Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Recent articles

Target Expects Ho Hum Holiday Results Jan 6, 2025: Image Source: Target.

For the holiday fourth quarter, Target expects approximately flat comparable sales with GAAP and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $1.85-$2.45 (versus $2.64 consensus), translating to a full year expected GAAP and adjusted earnings per share range of $8.30-$8.90. The midpoint of the guidance range was down compared to its prior outlook in the range of $9.00-$9.70 and the consensus mark of $9.52. Target appears to be losing share against Walmart, Amazon and Costco, and there is no clear path to regaining it. Target’s shares yield 3.3% at the time of this writing.

HP Inc. Sets Q1'25 Expectations Below Consensus, Dividend Looks Healthy Jan 6, 2025: Image Source: HP Inc.

For fiscal 2025, HP Inc. expects non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share to be in the range of $3.45-$3.75, the midpoint in-line with the consensus forecast of $3.60. Free cash flow is targeted in the range of $3.2-$3.6 billion on the year, the midpoint up from $3.3 billion last fiscal year and well in excess of the company’s annual run-rate dividends of ~$1.1 billion. During fiscal 2024, the company returned $2.1 billion via share repurchases. HP ended the quarter with $3.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $9.7 billion in short-and long-term debt. HP is set to benefit from an AI PC refresh, and even though expectations weren’t set as high as what the market was looking for in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, HP Inc. remains a strong dividend payer. Shares yield 3.5% at the time of this writing.

Keeping the Horse Before the Cart: Valuentum’s Economic Castle™ Rating Jan 5, 2025: Image shown: An examination of the problem that might arise by focusing exclusively on companies that have economic moats, or sustainable and durable competitive advantages.

Without an economic castle, an economic moat doesn’t matter. Let's examine Valuentum's Economic Castle™ rating.

FedEx Lowers Fiscal 2025 Guidance Again, Plans to Separate FedEx Freight Jan 1, 2025: Image: FedEx’s shares have come roaring back since its bottom in the back half of 2022.

Looking to fiscal 2025, FedEx revised its revenue and earnings forecasts lower again. Revenue is now expected to be “approximately flat” year over year compared to the prior forecast calling for a low single-digit percentage increase. Diluted earnings per share before mark-to-market retirement plans accounting adjustments is now targeted in the range of $16.45-$17.45 compared to its prior forecast of $17.90-$18.90. Also excluding costs related to its business optimization initiatives, management is targeting diluted earnings per share of $19.00-$20.00 per share, down from $20.00-$21.00 per share previously. FedEx announced it will separate FedEx Freight as a new publicly-traded company, hoping to garner a higher multiple placed on the spinoff, but we’re not interested in shares of the company or its spinoff at this time. Shares yield 2%. Our favorite ideas remain in the newsletter portfolios.