Long Live Apple and Large Cap Growth!

Image: Since the release of the book Value Trap in December 2018, an ETF that tracks large cap growth (SCHG) has outperformed not only the S&P 500 (SPY), but also the areas of dividend growth (SDY) and small cap value (IWN) by sizable margins. By Brian Nelson, CFA We explained in part why we don’t like the dividends of banking firms in this note here, and we’re starting to see dividend cuts in the regional banking space, with PacWest Bancorp (PACW) as the latest banking entity to slash its quarterly payout. Right now, executives in the regional bank arena seem to be like deer caught in headlights, and we’re even seeing banking deals fall apart. The proposed deal between Toronto-Dominion … Read more

Quick Take: Fed Raises 25 Basis Points; This Banking Crisis Is Far from Over

Image: FOMC Chairman Powell answers a reporter’s question at the March 20, 2019 press conference. By Brian Nelson, CFA On March 22, 2023, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points, to the range of 4.75%-5%, a move that we think reflects a government agency that is now more or less a deer caught in headlights–given the nascent regional banking crisis in the United States. The bottom line is that the U.S. banking system does not have enough cash on hand to redeem all deposits (it never has), and with respect to U.S. banks, deposit insurance is only up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category. The U.S. public has grown concerned, and that may … Read more

Fed Might Slow After All, Bank Reports Just Okay

Image shown: The yield curve is flattening. Source: Federal Reserve Bank, St. Louis. The biggest question with Fed policy is whether the FOMC will purposefully cause an inversion in the yield curve. If it thinks the market is manipulating long rates to influence its policy, it may very well go forward with rate hikes. If it doesn’t, it may very well slow the pace of rate hikes or even pause them. The behavioral implications of a yield-curve inversion may be more significant than the inversion, itself, however. No Changes to Simulated Newsletter portfolios Brian Nelson, CFA On January 10, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, James Bullard offered a number of perspectives on 2019 monetary policy. … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending November 30

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending November 30. 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 Associated Banc-Corp (ASB): now $0.17 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.15. C&F Financial (CFFI): now $0.37 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.36. Capital Southwest (CSWC): now $0.46 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.34. Culp (CULP): now $0.10 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.09. Four Corners Property Trust (FCPT): now $0.2875 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.275. Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund (CUBA): now $0.305 per share annual … Read more

The Coming “Goldman Sachs Era”

Valuentum covers recent developments in the financials sector, including hopes for a relaxation of certain prohibitive Dodd-Frank rules that, if repealed, could pave the way for improved economic returns across the banking sector during the Trump administration. A look back at the month of September 2008, and how Goldman Sachs may very well shape the financial markets during the next few years are two other areas in the piece. Financials stocks have come roaring back since Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. We’ve participated. By Brian Nelson, CFA It’s been more than 8 years now. The month of September 2008 shaped my view of the financials and banking sector more than any other month possibly could–The … Read more

Podcast: Why ETFs and Roasting the Banks

The Valuentum analyst team talks about why we don’t like the business models of banking entities, why they are currently destroying economic value, but also why the team includes exposure in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. What gives? Find out in this ~9 minute podcast. If you cannot view the video, please view the transcript that follows. Tickerized for holdings in the exchange traded funds, XLF and KBE, and for various financials-oriented ETFs.  Kris Rosemann: Hello and welcome to the Valuentum Securities podcast. My name is Kris Rosemann Associate Investment Analyst at Valuentum. With me is Chris Araos and Brian Nelson President of Equity Research and ETF Analysis at Valuentum. Today, we are going to have a quick discussion over … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 23

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending October 23. 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 ALPS U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index ETF (HVPW): now $0.3226 per share monthly dividend, was $0.3199. ArcBest (ARCB): now $0.08 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. American Electric Power (AEP): now $0.56 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.53.  AptarGroup (ATR): now $0.30 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.28. Associated Banc-Corp (ASB): now $0.11 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.10. Bank of Marin Bancorp (BMRC): … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 28

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending October 28. 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 Abaxis (ABAX): now $0.14 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.12. AbbVie (ABBV): now $0.64 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.57. AFLAC (AFL): now $0.43 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.41. Alexander & Baldwin (ALEX): now $0.07 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. Alon USA Partners (ALDW): now $0.15 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.14. American Electric Power (AEP): now $0.59 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.56. … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 27

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending October 27. 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 1st Constitution Bancorp (FCCY): now $0.06 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.05. Abaxis (ABAX): now $0.16 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.14. AbbVie (ABBV): now $0.71 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.64. AFLAC (AFL): now $0.45 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.43. Agnico Eagle (AEM): now $0.11 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.10. Alliance Holdings (AHGP): now $0.735 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.73. Alliance Resource … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 9

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