Today, John Hood and Stockchase Insights commented about whether EQB-T, BNS-T, ATZ-T, VGG-T, ZWB-T, XIC-T, NVDY-N, ZWU-T, XSU-T, VV-N, SPY-N, MOO-N, COW-T, ZST-T, ZUE-T, ZQQ-T, CBIL-T, EQL-T, XMHQ-N, XEG-T, ENCC-T, VOO-N, XSP-T, VSP-T, ZSP-T, ZGQ-T, QBTC.U-T, HXS.U-T, HXT-T, EUFN-Q, INDY-Q, EPI-N, INDA-US are stocks to buy or sell.
Following its inventory issues of a couple of years ago, ATZ has staged an impressive turnaround, certainly. EPS of 71c beat estimates of 62c; sales of $728.7M beat estimates of $698M. EBITDA of $136M beat estimates by 15%. Aritzia could meet the high end of 4Q sales guidance of 31% growth (adjusting for the extra week) to C$850 million, driven by three upsized flagship reopenings -- two in New York and one in Chicago -- along with 11 new boutiques opened. It could also achieve a comparable sales increase in the high teens. The flagships are the equivalent of 10 regular stores. Ebitda margin, which expanded 450 bps year to date, is poised to grow another 500 bps in 4Q, on higher initial mark-ons, lower clearance and as the company leverages fixed costs. Bloomberg notes consumer-transaction data indicates 4Q-to-date adjusted observed US sales are tracking well above consensus, supporting guidance for a 25% rise, with one less week this year vs. last. We would be quite fine moving to a full position along with the strong results, guidance and positive momentum.
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BNS is certainly a bank that investors like to hate on, and for generally good reason these past few years. After skipping in 2024, we would be quite surprised if it did not raise its dividend this year. Sentiment is low here, and the bank needs to get its act together. Investors would appreciate low, but consistent, dividend increases. It is cheap at 10X earnings with a high yield of 5.72% that is likely quite secure. We can see it as an accumulate.
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When companies buy back their own shares, the company can either cancel them or hold them as treasury shares. It is mostly just accounting terms, the primary purpose of the share buybacks are still the same - it is intended to reduce the total share outstanding and boost EPS in the near term.
A share buyback is a more tax-efficient alternative method to return capital to shareholders compared to raising dividends, potentially creating a compounder over time. Despite strong performance recently, EQB is trading at only 8.8x Forward P/E; we think EQB’s valuation is quite attractive as of today.
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Keys to Managing Your Portfolio - Keep Costs Low
This is unlikely to be a surprise to many at this point as it is well discussed and written about. It is worth repeating though, as over the long-term, fees can destroy the value of a portfolio.
If you consider fees, taxes and tack on inflation, it can be very hard to just break even. Fees are one of the few items totally in an investor's control, so it is something all investors should keep a tight leash on. No all fees are bad but it is important to understand and be sure you are getting value for the fees paid.
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Very good yield. Just remember that the utilities sector is very vulnerable to interest rate changes. If rates go up, high regulation means they can't increase prices to consumers. Great way to earn tax-enhanced income.
He likes covered calls, but the big tradeoff is that you can give away upside. The option premium boosts the return.