Research
Students present their valuation on a weekly basis.
Below is a list of companies that have been researched by our student analysts:
Intel Corporation
Intel was founded on July 18th, 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore (of Moore’s Law). The name “Intel” comes from the words integrated and electronics, with co-founder Noyce having been a key inventor of the integrated circuit (the microchip). Intel was an early developer of SRAMand DRAM memory chips, which represented the majority of its business until 1981. Although Intel created the world's first commercial microprocessor chip in 1971, it was not until the success of the personal computer (PC) that this became its primary business. According to Intel, their strategy is “to deliver the world’s best semiconductors for an increasingly data-centric world”. Major investors include The Vanguard Group, Inc.(8.21%), Capital Research & Management Co. (5.10%) and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (4.54%).
Kirkland Lake Gold
Kirkland was founded in 1988 under the name Goldpac Investments, renamed several times; acquired mines from Kinross then renamed Kirkland Lake Gold. Their strategy is to maintain it’s position as sustainable, low-cost gold producer. Their revenue model is Gold; Exploration and Expand. Major Investors of Kirkland include; Van Eck Associates Corp (7.01%), T. Rowe Price Group (4.64%), Resolute Funds (3.76%), RBC Global, Asset Management (2.99%), The Vanguard Group (2.93%).
Pfizer
Pfizer was founded in 1849 by cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles Earnhart in Brooklyn New York In 1944 Pfizer became the world leader in manufacturing Penicillin which at the time was considered one of the world's top medical breakthroughs.
1997 - Fortune magazine names Pfizer the world's most admired pharmaceuticals company. Since the millennium Pfizer has embarked in many mergers, with companies such as Warner Lambert in 2000, UpJohn in 2002, and Wyeth in 2009. The result is a giant pharma company with over 100,000 employees worldwide. In 2018 GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer merged their consumer healthcare divisions into a single entity which would have annual sales of around $12.7 billion.
Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada was founded in 1864 as a private, unchartered bank for maritime merchants. Chartered upon Confederation in 1869, which resulted in rapid growth, seeing it rapidly grow to encompass all of Canada from coast to coast in only 18 years after being chartered, to eventually growing to be Canada’s largest bank. RBC’s primary business strategy is to be a broad & universal bank to continue to grow its already #1 spot in market share (in Canada). RBC is constructing a competitive business that primarily serves corporate/intuitional/high net worth clients that are attracted to the strong capabilities of RBC.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)
TSMC was Founded in Taiwan in 1987 by Morris Chang. It is one of Taiwan's largest companies, the world's most valuable semiconductor company.Largest market share in semiconductor foundry market by 51.5% .Foundry service provider for: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Apple Inc., Broadcom Inc., Marvell, MediaTek, Nvidia, etc.
Some of TSMC’s products include; The 5nm process nodes – This is TSM’s highest demanded chip. In October 2020 TSMC revealed that 5nm nodes will be used in iPhones. The 7 nm process nodes – Currently, it’s TSM’s best-selling chip. TSMC was the first company that began manufacturing memory chips using a 7 nm process and is the industry dominator in this process. The 3nm process nodes – This change in process nodes will create major changes in the semiconductor industry. There will be 10-15% increase in performance, with a 25-35% decrease in power consumption. Only one other company besides TSM has been able to create a 3nm process. Samsung, however, Samsung has not announced that they will be able to bring the 3nm to market on a mass scale.
Waste Connections
Waste Connections Inc. was founded in 1997, is the 3rd largest solid waste service company in North America. Provides waste collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services. Additionally, WCN provides oilfield waste treatment (recovery and disposal services) as well as intermodal services for the rail haul movement of cargo and solid waste containers. The firm currently operates in 42 states in the US and 6 provinces in Canada.
Their Differentiation Strategy is to generate growth through strategic acquisitions (bolt-on) that enable the firm to capture a large market share in rural and niche markets (e.g. E&P waste). Increase operating efficiencies and lower costs by way of vertical integration. Major Investors include The Vanguard Group (10%), T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (8.53%), Capital Research and Management Company (3.98%), BMO Global Asset Management (3.59%), BlackRock Inc. (3.33%).