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Recent Articles
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Foot Locker Talks of a More Promotional Environment, Softening Consumer Spending
Dec 5, 2024
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Image Source: Foot Locker.
Looking to all of 2024, Foot Locker now expects sales growth to be -1.5% to -1% from -1% to +1% previously and comparable store sales growth of 1%-1.5%, down from the prior range of 1%-3%. It also lowered its EBIT margin outlook for the full year 2024 to the range of 2.3%-2.5% from 2.8%-3.2% previously. Non-GAAP earnings per share for the year is now targeted in the range of $1.20-$1.30 from $1.50-$1.70 previously. Given the disappointing outlook, we’re viewing Foot Locker as a put option idea candidate.
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Exxon Mobil’s Permian Assets Performing Well, Structural Cost Reductions on Track
Dec 4, 2024
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Image Source: Exxon Mobil.
We like Exxon Mobil’s strong advantaged volume growth from Guyana and Permian assets, including Pioneer Natural Resources, and we view Exxon Mobil as one of our favorite ideas to gain energy exposure, given its strong dividend track record and excellent free cash flow generation. Exxon Mobil is also aggressively pursuing structural cost savings and is on track to deliver cumulative savings of $15 billion through the end of 2027 versus 2019. Our fair value estimate stands at $126 per share. Exxon Mobil yields 3.4% at the time of this writing.
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Salesforce Posts Mixed Results, Agentforce Capitalizing on AI Demand
Dec 4, 2024
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Image Source: Salesforce.
Looking to full year 2025 guidance, Salesforce raised the low end of its revenue expectations to $37.8-$38 billion, up 8%-9% year-over-year, while it maintained its Subscription & Support revenue growth guidance of approximately 10% in constant currency. The company also raised its full-year GAAP operating margin guidance to 19.8% and its non-GAAP operating margin guidance to 32.9%. Salesforce raised its full year 2025 operating cash flow growth guidance to the range of 24%-26%. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected in the range of $9.98-$10.03 for the year (midpoint of $10.01), below the consensus estimate of $10.11. Salesforce is a net cash rich, free cash flow generating powerhouse, and the company continues to deliver for shareholders.
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Union Pacific’s Free Cash Flow Generation Remains Robust
Dec 2, 2024
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Image Source: Union Pacific.
Union Pacific ended the third quarter with $947 million in cash and cash equivalents, while total debt stood at $31.4 billion. Year-to-date, cash provided by operating activities increased to $6.7 billion from $6 billion in the same period last year, while capital expenditures fell to $2.5 billion from $2.6 billion in the year-ago period. Year-to-date free cash flow was $4.2 billion, well in excess of cash dividends paid of $2.4 billion over the same time period. Management expects fourth quarter results to be “consistent sequentially from the third quarter, while improving year-over-year versus the fourth quarter 2023.” Shares yield 2.2%. The high end of our fair value estimate range for Union Pacific is $264 per share.
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