Company Performance - Over the past decade, an investment in Zoetis (ZTS) would have grown by 227%, averaging an annual return of 12.6% [2] - However, the S&P 500 outperformed Zoetis with an average annual gain of 12.7% during the same period [2] - In shorter time frames, Zoetis shares have underperformed, with annual average declines of 18.7%, 4.25%, and 0.43% over the past one, three, and five years respectively [3] Growth Potential - Zoetis has significant growth potential, having been spun off from Pfizer in 2013 and now leading in market share across various animal health segments [4] - The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position [4] Resilience and Dividends - The company is considered somewhat recession-proof, as animal health care is essential for both livestock and pets [6] - Zoetis offers a dividend yield of 1.3%, with total annual payouts increasing from $0.50 in 2018 to $1.93 per share recently [7] - The current forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24 is below the five-year average of 32, suggesting shares may be undervalued [7]

Group 1 - Netflix recently achieved a new all-time high in stock price, contrasting with a general decline of about 20% in the tech sector, suggesting market confidence in its recession resilience [1][3] - The service is perceived as essential and unlikely to be cut during economic downturns, with many consumers returning for new content despite price hikes [2][3] - Netflix's subscription model offers significant value, providing access to thousands of titles for less than the cost of a family dinner, enhancing its appeal during times of financial strain [3] Group 2 - Netflix's current market capitalization is approximately $481 billion, with a goal set by co-CEO Ted Sarandos to reach $1 trillion by 2030, implying a potential doubling of stock value [4] - The stock trades at a high valuation of 52.5 times earnings and 43 times forward earnings, which may pose challenges to achieving the ambitious valuation goal [5][9] - Compared to peers like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, Netflix's forward P/E ratio is significantly higher, indicating that substantial growth is already factored into its stock price [8]

Core Viewpoint - Altria remains an attractive investment for income investors due to its long history of dividend increases and its current high dividend yield of 7% [1][14] Company Strategy - Altria has faced challenges over the past decade due to declining smoking rates and strategic missteps, including a $12 billion investment in Juul and a failed investment in Cronos Group [5] - The company has shifted focus to smoke-free products, selling the rights to market Iqos back to Philip Morris International and investing in Njoy, which has received FDA marketing authorization for its pod-based e-vapor product [6][8] - Altria's next-gen portfolio includes on!, an oral nicotine pouch, and a new heated tobacco product called Ploom, developed in partnership with JT Group [7] Market Performance - Njoy's consumables saw a 15.3% increase to 12.8 million units, and device shipments rose 22.2% to 1.1 million, with retail market share nearly doubling to 6.4% [8] - Despite Njoy's growth, cigarettes still account for the majority of Altria's revenue, with volume sales declining from 76.4 million in 2023 to 68.6 million in 2024, while smokeable products represented 88% of revenue in 2024 [9] Future Goals - Altria aims for a mid-single digits adjusted earnings per share (EPS) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) off $4.84 in 2022, with adjusted EPS rising 3.4% to $5.12 in 2024, resulting in a 2.9% CAGR over the last two years [10] - The company plans to increase its dividend by mid-single digits annually, following a 4.1% increase in 2024, and targets a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2, currently at 2.1 [11] - Altria expects to maintain an adjusted operating margin of at least 60% through 2028, although it has struggled to meet growth targets and has adjusted its expectations for Njoy's cash flow contributions [12] Investment Outlook - Altria's stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 12, with a 7% dividend yield, indicating potential for success even if not all 2028 goals are met [13] - In the current economic climate, Altria is positioned to potentially outperform the S&P 500, benefiting from its status in the consumer staples sector and the consistent demand for its products [14] - Overall, despite declining cigarette consumption, Altria is expected to be in a better position three years from now [15]