Our Reports on Stocks in the Agricultural Equipment Industry

Structure of the Agricultural Machinery Industry The agricultural machinery industry is composed of firms that make farm and construction equipment. Demand for agricultural equipment is levered to farm incomes and commodity prices, while purchases of construction equipment are dependent on global economic health. Population growth and the increasing need for food/energy are the major long-term drivers for new orders across the industry. Still, firms are competitive, capital intensive, and possess significant operating leverage. A strong/dependable brand and an expansive distribution network are keys to success. We’re neutral on the group. We’ve optimized our industrials coverage. Our reports can be found here.

Improving Our Coverage

Valuentum continues to scour the stock market for new ideas. We’ll be following the set of companies in this list via commentary on our website and a data sheet updated periodically. By Valuentum Analysts The list of companies in the download below were previously covered by our team via 16-page report and dividend report fashion. Going forward, we are now covering these companies with commentary on the website and via a data sheet updated periodically. This will be a much better use of members’ time, especially as members scour our Best Ideas Newsletter, Dividend Growth Newsletter, stock methodology, dividend methodology, and the hundreds of stock valuation reports and dividend reports on our website, available through the Symbol search box.  We … Read more

Caterpillar Crushed by Expectations for No Growth in China

Image Source: Mining.com Heavy equipment giant Caterpillar saw its share price drop significantly following its fourth quarter report January 28 as it reported disappointing bottom-line results for the quarter and announced expectations for softness in China. By Kris Rosemann Concerns regarding macroeconomic uncertainty and the impact of the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China have dominated headlines of late, and these areas, as expressed through notable company outlooks, will remain in focus throughout this earnings season. Caterpillar’s (CAT) fourth quarter report, released January 28, was no exception as its comment on the recent demand environment and forward-looking expectations were closely dissected. The market was significantly disappointed with what it found, particularly as it relates to the company’s operating … Read more

Valuentum Stock Screeners

This article was sent to members via email December 29. That email can be accessed at the link that follows this article. By Brian Nelson, CFA Hi everyone, I wanted to provide an update with respect to Valuentum’s stock screeners. We believe our stock screeners are among the most robust when it comes to providing forward-looking data, or data that is important with respect to the investment decision-making process. We publish screens in each of the monthly newsletters, but we also provide a basic weekly screener for download on the left column of the website, “Download Weekly Stock Screener (xls) — login required.”   We also have other products. The more robust DataScreener, for example, is part of the quarterly Financial … Read more

Market Mayhem — Alerts for Members

During these extremely volatile times, it’s important to stay focused. On December 15, we informed all of our members to “Pay Attention.” Shortly thereafter, we notified members of the potential for a stock market technical breakdown. This morning, we offered a pre-market briefing about the importance of thinking about portfolio protection. For Best Ideas Newsletter and Dividend Growth Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=e2406cd6-c113-4344-8731-493f33fc44a4&id=preview For High Yield Dividend Newsletter members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=b3ba530f-38b3-489a-ac96-2961dca89c6b&id=preview For Exclusive members: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1110817109903&ca=ba6d90c0-4433-48b2-9b8a-aac4ddf9006e&id=preview We’re here for any questions. Please just let us know how we can help! Kind regards, Brian Nelson, CFA  brian@valuentum.com

Deere Expects Replacement Cycle to Continue Despite Trade Tensions

Image Source: David Wright Deere & Co’s fiscal 2018 fourth quarter report included expectations for the replacement cycle for farm machinery to continue despite global trade tensions and other geopolitical uncertainty. Its equipment operations have performed well of late as it continues to ride a wave of solid demand. By Kris Rosemann Ag equipment giant Deere & Company (DE) reported fiscal 2018 fourth quarter earnings November 21, and the company continues to take advantage of the replacement cycle for farm machinery amid global trade tensions and other geopolitical uncertainty. New and innovative products are also helping drive its top line, according to management, and net sales advanced 18% in the fiscal fourth quarter on a year-over-year basis. Equipment net sales … Read more

Near-term Optimism at Caterpillar and Deere

Caterpillar and Deere serve notoriously cyclical end markets, but both companies appear to be quite optimistic with their near-term outlooks, even as trade issues weigh on their international operations. Shares of Cat yield ~2.4%, while shares of Deere yield ~1.9%. By Kris Rosemann Caterpillar Raises Guidance Despite Tariff-Related Costs With trade issues casting a shadow of uncertainty for a number of multinational corporations, stocks such as Caterpillar (CAT) have attracted a notable amount of negative attention. Caterpillar’s operations source material amounts of inputs that are subject to tariffs, and the company serves markets and regions that may be most impacted by global trade tensions. Caterpillar is taking the pressure in stride, however. During in its second quarter report, released July … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending August 10

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending August 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 2 Global (JCOM): now $0.425 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.415. Atlantica Yield (AY): now $0.34 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.32. Badger Meter (BMI): now $0.15 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.13. Barclays (BCS): now $0.1276 per share semi-annual dividend, was $0.1095. Black Stone Minerals (BSM): now $0.3375 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.3125. Blue Hills Bancorp (BHBK): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Valuentum’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Distribution

The weighted average cost of capital is one of the most subjective measures in corporate finance, but it is also one of the most important ones. “The most important item over time in valuation is obviously interest rates…If interest rates are destined to be at low levels…It makes any stream of earnings from investments worth more money. The bogey is always what government bonds yield….Any investment is worth all the cash you’re going to get out between now and judgment day discounted back. The discounting back is affected by whether you choose interests rates like those of Japan or interest rates like those we had in 1982…When we had 15 percent short-term rates in 1982, it was silly to pay … Read more

Study: Valuentum’s Best Ideas Newsletter Portfolio

To read the study, please click on the image to download the pdf document (pdf).