1.9% dividend yield, EG is targeting >17% shareholder return.Gross written premium growth of 20.9% year over year, with a combined ratio of 90.9%.EG expects to invest more in reinsurance underwriting opportunities in 2024, aiming for a combined ratio target of 89-91%.Strong earnings growth, with a continued hard market in reinsurance and new specialty lines in the primary insurance business.Sustaining catastrophe reinsurance share at 7% of business, realizing 45% increase in catastrophe reinsurance rates.Investment Thesis $Everest Group(EG)$ is a reinsurance and primary insurance provider. EG is embarking on global expansion in the primary insurance market, attempting to capture the nearly $1 trillion in total addressable market. Additionally, th

4.2% dividend yield.Growing production reached a record high of 1,400 MMcf/day.Sustainable EPS and FCF (Free Cash Flow) growth.Lowest-in-the-industry cost structure which helps generate 80% EBITDA margins.Huge FCF growth of 218% to $286 million for 3Q22.Delevering program to reduce Debt-to-EBITDA to 0.9x.Investment ThesisComstock Resources$Comstock Resources(CRK)$ is a Haynesville Basin pure-play natural gas producer closely located to the Gulf Coast corridor and near several large LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) terminals. CRK operates 1,600 wells across 372,000 acres with an average lateral length of 8,520 feet.In 3Q22, CRK generated the highest quarterly free cash flow in the company’s history, amounting to $286 million in FCF, which is $1.92 per sh

$Laredo(LPI)$ Video: Laredo (LPI): Cheap Earnings with High Guidance Could Skyrocket With Oil Demand IncreasesExiting cheap hedges, should see earnings boost as low price hedges roll offIncreased production targets, oil prices are poised to reset higher as SPR repurchases lost reserves and Chinese demand increases.High earnings for the price, we estimated around 5.0x PE, delevering balance sheet quickly.https://buildingbenjamins.com/stock-thoughts/video-laredo-lpi-cheap-earnings-with-high-guidance-could-skyrocket-with-oil-demand-increases/

$.DJI(.DJI)$ $.SPX(.SPX)$ $.IXIC(.IXIC)$ $Invesco QQQ(QQQ)$ $NASDAQ 100(NDX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ $WTI Crude Oil - main 2502(CLmain)$ $Gold - main 2502(GCmain)$ $iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF(TLT)$ OverviewDespite a “Santa Claus Rally” not materializing, the S&P500 ended the trading year up 23%, after rising 24% in 2023. This back-to-back performance is the best since 1997 and 1998.

4% projected dividend yield for 2024.Gold prices should benefit from economic instability, persistent inflation, deficit spending, high debt, and a global move away from the dollar.Newmont is the world’s top gold producer, annually outputting 5.3 million ounces of gold and significant quantities of silver, copper, zinc, and lead.NEM’s main production assets are strategically located in politically stable regions.NEM benefits significantly from gold price increases, adding $400 million in annual free cash flow for every $100/oz rise in gold prices.The major acquisition of Newcrest closed in November, significantly expanding the gold and copper asset base.Investment Thesis $Newmont Mining(NEM)$ is the #1 gold producer globally, outputting 5.3Moz (mil

2.2% Dividend YieldLoyal customer base, with loyalty members making up 80% of sales.85% of the supply chain originated in North America, mitigating tariff risk.Produces 55% of its end products in-house, with 40% of products on offer being seasonal only.Peer leader in sales per square foot with $1,074/sqft in sales.Expanding into ‘adjacent’ markets like products marketed at men and products marketed to Gen Z to boost new-customer growth.Investment Thesis $Bath & Body Works Inc.(BBWI)$ is a North American chain of home-good stores specializing in scented products and self-care. BBWI was formed after L Brands spun off Victoria’s secret into its own publicly traded entity (VSCO), with L Brands changing its name to Bath and Body Works. In recent ye

Semiconductor market is expected to double in size by 2030. TSM (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) accounts for 26% of the world’s semiconductor output.Largest pure play fabricator, strength comes from long-term relationships.Scale and leading-edge technology as one of the only sub 7nm wafer technology manufacturers in the world.International expansion slotted in Japanese and American markets driven by a $100 billion CapEx (Capital Expenditure) expansion.Western governments want to distance domestic technology products from China and bring manufacturing back to their countries or local allies.The US CHIPS and Science Act provides roughly $280 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States.Investment ThesisTaiwan Semiconductor Ma

Strong Auto Brands include Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Peugeot, Fiat.7.7% Dividend Yield is the highest among peers.Compelling valuation with a 4.3x P/E compared to sector median of 15.0x.2030 Strategic plan emphasizes global EV (Electrical Vehicles) capacity huge global base to pull from.Realizing consumer gains from IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) in North America, focusing on larger utility vehicles in the United States.Investment ThesisStellantis$Stellantis NV(STLA)$ is a global automobile manufacturer formed on a 50-50 merger with Fiat-Chrysler and PSA Group. Across its 16 brands, it has a global sales footprint in 130 countries and a manufacturing footprint in 30 countries. STLA is focused on moving away from the standard combustion engine and laun

3% projected dividend yield for 2025.Gold prices should benefit from economic instability, persistent inflation, deficit spending, high debt, and a global move away from the dollar.Production is concentrated in geopolitically stable areas like Australia and the Americas, with limited geopolitical risk compared to competitors.Low-cost greenfield expansion and disposal of older mines should drive down company-wide all-in-sustaining costs.The Salares Norte project will open in April 2024 and add 600k ounces by 2025 at only $700/oz in all-in sustaining costs.Salares Norte will drive double-digit low-cost growth in production.Investment Thesis $Gold Fields(GFI)$ is a gold mining company headquartered in South Africa with 2.25Moz in gold equivalent produ

4.5% dividend yield, 16 consecutive years of dividend growth.Renewed interest in the US market, bringing new IQOS products to market in the second half of 2025 and continued investment in the Zyn brand.Plans to re-institute share repurchase program after reaching 2.0x net debt to EBITDA target, currently 3.0x.Smoke-free nicotine products have 2.6x the gross margin per unit compared to cigarettes.Brand-loyalty in cigarettes has meant price increases have offset or even exceeded volumes.Investment Thesis $Philip Morris(PM)$ was formed in 2008 when $Altria(MO)$ spun out its international segment. Since then, PM has grown to be the largest public tobacco company in the world by volume, holding 14.0% market share

6.3% Dividend Yield.TV and Media business units have been divested.Fiber and cellular 5G are the focus.Pullback in price marked an attractive entry point for dividend-seeking investors.Fiber expansion offers a growth opportunity.Investment ThesisAT&T $AT&T Inc(T)$ is a telecommunications company that offers wireless and wireline services to over 100 million domestic customers.The company has had sustained efforts to streamline its business, including spinning off AT&T TV, Warner Media, and DirecTV. Fiber expansion and streamlined business combined with cost improvements of $6 billion in run rate. However, we do have concerns about the debt level and the company’s ability to reach its FY25 goals. AT&T offers income generation and an op

$S&P 500(.SPX)$ $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ $DJIA(.DJI)$ $WTI Crude Oil - main 2306(CLmain)$ $Gold - main 2306(GCmain)$ Continuing Weakness in Banking SectorConcern over additional bank failures has created ongoing uncertainty for equity and bond markets, as the collapse of First Republic Bank $First Republic Bank(FRC)$ this past month has become the second-largest bank failure ever, with $229 billion in assets and over $100 billion in deposits.Federal regulators stuck a deal with JPMorgan $JPMorgan

Company is expected to get an FY22 EPS of $10, which could increase to $15 by FY24.Eagle Ford consolidator has a history of a high rate of return (60% ROE) by streamlining small operators.Growth Company in exploration and production.Growth Characteristics should demand at least a 10x PE.Oil pricing is expected to get a boost in 2023 from post COVID lockdown recovery in China and SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve) ending its release and possibly reversing to refilling.Investment ThesisRanger Oil$Ranger Oil Corporation(ROCC)$ is an oil and gas exploration company focused on consolidation within the Eagle Ford Basin in West Texas. With over 1,000 identified drilling locations providing high returns for an estimated 20 years, there is significant

Second largest Lithium producer in the world.3 Expansion opportunities within the next decade, expecting global lithium demand to surge by 275% by 2030.Favorable pricing above $20/kg has made >100 locations viable for expansion.Global focus on electrification creating surge in demand for Lithium.Albemarl $Albemarle(ALB)$ is one of the largest Lithium producers in the world. Lithium is experiencing surge in demand with electrification of vehicles, with global EV sales up 73% year over year. In addition, surging prices have made new developments economically viable for the first time; nonetheless, demand is still expected to outpace supply creating a shortage.ALB is an experienced player in the chemicals space and has the experience for mining, re

CPI & Fed Meeting = Big Week. Inflation Slowing, Fed Tightening Continues. Higher Rates and More QT$S&P 500(.SPX)$ $DJIA(.DJI)$ $NASDAQ(.IXIC)$ Inflation Slowed to 7.1% year over year and 0.1% month over month.Energy helped last month but will reverse as SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve) is no longer drained at a million barrels a day. China COVID lockdowns ease and demand returns.Fed Tightening Continued with 0.50% increase and indications that rates will continue higher for longer than the market was hoping. In addition, QT (Quantitative Tightening) has kicked into high gear since September at $95 billion a month, and the Fed has so far been meeting th

2.16% Dividend YieldThe Navy aims to procure 55 ships over the next five years, indicating sustained demand for maritime defense capabilities.Notable increase in ordnance production due to global conflicts, with plans for a 600% output increase as soon as 2025.Army and Navy are covering significant expansion expenses as part of an “industrial base modernization” program.Nearly $100 billion backlog, with a company-wide 1.4-to-1 book-to-bill.Investment Thesis$General Dynamics Corp(GD)$ is an American defense contractor with a global footprint. GD operates across diverse segments, including Aerospace, Marine, Mission Systems, and Combat Systems, catering to various industry needs from civilian aircraft to naval ships and combat vehicles.Despite challen

Stock decline over past two years creates inexpensive growth stock. Chinese e-commerce leader. 22% Revenue growth. Strong cash position of $45 billion. 70% of FY22 cash flow went toward repurchasing 63 million shares for $5.6 billion. Compelling base of growth businesses outside of e-commerce, including cloud computing, digital marketing, and media. Over 1.3 billion active annual customers, with 75% domestically in China and 25% global. Official cloud provider for Beijing Winter Olympics. Investment ThesisAlibaba$Alibaba(BABA)$ $Alibaba(09988)$ is a Chinese multinational firm specializing in e-commerce solutions but has since branched out into software as a service (SaaS), logistics, and media.Despite so

Strong growth in advanced driver assistance systems, despite making up under 1% of volume, SuperVision makes up 33% of revenue growth.$17 billion in contracted sales cumulatively through 2030, with an average system price of $105 expected compared to the current $56.2.Robust real-world implementation of SuperVision, with 96,000 units deployed in FY22. Expecting >100% growth in units shipped for FY23.Backed by strong consumer demand for more safety features and more fatigue-reducing driver features.Investment ThesisMobileye$Mobileye Global Inc.(MBLY)$ is an autonomous and driver assistance systems technology firm spun off from Intel after its acquisition in 2017. MBLY is a market leader in both driver assistance technology and future autonomous