New Constructs
1Comments

Sell Starbucks (SBUX) – Still A Bad Stock

Similar to my prior interviews on SBUX, I found it easy to make the bear case for a stock that is as expensive as Starbucks (SBUX). As my regular readers know, when I say "expensive", I back that up with details such as: to justify its $40 stock price (closing price from prior day), SBUX had to grow profits at 10% compounded annually for more than 25 years.
by David Trainer, Founder & CEO
1Comments

Buy LRCX: More Value Than Meets the Eye

Most of my research and publishing tends to focus on companies manipulating accounting rules to make their reported earnings look better than the real economic cash flows of their business. It is unfortunately rare that I find a company whose economic earnings are outpacing the reported accounting results and whose stock is cheap. One such company is Lam Research (LRCX – very attractive rating). One of September’s most attractive stocks, LRCX offers investors hidden value.
by David Trainer, Founder & CEO
2Comments

Sell Citigroup Before The Earnings Bubble Pops

Citigroup is running out of accounting tricks and the stock will continue its slide as investors recognize the company is not as profitable as it wants investors to believe. Our analysis of the financial footnotes of more than 50,000 annual reports means we know more about which companies have the naughtiest and the nicest accounting. And Citigroup is definitely on the naughty list.
by David Trainer, Founder & CEO
New Constructs
0Comments

For Ask Matt readers:Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) — Dangerous Rating

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) gets our Dangerous Rating. This means CAT’s quality-of-earnings are not attractive and the stock’s valuation is very expensive. For example, the valuation of the current stock price ($112.16) implies the company will grow its profits at 16% compounded annually for 20 years. The takeaway: there are better stocks to choose from. See details in our free report.
by David Trainer, Founder & CEO
New Constructs
0Comments

Buy Eli Lilly & Company (LLY) – Attractive and Safe Enough To Take Home To Mom

The risk/reward of this stock is quite compelling. Downside risk is low as the valuation already implies a permanent 54% decline in profits. How much worse can the valuation get? Upside reward potential is strong as the stock has to go over $77/share to trade at a value that implies the company’s profits will experience a 0% decline, still a no-growth scenario.
by David Trainer, Founder & CEO