Fastenal Company (FAST) released Q2 2019 results July 11, 2019 in which management indicated that while activity has clearly slowed and there is no panic in the market, sentiment has become more cautious. Summary A $9,000 investment in FAST on the date of its August 20, 1987 IPO would now be worth in excess [...]
Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, providing application focused solutions that include instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow. In mid-May, Agilent released Q2 results in which FY2019 Revenue guidance was lowered but Non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance remained unchanged at $3.03 [...]
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) released Q2 2019 results on July 18, 2019. Guidance for FY2019 has been lowered and corrective action is being taken to improve results. With the ~$7 pullback in GPC's share price following the release of results on July 18th, I now view GPC as fairly valued despite lower earnings expectations. [...]
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) released Q2 2019 results on July 16, 2019. Although there is significant overhang from the 'talc' and 'opioid' legal issues I anticipate that any penalties JNJ does incur will be far less than those sought by the plaintiffs. I view JNJ as being reasonably valued and would acquire additional shares [...]
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) released Q2 2019 results on July 16, 2019. It also announced on June 27th an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.85 to $1.25 effective with the Q3 dividend payment and a $7B share repurchase program beginning Q3 2019 and ending Q2 2020. I am bullish GS and the [...]
Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX: ATD.b) is the 2nd largest participant in the highly fragmented convenience store industry behind Japan's Seven & I Holdings Co. (7-11 chain). ATD.b will appeal to investors seeking growth versus dividend income. Summary ATD is the #2 player in the convenience store sector on a global basis behind Japan’s Seven & I [...]
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) has just released Q2 2019 results and reaffirmed FY2019 guidance. In its July 9, 2019 Earnings Release, PEP's Chairman and CEO indicated efforts are being made to make PEP a faster, stronger and better company by building new capabilities, strengthening brands, adding capacity to grow and transforming the culture. I view PEP [...]
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM and BAM-a.TO) has demonstrated its ability to attract funding from sophisticated institutional investors and has stated it wants to grow the number of client relationships from 630 in 2019 to ~1000 by 2023. Its infrastructure investment arm, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP and BIP-un.TO) which invests in operating assets across [...]
Despite increased competition Nike, Inc. (NKE) stands to benefit from the growing global middle class. I view NKE as an attractive long-term investment in that it consistently generates strong Free Cash Flow and has a Balance Sheet which reflects minimal Intangible Assets and Goodwill. Summary NKE faces stiff competition but it has demonstrated that [...]
FedEx Corporation's (FDX) share price has been under pressure as it faces headwinds resulting from the current trade war. I view FDX as a leader in the Air Delivery and Freight Services industry. Its current attractive valuation presents long-term investors with a window of opportunity to invest in a high quality company which should benefit [...]
