Tariff uncertainty is still lingering over the stock market. As we speak, the Dow Jones Index ( DJI ) is down over 1,000 points, while the S&P ( SP500 ) is down more than 100 (points).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 w ...

Core Viewpoint - Hertz Global Holdings has experienced significant volatility, including a bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a turnaround plan that has not gained traction [1] - Investor Bill Ackman has made a substantial investment in Hertz, believing in its potential for a brighter future [1][2] Investment Details - Pershing Square disclosed the purchase of 12.7 million shares of Hertz, leading to a significant increase in Hertz's stock price [2] - Ackman sees potential in Hertz's rental car business amid tariff uncertainties, particularly due to its fleet of over 500,000 vehicles valued at approximately $12 billion [5][6] Asset Valuation - A 10% increase in used car prices could result in a $1.2 billion gain for Hertz's automotive assets, which is significant compared to its current market capitalization of $2.7 billion [6] - Ackman believes that the market undervalues Hertz's assets, although the recent stock price increase may have corrected this perception [6][10] Operational Improvements - For Hertz to realize its potential, it must achieve specific operational metrics, including revenue per unit of $1,500, daily per-vehicle operating expenses below $45, and depreciation per unit of roughly $300 [8] - The company also needs to improve fleet utilization to 85%, up from a historical average of 80% [8] Future Outlook - Ackman predicts that Hertz could reach $30 per share by 2029, with the stock currently trading below $9, indicating significant upside potential [7] - The company must rotate its fleet away from electric vehicles and reduce operating costs to improve unit revenue and margins over time [9]

Group 1 - The Q1 earnings season is underway with over 800 companies reporting results, including four members of the Magnificent 7 and 173 other S&P 500 members [1][19] - The Magnificent 7 stocks have recently participated in the market rebound but have struggled this year, particularly during the market sell-off since February 2025 [2][3] - Microsoft has outperformed the S&P 500 index during the recent market sell-off, while Apple, Amazon, and Meta have lagged behind [3][4] Group 2 - The performance of the Magnificent 7 members varies significantly depending on the time frame considered, with Meta and Apple showing strong performance over the past year, while Amazon and Microsoft lag [4] - All members of the Magnificent 7 are leaders in the artificial intelligence space and are investing heavily in data centers and related infrastructure [5] - Despite skepticism regarding the economic value of their investments, these companies are maintaining their capital expenditure plans [6] Group 3 - The Magnificent 7 members are exposed to trade uncertainties, which could impact their performance due to potential recession risks [7][10] - Earnings expectations for the Magnificent 7 group indicate a projected increase of +19.6% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, with revenues expected to rise by +10.9% [11][25] - Recent estimates for the Magnificent 7 have come under pressure, with expected earnings growth for the year revised down from +15.7% to +9.9% [14][34] Group 4 - As of April 25, 2025, 179 S&P 500 members have reported Q1 results, showing an overall earnings increase of +18% and revenue gains of +4.2% [21][24] - The percentage of companies beating EPS estimates is 69.8%, which is below the historical average of 79.1% [24] - Estimates for Q1 as a whole suggest earnings will rise by +9.4% and revenues by +4% compared to the previous year [25][28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $15 million, and net interest margin expanded by five basis points to 3.4%, primarily due to lower deposit costs [10][18] - Deposit balances grew by $935 million, with both banks contributing to the increase [11][20] - Tangible book value per share increased by nearly $4 to approximately $72, driven by quarterly net income and lower unrealized losses in the investment portfolio [12][30] - Total operating expenses were $471 million, an increase of $3 million compared to the previous quarter [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances increased by $146 million, primarily driven by the Commercial and Construction segments in Popular Bank [10][19] - Mortgage loan balances at Banco Popular increased by $136 million, driven primarily by home purchase activity [15] - Non-interest income was $152 million, a decrease of $13 million compared to the previous quarter [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The unemployment rate in Puerto Rico was 5.5%, remaining around all-time lows [14] - Combined credit and debit card sales for Banco Popular customers increased by approximately 6% compared to the first quarter of 2024 [15] - Passenger traffic at the San Juan International Airport increased by 11% during the quarter [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue its transformation efforts, focusing on strengthening its market-leading omnichannel experience and enhancing payment capabilities [71] - The ongoing disbursement of federal disaster recovery funds is expected to support economic activity in Puerto Rico for several years [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged recent market volatility due to tariff uncertainty but expressed confidence in the company's strong balance sheet and diversified business mix [13] - The company expects net interest income to increase by 7% to 9% this year, anticipating further net interest margin expansion [29] - Credit quality metrics improved during the first quarter, with lower early delinquencies and net charge-offs [32] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $122 million in shares at an average price of approximately $96 per share during the quarter [11][30] - The effective tax rate in the first quarter was 20%, with expectations for the year to be in the range of 19% to 21% [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the implications of macro uncertainty and tariffs on investment in Puerto Rico? - Management noted that while the power grid is a concern, many industries, especially pharmaceuticals, are resilient and have their own power solutions [51][53] Question: Can you provide an update on deposit flows and seasonal growth? - Management indicated that deposit balances are about 35% higher on average compared to pre-pandemic levels, with positive momentum expected to continue [58][61] Question: What is the outlook for loan growth and potential payoffs? - Management acknowledged that while there is a positive outlook for loan growth, elevated payoffs and client uncertainty may temper growth expectations [120][121] Question: How does the company plan to achieve a sustainable 14% return on tangible common equity? - Management emphasized the need for execution across various areas, including deposit growth, expense control, and strategic decisions [136] Question: Will total fee income rebound after the recent decrease? - Management expects total fee income to increase, with guidance set between $155 million to $160 million per quarter for the year [144]

Core Viewpoint - Despite the volatility in Wall Street and significant drawdowns among most "Magnificent 7" stocks in 2025, Netflix (NFLX) has shown resilience ahead of its Q1 earnings release, driven by several key factors [1][8]. Group 1: Tariff Immunity - Netflix is largely unaffected by the current trade policy uncertainties, as digital services are not a priority for the Trump Administration and are not subject to tariffs under WTO policy [2][4]. - In contrast, other "Magnificent 7" stocks like Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla face significant risks due to their reliance on overseas production and parts [1][2]. Group 2: Growth Performance - Netflix recorded a remarkable 102% year-over-year earnings growth last quarter, making it the fastest-growing stock among the "Magnificent 7" [3][8]. - The company has effectively navigated intense competition from services like Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, and Disney Plus, showcasing strong management capabilities [3][8]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - The crackdown on password sharing in mid-2023 led to the highest user acquisition days in Netflix's history, indicating successful strategic adjustments [4][8]. - Netflix has evolved into a major content powerhouse, investing heavily in original programming and attracting renowned Hollywood talent, which has broadened its viewership [4][8]. Group 4: Financial Metrics - Netflix has a history of bullish earnings surprises, having beaten Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates for four consecutive quarters, which bodes well for its upcoming earnings report [6][8]. - The stock's low valuation and strong earnings surprise history contribute positively to its investment appeal [3][8].

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivers the keynote for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference (GTC) at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, U.S. March 18, 2025.Technology stocks were on pace for a winning week Friday on the heels of a volatile stretch spurred by ongoing tariff uncertainty and economic fears.The Nasdaq Composite has jumped nearly 5% this week despite a wild few sessions and is on pace for its best week since November. The index was marginally higher Friday. Megacap technology stocks have bounced ...

Walmart's finance chief said the retailer is facing "day-to-day" sales volatility amid President Donald Trump's tariff uncertainty. "We are one week into this new tariff environment, and we're still working through what it means to us," John Rainey, the company's CFO, said at the Walmart Investment Community Meeting on Wednesday. Rainey said that a third of Walmart's offerings are imported from outside the US. China and Mexico are the "most significant" countries that Walmart imports from, he said. As Ch ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average daily sales declined 4.7% year over year, with a sequential decline of 5.5% despite January and February outperforming historical trends [6][20] - Fiscal second quarter sales were $892 million, down 4.7% year over year [20] - Gross margin was 41%, a decline of 50 basis points year over year, while adjusted operating margin was 7.1%, down 340 basis points year over year [22][24] - GAAP earnings per share were $0.70 compared to $1.10 in the prior year quarter, and adjusted earnings per share were $0.72 compared to $1.18 in the prior year [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Public sector sales grew 13.2% year over year, while national accounts declined 5.4% and core and other customers declined 6.8% [20] - Average daily sales through vending programs were up 1% year over year, representing 18% of total company net sales [21] - Sales through implant programs also grew 1% year over year, accounting for approximately 18% of total company net sales [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The industrial production (IP) readings across most top manufacturing end markets continued to contract, impacting performance [12] - Customer sentiment and future outlook have shown improvement, with recent MBI readings hovering around 50 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving execution and returning to growth despite a soft demand environment [6] - Key initiatives include enhancing the website for better customer experience, expanding the OEM product line, and maintaining momentum in high-touch solutions [8][11] - The company is navigating the tariff landscape with a playbook covering purchasing, pricing, assortment management, and productivity tools for customers [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about future prospects, citing a solid long-term manufacturing outlook and improving execution [12][13] - The company is well-positioned to navigate uncertainties due to tariff impacts and inflation concerns [12][14] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 158,000 shares during the quarter, returning approximately $60 million to shareholders [26] - Expectations for the fiscal third quarter include average daily sales down 2% to flat compared to the prior year [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on the back half of the fiscal year - Management indicated cautious optimism, not assuming significant further erosion in end markets, and focusing on share gain initiatives [32][33] Question: Details on price increases announced in March - The price increase was small, primarily covering items where the company is the importer of record, with an estimated half a point of price benefit [44][45] Question: Update on web enhancements and marketing initiatives - Progress is on track, with improvements in customer acquisition and website traffic noted [56][58] Question: Insights on individual end markets, particularly automotive and aerospace - Management noted continued improvement in heavy manufacturing end markets, with automotive remaining soft but aerospace showing a robust outlook [70][71] Question: Pricing dynamics and expectations for the third quarter - Management explained that pricing was affected by customer sector mix, with expectations for flat pricing in the third quarter due to various factors [75][76] Question: Digital KPIs and future sales expectations - Management reported improvements in conversion rates and average order value, indicating positive momentum for future sales [86][87] Question: Impact of export customers on demand - Management acknowledged the difficulty in sizing export exposure but noted that a decline in export demand would impact domestic performance [90][91]