Trump’s Tariffs Ignite Concerns about Protectionism, Rising Input Costs

Image Source: Michael Vadon President Trump is making true on his promises to protect the domestic steel and aluminum industries. Input costs may move higher for many global industrials, and the long-term implications of protectionist policy will be tested. We’re not expecting retaliation, but we can’t rule it out either. Rising rates remain our primary concern. Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA If rising interest rates aren’t enough to give the market heartburn, President Trump announced March 1 that he will impose tariffs on the importation of steel and aluminum to the tune of 25% and 10%, respectively, citing national security concerns. Steel and aluminum stocks rallied hard on the news, but it left many of its industrial brethren under … Read more

Buffett’s Berkshire, Corporate Buybacks on Pace for Record; Lithium, Steel Prices on the Move

Image Source: Berkshire Hathaway, Shareholder Letter (2017). “Fifteen common stock investments at year end that had the largest market value.” “The less the prudence with which others conduct their affairs, the greater the prudence with which we must conduct our own.” – Warren Buffett, Shareholder Letter (2017) By Kris Rosemann and Brian Nelson, CFA Simulated Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio holding Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A, BRK.B) fourth-quarter results didn’t disappoint, and commentary from the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, was at its finest in the company’s Shareholder Letter. The letter was chock full of insights, from an emphasis on normalized earnings power, to buying stocks at a “sensible purchase price,” to warning about the dangers of “purchasing frenzy” with respect to M&A, … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of December 8

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending December 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                          Albany (AIN): now $0.26 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.25. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE): now $1.27 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.24. AltaGas Ltd. (ATGFF): now CAD 0.2975 per share quarterly dividend, was CAD 0.28. Avis Budget (CAR): now $10.00 per share special dividend. Balchem (BCPC): now $0.79 per share annual dividend, was $0.71. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): now $0.60 per share quarterly dividend, … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending May 5

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered 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 American Campus Communities (ACC): now $0.44 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.42. Ameriprise Financial (AMP): now $0.83 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.75. Apple (AAPL): now $0.63 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.57. Arbor Realty Trust (ABR): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.17. Artesian Resources (ARTNA): now $0.2317 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2283. Barnes Group (B): now $0.14 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of May 3

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending May 3. 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                          Aena S.M.E., S.A. (ANYYY): now $0.621 per share annual dividend, was $0.360. Aker BP ASA (AKRBY): now $0.174 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.173. American International Group (AIG): now $0.40 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.36. American Water Works (AWK): now $0.7650 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.7075. Apollo Global Management (APO): now $0.4625 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.4300. Apple Inc. (AAPL): now … Read more

Dividend Aristocrat Albemarle Bets Big on Lithium

Image Source: Albemarle Corporation – May 2021 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan  Dividend Aristocrat Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is a specialty chemicals company with three core business operating segments; ‘Lithium’ (primarily used for battery storage solutions), ‘Catalysts’ (primarily used in the oil refining industry), and ‘Bromine Specialties’ (primarily used as flame retardants). The company is focused on aggressively growing its lithium derivatives operations going forward, Albemarle’s largest in terms of revenues and most profitable in terms of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA performance. Let’s learn more about this fascinating company. Image Shown: An overview of Albemarle’s business profile. Image Source: Albemarle – May 2021 IR Presentation Lithium Prices Are on the Rise During the final quarter of 2020, Albemarle sold its economic stake … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of December 9

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending December 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                Abbott Laboratories (ABT): now $0.51 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.47. ABM Industries (ABM): now $0.22 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.195. AGNC Investment Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (AGNCN): now $0.5743 per share quarterly dividend was $0.4375. Albany (AIN): now $0.25 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.21. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE): now $1.21 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.18. AltaGas … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week of July 14

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending July 14. 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                          Acerinox (ANIOY): Now $0.1159 per share quarterly dividend. Aker BP (AKRBF): now $0.55 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.54. Alstom ADR (ALSMY): now $0.0274 per share annual dividend. Ameren Illinois Company PFD 4.08% (AILIH): now $1.02 per share quarterly dividend. Ameren Illinois Company PFD 4.20% (AILIP): now $1.05 per share quarterly dividend. Ameren Illinois Company PFD 4.25% (AILLO): now $1.062 per share quarterly dividend. … Read more