enhancing employee engagement. Visit wasteconnections.com/sustainability for more information and updates on our progress towards targeted achievement.
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>>> Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ)
https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/5-best-mario-gabelli-stocks-other-billionaires-are-also-piling-into-1235826/
Number of Billionaire Investors In Q3 2023: 14
Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is an American confectionery company known for its well known snacks such as Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Toblerone. The firm has beaten analyst EPS estimates in all four of its latest quarters and the shares are rated Strong Buy on average with an average share price target of $80.45.
For their Q3 2023 shareholdings, 51 out of the 910 hedge funds surveyed by Insider Monkey had bought and owned Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ)’s shares. Brandon Haley’s Holocene Advisors was the largest shareholder due to its $278 million investment.
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>>> Republic Services Polymer Center Opens, Promoting Bottle-to-Bottle Plastics Circularity
PR Newswire
Dec 5, 20233
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/republic-services-polymer-center-opens-130200842.html
First-of-its-kind facility in North America will help meet growing demand for recycled plastics for use in sustainable packaging
PHOENIX, Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) today marked the opening of its Polymer Center in Las Vegas, the first-of-its-kind facility in North America, enabling greater circularity for plastics and helping meet growing demand for recycled material. The Polymer Center expects to produce more than 100 million pounds of recycled plastics each year for use in sustainable packaging and other applications.
"The Republic Services Polymer Center will supply high-quality, domestically sourced recycled plastic to advance a critical need for more sustainable packaging," said Jon Vander Ark, president and chief executive officer. "As a leader in the environmental services industry, it's our responsibility to challenge every truckload of material we collect. The Polymer Center is another example of our commitment to developing solutions that promote greater circularity and help customers achieve their sustainability goals."
The Polymer Center will process plastic bottles, jugs and containers collected from homes and businesses to produce recycled PET (rPET) flake and color-sorted HDPE and polypropylene ready for use in new sustainable packaging. Until now, the fate of a recycled plastic bottle in the U.S. wasn't a new plastic bottle; instead, it was generally downcycled into fiber for use in carpet or clothing – material that has few options for further recycling. The Polymer Center expects to significantly extend the lifecycle of plastic packaging and help turn plastic bottles into new bottles six to seven times, enabling true circularity.
As brands commit to using more recycled content in their packaging and more states mandate the use of recycled plastic, supply is struggling to meet the growing demand. By 2030, demand for rPET in the U.S. is expected to total 5 billion pounds, while the supply – based on current processes – will only reach about 2.5 billion pounds.1 The Polymer Center can help companies fill this urgent gap now.
The Coca-Cola Company, one of the first customers of the Las Vegas Polymer Center, has committed to use at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030. The Polymer Center is scheduled to supply rPET to Coca-Cola, beginning in January 2024.
Plans for a nationwide network of Polymer Centers are underway, with the second facility expected to open in Indianapolis in late 2024.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world.
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>>> Winmark Corporation (WINA), a resale company operates as a franchisor for small business in the United States and Canada. The company's Franchising segment franchises retail stores concepts that buy, sell and trade merchandise. Its Leasing segment operates middle-market equipment leasing business. The company buys and sells used clothing and accessories geared toward the teenage and young adult market under Plato's Closet brand; and operates stores which buys and sells used and new children's clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, and accessories primarily to parents of children ages infant to 12 years under the Once Upon A Child brand. In addition, it buys, sells, trades in, and used and new sporting goods, equipment, and accessories for various athletic activities including team sports, such as baseball/softball, hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer, as well as fitness, ski/snowboard, golf, and others under the Play It Again Sports brand; and buys and sells used women's apparel, shoes, and accessories under the Style Encore brand. Further, the company buys, sells, trades in, and used and new musical instruments, speakers, amplifiers, music-related electronics, and related accessories under the Music Go Round brand. Winmark Corporation was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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>>> CACI International (CACI) offers specialized technology services and consulting to the defense and intelligence industry. It is a beneficiary of the modernization efforts in the U.S. military and intelligence. Moreover, it will profit from the increased cyber warfare as we go ahead.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-best-defense-stocks-buy-210423930.html
The company provides digital solutions that modernize federal agencies and their IT. The Engineering Services segment enhances and hardens national technology systems to defend against malicious actors. Its C4ISR, Cyber & Space solutions provide electromagnetic spectrum advantage and deliver precision effects to protect federal agencies against national security threats.
CACI generates a significant portion of revenues from the federal government. In fiscal 2023, federal government contracts made up 94.8% of total revenues. Over the same period, contracts with agencies of the Department of Defense represented 71.9% of total revenues.
Over the past decade, revenues have been steadily increasing, given the growth in defense spending. This growth will likely continue due to the critical nature of CACI’s services to the U.S. government.
The company has secured key defense contracts from the U.S. government. For instance, it won a $5.7 billion Air Force Enterprise IT contract in June to modernize and transform Airforce IT services. And in August, it bagged another $2.7 billion contract from the National Security Agency. These awards highlight why CACI is one of the best defense stocks to buy.
In terms of valuations, the stock is reasonably valued. For the full year ending June 30, 2023, it earned an adjusted diluted EPS of $18.83. Thus, as of this writing, it trades at 17 times trailing earnings. Given the stability of its defense business and expected secular defense spending, CACI stock is a bargain.
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