Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF

This series on JCPenney will provide insight into the company’s business and its turnaround strategy, key growth initiatives, stock price movement, and valuation.

US dollar sales of athletic footwear rose 8% in the first quarter of 2015. Nike was the most dominant brand by far with a market share of 62%.

The First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto ETF (CARZ) is the most traded auto-focused ETF. The three-year return for the ETF is 48.32%. YTD, CARZ provided a return of 2.23%.

The company grew its revenues at a compound annual growth rate of more than 35% over the past five years to come in at $1.6 billion in fiscal 2014.

Since the launch of its first line in 1992, Skechers has diversified into several new lines, targeting different demographics and different activities.

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (SIX) is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.1 billion in revenue and 18 parks across North America.

Six Flags’ share price on May 10, 2010, reflects $7.36 per share, the price of new common stock upon the company’s emergence from bankruptcy.

Six Flags’ management plays a vital role in shaping the company and leading it in the desired direction. This article reviews three management positions.

Toyota Motor’s (TM) vehicle sales in North America fell 1.1% YoY (year-over-year) to 2.8 million units in fiscal 2018.

In its fiscal 3Q18 (which ended December 31, 2018), Toyota’s adjusted earnings rose 97.4% year-over-year to ~315 JPY (or Japanese yen).

In January 2018, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCAU) total European sales reached ~85,000 vehicle units.

Comcast’s (CMCSA) revenue grew 8% and 5% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively. The broadcast of the Rio Olympics in 3Q16 drove the 2016 numbers.

The Conference Board CEO Confidence Survey is a quarterly report based on a survey that collects responses from approximately 100 CEOs who represent a variety of industries.

According to analysts’ consensus data, 41% of analysts covering Honda Motor Company (HMC) gave it a “buy” recommendation on October 11.

Lowe’s Companies (LOW) operates 2,129 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In November 2016, the WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil prices traded on a bullish note after witnessing a 2.9% rise in the previous month.

In fiscal 2016, Honda reported strong revenues of ~1.5 trillion Japanese yen, which is 9.6% higher than its revenues of ~1.3 trillion yen in fiscal 2015.

Honda’s sales from Japan have been declining lately due to slowing auto demand in the region. In fiscal 2016, 12% of the company’s total revenues were from its home market, much lower than 19% in fiscal 2012.

With increasing environmental awareness across the globe, a delay in Toyota’s ability to deliver mainstream eco-friendly vehicles may restrict its future growth prospects.

According to a report published by Forbes in May 2015, Toyota was the eighth-largest company in the world by revenue. The company is not directly listed in the US, although its ADR is traded on the NYSE.

Toyota (TM) has 53 overseas manufacturing companies in 28 countries and regions. Originally considered a regional auto manufacturer, Toyota has busted this myth by gaining a huge global market share, particularly in the US and Europe.

As of March 29, 2016, Harley-Davidson’s forward EV/EBITDA multiple is 11x for the next 12 months.

It’s important for investors to take a look at an automaker’s marketing strategy to understand how the company differentiates its strategy to market its offerings.

In 2015, the company shipped ~95,000 motorcycles outside the US. Australia, Mexico, and Canada are also some of the other key markets for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Most of Harley-Davidson’s (HOG) manufacturing and assembly plants are located in the US.

Harley-Davidson has become a synonym for power, passion, and class among motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.

In 2015, GM remained at the top in the Chinese auto market, with the largest market share of 14.9%. This was higher than its share of 14.7% in 2014.

Cadillac is the most popular luxury car brand in General Motors’ portfolio. It was established with the foundation of the Cadillac Automobile Company.

General Motors (GM) is the largest American automaker. The company was founded in the year 1908 by William C. Durant.

Samsonite will need to file for merger approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The companies will need to file for Canadian antitrust approval.

Hong Kong-based Samsonite is buying luxury brand Tumi (TUMI) in a $1.8 billion deal. Samsonite is mainly known as a utilitarian luggage company.

Ford’s assembly line innovation allowed it to reduce the price of its Model T to $350 from $850 and to produce a vehicle within 90 minutes.

Lowe’s (LOW) is one of the largest and oldest big box retailers around. It’s been publicly listed since 1961.

Lear (LEA) is one of the largest automotive parts suppliers with FY14 revenues of $17.7 billion.