For businesses, success isn’t always measured strictly in terms of profits.
Businesses also can distinguish themselves by giving back to the communities in which their customers reside.
This principle was exhibited recently with a project that provided long-awaited improvements to Willoughby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500. The post, at 38295 Pelton Road, also serves as a meeting place for the Willoughby American Legion and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association.
Forty Home Depot employees performed the project in one day, said Christopher Woodin, current commander of VFW Post 1500 and past secretary for Combat Vets.
“(The Home Depot) employees came from Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Chardon, Mayfield, Mentor, Medina — all over,” he said. “We were so thankful for them. For them to come and orchestrate all of this work in one day was unbelievable as far as getting everything in. It looks beautiful — night and day from before and after.”
The post also received a $16,000 grant from Home Depot.
Additionally, stone from DeMilta Sand and Gravel in Eastlake and a 40-yard garbage bin from Tony Scheiber’s Hauling out of Fairport Harbor were donated, as was coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts in Mentor. DBB Electric, a veteran-owned company, provided electrical services.
Others integral in the project included Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala and Kari Pfeifer, VFW Ohio senior vice commander, as well as Woodin’s quartermaster and his canteen manager.
“We had heard The Home Depot periodically hands out grants,” Woodin said. “I actually stopped at the Mentor Home Depot and ran into the manager, Mike Pinguh. He was gracious in hearing our requests for the grants.
“He had told me to put a letter together and at that time, I stated if we can just get some landscaping done, that would be greatly appreciated.”
The VFW post consists of more than 100 members. There are close to 300 with the American Legion and roughly 50 in the Combat Vets organization.
Because of an aging population of members, it’s not an easy task for them to maintain the post like they used to, Woodin said.
“Anything would’ve been appreciated — $500, $1,500,” he said. “(Pinguh) ended up making many trips out to our post to see what we were dealing with.”
Woodin took over Post 1500 more than a year ago.
“It’s probably been 25 years since that post has been upgraded,” he said. “At that point, I’m like, our floor and hall is atrocious. It could be stripped and waxed. LED lighting in our kitchen — those regular lights get so hot on top of the ovens in here. Our ceiling tiles were still from back when the smoking days happened, so we were starting to save up to get those replaced.”
Furthermore, the carpeting was 25 years old with rips and tears in it, and there was also a desire to do an outdoor lounge area in the back area of the building for members. As a result, a material list of a 24-by-12-foot outbuilding off the back of the building was supplied.
“Jeff Wheeler Construction out of Mentor is going to construct that for us free of charge as a donation to our post, so that is greatly appreciated,” Woodin said.
As part of the upgrades, seven flagpoles were installed out front to honor all the branches of service.
“We have a sign out front and it’s illuminated,” Woodin said. “We had found out that there was just an extension cord going underground, so we thought we probably need to do some proper conduit there and they provided all the material for that, and ran the electric wire from our building to the sign.
“Later, we’ll get an electrician to tie that in for us.”
“This took a huge burden off of us and allows us to further help veterans in our community,” Woodin said. “It’s all such a trickle-down effect if you think about all that money we don’t have to spend.”
In conclusion, The News-Herald salutes Home Depot and all other area businesses that helped make the project at Willoughby VFW Post 1500 a reality. Your generosity and hard work serve as a tremendous example that we hope other area businesses will follow.
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As the battle for market dominance in the streaming sector rages on, the lack of hit shows this year has put streaming companies on the back foot. So, will it be worth looking at streaming stocks Walt Disney (DIS), Paramount (PARA), and Roku (ROKU)? Read on to learn my view.
People’s viewing preferences have changed drastically from television to various streaming platforms in recent years. Rapid advancements in technology are driving the growth of streaming services, internet penetration, easy on-demand accessibility, a wide range of available content, etc.
The streaming industry now has several players vying for dominance in a cutthroat market. Given the increased competition in the industry, it could be wise to avoid fundamentally weak streaming stocks The Walt Disney Company (DIS), Paramount Global (PARA), and Roku, Inc. (ROKU).
Before diving deeper into the fundamentals of these stocks, let’s discuss what’s happening in the streaming industry.
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), which was once the undisputed king in the streaming space, saw its market share drop 5.6% year-over-year to 44.21% in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. The streaming industry has shown, on average, a monthly traffic decline of 20.2% year-over-year in the first quarter.
The dearth of new hits has also resulted in a slow start for streaming platforms this year. Amid high inflation and the consequent pressure on consumers and businesses, streaming services are being ever more cautious about spending, as they risk losing customers. This makes it increasingly challenging for streaming platforms, as it is difficult to stand out in the market.
As more competitors enter the sector offering similar services, streaming platforms are facing strong competition. These streaming players are all vying for the same viewers. This makes it difficult for streaming players as they now have to spend more on content and marketing to attract new users to their respective platforms.
Given the high level of competition present in the streaming industry, investors could look to avoid fundamentally weak streaming stocks DIS, PARA, and ROKU.
The Walt Disney Company (DIS)
DIS operates as an entertainment company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution; and Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.
In terms of the trailing-12-month gross profit margin, DIS’ 33.40% is 33.4% lower than the 50.16% industry average. Its 14.10% trailing-12-month EBITDA margin is 21.5% lower than the 17.95% industry average. Likewise, its 5.75% trailing-12-month levered FCF margin is 21.4% lower than the 7.32% industry average.
DIS’ total segment operating income for the first quarter ended December 31, 2022, declined 7% year-over-year to $3.04 billion. Its costs and expenses widened 9.7% year-over-year to $21.52 billion. The company’s cash used in operations increased 366% year-over-year to $974 million. In addition, its cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period declined 41.2% year-over-year to $8.52 billion.
Analysts expect DIS’ EPS for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, to decline 13.9% year-over-year to $0.93. Over the past year, the stock has fallen 16.1% to close the last trading session at $97.45.
DIS’s weak fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of D, which equates to a Sell in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
Within the F-rated Entertainment – Media Producers industry, it is ranked #8 out of 14 stocks. It has a D grade for Value, Momentum, and Quality. We have also given DIS grades for Growth, Stability, and Sentiment. Get all DIS ratings here.
Paramount Global (PARA)
PARA operates as a media and entertainment company worldwide. The company operates through TV Media, Direct-to-Consumer, and Filmed Entertainment segments
In terms of the trailing-12-month gross profit margin, PARA’s 33.49% is 33.2% lower than the 50.16% industry average. Its 9.46% trailing-12-month EBITDA margin is 47.3% lower than the 17.95% industry average. Likewise, its 1.25% trailing-12-month CAPEX/Sales is 65.5% lower than the 3.63% industry average.
PARA’s revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, declined 0.9% year-over-year to $7.26 billion. Its operating loss came in at $1.23 billion, compared to an operating income of $755 million in the prior-year quarter.
The company’s adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to PARA declined 82.1% year-over-year to $72 million. Additionally, its adjusted EPS from continuing operations declined 85% year-over-year to $0.09.
PARA’s EPS for the quarter ending June 30, 2023, is expected to decline 86% year-over-year to $0.09. Its revenue during the current quarter is expected to decline 5.1% year-over-year to $7.38 billion. PARA has a bleak earnings surprise history, missing its consensus EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
Over the past year, the stock has fallen 45.7% to close the last trading session at $16.40.
PARA’s POWR Ratings reflect its grim prospects. It has an overall rating of D, which equates to a Sell. It is ranked #9 in the same industry. In addition, it has an F grade for Sentiment and a D for Growth, Momentum, and Stability.
Click here to see the other ratings of PARA for Value and Quality.
Roku, Inc. (ROKU)
ROKU operates a TV streaming platform. The company operates in two segments, Platform, and Devices. Its streaming platform allows users to find and access TV shows, movies, news, sports, and others.
In terms of trailing-12-month EBIT margin, ROKU’s negative 21.75% compares to the industry average of 8.12%. Its trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity of negative 24.81% compares to the industry average of 2.93%. Likewise, its negative 21.23% trailing-12-month net income margin compares to the 3.05% industry average.
For the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2023, ROKU’s loss from operations widened 804.5% year-over-year to $212.46 million. The company’s net loss widened 636% year-over-year to $193.60 million. Its net loss per share widened 626.3% year-over-year to $1.38.
In addition, its adjusted EBITDA loss came in at $69.08 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA of $57.58 million. Also, its ARPU declined 5% year-over-year to $40.67.
ROKU’s EPS for the quarter ending June 30, 2023, is expected to remain negative. Over the past year, the stock has fallen 52% to close the last trading session at $52.79.
ROKU’s POWR Ratings reflect this negative outlook. It has an overall rating of F, which translates to a Strong Sell in our proprietary rating system.
Within the Consumer Goods industry, it is ranked #52 out of 53 stocks. The stock has a D grade for Growth, Value, Momentum, Stability, Sentiment, and Quality. Click here to access all the POWR Ratings of ROKU.
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DIS shares were trading at $98.70 per share on Friday morning, up $1.25 (+1.28%). Year-to-date, DIS has gained 13.60%, versus a 7.93% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Malaika Alphonsus
Malaika’s passion for writing and interest in financial markets led her to pursue a career in investment research.With a degree in Economics and Psychology, she intends to assist investors in making informed investment decisions.
The post The Streaming Wars Continue With 3 Stocks Battling for Dominance in the Market – Are Any Worth Buying? appeared first on StockNews.com
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