iShares Russell Mid-Cap

The 13F filings on June 30 indicated that institutional investors own 85.9% of International Flavors and Fragrances’ (IFF) outstanding shares.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings witnessed a strong performance in its Asia-Pacific region. It contributed 16% to the company’s total sales.

Of the 29 brokerage firms tracking Zimmer Biomet, 18 (62%) analysts gave ZBH stock a “buy” rating, while nine (~31%) provided a “hold” rating.

For the second quarter of 2017, analysts are estimating Southwest Airlines’ revenue to rise 6.2% YoY (year-over-year) to $5.7 billion.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) has been consistently paying dividends since 1980. Most of its peers don’t pay dividends at all.

In February 2016, Zimmer Biomet authorized up to $1.0 billion of the company’s common stock for share repurchases, all of which remains authorized to date.

In 1Q17, WellCare Health Plans’ (WCG) Medicare Health Plans business reported revenues close to $1.1 billion, which represents year-over-year growth of ~12.4%.

Zoetis (ZTS) has adopted a targeted R&D strategy that has resulted in multiple new product launches.

Weatherford International’s (WFT) revenue share generated outside the United States fell in 3Q16 over 2Q16.

By October 31, the international rig count fell 17% compared to the previous year. It was lower compared to the US rig count, which fell 26%.

In the past year, Weatherford International’s (WFT) revenue share generated outside the US rose 4.5%.

In the past year, Weatherford International’s (WFT) revenue share generated outside the United States rose.

FMC Technologies (FTI), which generates the majority of its revenues from international operations, could see lower revenues if the international rig count falls.

Analysts expect Darden to pay dividends of $0.55 in fiscal 1Q17 at a payout ratio of 67.1%. For fiscal 2017, Darden is expected to pay dividends of $2.2.

Darden has beaten analysts’ earnings per share estimates in the last four quarters. Usually, when earnings beat analysts’ estimates, a share’s price rises.

For the next four quarters, analysts expect Chipotle to post EPS of $7.9—YoY growth of 11.9%. The current share price might have factored in the EPS growth.

In 2015, Southwest Airlines’ prudent approach to capacity growth resulted in the better utilization of its capacity.

Department stores have been enhancing their online channels to mitigate the impact of intense competition from Amazon (AMZN).

In 2015, FMC Technologies’s (FTI) revenue share generated outside the US gained 1%.

Varian Medical Systems (VAR) raised its guidance for fiscal 2016 in the view of higher-than-expected 3Q16 results reported on July 27.

In 2015, National Oilwell Varco’s (NOV) revenue share generated outside the US gained 3%.

In the past year, Weatherford International’s (WFT) revenue share generated outside the United States has risen by 5.6%.

Nordstrom (JWN) has been aggressively investing in its growth initiatives, including expansion into Canada and the strengthening of its online business.

Zimmer Holdings acquired Biomet in June 2015 and formed Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH). The acquisition established the combined company as the second-largest player in the orthopedics medical device market segment.

In the past two years, Albemarle (ALB) has been trading at a one-year forward PE of 10.3x–21.60x. On July 26, 2016, it was trading at 21.5x.

Analysts are expecting Mead Johnson’s adjusted EPS to be $0.78 compared to $0.76 in 2Q15.

On July 19, 2016, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) will announce its 2Q16 earnings. Wall Street has estimated the company’s 2Q16 revenues will come in at ~$640 million.

In fiscal 4Q16, Darden Restaurants (DRI) reported an EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) margin of 10.3% compared with 10.1% in fiscal 4Q15.

On a comparable calendar basis, in fiscal 4Q16, Darden Restaurants (DRI) reported overall same-store sales growth of 2.6% against analysts’ estimate of 2.8%.

According to a Bloomberg survey, 43% of the analysts gave Dentsply Sirona a “buy” rating and ~57% gave it a “hold” rating. It didn’t have any “sell” ratings.

Having discussed Darden’s estimated revenue, sources of revenue, and estimated EBIT margins, let’s now discuss analysts’ and management’s guidance.

Darden Restaurants (DRI) paid dividends of $0.55 per share in first two quarters of its fiscal 2016, and in fiscal 3Q16 it paid a dividend of $0.53.

Foot Locker’s distribution and supply chain includes five distribution centers around the world. It owns two of them and leases three.

Skechers has been able to steadily increase its profitability and margins over the past five years. The company’s net income margin rose to 7.4% in 2015.

Lululemon Athletica’s (LULU) management expects its fiscal 2017 diluted earnings per share to come in at $2.05–$2.15, an implied growth rate of 10.2%–15.6% year-over-year.

C. R. Bard’s (BCR) Oncology segment contributes around 27% of the total revenues of the company.

As of May 26, Best Buy was trading at a 12-month forward PE (price-to-earnings) ratio of 10.9x.

Intuitive Surgical aims to include a larger patient population under its MIS treatments and to provide better surgery outcomes and lower recovery times.

In recent years, Boston Scientific (BSX) has grown significantly through expansion of its product portfolio and geographic reach, as well as the reorganization and cost containment measures.

Panera Bread earns its revenue from three sources: company-operated restaurants, royalty and franchise fees, and fresh dough operations.

Xyrem, Jazz’s lead product, fetched $955 million for the company during fiscal 2015.

St. Jude returned $500 million to shareholders through share repurchases in 2015 compared to $476 million in 2014.

In 4Q15, St. Jude Medical’s (STJ) CRM (cardiac rhythm management) segment sales declined 10% on a year-over-year basis.

Zimmer Biomet has spent $125 million in share repurchases so far in 2016. In February, it authorized up to $1 billion of the company’s common stock for share repurchases.

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, Darden Restaurants (DRI) has paid dividends of $1.6 per share with $0.5 in 3Q16.

Campbell Soup (CPB) has a market cap of $19.1 billion. CPB fell by 0.37% to close at $61.75 per share on February 29, 2016.

If millennials aren’t buying homes or cars and aren’t able to save for retirement, this trend will hurt the economy.

Herbalife reported fiscal 4Q15 net sales of $1,098.4 million, a fall of 3.1% compared to net sales of $1,133.6 million in fiscal 4Q14.

Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) saw higher volume growth in non-carbonated beverages in all the quarters of fiscal 2015 compared to CSDs.

In this preview series on Dr Pepper Snapple’s 4Q15 results, we’ll discuss the company’s earnings expectations, margin expansion, stock price movement, and valuation.

Microchip has been acquiring small companies and integrating them successfully, but now it’s announced a major merger with Atmel, which is ~47% its size.

On January 29, 2016, Macy’s (M) announced the completion of its transaction with Tishman Speyer for the redevelopment of its Brooklyn, New York, store on Fulton Street.

JCPenney (JCP) reported same-store sales growth of 3.9% in November and December—the 2015 holiday season.

According to Nielsen’s data, for the period ending December 26, 2015, the Monster Beverage brand held a 36.6% share of the US energy drink market in terms of unit sales.

Macy’s online sales saw a 25% increase from the previous year in November and December 2015. JCPenney (JCP) reported that it experienced record online sales for that same period.

Kohl’s is directing its investments more toward revamping its existing stores and in IT rather than in new stores.

Improved operating metrics have resulted in a steady growth in Wyndham Worldwide’s total revenues, with all three segments growing over the past five years.

Foxconn is a Taiwanese contract manufacturer. It announced that it sold off 30% of its stake in GoPro. Foxconn lost 73.0% of its share price YoY.

Best Buy (BBY) is taking several initiatives for the crucial holiday season. Best Buy reported same-store sales growth of 0.8% in 3Q16

In 3Q15, Universal Health Services was actively involved in exploring growth opportunities, both in its acute care as well as behavioral health business.

Coty’s biggest licensed brand in the global mass skin and beauty care segment, Adidas maintains a significant presence in deodorants. It faces stiff global competition from Unilever’s Axe deodorants.

The year 2014 marked 100 years of JCPenney’s (JCP) first private brand Marathon Hats. One of the major focus points of JCPenney’s turnaround strategy was to bring back its private brands.

Lululemon Athletica (LULU) opened 34 new stores in 2Q16. It opened 27 stores in the United States, including 13 ivivva stores, its dance apparel brand for young girls.

Lululemon Athletica (LULU), which declares its 2Q16 results on September 10, is expecting sales in the range of $440 million to $445 million in the quarter.

IBM is competing with FireEye to acquire CyberArk (CYBR), a company that has shown strong year-over-year growth in revenues, to expand its position in the privileged access management segment.

Companies that conduct business digitally are increasing their spending on digital security. The cybersecurity space is thus considered one of the fastest growing segments in the technology space.

In the camcorder market, GoPro (GPRO) has the leading market share of 47.50%. It’s followed by ION, Sony (SNE), and Polaroid.

GoPro’s revenue has risen by 72% in 2Q15—compared to the same quarter the previous year. It was mainly driven by strong demand from Europe and Asia.

GoPro’s income from operation rose from $49.1 million to $65.8 million in 2Q15 with an overall rise of 34.10% over the previous quarter.

GoPro has expanded geographically to the EMEA and APAC countries. It has 40,000 retail outlets. GoPro’s revenue rose 126% in 2Q15.

Fortinet is currently trading at a PE ratio of 550.76x. The ratio has increased at a rapid pace, from 25.89x in October 2010 to 550.76x on July 29, 2015.

Ascend Capital started a new position in Huntsman Corp. (HUN). According to the latest 13F filings for 4Q14, it accounts for 2.45% of the hedge fund’s total portfolio.