Summary: - General Electric is scheduled to release Q2 2019 results on July 31, 2019. - I cover the two things that investors should closely monitor this week (and for the rest of the year). - I am long General Electric, and I plan to stay long the stock. General Electric ($GE) has been a battleground stock that has actually performed extremely well so far in 2019 (up over 38%). However, GE shares are still down almost 20% over the last year and have significantly underperfor

Summary: - AT&T recently reported solid Q2 2019 results that were well-received by the market. - I will take a look at the 2 metrics that are key to the long-term bull case for this company. - I hold a position in AT&T, and I plan to stay long the stock. AT&T's ($T) stock has slightly outperformed the broader market over the last year. The last five years is an entirely different story, as T shares are down 5% while the S&P 500 (SPY) is up almost 50%. However, looking ahead,

Summary: - Bank of America reported Q2 2019 results that beat the consensus bottom-line estimate. Additionally, the bank's operating results were impressive almost across the board. - The interest rate environment is (and has been) a headwind, but I believe that investors should just keep banking on Bank of America as a long-term investment. - Bank of America is my largest position, and I plan to stay long the stock. Bank of America's (NYSE:BAC) stock has performed well so fa

Summary: - Accenture's new CEO, Ms. Julie Sweet, will take over a company that is already well-positioned for the future. Simply put, she will start the game with a pretty sweet hand. - The company's industry is projected to grow materially over the next 5 plus years and, in my opinion, Accenture will be one of the direct beneficiaries. - I hold a position in Accenture and I plan to stay long the stock. Accenture ($ACN) announced that its board approved the appointment of Ms.

Summary: - Value investing has continued to morph as the long bull market marches on. - Our panel's views on the market and the way they are approaching all-time highs suggest value remains in the eye of the beholder. - This is leading to finding value in some obvious places - large-cap tech, for example - but also further flung spots like foreign markets and, yes, financials. By Daniel Shvartsman The first half of 2019 saw a lot of green in the markets, as broader indices re

Summary: - Xinyuan recently announced the resignation of its CEO, and this comes shortly after the company appointed a new CFO. - There are reasons to like Xinyuan at today's price but there are definitely risk factors that need to be considered. - I hold a position in Xinyuan and I plan to stay long the stock. Xinyuan Real Estate ($XIN) is a company/stock that I have followed for years now, and, in my opinion, the market has never been truly sold on the story for this Chines

Summary: - Fifth Third recently raised its dividend by almost 10% and investors should expect more of the same in the years ahead. - This regional bank has a solid long-term story to tell and, in my opinion, the recent acquisition will be a significant catalyst for FITB shares. - I hold a position in Fifth Third and I plan to stay long the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp's ($FITB) stock has been a major disappointment over the last year, as poor sentiment for the financials sector

Summary: - This real-money portfolio was first introduced to the Seeking Alpha community in December 2015. - The portfolio outperformed its benchmark in Q2 2019 but is still lagging the S&P 500's performance since inception. However, the R.I.P. portfolio is properly positioned for the future. - The financial holdings have been a drag to the portfolio's YTD performance but, looking out, the large financial institutions are well-positioned for the next few years. The Retire In

Summary: - Bank of America pays a below-average dividend, but investors should expect for this to change in the near future. -There are plenty of reasons to own BAC shares today, but, if you ask me, the bank's dividend growth potential is #1 on that list. - I am long Bank of America, and I plan to stay long the stock. Bank of America's (BAC) stock has been a major disappoint over the last year, as poor sentiment for the financials sector has outweighed what looks to be attrac

Summary: - General Electric's stock has performed well so far in 2019, but it is still down by ~23% over the last year. - I believe that the bears are no longer running the show, but any serious misstep by management will change this in short order. - I am long General Electric, and I plan to stay long through at least 2021. General Electric ($GE) has a lot to prove to the market before it is able to get out of the dog house, but I believe that the company's new(ish) CEO, Mr.