United States

• Alcoa Corporation’s fourth quarter and full-year 2024 earnings report presents a multifaceted picture of the company’s performance and future outlook, highlighting both positive achievements and areas of concern.
• In 2024, Alcoa achieved significant operational and financial milestones.
• The company witnessed improved safety metrics and recorded no fatalities or life-altering injuries, which underscores its commitment to creating a safer work environment.

• CACI International reported strong results for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2025, highlighted by a robust revenue growth of 14.5% and an EBITDA margin of 11.1%.
• The company secured $1.2 billion in new business awards during the quarter and reported a trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio of 1.7x, indicating a solid demand for its services.
• This strong performance has prompted CACI to raise its full-year guidance, projecting revenue between $8.45 billion and $8.65 billion, and adjusted earnings per share ranging from $23.87 to $24.76.

• Netflix Inc. continues to demonstrate strong performance in the streaming industry, underpinned by significant subscriber growth and robust financial metrics.
• In the fourth quarter of 2024, Netflix reported an unprecedented net addition of 19 million subscribers, culminating in a total of 41 million new members for the year.
• This surge not only surpassed analyst expectations but also propelled the stock to a record high of $999, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.

• Textron’s latest financial performance highlighted a mix of achievements and challenges across its diverse business segments.
• The company’s Q4 2024 revenues were $3.6 billion, a decrease from $3.9 billion in the previous year.
• Segment profit also saw a decline to $283 million, down $101 million from the prior year’s same quarter.

• Halliburton Company’s fourth quarter 2024 earnings report presents a nuanced picture of its financial health and operational performance.
• The company reported a total revenue of $22.9 billion for 2024, with an 8% growth in its international business, particularly driven by an 8% increase in the Middle East/Asia region.
• Conversely, the North American segment experienced an 8% revenue decline year-over-year, reflecting broader sector trends, but still managed to outperform rig count and completion activity benchmarks.

• United Airlines Holdings’ latest earnings call for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 highlights a robust performance that illustrates both advancements and challenges within the company.
• Reflecting on the year, United Airlines demonstrated strong financial outcomes primarily driven by strategic operational improvements and a favorable market environment.
• In 2024, United Airlines achieved a record earnings per share of $10.61, surpassing the midpoint of their initial guidance.

• D.R. Horton, Inc., “America’s Builder,” reported its financial performance for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 with results that underscore both strengths and challenges facing the company.
• Earnings came in at $2.61 per diluted share, a decrease from the $2.82 reported in the prior year.
• Despite the dip, the company generated consolidated revenues of $7.6 billion with consolidated pretax income of $1.1 billion, reflecting a pretax profit margin of 14.6%.

• Steel Dynamics (STLD) navigated a challenging market environment in 2024, achieving solid financial results while continuing strategic growth initiatives.
• The company reported second-highest annual steel shipments of 12.7 million tons, and cash from operations stood at $1.8 billion, supported by adjusted EBITDA of $2.5 billion.
• Net income for 2024 was recorded at $1.5 billion, reflecting a diluted share value of $9.84, while the fourth quarter net income was $207 million, or $1.36 per diluted share.

• Amphenol Corporation concluded the fourth quarter of 2024 on a strong note, reflecting robust financial performance across most of its business segments.
• The company’s quarterly sales reached a record $4.318 billion, a 30% increase in both U.S. dollars and local currencies and a 20% organic growth compared to the same period in 2023.
• This growth was consistent across all served markets, with the company achieving significant milestones in both quarterly and full-year metrics.

• Procter & Gamble’s latest quarterly results reflect a generally steady performance amid various external challenges, delivering organic sales growth, EPS improvement, and significant cash returns to shareholders.
• Organic sales grew by 3%, with contributions from volume and mix, while pricing remained consistent with the previous year.
• The company’s ability to overcome a two-week outage of a global transportation management system and still support strong customer orders highlights operational resilience.

• President Donald Trump announced the Stargate Project, a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States.
• Elon Musk is miffed, Microsoft says they “approved” the project and have a new Right of First Refusal agreement in place with OpenAI. 
• Stargate is exclusively for OpenAI and the press release states that its mission is to provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies.

• The company is seeking a market cap of $9.1b-$10.7b based on the $23-$27 range. 
• A high end pricing for Smithfield values the company at roughly 13.5x this year’s earnings, a sizable discount to comps Hormel Foods (about 21x) and Tyson Foods (26x).
• It is our opinion that the business model is well-rounded, resilient and stable with multiple-organic growth levers.

• For the week ending 17/Jan, U.S. crude inventories fell by 1m barrels, missing expectations of a 2.1m barrel decrease. Gasoline stockpiles rose less than expected.
• U.S. natural gas inventories fell by 223 Bcf for the week ending 17/Jan, missing analyst expectations of a 270 Bcf drawdown. Inventories are 0.7% above the 5-year seasonal average.
• J.P. Morgan, HSBC, TD Cowen, Barclays, and Citigroup raised their 12-month PTs on SLB post its Q4 earnings. Halliburton reported a YoY decline in Q4 revenue and EPS.

• ExxonMobil’s Q4 revenue is expected to rise 2.5% YoY while its EPS is anticipated to fall 36.3%. Annual revenue and EPS are expected to fall by 1.9% YoY and 18.1%.
• Exxon expects Q4 2024 upstream earnings to drop USD 500–900 million QoQ due to lower crude prices, with refining margins further reducing earnings by USD 300–700 million.
• ExxonMobil plans to invest up to USD 30 billion in low-emission projects by 2030, with its Low Carbon Solutions business expected to contribute an additional USD 2 billion in earnings.

• The company has jumped from just eight sales territories in Q2 2023 to 43 sales to end 2024 with more than 15,000 units installed.
• An existing shareholder is on the cover of the prospectus with a concurrent private placement
• Medical Device IPOs have a strong history of success as many are poised for growth

• With an unlevered balance sheet, Infinity Natural Resources is set to for both organic and M&A growth post-IPO.
• The company is coming public at a discount to peers Diversified Energy, Gulfport Energy and Magnolia Oil & Gas.
• Early channel check of this offering revealed that the deal is oversubscribed with a high-quality schedule across different regions. 

• Venture Global priced 70 million shares at $25 and the stock closed 4% below issue in its opening session.
• The underwriting lineup grossly mispriced the IPO from the start and needed to drastically reduce the price range of the transaction.
• The impact to the greater IPO market will be felt on the next large transaction.

• BLND’s stock price has decreased, resembling CVNA’s past struggles
• BLND has been restructuring its cost base and balance sheet to prepare for future growth
• The company, led by a young CEO, is poised for potential recovery and positive earnings revisions, drawing parallels to CVNA’s path to success

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• The GEO Group is a potential investment opportunity with an asymmetric Trump trade, with a price target of $77 in a 2-year time horizon and a blue sky upside target of $103
• The company’s market cap is $2.1 billion with an enterprise value of $3.9 billion
• The thesis is based on the potential increase in funding for ICE monitoring under the next administration, potentially leading to the eventual spin-off of the monitoring business, resulting in GEO’s EBITDA potentially more than doubling from the current $500 million through various growth opportunities

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Noodles & Co is currently undervalued, presenting an opportunity for turnaround
• Despite past challenges, the restaurant chain is statistically cheap and attracting activist investors
• With potential catalysts and a focus on value, Noodles & Co may be poised for success in the current economic landscape

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• The MV Junior Gold Miners Index represents the performance of small-cap gold and silver mining companies listed around the world.
• This index is reviewed semi-annually in March and September. During these reviews, names can be added or deleted from the index.
• Below we take a look at the latest lists of potential ADDs and DELs for the Index Rebal Event in March 2025. 

• MongoDB (MDB US) and Biogen Inc (BIIB US) are the main candidates for deletion based on their current and previous-review ranking.
• Ansys Inc (ANSS US) is expected to be deleted from the index by June 2025 following its $35bn acquisition by Synopsys Inc (SNPS US). 
• United Airlines Holdings (UAL US) and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY US) are currently the main candidates for addition, thus the first in line to replace Ansys Inc (ANSS US).

• Schlumberger’s Q4 revenue grew 3.3% YoY and beat estimates by 1.1%, while its net profit fell by 1.6% YoY but its EPS exceeded estimates by 2.5%.
• In fiscal 2024, SLB’s revenue rose 9.5% YoY, with net profit up 6.1%. Full-year revenue and EPS exceeded estimates by 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.
• SLB reported USD 850 million in 2024 revenue from non-oil and gas operations and expects growth from these segments to outpace core business growth in 2025.

• TMDX is a high-growth med-tech company specializing in organ transplant therapy
• Despite expensive traditional valuation metrics, TMDX offers a compelling investment opportunity
• Company recently became GAAP profitable and free cash flow positive, indicating a bright future ahead

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• VITL has experienced significant growth and impressive revenue growth in recent years
• Bears argue that the company’s growth is unsustainable and its valuation is anomalous
• Document suggests that shorts may need their theses to play out quickly or risk the company’s valuation doubling

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Recommendation to build a long position in Photronics ($PLAB) due to significant positive changes and strong fundamentals
• Stock is undervalued with potential for buyout or take-private deal, offering a margin of safety and high return on invested capital
• Possibility of management tapping into buyback program adds to the investment potential for Photronics

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Noodles & Co has a stock price of $6.235 and stands to benefit from multiple catalysts
• These catalysts include forced selling upon removal from the Russell 2000 index and interest from activist investors
• Despite challenges in the restaurant industry, Noodles & Co has potential to bounce back and exceed expectations.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Our outlook remains bullish, and since late-December we have been suggesting to use the pullback as a buying opportunity.
• Most recent/highest conviction “buy-the-dip” call came last week (1/14/25) amid all major indexes testing supports (SPX, QQQ, DJI, IJH, VXF, IWM, ARKK, SMH), bullish breadth divergences, other ongoing bullish signals.
• Those dip buys are finally paying off, with all these indexes breaking out from 1+month consolidations. The SPX has gapped-up on four of past five trading days, indicating significant strength

• Darrell took over as interim CEO in August 2021 to stabilize the company and refocus on brand management and innovation.
• VFC announced a new growth strategy centered around digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.
• The company plans to leverage its strong brand portfolio, expand globally, and enhance direct-to-consumer capabilities to improve financial performance and regain market share.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• EHAB is undervalued at 6x FCFE
• EHAB can increase profitability by focusing on Medicare Advantage plans and fee-for-service patients
• Home health and hospice industry is growing, making EHAB an attractive investment with potential for consolidation in the sector

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• The S&P 500 index tracks the 500 largest names listed in the US and it is one of the most highly-tracked indices in the world.
• In this insight, we take a look at the upcoming constituent changes in the run up to the March 2025 index rebal event.
• We expect two regular changes in March 2025. There are also several live spin-off and M&A events which are likely to trigger intra-review index changes before then.

• The company reduced the range from $40-$46 to $23-$27 and increased the amount of shares offered by the company from 50.0mm shares –> 70.0mm shares.
• It is highly unusual that the underwriting lineup, company and buy-side was so misaligned on valuation leading to this massive slashing of the deal.
• The deal is considered “oversubscribed” with several significant anchor orders placed following the reworking of terms.

• Intel Corporation, once the world’s dominant chipmaker, finds itself at a critical juncture, sparking speculation about its future.
• Following a 9.5% surge in its stock price after rumors of a potential acquisition surfaced, the company has been thrust into the spotlight.
• The speculation originated from a report by SemiAccurate, which hinted at an unnamed company with the financial clout to acquire Intel in its entirety.

• Trump has signaled his intention to stop oil imports from Venezuela.
• While these imports are relatively insignificant to the U.S., they are hugely significant to Venezuela.
• Growing demand in China might help offset the impact, but if not, Venezuela could be facing more years of political turbulence.

• Fifth Third Bancorp’s third-quarter 2024 earnings highlight a performance characterized by stability, strategic investments, and a focus on balanced growth in a dynamic economic environment.
• The bank reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.78 or $0.85 after excluding certain non-recurring items, outperforming previous guidance.
• With a return on equity of 12.8%, Fifth Third has positioned itself as a leader among its peers.

• PNC Financial Services Group, a major financial institution in the U.S., reported solid financial performance for Q4 2024 and for the entire fiscal year.
• The company generated a net income of $1.6 billion for the fourth quarter, bringing the annual total to $6 billion, or $13.74 per share.
• During the year, PNC benefited from fixed asset repricing, which substantially boosted its net interest income despite the lower demand for loans.

• Occidental Petroleum gained USD 0.43 last week, closing at USD 51.97 on 17/Jan (Fri). However, the stock began this week on a weak note, falling by 2.7% on 21/Jan (Tue).
• JPMorgan raised Occidental’s price target to USD 59 from USD 58 with a Neutral rating, while Mizuho lowered its target to USD 68 from USD 70, maintaining a Neutral stance.
• Occidental became the third-largest U.S. onshore oil and gas producer in 2024, up from fifth in 2023, with production reaching 1.22 million boepd, 58% of which was oil.

• SailPoint, a company that delivers solutions to enable comprehensive identity security for the enterprise, filed for an IPO. 
• SailPoint is sponsor-backed by Thoma Bravo who took the company private in August 2022 for $6.9bn
• As of January 31, 2022, 2023, and 2024, their ARR was $374.6 million, $520.1 million, and $681.8 million, respectively, representing year-over-year growth of 44%, 39%, and 31%, respectively.

• First Citizens BancShares recently released its third-quarter 2024 earnings, highlighting both positive developments and challenges.
• The adjusted earnings per share for the quarter came in at $45.87, supported by a resilient net interest margin despite declining accretion income.
• Positively, the company reported stability and modest growth in its deposit base, especially within the commercial segment linked to the innovation economy.

• Bank of New York Mellon’s (BNY) recent financial performance demonstrates notable achievements while also revealing areas that require attention.
• In 2024, the company reported record-breaking revenue and net income, with revenue reaching $18.6 billion, a 5% increase year-over-year, and net income climbing to $4.3 billion.
• These figures correspond to a strong return on tangible common equity of 23%.

• Microstrategy Inc Cl A (MSTR US) has a market cap of US$97.7bn, an eye-watering 115% premium to its bitcoin holding of US$45.4bn. Before taking into account debt.
• Investors are effectively dolling out $2+ for a $1 investment. And that investment is fuelled by new equity (shares are up 743% yoy) and debt. Perpetual preferred shares are next.
• Sceptics are not in short supply. But neither are backers, such as Capital (7%), Vanguard (6.9%), Susquehanna, Norges and other, arguably, sophisticated players. Right now, the backers are winning.

• Spin-Off of WH Group’s could raise up to $939 million if priced at the high-end of the range
• The IPO is set to price on Monday January 27th for a Tuesday, January 28th debut
• Flash numbers revealed sales for the three months ended December 29, 2024 will range from $3,873 million to $3,953 million (prev. year $3,998 million)

• Halliburton will report its Q4 earnings on 22/Jan, with revenue and EPS projected to fall sequentially and annually. For fiscal 2024, revenue and net profit are expected to drop.
• Halliburton’s OI PCR at 1.21, signalling bearish sentiment, with a 67% IV percentile indicating moderately high volatility.
• For the 24/Jan expiry, Halliburton’s OI shows calls concentrated at strikes 28.5, 29, and 30. Puts dominate at 26, 27, and 27.5. Put OI is higher at key levels.

• JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s latest financial results reveal a robust performance for the fourth quarter of 2024.
• The firm reported net income of $14 billion with earnings per share (EPS) of $4.81 on revenue of $43.7 billion, reflecting a year-on-year revenue increase of 10%.
• The return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) was a solid 21%.

• For the week ending 17/Jan, U.S. natural gas prices declined 1% amid volatility driven by shifting weather forecasts, increasing LNG exports, and falling inventories.
• Henry Hub Put/Call volume ratio fell to 1.18 from 1.29 (10/Jan) the previous week as call volumes dropped by 5.1% WoW, while put volumes declined by 13.5%. 
• Henry Hub OI PCR stayed put at 0.92 from last week. Call OI inched up by 6.9% WoW, while put OI increased by 7.4%.

• WTI futures rose 1.7% for the week ending 17/Jan, driven by healthy U.S. economic data, falling crude inventories, and supply concerns.
• WTI options Put/Call volume ratio surged to 1.28 from 0.83 (10/Jan) last week, as call volume fell by 70.7% WoW while put volume decreased by 54.7%.  
• WTI OI PCR rose to 1.00 from 0.94 last week. Call OI fell by 11.7% WoW, while put OI declined by 6.4%.

• Citigroup has released its fourth quarter earnings for 2024, showcasing a notable rise in net income by almost 40% to $12.7 billion for the full year, indicating positive momentum across key business segments.
• This performance was coupled with a revenue increase of 5% excluding divestitures, supported by a 17% uptick in fee revenue, and an efficiency ratio improvement by 340 basis points, which highlights the company’s operational improvements.
• However, certain macroeconomic challenges remain persistent, such as China’s slower-than-anticipated growth and Europe’s underperformance.

• Biotech seeking to transform the standard of care for patients suffering from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases filed its IPO on January 18th
• Lead program, OD-07656, is currently in a Phase 2a monotherapy trial for ulcerative colitis
• Potential IPO for Odyssey Therapeutics would be the first half of February

• The merger between Omnicom Group (OMC US) and Interpublic Group Of Companies (IPG US) aims to create a marketing powerhouse with $25.6 billion in revenue and $750 million in annual synergies.
• Deal spread narrowed due to Omnicom’s price drop, signalling market caution over post-merger performance.
• The merger’s close, expected in 2025, will impact major US indices on an intra-quarter basis.

Key points

• Quanta Services has addressed issues and made investments in its electric power infrastructure solutions segment
• Surge in demand due to regulatory shifts and one-off projects has benefitted Quanta Services, but demand is expected to decrease in 2024
• Limited total addressable market and unsustainable peak expectations make Quanta Services a compelling short opportunity

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Astera Labs (ALAB US) is expected to migrate from Small-cap to Standard at the February 2025 review as its price has soared ~100% since the last review.
• The security’s free float is forecasted to increase from 25% to 70% at the May 2025 review due to lock-up expiry of undisclosed shareholders. Passive fund demand expected is ~$570m.
• Astera Labs (ALAB US) can migrate from small-cap to all-world in September 2025 with a slight price increase. Probability of migration in March 2025 is small.

• US natural gas market experiencing significant weather-related demand in January, with colder than 10-year normal temperatures
• Europe facing tight gas market balances and lower storage levels, requiring increased LNG imports to reach storage targets
• Uncertainty around Russian pipeline gas increases to Europe and potential impact of US sanctions on Russian energy sectors present bearish risk factors for gas prices

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

• Sonos, a renowned name in the premium audio industry, has recently faced one of its most challenging years.
• The company, known for its seamless blend of hardware and software, suffered a significant setback due to a disastrous app update that disrupted the user experience for millions.
• Released in May 2024, the redesigned app, meant to accelerate innovation, instead turned functional speakers into non-operational devices.

• Wells Fargo & Company demonstrated notable progress in its fourth quarter of 2024, underscoring a year marked by strengthening earnings profiles and risk control achievements.
• The firm showed both strategic resilience and adaptation in meeting its diverse operational objectives amid evolving market conditions.
• Looking at the positives, Wells Fargo expanded its net income and fee-based revenue, achieving an 11% rise in diluted earnings per share compared to the previous year.

• The Investmentcase for Gold Some time has passed since I wrote the last time about gold.
• Currently, a situation is developing that could become interesting for investors in the shiny metal.
• While till this day many market experts have the opinion that the gold price is highly correlated to the US-Dollar as well as the relative trajectory of where yields are headed, I think that gold is primarily driven by liquidity conditions.

• The U.S. oil and gas rig count dropped for the second consecutive week, as it fell by 4 to 580 for the week ending 17/Jan.
• For the week ending 10/Jan, U.S. oil production moderately fell to 13.48 m bpd from 13.56m bpd the week prior.
• The number of active U.S. oil rigs fell by 2 to 480 and gas rigs dropped by 2 to 98, U.S. producers cut four rigs in North Dakota.

• LRFC recently sold a large equity investment, leading to higher cash dividends, increased stock price, reduced equity exposure, and a possible takeover announcement
• Positive financial implications of asset sale not yet reflected in SEC filings and data sources
• Investors anticipate dividend increase and increased awareness of LRFC’s situation with upcoming earnings release in early November, making it a standout in the BDC space for its unique assets and growth potential

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) demonstrated robust performance in its 2024 fourth-quarter results, revealing both strengths and potential challenges in its operational and financial outcomes.
• The bank’s reported earnings stood at $4.2 billion, which includes $265 million from its acquisition of HSBC Canada.
• Adjusted earnings showed an 18% year-over-year increase to $4.4 billion, driven largely by market appreciation and strong client activities.

• The relationship between Qorvo and Starboard Value has captured the attention of investors and market observers alike, as recent developments signal a potential turning point for the chip maker.
• On January 17, 2025, it was revealed that Starboard Value, one of Wall Street’s most aggressive activist investors, has acquired a 7.7% stake in Qorvo, equating to a $500 million investment.
• This announcement comes after a challenging year for Qorvo, during which its stock fell by 29%, weighed down by declining revenues in its mobile segment and an unfavorable product mix in the Android ecosystem.

• Copper prices finished up over 9000 USD/ton again this week after hovering around 3-5% of that level for close to a month. 
• The COMEX spread has reached a 10-week high, while the Yangshan premium shows signs of investor bullishness as it closes in on the 80 USD/ton. 
• With better TSF numbers from China and a slightly more optimistic picture of demand, we head into 2025 feeling better about copper pricing. 

• Plug Power, a leading name in the hydrogen economy, recently secured a $1.66 billion loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
• This funding is set to propel the company’s plans to build several facilities for clean hydrogen production, with the first plant slated for Texas.
• The announcement comes amid political uncertainty, as President Donald Trump is set to take office with a potentially contrasting stance on clean energy policies.

• Company is a manufacturer and supplier of heavy building materials and services operating primarily on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States
• They have experienced 50% revenue growth, 150% net income growth and 65% Adjusted EBITDA growth from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2023.
• New York Stock Exchange to list the US unit of Brussels-based Titan Cement International SA

• Biotechnology company developing next-generation injectable and oral nutrient stimulated hormone, or NuSH, analog peptides to treat obesity, overweight and related conditions filed for Q1 IPO
• Preliminary Phase 2 results in January suggested a durable pharmacodynamic, or PD, effect consistent with the observed half-life.
• ARCH Ventures along with Fidelity are among the existing shareholders as this company enters begins its road to be a publicly traded company

• Walgreens Boots Alliance’s latest earnings reveals a mixed financial and strategic picture for the company, which has been taking significant strides in response to ongoing challenges and strategic realignments.
• On the positive side, the company has initiated a turnaround strategy for its U.S. Retail Pharmacy business as a crucial focus area.
• The company made progress in optimizing its store footprint, with positive early results and better-than-expected script retention rates following store closures.

• Duolingo has made headlines recently with a sharp rise in users flocking to its Mandarin courses.
• This surge coincides with a wave of U.S. users abandoning TikTok amidst uncertainty about its future, following potential bans discussed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
• As TikTok users migrate to RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese social media app, interest in Mandarin has grown significantly, contributing to a 216% year-over-year increase in Mandarin learners on Duolingo.

• In a major strategic pivot, DuPont de Nemours has announced a streamlined separation strategy that could significantly impact its operational focus and market positioning.
• Initially planning a three-way split of its Water, Electronics, and Materials businesses, the company has revised its approach by deciding to retain the Water business while accelerating the spinoff of the Electronics division.
• This decision underscores DuPont’s intent to simplify its structure and enhance shareholder value in a more agile manner.

• MSC Industrial Supply Co.’s first-quarter fiscal 2025 performance reflects a mixture of both achievements and ongoing challenges in line with its strategic objectives and the current economic climate.
• The company recorded a modest improvement against its sales expectations, with average daily sales surpassing initial guidance despite an overall 2.7% year-over-year decline.
• This decline was narrower than anticipated, driven by growth in the public sector and sustained momentum in their solutions offerings, notably within November, though these gains are not seen as indicative of a long-term trend.

• Plexus Corporation has demonstrated significant progress in its fiscal fourth-quarter 2024 results, reflecting both operational strengths and some challenges faced by the company.
• The company’s revenue for the quarter was robust, reaching $1.05 billion, which surpassed the guidance range and was driven by stronger demand across various market sectors.
• The aerospace and defense, as well as the healthcare/life sciences sectors, contributed significantly to this performance.

• RPM International delivered a robust performance in the fiscal year 2025 second quarter even amidst a macroeconomic landscape characterized by no to low growth.
• The company set new records in sales, adjusted EBIT margin, and adjusted EPS.
• This achievement is notable considering a significant $4.4 million earnings headwind due to a customer bankruptcy charge in the Consumer Group sector.

• The Simply Good Foods Company’s first quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings call has provided insights into the company’s performance and strategy going forward, reflecting both opportunities and challenges within their portfolio.
• The company reported a 10.6% increase in net sales, boosted primarily by the acquisition of Only What You Need (OWYN).
• Legacy net sales remained flat, impacted by shipment timing issues, although net sales growth in the Quest brand was strong despite some initial stockouts.

• TD SYNNEX Corporation’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2024 earnings highlight a mixed performance with both positive and negative aspects for investors to consider.
• During the fourth quarter, TD SYNNEX experienced a 10% year-over-year revenue increase, with gross billings up by 7%, which surpassed the company’s internal expectations.
• This growth was largely spurred by strength in the Endpoint Solutions, driven by robust demand for PCs, as well as double-digit growth observed across its cloud, cybersecurity, and data and analytics portfolios.

• Veradigm is a healthcare IT and services company with sticky, recurring revenue and organic growth potential
• Currently trading at an inexpensive valuation due to financial issues and a questionable acquisition
• Recent changes in shareholder base and management, as well as announcement of a strategic process, suggest potential sale in near future, unlocking significant upside for investors.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Currently advancing two wholly owned lead programs, MZE829 and MZE782, each of which represents a novel precision medicine-based approach for chronic kidney disease
• Lead candidate initiated a Phase 2 trial of MZE829 in November 2024 and expect to dose their first patient in the first quarter of 2025
• We anticipate this company to set terms (share size, price range) in the next week for a late January / early February debut.

• BAC shows strong growth of its core income in the period YoY, almost accounting for 100% of its full net profit delta YoY
• The bank is showing greater strength in corporate lending YoY and QoQ, and this can be more powerful of a statement for economic health
• NCO figures are coming down in corporate lending, while residential mortgages is seeing strong new originations – both are a good view on US economy

• Shell’s Q4 2024 revenue and EPS are expected to decline 21.9% YoY and 35.1%, respectively. For fiscal 2024, forecasts project a 4.8% revenue drop and a 7.4% EPS decline.
• Shell anticipates a USD 1.3 billion Q4 charge for emissions certificates and biofuel programs, alongside non-cash post-tax impairments ranging from USD 1.5 billion to USD 3 billion.
• Shell forecasts flat refining margins at USD 5.5/bbl but a 16% QoQ drop in chemical margins to USD 138/tonne.

• For the week ending 10/Jan, US crude inventories fell by 2m barrels, missing expectations of a 3.5m barrel decrease. Gasoline and distillate stockpiles rose more than expected.
• US natural gas inventories fell by 258 Bcf for the week ending 10/Jan, slightly missing analyst expectations of a 260 Bcf drawdown. Inventories are 2.5% above the 5-year seasonal average.
• BP forecasts tepid Q4 earnings on low refining margins and upstream output, while TotalEnergies expects higher production and gas prices to offset lower oil prices.

• LPX is recommended to buy at $104 with a 5-year price target of $255
• The company has developed value-added Oriented Strand Board products and converted mills to produce higher-margin siding
• LPX is expected to deliver mid/high-teens total shareholder return and has opportunities for reinvestment at high returns, focused on wood-based products for construction.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Looking ahead in 2025, we expect greater visibility in Ainos’ AI Nose programs, including robotics, smart manufacturing, elderly care monitoring, and Ainos Flora for women’s health testing.
• Veldona clinical trials in Sjogren’s syndrome and HIV-related oral warts remain on track, with Taiwan study completions expected in 2026.
• Sets eye on robotics. Ainos aims to expand its AI Nose application to robotics. It is seeking collaboration with the robotics and humanoid developers, as it believes now is the time to equip robotics with the ability to smell, filling a key gap in robot sensory capabilities.

• PetroTal expects to produce 21-23 mbbl/d in 2025, with the midpoint of this guidance exceeding our expectations of 21.2 mbbl/d.
• Although only four new wells are expected to come online in 2025 (including the 23H well but excluding the final well of the FY25 four-well drilling program), average production is expected to grow by ~4.2 mbbl/d from 2024 to 2025.
• In comparison, six new producers were brought online in 2024 (excluding the 23H well but including the 16H well), but production increased by only ~3.4 mbbl/d from 2023 to 2024.

• Author has a long position in CHTR and may buy or sell securities without notice
• Importance of conducting independent research before making investment decisions
• Views CHTR as a opportunity despite competition from FWA, with significant risk-reward potential

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Estée Lauder Companies, a titan in the global cosmetics industry, has recently found itself at the epicenter of takeover and activist speculation.
• Reports have reignited discussions about potential acquisition interest and the involvement of activist investors.
• Betaville’s “uncooked” alert suggested renewed whispers of a takeover, while past rumors linked activist investor Nelson Peltz to Estée Lauder, although significant hurdles persist given the family’s control over the company.

• Since mid-December, share-price spreads have generally tightened across European liquid universe of ordinary and preferred shares (8 have widened, 11 tightened) with few changes in the trends.
• Telecom Italia savers are trading at 18.5% premium to ords; Handelsbanken B at 32.4% premium to A. The discount of Grifols B has tightened, some await a comeback from Brookfield. 
• Recommended trades long preferred / short ordinary shares: Atlas Copco, Grifols SA, Media-for-Europe. Recommended trades long ordinary / short preferred shares: Henkel, Roche, SSAB Svenska Stal, Telecom Italia.

• American food giant with $14 billion in sales to go public in Q1
• Company is a spin-off from WH Group which acquired Smithfield in 2013
• Breaking down key points of the initial prospectus which was filed  on January 6th

• Halliburton’s revenue is projected to decline 1.7% YoY, with EPS down 18.6%, driven by subdued upstream activity induced by oil price volatility and weak global demand.
• Halliburton expects a 1%-3% QoQ revenue decline, and a 75-125 bps margin drop in its Completion and Production segment for Q4.
• In contrast, revenue from its Drilling and Evaluation (D&E) segment is forecasted to grow between 0% to 2%, with margins flat or improving by up to 50 bps.

• Largest Cash Raise for a company since July 2024 marking important event for Equity Capital Markets to start the calendar year
• Rising and volatile natural gas prices combined with rich valuation nearly prices company to perfection
• Deal color for potential price sensitive IPOs is crucial in determining near-term performance

• Our estimations for FY 2024 annual revenue range at around $62,766 million and for FY 2025 at around $63,080 million.
• The company’s annual revenue was $58,496 million in 2023 compared to $100,330 million in 2022, post- ing a significant decrease by 41.7%.
• Pfizer’s gross profit for FY 2023 was $33,542 million, decreased by 49.1% compared to $65,986 million for the corresponding period of 2022. 

• The 4Q24 results from JPM are strong with net profit up 50% YoY and 9% QoQ
• The bank shows almost no deposit growth YoY but there is reasonable loan growth
• While non-accrual loans are rising, JPM holds substantially and rising LLR for these

• ILet Bionic Pancreas Device autonomously determine every insulin dose without requiring a user to count carbohydrate intake
• Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $44.7 million, more than 3.5x that of their annual revenue of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
• We anticipate this company to set terms (share size, price range) in the next week for a late January / early February debut.

• Schlumberger will report its Q4 earnings on 17/Jan, with revenue and EPS projected to rise sequentially and annually. Analysts hold a bullish outlook despite macroeconomic challenges.
• Schlumberger’s OI PCR at 0.70, signalling neutral sentiment, with an 80% IV percentile indicating high volatility.
• For the 17/Jan expiry, SLB’s OI shows calls concentrated at strikes 45, 47.5, and 50, while puts dominate at 37.5, 40, and 42.5, with lower put OI at key levels.