On September 9, 2019, activist shareholder Elliott Management Corporation issued a letter to AT&T Inc.'s (T) Board of Directors. In this letter, Elliott shares its thoughts on how T can improve its business and realize a historic increase in value for its shareholders. Elliott believes T can achieve a $60+/share value by the end of [...]
Fortive Corporation (FTV) announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies with the transaction expected to be completed the 2nd half of 2020. Summary Fortive was spun off from Danaher Corporation on July 2, 2016 and adopted Danaher’s philosophy underpinning the proven Danaher Business System. Recurring revenue as a percentage of total [...]
Further to my August 17th Chevron Corporation (CVX) article, I have acquired another 300 shares for one of the 'side accounts' within the FFJ Portfolio. In my FFJ Portfolio - August 2019 Report I mentioned that due to my aging mother's health issues I had to go out of town August 18 - 28 and [...]
This is my August 2019 FFJ Portfolio update. The portfolio was created in January 2017 for the purpose of demonstrating how investing in high quality companies with competitive advantages and with a record of consistently increasing dividends can assist investors in reaching their long-term financial goals without the need to speculate or to chase dividend [...]
Chevron Corporation (CVX) released its Q2 and YTD2019 results and provided Q3 2019 guidance on August 2, 2019. Management demonstrated cost and capital discipline when it withdrew its offer to acquire Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Management has communicated its decision to resume its $5B annual share buyback program. Long-term investors would be wise to closely look [...]
This brief Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) article provides an update on the August 2019 covered call option contracts I wrote in May 2019. In my August 4th Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) article I mentioned I would provide a brief update on the August 2019 $165 covered call contracts I had sold May 15th [...]
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is a dominant supplier of switches, routers, firewalls, and complementary networking products. Its products are mission critical for network performance, stability, and security. It released its Q4 and FY2019 results and provided Q1 2020 guidance following the August 14, 2019 market close. The broad investment community was not pleased with results [...]
Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) is expanding its broad product portfolio through the internal development of new products and also by way of acquisition. It released its Q2 and YTD2019 results and updated FY2019 guidance on August 6, 2019. ZTS' current valuation suggests this is not an opportune time in which to be acquiring ZTS shares. Summary [...]
MSCI Inc. (MSCI) is the leader in providing global benchmarks to institutional investors. It released its Q2 and YTD2019 results and updated FY2020 guidance on August 1, 2019. Investors would be wise to refer to my August 9th 'Howard Marks' related article when considering whether to invest in MSCI at current levels. Summary MSCI is [...]
Legendary investor Howard Marks, chairman and co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, has published two books in which he explains the keys to successful investing, the pitfalls that can destroy capital, and the importance of having a keen understanding of the reasons behind the rhythm of cycles. In my opinion, the current investment environment is such [...]
