General Electric (GE) announced a slew of major strategic initiatives today that will ultimately result in another dividend cut within 12 to 18 months. I estimate the dividend could be reduced by as much as 35%. Specifically, the company decided to spin-off its healthcare segment (23% of profits in 2017) and divest its ownership [...]
Shares of Starbucks (SBUX) dropped 9% today as investors digested the company’s disappointing update about its expected growth this quarter. Specifically, management now expects just 1% growth in global same-store sales (locations open at least a year) in the current quarter, below prior expectations for 3% growth. Additionally, Starbucks announced plans to “optimize” [...]
Have you ever wanted to receive email alerts when your holdings change their dividends, see a company's dividend yield history, track mutual funds in your portfolio, export your portfolio to a spreadsheet, or have table headers lock at the top of your screen? We've spent the last 18 months building, testing, and improving an [...]
Regulated utilities are often a core component of a conservative income portfolio thanks to their predictable earnings, generous dividends, and defensive profile. However, PPL (PPL) has been anything but defensive lately. The stock has lost 26% over the past year, including dividends. While rising interest rates have weighed on the performance high-yielding, slow-growing companies, [...]
Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) was founded in 1843 and has grown into a diversified global provider of power and hand tools, engineered fastening products, and commercial security and monitoring systems. The company sells over 500,000 products including power drills, saws, toolboxes, wrenches, fasteners, measuring tools, compressors, nail guns, outdoor power equipment, sanders, lamps, [...]
Brown-Forman (BF.B) was founded in 1870 in Louisville, Kentucky. The company was started by George Garvin Brown, a pharmaceutical salesman, and his accountant friend George Forman, with $5,500 in savings and debt. Brown-Forman has since grown to become one of the world’s dominant spirits and liquor producers, marketing numerous premium alcohol products in over [...]
Founded in 1966 in London (with roots going back to 1859), Pentair (PNR) is one of the world’s leading liquid pump, valve, and control system manufacturers with operations in over 30 countries. On May 1, 2018, the company completed the spin-off of its electrical business from its water business (which made up 57% of sales [...]
Nordson (NDSN) was founded in 1954 and manufactures products used to dispense, apply, and control adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids, to test and inspect for quality, and to treat and cure surfaces. Approximately 47% of Nordson’s revenue is recurring in the form of parts and consumables (tips, connectors, cartridges, valves, tubing, etc.), [...]
PPG Industries (PPG) was founded in 1883. Today the company is a leading supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials to customers in construction, industrial, marine, automotive, refinishing, packaging, and aerospace markets. Coatings provide protection, performance, and decoration for a wide range of products, improving their durability and marketability. Approximately 60% of PPG’s sales [...]
Founded in 1940, Air Products and Chemicals (APD) is one of the world’s largest providers of atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases), as well as process and specialty gases (hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, syngas). The company sells to over 170,000 clients operating in more than 30 industries around the world. To [...]
A.O. Smith (AOS) was founded in 1874 and manufactures residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, and water treatment products that are sold in over 60 countries around the world. The company's water heaters are sold to residences, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, laundromats, car washes, and other small businesses. It also produces [...]
Sherwin-Williams (SHW) was founded in 1866 and is the world's largest paint and coatings company, selling its products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers in over 120 countries. The firm's well known brands include Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, Dutch Boy, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Krylon, Minwax, Cabot, and Thompson’s Water Seal. Sherwin-Williams primarily serves the [...]
Founded in 1981, Roper Technologies (ROP) is a diversified industrial firm specializing in high-tech software and engineering solutions for the global healthcare, food, energy, water, education, construction, and legal industries. The company operates in four segments: RF Technology (40% of revenue, 35% of operating profit): radio frequency identification or RIFD communication technology and subscription [...]
It’s official now. The U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit to block AT&T’s (T) merger with Time Warner (TWX) was rejected by U.S. District Court Judge Leon on June 12 with no conditions attached. AT&T plans to close the $85 billion mega-merger on or before June 20, altering the company’s future trajectory, for better or worse. [...]
Founded in 1947 in New York City, Franklin Resources (BEN) is the 34th largest asset manager in the world. The firm's 9,000 employees (including about 650 investment professionals) manage over $730 billion in assets for a client base located in more than 170 nations around the globe. Franklin Resources is almost a pure play [...]