Core Viewpoint - Visa is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity due to its high returns on capital, strong margins, consistent growth, and reliable returns over time [1]. Company Analysis - Visa exhibits characteristics of a great business, including high returns on capital and strong profit margins [1]. - The company has demonstrated algorithm-like growth, indicating a stable and predictable growth pattern [1]. - Visa is recognized for its cash-rich status and strong balance sheet, which are attractive features for long-term investors [1]. Investment Strategy - The focus is on identifying high-quality companies with shareholder-friendly policies, applying a disciplined valuation approach [1]. - A mix of quantitative and qualitative measures is utilized to uncover underappreciated investment opportunities [1]. - The investment approach is long-only with a long-term focus, emphasizing sustainable growth and value [1].

Core Insights - Visa reported Q3 revenue of $10.2 billion for fiscal year 2025, an increase from $8.9 billion in the same period last year, exceeding market expectations of $9.83 billion [1] Financial Performance - Q3 revenue of $10.2 billion represents a year-over-year growth of approximately 14.6% from $8.9 billion [1] - The reported revenue surpassed market expectations by approximately 4.3% [1]

Core Viewpoint - The private sector is experiencing job losses, which is beneficial for earnings season and dividend growth stocks due to easing wage pressures and lower inflation, leading to better profit margins and dividend hikes [2]. Dividend Growth Stocks Dividend Growth Stock 1: T-Mobile US (TMUS) - T-Mobile US initiated a new dividend program in 2023 and raised its dividend by 35% to 88 cents per share after merging with Sprint [6][8]. - The company is expanding its margins and free cash flow, which supports its dividend growth strategy [7][9]. Dividend Growth Stock 2: Amphenol (APH) - Amphenol has seen significant growth, particularly in AI-related applications, with total orders increasing by nearly 60% year-over-year in Q1 2025 [12]. - The company raised its dividend by 50% last year, marking one of its largest increases [12]. Dividend Growth Stock 3: California Resources (CRC) - California Resources has shifted towards green-energy initiatives and has increased its quarterly distribution by 128% since its initiation [15]. - The company has been profitable since emerging from bankruptcy in 2021 and has seen its shares triple since relisting [16]. Dividend Growth Stock 4: RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) - RLJ Lodging Trust reduced its dividend significantly during the pandemic but has since increased it by 1,400% from its low point [19]. - Analysts project a 40% AFFO payout ratio for RLJ, indicating potential for further dividend growth [20]. Dividend Growth Stock 5: Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) - Coca-Cola Consolidated has shown consistent top-line growth and recently announced a $16-per-share special dividend, along with a quintupled regular payout to $2.50 per share [24]. - The company currently pays out only 15% of its earnings as dividends, suggesting room for future increases [24].

Group 1: Visa - Visa reported a 9% increase in revenue and a 10% increase in non-GAAP EPS for its fiscal second quarter of 2025, with payment volumes up 8% and processed transactions rising 9% [3][7] - Year-to-date, Visa's stock is up over 8%, significantly outperforming the financial sector and the S&P 500 [4] - The company generated $9.42 billion in free cash flow in the first half of fiscal 2025, supporting stock repurchases of $8.41 billion and dividends of $2.33 billion [6] - Visa is guiding for low-double-digit net revenue growth and a low teens increase in diluted EPS for the full fiscal year [7] - The stock has a P/E ratio of 34.4, above its 10-year median of 33.1, which is considered justified given the company's performance [8] Group 2: Kenvue - Kenvue's stock currently yields 3.5% and presents a value opportunity in a relatively safe industry, with management focused on turning around its underperforming skin health and beauty segment [9][10] - The skin health segment's recovery is slower than expected, with organic sales declining by 1.9% in 2024, although Neutrogena regained its No. 1 position in the U.S. face care group [11] - Other segments, including self-care and essential health, grew organic sales by 1.9% and 4.1% respectively in 2024 [12] - Kenvue is collaborating with activist investor Starboard Value to appoint new board members, indicating a commitment to improving performance [12][13] Group 3: Essential Utilities - Essential Utilities offers a 3.2% forward yielding dividend, making it an attractive option for conservative investors during market volatility [14] - The company provides water and wastewater services to 1.1 million customers, with 99% of its earnings attributed to these services, which are less likely to be affected by economic downturns [15] - Operating in regulated markets allows Essential Utilities to guarantee certain rates of return, aiding in future cash flow management [16] - The company has increased its dividend payout for 30 consecutive years, with a 7% compound annual growth rate over the past decade [17][18]

Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results April 29, 2025 ©2025 Visa. All rights reserved. Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Results | YoY increase / (decrease) except for Effective Income Tax Rate | Net Revenue | Operating Expenses | Effective Income Tax Rate | Diluted Class A Common Stock Earnings Per Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | GAAP Nominal-Dollar Basis | 9% | 22% | 15.8% | 1% | | Non-GAAP Nominal-Dollar Basis(1) | 9% | 7% | 16.9% | 10% | | Foreign Currency Impact(2) | ~2.0% | ~3.0% | N/A | ~1.5 ...

Market Overview - The S&P 500 experienced its sixth consecutive day of gains, with no negative impact from economic data or earnings reports [1] - The Dow increased by 300 points (+0.75%), the S&P 500 rose by 32 points (+0.58%), and the Nasdaq grew by 95 points (+0.55%) [2] - Bond yields decreased, with the 10-year yield at 4.17% and the 2-year yield at 3.65% [2] Housing Market - The Case Shiller Home Price Index for February showed a headline increase of +3.9%, which is 20 basis points lower than the previous month [3] - The 10-City survey reported a +5.2% increase, down from +5.7%, while the 20-City index showed a +4.5% increase, down from +4.7% [3] - Notable cities for rising home prices included New York City (+7.7%), Chicago (+7.0%), and Cleveland (+6.6%) [3] Labor Market - The JOLTS report for March indicated job openings at 7.19 million, below the expected 7.5 million, with the previous month revised down to 7.5 million [5] - Job quits remained stable at 3.3 million, with a quits rate of +2.1% [6] - Layoffs in the retail sector decreased by 66,000, and federal government layoffs fell by 11,000 [6] Consumer Confidence - The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for April dropped to 86.0, below the expected 87.3 and down 7.9 points from the previous month [7] - The Expectations Index fell to 54.4, a decrease of -12.5 month over month, marking the lowest level since October 2011 [8] - 32.1% of consumers expect fewer jobs in the next six months, the highest rate since April 2009 [8] Company Earnings - Visa reported fiscal Q2 earnings of $2.76 per share, exceeding expectations of $2.68 and the previous year's $2.51, with revenues of $9.59 billion slightly above the anticipated $9.56 billion [10] - Starbucks missed both earnings and revenue expectations for fiscal Q2, reporting earnings of 41 cents per share and revenues of $8.76 billion, below the expected $8.79 billion [12] - Booking Holdings posted strong Q1 results with earnings of $24.81 per share and revenues of $4.76 billion, surpassing expectations [13] - Seagate Technologies exceeded estimates with fiscal Q3 earnings of $1.90 per share and revenues of $2.16 billion, raising guidance for the next quarter to $2.40 per share [14]