Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Airline Industry’s Turbulent Future: A Look at Delta Air vs. Alaska Air

As aviation companies jockey for position, the battle between Alaska Air (NYSE: ALK) and Delta Air (NYSE: DAL) has caught the attention of investors. While both stocks are neck and neck trading at a similar valuation of 0.5x revenues, Delta has demonstrated better revenue growth and profitability. In this analysis, we dissect why we expect ALK to outperform DAL in the coming years. A thorough comparison of historical revenue growth, stock returns, and valuation in an interactive dashboard analysis of Delta Air vs. Alaska Air: Which Stock Is A Better Bet? provides further insight. Although both stocks have seen minimal shifts in value—DAL

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Investing Pitch: Why I’m Buying Braves Stocks Investing Pitch: Why I’m Buying Braves Stocks

As a lifelong Yankee fan (proud owner of World Series rings with my last name on them), I am shunting my loyalties and coming out in favor of the Atlanta Braves (NASDAQ: BATRK) (NASDAQ: BATRA) following the split from Liberty Media in July of last year. The Braves, formerly a tracking stock, now represents a C-corp. Economically they are the same. With BATRA having one vote per share (~10 million shares outstanding) and BATRK being non-voting (~50 million shares outstanding). Acquisition Potential There are very few publicly traded sports teams, making the Braves an attractive asset as most teams are

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

A Rocky Road Ahead: Navigating Enphase Energy’s Stock Amidst a Sharp Decline

Riding the Rollercoaster: Enphase Energy’s Stock Enphase Energy’s stock (NASDAQ: ENPH) has taken a steep downturn, currently trading at $131 per share, representing a 59% plunge from its pre-inflation shock high of $321 in September 2022. The company, specializing in solar micro-inverters, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations for residential customers, has seen its stock battered by escalating interest rates and significant cost cuts. The company’s Q3 performance was underwhelming, with a 13% year-over-year drop in revenues to $551 million, largely due to volatile macroeconomic conditions and softened demand in key markets. Looking ahead, Enphase Energy faces an uphill

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Altimmune’s Stock Surge and the Pemvidutide Breakthrough Altimmune’s Stock Surge and the Pemvidutide Breakthrough

Altimmune, Inc. ALT shares are trading higher Thursday, and the stock has gained more than 140% over the past month. Here’s a look at what’s going on. The Momentum Phase 2 Trial Results: Altimmune’s recent rally began after the company announced topline results from the 48-week Momentum Phase 2 trial of its obesity drug-candidate, pemvidutide on Nov. 30. The company reported that 50% of subjects achieved at least 15% weight loss and over 30% of subjects achieved at least 20% weight loss on the 2.4 mg dose. The company also highlighted other benefits including reductions in serum lipids and improvements

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Japan’s Services PMI Growth in December Japan Services PMI Expands in December Amid Sharper Growth in New Business

AlxeyPnferov The au Jibun Bank Japan Services PMI rose to 51.5 in December from 50.8 in November, marking the 16th consecutive month of increasing business activity. The expansion, while modest, signifies resilience in the face of challenges and represents the second-strongest recorded growth in 2023. However, the final number was revised lower in December 2023 from the preliminary figure of 52.0, indicating a slight adjustment in the growth trajectory. Interestingly, December data highlighted a stronger improvement in business activity, with firms reporting increased customer numbers across the Japanese services sector for the first time in four months. This uptick in

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Analysts Predict U.S. Banking Stocks Rally in 2024 Amid Economic Shifts Analysts Predict U.S. Banking Stocks Rally in 2024 Amid Economic Shifts

A potential soft landing for the U.S. economy has sparked an upswing of interest in U.S. banking stocks, elucidated in a recent note to clients by Bank of America on Thursday. The group of Bank of America’s equity analysts, spearheaded by Ebrahim H. Poonawala, has highlighted several influential factors likely to bolster a bullish trend in banking stocks. This optimism is rooted in the evolving economic landscape, anticipated policy shifts, and the strategic positioning of individual banks. “We see potential for an overshoot in bank stocks,” the analysts conveyed in the note. “Increasing confidence that interest rates headed lower, economy

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Is Lamb Weston’s (LW) Stock a Buy After Solid Quarterly Results? Is Lamb Weston’s (LW) Stock a Buy After Solid Quarterly Results?

After revealing strong fiscal second-quarter results on Thursday, investors might be contemplating whether it’s the opportune moment to grab a slice of Lamb Weston’s stock. The company, in recent years, has garnered considerable attention on Wall Street, analogous to the recognition earned by other leading consumer food companies such as General Mills and Hormel Foods. The reigning monarch of frozen potato products in North America, Lamb Weston retains a formidable global footprint. Let’s evaluate whether the time is ripe for investors to consider acquisition of its stock following an exceptional performance in Q2. Quarterly Performance & Notable Developments Lamb Weston

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Broadcom Transformation: 2024 Outlook Broadcom: Through the Prism of 2024

The Evolution of Broadcom Following the fortuitous market climate of 2023, 2024 heralds a metamorphosis for Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO). With the long-anticipated acquisition of VMware (VMW) receiving the green light, a new era unfolds. Preceding 2024, sales tilted heavily (79%) towards semiconductors/hardware, with software comprising a modest 21%. However, the projected landscape of 2024 showcases a radical shift, with software expected to account for 40% – a pivotal juncture indeed. The VMware deal has notably mitigated the risk posed by dependency on a handful of key customers, with the top 5 end customers contributing to 35% of net revenues and

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

GigaCloud Surpasses 52-Week Highs: The Tech Surge GigaCloud Surpasses 52-Week Highs: The Tech Surge

GigaCloud Technology Inc GCT shares rose significantly on Thursday, marking an exceptional period of growth over the past month. Let’s delve into the details behind this remarkable surge. The Momentum: GigaCloud shares experienced a remarkable surge, climbing by nearly 14% on Thursday. This surge surpassed numerous peers in the tech sector and rebounded from a slight pullback the previous day. The rally began in December, spurred by robust third-quarter earnings from the B2B e-commerce company. Additionally, Roth MKM analyst Matt Koranda raised the stock’s price target from $16 to $18 shortly after the earnings report. Thursday’s upward trajectory was supported

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Applied Therapeutics Faces Setback with Cardiac Drug in Phase 3 Study Applied Therapeutics Faces Setback with Cardiac Drug in Phase 3 Study

GreenApple78 Applied Therapeutics (NASDAQ:APLT) has encountered a tempestuous reckoning as its stock plummeted 30% in the after-hours trading on Thursday. The startling nosedive followed the revelation of a cocktail of news surrounding the disheartening results from a Phase 3 study of its cardiac drug AT-001, coupled with the company’s intention to scout for a partner for the embattled product. The clinical trial had been painstakingly appraising the drug’s efficacy in mitigating the plight of patients suffering from diabetic cardiomyopathy, specifically those at severe risk of cascading into overt heart failure. Alas, the unveiled data from the investigative scrutiny discerned no