US Dividends Aristocrats thread

[Mr. Wood]

T-Mobile Names Peter Osvaldik as Un-carrier’s new Chief Financial Officer; Announces Retirement of CFO Braxton Carter
June 17, 2020

“Peter brings his proven leadership capabilities and strong financial acumen into this position at a critical time in the Un-carrier’s history, as we manage the significant complexities and huge opportunities inherent in this next chapter, integrating Sprint and delivering on the financial potential of the new T-Mobile,” said T-Mobile Chief Executive Officer Mike Sievert. “As a Team Magenta executive officer and leader for nearly five years and with financial leadership roles at companies prior to T-Mobile, Peter has both a deep knowledge of T-Mobile and significant financial expertise that have made him a key contributor to the outstanding results we’ve seen over the last few years.”

 

[Mr. Wood]

Monthly Dividend Stock In Focus: Cross Timbers Royalty Trust
Updated on June 17th, 2020

Cross Timbers gives investors a unique way to play potentially higher oil and gas prices in the future, all while realizing monthly income along the way. At the same time, there are risks and unique characteristics that investors should take into account before buying shares of a royalty trust.

Cross Timbers is a micro-cap, meaning it is more volatile and thinly-traded than larger companies. It is also a royalty trust, which carries its own risks.

Finally, Cross Timbers is not a long-term ‘sleep well at night’ dividend growth stock. Future results are dependent upon oil and gas prices and the true amount of reserves in the properties it has interests in.

As a result, Cross Timbers is only a recommended stock for investors who accept the risks of royalty trusts and micro-caps.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Kroger Reports First Quarter 2020 Results and Provides Update on COVID-19 Response
June 18, 2020

we have made significant investments over the last several years to establish a seamless digital ecosystem, strengthen Our Brands and our personalization capabilities, and to enhance product freshness and quality. These investments helped Kroger deliver improved results in 2019, a strong start to the quarter, and very much came to the forefront as we provided our customers with the fresh food and essentials they have needed during the pandemic.

Kroger's capital allocation strategy is to use its adjusted free cash flow to invest in the business and drive profitable growth while also maintaining its current investment grade debt rating and returning capital to shareholders. The company actively balances the use of its adjusted free cash flow to achieve these goals.

Kroger's net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio is 1.81, compared to 2.54 a year ago. The company's net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio target range is 2.30 to 2.50. Kroger held temporary cash investments of approximately $2.3 billion as of the end of the quarter, reflecting improved operating performance and significant improvement in working capital.

 

[Mr. Wood]

PepsiCo Brands: All 23 Billion Dollar Brands Examined
June 19th, 2020

PepsiCo’s Growth Prospects
PepsiCo continues to perform well on a fundamental basis. On 4/28/2020, PepsiCo reported earnings results for the first quarter. Adjusted earnings-per-share increased 10.3% to $1.07, $0.04 ahead of estimates. Revenue increased 7.7% to $13.9 billion, $680 million higher than expected. Organic growth was 7.9% for the quarter.

Every business segment and region had at least mid-single-digit organic growth. Food and snacks had 5.5% organic volume growth while beverages added 6%. PepsiCo Beverages North America was higher by 6%, the seventh consecutive quarter of growth for this segment. The impact of COVID-19 negatively impacted the away-from-home sales, but pantry stockpiling more than made up for this.

Frito-Lay North America reported a very solid 7% growth rate for the most recent quarter. Quaker Foods North America, which has been a headwind for PepsiCo over the past few years, also had 7% organic growth. This segment benefited from more consumption at home as consumers stayed home related to COVID-19. The company stated that organic growth was higher than expected due to consumers purchasing items ahead of stay-at-home orders.

PepsiCo grew earnings at a rate of 4.2% per year from 2010-2017. Due to company’s organic growth guidance, we have increased our expected earnings-per-share growth to 5.5% from 4% through 2025. PepsiCo‘s growth over this time period will accrue from sales growth and share repurchases.

PepsiCo’s portfolio of high quality brands in the slow changing food and beverage industry makes the company extremely stable. PepsiCo’s size and advertising strength will very likely see the company add more billion dollar brands in the future.

 

[Mr. Wood]

4 Ways to Avoid Companies Making Dividend Cuts

• Earnings
• Payout ratio
• Financial strength
• Commitment

 

[Mr. Wood]

3 Berkshire Hathaway Stocks for Value and Income
June 18, 2020

#1: The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
Dividend Yield: 3.6%
#2: American Express (AXP)
Dividend Yield: 1.7%
#3: Bank of America (BAC)
Dividend Yield: 2.9%

Final Thoughts
The U.S. stock market has come a long way from the lows of 2020, but markets remain extremely volatile. For investors unnerved by the U.S. economy entering a recession and heightened stock market volatility, quality dividend stocks should be in focus. Coca-Cola, American Express, and Bank of America are three high-quality dividend stocks that are a major part of Berkshire Hathaway’s investment portfolio. These three stocks should remain profitable and continue to pay their dividends even with the U.S. economy in recession, thanks to their competitive advantages and wide economic moats.

personally, I prefer V to AXP

 

[Mr. Wood]

Apple doubles down on controversial decision to reject email app Hey
Jun 18, 2020

It also says it declined to publish the Mac version of the app in its App Store, echoing Apple’s earlier admission that it should never have approved an iOS version of the Hey app in the first place.

The fight comes at precarious time for Apple. The company is about to host its annual developer conference next week in a virtual format. It’s also now facing down two antitrust investigations in the European Union launched after Spotify and other firms lodged complaints against Apple over its 30 percent “Apple tax” and the threats Apple’s App Store processes may pose to competitive markets.

Following a series of outspoken tweets and interviews from Basecamp co-founder and Chief Technology Officer David Heinemeier Hansson, in which Heinemeier Hansson called Apple “gangsters,” other companies like game developer Epic and Tinder parent company Match Group have come out in support of Hey.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Microsoft will shut down Mixer on July 22, transition users to Facebook Gaming
JUNE 22, 2020

Microsoft also said it will provide the Project xCloud streaming games service to Facebook Gaming players, enabling them to play high-end games on any device via streaming technology. The move is a blow to Microsoft’s attempt to compete with Amazon’s Twitch and Google’s YouTube services, but the partnership with Facebook could broaden the reach for its gaming services.

one big family


Microsoft acquires CyberX to accelerate and secure customers’ IoT deployments
Jun 22, 2020

CyberX will complement the existing Azure IoT security capabilities, and extends to existing devices including those used in industrial IoT, Operational Technology and infrastructure scenarios. With CyberX, customers can discover their existing IoT assets, and both manage and improve the security posture of those devices. With CyberX, customers can see a digital map of thousands of devices across a factory floor or within a building and gather information about their asset profile and vulnerabilities. Gaining this visibility is not only critical for understanding where security risks may exist and then mitigating those risks, but it is also a fundamental step to securely enable smart manufacturing, smart grid and other digitization use cases across production facilities and the supply chain.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Google Cloud finance chief leaves to become CFO of Confluent as software start-up heads for public market
JUN 22 2020

Confluent, founded six years ago, is one of the many subscription software businesses that have powered through the Covid-19 crisis, proving its value as most of its customers’ employees are working remotely. Companies including RBC, HomeAway and Bosch use Confluent’s so-called event streaming software to pull together siloed data from various business units into a single pipeline so employees can make quick decisions and provide concise information to customers.

“What I look for in a company is the journey they’re on,” Tomlinson said in an interview. “Clearly, Confluent is a late-stage, privately held company. We look at an IPO as one step along the journey of creating value and having a durable growth model.”

 

[Mr. Wood]

Mastercard to Acquire Finicity to Advance Open Banking Strategy
June 23, 2020

The addition of Finicity’s complementary technology and teams strengthens the existing Mastercard open banking platform to enable and safeguard a greater choice of financial services, reinforcing the company’s long-standing partnerships with and commitment to financial institutions and fintechs across the globe.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Starbucks partners with Impossible to sell plant-based breakfast sandwich
JUN 23 2020

Starbucks has said it wants to create a more sustainable menu, as it looks to cut carbon emissions, conserve water and reduce waste.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Addressing racial injustice
An email from CEO Satya Nadella to Microsoft employees:
Jun 23, 2020

Today, we are making commitments to address racial injustice and inequity for the Black and African American community in the United States. We will additionally take important steps to address the needs of other communities, including the Hispanic and Latinx community, across the company in the next five years. We are focused on three multiyear, sustained efforts:

Increasing our representation and culture of inclusion.

Engaging our ecosystem.

Strengthening our communities.

 

[Mr. Wood]

MGM Resorts International Announces Nationwide Mask Policy
Jun 24, 2020

Employee screening, temperature checks and COVID-19 specific training
Employees and guests are required to wear masks in public areas. Masks will be provided free of charge
Guest health screenings upon entry
A physical distancing policy implemented, with floor guides serving as reminders
For areas where physical distancing presents challenges, plexiglass barriers are installed, or other measures will be used to reduce risks
Standalone handwashing stations designed by MGM Resorts conveniently located on the casino floor
Guestroom Attendants wear masks and gloves while cleaning rooms and change gloves between guestrooms
In addition to increased and enhanced routine cleaning of guestrooms and public spaces based on CDC guidance, electrostatic sprayers are utilized in many large public spaces so that disinfectant is applied efficiently
Digital menus are available to view on personal mobile devices via QR codes in the resort's food and beverage outlets
To minimize groups congregating while they wait, restaurant guests receive text message notification when their tables are ready

the new normal
mask, gloves, sanitisers, cleaning and disinfecting solutions

 

[Mr. Wood]

Waste Management and Advanced Disposal Announce Revised Terms of Acquisition and Agreement to Sell Substantially All Anticipated Regulatory Divestitures to GFL Environmental
June 24, 2020

Waste Management expects the Advanced Disposal acquisition to advance its growth strategy and align with its financial goals, including strong returns on invested capital and growth in earnings per share, margins, and cash flow.

The Advanced Disposal acquisition, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of the amended definitive agreement by a majority of the holders of Advanced Disposal’s outstanding common shares. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which owns approximately 18% of Advanced Disposal’s outstanding shares, has entered into an amended and restated voting agreement whereby it has agreed under the terms of the agreement to vote its shares in favor of the amended transaction. Waste Management, Advanced Disposal, and GFL Environmental continue to work cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Justice to obtain necessary regulatory clearance.

dunno if it is required by law to announce be4 deal is finalised, but looks beneficial to small shareholders to keep them updated.
here only announce when all the deal is finalised den price alrdy move by BB.

 

[Mr. Wood]

McCormick Reports Strong Second Quarter Sales And Profit Growth
June 25, 2020

"Our results for the second quarter were significantly impacted by a shift in consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our exceptional consumer segment growth was driven by the substantial increase in demand as consumers were cooking more at home. In our flavor solutions segment, our results were significantly impacted by sharp declines in demand from restaurant and other foodservice customers as away from home dining was significantly curtailed. Taken together, these impacts demonstrate the strength and diversity of our offering.

Earnings per share was $1.46 in the second quarter as compared to $1.12 in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings per share rose 27% to $1.47 from $1.16 in the year-ago period.

The company reaffirms its long-term financial objectives and capital allocation priorities.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Johnson & Johnson Will Finally Stop Selling Skin Lightening Products Overseas
JUN 22, 2020

On Friday, Johnson & Johnson announced it will cease production on two lines of skin-lightening products from Neutrogena and Clean & Clear that are popular overseas. The move comes in the wake of a recent resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement, a time of reckoning for many brands and companies with racially insensitive ties.

Last week Band-Aid, another Johnson & Johnson brand, announced it would begin selling bandages to match non-white skin tones.

too much lah.
like northern china nvr discriminate against darker skin southern chinese
like northern India nvr discriminate agaist darker skin tamils
like everywhere else are all candies and lollies and america is the only bad guy

 

[Mr. Wood]

Bristol-Myers Squibb: Undervalued Big Pharma Stock Yielding Over 3%
25 June 2020

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a diversified pharmaceutical manufacturer, with a particularly strong position in cardiovascular and anti-cancer therapeutics. The company generates annual revenues of more than $42 billion. The stock has a market capitalization of approximately $132 billion.

The company is reporting strong growth in recent quarters, due primarily to the $74 billion acquisition of Celgene. Almost two-thirds of Celgene’s revenues come from Revlimid, which treats multiple myeloma and other cancers. But Bristol-Myers Squibb has a number of organic growth catalysts as well. The combination is that the company has performed very well as of late.

3 Reasons Bristol-Myers Squibb Could Make You Rich
Jun. 25, 2020

Bristol-Myers has a deep pipeline, with more than 50 compounds under development, aimed at treating more than 40 different diseases. Of those, many components/drugs are already in late-stage studies, as dozens of phase III studies are underway right now. This includes new indications for Opdivo+Yervoy, e.g. for the 1st line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, but also many other treatments, such as CAR-T therapy ide-cel that is aimed at multiple myeloma. On top of that, many other phase 3 studies are underway, in oncology, hematology, but also areas such as immunology. Several of Bristol-Myers' pipeline drugs are forecasted to generate peak sales in the multi-billion dollar range, such as Reblozyl/luspatercept, which is seen generating more than $2 billion in annual sales eventually. Zeposia/ozanimod is forecasted to generate more than $3 billion annually at its peak in the MS and ulcerative colitis markets. In the long run, the CELMoDs technology that Bristol-Myers received through the Celgene takeover could turn into a whole platform of future drugs that could generate sizeable revenue streams a couple of years down the road.

Recombinant Antibody Network Partners with Bristol Myers Squibb to Develop Novel Therapies
June 18, 2020

Under the new agreement, led by UCSF’s James Wells, PhD, the company will further invest in the RAN’s state-of-the-art antibody engineering program to expand target discovery from oncology and immunology to include neurology. UCSF Innovation Ventures led the negotiation of the agreement with Celgene, now a fully owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, and will manage the collaboration’s activities and licensing.

 

[Mr. Wood]

NIKE, INC. REPORTS FISCAL 2020 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS
June 25, 2020

In Greater China, nearly 100 percent of NIKE-owned stores are open.

“As physical retail re-opens, NIKE's strong digital trends continue, a testament to the strength of our brand and the investments we've made to elevate digital consumer experiences,” said Matt Friend, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NIKE, Inc. “Amid macroeconomic uncertainty, we will continue to operate with agility, focused on optimizing marketplace supply and demand, cost management and leveraging our financial strength to drive long-term sustainable, profitable growth.”

 

[Mr. Wood]

SEC Charges Novartis AG with FCPA Violations
June 25, 2020

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Novartis AG, a global pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, has agreed to pay over $112 million to settle charges that it violated the books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

when it comes to investing, I rather invest in a solid strict regulatory framework. impartial. dun care colour. wrong means wrong.
dun think able to find such strong regulations in some other countries.

 

[Mr. Wood]

Exclusive: Facebook ad boycott campaign to go global, organizers say
JUNE 29, 2020

Since the campaign launched earlier this month, more than 160 companies, including Verizon Communications (VZ.N) and Unilever Plc (ULVR.L), have signed on to stop buying ads on the world’s largest social media platform for the month of July.

talk so much but only boycott for July
want to do, do big lah. boycott forever.