Author Archives: Stephen Percoco
Citius (CTXR) at Sidoti
I recently had the opportunity to view a presentation and ask questions of Leonard Mazur at the Sidoti MicroCap Conference on January 18. Mr. Mazur helped fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge about company and its plans … Continue reading
2022 Large Cap Performance Analysis
Large cap stocks, as measured by the Lark Research Large Cap Index (the “Index”)[1] which mirrors the S&P 500, posted a decline of 19.5% in 2022. As in previous years, most of the performance was driven by a handful of … Continue reading
Citius Pharmaceuticals (CTXR) 22Q4 Update
In 2022, Citius Pharmaceuticals completed its Phase 3 trial for I/ONTAK, indicated for the treatment of persistent or recurrent cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and submitted its Biologics Licensing Application to the FDA. It has a PDUFA target date of July … Continue reading
Toll Brothers (TOL) 22Q4 Update
Toll Brothers reported fiscal 22Q4 results that were much stronger than I anticipated. 22Q4 diluted earnings per share were $5.63 up 86% from $3.02 in 21Q4 and better than my estimate of $3.93. Excluding a $140 million (estimated $0.94 per … Continue reading
GE Healthcare Technologies (GEHC)
GE Healthcare Technologies (GEHC) will be spun-off from General Electric Company (GE) on January 4, 2023. Under the terms of the spin-off, GE shareholders will receive one share of GEHC for every three shares of GE that they own. In … Continue reading
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) 22Q4 Update
HPE reported a 22Q4 GAAP loss of $0.23 per diluted share vs. earnings of $0.31 in 21Q4. My estimate called for earnings of $0.37. All of the shortfall was due to a $905 million ($0.68 per share) goodwill impairment charge … Continue reading
Campbell Soup (CPB) 23Q1 Update
Campbell Soup Company (CPB) reported much stronger than expected 23Q1 net sales and profits (vs. my estimates). Net sales were $2.58 billion, 15% above 22Q1 and 9% above my estimate. Diluted Non-GAAP EPS was $1.02, up 14% YOY and better … Continue reading
November Housing Market Update
Housing market data from the U.S. Commerce Dept. and others show sales and production falling at a rapid rate. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of single-family housing starts and building permits has fallen for eight consecutive months by about … Continue reading
New Jersey Resources (NJR) 22Q4 Update
NJR reported 22Q4 GAAP net income of $0.56 per diluted share and net financial earnings (NFE), a non-GAAP measure, of $0.50 per basic share. That compares with the 21Q4 GAAP loss of $0.01 per share and NFE per basic share … Continue reading
Mistras Group, Inc. (MG) 22Q3 Update
Mistras Group reported 22Q3 EPS of $0.14, above 21Q3’s $0.11 and my estimate of $0.23. Revenues of $178.5 million were 2.2% above the year earlier period but also below my expectations. My projections were in line with the company’s implied … Continue reading
Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp. (BVH) 22Q3 Update
22Q3 net income attributable to shareholders was $23.0 million or $1.19 per diluted share, compared with 21Q3’s $23.1 million or $01.06 per share. Revenues grew 17.0% to $250.8 million, but operating expenses rose 19.8% to $152.9 million. The increase in … Continue reading
AlerisLife Inc. (ALR) 22Q3 Update
AlerisLife reported a 22Q3 net loss of $8.5 million or $0.27 per share, better than the 22Q2 loss of $8.8 million or $0.28 per share and the 21Q3 loss of $10.2 million or $0.32 per share. I had estimated a … Continue reading
Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) 22Q3 Update
22Q3 GAAP loss was $0.34 per share and normalized FFO was –$0.06 per share, below my forecast of ‑$0.23 and +$0.01, respectively. The Office Portfolio met expectations, but Senior Housing Operating Portfolio (SHOP) results were disappointing as improved occupancy and … Continue reading
Organon & Co. (OGN) 22Q3 Update
22Q3 revenues were $1.537 billion, down 3.9% year-over-year, but up 3% at constant currency. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.92, below 21Q3’s $1.27, but above my estimate of $0.82. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.36 was below last year’s $1.61, but also above … Continue reading
Merck & Co (MRK) 22Q3 Update
22Q3 sales rose 13.7% to $15.0 billion with double-digit gains in KEYTRUDA and GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9. GAAP diluted EPS fell 29.0% to $1.28; but non-GAAP diluted EPS rose 5.6% to $1.85. The company recorded an $887 million ($0.27 per share) asset … Continue reading
American Water Works (AWK) 22Q3 Update
AWK reported 22Q3 EPS of $1.63, up 6.5% from $1.53 in 21Q3 and above my estimate of $1.52. Operating revenues decreased 0.9% to $1.08 billion, as regulatory rate increases were more than offset by lost revenues from the sales of … Continue reading
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) 22Q3 Update
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) reported 22Q3 operating revenues of $2.27 billion, up 19.4% from 21Q3. The increase in revenues was due mostly to higher gas supply sales to third parties at PEG Power and higher commodity revenues, including higher … Continue reading
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 22Q3 Update
22Q3 revenue declined 3.5% to $11.2 billion, mostly because of a drop in Revlimid sales due to patent expiry. GAAP EPS increased 8.5% to $0.75, but that was slightly below my estimate of $0.77, due mostly to a higher income … Continue reading
General Electric (GE) 22Q3 Update
GE announced 22Q3 revenues of $19.5 billion, up 0.5% year-over-year, a GAAP loss per share of $0.14, compared with 21Q3’s $0.54 profit, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.35, below 21Q3’s $0.53. I had anticipated a GAAP EPS of $0.44 per share … Continue reading
Baker Hughes (BKR) 22Q3 Update
BKR reported a 22Q3 GAAP net loss of $0.02 per share vs. 21Q3’s profit of $0.01. Non-GAAP adjusted EPS was $0.26 vs. $0.16. I had anticipated 22Q3 GAAP EPS of $0.18 and Non-GAAP EPS of $0.30. BKR’s 22Q3 non-GAAP EPS … Continue reading
Initiating Coverage of New Jersey Resources Corp (NJR)
NJR reported 22Q3 GAAP net income of $0.14 per diluted share and a net financial loss (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.04. That compares with the 21Q3 GAAP loss of $1.16, owing to an impairment charge on its investment in the … Continue reading
September Housing Market Update
The average rate on the 30-year mortgage has risen above 6.00% in response to the latest hike in the Fed Funds target rate. Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey pegged the average rate at 6.29% this week. The CME’s Fed … Continue reading
Baker Hughes (BKR): Initiating Coverage
Five years after its merger with GE Oil & Gas, Baker Hughes Company (BKR) is adjusting to changes in its market environment, including the fallout from the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, inflation and challenges and opportunities in the … Continue reading
Campbell Soup (CPB) 22Q4 Update
Fiscal 22Q4 net sales of $2.0 billion increased 6.1% YOY. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.32, below 21Q4’s $0.95. Non-GAAP adjusted EPS of $0.56 exceeded 21Q4’s $0.52. These results were generally in line with my expectations.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) 22Q3 Update
HPE’s 22Q3 GAAP diluted EPS was $0.31 vs. $0.29 in 21Q3 and better than my estimate of $0.26. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.48, compared with $0.47 last year and my estimate of $0.46. Net revenue of $6.95 billion exceeded 21Q3’s $6.90 … Continue reading
Nice Speech, Mr. Powell, But Please Pay Attention to Housing
The stock market fell 3.3% on Friday, following Fed Chairman Jay Powell’s speech on monetary policy at the Jackson Hole Fed meeting. Mr. Powell affirmed the Federal Reserve’s commitment to bring inflation down, which will probably take some time and … Continue reading
Toll Brothers (TOL) 22Q3 Update
Toll Brothers’ 22Q3 EPS was $2.35, up 25.7% from 21Q3’s $1.87 and above my estimate of $2.22. Revenues increased 10.6% to $2.49 billion, slightly below my projections. Deliveries of 2,414 units fell 7.1%, more than expected, but the average sales … Continue reading
22Q2 Housing Market Update
Despite an accelerating slide in housing sales and production following this year’s rise in mortgage rates, my homebuilder stock price index has performed in line with its benchmarks since April. At current prices, homebuilding stocks trade at less than four … Continue reading
Citius Pharmaceuticals (CTXR) 22Q3 Update
Citius Pharmaceuticals reported a third quarter loss of $8.9 million or $0.06 per share, compared with last year’s loss of $7.3 million or $0.05 per share. As an early stage drug development company, Citius currently generates no revenues. The loss … Continue reading
Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) 22Q2 Update
22Q2 GAAP loss was $0.46 per share and normalized FFO -$0.04 per share, below my forecast of -$0.42 and +$0.01, respectively. The Office Portfolio disappointed again, raising concerns about declining occupancy. Senior Housing Operating Portfolio (SHOP) results met expectations.
AlerisLife (ALR) 22Q2 Update
AlerisLife reported a 22Q2 net loss of $8.8 million or $0.28 per share, better than the 22Q1 loss of $9.7 million or $0.31 per share and the 21Q2 loss of $12.3 million or $0.39 per share. I had estimated a … Continue reading
Bluegreen Vacations Holding (BVH) 22Q2 Update
2022 second quarter net income attributable to shareholders was $17.8 million or $0.87 per diluted share, compared with 21Q2’s $19.5 million or $0.93 per share. The decline in EPS occurred despite a 21.8% increase in revenues to $235.6 million.
Mistras Group (MG) 22Q2 Update
Mistras Group reported 22Q2 EPS of $0.15, below 21Q2’s $0.20 and my estimate of $0.18. Revenues of $179.0 million were 0.8% above the year earlier period and also below my expectations. While revenues were essentially flat, gross margin was lower … Continue reading
Organon & Co (OGN) 22Q2 Update
22Q2 revenues of $1.585 billion were flat year-over-year, but up 5% at constant currency. GAAP EPS of $0.92, was below 21Q2’s $1.68 and also below my $1.11 estimate. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.25 was below last year’s $1.72 and also below … Continue reading
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) 22Q2 Update
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) reported 22Q2 operating revenues of $2.08 billion, up 10.8% from 21Q2. GAAP EPS was $0.26 vs. a loss of $0.35 a year ago. Most of last year’s loss was related to a net $457 million … Continue reading
Merck & Co (MRK) 22Q2 Update
22Q2 sales increased 28% to $14.6 billion, with LAGEVRIO sales of $1.2 billion, a 26% increase in KEYTRUDA sales to $5.3 billion and a 36% increase in GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales to $1.7 billion. GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations increased … Continue reading
American Water Works (AWK) 22Q2 Update
American Water Works Company (AWK) reported 22Q2 EPS of $1.20, up 5% from $1.14 in 21Q2. Operating revenues decreased 6.2% to $937 million, mostly due to the sale of the Homeowner Services (HOS) and New York American Water (NYAM) businesses, … Continue reading
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 22Q2 Update
22Q2 revenues were higher, GAAP earnings lower and non-GAAP earnings higher than anticipated. Management reduced its 2022 revenue guidance by $1 million to $46 billion due to foreign currency headwinds. It also lowered its GAAP EPS guidance, but left its … Continue reading
GE 22Q2 Update
General Electric Company (GE) announced 22Q2 revenues of $18.6 billion, up 2.4% year-over-year, a GAAP loss per share of $0.59, two cents worse than 21Q2’s $0.57 loss, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.78, above 21Q2’s $0.22. I had anticipated a GAAP … Continue reading
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) 22Q2 Update
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company’s performance during the first half of fiscal 2022 was somewhat disappointing, due primarily to the residual disruptions from the pandemic and more recent developments, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Although its order book increased … Continue reading
Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp. (BVH) 22Q1 Update
2022 first quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders was $16.0 million or $0.76 per diluted share, compared with 21Q1’s $3.1 million or $0.16 per share. Revenues improved to $195.1 million from $146.4 million.
Citius Announces Its Intention to Spin-Off I/ONTAK
Earlier today, Citius Pharmaceuticals issued a press release announcing its intention to spin-off its late stage oncology candidate, I/ONTAK, to a new, standalone publicly-traded company. In making the announcement, the company said that it believed that the market has not … Continue reading
DHC 22Q1 Update
22Q1 In Line with Expectations. Maintaining Performance Rating and Price Target. 22Q1 GAAP earnings were $1.01 per share and normalized FFO –$0.09 per share, in line with my expectations of $1.04 and –$0.06. Excluding a $327.8 million gain on the … Continue reading
AlerisLife (ALR) 22Q1 Update
22Q1 Loss of $0.30 in Line with Expectations; Katie Potter Steps Down as CEO; ALR Hires Alvarez & Marsal to Conduct a Comprehensive Operational Review AlerisLife reported a 22Q1 net loss of $9.7 million or $0.31 per diluted share, slightly … Continue reading
GE 22Q1 Update
Since reporting disappoint 22Q1 results on April 26, GE’s stock has fallen sharply. Year-to-date, GE’s stock is down 22.6%, worse than the S&P 500 Industrial sector’s 11.7% decline.
Citius Pharma 22Q1 Update
Citius Pharmaceuticals (CXTR) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of five potential products: (1) Mino-Lok, an antibiotic lock solution to treat and salvage infected central venous catheters (CVCs) in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs); (2) I/ONTAK, … Continue reading
Mistras Group, Inc. (MG) 21Q4 Update
21Q4 Results Below Expectations, Lowering 2022 Estimates, Reducing Rating and Price Target Mistras Group reported 21Q4 EPS of $0.00, slightly worse than 20Q4’s $0.01 and below my estimate of $0.06. Revenues of $171.2 million were 6.5% above the year earlier … Continue reading
Thoughts on the Outlook for Homebuilding Stocks
Homebuilding stocks have had a rough 2022. Year-to-date (through 4/12), my equal-weighted index of 11 publicly-traded U.S. homebuilders has fallen 34.8%. That compares with declines of 7.7% in the S&P 500 and 11.5% in the Russell 2000. Following a three-fold … Continue reading
Going to Neutral on Big Pharma
The stocks of large pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Merck & Co. (MRK), which I follow, have outperformed the market significantly so far this year. The pharmaceuticals sector, as measured by the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index ($DRG) shows … Continue reading
AlerisLife (ALR) 21Q4 Update
Lowering Estimates and Safety Rating, Withdrawing Performance Rating and Price Target AlerisLife Inc. (ALR), formerly known as Five Star Senior Living, reported a fourth quarter net loss of $10.7 million or $0.34 per share, slightly worse than the third quarter’s … Continue reading
Toll Brothers (TOL) 22Q1 Update
Since my last report on December 9, 2021, Toll’s stock has fallen 26.3%, much more than the S&P Mid-Cap 400’s 2.6% decline. As I noted back then, shares of Toll and other homebuilders were ripe for a correction following their … Continue reading
Merck & Co. (MRK) Update
Establishing 2022 and 2023 Estimates, Maintaining Outperform Rating, Setting $85 Price Target Following the spin-off of Organon, Merck is focused on growing its pharmaceuticals business to offset the looming loss of exclusivity on its $5 billion Januvia/Janumet franchise and others … Continue reading
DHC 21Q4 Update
Lowering Estimates for 2022 and Adding 2023, Lowering Price Target to $5.00 DHC reported 21Q4 normalized FFO of –$0.09 per share, compared with 21Q3’s ‑$0.05 and 20Q4’s +$0.09. Although the Office portfolio posted another solid quarter and the Senior Housing … Continue reading
Bristol-Myers Squibb Update
Raising 2022 Estimate and Adding 2023, Maintaining Outperform Rating and Price Target of $73 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) achieved many operational milestones in 2021, advancing its development pipeline through clinical trials, new drug applications and regulatory approvals. At its November … Continue reading
The Drivers of Large Cap Stock Performance in 2021
Estimated Returns by Sectors, Industry Groups and Industries Large cap stocks, as measured by the Lark Research Large Cap index (the “Index”) which currently mirrors the S&P 500, turned in another impressive performance in 2021. The Index posted a price … Continue reading
DHC Announces Sales of Joint Venture Interests in Certain Office Properties
Sales Raise Over $1 Billion, Giving the Trust the Means to Retire the 9.75% Senior Notes due 2025 When They Become Callable in June 2022. DHC announced on January 31 that it has entered into a joint venture with two … Continue reading
Notes and Analysis from Campbell Soup’s Fiscal 2022 Investor Day
Since 2019, Campbell Soup Company has jettisoned several businesses to focus on its core Meals and Beverage (M&B) and Snacks segments. It has also acquired new growth platforms in Pacific Foods and Snyder’s-Lance. Its $1 billion enterprise cost savings program … Continue reading
Mistras Group: Waiting for the Full Recovery
Mistras Group is a leading provider of non-destructive testing (NDT) and related asset protection services that monitor the condition of critical infrastructure and equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations and maximize uptime. The company’s business has suffered during the … Continue reading
Toll Brothers (TOL) 21Q4 Update
Toll Brothers reported stronger-than anticipated fiscal 21Q4 results that once again exceeded my and the consensus estimates. Its diluted earnings per share were $3.02, up 95% from $1.55 in 20Q4. My estimate was $2.51 and the consensus estimate was $2.50.
Organon 21Q3 Update
Organon reported 21Q3 GAAP EPS of $1.38 which exceeded my estimate of $1.31. Revenues were in line with my estimates and operating costs were lower, except for a $25 million increase associated with the acquisition of in-process research & development.
SJI 21Q3 Update
SJI reported a 21Q3 GAAP net loss of $25.8 million or $0.23 per share, wider than 20Q3’s net loss of $10.3 million or $0.10. On an economic earnings basis, which adjusts for fluctuations in the fair market value of derivatives … Continue reading
Notes and Analysis from HPE’s 2021 SAM
At its 2021 Securities Analyst Meeting (SAM), the management of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) said that the workplace changes advanced by the pandemic are proving the validity of its edge-to-cloud strategy. HPE has experienced stronger than anticipated growth in … Continue reading
DHC 21Q3 Results
Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) reported 21Q3 normalized FFO of –$0.04 per share, compared with 21Q2’s $0.05. The loss came despite a 40 bp improvement in SHOP occupancy. Operating costs remain high and senior living operators are discounting resident rates more … Continue reading
Five Star Senior Living 21Q3 Update
Again Lowering EPS Estimates; Reducing 6-12 Month PT and Maintaining Outperform Rating Five Star reported a third quarter net loss of $10.2 million or $0.32 per share, less than the second quarter’s loss of $12.3 million or $0.39 per share. … Continue reading
21Q3 Housing Market Update
The housing market has been quite strong since shortly after the onset of the pandemic, fueled by low interest rates, pent-up demand and a strong desire among urban apartment dwellers to escape the coronavirus. New home sales from May 2020 … Continue reading
Toll Brothers 21Q3 Update
Toll Brothers reported stronger-than anticipated fiscal 21Q3 results that once again exceeded my estimates. Its diluted earnings per share were $1.86, up 71% from $0.59 in 20Q2. My estimate was $1.48 and the consensus estimate was $1.53.
PSEG’s 2021 Investor Day
Public Service Enterprise Group held its 2021 Investor Day on Sept. 27, 2021. At the meeting, management offered the following guidance:
So. Jersey Industries: High Dividend Yield With Moderate Upside Price Potential
SJI’s utility businesses – South Jersey Gas Company (SJG) and Elizabethtown Gas Company (ETG) – are its core growth engines. Representing 70%-80% of consolidated profits, they have grown by pursuing regulatory-approved infrastructure investment programs and gaining customers from new construction … Continue reading
Organon (OGN) 21Q2 Update
21Q2 Performance in Line with Expectations; Raising Performance Rating and Lowering Price Target 21Q2 GAAP EPS of $1.68 was lower than 20Q2’s $2.14. Although sales increased 4.5% to $1.6 billion, costs were higher as a result of new tolling arrangements … Continue reading
DHC 21Q2 Update
Progress on Strategic Repositioning; Performance in Line with Expectations; Upgrading Performance Rating; Maintaining Price Target of ~$7.50. DHC reported 21Q2 normalized funds from operations (FFO) of $12.2 million or $0.05 per share, lower than 20Q2’s $0.25, due mostly to a … Continue reading
Five Star Senior Living 21Q2 Update
Five Star reported a second quarter net loss of $12.3 million, reversing last year’s $3.0 million net profit. On a per share basis, the loss was $0.39, compared to net income of $0.10 and below my estimate of a loss … Continue reading
American Water Works 21Q2 Update
2021 Second Quarter Results in Line with Expectations. Maintaining Neutral Rating. AWK reported 21Q2 EPS of $1.14, up 17.5% from 20Q2. Operating revenues increased 7.3% to $999 million. Operating income rose 5.4% to $330 million. Operating margin eased 60 bp … Continue reading
Bristol-Myers Squibb: Initiating Coverage
Initiating Coverage with an Outperform Rating. Prospects Beyond 2022 are Favorable. With the acquisitions of Celgene in 2019 and MyoKardia in 2020, BMS has substantially transformed its business and repositioned for growth. Drugs added to the portfolio from the two … Continue reading
PSEG: A Possible Rocky Transition to T&D
It has been a year since PSEG announced a strategic review to explore divesting its fossil fuel generating assets. Since then, management has said that it is pleased with the interest shown by potential buyers in its 6,750+ MW portfolio … Continue reading
Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp. Stands to Gain as Domestic Travel Improves
On May 5, 2021, Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corporation (BVH), formerly known as BBX Capital Corporation, completed the acquisition of the 7% publicly-traded ownership stake of Bluegreen Vacations Corporation (BXG) that it did not already own through a statutory short-form merger … Continue reading
HPE 21Q2 Results
The Company Reported Stronger Than Expected 21Q2 Results, But Its Upwardly Revised Guidance Was Somewhat Disappointing. HPE reported fiscal 2021 second quarter GAAP earnings of $0.19 per share, well above its most recent guidance of $0.02-$0.08 per share and ahead … Continue reading
Update on Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
HPE has posted two consecutive quarters of stronger-than-expected results. Although the quarterly figures still lag behind the prior year, the recent strength suggests that its business is rebounding strongly off the bottom. As noted by management, HPE’s business portfolio, which … Continue reading
Five Star Alters Strategy, Its Stock Gets Slammed
In early April, Five Star announced a change in its strategy whereby it will transition out of the management of 108 smaller senior living communities (SLCs) with 7,500 living units (with an average of 69.4 units per community), close and … Continue reading
Assessing the Impact of the Organon Spin-Off on Merck
Merck is progressing toward the spin-off of its subsidiary, Organon & Co., which is expected to be completed by the end of the June. Organon will include Merck’s women’s health products, biosimilars and certain established brands, most of which have … Continue reading
Five Star and DHC Restructure Their Agreement
On April 9, Five Star and DHC announced a restructuring of their management agreement whereby DHC will transition the management of 108 smaller senior living communities (SLCs) with a total of 7,500 units to other operators by the end of … Continue reading
Merck Spin-Off of Organon Targeted for 21Q2
In recent weeks, Merck has been following through on its plan to spin-off its subsidiary, Organon & Co., to shareholders. On March 17, it filed its Form 10 registration statement related to the transaction. On March 24, it posted on … Continue reading
Vaccinations Raise Visibility of a Bottom in Occupancy for DHC
Diversified Healthcare Trust reported 2020 fourth quarter normalized funds from operations (FFO) (my definition) of $15.1 million or $0.06 per share, slightly better than 20Q3, but well below 19Q4. The results were modestly better than I anticipated with lower operating … Continue reading
Citius Pharma Raises $71 million in Equity Unit Offering
Citius Pharmaceuticals (CXTR) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of four potential products: (1) Mino-Lok, an antibiotic lock solution to treat and salvage infected central venous catheters (“CVCs”) in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections (“CRBSIs”); Halo-Lido, a … Continue reading
Five Star Senior Living (FVE) Update
Vaccination of 90% of Residents Raises Visibility on a Rebound in Occupancy Five Star reported slightly stronger 20Q4 results than anticipated, due primarily to gains on investments held by its captive insurer. Average occupancy across its owned and leased senior … Continue reading
2021 Market Outlook – Part 2: S&P 500 Sector Analysis
2020 was of course dominated by the impact of the pandemic on the economy and specifically on the revenues and profits of each of the S&P 500 constituents. There was a sharp stock market sell-off in March-April, followed by a … Continue reading
2021 Market Outlook – Part 1
Despite Ongoing Uncertainties about the Pandemic, the Economic Recovery and Global Events, the Stock Market is Poised to Move Higher in 2021. The financial markets turned in a stellar performance in 2020, the year of COVID-19, when real GDP probably … Continue reading
The Employment Situation and Outlook – December 2020
Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000 in December. The estimate for November was increased by 135,000. The level of employment for December was therefore virtually unchanged from the November report.
An Uncertain Outlook for Housing
2020 was a surprisingly solid year for housing in light of the pandemic and the havoc that it wreaked in other parts of the economy. December data will not be reported until later this month. I project that single-family housing … Continue reading
Colony Credit Real Estate 20Q3 Update
Shares of Colony Credit Real Estate (CLNC) have surged over the past six weeks, nearly doubling from a low of $4.37 on Oct. 29 to a high of $8.11 on Nov. 25. Since then, CLNC’s share price has been trading … Continue reading
Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC): Weaker Than Anticipated 20Q3 Results
Diversified Healthcare Trust reported 2020 third quarter normalized funds from operations (FFO) (according to my definition) of $11.0 million or $0.05 per share, well below results for 19Q3 and 20Q2 and also below my projection of $27.8 million or $0.12 … Continue reading
GE: 2020 Third Quarter Earnings Review
General Electric reported a 2020 third quarter GAAP loss of $1.16 billion or $0.13 per share on revenues on revenues of $19.4 billion, down 17%. In the 2019 third quarter, the company reported a comparable net loss of $1.3 billion … Continue reading
Wells Fargo: Still Under a Regulatory Cloud, Wading Through the Pandemic
Shares of Well Fargo have been under a regulatory cloud ever since the Federal Reserve placed a cap on its total assets in April 2018. To lift the cap, the company must demonstrate that it has implemented an effective remediation … Continue reading
GE 20Q3 Earnings Preview and Outlook
Shares of GE have underperformed both the broader market and GE’s industrial peer group since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The weak performance reflects primarily the company’s exposure to the aviation business, which prior to the pandemic was GE’s … Continue reading
Housing Market Update
Despite continuing elevated unemployment and dampened consumer confidence, the housing market has been surprisingly strong in the months following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Commerce Dept., single-family housing starts for August were estimated at the … Continue reading
Debt Refinancing Eliminates Risk of Default; But Diversified Healthcare Trust Will Need to Raise Equity Eventually
Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) reported 2020 second quarter normalized funds from operations (FFO) (according to my definition) of $52.8 million or $0.22 per share, down 33% from $81.1 million or $0.33 per share in the prior year quarter. The decline … Continue reading
A Weak Second Quarter Should Mark the Bottom for Colony Capital, But Future Dilution is a Key Issue
Colony Capital reported a 2020 second quarter net loss of $2.04 billion or $4.33 per share, compared with a much smaller loss in the prior year quarter. This year’s loss was driven by $2.0 billion of impairment charges taken across … Continue reading
Five Star’s Strong Stock Performance Could Signal Quicker Turnaround
Five Star Senior Living continues to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. During the 2020 second quarter, it experienced a 3.8% decline in occupancy from 82.5% to 78.7% across its owned and managed senior living … Continue reading
Colony Capital: The Big Pivot on Hold
In response to activist pressure precipitated by a deterioration in its financial performance and a steady decline in its stock price, Colony Capital announced in November 2019 a new strategy to focus on growing its Digital Realty and Investment Management … Continue reading
After the Quick Rebound, Investors Should Approach Homebuilding Stocks with Caution
Homebuilding stocks have been on a wild ride in 2020. They boomed from the start of the year, rising 19.1% (according to my index of 11 publicly-traded builders) to February 21, handily beating the 3.0% gain on the S&P 500 … Continue reading
After Completing Its Corporate Transition, Change Healthcare Copes With COVID-19
Change Healthcare Inc. (CHNG, Change Inc., Change or Inc.) is a new public company formed in 2016 as a joint venture between McKesson Corporation (MCK) and an investor group led by The Blackstone Group. Over the past four years, the … Continue reading