A systematic approach to identifying potential earnings manipulators like SMCI

Kailash Capital Research

SMCI shares fell nearly 20% after the company delayed the filing of its annual report and Hindenburg Research alleged “fresh evidence of accounting manipulation”. Interestingly, SMCI features in KCR’s S&P 500 Earnings Manipulator list, which includes stocks in 1) the worst quintile based on academia’s PROBM formula and 2) the bottom 20% of KCR’s ranking methodology. Other companies flagged include Advanced Micro Devices, Tesla, and Xylem, with Block and Emerson Electric added last month. Over the past 14 years, KCR’s Research Short Portfolios have been valuable for spotting potential risk flags and generating short ideas. To access the return summary for these portfolios click here.

- 06 September, 2024

The ways to use FCF yield to pick stocks

Trivariate Research

Trivariate Research's latest report analyses FCF trends of US corporates, both yield and conversion, efficacy of the signal and opportunities that may surface when financial conditions tighten. Key findings include: 1) FCF yield works in SMID cap and middle quality best. 2) From a sector perspective, it is effective in Machinery; volatile in Healthcare. 3) FCF yield matters more when financial conditions are loose. As soon as it begins tightening, de-emphasizing FCF yield and focusing on FCF conversion to pick winners from losers in “junk stocks” is prudent. 4) Quantitatively derived longs include Cigna, Cummins and Centene. Shorts include Elevance Health, Humana and Xylem.

- 31 May, 2024