Dividend Increases for the Week Ending May 9

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 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 AAON (AAON): now $0.13 per share semi-annual dividend, was $0.10. Ametek (AME): now $0.09 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. Argo Group (AGII): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.15. Arsenal Energy (AEYIF): now $0.065 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. Assurant (AIZ): now $0.27 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.25. Autoliv (ALV): now $0.54 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.52. Baker Hughes (BHI): now … Read more

GE Pays Up For Fracking Exposure

Earlier this morning, The Wall Street Journal reported that GE (click ticker for report: ) will acquire oil pump manufacturer Lufkin Industries (click ticker for report: ) for a whopping $3.3 billion, or $88.50 per share in cash. Paramount to any acquisition is the price paid, and we think GE paid a hefty sum to gain exposure to the US hydraulic fracturing market, paying a 20% premium to the high-end of our fair value range and a price 38% higher than Lufkin’s closing price on Friday. We understand the attractiveness of the energy business, as well as the potential synergies from incorporating the business into GE’s existing portfolio, but paying over 25x 2013 earnings for a firm that hasn’t generated … Read more

Nelson: The 16 Most Important Steps To Understand The Stock Market

A previous version of this article appeared on our website July 21, 2013. Refreshed and updated throughout, as of July 2018. By Brian Nelson, CFA After earning my MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and training stock and credit analysts from large organizations over the past decade or so, I have heard just about every question (though I admit I am still surprised by many things and remain a very humble student of the markets). I’ve also spent years perfecting the discounted cash flow process for large research organizations such as Morningstar and studied under one of the most famed aggressive growth investors of all time, Richard Driehaus. My knowledge runs the gamut from value through … Read more

GE Hikes Payout; Digital Transformation to Benefit Income Investors

Image source: GE website Income investors cheered as Best Ideas and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolios holding General Electric (GE) raised its quarterly per share dividend $0.01, or 4%, to $0.24 per share December 9. The move is consistent with its multi-year capital allocation strategy to have a dividend payout ratio of 45%-50% and then grow the payout in line with earnings once the targeted dividend payout ratio is hit. The increase, however, reflects a payout ratio above the upper bound of management’s target ratio based on consensus estimates for 2017. We like what the payout growth signals for income-minded investors, and management looks to be set in continuing its shareholder-friendly ways beyond its planned return of $30 billion in cash … Read more

Valuentum’s Comprehensive Outlook for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices

Let’s take a deep dive into the energy sector. The best dividend growth ideas, the most likely takeout candidates and more…

Seeking Balance: What’s Happening in the Crude Oil and Iron Ore Markets

Image Source: Sollven Melindo Commodity prices are notoriously volatile as the global markets often struggle to maintain a sustainable balance of supply-demand. Let’s take a look at some recent developments and coming events that are impacting the prices of crude oil and iron ore. By Kris Rosemann We’re not rushing to add any commodity-based exposure at the moment. We have some of course – but we’re not looking to add more to the newsletter portfolios. For starters, the iron ore pricing market appears to be setting itself up for another period of pain, and we’re preaching serious levels of caution for those considering the space as iron-ore prices have already begun to descend from the peak of the puzzling early-2017 … Read more

How to Think About Corporate Tax Reform