iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility

VF Corporation saw sales of $2.5 billion in 2Q15, up 4.7% year-over-year. Its performance was boosted by top brands The North Face, Timberland, and Vans.

Target has identified four signature categories it’s concentrating on to provide higher store and web traffic and sales: Baby, Style, Wellness, and Kids.

Target’s business model has been tested over several economic cycles. Even during the recession in 2008–2009, it managed to raise its dividend per share.

Overview BD (BDX) has registered strong operating margin expansion in recent years. Its margin improved by 100 basis points in fiscal 2015 and 200 basis points in fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2017, BD’s margin expanded by ~180 basis points. In 4Q17, BD’s operating margin grew ~14.6% YoY (year-over-year), limited by 700 basis points due to the divestiture of BD’s […]

On September 19, 2017, Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BDX), or BD, introduced a new pen needle for its pen injection devices.

Baxter International (BAX) has been going through a cost transformation and reorganization process for some time. The initiative includes some leadership and management changes.

A failure to raise the debt ceiling will likely result in a US government shutdown and a default by the US, which would be catastrophic for the global economy and financial markets (VTI) (USMV).

The tone of Yellen’s responses before the committee confirmed that the Fed is set to stay its course on monetary tightening, leading to policy normalization.

Charles L. Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said it’s extremely important that the Fed reach its inflation (VTIP) goal.

The minutes from the FOMC meeting on March 14 and 15 were reported on April 5 and revealed the tone of the conversation among members to be hawkish.

Historically, we have seen Buyback does perform very well across all interest rate environments. Looking at the data back to the mid-80s, it does well.

The potential for a downside protection and upside participation is how minimum volatility strategies have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns over the long term.

Varian Medical Systems has ventured into the proton therapy business and has a huge product pipeline in this area. The company generated approximately $300 million through its proton therapy business in 2015.

Bill Gross thinks that the era of double-digit stock returns (SCHB) (USMV) and high single-digit investment-grade bond returns is over.

If Quest Diagnostics succeeds in implementing its five-point business strategy going forward, it should boost the company’s share price and USMV.

Stryker’s Neurotechnology and Spine segment reported an increase of 5% in net sales in 2014, driven by increased demand for neurotechnology products.

Nike expects to grow its Free Cash Flow, or FCF, at a faster pace compared to net income over the next five years through fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2015, FCF grew by ~74%.

AT&T changed its segment reporting structure. Its new segments are Business Solutions, Entertainment and Internet Services, Consumer Mobility, and International.

Verizon launched its Custom TV service in April. A skinny bundle service, it gives more choices to customers, allowing them to select their TV channels

Since the merger, AT&T has extended bundled video and wireless offerings, such as its All in One Plan, which is being offered to DIRECTV and AT&T customers.