Entries by Tim Fodor

Disciplined Growth Continues at Alphabet

Alphabet (GOOGL) reported good fourth quarter and full year results to close out 2016. GOOGL beat sales estimates, but missed EPS targets due to a one-time equipment write-off and a higher than expected tax rate. The core Search business continued to perform well, with paid clicks growing 36% year-over-year compared to estimates of 27% growth. […]

Disney Outlines Expectations for 2017 and Beyond

Disney (DIS) reported FY2016 results with sales and earnings modestly below expectations. While the results were slightly underwhelming, investors were more focused on the outlook for 2017 and beyond. Although DIS faces difficult comparisons next year, due largely to year ago strength in Frozen consumer products and Star Wars: Episode VII box office receipts, we […]

Activision Blizzard Reports a Solid Quarter

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported good quarterly results that beat investor expectations, while raising guidance for the fourth quarter. The stock reacted with a mild selloff, as the increased fourth quarter guidance did not quite meet Street expectations. Aside from the slightly conservative fourth quarter guidance, ATVI appears to be on track to benefit from several […]

Changes to Capital Allocation at ClubCorp

ClubCorp (MYCC) reported 3Q16 results and 4Q16 guidance largely in line with expectations, with a slight miss on sales and a slight beat on earnings. The solid results reflect a resilient subscription business model despite continuous headwinds from unfavorable weather and some weakness in oil-dependent markets. Importantly, MYCC outlined their goal to reduce debt partly […]

MGM Resorts Executing on Profit Growth Plan

MGM Resorts (MGM) reported a solid quarter with sales coming in slightly below consensus estimates and earnings that beat expectations due to progress on streamlining the business. The company received a meaningful one-time benefit from the sale of The Shops at Crystals, which it owned 50% of through a joint venture in CityCenter. We believe […]

Momentum Building at Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported a second straight quarter of sales, earnings, and forward guidance above consensus estimates. Strength in the quarter was largely attributed to the successful launch of Blizzard’s newest game, Overwatch, which already has over 15 million players globally. Continuing momentum across key franchises, signaled by strong pre-orders for the next expansions of […]

Disney: Consumer Products Frozen, ESPN Melting

Disney (DIS) reported a rare miss on sales and earnings in the fiscal second quarter of 2016. The disappointing results were driven by weakness in the consumer products and media networks segments. The studio segment continued to produce excellent results, driven by Zootopia in the quarter. Parks and resorts also performed well in the quarter, […]

Swapping from La Quinta to Hilton in Taxable Accounts

We recently sold La Quinta Holdings (LQ) in all taxable accounts and reinvested the proceeds in Hilton (HLT). This swap was done to capture the loss in LQ to reduce the amount of realized gains for Northlake’s taxable investors without giving up any upside. We see equal potential in LQ and HLT, and we believe […]

ClubCorp On Track Despite Challenges

ClubCorp (MYCC) reported second quarter results that show our investment thesis is on track. MYCC reaffirmed their full year guidance. Same store sales and EBITDA continue to grow steadily as MYCC invests in club reinventions. Recent acquisitions are driving more dramatic growth on the top and bottom line, and cost synergies have met expectations. MYCC […]