Mike VinokurCharter CommunicationsCHTRTOP PICKJan 12, 2024
Very well run company serving millions of customers across ~40 US states. In sweet spot of mobile phone demands. Excellent capital allocation skills with low debt levels. Capital expenditures expected to drop which will increase free cash flow. When interest rates fall, will also be good for profits in the business (less lending costs).
CHTR is a broadband and cable operator serving 32 million customers in the US in 41 states under the Spectrum brand and is a favorite of Warren Buffet. It trads at 12x earnings and supports a 40% ROE. Cash reserves are growing while debt is aggressively retired and shares bought back. We recommend setting a stop-loss at $290, looking to achieve $466 -- upside potential of 26%. Yield 0%
(A Top Pick Oct 22/21, Down 50%) Growth closed. He exited to move on. Still a fine business. Slower growth and increased competition meant he decided to look elsewhere.
Hitting a 52-week low. There's a lot of content, too many streamers, and that isn't good. Now, these streamers are getting into advertising, but they're doing it at the wrong time as the economy slows. This is a crowded space.
(A Top Pick Oct 22/21, Down 34%) Covid beneficiary. Very inexpensive valuation. A business you can't live without, so he sees tremendous growth over the long term. Bad news is priced in.
Very strong year fundamentally in 2021. Repurchased shares with more to come. Lots of competition, but he doesn't think it's that bad. Elon Musk with Starlink. This all punishes the cable guys. Reasonably priced. Winning new wireless customers. #1 in the US in his opinion.
Hasn't performed well since he made it a Top Pick. More a function of industry dynamics than the company's results. Subscriber growth is still improving, but has been impacted by the pandemic. Enormous amount of free cashflow. Buys back stock like crazy. Fundamentals are improving. He's buying more at these prices. No dividend.
Run by Liberty group that is a buyback machine. Makes profits selling broadband and cable. Wireless is at a loss to beat other telcos. Has pulled back a bit because of an analyst saying that subscriber growth will slow. This is normal since everyone is now signed up for internet. An attractive entry point here. (Analysts’ price target is $817.66)
5G outlook Many people are using an older phone; the average smart phone has never been older, so users are poised to upgrade You don't have to invest directly in 5G to benefit from it. Any smartphone makers and cable companies will. He likes Charter Communications.
A new investment for him. A US broadband cable company. They announced positive earnings. They are still adding new business and mobile customers. It is buying back stocks aggressively right now. (Analysts’ price target is $584.28)
Very well run company serving millions of customers across ~40 US states. In sweet spot of mobile phone demands. Excellent capital allocation skills with low debt levels. Capital expenditures expected to drop which will increase free cash flow. When interest rates fall, will also be good for profits in the business (less lending costs).