Another Blowout from Apple Supports Mobile Broadband Theme

Apple continues to amaze. Relative to expectations this is one of the best quarters I ever remember by any company. Damn, I am pretty certain I wrote that about Apple previously! In calendar 2011, Apple earned $35 a share. Guidance for the March quarter is up 32% and is probably conservative. The company could earn […]

Strong Quarter for EMC Justifies Growth Story

EMC Corporation (EMC) reported better than expected 4Q11 results. Revenues of $5.57 billion and EPS of 49 cents exceeded consensus estimates of $5.49 billion and 46 cents, respectively. The company provided detailed 2012 guidance in line with street estimates. Revenues are forecast at $22 billion, up 10%, with EPS forecast at $1.70, up 13%. Given […]

Google in the Penalty Box. For Now.

Two minute minor, five minute major, ten minute misconduct, or game misconduct? I’m thinking ten minute misconduct. The quarter is not nearly as bad as the stock would suggest. Revenues were light but operating income, EBITDA, and free cash flow were in line with expectations. Operating margins, a big issue over the past year, were […]

A Holiday Gift for Charter Communications. And Northlake Clients.

Just before Christmas Santa delivered gold for shareholders of Charter Communications (CHTR). Santa made a first stop at Cablevision (CVC) headquarters, leavng coal, when it was announced that Tom Rutledge was abruptly leaving his role as #1 operating executive at CVC. Rutledge is the most highly regarded executive in the cable industry, a role that […]

New Liberty Media and Qualcomm

Two transactions have occurred in Northlake client accounts as of this morning. Last week, shares of Qualcomm (QCOM) were purchased as a new investment idea. More on QCOM in a moment. Today, a merger concluded between Liberty Capital (LCAPA) and Liberty Starz (LSTZA). The new Liberty Media will trade as LMCA. As of this morning, […]

CBS Leads More Solid Media Results

Given the increased importance of macro issues on the stock market and record high correlations among individual stocks, I am expanding media company earnings analysis this quarter to touch on all companies and major trends, not just Northlake positions. Media earnings season continues to roll along. The message so far is that media fundamentals are […]

Discovery Leads Solid Media Earnings But Virgin Media Mixed

Given the increased importance of macro issues on the stock market and record high correlations among individual stocks, I am expanding media company earnings analysis this quarter to touch on all companies and major trends, not just Northlake positions. Several important media companies reported earnings since yesterday’s close, kicking off about a dozen reports from […]

Less Shiny Apple Near-Term, Long-Term Still Golden Delicious

Yesterday, I wrote in a preview of Apple’s earnings for Wall Street All-Stars and Minyanville that the company needed to report over $8.25 in earnings with good guidance for the stock to respond positively in the very short-term. Consensus EPS was for $7.30. Honestly, I never even considered the possibility that the company would miss […]

Google Still Looking Good

Google (GOOG) reported better than expected third quarter earnings of $9.72. Consensus was $8.74. Revenue growth of 33% slightly exceeded consensus estimates. The EPS beat was helped by other income, foreign exchange, and a lower than expected tax rate but this quarter revealed again that GOOG’s core organic growth is not slowing down. Given the […]

Discovery Communications Still Going Strong

Discovery Communications (DISCK) reported another good quarter, matching or exceeding most Street estimates. Revenues grew 11% and EBITDA rose 12%. EPS of 62 cents was a penny ahead of consensus. The company slightly raised guidance to reflect the better than expected second quarter performance. In addition to the solid financial report, the company announced accelerating […]