Even with the recent bout of market volatility, 2024 has been a fantastic year for stocks. The S&P 500 index has delivered a dividend-adjusted total return of roughly 25% across this year's trading. Meanwhile, the more growth-heavy Nasdaq Composite index has delivered a total return of 30%.This year's performance has marked one of the most impressive annual bull runs in stock market history, and major indexes have managed to notch new highs at multiple points across the stretch. But while many stocks now tr ...

Contributing analyst to the iREIT+Hoya Capital investment group. The Dividend Collectuh is not a registered investment professional nor financial advisor and these articles should not be taken as financial advice. This is for educational purposes only and I encourage everyone to do their own due diligence. I'm a Navy veteran who enjoys dividend investing in quality blue-chip stocks, BDC's, and REITs. I am a buy-and-hold investor who prefers quality over quantity and plans to supplement his retirement income ...

For the quarter ended September 2024, Kenvue (KVUE) reported revenue of $3.9 billion, down 0.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.28, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.92 billion, representing a surprise of -0.56%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +3.70%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.27.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they ...

Financial Performance - Net sales decreased by 0.4% to $3.9 billion, with organic growth of 0.9% and a foreign currency headwind of 1.3%[1][3] - Gross profit margin expanded by 100 basis points to 58.5%, while adjusted gross profit margin increased by 130 basis points to 60.7%[6] - Operating income margin was 16.8%, down from 18.1% in the prior year, with adjusted operating income margin at 22.1%, down from 23.3%[7] - Diluted earnings per share were $0.20, compared to $0.23 in the prior year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.28, down from $0.31[9] - Net income for the three months ended September 29, 2024, was $383 million, compared to $438 million for the same period last year, a decrease of 12.6%[35] - The diluted net income per share for the three months ended September 29, 2024, was $0.20, down from $0.23 in the same period last year[35] - Net income was reported at $737 million, translating to a net income margin of 6.2%[56] Sales and Segment Performance - Volume decline was primarily driven by Skin Health and Beauty and Self Care, partially offset by growth in Essential Health[4] - The Self Care segment reported net sales of $1,625 million for the three months ended September 29, 2024, an increase of 0.7% from $1,613 million in the same period last year[46] - The Essential Health segment achieved net sales of $1,202 million for the three months ended September 29, 2024, reflecting a growth of 1.6% compared to $1,183 million last year[46] - The Skin Health and Beauty segment saw a decline in net sales to $1,072 million for the three months ended September 29, 2024, down 4.2% from $1,119 million in the same period last year[46] Cost and Expenses - The company incurred restructuring expenses of $31 million in the three months ended September 29, 2024, compared to no such expenses in the same period last year[35] - Adjusted operating income for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, was $860 million, a decrease of 5.9% from $914 million in the prior year[47] - Depreciation and amortization expenses for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, totaled $160 million[50] - Research and development expenses for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, increased to $97 million from $78 million in the same period last year[67] Tax and Interest - The effective tax rate increased to 33.6% from 25.1% in the prior year, impacting net income[8] - The effective tax rate for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, was 33.6%[62] - The adjusted effective tax rate (non-GAAP) for the fiscal nine months ended September 29, 2024, was 27.6%[62] - The company forecasts an effective tax rate for fiscal year 2024 between 28.5% and 29.0%[63] - Interest expense for the third quarter was $96 million[8] - Interest expense for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, was $96 million[50] - The company reported interest expense of $283 million for the fiscal nine months ended September 29, 2024[56] Future Outlook - For 2024, the company expects net sales growth and organic growth toward the low end of its outlook of 1.0%-3.0% and 2.0%-4.0%, respectively[10] - Future outlook includes a focus on new product development and market expansion strategies[56] Cash Flow and Debt - Free cash flow (non-GAAP) for the fiscal nine months ended September 29, 2024, was $0.7 billion, down from $2.0 billion for the same period in 2023[65] - Cash and cash equivalents as of September 29, 2024, were $1.1 billion, down from $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2023[67] - Total debt increased to $8.7 billion as of September 29, 2024, compared to $8.3 billion as of December 31, 2023[67] - Net debt as of September 29, 2024, was $(7.6) billion, compared to $(6.9) billion as of December 31, 2023[67] Geographic Performance - North America net sales for the fiscal nine months ended September 29, 2024, were $5.737 billion, down from $5.848 billion in the same period last year[66] - Europe, Middle East, and Africa net sales for the fiscal three months ended September 29, 2024, increased to $913 million from $864 million in the same period last year[66] - Asia Pacific net sales for the fiscal nine months ended September 29, 2024, were $2.339 billion, slightly down from $2.357 billion in the same period last year[66]

Business: Kenvue is a consumer health company. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. Self Care product categories include pain care; cough cold allergy; and "other self care." The Skin Health and Beauty segment's product categories include face and body care and hair, sun and others. The Essential Health segment's product categories include oral care, baby care and other essential health. Its differentiated portfolio of brands includes Tylenol, ...

The growth rate of the consumer healthcare business could accelerate now that an activist investor is involved.Shares of Kenvue (KVUE 0.92%) got a nice bounce on Monday, Oct. 21, thanks to Starboard Value. The activist investor recently pushed the stock up by announcing a stake in the consumer goods giant that's behind popular brands such as Tylenol and Listerine.Despite the recent bump, Kenvue stock has fallen by about 15% since it was spun off from Johnson & Johnson last May. The loss is extra upsetting b ...

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The ...

Key TakeawaysActivist investor Starboard Value reportedly has taken a large stake in consumer health care products maker Kenvue.The Wall Street Journal and Reuters say it's unclear how big the investment is, although the Journal says it's a "sizable stake."Starboard founder and CEO Jeff Smith is expected to discuss the hedge fund's plans for Kenvue at an investor conference tomorrow. Shares of Kenvue (KVUE) took off Monday morning on indications activist investor Starboard Value has taken a large stake in t ...

Kenvue CEO Thibaut Mongon at the New York Stock Exchange for its initial public offering, May 4, 2023.Activist investor Starboard Value has a large stake in Kenvue, which spun out of Johnson & Johnson in mid-2023, according to people familiar with the matter.The activist is looking for the company to improve its share price, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss private information freely. CNBC could not learn size of the stake nor Starboard's specific plans. Starboard's Jeff Smith is expected ...

Target, PepsiCo, and Kenvue have high yields and inexpensive valuations. The stock market can be an excellent way to compound wealth over time. But the way an investor goes about growing their hard-earned savings can vary based on investment objectives, risk tolerance, interests, and myriad other factors. Generating passive income from dividend stocks is a way to supplement income in retirement or simply help with financial planning. Dividends can also be useful because they provide income without having to ...