Category: Retail and Consumer

Cannabis Stocks: Back down to reality? What Investors Should Know About Cannabis Stocks In 2020

There’s something that investors in the cannabis industry can’t ignore the trends. There is a trend toward removing legal barriers on both a state and local level. There is a trend toward more research dollars and permissions to study its medicinal qualities. The trend of medical legalization on a state-by-state basis. The trend for legal recreational use. There is a trend toward more foreign investment flowing to the cannabis industry. A trend toward reduced stigma for those that choose marijuana as their drug of choice. The trends all seem to add to one natural result. There is enormous opportunity for investors in an industry that is growing in every category. This panel will discuss the most important trends for investors in the industry.

• Arby Barroso, Co-founder at Green Roads World
• Brett Finkelstein, Managing Director at Phyto Partners, LP
• Jason Spatafora, Owner at MarijuanaStocks.com
• Matt Ginder, Partner at Greenspoon Marder, LLP
• Roman Bond, Founder at The Leafy Group
• Jonathan Conforti, VP of Corporate Development at Abacus Health Products, Inc.
• Robert Friedman (Moderator), Founder at Cannabis Labs

Cannabis Stocks: Back down to reality? What Investors Should Know About Cannabis Stocks In 2020

There’s something that investors in the cannabis industry can’t ignore the trends. There is a trend toward removing legal barriers on both a state and local level. There is a trend toward more research dollars and permissions to study its medicinal qualities. The trend of medical legalization on a state-by-state basis. The trend for legal recreational use. There is a trend toward more foreign investment flowing to the cannabis industry. A trend toward reduced stigma for those that choose marijuana as their drug of choice. The trends all seem to add to one natural result. There is enormous opportunity for investors in an industry that is growing in every category. This panel will discuss the most important trends for investors in the industry.

• Arby Barroso, Co-founder at Green Roads World
• Brett Finkelstein, Managing Director at Phyto Partners, LP
• Jason Spatafora, Owner at MarijuanaStocks.com
• Matt Ginder, Partner at Greenspoon Marder, LLP
• Roman Bond, Founder at The Leafy Group
• Jonathan Conforti, VP of Corporate Development at Abacus Health Products, Inc.
• Robert Friedman (Moderator), Founder at Cannabis Labs

Does Santa’s Early Arrival Mean Retailers will have a Merry Christmas?

(Note: companies that
could be impacted by the content of this article are listed at the base of the
story [desktop version]. This article uses third-party references to provide a
bullish, bearish, and balanced point of view; sources are listed after the
Balanced section.)

The National Retail Federation said that a record number of U.S. consumers spent more online and in stores over the five days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday than last year.  An NRF survey found 190 million people (up 14%) made purchases spending an average of $361.90 (up 16%).  Eighty-six percent of consumers had begun their shopping versus 77% last year at this time.  The increase in spending is well ahead of early NRF estimates for a 3.8-4.2% increase for the holiday season.  Does the strong start to holiday shopping mean a merry Christmas for the retail sector?  Or can the strong start be explained by other factors?

Friday, November 1, 2019

1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS)

A Surprisingly Good Harvest

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the leading provider of gourmet and floral gifts for all occasions. For nearly 40 years, 1-800-FLOWERS® has been helping deliver smiles for customers with gifts for every occasion, including fresh flowers, premium, gift-quality fruits and other gourmet items from Harry & David®, popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory®; cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl’s®; premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May®; gift baskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com®; premium English muffins and other breakfast treats from Wolferman’s; carved fresh fruit arrangements from FruitBouquets.com; and top quality steaks and chops from Stock Yards®. The Company’s BloomNet® international floral wire service  provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to full report for price target, fundamental analysis and rating.

• Fiscal first quarter beat expectations.  Total company revenue increased 10.5% to $187.3 million versus our $182.2 million estimate. Seasonal cash flow loss narrowed 18.6% to $11.3  million versus our $15.4 million loss estimate.
  
• Gross margins improved 30 basis points. After pursuing a price competitive strategy to increase share in its consumer floral business over the past year, the company…
  
  

  
  

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This Company Sponored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst
certification and important disclosures included in full report. 
NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of
this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before
making any investment decision. 

Thursday, October 31, 2019

ACCO Brands Corporation (ACCO)

Post 3Q19 Conference Call Notes

ACCO Brands Corporation designs, manufactures, sources, markets, and sells office products, academic supplies, and calendar products primarily in the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: ACCO Brands North America, ACCO Brands EMEA, and ACCO Brands International. The company offers office products, such as stapling, binding and laminating equipment, and related consumable supplies, as well as shredders and whiteboards; and academic products, including notebooks, folders, decorative calendars, and stationery products. It also provides private label products, as well as business machine maintenance and repair services. The company offers its business, academic, and calendar product lines under the Artline, AT-A-GLANCE, Derwent, Esselte, Five Star, GBC, Hilroy, Leitz, Marbig, Mead, NOBO, Quartet, Rapid, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones, and other brand names. In addition, it designs, sources, distributes, markets, and sells accessories for laptop and desktop computers, and tablets comprising security products; input devices, such as presenters, mice, and trackballs; ergonomic aids, including foot and wrist rests; docking stations; and other personal computers and tablet accessories under the Kensington, Microsaver, and ClickSafe brand names. The company sells its products to consumers and commercial end-users primarily through resellers, including traditional office supply resellers, wholesalers, mass merchandisers, and retailers, as well as directly to consumers through on-line and direct mail. ACCO Brands Corporation is headquartered in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to full report for price target, fundamental analysis and rating.

• North America a Surprising Engine.  With comp sales up 3.5% in the quarter, following an 8.9% 2Q19 comp increase, the North American business has been a surprising engine this year. If the North American business can continue to post positive comp sales increases, it will bode well for the Company’s future.
  
• EMEA and International Still Lagging.  Both EMEA and International have posted somewhat disappointing results in the first three quarters of the year, with only one positive quarterly comp sales increase this year between both segments. We believe…
  
  

  
  

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This Company Sponored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst
certification and important disclosures included in full report. 
NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of
this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before
making any investment decision. 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

ACCO Brands Corporation (ACCO)

Record 3Q19 Cash Flow; But Top and Bottom Lines Weaker than Expected

ACCO Brands Corporation designs, manufactures, sources, markets, and sells office products, academic supplies, and calendar products primarily in the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: ACCO Brands North America, ACCO Brands EMEA, and ACCO Brands International. The company offers office products, such as stapling, binding and laminating equipment, and related consumable supplies, as well as shredders and whiteboards; and academic products, including notebooks, folders, decorative calendars, and stationery products. It also provides private label products, as well as business machine maintenance and repair services. The company offers its business, academic, and calendar product lines under the Artline, AT-A-GLANCE, Derwent, Esselte, Five Star, GBC, Hilroy, Leitz, Marbig, Mead, NOBO, Quartet, Rapid, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones, and other brand names. In addition, it designs, sources, distributes, markets, and sells accessories for laptop and desktop computers, and tablets comprising security products; input devices, such as presenters, mice, and trackballs; ergonomic aids, including foot and wrist rests; docking stations; and other personal computers and tablet accessories under the Kensington, Microsaver, and ClickSafe brand names. The company sells its products to consumers and commercial end-users primarily through resellers, including traditional office supply resellers, wholesalers, mass merchandisers, and retailers, as well as directly to consumers through on-line and direct mail. ACCO Brands Corporation is headquartered in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to full report for price target, fundamental analysis and rating.

• Record Cash Flows.   ACCO generated a record $190.8 million of CFFO and $183.4 million of free cash flow in the quarter. The performance sets the Company up to hit its full year FCF goal of $165-$175 million. ACCO repaid $174 million of seasonal borrowings during the quarter, used $16.0 million, net, for share repurchases, paid $5.9 million of dividends, and used $42 million of cash for the Foroni acquisition.
  
• Top and Bottom Line Miss.  Revenue came in at $505.7 million, flat with last year, but below consensus $513 million and our $525 million estimate. EPS was $0.28, versus $0.34 in 3Q18, short of…
  
  

  
  

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This Company Sponored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst
certification and important disclosures included in full report. 
NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of
this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before
making any investment decision. 

Everything from A-to-Z: There are Consumer Cyclical Stocks for Everyone

The consumer cyclical sector includes a broad range of companies all the way from automotive to travel and leisure. Their stocks’ performance relies on the business cycle and the current economic state. When the economy is strong and consumers have a larger disposable income, spending in these industries increases and the performance reflects in the stock price. On the other hand, when the economy contracts and consumers have less disposable income, spending on entertainment and luxuries shrinks. Remember also that company performance depends on the niche that it fills; smallcap companies in this sector are affected by the same economic conditions and business cycles as largecaps. Regarding investing, many internal and external factors must be considered when selecting the right companies for your portfolio.

Can consumers positively impact the current economic outlook?

(Note: companies that could be impacted by the content of this article are listed at the base of the story (desktop version). This article uses third-party references to provide a bullish, bearish and balanced point of view; sources listed in the “Balanced” section) 

In the month of July, consumer retail purchases in the U.S. escalated even though larger scale purchases, like motor vehicles, declined. This positive trending data may shed a little light on the current market as fears of a global recession rise. Amazon Prime Day and other competitive sales may have been a contributing factor to this growth. This increased consumer spending shows faith in the economy, which is an encouraging sign that will hopefully continue.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

ACCO Brands (ACCO)

New $100 Million Share Repurchase Authorization Continues Capital Return Theme

ACCO Brands Corporation designs, manufactures, sources, markets, and sells office products, academic supplies, and calendar products primarily in the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: ACCO Brands North America, ACCO Brands EMEA, and ACCO Brands International.

Joe Gomes, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to full report for price target, fundamental analysis and rating.

• Added Buyback Authorization. Yesterday, ACCO announced its Board had approved an authorization to repurchase up to an additional $100 million of common stock, increasing the combined authorization to $169.6 million, or roughly 18% of the outstanding market capitalization. The announcement continues a return of capital trend at ACCO.
• Past Activity. Since the original October 2015 $100 million authorization and $100 million addition in February 2018, ACCO’s share repurchases have unfolded as follows…
  
  
  

  
  
  

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst
certification and important disclosures included in full report. 
NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of
this research summary.  Proper due diligence is required before
making any investment decision.