In my February 2, 2024 Nasdaq (NDAQ) post, I state that the success of the Nasdaq 100 index makes NDAQ sensitive to the volatile technology sector. Inevitably this leads to volatile quarterly results. To reduce the volatility of its results, NDAQ undertook a strategic review which led to the beefing up of its anti-financial-crimes business [...]
Canadian National Railway (CNR) is perennially overvalued. I, therefore, pay very little attention to it despite it being my 19th largest holding at the time of my 2023 Year End FFJ Portfolio Review. Railroads are attractive in that the barriers to entry are so high; it is cost prohibitive to establish a new Class 1 [...]
On July 25, I added to my RTX Corporation (RTX) exposure with the purchase of 100 shares @ $85.67. I subsequently acquired another 100 shares @ ~$78.02 on September 11; I disclosed these purchases in posts that can be found in the FFJ Archives. When I wrote my January 24, 2024 RTX Corporation post, however, [...]
I last reviewed Lockheed Martin (LMT) in this January 24 , 2024 post at which time the most currently available financial information was for Q4 and FY2023. With the release of Q1 results and a revised FY2024 outlook on April 23, I revisit this existing holding. Business Overview Global conflict benefits LMT because its largest [...]
I think Veeva Systems (VEEV) has a favorable long-term outlook yet it appears to have fallen out of favor with the investment community. In my April 9 post, I disclosed the purchase of additional shares in a 'Core' account within the FFJ Portfolio thus bringing my exposure to 200 shares. There has been no material [...]
I last reviewed Blackstone (BX) in this January 26 post at which time it had just released its Q4 and FY2023 results. Now that BX has released its Q1 2024 results on April 18, I take this opportunity to revisit this existing holding. Based on my analysis, I expect improved results from Blackstone if interest [...]
In my April, June, and July 2022 Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) posts, I deemed shares to be attractively valued and disclosed the purchase of additional shares. In subsequent ISRG posts that are accessible through the FFJ Archives, however, I have disclosed my decision not to add to my exposure because I felt shares were overvalued. [...]
Genuine Parts' (GPC) has grown its dividend for 68 consecutive years thereby qualifying it for Dividend King status. Unfortunately, some investors base their investment decisions primarily/solely on dividend metrics. Do not let its Dividend King status influence your investment decision! Focus on the company's underlying fundamentals, competitive strengths, risk, and total potential long-term shareholder [...]
I last reviewed Goldman Sachs (GS) in this October 23, 2023 post at which time the most recent financial results were for Q3 and YTD2023. Based on my analysis, I concluded that the firm's stumble had created a buying opportunity. Fast forward to April 15, 2024 and we now have Q1 2024 results. I, therefore, [...]
The asset manager industry is highly fragmented and most asset managers should not, for a variety of reasons, even exist. At the opposite end of the spectrum, however, impressive performance by BlackRock (BLK) continues thereby increasing the probability of it benefiting from inevitable industry consolidation. One of the conclusions in PwC's '2023 Global Asset and [...]