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ConsumerHow Harley’s Financial Services Division Performed in Q1 2019
In the first quarter, Harley-Davidson’s operating income fell 37.3% YoY (year-over-year) to $108 million in its Motorcycles and Related Products segment.
MiscellaneousWhat Are Analysts Recommending on Honda in March?
As of March 28, 60% of the analysts covering Honda Motor Company (HMC) have given it “buy” recommendations.
ConsumerHow Investors Reacted to Ford’s Q4 Earnings Report
US legacy automaker Ford Motor Company (F) announced its fourth-quarter earnings results after the market closed on January 23.
ConsumerWhy General Motors Stock Rose 3.7% in November
Last week, General Motors (GM) stock largely traded on a positive note, and it ended the period with a solid 5.6% gain.
ConsumerA Look at Ferrari’s Q3 Performance in the Americas and Europe
In the third quarter, Ferrari reported shipments of about 1,005 car units to the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) segment.
ConsumerAnalysts’ Optimism Continues for Honda after Solid Q3 Truck Sales
In the first nine months of 2018, Honda’s US sales volume fell 2.0% YoY to 1.21 million units.
ConsumerHow Are Analysts Rating Honda in September?
According to Reuters, as of September 20, 57% of the 21 analysts covering Honda Motor Company (HMC) have given it “buy” recommendations.
ConsumerMost Analysts Recommend ‘Buy’ for AAP, Pre-Q2 Earnings Release
Of the 24 analysts covering Advance Auto Parts (AAP), 54% recommend “buy,” 38% recommend “hold,” and 8% recommend “sell.”
ConsumerFerrari’s Top-Selling Cars in the United States in Q2 2018
In the second quarter, Ferrari’s shipments to the Americas rose 7% YoY to 850 car units from 797 units in Q2 2017.
ConsumerCould Q2 Gains in Crude Oil Prices Hurt US Truck Sales?
When we look at the last three years’ trend in US auto sales, we see a sharp rise in the demand for pickups and utility vehicles.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Does the Fed Expect Unemployment to Fall Further?
The US Federal Reserve has a dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and stable prices (TIP) in the economy.
Company & Industry OverviewsHow Toyota’s May US Sales Compare
In April, Toyota (TM), the largest Japanese automaker, reported a 4.7% YoY (year-over-year) decrease in its North American sales volume to 192,348 units.
ConsumerComparing AutoZone’s Key Ratios ahead of Fiscal Q3 Earnings
Analyst estimates suggest AZO could report positive year-over-year growth in its Q3 2018 earnings and revenues, but its profit margins might disappoint.
ConsumerKey Technical Levels for Toyota after Its Fiscal 2018 Earnings
On May 16, Toyota Motor’s (TM) ADR (American depositary receipt) was trading at $137.35.
ConsumerA Look at Toyota’s Fiscal 2018 Revenue from North America
Toyota Motor’s (TM) vehicle sales in North America fell 1.1% YoY (year-over-year) to 2.8 million units in fiscal 2018.
ConsumerAfter Solid Fiscal 2018 Results, Toyota Gave Dismal 2019 Guidance
Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) released its fiscal 2018 (April 1, 2017–March 31, 2018) earnings report today before the market opened.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhat Drove FCAU’s 1Q18 Shipments in Europe?
After North America, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) is the second-largest segment for Fiat Chrysler.
Macroeconomic AnalysisIt’s Surprising that President Trump Isn’t Tweeting about This
The US goods and services deficit was at $49.0 billion in March, a decrease of $8.8 billion from $57.7 billion in February.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy 1Q18 Real GDP Estimate Raises Chance of 4th Rate Hike
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (or BEA) released its first estimate for 1Q18 real GDP on Friday.
ConsumerToyota Reported Stronger US Sales for the Third Month in Row
In March 2018, Toyota Motor (TM), the largest Japanese automaker, reported a YoY (year-over-year) rise of 3.5% in its North American sales volumes to 223,000 units.
ConsumerMarch Non-Farm Payroll and Future Auto Sales
Non-farm payroll (or NFP) data shows the number of jobs added or lost each month in the United States.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhat Are the Reasons behind Improved Projections for US GDP?
Policy changes announced in the last six months may have led to the increased projection for economic growth.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhat to Make of the Rebound in the Final Estimate for 4Q17 GDP
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released the third and final estimate for 4Q17 GDP, indicating that the economy has improved at an annual rate of 2.9%.
ConsumerWhy GM Stock Underperformed Peers Last Week
Last week, General Motors (GM) stock settled at $35.17, falling ~7.3% from the previous week, when the stock rose 0.3%.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Is Advance Auto Parts’ Stock Consolidating in March 2018?
Advance Auto Parts (AAP) began 2018 on a solid note with 17.4% gains in January 2018.
Company & Industry OverviewsAnalyzing Toyota’s Recent Financial Performance
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).
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Is Fiat Chrysler in a Better Position than Peers in 1Q18?
In 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) yielded impressive returns of 96.4%.
ConsumerFebruary Payroll Data and Future Auto Sales
US NFP (non-farm payroll) data shows the number of jobs lost and added each month in the country.
MiscellaneousAnalysts’ Views on Foreign Automakers after February 2018
According to recent data from Reuters, 48% of the 23 analysts covering Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) stock have recommended “buy.”
ConsumerToyota’s US Sales Continue to Strengthen in February 2018
In February 2018, Toyota (TM), the largest Japanese automaker, reported a 4.5% YoY (year-over-year) increase in its US sales volume, to 182,195 units.
ConsumerWhat to Expect for AutoZone’s Future Earnings
AutoZone stock As we discussed in the first part of this series, AutoZone (AZO) was unable to boost investors’ confidence despite reporting earnings and sales growth in 2Q18. In general, the company has a stable business model, with lower investment requirements to drive growth than the auto manufacturing business. In this part, we’ll see what Wall Street analysts expect […]
ConsumerHow Crude Oil Could Affect the Auto Industry’s 1Q18 Earnings
As of February 27, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil futures are trading at $63.01 per barrel.
ConsumerFiat Chrysler’s European Sales Rose in January 2018
In January 2018, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCAU) total European sales reached ~85,000 vehicle units.
ConsumerAutoZone’s Key Ratios ahead of Its fiscal 2Q18 Earnings
So far in this series, we’ve covered analysts’ estimates for AutoZone’s second-quarter earnings, revenues, and profit margins.
ConsumerExamining the Auto Industry’s Valuations after 4Q17 Earnings
Valuation multiples are commonly used by investors to compare auto companies. These multiples can be used to compare companies that are similar in size or in nature.
ConsumerWhat Could Drive GM’s Valuation Multiples in 1Q18?
As of February 6, General Motors’ (GM) forward EV-to-EBITDA (enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) multiple was 7.7x.
Macroeconomic AnalysisConference Board CEO Confidence Survey Signals Price Rise in 2018
The Conference Board CEO Confidence Index was reported to have increased from 59 in the third quarter to 63 in the fourth quarter, which means 63% of the respondents have a positive outlook.
MiscellaneousStrong Demand and Production Cuts Could Impact Crude Oil Futures
US crude oil futures (DWT) (UCO) contracts for March delivery rose 0.96% to $66.14 per barrel on January 26, 2018.
Tech & Comm ServicesA Look at Comcast’s Strategy
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.
ConsumerCould Harley-Davidson’s Profit Margins Expand in 4Q17?
Now, let’s explore analysts’ estimates for Harley-Davidson’s margins in 4Q17.
MiscellaneousWill Crude Oil Futures and Wall Street Extend Their Rally?
February WTI crude oil futures contracts rose 0.34% to $64.52 per barrel at 12:05 AM EST on January 16, 2018. It’s the highest level since December 2014.
ConsumerRecent Trend in the US Dollar Could Favor US Auto Companies
As of December 11, the US Dollar Index was trading at 93.95 with an 8.1% fall in 2017. On January 3, the index posted its highest level since 2003.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow Does CEO Confidence Index Assess US and Global Economies?
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.
ConsumerWhat Do Analysts Recommend for Honda Motor in October 2017?
According to analysts’ consensus data, 41% of analysts covering Honda Motor Company (HMC) gave it a “buy” recommendation on October 11.
ConsumerA Look at AutoZone’s Segment-Wise Performance in Fiscal 4Q17
In fiscal 4Q17, AutoZone opened 99 new commercial programs, which was a decline from 116 new programs opened in fiscal 4Q16.
ConsumerWhat to Expect for Fiat Chrysler Stock in 2nd Week of September
Fiat Chrysler stock Last week (ended September 8), Fiat Chrysler stock (FCAU) continued to rise and ended the week with a solid 2.8% gain, marking its fourth week of gains. In the previous week, its stock rose 6.8% despite broader market dullness. Fiat Chrysler stock has risen 54.1% in 3Q17. In 2Q17, FCAU’s Wall Street […]
ConsumerAnalysts’ Recommendations for General Motors This Month
General Motors’ electric vehicles In the previous part, we looked at analysts’ recommendations for Tesla (TSLA). The company started the initial production of its much-awaited Model 3 in July but delivered them only to Tesla employees. To compete with the Model 3 in the electric vehicle segment, mainstream automaker General Motors (GM) launched its all-electric […]
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy August Could Be a Great Month for Fiat Chrysler Stock
Last week, which ended on August 25, 2017, Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) stock continued to soar and ended the week with handsome gains of about 18.1%.
Company & Industry OverviewsVolkswagen’s US Sales Fell in July for the First Time in 2017
In July 2017, Volkswagen’s US sales fell 5.8% on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis to 27,091 vehicle units.
ConsumerHow Is Recent Oil Price Recovery Affecting US Truck Sales?
As of August 1, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil futures are trading at $48.78 per barrel.
ConsumerCould US Dollar Movement Benefit US Automakers in 3Q17?
Strong July consumer confidence and improving economic conditions could be a positive sign for the auto industry.
ConsumerFiat Chrysler’s 2Q17 Results Kept Optimism Alive on Wall Street
In the week ended July 28, 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) stock continued to trade on a positive note and rose 1.6% from the previous week’s closing price.
ConsumerInside Fiat Chrysler’s 2Q Revenues from outside North America
In 2Q17, FCAU’s shipments in Europe rose 8% to about 395,000 vehicle units, up from 367,000 units in 2Q16.
ConsumerTesla on the Street: Analysts’ Recommendations before the 2Q17 Results
According to the latest data compiled by Reuters, 32% of analysts covering Tesla stock (TSLA) gave it a “buy” recommendation.
Earnings ReportThese Factors Helped Harley-Davidson Protect Its 2Q17 Margins
In 2Q17, Harley-Davidson’s (HOG) gross profits from the motorcycle and related product segment stood at $607.6 million.
Earnings ReportWhat Factors Could Affect GM’s 2Q17 Revenues?
Analysts estimate GM’s 2Q17 revenues to be $40.8 billion, down about 3.7% from its revenues of $42.4 billion in 2Q16.
Real InsightsLowe’s: Great Business Built on Logistics Strength
Lowe’s Companies (LOW) operates 2,129 home improvement and hardware stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
MiscellaneousWhy Fiat Chrysler Rose in the First Week of July
In the week ended July 7, 2017, Fiat Chrysler stock (FCAU) turned positive and rose about 4.8% to end the week at $11.09.
MiscellaneousCould Weak Oil Prices Continue to Drive Truck Demand in 2H17?
On June 28, 2017, WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil futures were trading at $44.74 per barrel. Oil prices have witnessed a fall of ~7.4% in June so far, and they’re fallen 11.6% quarter-to-date.
MiscellaneousHow Toyota’s Financials Looked in June 2017
As of June 27, Toyota (TM) was trading at $104.54 with about 2.8% losses for the month so far.
MiscellaneousCould Fiat Chrysler Stock Rise in the Final Week of June?
In the week ended June 23, 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) stock turned positive and rose ~2.2% to end the week at $10.84.
MiscellaneousUS Dollar Continues to Help US Automakers in June 2017
As of June 14, the Dollar Index was trading at 96.9 without any major change on a month-to-date basis.
MiscellaneousRising US Truck Sales, Falling Car Sales in May 2017
Total US auto sales in May 2017 stood at ~1.51 million vehicle units, or 0.5% lower than the vehicle units sold in May 2016.
Earnings ReportHow Did AutoZone’s Key Business Segments Perform in Fiscal 3Q17?
In fiscal 3Q17, AutoZone’s DIY traffic count fell on a YoY (year-over-year) basis.
Company & Industry OverviewsJim Hackett Might Face These Key Challenges as Ford’s CEO
Ford Motor’s (F) new CEO Jim Hackett is joining the company at a time when US auto sales have been declining for several months.
Company & Industry OverviewsCould Fiat Chrysler Resolve EPA Issue with Software Upgrade?
In the week ended May 19, 2017, Fiat Chrysler stock traded on a negative note and ended the week at $10.50 with a ~3.4% weekly loss.
MiscellaneousRam Truck Recall Could Hurt Fiat Chrysler Stock
In the week ending May 12, 2017, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) stock traded on a negative note and ended the week at $10.87 with a loss of ~4.4%.
Earnings ReportHow Toyota’s North America Revenues Trended in 2017
Toyota Motor’s (TM) vehicle sales in North America stood at 2.8 million units in fiscal 2017 (April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017), which was similar to sales in the previous fiscal year.
Earnings ReportWhy Ferrari Could Exceed Its Strong Fiscal 2017 Guidance
In February 2017, Ferrari (RACE) gave guidance to ship about 8,400 car units globally in fiscal 2017, about 5% higher than in fiscal 2016.
Earnings ReportA Look at Ferrari’s Valuation Multiples after Its 1Q17 Results
On May 4, 2017, Ferrari’s (RACE) forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple was 15.7x.
Earnings ReportWhat Drove Ferrari’s Shipments to the Americas Higher in 1Q17?
In 1Q17, Ferrari’s (RACE) shipments to the Americas rose 4.2% year-over-year to 545 car units from 523 units in 1Q16.
MiscellaneousWhat Could Hurt Fiat Chrysler Stock This Week?
In 1Q17, Fiat Chrysler stock impressed investors by gaining ~19%. But the stock began 2Q17 on a negative note. As of April 13, FCAU has lost 11.3% month-to-date.
Company & Industry OverviewsInside Toyota’s Lower US Sales in March 2017
In March 2017, Toyota Motor (TM), the largest Japanese automaker, reported a YoY (year-over-year) fall of 2.1% in US sales to 215,224 vehicle units.
Company & Industry OverviewsHere’s What Drove Down US Auto Sales in March
US auto sales in March 2017 were 1.55 million units, which was 1.6% below the 1.58 million units sold in March 2016.
MiscellaneousWhy Fiat Chrysler Started 2Q17 on a Weak Note
In 1Q17, Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCAU) stock impressed investors by yielding ~19% in returns.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhy Should Investors Keep a Watch on Macao’s Unemployment Rate?
Macao’s unemployment rate was as high as 7% in 2000. Growth in the tourism and gaming industry helped to curb the high rate.
Company & Industry OverviewsGeneral Motors Advances Its Autonomous Vehicle Program
Currently, General Motors’ driverless car testing fleet is the largest in the automotive industry (VCR). General Motors is ahead of its direct US peers.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhat Ford’s Falling Retail Sales Could Mean for Investors
In February 2017, Ford’s US sales to retail customers dropped 3% YoY to 134,576 vehicle units.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhat Do US Auto Sales Figures Mean for Investors?
Total auto sales in the US stood at ~1.3 million vehicle units in February 2017. In January 2017, US auto sales stood at ~1.1 million.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Ford Is Struggling to Protect Its Margins
Last year, Ford’s operating margins fell primarily in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in the Middle East and Africa.
Company & Industry OverviewsCould Higher Retail Sales Help Ford Boost Its Margins?
In January 2017, Ford’s US sales to retail customers rose 6% YoY to 120,400 vehicle units.
Earnings ReportWhy Don’t Ford’s Rising China Sales Look Promising?
In 4Q16, Ford’s (F) revenues from the Middle East and Africa regions fell ~12% YoY to just $0.9 billion due to lower sales volumes.
Earnings ReportWhy Did Fiat Chrysler’s 4Q16 Revenues Rise in Europe?
Fiat Chrysler’s (FCAU) lower shipments in North America in 4Q16 continued to hurt revenues from its largest single market.
Company & Industry OverviewsNHTSA Report Cleared Tesla: Will Its Stock Rise?
On January 19, Tesla posted a link to a recent NHTSA report on its blog. It suggests no involvement of Tesla’ Autopilot system in reported road accidents.
Company & Industry OverviewsTesla-Panasonic Partnership: How Did Tesla Stock React?
On the day of the announcement, Tesla stock rose to a four-month high and closed at $219.53 with 2.9% gains for the session. The optimism didn’t last long.
Company & Industry OverviewsWill Tesla Get Support from Trump’s Administration?
Trump’s administration will likely favor companies like Tesla. Improving the US job market is one of Trump’s key agendas.
Earnings ReportAnalysts Reaffirm Ratings after Nike’s Fiscal 2Q17 Results
Nike (NKE) is covered by 34 Wall Street analysts. Among these analysts, 62% recommended a “buy” on the stock, 35% recommended a “hold,” and only 3% recommended a “sell,”
Company & Industry OverviewsCan GM’s Chevrolet Bolt EV Challenge Tesla Model 3?
In 2015, GM announced Chevrolet Bolt EV, its first high range all-electric vehicle, whose driving range and the price point are similar to Tesla’s Model 3.
Macroeconomic AnalysisHow the Recent Rise in Oil Prices Could Affect the Auto Industry
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.
Earnings ReportWhat Factors Could Affect AutoZone’s Valuation Multiples?
AZO’s forward PE (price-to-earnings) multiple was 17.3x. That’s much lower than ORLY’s and AAP’s forward PE multiples of 23.6x and 22.7x, respectively.
Earnings ReportWhat Drove Recent Growth in AutoZone’s Key Business Segments?
In the United States, AutoZone added 16 new stores to its network of 5,297 locations in 1Q17. Two stores were relocated.
Macroeconomic AnalysisWhat Drove Ford’s November US Sales Higher?
In this series, we’ll look at the November sales figures of mainstream automakers such as Ford, General Motors (GM), Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), and Toyota (TM). We’ll explore what these figures could mean for investors as we enter the 2016 holiday season.
MiscellaneousWhat Does the SolarCity Deal Mean for Tesla’s Investors?
On June 21, Tesla revealed its intentions to acquire SolarCity. On June 22, Tesla’s stock closed at $196.66 with a massive loss of 10.5% during the session.
Company & Industry OverviewsFord versus Trump: What Options Does the Company Have?
If Trump maintains his tough stance, things could get worse for Ford. Any move by Trump to penalize Ford could hurt the company’s small car business.
Earnings ReportShould You Worry about Ferrari’s Flat Revenue in the Americas?
While Greater China accounted for just 9% of the company’s total shipments, it’s still strategically important for Ferrari due to China’s future growth potential.
Earnings ReportHOG Taps Touring Motorcycle Space, but Was It to Its Detriment?
In 3Q16, Harley-Davidson’s (HOG) consolidated gross profits stood at $436 million, which is 13.2% lower than the $503 million it saw in 3Q15.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Did Ford’s Stock Turn Negative Last Week?
Last Friday, Ford’s stock (F) ended the week on a negative note with a 3.1% loss to close at $11.91 on October 14, 2016.
Company & Industry OverviewsWhy Ford’s Stock Turned Positive Last Week
Ford sold ~204,000 vehicle units in the US in September, which represents a YoY fall of about 8%.
Company & Industry OverviewsFord Shifted Truck Production to Ohio from Mexico: It’s Doing Great!
Ford worked to redesign its F-650 and F-750 trucks. In August 2015, the company shifted the truck manufacturing to its Ohio assembly plant from Mexico.
Company & Industry OverviewsFinding Tesla’s Key Support and Resistance for This Week
On Friday, Tesla settled at $207.45. Despite the company’s two positive announcements earlier this month, the stock is still trading in negative territory.