High Yield: Diversified Refiner Phillips 66 A Good Replacement for Broad Consumer Staples Exposure

Image Source: Phillips 66 Investor Update May 2022 By Valuentum Analysts Phillips 66 (PSX) is a top-notch operator in the downstream space with impressive refining and petrochemical assets supported by various midstream operations. Its investment-grade credit rating (A3/BBB+), with stable outlooks, better enables Phillips 66 to tap capital markets at attractive rates, something that we especially like when considering new ideas in the high yield dividend arena. A growing global middle class and a growing global population supports Phillip 66’s longer term outlook for refined product demand. We like the company as one of our newest high yield dividend considerations. Phillips 66’s near-term outlook is supported by the ongoing recovery in the global thirst for refined petroleum and petrochemical products as … Read more

High-Yielding CubeSmart Is A Compelling Income Generation Idea

Image Source: CubeSmart – June 2022 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan The self-storage industry is home to several of our favorite income generation ideas due to the ability for companies operating in this space to generate substantial free cash flows after covering their total dividend obligations. Due to the favorable tax regime, most of these firms tend to be structured as real estate investment trusts (‘REITs’). CubeSmart (CUBE) is a self-storage REIT that is entirely focused on the U.S. market, and we include shares of CUBE as an idea in the High Yield Dividend Newsletter portfolio. As of this writing, shares of CUBE yield ~4.0%, and our fair value estimate for the firm stands at $56 per share, well above where shares of CUBE … Read more

Nike’s Gross Margin Falls, Inventory Leaps in Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022

Image Source: Valuentum By Valuentum Analysts Very few other companies, if any other, have built such deep, personal connections with the consumer as Nike, Inc. (NKE) has, let alone the tremendous brand strength, and its endorsement deal with LeBron James gives it yet another top-notch globally marketable superstar. Nike’s annual free cash flows averaged ~$4.0 billion from fiscal 2019-2021, versus its ~$1.6 billion in dividend obligations in fiscal 2021, and it had a solid net cash position on the books at the end of fiscal 2022. The sustained strength seen at its digital and direct-to-consumer operations supports Nike’s outlook. Nike’s Dividend Cushion ratio is impressive; however, its ~1.1% dividend yield is relatively modest. From its namesake to Jordan Brand to … Read more

Valuentum’s Dividend Growth Strategy ‘Outperforming’

Image: The Valuentum Dividend Growth strategy has delivered thus far in 2022. With the S&P 500, as measured by the SPY, down 18.1% (negative 18.1%) thus far in 2022 and the S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) down 6.7% (negative 6.7%), the Valuentum dividend growth strategy, as measured by the hypothetical performance of the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio (as shown above), is down an estimated 4.6% (negative 4.6%) so far in 2022, all on a price-only basis. Though two percentage points better than the S&P High Yield Dividend Dividend Aristocrats Index doesn’t seem like much, the large cap tilt of the simulated Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio makes such “outperformance” significant and material. The benefits of a dividend growth strategy, in general, have also … Read more

Best Idea Korn Ferry Enters New Fiscal Year on a High Note

Image Shown: Best idea Korn Ferry posted a stellar fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 earnings report with several of its core financial metrics reaching all-time highs. The firm also issued out favorable near term guidance in conjunction with its latest earnings update. We continue to be huge fans of the global management consulting firm. Image Source: Korn Ferry – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2022 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan On June 22, global management consulting firm Korn Ferry (KFY) reported fourth quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended April 30, 2022) that smashed past both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The firm also raised its dividend 15% sequentially to $0.15 per share or $0.60 on an annualized basis in … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of June 24

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending June 24. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week      AMEN Properties (AMEN): now $10.00 per share quarterly dividend, was $7.50. Conifex Timber (CFXTF): now CAD 0.20 per share special dividend. Darden Restaurants (DRI): now $1.21 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.10. First Farmers Financial (FFMR): now $0.42 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.40. Healthcare Trust 7.125% PFD SER B (HTIBP): now $0.4453 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.4206. Horizon Bancorp (HBNC): now $0.16 per share … Read more

Register for This Educational Webinar Series!

June 23, 2022 Image: Valuentum’s Brian Nelson sharing his investment knowledge with individual investors. Nelson is hosting a multi-part online education webinar where, in addition to teaching financial statement analysis, he will show how to use the discounted cash-flow model on companies of your choosing. An unparalleled learning experience — where you get to pick the date/time and part of the content (models)! Last chance to book this event. Register Today!   Ask Nelson any question you want as he walks through and populates a discounted cash-flow model of YOUR VERY OWN CHOOSING! — Lifelong learning is something our firm holds dear. — Part of our corporate mission is to serve the needs of investors of all types. Having trained and mentored dozens … Read more

Dividend Growth Idea Oracle Showing Serious Growth Momentum

Image Source: Oracle Corporation – September 2019 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan On June 13, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) reported fourth quarter earnings for fiscal 2022 (period ended May 31, 2022) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. The tech giant also provided favorable constant currency revenue growth guidance for its cloud businesses for fiscal 2023. Shares of ORCL initially surged higher in the wake of its latest earnings report before drifting modestly lower along the decline in broader equity markets. We include Oracle as an idea in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio and shares of ORCL yield ~1.9% as of this writing. Quarterly Update In the fiscal fourth quarter, Oracle’s GAAP revenues grew by 5% year-over-year and were up … Read more

Consumer Staples Struggling with Higher Inflationary Costs, Group Hits 52-Week Lows

Image: The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has notched a new 52-week low, and investors should note that we don’t think consumer staples entities are immune to an environment of higher inflation, where their price increases may not be fully absorbed by the consumer. Due to the commoditization of many of the goods produced in the consumer staples space, we think the consumer may instead trade down to off-brands or white label (“store brand”) products than pay up for branded merchandise. By Brian Nelson, CFA On June 10, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its Consumer Price Index Summary for May showing inflation continues at an elevated pace, “with the indexes for shelter, gasoline, and food being the largest … Read more

The Stock Market Is Nearing Technical Support Levels

Image: This year has been a difficult one for equity investors, but the selling pressure that has been common in the markets may start to slow as broader indices such as the S&P 500 begin to approach technical support levels. On the S&P 500, we think there is substantial technical support in the 3,200-3,500 range, which to us suggests that further near-term downside may be limited. The S&P 500 closed at 3,674.84 on Friday, June 17, and we think fair value is much higher. By Brian Nelson, CFA  It’s been difficult to watch the stock market give up much of the gains reaped over the past year or so during the selling barrage that has occurred thus far in 2022. … Read more