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Scholastic Appoints Milena Alberti and Anne Clarke Wolff to its Board of Directors
Prnewswire· 2025-07-17 12:00
Core Insights - Scholastic has appointed Milena Alberti and Anne Clarke Wolff as independent directors to its board, effective July 16, 2025, while directors John L. Davies and David J. Young have stepped down immediately to facilitate this transition [1][2][3] Board Composition and Changes - The board has undergone significant refreshment, with seven new independent directors appointed over the past four years, reflecting a commitment to adapt to the business's evolving needs [2] - Alix Guerrier has been reappointed to the board as a representative of Class A Stockholders, indicating ongoing efforts to ensure diverse representation [2] Directors' Backgrounds - Milena Alberti brings over 30 years of experience in publishing and finance, having held key roles at Penguin Random House and Getty Images, and currently chairs the board of Pitney-Bowes Inc. [4][5][6] - Anne Clarke Wolff has 30 years of experience in financial services, having founded Independence Point Advisors and previously held senior positions at Bank of America and JP Morgan [7][8][9][10] Strategic Focus - The new directors are expected to support the board's focus on business transformation, growth strategies, and capital allocation, aimed at maximizing shareholder value during a pivotal time for Scholastic [3]
Why Stock Picking Fails - And Why SPY Or VTI Is All You Need
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-14 11:15
Group 1 - The article discusses the importance of building a thoughtful investment portfolio that balances strong growth potential with solid fundamentals [1] - The focus is on high-quality businesses primarily in the U.S. and Europe, characterized by industry-leading profitability, low leverage, and growth potential [1] - The investment strategy emphasizes long-term compounding, with a time horizon of 30 years until retirement, highlighting the significance of capital allocation and portfolio strategy [1]
Euronav NV(CMBT) - 2021 Q1 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-07-10 09:14
Financial Performance - Revenue decreased significantly from $416.7 million in Q1 2020 to $113.4 million in Q1 2021[12] - The company reported a net loss of $71 million in Q1 2021, compared to a profit of $225.6 million in Q1 2020[12] - Euronav's leverage to book value is at 41.8%[14] - The company maintains access to liquidity greater than $1 billion[14] Operational Highlights - VLCC average spot rate in TI pool decreased from $61,700 per day in Q1 2020 to $14,000 per day in Q1 2021[8] - Suezmax average spot rate decreased from $41,500 per day in Q1 2020 to $11,500 per day in Q1 2021[8] - For Q2 so far, 48% of VLCC capacity is fixed at around $10,000 per day[11] - For Q2 so far, 41% of Suezmax capacity is fixed at around $10,500 per day[11] - The company completed 8 dry dockings in Q1 and another 8 in Q2, with 11 more planned for the second half of 2021[15] Strategic Initiatives - Euronav is diversifying financing with new sustainability funding, including a $60 million unsecured facility and an €80 million unsecured sustainability-linked facility[20] - The company is recycling older tonnage into new builds, involving 6 VLCCs and 3 Suezmax vessels with an average age of 13.7 years[22] - Euronav is focused on reducing emissions and meeting financial and strategic goals[21, 22] Market Outlook - The tanker market is awaiting recovery, influenced by demand and supply of oil, ton miles, and vessel supply[34, 35] - "Illicit" trade is potentially preventing recycling, with 8% of the VLCC fleet and 5% of the Suezmax fleet involved[27]
X @Ansem
Ansem 🧸💸· 2025-07-08 00:10
Market Performance - Stocks have significantly outperformed altcoins since late 2024 [1] - Since August lows, $SOL increased by 30%, while $HOOD increased by 555% [1] Investment Strategy - Capital allocation's most important job is identifying the fastest-growing assets and understanding the reasons behind it [1] - The company took profits earlier this year, focusing on crypto and reducing risk [1] Concerns & Feedback - The company is seeking constructive feedback on why the current trend of stocks outperforming altcoins would change [1]
Can Occidental Sustain and Increase its Dividend Amid Energy Cycles?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 15:16
Core Insights - Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) has made significant strides in improving its balance sheet and enhancing shareholder returns since acquiring Anadarko in 2019, reducing debt by $6.8 billion in the last 10 months, which has decreased annual interest expenses by $370 million and boosted net income [1][8] - The company has a strong free cash flow supported by low-cost, high-margin operations in the Permian Basin, which, along with contributions from international assets, allows for a dual focus on debt reduction and shareholder returns [2][8] - Occidental's diversified asset base, including its OxyChem segment and carbon capture initiatives, provides resilience and optionality to earnings, positioning the company as a potential player in the long-term energy transition [3][4] Financial Performance - In 2024, Occidental increased its dividend by 22%, reflecting management's commitment to sustainable and disciplined capital returns [2][8] - The company's operational efficiency and broad cash flow streams create a strong foundation for maintaining and gradually increasing dividends over time, despite exposure to commodity price fluctuations [4][8] - Occidental's earnings have consistently beaten estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 24.34% [7][9] Market Position - Occidental's return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 6.26%, slightly below the industry average of 6.61% [9] - The company's stock has gained 8.4% over the last three months, outperforming the Zacks Oil and Gas-Integrated-United States industry's rise of 8% [11]
GATX (GATX) Earnings Call Presentation
2025-07-03 13:17
Business Overview - GATX has a long history of over 125 years in the railcar leasing business [8, 9] - As of December 31, 2024, GATX's assets totaled $123 billion, including approximately 152,000 wholly-owned railcars worldwide [9] - GATX operates through four main business segments: Rail North America, Rail International, Engine Leasing, and Trifleet [11] - GATX's Rail North America manages a fleet of over 111,300 railcars [12] - GATX Rail Europe (GRE) manages over 30,000 railcars [12] - GATX Rail India manages over 10,500 railcars [12] - RRPF owns 427 aircraft spare engines [12] - GEL owns 39 aircraft spare engines [12] - Trifleet manages over 25,000 tank containers [12] Financial Highlights - Over the past decade, GATX has returned more than $14 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [23] - GATX's Income Per Diluted Share, excluding tax adjustments and other items (non-GAAP) was $789 in 2024 [25] - GATX's Return on Equity, excluding tax adjustments and other items (non-GAAP) was 12% in 2024 [27] - GATX invested $1674 million in 2024 [29]
Seagate Technology: HAMR Drives Earnings Surge Ahead
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-02 01:15
Group 1 - Moretus Research provides high-quality equity research focused on U.S. public markets, aiming to deliver clarity, conviction, and alpha for serious investors [1] - The research framework identifies companies with durable business models, mispriced cash flow potential, and intelligent capital allocation, emphasizing a structured and repeatable approach [1] - Valuation methods are based on sector-relevant multiples tailored to each company's business model and capital structure, prioritizing comparability, simplicity, and relevance [1] Group 2 - Research coverage focuses on underappreciated companies experiencing structural changes or temporary dislocations, where disciplined analysis can yield asymmetric returns [1] - Moretus Research aims to elevate the standard for independent investment research by providing professional-grade insights and actionable valuations [1]
Blackstone: Strong Buy On Durable Growth Blueprint
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-01 10:33
Group 1 - Moretus Research provides high-quality equity research focused on U.S. public markets, aiming to deliver clarity, conviction, and alpha for serious investors [1] - The research framework identifies companies with durable business models, mispriced cash flow potential, and intelligent capital allocation, emphasizing a structured and repeatable approach [1] - Valuation methods are based on sector-relevant multiples tailored to each company's business model and capital structure, prioritizing comparability, simplicity, and relevance [1] Group 2 - Research coverage focuses on underappreciated companies experiencing structural changes or temporary dislocations, where disciplined analysis can yield asymmetric returns [1] - Moretus Research aims to elevate the standard for independent investment research by providing professional-grade insights and actionable valuation [1]
Philip Morris: ZYN And IQOS Are Killing The 'Tobacco Is Dead' Myth
Seeking Alpha· 2025-06-30 11:15
Group 1 - Tobacco companies are facing a divided investor sentiment, with one group warning against investing due to declining smoking rates and the health-conscious nature of younger generations [1] - The decline in smoking and the inability to attract younger consumers are seen as significant warning signs for the tobacco industry [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of building a thoughtful investment portfolio that balances growth potential with solid fundamentals, focusing on high-quality businesses [1] - The investment strategy discussed includes a long-term perspective, capital allocation, and identifying businesses with strong staying power and industry-leading profitability [1]
Why Entergy Stock Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio Right Now
ZACKS· 2025-06-26 14:51
Core Viewpoint - Entergy Corporation (ETR) is focusing on consistent infrastructure investments and expanding its renewable generation portfolio, making it a solid investment option in the Zacks Utility Electric Power industry [1] Growth Forecast & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ETR's 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 0.7% to $4.35 over the past 60 days [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is projected at $12.54 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 5.6% [2] - ETR's long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 9.5%, with the company surpassing expectations in the last four quarters and delivering an average earnings surprise of 12.06% [2] Return on Equity - Entergy's return on equity (ROE) stands at 11.43%, outperforming the industry's average of 10.09%, indicating more efficient fund utilization [3] Solvency - Entergy's times interest earned (TIE) ratio was 2.4 at the end of Q1 2025, suggesting the company can meet its interest payment obligations without difficulty [4] Capital Allocation Strategy - Entergy plans to invest $37 billion between 2025 and 2028 to modernize, decarbonize, and diversify its portfolio, focusing on upgrading distribution, generation, and transmission while supporting renewable expansion [5][9] Grid Hardening Investments - The company has invested significantly in grid hardening, spending $144 million on distribution construction in Q1 2025 to enhance the reliability of its distribution system [6] Return to Shareholders - Entergy has been increasing shareholder value through solid dividend payments, with a current quarterly dividend of 60 cents per share, resulting in an annualized dividend of $2.40 and a dividend yield of 2.95% [7] Stock Performance - ETR shares have gained 52.3% over the past year, significantly outperforming the utility industry's growth of 16.6% [9][10]