US Dividends Aristocrats thread

[Mr. Wood]

Johnson & Johnson discontinues talc-based baby powder in US and Canada
MAY 19 2020

Johnson’s Baby Powder represents approximately 0.5% of the company’s total U.S. sales in its consumer unit, according to the company.

J&J relaunched its iconic namesake baby product line in 2018 to reverse a decline in J&J’s baby care unit. While trusted for decades, the brand had fallen out of touch with consumers, namely millennial moms, who opted instead for cleaner, natural products from trendy upstart brands.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Royal Caribbean Group Provides Business Update And Reports On First Quarter 2020
May 20, 2020

The Company also continues to take future bookings for 2020, 2021 and 2022, and receive new customer deposits and final payments on these bookings.

The Company estimates its cash burn to be, on average, in the range of approximately $250 million to $275 million per month during a prolonged suspension of operations. This range includes ongoing ship operating expenses, administrative expenses, debt service expense, hedging costs, expected necessary capital expenditures (net of committed financings in the case of newbuilds) and excludes cash refunds of customer deposits as well as cash inflows from new and existing bookings. The Company is considering ways to further reduce the average monthly requirement under a further prolonged out-of-service scenario and during start-up of operations.

 

[Mr. Wood]

The Best Casino Stocks Now, Ranked In Order
Updated on May 21st, 2020

1. Las Vegas Sands (LVS)
2. Melco Resorts (MLCO)
3. MGM Resorts (MGM)
4. Wynn Resorts (WYNN)

We believe Las Vegas Sands is the top casino stock right now, due to its high expected rate of return over the next five years, but also its strong balance sheet. This means it is likely that the company will easily navigate through the ongoing coronavirus crisis and will enjoy a strong recovery whenever the headwind disappears from the horizon.

While we expect the coronavirus crisis to end later this year, no one is absolutely sure when this crisis will end. To provide a perspective for the severity of the downturn, all the U.S. casino companies asked Congress for emergency financial help, as several industries have been impacted by coronavirus. Certain gaming regions like Las Vegas are preparing to reopen, which would be a major positive step for the casinos.

That said, casino operators will likely see profits evaporate and report significant losses, at least for one quarter but potentially for 2020. There is also the potential for further dividend cuts or suspensions across the industry, if the crisis continues for the remainder of 2020.

It is thus critical for investors to make sure that their companies can easily endure a prolonged crisis without being devastated. Therefore, the superior balance sheet of Las Vegas Sands is a crucial parameter and helps explain the fact that the market has punished Las Vegas Sands much less than its peers in the ongoing downturn.

never bet against the house. but why bet when u can be the house's shareholder?

 

[Mr. Wood]

Hormel Foods Reports Second Quarter Results
May 21, 2020

Volume of 1.2 billion lbs., up 4%; organic volume up 7%
Record net sales of $2.4 billion, up 3%; organic net sales up 6%
Pretax earnings of $286 million, down 10%; down 5% to adjusted pretax earnings last year primarily due to lower investment income
Operating margin of 12.1%, compared to 13.3% last year
Effective tax rate of 20.6%, compared to 11.1% last year
Diluted earnings per share of $0.42, down 19%; down 9% to adjusted diluted earnings per share last year
Cash flow from operations of $360 million, up 102%
Operating free cash flow of $280 million, up 115%

In the second quarter, the company absorbed approximately $20 million in incremental supply chain costs primarily related to lower production volumes, employee bonuses and enhanced safety measures in its production facilities. The company expects to absorb another $60-$80 million in the second half of the year, weighted primarily to the third quarter. The majority of the increased costs are expected to be temporary.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Foot Locker, Inc. Reports 2020 First Quarter Results
May 22, 2020

- Company in a Solid Financial Position; Cash and Cash Equivalents Over $1 Billion
- Board Temporarily Suspends Quarterly Dividend to Preserve Financial Flexibility

borrowing $330 million under the Company's $400 million credit facility; limiting capital expenditures to essential projects and reducing the full year capital expenditure forecast by 50% to $138 million; minimizing non-essential spending, including reductions in marketing, extending payment terms, limiting rent payments, and reducing merchandise purchases; and reducing salaries and deferring incentive compensation for the CEO and senior executives.

looks like wise spending.

First Quarter Results
The Company reported a net loss of $98 million, or $0.93 per share, for the first quarter of 2020, compared to net income of $172 million, or $1.52 per share in the corresponding prior-year period.

Total first quarter sales decreased 43.4 percent, to $1,176 million, compared to sales of $2,078 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, total sales for the first quarter of 2020 decreased 42.9 percent. First quarter comparable-store sales decreased 42.8 percent.

The Company's gross margin rate decreased to 23.0 percent from 33.2 percent a year ago and the SG&A expense rate increased to 26.9 percent from 20.0 percent in the first quarter of 2019. The deleverage for both gross margin and SG&A reflects the significant decline in sales due to the COVID-19 related store closures.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Flowers Foods Increases Quarterly Dividend
May 21, 2020

This is the 71st consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the company …. This action increases the annualized dividend rate to $0.80 per share from $0.76 per share at this time last year.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Facebook Shops enabling retailers to sell directly to consumers/

25/05/2020

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg says Shops will be free for businesses to access.

“Our business model here is ads, so rather than charge businesses for Shops, we know that Shops are valuable for businesses. They’re going to – in general – bid more for ads and we’ll eventually make money that way.”

can make money frm ads anot I dunno. but I like the way he is helping businesses.
maga

 

[Mr. Wood]

2020 List of Agriculture Stocks (+The 10 Best Agriculture Stocks Now)

Updated on May 22nd, 2020

#10: Fresh Del Monte Produce (FDP)
#9: AGCO Corporation (AGCO)
#8: Bunge Limited (BG)
#7: The Mosaic Company (MOS)
#6: Calavo Growers (CGRW)
#5: Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG)
#4: CF Industries Holdings (CF)
#3: Deere & Company (DE)
#2: Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)
#1: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

The agriculture industry is a compelling place to look for long-term stock investments. That’s because the demand drivers of the industry make it extremely likely to be around far into the future.

We believe the 10 stocks examined in this article are the best within the industry. Of these, Caterpillar, Deere & Company, and Archer-Daniels-Midland stand above the rest from a quality perspective thanks to their size, strength, and long-term dividend growth potential.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZKueAsL6moSRi_ayCvTCzp2NCAuMKox6

 

[Mr. Wood]

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2020 RESULTS

May 27, 2020

YTD 2020 Compared to YTD 2019

Net income of $4,990 million down 22%
Diluted EPS of $3.40 down 22%
ROE of 12.5% down 460 bps

Our capital position remained robust, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 11.7%. We also had a strong average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 130%.

 

[Mr. Wood]

News Releases
BMO Financial Group Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results
May 27, 2020

"While the full scope and scale of the economic and social impact of the pandemic remains uncertain, we have never been better positioned to face these challenges. We entered this crisis from a position of strength, with good operating momentum across our diverse businesses, strong capital and liquidity, a strong record of performance in risk management, disciplined expense management and long history of overcoming challenges together with our customers.

Year-to-Date 2020 Compared With Year-to-Date 2019:

Net income of $2,281 million, compared with $3,007 million; adjusted net income of $2,332 million, compared with $3,060 million
Reported EPS2 of $3.37, compared with $4.54; adjusted EPS1,2 of $3.45, compared with $4.62
Revenue, net of CCPB3, of $11,492 million, compared with $11,243 million
Provision for credit losses of $1,467 million, compared with $313 million
ROE of 9.2%, compared with 13.6%; adjusted ROE1 of 9.4%, compared with 13.9%

 

[Mr. Wood]

if anything to go by, a lot of banks expect to see loses and higher provision for loses in 2Q.

 

[Mr. Wood]

June coming. Any last requests for analysis report frm gurufocus?
subscription ending nxt mth

 

[Mr. Wood]

Boeing is laying off close to 7,000 employees this week as coronavirus pandemic hurts demand
MAY 27 2020

The aircraft manufacturer previously said it is seeking to reduce its head count by 10% through voluntary and involuntary separations from the company. Boeing said in its 2019 annual report that it had more than 160,000 employees.

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Production
May 27, 2020

During the temporary suspension of production that began in January, mechanics and engineers collaborated to refine and standardize work packages in each position of the factory. New kitting processes will also ensure that employees have everything they need at their fingertips to build the airplane.

“The steps we’ve taken in the factory will help drive our goal of 100 percent quality for our customers while supporting our ongoing commitment to workplace safety,” said Scott Stocker, vice president of 737 Manufacturing.

The 737 program will gradually ramp up production this year.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Dollar General Corporation Reports First Quarter 2020 Results
28 May 2020

Net Sales Increased 27.6%; Same-Store Sales Increased 21.7%
Operating Profit Increased 69.2% to $866.8 million
Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) Increased 73.0% to $2.56
Cash Flows From Operations Increased 202.4% to $1.7 billion
Company Issued $1.5 Billion of Senior Notes
Board of Directors Declares Second Quarter 2020 Cash Dividend of $0.36 per share

To demonstrate continued appreciation for the exceptional efforts of employees, and to further safeguard the well-being of its team members and customers, Dollar General took the following actions during the quarter:

Awarded approximately $60 million in appreciation bonuses to front-line workers
Temporarily adjusted benefits and leave policies, including offering additional paid time off for those who received a COVID-19 diagnosis or who were required to care for an immediate family or household member who received a COVID-19 diagnosis, and an additional enrollment period for Telehealth services
Provided masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to employees in stores and distribution centers
Implemented social distancing measures inside stores and distribution center common areas
Initiated installation of plexiglass barriers at checkout registers (now completed throughout the chain)
Reduced store operating hours to allow for additional time to clean and re-stock shelves
Dedicated a “senior” hour every day for the most vulnerable community members to shop
Donated $250,000 to the Dollar General Employee Assistance Foundation
Provided discounts for first responders, medical personnel, and National Guard members

good management not only no need to retrench, but oso protects its staff.

 

[Mr. Wood]

United COO to step down
May 27, 2020

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) tells employees in a letter that COO Greg Hart will step back from his current role as planned to focus on critical medium and long term issues, including safety.

now den focus on safety? wht dis COO doing?

 

[anytime]

if anything to go by, a lot of banks expect to see loses and higher provision for loses in 2Q.

Hi Mr. Wood, thank you for the sharing.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Bill Gates’ Stock Portfolio: Every Holding Analyzed
May 28th, 2020

Stocks are listed in order of the portfolio’s largest positions to smallest positions.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
Waste Management (WM)
Canadian National Railway (CNI)
Walmart (WMT)
Caterpillar (CAT)
Crown Castle International (CCI)
Ecolab (ECL)
United Parcel Service (UPS)
FedEx (FDX)
Schrodinger, Inc. (SDGR)
Coca-Cola FEMSA SAB (KOF)
Apple, Inc. (AAPL)
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)
Alibaba (BABA)
Grupo Televisa SAB (TV)
Liberty Global plc (LBTYK)
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Alphabet (GOOG)
Liberty Global plc (LBTYA)
Arcos Dorados Holdings (ARCO)
Twitter, Inc. (TWTR)
Liberty Latin America Ltd. (LILAK)
Liberty Latin America Ltd. (LILA)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l4T37_gsBo1_FzlxbMb1N4xQgCFJN-N-/view?usp=sharing

 

[Mr. Wood]

The Templeton Letter
August 8, 1958

The influences on stock prices are so numerous and so complex that no person has ever been able to predict the trend of stock prices with consistent success.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Updated Mar 2020
BRK.A
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-8b6hQHtOaqJmPmaBeps2JtxinNJmxUh/view

TSLA
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dV4gu-9jhN_wke8y3iR9rndzowO9L_UD/view

FB
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KbIWHvT0J_tP-M8aHhhe6EoPZRPMeZNk/view

PEP
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_v_nRJZ3EoPuJZDs15MPJY-k12GlXpyj/view

V
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ySVxhRmYssh6Y7SFLbM5OKlIwoqAumOa/view

MSFT
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wcdDlKPundeOqvG9Fk_C3HRKhShZImb3/view

WM
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17NgrQeh2G9FCRIZ_1oMxMbrsbq1NRYd1/view?usp=sharing

WYNN
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aeNXxn89lxu1Ct2z1GZBDj6FUdAjxG8T/view

 

[Mr. Wood]

https://youtu.be/aSwU8d3roPM?t=2835

go to 47min++ for the conclusion

"dun trust chinese numbers"