Leading Independent Investment Research, Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar

Leading Independent Investment Research

Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. We offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. 

Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 16 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $180 billion in assets under advisement or management as of June 30, 2015. We have operations in 27 countries.

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Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li class="p1">Seismic changes are affecting the consumer packaged goods industry as consumers are becoming less brand loyal and supermarkets are under attack from hard discounters and online competition.</li><li class="p1">The prolonged period of slow economic growth has conditioned consumers to be more price sensitive, and the emergence of the e-commerce channel is rapidly changing consumers' shopping behaviours.</li><li class="p2">In our opinion, the strongest antidote to these pressures is a strong brand.</li><li class="p2">In this report, we quantify the power of each company's brand by its ability to take pricing, using a number of metrics, and conclude that while brand strength varies widely across the consumer packaged goods space, beverages and tobacco generally enjoy stronger positions.</li><li class="p2">We also dive deep into cost advantages and show that while some of the large diversified CPG firms may generate economies of scope, economies of scale are more prevalent in industries with a homogeneous manufacturing process.</li></ul>Lead Analysts: Adam Fleck, CFA; Philip Gorham, CFA, FRM; R.J. Hottovy, CFA; Erin Lash, CFA; Ken Perkins, CFAFull report below the fold...&nbsp;

Seismic changes are affecting the consumer packaged goods industry as consumers are becoming less brand loyal and supermarkets are under attack from hard discounters and online competition.The prolonged period of slow economic growth has conditioned consumers to be more price sensitive, and the emergence of the e-commerce channel is rapidly changing consumers' shopping behaviours.In our opinion, the strongest antidote to these pressures is a strong brand.In this report, we quantify the power of each company's brand by its ability to take pricing, using a number of metrics, and conclude that while brand strength varies widely across the consumer packaged goods space, beverages and tobacco generally enjoy stronger positions.We also dive deep into cost advantages and show that while some of the large diversified CPG firms may generate economies of scope, economies of scale are more prevalent in industries with a homogeneous manufacturing process.Lead Analysts: Adam Fleck, CFA; Philip Gorham, CFA, FRM; R.J. Hottovy, CFA; Erin Lash, CFA; Ken Perkins, CFAFull report below the fold...&nbsp;

Morningstar Consumer Observer: Shopping for the CPG Brands Best Positioned for a New Era in Commerce

The accounting research firm, GMT Research

Lisa Mangkornkarn

The accounting research firm

GMT Research

GMT Research provides independent insight into markets, sectors and companies throughout Asia. Our unique method of mining a comprehensive collection of corporate financial statements for key data allows us to evaluate the financial health of a company, sectors and the market at large. We also investigate the application of accounting standards by companies and sectors, shedding light on the quality of reported profits. Armed with this information, we help investment professionals navigate the financial landscape.

Sometimes stock markets don’t bounce back. They just hit the bottom and then crawl sideways for years. Take Greece, its stock market is still 87% below its 2007 peak. Over 20 years later and Thailand’s is still below its 1994 peak! The problem in both instances was that a major part of the economy was over-leveraged and needed to down-pay debt. This necessitated slower economic growth. In Asia back in 1997, as it is in Greece today, an over-leveraged corporate sector was a major contributing factor. And yet scant attention is paid to this part of the economy…but that’s where we come in handy.Whilst we might be best known for our accounting reports on the likes of <a href="http://www.smartkarma.com/insights/noble-group-what-new-disclosure" target="_blank">Noble Group </a>and <a href="http://www.smartkarma.com/insights/airasia-just-answer-the-questions" target="_blank">AirAsia</a>, we also conduct detailed analysis of the listed corporate sector with a focus on capex, free cash flows and leverage. This enables us to tell whether the corporate sector is in a position to support an investment up-cycle or whether a prolonged down-cycle is likely. We gather data from over 32,000 listed non-financials across 43 markets over a 20 year horizon.

Sometimes stock markets don’t bounce back. They just hit the bottom and then crawl sideways for years. Take Greece, its stock market is still 87% below its 2007 peak. Over 20 years later and Thailand’s is still below its 1994 peak! The problem in both instances was that a major part of the economy was over-leveraged and needed to down-pay debt. This necessitated slower economic growth. In Asia back in 1997, as it is in Greece today, an over-leveraged corporate sector was a major contributing factor. And yet scant attention is paid to this part of the economy…but that’s where we come in handy.Whilst we might be best known for our accounting reports on the likes of Noble Group and AirAsia, we also conduct detailed analysis of the listed corporate sector with a focus on capex, free cash flows and leverage. This enables us to tell whether the corporate sector is in a position to support an investment up-cycle or whether a prolonged down-cycle is likely. We gather data from over 32,000 listed non-financials across 43 markets over a 20 year horizon.

CORPORATE LEVERAGE: An Inconvenient Truth

Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst, Evidente

Sam Ferraro

Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst

Evidente

Evidente is an independent financial education firm that delivers innovative financial advice to wholesale investors, including active long only funds, hedge funds, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds, in Australia and globally.  Drawing on academic research in asset pricing, behavioural finance and portfolio construction, Evidente provides wholesale investors with commercial solutions to stock selection and asset allocation decisions across equities and other asset classes.

<ul><li>Annualised volatility in the S&amp;P500 spiked to 27% in August, its highest level since November 2011. &nbsp;Nonetheless, the 6 month moving average of volatility of 14% remains broadly in line with historical trends over the sweep of the past 45 years.</li><li>The positive surprise on 2Q US real GDP concealed the five year long stall in nominal GDP growth.&nbsp; The US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s unwillingness to combat disinflation has contributed to the growth stall.&nbsp; Investors remain unnerved by the Fed&rsquo;s willingness to tighten monetary policy at a time when inflation continues to undershoot its 2% target.</li><li>I expect financial market volatility to remain high until the Fed more clearly enunciates the goals of monetary policy and why it remains indifferent to achieving its inflation target.</li><li>In Australia, the poor 2Q capex survey confirmed that the economy is on the precipice of a 20% slump in business investment in FY2015/16.&nbsp; The long and drawn out transition from mining to non-mining capex continues to weigh on growth and frustrate the RBA.&nbsp; In my view, the re-balancing of growth will need an assist from further monetary stimulus.</li></ul>

Annualised volatility in the S&amp;P500 spiked to 27% in August, its highest level since November 2011. &nbsp;Nonetheless, the 6 month moving average of volatility of 14% remains broadly in line with historical trends over the sweep of the past 45 years.The positive surprise on 2Q US real GDP concealed the five year long stall in nominal GDP growth.&nbsp; The US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s unwillingness to combat disinflation has contributed to the growth stall.&nbsp; Investors remain unnerved by the Fed&rsquo;s willingness to tighten monetary policy at a time when inflation continues to undershoot its 2% target.I expect financial market volatility to remain high until the Fed more clearly enunciates the goals of monetary policy and why it remains indifferent to achieving its inflation target.In Australia, the poor 2Q capex survey confirmed that the economy is on the precipice of a 20% slump in business investment in FY2015/16.&nbsp; The long and drawn out transition from mining to non-mining capex continues to weigh on growth and frustrate the RBA.&nbsp; In my view, the re-balancing of growth will need an assist from further monetary stimulus.

Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Costco Wholesale Corporation delivered a mixed fourth quarter for fiscal year 2025, showcasing both strengths and areas of challenge.</li><li>The company reported an increase in net sales and income, driven by strong ecommerce growth and expansion in warehouse locations.</li><li>However, higher employee wages and lower member renewal rates presented challenges.</li></ul>

Costco Wholesale Corporation delivered a mixed fourth quarter for fiscal year 2025, showcasing both strengths and areas of challenge.The company reported an increase in net sales and income, driven by strong ecommerce growth and expansion in warehouse locations.However, higher employee wages and lower member renewal rates presented challenges.

Costco Wholesale Corp.: Warehouse Expansion & International Growth to Maintain A Robust Physical Presence In Key Markets Across The Globe!

<ul><li>Costco Wholesale Corporation's financial and operational performance during the third quarter of fiscal 2025 reflects a mix of strategic growth and operational challenges.</li><li>The company reported net income of $1.9 billion, an increase of over 13% from the previous year, and net sales rose to $61.96 billion, up 8% compared to the prior year.</li><li>These improvements were driven by solid sales momentum despite persistent headwinds like a $130 million LIFO charge and adverse foreign exchange impacts, which collectively affected net profit.</li></ul>

Costco Wholesale Corporation's financial and operational performance during the third quarter of fiscal 2025 reflects a mix of strategic growth and operational challenges.The company reported net income of $1.9 billion, an increase of over 13% from the previous year, and net sales rose to $61.96 billion, up 8% compared to the prior year.These improvements were driven by solid sales momentum despite persistent headwinds like a $130 million LIFO charge and adverse foreign exchange impacts, which collectively affected net profit.

Costco Wholesale Corporation: Supply Chain Optimization to Enhance Efficiency & Support Competitive Pricing Strategy!

United States

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates wholesale membership warehouses in multiple countries.  The Company sells all kinds of food, automotive supplies, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewelry, electronics, apparel, health and beauty aids, as well as other goods.

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Costco Wholesale (COST US)

Morningstar Consumer Observer: Shopping for the CPG Brands Best Positioned for a New Era in Commerce

Seismic changes are affecting the consumer packaged goods industry as consumers are becoming less brand loyal and supermarkets are under attack...

Morningstar, Inc.

CORPORATE LEVERAGE: An Inconvenient Truth

Sometimes stock markets don’t bounce back. They just hit the bottom and then crawl sideways for years. Take Greece, its stock market is still 87%...

GMT Research

Weekly Impressions

Annualised volatility in the S&P500 spiked to 27% in August, its highest level since November 2011. Nonetheless, the 6 month moving average...

Sam Ferraro

Costco Wholesale Corp.: Warehouse Expansion & International Growth to Maintain A Robust Physical Presence In Key Markets Across The Globe!

Costco Wholesale Corporation delivered a mixed fourth quarter for fiscal year 2025, showcasing both strengths and areas of challenge. The company...

Baptista Research

Costco Wholesale Corporation: Supply Chain Optimization to Enhance Efficiency & Support Competitive Pricing Strategy!

Costco Wholesale Corporation's financial and operational performance during the third quarter of fiscal 2025 reflects a mix of strategic growth...

Baptista Research

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