Ulta Beauty's shares have underperformed since April 2023 due to deteriorating fundamentals and a rich valuation. The company's growth slowdown is attributed to market saturation, increased competition from Sephora, and macroeconomic pressures affecting consumer spending. Despite recent setbacks, Ulta's loyalty program and strategic investments provide a margin of safety, with positive catalysts expected in 2H24.
Texas Instruments has underperformed compared to the iShares Semiconductor index over the last five years. Management addressed key investor concerns in a recent meeting, presenting scenarios for FCF per share growth after an activist shared the concerns in a letter to the board. In this article, I go over the changes in TXN's growth investment plan and why the shares have underperformed over the last five years.
Midstream ETFs have generated strong returns for investors yet remain an attractive investment opportunity as valuations in the space have not become overextended. For investors looking at the midstream space and wondering if there's room for the space to run, valuations suggest midstream ETFs still have compelling upside potential.
First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects. This might drive the stock higher in the near term.
KT, FCF and STX made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) income stocks list on August 19, 2024.
PTVE recommended as a buy due to cost structure improvements and attractive FCF yield. Poor 2Q24 results led to share price decline, but the long-term outlook remains positive with potential for demand recovery. PTVE is expected to generate $250 million FCF in FY25, offering >10% FCF yield and potential for attractive upside in share price.
Suncor Energy's cost-cutting plan aims to lower breakeven costs by US$10, driven by operational efficiencies and strategic investments. Suncor is projecting a 24% compound annual growth rate in free cash flow per share from 2024 to 2026, driven by operational improvements and cost savings. The second quarter of 2024 showcased strong operational execution, with record upstream production and impressive turnaround efficiency.
Hedge energy inflation by investing in oil/gas producing assets away from the Middle East military conflict, such as Devon Energy in Texas. Devon has a strong track record of free cash flow generation, manageable debts, and the return of shareholder capital through dividends and share buybacks. This investment is solidly positioned to take advantage of any rise in energy prices, with the potential for significant gains in the event of a global supply shock.
JD has struggled in the past few years despite a rally earlier this year, with investors selling tech and consumer-related China stocks. JD reported positive Q1 results in May, with strong earnings trends, and the stock now sports a low valuation. Amid bullish EPS trends and a sub-8 P/E, I see encouraging signs heading into the Q2 report.
Bekaert is a global company with almost 70 production sites and 25,000 employees, producing steel wire and finished products for various sectors. H1 results showed a decrease in revenue but an increase in EBITDA margin, leading to stable earnings compared to last year. Operating cash flow was strong, with adjusted free cash flow per share expected to be above 5 EUR, making Bekaert an attractive investment opportunity.
Does First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.
AT&T Q2 Earnings: Stronger Net Adds, Improved Margins, And Robust FCF Growth