Ignore the Apple Worries, Operating Mometum Remains Impressive

Apple reported another strong quarter but the stock sold off due to concerns about guidance for the December quarter and disappointment in iPad sales. The guidance issue relates solely to gross margins, which Apple guided to 36%, well below recent quarters that have averaged about 40%. The company attributed the guidance to mix issues. iPhones […]

Google 3Q Earnings Revive Growth Thesis

I was expecting good 3Q10 earnings from Google but I thought it would be built on better cost controls. 2Q10 results that led to a big slide in the shares saw higher investment spending overwhelm a small top line beat. Ahead of the 3Q numbers, I expected another quarter of revenue strength but figured management […]

Small Cap Emerges Again, Value Alive But Fading

Northlake’s Market Cap model shifted back to small cap for October. As a result of the change, all client positions in the S&P 400 Mid Cap (MDY) were sold and replaced by the Russell 2000 (IWM). There were no changes to the Style model, which remains on the long running Value signal. The shift to […]

Market Rally and Media Stocks

The stock market continued to move steadily higher over the past week as investors seem to no longer be worried about an imminent double dip recession. The drop from the yearly highs in the spring was largely about steadily deteriorating economic data. The data did not suggest the recovery had been aborted and growth was […]

Trimming Discovery as Initial Long-Term Target Achieved

Yesterday all client positions in Discovery Communications (DISCK) were cut back by about 40%. Discovery has been an extremely successful investment with original purchases of the DISCA voting shares made near $16 in the fall of 2008 when the company first started trading as a separate asset-backed stock following a spin-off from Liberty Media. The […]

Mid Cap and Value Again in September

There were no changes to Northlake’s Market Cap and Style models for September. The Market Cap model is recommending Mid Cap for the third straight month and the Style model is signaling Value as it has since July 2009. With no changes this month, Northlake client assets dedicated to the Core and Explore strategy will […]

Macro Concerns Still Dominating Media Stocks

Trading volumes on Wall Street are seasonally low in late August until Labor Day passes. But that has not led to a lack of movement. Stock prices are under severe pressure having given up most of the gain off the July yearly lows. The major concern continues to be the economic outlook. Data remains weaker […]

Mid Cap and Value Still in Favor for August

There were no changes to Northlake’s Market and Style models for August. The market Cap model continues to recommend Mid Caps and the Style models still favors Value. As a result, Northlake client positions in the S&P 400 Mid Cap (MDY) and the Russell 1000 Value (IWD) will be maintained for another month. The Market […]

Good Earnings Reports for CBS, Virgin Media, Discovery Communications, and DirecTV

Over the past two weeks, three of Northlake’s media long positions reported second quarter 2010 earnings. In addition, the recently sold DirecTV (DTV) reported results. The other three companies to report were CBS, Discovery Communications (DISCK), and Virgin Media (VMED). All four companies met or exceeded consensus estimates on most important financial and operating metrics. […]

Selling DirecTV With Rising Fears of Price Competition in Mature Video Cable/Satellite Business

All Northlake client positions in DirecTV (DTV), including those in my personal accounts, were sold this morning. DTV proved to be a very successful investment having been sold for a gain of 84% and held for just short of 14 months. The original purchase was Liberty Media Entertainment, which restructured, merged with DTV, and ultimately […]