The Real Reason Why Moats Matter

  Image Source: Ray in Manila Valuentum: We’re here today with Valuentum’s President of Investment Research Brian Nelson to talk about the concept of an economic moat. You think the concept of an economic moat is one of the most misunderstood topics in finance. Can you elaborate? Nelson: Sure, of course. An economic moat was first coined by the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, to describe significant and sustainable competitive advantages. Now, if you ask any business, they’re going to tell you that they have an economic moat of some sort, whether it’s some low-cost position or intangible asset or an impenetrable network effect. Investors today are at a disadvantage of misinformation given just how widespread the term moat or … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week May 6

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 6. 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 Financial (AFG): now $8.00 per share special dividend, was $0.56. Amerigo Resources (ARREF): now CAD 0.03 per share quarterly dividend. Arbor Realty Trust (ABR): now $0.38 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.37. Arc Resources (AETUF): Now CAD 0.12 per share quarterly dividend, was CAD 0.10. Barrick Gold (GOLD): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.10. Baxter (BAX): now $0.29 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Cisco Rallies Big Time!

Image shown: Performance of the S&P 500 (SPY) since August 2017. As US equities continue their newly-found volatility, let’s take a look at some recent earnings reports and other developments around the markets. Cisco, the workhorse of both simulated newsletter portfolios, put up a fantastic report and upped its dividend. Berkshire continues to love Apple, and we maintain the view that the 10-year Treasury rate may be the greatest determinant of how well stocks perform in the coming decades. Airlines, garbage stocks, the “gas tax,” and more. By Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA Do you know how happy it makes us to say that Cisco (CSCO) has been a staple of both the simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and … Read more

Earnings Roundup for the Week Ended Sunday, April 19, Covering Companies Across the Board

By Callum Turcan Let’s take a look at several earnings reports across numerous industries in this article as the ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic forces the global economy to a crawl. Please note that as these reports primarily cover the first quarter of calendar year 2020, the impact of the pandemic has yet to be truly reflected in corporate earnings. That said, these reports still provide an important glimpse into what to expect going forward and how companies are responding to the pandemic. By ticker in alphabetical order: BBBY, CPSS, ISRG, LAKE, MRTN, OFLX, SCHW, TSM Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY) Shares of BBBY shot up on April 16 after reporting fourth quarter and full-year results for its fiscal 2019 … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of May 5

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 5. 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                          Allied Motion Technologies (AMOT): now $0.03 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.025. American International Group (AIG): now $0.36 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.32. Apple (AAPL): now $0.24 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.23. Arbor Realty Trust (ABR): now $0.42 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.40. ARC Resources (ARX:CA): now CAD 0.17 per share quarterly dividend, was CAD 0.15. Berry (BRY): now $0.12 per … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending May 6

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending May 6. 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 Agree Realty Corporation (ADC): now $0.48 per share quarterly dividend, was$0.465. American Campus Communities (ACC): now $0.42 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.40. AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group NV (AMVMF): now €0.11 per share semi-annual dividend, was €0.10. Ardmore Shipping (ASC): now $0.16 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.13. Artesian Resources Corporation (ARTNA): now $0.2249 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2216. Bank Mutual Corporation (BKMU): now $0.055 … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending May 11

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 11. 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 Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN): now $0.1282 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.1165. Baker Hughes (BHGE): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.12. Baxter (BAX): now $0.19 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.16. BG Staffing (BGSF): now $0.30 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.25. Brookline Bancorp (BRKL): now $0.10 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.09. Business First Bancshares (BFST): now $0.08 per share quarterly dividend, … Read more

Industrial Bellwethers A Mixed Bag: GE, BA, CAT, DE, UNP

Image Source: Caterpillar Inc – May 2022 Caterpillar Investor Day Presentation By Callum Turcan In this article, we cover the industrial landscape by digging into the recent financial and operational performance of General Electric Company (GE), Boeing Co (BA), Caterpillar Inc (CAT), Deere & Company (DE), and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP). Common themes include robust demand for their offerings, healthy order backlogs, and meaningful pricing power, though headwinds include substantial inflationary pressures, supply chain hurdles, and in certain instances, geopolitical tensions. General Electric will soon separate into three different publicly traded companies, and on a consolidated basis the firm is doing much better than years past. In 2022 and on a non-GAAP basis, General Electric is guiding for a 150+ … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending May 8

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 8. 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 Agree Realty (ADC): now $0.60 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.58. Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN): now $0.1551 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.1410. Ameriprise Financial (AMP): now $1.04 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.97. B2Gold (BTG): now $0.02 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.01. Baxter (BAX): now $0.245 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.220. Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC): now $0.485 per share quarterly dividend. Century Next … Read more

7 Hidden Dividend Aristocrats in Industrials

Image notes: The price-to-fair value ratio shows the relationship between the company’s stock price and our discounted cash-flow derived fair value estimate. Price is what you pay for the stock, while value is what you get. Price and fair value seldom equal. The savvy investor seeks to find stocks whose price is far below an informed forward-looking cash-flow-based fair value estimate of their intrinsic value. The Dividend Cushion ratio is a proprietary Valuentum measure that drives our assessment of the company’s Dividend Safety rating. The forward-looking measure assesses dividend coverage via the cash characteristics of the business. The Dividend Cushion is a ratio that sums the existing net cash (total cash less total long-term debt) a company has on hand … Read more