Activision Blizzard Announces Disappointing 2019 Guidance and Restructuring Plan

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported record 4Q18 earnings in line with expectations despite sales coming in weaker than hoped. Guidance for 2019 was poor, with sales now expected to be 13% below previous consensus estimates and earnings of $2.10 coming in 16% below consensus. Along with the disappointing guidance, ATVI announced a layoff of 8% of […]

Bullish Outlook Affirmed at Nexstar Media Group

Nexstar Media Group (NXST) reported strong 4Q18 results and issued positive initial guidance for 2019 and 2020 on a standalone basis.  NXST should complete its acquisition of Tribune Media in 3Q18 and reiterated initial guidance that the combined company will earn at least $900 million in average free cash flow in the 2019/2020 cycle.  Local […]

CBS Pivots Toward Investing For Growth

CBS reported slightly disappointing 4Q18 earnings although the shortfalls were small, just a few percent, and most were explained by the always tricky timing of content sales.  The bigger news from the quarter was management pivoting from a financial engineering driven corporate strategy toward an “invest to grow” strategy.  Given the changes in TV consumption […]

Disney in Transition

Disney (DIS) reported solid 1Q19 earnings with Theme Parks doing very well, Studio Entertainment struggling as expected against a tough comparison, and Media Networks showing improvement against strong secular headwinds related to cord cutting and on demand viewing.  EPS surprised to the upside although management cautioned that much of the upside was timing related such […]

We Are OK as Alphabet Invests to Create Value

Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL) reported a mixed quarter relative to very high Wall Street expectations but a good quarter looking to long-term value creation.  Revenue and EPS came in ahead of expectations although the EPS beat was a one-time item.  Operating Income disappointed as expenses were well above expectations, an ongoing issue for Alphabet over the past […]

Facebook Almost In the Clear

Facebook (FB) reported a better than expected quarter across its financial and engagement metrics providing investors with a large dose of relief.  The shares extended the recent rally off the December lows and now sit 13% above the pre-earnings close, 35% above the Christmas Eve low, but remain 23% above the July all-time high.  It […]

Sticking with Large Cap and Growth

There are no changes to the signals from Northlake’s Market Cap and Style models.  Large Cap and Growth remain the favored themes.  This is the 6th straight month for large cap and the 2nd straight month for growth.  Client positions in the S&P 500 (SPY) and Russell 1000 (IWB) and the Russell 1000 Growth (IWF) […]