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June 2017 Stock Picks TOP 25 STOCKS June-17 RANK TICKER NAME SECTOR
INDUSTRY 1 ULTA Ulta Beauty Inc 09 - Services Retail (Specialty Non-Apparel) 2 GOOGL Alphabet Inc 10 - Technology Computer Services 3 FB Facebook Inc 4 AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. Retail (Catalog & Mail Order) 5 EW Edwards Lifesciences Corp 08 - Health Care Medical Equipment & Supplies 6 BABA Alibaba Group Holding Ltd 7 AAPL Apple Inc. Communications Equipment 8 V Visa Inc Business Services 9 GD General Dynamics Corporation 02 - Capital Goods Aerospace and Defense 10 DHI D.R. Horton, Inc. Construction Services 11 USCR US Concrete Inc Construction - Raw Materials 12 FDX FedEx Corporation 11 - Transportation Air Courier 13 DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc. Airline 14 HD Home Depot Inc Retail (Home Improvement) 15 COST Costco Wholesale Corporation 16 WLK Westlake Chemical Corporation 01 - Basic Materials Chemicals - Plastics and Rubbers 17 GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc 07 - Financial Investment Services 18 DIS Walt Disney Co Broadcasting & Cable TV 19 AGN Allergan plc Biotechnology & Drugs 20 C Citigroup Inc Regional Banks 21 XOM Exxon Mobil Corporation 06 - Energy Oil & Gas Operations 22 DOW Dow Chemical Co 23 CBS CBS Corporation 24 BAC Bank of America Corp 25 ARNC Arconic Inc Metal Mining As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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June 2017 Growth Stock Picks
As of May 30th, Subject to change.
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Apple Inc. (AAPL) Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players to consumers, small and mid-sized businesses, and education, enterprise, and government customers worldwide. The company also sells related software, services, accessories, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. It offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and Mac, a line of desktop and portable personal computers. The company also provides iLife, a consumer-oriented digital lifestyle software application suite; iWork, an integrated productivity suite that helps users create, present, and publish documents, presentations, and spreadsheets; and other application software, such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro X, and FileMaker Pro. In addition, it offers Apple TV that connects to consumers' TV and enables them to access digital content directly for streaming high definition video, playing music and games, and viewing photos; Apple Watch, a personal electronic device; and iPod, a line of portable digital music and media players. Further, the company sells Apple-branded and third-party Mac-compatible, and iOS-compatible accessories, such as headphones, displays, storage devices, Beats products, and other connectivity and computing products and supplies. Additionally, it offers iCloud, a cloud service; AppleCare that offers support options for its customers; and Apple Pay, a mobile payment service. The company sells and delivers digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, TV App Store, iBooks Store, and Apple Music. It also sells its products through its retail and online stores, and direct sales force, as well as through third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers. Apple Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Apple Inc. (AAPL) POSITIVES: Between first-time smartphone buyers, people switching away from Android, and repeat sales to current customers, Apple has plenty of opportunity to reap the rewards of its iPhone business. Apple's iPhone and iOS operating system have consistently been rated at the head of the pack in terms of customer loyalty, engagement and security, which bodes well for long-term customer retention. We think Apple is still innovating with introductions of Apple Pay, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and AirPods, each of which could drive incremental revenue but, more important, help to retain iPhone users over time. Possible concerns: Apple’s recent decisions to maintain a premium pricing strategy may help fend off gross margin compression but could limit unit sales growth as devices may be unaffordable for many emerging-market customers. If Apple were to ever launch a buggy software update or subpar services like Apple Maps, it could diminish the firm's reputation for building products that "just work. Future U.S. immigration and trade policy could have negative ramifications for Apple, which has significant overseas operations and manufacturing partnerships. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Allergan plc (AGN) Allergan plc, a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes medical aesthetics, biosimilar, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates through US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International segments. The company offers a portfolio of products that provide treatment for the central nervous system, gastroenterology, women's health and urology, ophthalmology, neurosciences, medical aesthetics, dermatology, plastic surgery, liver disease, inflammation, metabolic syndromes, and fibrosis, as well as Alzheimer's disease. It is also involved in developing ocular implants that reduce intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma; medical devices for the correction of prominent ears; and intranasal neurostimulation devices, as well as other dry eye products. In addition, the company distributes generic and branded pharmaceutical products primarily to independent and chain pharmacies, nursing homes, mail order pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. Further, it develops a portfolio of breast implants and tissue expanders; and RM-131 (relamorelin), a peptide ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. The company has licensing agreement with Assembly Biosciences, Inc.; Mimetogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Almirall, S.A; Naurex, Inc.; and Merck & Co. The company was formerly known as Actavis plc and changed its name to Allergan plc in June Allergan plc was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Allergan plc (AGN) POSITIVES: Through acquisitions, Allergan has transformed into a major diversified drug manufacturer with a broad patent-protected portfolio and a healthy drug pipeline. Botox continues to dominate the neuromodulator market with almost 75% market share. Few competitors match Allergan’s product portfolio scope, brand recognition, and loyalty programs in the cosmetic market, and recent therapeutic indications introduce Botox to new areas. Allergan's drug pipeline, including biosimilars, holds potentially large growth opportunities. Possible concerns: Allergan’s future growth depends on the success of products in development, but some high-risk products have faced developmental challenges, such as the anti-VEGF DARPin currently entering Phase III clinical trials. Lower levels of R&D spending compared with peers puts greater pressure on management to supplement growth through acquisitions. Misallocated capital or integration snafus could lead Allergan astray. Allergan's branded drug franchises in women's health, urology, gastrointestinal, and nervous system markets face high levels of generic competition, which erodes pricing power. Source: Morningstar, March 2017
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Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) Amazon.com, Inc. engages in the retail sale of consumer products and subscriptions in North America and internationally. It operates through the North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) segments. The company sells merchandise and content purchased for resale from vendors, as well as those offered by third-party sellers through retail Websites, such as amazon.com, amazon.ca, amazon.com.mx, amazon.com.au, amazon.com.br, amazon.cn, amazon.fr, amazon.de, amazon.in, amazon.it, amazon.co.jp, amazon.nl, amazon.es, and amazon.co.uk. It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including kindle e-readers, fire tablets, fire TVs, and echo; and provides Kindle Direct Publishing, an online service that allows independent authors and publishers to make their books available in the Kindle Store. In addition, the company offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on its Websites, as well as their own branded Websites; and programs that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, app developers, and others to publish and sell content. Further, it provides compute, storage, database, and other AWS services, as well as fulfillment, publishing, digital content subscriptions, advertising, and co-branded credit card agreements services. Additionally, the company offers Amazon Prime, an annual membership program, which provides free shipping of various items; access to unlimited streaming of movies and TV episodes; and other services. It serves consumers, sellers, developers, enterprises, and content creators. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) POSITIVES: Amazon dominates North American online retail with 2015 product sales of almost $63 billion (excluding services), roughly equal to the next eight closest nonauction competitors combined. With more than half of the world's Internet users coming from developing markets, Amazon has sizable international growth opportunities. Kindle products and complementary devices like Fire TV, Dash, Echo, and Alexa represent intriguing customer acquisition and retention tools that capitalize on the shift to digital media while also promoting Prime memberships and cloud computing capabilities. Possible concerns: Amazon's margin expansion trajectory is likely to be uneven at times, given the firm's global logistics and content investments and sources of new competition. International expansion brings unique challenges such as local e-commerce regulations, infrastructure investments, and incumbent competition in some overseas markets. Certain Amazon Web Services offerings will face competition from well-capitalized peers, potentially exposing it to more aggressive price competition and longer-term margin pressures. Source: Morningstar, February 2017
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Arconic Inc. (ARNC) Arconic manufactures value-added aluminum and specialty metals products for a wide variety of industrial end markets, including aerospace and defense, building and construction, and automotive. The company has embraced a growth-by-acquisition strategy, having completed nearly $5 billion of acquisitions since late Many of Arconic’s key product lines will enjoy secular growth due to the need for lightweighting and high-performance materials that hold up in harsh operating conditions. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Arconic Inc. (ARNC) POSITIVES: We are in the early innings of the current aerospace upcycle, and Arconic’s increased aerospace exposure positions the company for substantial growth. Arconic will benefit as aluminum takes share from steel in the automotive space. Arconic will remain highly acquisitive, increasing its exposure to attractive growth markets and cutting-edge technologies such as 3-D printing. Possible concerns: Expectations for commercial aircraft deliveries will prove lofty, weighing on profits from the EPS segment. Higher aluminum prices will drive up unit costs, reducing profits for the company’s aluminum product lines. Arconic will overpay for acquisitions in an effort to rapidly diversify away from aluminum product lines. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA)
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as an online and mobile commerce company in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates Taobao Marketplace, an online shopping destination; Tmall, a third-party platform for brands and retailers; Juhuasuan, a sales and marketing platform for flash sales; Alibaba.com, an online wholesale marketplace; Alitrip, an online travel booking platform; 1688.com, an online wholesale marketplace; and AliExpress, a consumer marketplace. The company also provides pay-for-performance and display marketing services through its Alimama marketing technology platform; Taobao Ad Network and Exchange (TANX), a real-time bidding online marketing exchange in China; and data management platform through TANX for marketers to execute their campaigns with proprietary and tailored data. In addition, it offers cloud computing services, including elastic computing, database, storage and content delivery network, large scale computing, security, and management and application services through its Alibaba Cloud Computing platform; Web hosting and domain name registration services; payment and escrow services; and develops and operates mobile Web browsers. The company provides its solutions primarily for businesses. The company has a strategic partnership with Mattel, Inc. Alibaba Group Holding Limited was founded in 1999 and is based in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA)
POSITIVES: Alibaba's China marketplaces boasted 443 million active buyers as of December 2016, roughly one third of China’s total population. We expect a long runway of user growth in the coming years. We expect Alibaba to benefit from the structural shift of China's digital commerce market from C2C to B2C, as Tmall can gain significant organic user traffic from Taobao and better monetize transactions. Roughly 70% of Chinese online shoppers born in the 1990s consider Taobao as their first online shopping option, implying a long runway of potential transactions ahead. Possible concerns: Rapid expansion of other China digital commerce players like JD.com and Vipshop could disrupt Alibaba in specific product categories. Alibaba has invested in businesses outside of China that might not significantly improve its ecosystem. This could divert management's attention from its core digital commerce platform. Despite its dominant position in China, direct expansion into other regions (outside of Southeast Asia) could be a challenge due to the network effects of established local e-commerce rivals. Source: Morningstar, January 2017
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Bank of America Corporation (BAC)
Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, Global Banking, and Global Markets. The Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, CDs and IRAs, noninterest- and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products, as well as credit and debit cards, residential mortgages and home equity loans, and direct and indirect loans. This segment provides its products and services through approximately 4,600 financial centers, 15,900 ATMs, call centers, and online and mobile platforms. The Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment management, brokerage, banking, and retirement products, as well as wealth management and customized solutions. The Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans, leases, commitment facilities, trade finance, real estate lending, and asset-based lending; treasury solutions, such as treasury management, foreign exchange, and short-term investing options; working capital management solutions; and debt and equity underwriting and distribution, and merger-related and other advisory services. The Global Markets segment offers market-making, financing, securities clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management, foreign exchange, fixed-income, and mortgage-related products. Bank of America Corporation was founded in 1874 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Bank of America Corporation (BAC)
POSITIVES: Bank of America is poised to succeed as a provider of retail banking and wealth management services on a nationwide scale. CEO Brian Moynihan has slowly repaired years of damage while mostly staying out of the headlines. Many of Bank of America's past problems were a result of poor capital-allocation decisions. The company's size (it is now too big to make material acquisitions) along with increased regulatory scrutiny reduces this risk going forward. Possible concerns: A financial institution of this size and complexity is inherently unmanageable--it's even possible that regulators might decide to break up the company. Bank of America has been cutting expenses for years, and the low-hanging fruit in this realm has been picked. Digital competitors are nipping at the heels of traditional branched banks. Source: Morningstar, March 2017
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Citigroup Inc. (C) Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services for consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Citicorp and Citi Holdings. The Citicorp segment offers traditional banking services to retail customers through retail banking, commercial banking, Citi-branded cards, and Citi retail services. It also provides various banking, credit card lending, and investment services through a network of local branches, offices, and electronic delivery systems. In addition, this segment provides wholesale banking products and services, including fixed income and equity sales and trading, foreign exchange, prime brokerage, derivative services, equity and fixed income research, corporate lending, investment banking and advisory services, private banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services to corporate, institutional, public sector, and high-net-worth clients. As of December 31, 2016, it operated 2,649 branches in 19 countries. The Citi Holdings segment provides consumer loans; and portfolio of securities, loans, and other assets. Citigroup Inc. was founded in 1812 and is based in New York, New York. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Citigroup Inc. (C) POSITIVES: Citigroup is leveraged to the rise of Asia, Latin America, and other emerging markets, while its competitors will struggle with lackluster loan demand in the U.S. and Western Europe. Citigroup is recapitalized and refocused under new management--the perfect conditions for a successful turnaround. A shrinking balance sheet, falling expenses, and a lighter regulatory environment provide a perfect combination for capital return over the next five years. Possible concerns: Emerging-market exposure will pull Citigroup down just as the U.S. begins to recover. The culture that led to Citigroup's bailout will not be easy to change. The company may be too big for anyone to manage successfully. Returns on tangible equity continue to fall well below the bank's cost of capital. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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CBS Corporation (CBS) CBS Corporation operates as a mass media company worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Entertainment, Cable Networks, Publishing, and Local Media. The Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, and sports and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and/or distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; operates online content networks for information and entertainment; produces, acquires, and distributes theatrical motion pictures; and digital streaming services. The Cable Networks segment offers subscription program services, such as original series, theatrical feature films, documentaries, boxing and other sports-related programming, and special events. This segment also operates CBS Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service that provides college sports and related content; and Smithsonian Networks, which operates a channel featuring cultural, historical, scientific, and educational programs. The Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children's consumer books in printed, digital, and audio formats; develops special imprints and publishes titles based on the products of the company, as well as that of third parties; and distributes products for other publishers. This segment also delivers content; and promotes its products on its Websites, social media, and general Internet sites, as well as those related to individual titles. The Local Media segment owns 30 broadcast television stations; and operates local Websites, including content from the company's television stations, and news and sports radio stations. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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CBS Corporation (CBS) POSITIVES: The CBS television network has consistently generated strong broadcast ratings relative to its peers over the past several years. The success and stability of the network attract advertisers. CBS owns valuable sports rights, including the NFL, the NCAA's March Madness, and college football. This popular programming gives CBS leverage in negotiations with pay TV distributors for retransmission fees and with advertisers interested in the live viewing audience. Quality content is tough to build from scratch, and CBS owns one of the more successful television production studios. Possible concerns: CBS' business model depends on the continued growth of retransmission and reverse compensation fees. Increased cord cutting by consumers and lower ratings could threaten the growth of these fees. If advertisers shift money away from the broadcast networks, profitability at CBS will also fall rapidly because of the high operating leverage of the television business model. Developing hit programs can be unpredictable, especially as CBS is trying to develop more shows internally. Source: Morningstar, March 2017
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates membership warehouses. It offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories. The company provides dry and packaged foods, and groceries; snack foods, candies, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and cleaning supplies; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, and garden and patio; meat, bakery, deli, and produces; and apparel and small appliances. It also operates gas stations, pharmacies, optical dispensing centers, food courts, and hearing-aid centers; and engages in the travel businesses. In addition, the company provides gold star individual and business membership services. As of August 28, 2016, it operated 715 warehouses, including 501 warehouses in the United States, Washington, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; 91 in Canada; 36 in Mexico; 28 in the United Kingdom; 25 in Japan; 12 in Korea; 12 in Taiwan; 8 in Australia; and 2 in Spain. Further, the company sells its products through online. The company was formerly known as Costco Companies, Inc. Costco Wholesale Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Issaquah, Washington. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
POSITIVES: Costco sells goods at one of the lowest markups among retailers, which should continue to drive market share gains over time as customers continue to seek out value. Costco has become a one-stop shop for consumers, offering general merchandise, grocery, as well as fuel, which is sold as a loss leader to drive traffic. Annual membership retention is about 90%, which we believe increases visibility into its future cash flows for both the company and investors. Possible concerns: Given its 90 million cardholders today, further penetration of warehouse locations could begin to slow, particularly in the U.S. The majority of the items Costco sells are bulk, which may not resonate as well with untapped consumer segments, particularly as people choose to delay the age at which they have children and opt to live in smaller, urban locations. New club openings in existing markets could lead to cannibalization of sales from older locations. Further, securing suitable real estate options for 140,000-square-foot warehouse clubs can be a challenge in urban areas. Source: Morningstar, March 2017
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Delta Air Lines Inc.(DAL)
Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its route network is centered around a system of hubs, international gateways, and airports in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Tokyo-Narita. The company sells its tickets through various distribution channels, including delta.com and mobile applications/Web, telephone reservations, online travel agencies, traditional brick and mortar, and other agencies. It also provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services; staffing, and professional security and training services, as well as aviation solutions to third parties; vacation packages to third-party consumers; and aircraft charters, and aircraft management and programs. As of February 2, 2017, the company operated a fleet of approximately 800 aircraft. Delta Air Lines, Inc. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL)
POSITIVES: Delta will extract value out of its international joint ventures, enabling it to access Chinese, Latin American, and European markets more effectively than its peers. Delta’s strategy of operating an older fleet keeps a lid on depreciating expenses and capital expenditures and aligns well with the current era of low fuel prices. Management will continue to beat peers on metrics such as on-time arrivals and completion rate; customers will reward the company by preferring it over network peers and awarding it a PRASM premium. Possible concerns: Delta’s PRASM premium will be competed away as competitors like JetBlue and Southwest offer premium seating options to customers, network carriers roll out basic economy, and LCCs enter international markets. Delta’s JVs with international airlines will not return the expected benefits, and customers will become increasingly frustrated by the lack of coordination between Delta and its partners. Delta and other U.S. airlines will continue to bid away the profits from lower fuel prices, pushing fares down and depressing Delta's profitability. Sources: Seeking Alpha, April 2017
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D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI) D.R. Horton, Inc. operates as a homebuilding company. It engages in the acquisition and development of land; and construction and sale of homes in 26 states and 78 markets in the United States under the names of D.R. Horton, America's Builder, Express Homes, Emerald Homes, Regent Homes, Crown Communities, and Pacific Ridge Homes. The company constructs and sells single-family detached homes; and attached homes, such as town homes, duplexes, triplexes, and condominiums. It is also involved in the origination and sale of mortgages; and provision of title insurance policies, and examination and closing services. The company primarily serves title insurance agents, homebuyers, and homebuilding customers. D.R. Horton, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI) POSITIVES: Current new home demand is still below the long-run historical average. Continued affordability, tighter labor markets, and looser mortgage eligibility standards will drive stronger housing demand. Demand for entry-level housing will increase as the millennial generation forms households. D.R. Horton's Express Home brand is positioned to capitalize on this under-served market. D.R. Horton has a diversified product portfolio that benefits from multiple demographic tailwinds. Possible concerns: Anemic wage growth, underemployment, and onerous student debt obligations will continue to deter potential first-time homebuyers. Rising interest rates will reduce home ownership affordability and derail the housing recovery. Constrained land supply and rising labor and material costs will limit D.R. Horton's production and/or profitability on delivered homes. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an entertainment company worldwide. The company's Media Networks segment operates cable programming services, including the ESPN, Disney channels, and Freeform networks; broadcast businesses, which include the ABC TV Network and eight owned television stations; radio businesses consisting of the ESPN Radio Network; and the Radio Disney network. It also produces and sells original live-action and animated television programming to first-run syndication and other television markets, as well as subscription video on demand services and in home entertainment formats, such as DVD, Blu-Ray, and iTunes. Its Parks and Resorts segment owns and operates the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. This segment also operates Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney; and manages Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort, as well as licenses its intellectual property to a third party for the operations of the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. The company's Studio Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution in the theatrical, home entertainment, and television markets primarily under the Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Touchstone banners. This segment also produces stage plays and musical recordings; licenses and produces live entertainment events; and provides visual and audio effects, and other post-production services. Its Consumer Products & Interactive Media segment licenses its trade names, characters, and visual and literary properties; develops and publishes games for mobile platforms; and sells its products through The Disney Store, DisneyStore.com, and MarvelStore.com, as well as directly to retailers. The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Burbank, California. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
POSITIVES: The parks and resorts segment has rebounded strongly from the recession and the opening of Disneyland Shanghai should provide additional momentum. The addition of the Star Wars franchise broadens the demographics that the company can address. Additionally, the strong distribution and merchandising capabilities of Disney should help to speed the monetization of the Lucasfilm acquisition. Although making movies is a hit-or-miss business, Disney's large library of content with popular franchises and characters reduces this volatility over time. Possible concerns: The business model for the media networks depends on the continued growth of retransmission and reverse compensation fees. Any slowdown in the growth of these fees, perhaps because the pay-television business begins to shrink, would hurt the profitability of this segment. Increases in the cost of popular programming such as sports events and television series could adversely affect margins at ESPN and ABC. Developing mass-market hit programs can be unpredictable, especially as media fragmentation continues. Sources: Morningstar, April 2017
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The Dow Chemical Company (DOW)
The Dow Chemical Company manufactures and supplies products that are used as raw materials in the manufacture of customer's products and services worldwide. It operates in five segments: Agricultural Sciences, Consumer Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions, Performance Materials & Chemicals, and Performance Plastics segments. The Agricultural Sciences segment provides crop protection and seed/plant biotechnology products and technologies, urban pest management solutions, and healthy oils. The Consumer Solutions segment develops and markets customized materials using technology and chemistries for specialty applications, such as semiconductors and organic light-emitting diodes, adhesives, and foams for use in the transportation industry; cellulosics and other polymers for pharmaceutical formulations and food solutions; and silicone solutions used in consumer goods and automotive applications. The Infrastructure Solutions segment provides architectural and industrial coatings, construction material ingredients, building insulation products, adhesives, and microbial protection products for the oil and gas industry, telecommunications, and light and water technologies. The Performance Materials & Chemicals segment offers chlorine and caustic soda; industrial solutions; and isocyanates, polyols, polyurethane systems, and propylene oxide/propylene glycols. The Performance Plastics segment provides elastomers, polyolefin plastomers, and ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomers; wire and cable insulation, semiconductive, and jacketing compound solutions, as well as bio-based plasticizers; acrylics, polyethylene, and polyolefin plastomers; and ethylene, propylene, benzene, butadiene, octane, aromatics co-products, and crude c4 products, as well as products for power, steam, and other utilities. It primarily serves packaging, infrastructure, transportation, consumer care, electronics, and agriculture sectors. The company was founded in 1897 and is based in Midland, Michigan. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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The Dow Chemical Company (DOW)
POSITIVES: Dow benefits from greater feedstock flexibility than the average basic chemical producer in North America and Europe, giving it opportunities for added profits in periods of fluctuating input and output prices. Dow's investments in feedstocks at the U.S. Gulf Coast and in the Middle East should boost profitability for its downstream businesses. The merger with DuPont should create meaningful cost synergies. Possible concerns: A plethora of announced petrochemical projects in the U.S. could eventually lead to oversupply. Lower oil prices should be pressure on Dow's North American-based ethylene operations. As seen in 2009, Dow operates in a cyclical industry that can get pounded by downturns in the global economy. The recent slowdown in GDP growth does not bode well for Dow's near-term prospects. Sources: Morningstar, April 2017
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Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW)
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies to treat structural heart disease and critically ill patients worldwide. It offers transcatheter heart valve therapy products comprising transcatheter aortic heart valves and their delivery systems for the nonsurgical replacement of heart valves. The company also provides surgical heart valve therapy products, such as pericardial valves for aortic and mitral replacement, and minimally invasive aortic heart valve system; and tissue heart valves and repair products, which are used to replace or repair a patient's diseased or defective heart valve. In addition, it produces pericardial valves from biologically inert animal tissue; and provides heart valve repair therapies, including annuloplasty rings and systems. Further, the company offers critical care products, such as hemodynamic monitoring systems to measure a patient's heart function in surgical and intensive care settings; pulmonary artery catheters; and Oximetry Central Venous Catheters for continuous measurement of central venous oxygen saturation. Additionally, its critical care products include disposable pressure monitoring devices and closed blood sampling systems to protect patients and clinicians from infection; and peripheral vascular products used to treat endolumenal occlusive disease, such as embolectomy catheters for removing blood clots from peripheral blood vessels. The company distributes its products through direct sales force and independent distributors. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW)
POSITIVES: Edwards' efforts to focus on efficiency and higher-margin products have paid off, as gross margins increased from 47% in 2000 to 75% in Cardiothoracic surgeons are a fairly conservative bunch and like to stick with proven devices and brands. As a pioneer in heart valves, Edwards continues to be seen as the gold standard. Edwards should benefit from an aging population, which experiences problems with heart valves and congestive heart failure with greater frequency. Possible concerns: Edwards' ambitions to diversify into minimally invasive medical technologies place the firm in direct competition with much larger competitors, such as Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, who can easily bid up prices for emerging technologies that Edwards couldn't match. Competition from St. Jude Medical and Boston Scientific is likely to enter the U.S. market starting in the time frame. If Sapien pricing remains high even after the entrance of new rivals, payers may limit usage of transcatheter valves for the high-risk patients. Source: Morningstar, May 2017
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Facebook, Inc. (FB) Facebook, Inc. provides various products to connect and share through mobile devices, personal computers, and other surfaces worldwide. Its solutions include Facebook Website and mobile application that enables people to connect, share, discover, and communicate each other on mobile devices and personal computers; Instagram, a mobile application that enables people to take photos or videos, customize them with filter effects, and share them with friends and followers in a photo feed or send them directly to friends; Messenger, a messaging application to communicate with people and businesses across platforms and devices; and WhatsApp Messenger, a mobile messaging application. The company also offers Oculus virtual reality technology and content platform, which allow people to enter an immersive and interactive environment to play games, consume content, and connect with others. As of December 31, 2016, it had approximately 1.23 billion daily active users. Facebook, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Facebook, Inc. (FB) POSITIVES: With more users and usage time than any other social network, Facebook provides the largest audience and the most valuable data for social network online advertising. Facebook’s ad revenue per user is growing, demonstrating the value that advertisers see in working with the firm. The application of AI technology to Facebook’s various offerings, along with the launch of VR products such as the Oculus Rift, will increase user engagement, driving further growth in advertising revenue. Possible concerns: Facebook is currently a one-trick pony and will be affected severely if online advertising no longer grows or if more advertising dollars shift to others like Google or Snapchat. Despite rapid user growth, many of Facebook’s customers may also belong to other social networks, such as Snapchat, so the firm will continually have to fight to capture a user’s time and engagement with Facebook’s properties. Regulations could emerge that limit the application and collection of user and usage data, which could minimize the value of Facebook’s aggregated data. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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FedEx Corporation (FDX)
FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. The company's FedEx Express segment provides various shipping services for the delivery of packages and freight; international trade services specializing in customs brokerage, and ocean and air freight forwarding services; assistance with the customs-trade partnership against terrorism program; and customs clearance services, as well as an information tool that allows customers to track and manage imports. This segment also publishes customs duty and tax information; and offers critical inventory logistics, transportation management, and temperature-controlled transportation services, as well as international express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services. Its FedEx Ground segment provides business and residential money-back guaranteed ground package delivery services; and consolidates and delivers low-weight and less time-sensitive business-to-consumer packages, as well as offers third-party logistics services. The company's FedEx Freight segment offers less-than-truckload freight, and freight-shipping services. As of May 31, 2016, this segment operated approximately 65,000 vehicles and trailers from a network of approximately 370 service centers. Its FedEx Services segment provides sale, marketing, information technology, communication, customer, technical support, billing and collection, and other back-office support services; FedEx Mobile, a suite of solutions to track packages, create shipping labels, view account-specific rate quotes, and access drop-off location information; access to copying and digital printing through retail and Web-based platforms, signs and graphics, professional finishing, computer rentals, and ground shipping and time-definite express shipping services; and packing services, supplies, and boxes. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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FedEx Corporation (FDX)
POSITIVES: FedEx's huge air fleet, 50,000 drop boxes, and global operations knit together a massive presence unlikely to be replicated except by its few current competitors. In addition to ground growth, resumption of higher margins in the LTL freight and international express businesses should boost revenue growth and consolidated operating margins, assuming some boost in international volume over current levels. During its four-decade history, FedEx has weathered multiple economic cycles and oil supply crises. While short-term results may suffer, the firm's powerful network is here to stay. Possible concerns: Although critical to growth, a high level of international exposure makes the firm vulnerable to downturns in global trade and political interference. Operating one of the world's largest airlines is a highly capital-intensive endeavor, and air freighter replenishment will demand substantial capital expenditures during the next several years. While fuel surcharges buffer much of the impact of rapid jet fuel and diesel price shocks, FedEx remains highly exposed to the price of crude oil. Source: Morningstar, March 2017
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General Dynamics Corporation (GD)
General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four business groups: Aerospace; Combat Systems; Information Systems and Technology; and Marine Systems. The Aerospace group designs, develops, manufactures, and outfits business-jet aircraft; provides aircraft services, such as maintenance, repair, aircraft management, charter, fixed-base operational, and staffing services; and performs aircraft completion services for other original equipment manufacturers. The Combat Systems group is involved in the design, development, production, modernization, and sustainment of combat vehicles, weapons systems, and munitions. This group offers wheeled combat and tactical vehicles; main battle tanks and tracked combat vehicles; armaments; and maintenance and logistics support and sustainment services. The Information Systems and Technology group provides technologies, products, and services that support a range of military, federal/civilian, state, local, and commercial customers. This group offers information technology solutions and mission support services; communication, command-and-control, and computer mission systems; and imagery, signals, and multi-intelligence systems for customers in the defense sector, intelligence and homeland security communities, and the United States allies. The Marine Systems group designs, constructs, and repairs surface ships and submarines for the United States Navy and Jones Act ships for commercial customers. This group offers nuclear-powered surface combatants, auxiliary and combat-logistics ships, and commercial product carriers and containerships; and provides design and engineering support services, as well as maintenance, modernization, and lifecycle support services. General Dynamics Corporation was founded in 1899 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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General Dynamics Corporation (GD)
POSITIVES: Management's focus on margins over market share gains means improved operating performance for the company, which will continue to boost the bottom line. Strong orders from the U.K. and Saudi Arabia will enable a resurgence in sales growth over the coming years in the ground vehicle business. The U.S. defense budget is set for growth, and the Trump administration's apparent focus on shipbuilding and army end strength will benefit General Dynamics. Possible concerns: Information systems, at 30% of sales, has been hit by constrained government budgets and faces significant cost pressures in a highly competitive environment. Business jet demand will weaken and enter a cyclical downturn. In addition, General Dynamics faces a complex manufacturing and commercial transition to the G500 and G600 models. General Dynamics is reliant on a few major programs (G500, G600, Columbus submarines, and LAV for Saudi Arabia) to drive growth. If one or several of these are canceled or face tough market conditions, this would hurt revenue growth and margin expansion. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Google Inc. (GOOGL) Alphabet Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides online advertising services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and rest of the world. The company offers performance and brand advertising services. It operates through Google and Other Bets segments. The Google segment includes principal Internet products, such as Search, Ads, Commerce, Maps, YouTube, Google Cloud, Android, Chrome, and Google Play, as well as technical infrastructure and newer efforts, including Virtual Reality. This segment also sells digital contents, apps and cloud offerings, and hardware products. The Other Bets segment includes businesses, such as Access, Calico, CapitalG, GV, Nest, Verily, Waymo, X, and Google Fiber. Alphabet Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Source: FinViz.com April 2017
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Google Inc. (GOOGL) POSITIVES: As the number of online users and usage increases, so will digital ad spending, of which Google will remain one of the main beneficiaries. Android’s dominant global market share of smartphones leaves Alphabet’s Google well positioned to continue generating top-line growth as search traffic shifts from desktop to mobile. The significant cash generated from the Google search business allows Alphabet to remain focused on innovation and the long-term growth opportunities that new areas present. Possible concerns: There is little revenue diversification within Alphabet, as it remains heavily dependent on Google and the state of the search ad space. Alphabet is allocating too much capital towards high-risk bets, which face a very low probability of generating returns. Google’s dominant position in online search is not sustainable, as more companies and regulatory agencies are contesting the methods through which the company has been extending its leadership. Source: Morningstar, January 2017
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Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS)
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. operates as an investment banking, securities, and investment management company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending, and Investment Management. The Investment Banking segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, spin-offs, and risk management; and underwriting services, such as debt and equity underwriting of public offerings and private placements of various securities and other financial instruments, as well as derivative transactions with public and private sector clients. The Institutional Client Services segment is involved in client execution activities related to making markets in cash and derivative instruments for interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies, commodities, and equities; and provision of securities services comprising financing, securities lending, and other prime brokerage services, as well as markets in and clears client transactions on primary stock, options, and futures exchanges. The Investing & Lending segment invests in and originates longer-term loans to provide financing to clients; and makes investments in debt securities and loans, public and private equity securities, and infrastructure and real estate entities, as well as provides unsecured loans to individuals through its online platform. The Investment Management segment offers investment management products and services; and wealth advisory services consisting of portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services. The company serves corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Source: FinViz.com, May 2017
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Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS)
POSITIVES: More stable investment management and net interest income could cause investors to reassess the company’s earnings quality and increase their willingness to pay a premium for it. The company has a record of success with higher-volume lower-margin businesses, and this capability could prove useful in adapting to over-the-counter derivatives reform and changes in the fixed-income trading landscape. Several of the company's primary U.S. and European competitors have been forced to restructure, which could give Goldman an opportunity to gain market share. Possible concerns: All else equal, lower leverage reduces returns to shareholders. A severe financial shock could still turn market sentiment against the company. As the current U.S. economic recovery period is getting old, a capital markets activity peak may come sooner rather than later. Source: Morningstar, May 2017
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The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) The Home Depot, Inc. operates as a home improvement retailer. It operates The Home Depot stores that sell various building materials, home improvement products, and lawn and garden products, as well as provide installation, home maintenance, and professional service programs to do-it-yourself, do-it-for-me (DIFM), and professional customers. The company offers installation programs that include flooring, cabinets, countertops, water heaters, and sheds; and professional installation in various categories sold through its in-home sales programs, such as roofing, siding, windows, cabinet refacing, furnaces, and central air systems, as well as acts as a contractor to provide installation services to its DIFM customers through third-party installers. It primarily serves home owners; and professional renovators/remodelers, general contractors, handymen, property managers, building service contractors, and specialty tradesmen, such as installers. The company also sells its products through online. It operates through approximately 2,278 stores, including 1,977 in the United States, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam; 182 in Canada; and 119 in Mexico. The Home Depot, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) POSITIVES: Home Depot's focus on distribution and merchandising should improve productivity and increase domestic market share as the housing market improves, increasing sales and margins. The company has returned $46 billion to its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks over the past five years (25% of its market cap). The firm has consistently increased its dividend and plans to use excess cash to repurchase shares. The addressable pro market is around $50 billion, and Interline and Home Depot together represent less than 5% share, leaving meaningful upside up for grabs. Possible concerns: Weak consumer spending or an economic downturn could delay home-improvement projects and affect Home Depot's sales. IT and supply chain improvements face implementation risks, which could affect profit growth if peers surpass Home Depot’s capabilities. Limited footprint growth domestically may drive increased competitive pricing pressures between Home Depot and Lowe's, constraining ROIC expansion. Source: Morningstar, February 2017
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ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA)
Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates as a beauty retailer in the United States. The company's stores provide cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, haircare, bath and body products, and salon styling tools, as well as others, including nail products and accessories. It offers private label products consisting of Ulta Beauty Collection branded cosmetics, skincare, and bath products. As of March 9, 2017, the company operated 974 retail stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Its full-service salon offers hair, skin, and brow services; and provides products through its Website, ulta.com. The company was formerly known as Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. and changed its name to Ulta Beauty, Inc. in January Ulta Beauty, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA)
POSITIVES: Ulta is a very successful retail concept, delivering sales per square foot of $450 out of a 10,000 square foot store, and 21.7 million Ultamate Rewards loyalty program members. At 949 stores, and adding 100 new stores each year, they are about seven years away from reaching their current stated 1,700 store potential in the US. Ulta is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products, and salon services. Possible concerns: The leading risk factor for Ulta is that the company will lose ground to third-party online sellers. With a TTM P/E ratio of 46, the market is overlooking the fact that as they approach 1,700 stores, the growth story will be mostly complete, justifying a declining P/E-multiple over time. Their current market cap is $17 billion, which represents a value per current store of $17 million - quite pricey. Per Yahoo Finance, the TTM P/E ratio is 46 and the forward P/E is 34 – both very high. Source: Seeking Alpha, March 2017
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U.S. Concrete, Inc. (USCR) U.S. Concrete, Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces and sells ready-mixed concrete, aggregates, and concrete-related products and services for the construction industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Ready-Mixed Concrete and Aggregate Products. The Ready-Mixed Concrete segment is involved in the formulation, preparation, and delivery of ready-mixed concrete to customers' job sites; and the provision of various services that include the formulation of mixtures for specific design uses, on-site and lab-based product quality control, and customized delivery programs. The Aggregate Products segment offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel for use in commercial, industrial, and public works projects. The company also engages in the operation of building materials stores; provision of concrete blocks, lime slurry, and Aridus rapid-drying concrete technology; sale of brokered products; hauling and recycled aggregates operation activities; and operation of drum mixer trucks, as well as transfer trucks for transporting cement and aggregates. It primarily serves concrete sub-contractors, general contractors, governmental agencies, property owners and developers, architects, engineers, and home builders in north and west Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., and Oklahoma. U.S. Concrete, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Euless, Texas. Source: FinViz.com, January 2017
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U.S. Concrete, Inc. (USCR) POSITIVES: U.S. Concrete’s relatively higher commercial construction exposure positions it well for the still rising improvement in nonresidential construction activity. U.S. Concrete continues to maintain manageable leverage despite a highly acquisitive bolt-on acquisition strategy. U.S. Concrete holds leading market share positions in attractive locations, including Texas, Northern California, and the New York metro area. US Concrete has seen nothing but operational improvement over the past several years. Revenue growth, both inorganic and organic, has been stellar. So has margin expansion. Despite excellent operational results, the company remains relatively cheap compared to slower growing industrials. Following the election of Donald J. Trump as America's next president, U.S. aggregates and concrete companies have rallied sharply, gaining more than 30% since the election. Concrete is almost entirely consumed near its production sites given low value-to-weight ratios. As a result, increases in infrastructure spending definitely benefit the financial performance of U.S. Concrete. During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump proposed to spend $1 trillion over a 10-year period to repair roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. In part, Trump hopes to lean on private spending to achieve his goal with $137 billion in tax credits for construction companies who would then borrow on the open market to fund projects with attached revenue streams--a toll road, for example. U.S. infrastructure construction (including transportation, highway and street, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, conservation and development) is set to total about $180 billion in Tacking on an additional $100 billion would translate to a 55% increase in annual spending. Possible concerns: While the FAST Act provides some funding certainty through the end of the decade, the Highway Trust Fund still lacks the ability to self-fund and will lead to another political battle a few years down the road. U.S. Concrete’s earnings depend on volatile factors beyond management's control, such as U.S. economic performance, government budgets, and credit availability. Roughly 95% of U.S. Concrete’s revenue is concentrated in just three markets, increasing the potential impact of local market issues impacting company-wide profits. Source: Morningstar, March 2017 E-trade, January 2017 SeekingAlpha, April 2017
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Visa Inc. (V) Visa Inc. operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners, and government entities. It operates VisaNet, a processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions; and offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. The company also offers gateway services for merchants to accept, process, and reconcile payments; manage fraud; and safeguard payment security online, as well as processing services for participating issuers of visa debit, prepaid, and ATM payment products. In addition, it provides digital products, including Visa Checkout that offers consumers an expedited and secure payment experience for online transactions; and Visa Direct, a push payment product platform, which facilitates payer-initiated transactions that are sent directly to the Visa account of the recipient, as well as Visa token service that replaces the card account numbers from the transaction with a token. Further the company offers corporate (travel) and purchasing card products, as well as value-added services. It provides its services under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink, V PAY, and PLUS brands. The company has a strategic partnership agreement with Oman Arab Bank to convert the bank's current electron cards to chip-and-PIN debit cards. Visa Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Visa Inc. (V) POSITIVES: Visa is king of the hill in the digital payment market and will not be easily toppled. The ability to deal with hundreds of legal and regulatory frameworks around the world is a significant barrier to entry. Visa has an established network and brand and has only to adopt new technologies for its own purposes in order to fend off competition. Possible concerns: The global financial system is becoming increasingly regulated, and the biggest players will be the first victims. Visa's already large market share, and its relative dependence on U.S. spending and debit cards, may place it at a growth disadvantage. The increasing use of mobile technologies will usher in a new payment paradigm at some point. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK)
Westlake Chemical Corporation manufactures and markets basic chemicals, vinyls, polymers, and building products. It operates through two segments, Olefins and Vinyls. The Olefins segment offers ethylene, polyethylene, styrene monomer, and various ethylene co-products, as well as sells propylene, crude butadiene, pyrolysis gasoline, and hydrogen. The Vinyls segment provides specialty and commodity PVC, VCM, EDC, chlorine, caustic soda, chlorinated derivative, and ethylene products. This segment also manufactures and sells products fabricated from PVC, including pipe, fittings, profiles, trims, mouldings, fence and decking products, window and door components, and film and sheet products. The company's products are used in various consumer and industrial markets, including flexible and rigid packaging, automotive products, coatings, and residential and commercial construction, as well as other durable and non-durable goods. Westlake Chemical Corporation also offers its products to a range of customers, including chemical processors, plastics fabricators, small construction contractors, municipalities, and supply warehouses primarily in North America and Europe. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Westlake Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of TTWF LP. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK)
POSITIVES: Westlake Chemical lies on the lower end of the ethylene cost curve as a result of its North American operations, which can use low-cost natural gas liquids as feedstock. Unlike some of its competitors, Westlake Chemical has invested mostly in smaller debottlenecking expansions, rather than more-capital-intensive greenfield projects that we expect to generate lower returns. Westlake Chemical should benefit from its exposure to U.S. water supply and sewage construction, where we expect strong growth as a result of years of underinvestment and aging water pipes. Possible concerns: Years of banner profits will come to an end as lower oil prices and higher feedstock costs lead to margin contraction. Margins will be squeezed as ethane prices rise faster than natural gas prices. Many of Westlake Chemical's plants are running at high operating rates. With relatively little capacity expansion planned, we expect volume growth to be limited. Source: Morningstar, February 2017
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Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)
Exxon Mobil Corporation explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada/South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia/Oceania. The company operates through Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments. It also manufactures petroleum products; manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene, and polypropylene plastics, as well as various specialty product; and transports and sells crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. The company has approximately 35,047 gross and 29,375 net operated wells. Exxon Mobil Corporation was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Source: FinViz.com, April 2017
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Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)
POSITIVES: Exxon will see its portfolio mix shift to liquids pricing as gas volumes decline and new oil and liquefied natural gas projects start production. Cash margins should improve as a result. While Exxon will struggle to improve returns materially, it should deliver free cash flow growth to support dividend increases and, eventually, repurchases. With coordination between upstream and downstream operations, as well as integrated refining and chemical facilities, Exxon achieves a high level of integration that creates value, as opposed to simply owning the assets, as peers do. Possible concerns: With rising resource nationalism, Exxon has found it increasingly difficult to increase production and book reserves. As a result, it's more reliant on higher-cost projects than in the past. Returns are unlikely to ever reach historical levels without higher commodity prices, potentially resulting in compression of Exxon's premium multiple. The expected decline in capital spending may prove only temporary, and Exxon may have to increase spending in several years to maintain production. Source: Morningstar, April 2017
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Lee Johnson Capital Management uses research and investment information from sources that it deems reliable. This information is not a recommendation to buy or sell, but for illustrative purposes. Please consult your advisor before investing in these or like investments, as not all investments are suitable. Each investor has different goals and objectives.
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LJCM uses our proprietary screening to determine what we consider, the Top 25
Growth Stocks to own in our All In Growth Model. Within this model LJCM will purchase a 4% position of each stock. These stocks are evaluated on a weekly basis and due to market conditions LJCM may make adjustments to the stock percentage and holding positions through out the month. Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Lee Johnson Capital Management, LLC), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this newsletter will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Please remember to contact Lee Johnson Capital Management, LLC, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services. A copy of the Lee Johnson Capital Management, LLC’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request.
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