SCA Posts Steady 1Q Results and Sees Early Signs of Improving Construction Market

Swedish consumer goods company Svenska Cellulosa reported first-quarter results that largely tracked our longerterm expectations. SCA’s hygiene operations (personal care and tissue) were once again steady performers while the forest product division lagged as a result of still-weak European demand for paper and solid-wood products. After reviewing the results, we are maintaining our fair value estimate of SEK 136 per share and our no-moat rating. … Continue reading SCA Posts Steady 1Q Results and Sees Early Signs of Improving Construction Market

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Trading Conditions in Europe Remain Soft in TNT’s First Quarter

TNT Express’ first-quarter consolidated revenue fell 4.5% from the same period last year (down 4% excluding foreign exchange). The decline was partly the result of softer Asia Pacific business, including sluggish export activity to Europe. Price competition and a continued mix shift to loweryielding shipments in Europe also contributed. Excluding foreign exchange, revenue was down 1% in the core Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, … Continue reading Trading Conditions in Europe Remain Soft in TNT’s First Quarter

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Saenz Steps Down as Santander CEO

On Monday, Banco Santander SAN announced that Alfredo Saenz has resigned as CEO ahead of a decision by Spanish regulators that would have effectively decided whether his criminal conviction should disallow him from working in banking. Until recently, Spain’s rules had prevented anyone with a criminal conviction from holding a senior position in banking. Saenz was convicted in 2009 of making false criminal acquisitions against … Continue reading Saenz Steps Down as Santander CEO

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Rumors Suggest Surprising Possibility of Valeant and Actavis Combination

Media reports over the weekend suggested Valeant Pharmaceuticals VRX held merger discussions with Actavis ACT , which may now have stalled on financial considerations. Valeant had been signaling that it was seeking to pursue a large acquisition or a merger of equals, so the magnitude of the deal was not surprising, but we were a little surprised by the target. Overall, there may be enough … Continue reading Rumors Suggest Surprising Possibility of Valeant and Actavis Combination

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White Mountains’ Underwriting Margins Drive 1Q Book Value Increase

A benign catastrophe season and continued improvement in underwriting margins at majority-owned OneBeacon OB led to a 3% sequential increase in adjusted book value to $606 per share at White Mountains Insurance Group WTM . In comparison with last year’s first quarter, the combined ratio (expense divided by earned premiums) fell to 81% from 84% at Sirius Group, White Mountains’ reinsurance subsidiary, while OneBeacon also … Continue reading White Mountains’ Underwriting Margins Drive 1Q Book Value Increase

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Growing Competition on the Cotai Strip Leads to a Bad Quarterly Hand for Wynn Resorts

Wynn Resorts WYNN reported weak first-quarter results, as the company continued to perform poorly in Macau due to intensifying competition from new casinos on the Cotai Strip. Revenue and EBITDA were above consensus estimates, but only because the company had an unusually high hold rate for VIP table games in Macau and table games in Las Vegas. Revenue increased 5% to $1.38 billion (compared to … Continue reading Growing Competition on the Cotai Strip Leads to a Bad Quarterly Hand for Wynn Resorts