REMEMBER NOVEMBER
CLIENT TALKING POINTS
YESTERDAY’S PROOF
Our #EarningsSlowing theme kicked into gear yesterday as more companies continued to disappoint on earnings through not beating Street consensus and/or offering lower guidance for the rest of 2012 into 2013. This is one thing that can’t be easily fixed by actions from the Federal Reserve. Thus, investors are realizing how bad things are actually getting out there and that is one of the explanations for yesterday’s sell off. Expect more reports to come in looking less-than-perfect over the remainder of the week.
REMEMBER NOVEMBER
With the election less than two weeks away, the polls and major media feedback show that Romney and Obama are tied with Romney making the occasional jump ahead. But the fact of the matter is the race is too close to call right now. There’s still plenty of time for bombshells to come out and hit each candidate hard and Donald Trump may be doing just that today. Just keep in mind that whoever is elected will have a major impact on the market on the long-term side of things.
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ASSET ALLOCATION
Cash: UP
U.S. Equities: Flat
Int'l Equities: Flat
Commodities: Flat
Fixed Income: DOWN
Int'l Currencies: DOWN
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TOP LONG IDEAS
BRINKER INTL (EAT)
Remains our top long in casual dining as new sales layers (pizza) and strong-performing remodels (~5% comps) should maintain sales momentum. The company is continuing to enhance returns for shareholders through share buybacks . The stock trades at a discount to DIN (7.7x vs 9.3x EV/EBITDA) and in line with the group at 7.3x.
- TRADE: LONG
- TREND: LONG
- TAIL: LONG
PACCAR (PCAR)
Emissions regulations in the US focusing on greenhouse gases should end the disruptive pre-buy cycle and allow PCAR to improve margins. Improved capacity utilization, truck fleet aging, and less volatile used truck prices all should support higher long-run profitability. In the near-term, Paccar may benefit from engine certification issues at Navistar, allowing it to gain market share. Longer-term, Paccar enjos a strong position in a structurally advantaged industry and an attractive valuation.
- TRADE: LONG
- TREND: LONG
- TAIL: LONG
HCA HOLDINGS (HCA)
While political and reimbursement risk will remain near-term concerns, on the fundamental side we continue to expect accelerating outpatient growth alongside further strength in pricing as acuity improves thru 1Q13. Flu trends may provide an incremental benefit on the quarter and our expectation for a birth recovery should support patient surgery growth over the intermediate term. Supply costs should remain a source of topline & earnings upside going forward.
- TRADE: NEUTRAL
- TREND: LONG
- TAIL: LONG
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THREE FOR THE ROAD
TWEET OF THE DAY
“over capitalized over produced and under incomed -too much everything” -@fearlicious
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” -Dorothy Parker
STAT OF THE DAY
Germany's PMI down in October to 45.7 vs 47.4 last month.
