In today’s briefing:
- S&P 500/400/600 Index Rebal – It’s Not The Trade You Think
- Altria Group: Promotion Of Smoke-Free Products & 5 Other Factors Driving Growth! – Financial Forecasts
- Merck & Co: A Story Of Significant Progress & Execution Across Therapeutic Areas! – Major Drivers
- Carvana Co: Initiation Of Coverage – AI & 5 Major Growth Drivers! – Financial Forecasts
- Insulet Corporation: Is Its Strategy Of Connecting With Healthcare Professionals For Penetration In Niche Markets Working? – Major Drivers
- Live Nation Entertainment Inc.: Initiation Of Coverage – Major Drivers
- LKQ Corporation: Driving Organic Revenue Growth Through Increased Fulfillment Rates and Productivity! – Major Drivers
- Pool Corporation: Initiation Of Coverage – 5 Major Drivers & 5 Major Challenges For The Future! – Financial Forecasts
- Teleflex Incorporated: M&A Focus & 5 Other Strategies Driving Growth! – Financial Forecasts
- Universal Display Corporation (OLED) – Long-term partnerships with OLED manufacturers & 5 Growth Factors In 2024 & Beyond! – Major Drivers
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S&P 500/400/600 Index Rebal – It’s Not The Trade You Think
- On Friday after the close, the S&P DJI Index Committee announced changes to the S&P 100, S&P500, S&P MidCap400, and S&P SmallCap600. Changes happen at the close 15 March 2024.
- Super Micro Computer (SMCI US) and Deckers Outdoor (DECK US) replace Zions Bancorporation (ZION US) and Whirlpool Corp (WHR US) in the S&P500. 2 changes to 400, 6 to 600.
- The immediate reaction was to send SMCI up 12.5%. That’s shortsighted. It pays to count the pennies involved. There are a LOT of pennies.
Altria Group: Promotion Of Smoke-Free Products & 5 Other Factors Driving Growth! – Financial Forecasts
- Altria Group’s recent earnings call has raised important topics worth considering for investors.
- The company, known for its strong position in the tobacco industry, showed a clear intent to diversify into smoke-free product categories, such as heated tobacco, oral tobacco, and e-vapor.
- These steps are seen as a strategic move to cushion the company from declining cigarette volumes and broaden its consumer base, thereby improving its long-term growth prospects.
Merck & Co: A Story Of Significant Progress & Execution Across Therapeutic Areas! – Major Drivers
- In the Q4 earnings, Merck & Co.
- reported a strong financial performance, underpinned by a robust demand for their innovative portfolio, including Keytruda, Welireg, and Gardasil, among others.
- The company has embarked on various collaborations further bolstering its product pipeline with a promising line of innovations.
Carvana Co: Initiation Of Coverage – AI & 5 Major Growth Drivers! – Financial Forecasts
- This is our first report on e-commerce player, Carvana.
- The company’s Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings included an optimistic forecast regarding the company’s economic performance.
- The company’s fiscal year GPU (Gross Profit per Unit) augmented by nearly $1,000, setting a fresh record and exceeding their previous best in 2021.
Insulet Corporation: Is Its Strategy Of Connecting With Healthcare Professionals For Penetration In Niche Markets Working? – Major Drivers
- Insulet Corporation reported strong Q4 2023 results, marking its eighth straight year of 20-plus percent revenue growth.
- The company’s automated insulin delivery system, Omnipod 5, played a significant role in its financial success as it generated $1 billion in revenue in 2023.
- The achievement of approximately 425,000 global customers using the Omnipod platform represented a growth of around 25% from the previous year, including almost 250,000 using the Omnipod 5.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc.: Initiation Of Coverage – Major Drivers
- This is our first report on entertainment major, Live Nation Entertainment.
- The company has been experiencing an upward performance trajectory in the final quarter and full year of 2023.
- The company’s growth is informed by several business strategies, including deferred revenue, early planning, and shifting to outdoor amphitheaters.
LKQ Corporation: Driving Organic Revenue Growth Through Increased Fulfillment Rates and Productivity! – Major Drivers
- LKQ Corporation reported its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Earnings, highlighting the company’s performance.
- According to Joseph Boutross, Vice President of Investor Relations, LKQ Corporation delivered strong full year organic revenue growth for parts and services.
- This is reflective of the company’s continued strive to maintain operational excellence, drive organic revenue growth and achieve excellent free cash flow.
Pool Corporation: Initiation Of Coverage – 5 Major Drivers & 5 Major Challenges For The Future! – Financial Forecasts
- This is our first report on Pool Corp, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies.
- The company saw its total sales for 2023 decline by 10% from the previous year to $5.5 billion.
- The drop was attributed to an abnormal selling environment during the first half of the year due to unusually poor weather conditions and elevated inventory levels across the industry.
Teleflex Incorporated: M&A Focus & 5 Other Strategies Driving Growth! – Financial Forecasts
- Teleflex Incorporated’s fourth quarter 2023 earnings were decent.
- Firstly, the revenues grew at 2.1% year-over-year, showing the company’s overall financial robustness.
- Additionally, Teleflex saw a stable-to-improving environment for material inflation and supply chains, with continued improvements expected through 2024.
Universal Display Corporation (OLED) – Long-term partnerships with OLED manufacturers & 5 Growth Factors In 2024 & Beyond! – Major Drivers
- Universal Display Corporation (UDC), a leading provider of OLED technology and materials, experienced a revenue of $576 million, operating income of $217 million, and net income of $203 million in 2023.
- Its robust display impacted net income per diluted share, which amounted to $4.24.
- Several factors on both sides of the company’s balance sheet deserve attention while crafting an investment thesis.