Member Articles

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending March 10

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending March 10. 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 American Tower (AMT): now $0.62 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.58. American Vanguard (AVD): now $0.015 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.01. AMERISAFE (AMSF): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.18. Avnet (AVT): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.17. Cabot Microelectronics (CCMP): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.18. Carter’s (CRI): now $0.37 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.33. CenterState Banks (CSFL): … Read more

Reflecting on Recent Report Updates: Favorites in an Overheated Market and Other Themes

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It’s been some time since we’ve updated members on our recent fair value estimate updates. Let’s take a look at the opportunities that exist in some of our favorite portfolio holdings, as well as some key themes driving recent fair value estimate changes across our coverage universe. By Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA The frothiness of the market has shown little regard for historical valuation norms, and the number of stocks moving to a 1 or 2 on the Valuentum Buying Index is growing as valuations become stretched across our coverage universe. For the first time in Valuentum’s history, there is now not one stock that registers a 9 or 10 (a top rating) on the Valuentum Buying Index. … Read more

Alert: Removing Coach; Talking Buffett, Unemployment, and Stock Market Valuations

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Image Source: DonkeyHotey There are four takeaways from this piece you must know. We’re removing Coach from the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio, Buffett may no longer be against paying a dividend at Berkshire, US unemployment now stands at 4.4%, and market valuations remain frothy. By Brian Nelson, CFA In the financial world, Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A, BRK.B) annual shareholder meeting probably received the most attention the first weekend of May, and we continue to be content with including shares of the Oracle of Omaha’s brainchild in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. Mr. Buffett, however, seems to be open to more and more ideas as the years go by, with him more recently stating that he’s no longer against paying a dividend. … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 21

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending July 21. 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 Ally Financial (ALLY): now $0.12 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.08. Bank of New York Mellon (BK): now $0.24 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.19. Bryn Mawr Bank (BMTC): now $0.22 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.21. Cambridge Bancorp (CATC): now $0.47 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.46. Citigroup (C): now $0.32 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.16. Chemical Financial (CHFC): now $0.28 per share quarterly … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 9

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending February 9. 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 Allegion (ALLE): now $0.21 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.16. Allergan (AGN): now $0.72 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.70. Allstate (ALL): now $0.46 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.37. ALPS Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP): now $0.2066 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2052. Anadarko Petroleum (APC): now $0.25 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.05. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): now $0.335 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.32. … Read more

Dropping Coverage of the Securities Research Industry

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Image Source: Andreas Poike Valuentum is dropping coverage of the securities research industry to allocate resources elsewhere. Structure of the Securities Research Industry The securities research industry has become increasingly competitive, with a large number of rivals in the individual, advisor, and institutional markets. However, barriers to success for new entrants in the individual market are incredibly high, if not impossible, while the advisor market continues to be dominated by entrenched providers with deep ties. The institutional market is shielded to new rivals thanks to talent and capital costs, offering established players an attractive position. Licensed research and data can be a high-return means of generating sustainable, recurring business. We like the group’s structure. Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) Dun & Bradstreet … Read more

Top Research and Ideas You May Have Missed

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Is Quant Value Giving Intrinsic Value Investors a Bad Name? Surely, you don’t believe Warren Buffett’s “style” is out of favor? By Brian Nelson, CFA I need to make sure that you’re aware of something very important. The media and perhaps many investment professionals define the concept of “value” as companies with low price-to-book (P/B) ratios, and the concept of “growth” as companies with high price-to-book ratios. This definition of “value” and “growth” and their corresponding returns have been magnified in writings throughout the media and across quantitative research, even in prestigious journals. Warren Buffett has been rallying against most quantitative applications and how “growth” and “value” are defined in popular media and quantitative research for decades.  Here’s one of the Oracle’s most … Read more

Lowe’s Misses, Nordstrom Buckles, Target and Best Buy Shine

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Lowe’s Misses, Nordstrom Buckles, Target and Best Buy Shine — Need short idea considerations in this tumultuous market? Consider the Exclusive publication here. We release a new short idea consideration each month, in addition to an income and capital-appreciation idea.  — East Coast friends: Brian will be available for a book signing at Headline Books booth 957 at the American Library Association Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC June 22 (more details to follow). Value Trap has been named a Next-Generation Indie Award Winner!  — By Brian Nelson, CFA — When asked about whether Valuentum is all about stock timing, I sometimes cringe. Roughly 90% of our work goes into figuring out what may be the best … Read more