DPS

Coca-Cola Remains Strong; Green Mountain Deal Shakes Up Beverage Industry

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Though many investors are focused on the relatively weak global volume performance in Coca-Cola’s (KO) fourth-quarter results, released February 18, we’re not worried about the beverage giant’s fundamental strength. Excluding the impact of structural changes, comparable currency-neutral net revenues advanced 4% in the period, while comparable currency-neutral operating income jumped 6%, in line with its long-term growth target. Comparable currency-neutral earnings per share jumped 7% in the fourth quarter, roughly in-line with the full-year pace. This isn’t terrible performance by any stretch of the imagination, and the company continues to achieve global value share gains in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages. Coca-Cola’s cash flow from operations declined modestly during the year, but greater scrutiny with respect to capital spending facilitated free cash flow … Read more

Three Reasons Why Dividend Growth Investors Are Quite Savvy

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A version of this article appeared on our website on October 1, 2013. There are many different approaches to investing, but we think dividend growth investors are quite savvy, especially when they combine a rigorous dividend growth process in the form of the Valuentum Dividend Cushion ratio with the valuation rigors behind the Valuentum Buying Index. Let’s examine the three reasons why we think dividend growth investors are a smart group in the age of ultra-low interest rates. #1. Fool Me Once, Shame on You…Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me Today’s dividend growth crowd has seen enough. First, they witnessed the dot-com bubble (1997-2000), a period in stock market history where firms’ stock prices soared in some cases as a result … Read more

Portion Packs Still in Strong Demand at Green Mountain; Free Cash Flow Surges in Fiscal 2013

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On Thursday, Green Mountain (GMCR) reported excellent fiscal fourth-quarter results. Fourth-quarter revenue advanced 22% from the same period a year ago (52-to-52 weeks) thanks to robust brewer sales and portion pack revenue growth (up 11% and 21%, respectively, as adjusted). The 21% increase in portion packs revenue was driven by a 26% increase in unit volume offset by pricing and mix. Portion packs revenue accounted for 74.2% of total net sales in the fiscal fourth quarter. The company’s gross margin expanded 240 basis points during the quarter, to 36%, thanks primarily to favorable green coffee costs and lower labor and overhead manufacturing costs. Non-GAAP operating income advanced to 18.2% of sales in the period from 16.4% in last year’s quarter. … Read more

Surveying the Cola Companies’ Third-Quarter Results

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Coca-Cola (KO) On Tuesday, Coca-Cola (click ticker for report: ) announced decent third-quarter results that showed global volume expansion and share gains in North America for both the sparkling and still-beverage categories. Though reported revenue declined 3% in the period, revenue – adjusted for structural changes and currency – advanced 4% in the quarter. Likewise, comparable currency-neutral operating income jumped 8%, driving comparable earnings per share growth of 4%. Free cash flow generation of $6.1 billion year-to-date represents 17% of sales. Coca-Cola Americas grew volume 1% in both the quarter and year to date, with North America volume up 2% and Latin America volume even in the quarter. Coca-Cola International grew volume 3% in both the quarter and year to … Read more

The Valuentum Dividend100 Publication; A Must-Have For Any Income Investor

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Dividend investors literally have thousands of income stocks to choose from. So what are they to do, and where can they go for the most trusted forward-looking opinions on dividend growth and safety? That’s the question we seek to answer with our ValuentumDividend100 publication. In this document, we showcase the top 100 high-quality, dividend growth gems within our coverage universe. Whether you’re looking to build a portfolio consisting of high-yielding, dividend-growers or simply seeking to augment it with a few income gems, the Valuentum Dividend100 is an essential resource for any income investor. We outline some of the key components of our Dividend100 publication below, and explain how you can get the most from each of one Sign Up for … Read more

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

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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

How to Think About Corporate Tax Reform

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There Is Milk At The Store

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This article first appeared in the September edition of the High Yield Dividend Newsletter. For more information about this publication, please see here. “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” — Winston Churchill By Brian Nelson, CFA Very few of us could have imagined that we’d witness the bull market that began on that fateful day in March 2009 that might very well mark a generational low. In 2009, major investment banks around the globe were struggling to survive, and the fallout in the mortgage markets left the banks holding paper that nobody wanted to own, let alone buy. The global financial system … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 7

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending February 7. 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 3M (MMM): now $1.47 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.44. Activision Blizzard (ATVI): now $0.41 per share annual dividend, was $0.37. Aflac (AFL): now $0.28 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.27. Allegion (ALLE): now $0.32 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.27. Amdocs (DOX): now $0.3275 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2850. Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term (FINS): now $0.1112 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1097. … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 12

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Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending February 12. 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 AGL Resources, Inc. (GAS): now $0.53 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.51. Allstate (ALL): now $0.33 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.30. American International Group (AIG): now $0.32 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.28. Aubum National Bancorporation (AUBN): now $0.225 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.22. Bank of Botetourt (BORT): now $0.12 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.10. Canadian General Investments, Limited (CGRIF): now C$0.16 per … Read more