Buying its own future output: the company is spending now to own more of the value it already helps create
The model's full reasoning — Q1 2016 call → NOWe need to determine if management describes the company currently moving itself further up or down its own value chain, taking ownership or direct control of a step that someone else used to perform, and that this move is already being executed and changing what the company earns or can do. Let's examine the transcript for any such description. The call covers Q1 2016 results. Key topics: sales growth, agent recruiting, investments, DOL rule, Tennenbaum Capital Partners (TCP) strategic investment, etc. The TCP investment: "We recently announced a strategic investment in Tennenbaum Capital Partners. TCP is a proven asset management firm with a solid long-term track record. TCP will continue to operate on a standalone basis with CNO having representation on its management committee. This minority stake and commitment to invest approximately $250 million over time to TCP's various funds provides access to skill sets outside of our core competencies and further diversifies our sources of income and are well suited to support our longer duration lines of business. Finally, these investments will increase non-life income and allow us to more fully utilize our valuable tax assets." This is a minority stake, not taking over a step in the chain. It's an investment to diversify income, not internalizing a function. It's not about moving up/down value chain. Other mentions: Bankers Life broker/dealer and registered investment advisor rollout. "At the top of the list is reenergizing growth at Bankers Life and Washington National including the national rollout of the Bankers Life broker/dealer and registered investment advisor later this quarter." This is about distribution. But is it taking over a step? They are rolling out their own broker/dealer and RIA. Previously, they might have relied on third-party broker/dealers? But the transcript doesn't explicitly say they are taking over from someone else. It's a new capability, but is it internalizing a step? Possibly, but the description is vague. The question asks if management conveys that this move is already being executed and changing what the company earns. The rollout is "later this quarter" - so it's planned, not yet executed. Also, no explanation of why it's worth more inside. So likely not. Also, the DOL rule discussion: they mention having a broker/dealer and RIA gives them options.
| Ticker | Company | Call | Date | Call grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIII | G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. | Q4 2024 | 2024-03-14 | C |
| KOPN | Kopin Corporation | Q4 2023 | 2024-03-14 | C+ |
| PFE | Pfizer Inc. | Q4 2023 | 2024-01-30 | F |
| BZUN | Baozun Inc. | Q2 2023 | 2023-08-28 | D |
| KMDA | Kamada Ltd. | Q2 2023 | 2023-08-16 | B+ |
| SOL | ReneSola Ltd | Q3 2022 | 2022-12-01 | C+ |
| TMCI | Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. | Q2 2022 | 2022-08-13 | B+ |
| HROW | Harrow Health, Inc. | Q4 2021 | 2022-03-10 | C |
| SLQT | SelectQuote, Inc. | Q2 2022 | 2022-02-07 | F |
| LC | LendingClub Corporation | Q4 2021 | 2022-01-26 | A |
| LPTH | LightPath Technologies, Inc. | Q4 2021 | 2021-09-09 | D |
| KNDI | Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. | Q2 2021 | 2021-08-09 | F |
| EHTH | eHealth, Inc. | Q2 2021 | 2021-07-29 | F |
| PRPO | Precipio, Inc. | Q3 2018 | 2018-11-19 | D |
| T | AT&T Inc. | Q3 2018 | 2018-10-24 | C+ |
| KOP | Koppers Holdings Inc. | Q2 2018 | 2018-08-12 | C+ |
| XOM | Exxon Mobil Corporation | Q2 2018 | 2018-07-27 | C |
| TOUR | Tuniu Corporation | Q4 2017 | 2018-03-14 | D |
| HSTM | HealthStream, Inc. | Q3 2017 | 2017-10-24 | C |
| FLEX | Flex Ltd. | Q1 2018 | 2017-07-28 | F |
| DAN | Dana Incorporated | Q1 2017 | 2017-05-02 | B |
| GES | Guess?, Inc. | Q1 2017 | 2016-05-25 | F |
FLEX · Q1 2018 → YESThe question is about whether Flex Ltd is currently moving itself further up or down its own value chain by taking ownership or control of a step that someone else used to perform. YES The transcript shows Flex is actively internalizing a previously external step in the shoe manufacturing value chain by taking ownership of automation, process redesign, and end-to-end production for Nike. Management describes this as an ongoing, real-time execution: “we’re vertically integrating technologies,” “rethinking all of the whole supply process we’re applying automation technologies,” “we’ve manufactured over 1 million pairs,” and “we took over the facility in September” for Bose, with the Nike factory transition “complete by October.” They explain the value capture: the company now keeps margin it previously paid away, controls quality, cost, supply, and timing previously constrained by a counterparty, and serves customers it could not reach through the old chain. While acknowledging the ramp is early (losses persist through Q2, breakeven expected by year-end), the move is already changing what Flex earns and can do, not merely planned or contemplated. This meets all three required elements.
XOM · Q2 2018 → YESThe question is about whether ExxonMobil is currently moving itself further up or down its own value chain by taking ownership or control of a step that someone else used to perform. YES The transcript shows ExxonMobil actively internalizing logistics and supply-chain steps that previously required external partners or intermediaries. Neil Chapman explicitly states they “will get engaged in the connectivity between the Permian and our Gulf Coast refining and chemical assets,” with equity participation in logistics, the Wink terminal acquisition (closed late 2017), 11 active completion crews, and a signed letter of intent for a 1 million bpd long-haul crude pipeline. These moves are already producing results: Gulf Coast refineries are “already processing our production levels and more, capturing the benefits of disadvantaged feed cost.
KMDA · Q2 2023 → YESThe question is about whether management describes the company currently moving itself further up or down its own value chain, taking ownership of a step that someone else used to perform, and that th...YES The transcript shows management describing the 2021 acquisition of the Beaumont plasma collection center as the company's entry into U.S. plasma collection, with the explicit goal of becoming a "fully integrated specialty plasma product company." They state they are "successfully expanding" capacity at the first center (already acquired and operational) and plan to open the second in Houston in early 2024. This is presented as an active, ongoing move to internalize plasma collection that previously depended on external suppliers.