A Chinese investment firm bought a block of ByteDance shares at a valuation of $480 billion, far above recent levels, a sign of strong investor interest in the parent company of video sensation TikTok https://t.co/uRLBvMnzRY ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the expertise of the research firm Goulart's Restaurant Stocks, which focuses on the U.S. restaurant industry, covering various segments from quick-service to fine dining [1] - The firm employs advanced financial modeling and sector-specific KPIs to identify hidden value in public equities, particularly in micro and small-cap companies often overlooked by mainstream analysts [1] Industry Focus - The research covers a broad range of sectors including consumer discretionary, food & beverage, casinos & gaming, and IPOs, with a strong emphasis on the restaurant industry [1] - The firm aims to uncover investment opportunities within the restaurant sector by applying strategic insights and valuation techniques [1] Research Methodology - The analysis incorporates advanced financial modeling and sector-specific key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess company valuations [1] - The firm combines hands-on finance and business management experience with academic knowledge, including an MBA in Controllership and Accounting Forensics [1]

Valuation Analysis - Vinted's potential valuation of €8 billion is considered high [1]

Core Viewpoint - The proposed merger between Akzo Nobel N.V. and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. is viewed critically, with concerns about Axalta's decision to merge with a company that has a history of poor performance and value stagnation [1][2][3]. Company Performance - Axalta has demonstrated exceptional financial performance, maintaining adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin growth for 12 consecutive quarters [4]. - The company has a net leverage ratio of 2.5x, the lowest in its history, and plans to repurchase up to $250 million of its stock, deploying over 90% of its free cash flow to share repurchases this year [4]. - Axalta's revenue and operating income have shown fluctuations, with a notable decline in net income from €1,060 million in 2015 to €66 million in 2025 [5]. Valuation Concerns - The merger is perceived as a "sellout" of a well-performing business for a company (Akzo Nobel) that has historically underperformed, with earnings and adjusted earnings per share lower over one-, five-, and ten-year periods [2][3]. - The valuation of Akzo Nobel is questioned, as it is seen as a company with inferior assets and financial performance compared to Axalta [2][3]. Market Outlook - There is optimism regarding improved operating conditions in 2026, particularly in the Refinish demand environment in North America, as claims stabilize and destocking headwinds abate [4]. - Leading indicators for the Refinish market are starting to turn positive, suggesting a potential shift in market conditions [4].

Core Insights - Visa Inc. and American Express Company both reported strong earnings, but their growth drivers are diverging, necessitating a deeper analysis beyond headline figures to assess future momentum [1][9] Group 1: Earnings Performance - Visa reported Q4 fiscal 2025 EPS of $2.98, exceeding estimates by $0.01 and reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase, driven by robust transaction processing and payment volume growth [4] - American Express delivered Q3 fiscal 2025 EPS of $4.14, surpassing estimates by 4.6% and showing a 19% year-over-year increase, supported by strong spending from its premium customer base [6] Group 2: Key Operational Drivers - Visa's payment volume increased by 9% year-over-year, with processed transactions reaching 67.7 billion, a 10% rise, and cross-border volume growing by 12% [5] - American Express's network volumes reached $479.2 billion, a 9% year-over-year increase, with total interest income rising 8% to $6.6 billion [7] Group 3: Financial Outlook - Visa anticipates low double-digit revenue growth for fiscal 2026, with EPS expected to grow by 11.7% to $12.81 [8] - American Express expects revenue growth between 9% and 10% for 2025, with EPS projected in the range of $15.20 to $15.50, indicating a 15.3% increase [9][10] Group 4: Financial Flexibility - Visa ended the quarter with $17.2 billion in cash, a significant increase from $12 billion, and reduced long-term debt to $19.6 billion [11] - American Express reported $54.7 billion in cash, up from $40.6 billion, but long-term debt increased to $57.8 billion [12] Group 5: Shareholder Returns - Visa returned $6.1 billion to shareholders, with $4.9 billion in buybacks and $1.2 billion in dividends, maintaining a dividend yield of 0.83% [14] - American Express repurchased 7 million shares for $2.3 billion and paid $600 million in dividends, with a dividend yield of 0.96% [14] Group 6: Valuation and Price Performance - Visa shares have declined 6.6% over the past three months, trading at 24.62X, below its five-year median of 26.66X, suggesting potential valuation upside [16][19] - American Express trades at 19.70X, above its five-year median of 17.27X, indicating differing risk perspectives [19] Group 7: Conclusion - Visa's global scale, cleaner balance sheet, and steadier growth position it for more durable upside compared to American Express, despite both companies holding a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [23]

Funding & Valuation - Crypto exchange Kraken 完成 8 亿（800 million）美元融资 [1] - Kraken 估值达到 200 亿（20 billion）美元 [1]

Core Viewpoint - Cisco's stock has performed well, increasing by 37% over the past year, yet retail investor sentiment has turned negative, with social sentiment dropping to 35/100 despite solid fundamentals and a 2.09% dividend yield [1][6]. Group 1: Investor Sentiment - Mentions of Cisco on Reddit surged in mid-November, with a notable shift from neutral to negative sentiment, as discussions highlighted concerns about historical losses and potential market bubbles [2]. - A specific post on r/investing warned that Cisco's recovery from the dotcom bubble could indicate a potential bubble, resonating with many users [2]. - The decline in sentiment is attributed to profit-taking after a significant annual gain, with the current sentiment at 35/100 [4][6]. Group 2: Valuation Concerns - Cisco's trailing P/E ratio stands at 30, with only 6% year-over-year earnings growth, resulting in a PEG ratio of 5, indicating the stock may be overvalued relative to its growth [3][5]. - The stock's RSI has remained above 70 since November 13, suggesting overbought conditions, which has contributed to the bearish sentiment [4][5]. - Despite strong operational margins (23.6% operating, 17.9% profit) and an 11% monthly gain, concerns about valuation and timing have led investors to lock in profits rather than increase exposure [6].

Core Insights - Investing in global ex-U.S. markets through dedicated ETFs offers an efficient way to achieve international diversification for U.S.-focused portfolios [1] Group 1: Investment Strategies - There are various strategies available for investing in international markets, making it challenging for investors to choose the right one [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has a Master's in Banking & Finance from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a diverse investing background that includes corporate finance, M&A, and investment analysis [1] - The focus areas of the analyst include real estate, renewable energy, and equity markets, with expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and qualitative analysis [1] - The analyst aims to share insights and analysis on interesting companies with a global audience through Seeking Alpha [1]

Valuation - Ramp 的估值达到 320 亿美元 [1] - Ramp 的估值在三个月内从 225 亿美元增长到 320 亿美元 [1] - Ramp 的估值在三个月内增长了 42% (从 225 亿美元到 320 亿美元) [1]

Perhaps no stock is more divisive than Palantir Technologies Inc. ( PLTR ). If we make the assumption that we have reached the point in the cycle in which “valuation no longer matters,” then it is easy toJulian Lin is a financial analyst. He finds undervalued companies with secular growth that appreciate over time. His approach is to look for companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors with long growth runways. Julian is the leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks ...