At their last quarterly earnings report, Wall Street finally saw light at the end of the tunnel for ConocoPhillips (COP). Management made good on its promise to grow production by 3-5%, hitting it right in the middle at 4% organic production growth. Margins continued expanding, too. These factors combined to deliver normalized earnings income growth of 17%. To those who have been following Conoco with attention to the long term, this is really no surprise at all.
Since spinning off their refining assets into Phillips66 (PSX), ConocoPhillips has focused on the following four long-term, transformative objectives:
Sell off disparate, far-flung assets in less favorable political climates.Concentrate on those in more stable places with higher margins and nicer tax regimes.Develop and grow production in these favorable areas andUltimately use those results as a base from which to grow dividends on and already industry-leading yield.These goals, while stated openly and spoken about in detail by management, have been met with skepticism and worry by Wall St. Many have feared the funding gap caused by these expensive moves to new assets, and have hence stayed away. For over a year the stock failed to gain momentum. Now, however, results are coming in as Conoco this quarter outshined both Exxon and Chevron. Those who have been with Conoco are now reaping the reward.
Best Performing Companies For 2015: Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation(RL)
Ralph Lauren Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, marketing, and distribution of lifestyle products. The company offers men?s, women?s, and children?s clothing; and accessories comprising footwear, eyewear, watches, jewelry, hats, and belts, as well as leather goods, including handbags and luggage. It also provides products for homes, including bedding and bath products, furniture, fabric and wallpaper, paint, tabletop, and giftware; and fragrance products for women men. In addition, the company licenses its products, such as men?s sportswear, men?s tailored clothing, men?s underwear and sleepwear, eyewear, fragrances, cosmetics, and color and skin care products. It offers its products under the Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Women?s Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, American Living, Chaps, and Club Monaco brand names. Ralph Lauren sells its products to department stores, specialty stores, and golf and pro shops; full-price retail stores, factory retail stores, and concessions-based shop-within-shops; and online through RalphLauren.com and Rugby.com. As of April 3, 2010, it operated 179 full-price retail stores and 171 factory stores worldwide, as well as 281 concessions-based shop-within-shops and 2 e-commerce Websites. The company was formerly known as Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation and changed its name to Ralph Lauren Corporation in August 2011. Ralph Lauren Corporation was founded in 1967 and is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mike Deane]
Before the opening bell on Wednesday, Ralph Lauren Corp (RL) reported its fiscal 2015 first�quarter results, posting lower profits than last year’s Q1.
RL’s�Earnings in Brief
Ralph Lauren reported first quarter net income of $162 million, or $1.80�per share, down from last year’s Q1 figures of $181 million, or $1.94 per share. The company’s revenues�were up slightly from last year’s Q1, coming in at $1.71 billion, compared to $1.65 billion. Ralph Lauren beat analysts’ EPS estimates of $1.78, but revenues came in slightly below the $1.73 billion expectation.CEO Commentary
The company’s chairman and CEO,�Ralph Lauren, had the following comments:���ur first quarter results demonstrate that we are making the right strategic decisions and investments to support our long-term growth objectives. Later this month, we��l mark an important milestone for the Polo brand with the introduction of Polo for women. That launch will be supported by the opening of our first Polo flagship store in New York City. This Fall, we��l open a 20,000-square-foot Ralph Lauren luxury flagship store in Greater China, a critical brand expression in an important market for us. As exciting as these first steps are now, the long-term potential is even more compelling.��/p>
RL’s�Dividend
Ralph Lauren paid its most recent�dividend on July 11. We expect the company to declare its next quarterly dividend of 45 cents in September.
Stock Performance
Ralph Lauren stock was up 93 cents, or 0.59%, in pre-market trading. YTD, the stock is down 10.72%.
RL�Dividend SnapshotAs of Market Close on August 5, 2014
Click here to see the complete history of RL dividends.
Best Dividend Stocks To Watch For 2014: Illinois Tool Works Inc.(ITW)
Illinois Tool Works Inc. manufactures a range of industrial products and equipment worldwide. The company?s Transportation segment offers metal and plastic components, fasteners, and assemblies; fluids and polymers; fillers and putties; polyester coatings, and patch and repair products; and truck remanufacturing and related parts and service. Its Industrial Packaging segment offers steel and plastic strapping and related tools and equipment; plastic stretch film and related equipment; paper and plastic products that protect goods in transit; and metal jacketing products. The company?s Food Equipment segment provides warewashing, cooking, refrigeration, and food processing equipment; and kitchen exhaust, ventilation, and pollution control systems. Its Power Systems & Electronics segment provides arc welding equipment; metal arc welding consumables; metal solder materials for PC board fabrication; equipment and services for microelectronics assembly; electronic components an d component packaging; and airport ground support equipment. The company?s Construction Products segment offers anchors, fasteners, and related fastening tools for wood, metal, and concrete applications; metal plate truss components, and related equipment and software; and packaged hardware and other products for retail. Its Polymers & Fluids segment provides adhesives, chemical fluids, epoxy and resin-based coating products, hand wipes and cleaners, and pressure-sensitive adhesives and components. The company?s Decorative Surfaces segment offers laminate for furniture, office and retail space, and countertops; and laminate flooring and worktops. In addition, the company offers plastic reclosable packages and bags, and consumables; plastic and metal fasteners, and components; foil and film products; product coding and marking, paint spray, and static and contamination control equipment; and swabs and mats. The company was founded in 1912 and is based in Glenview, Illinois. Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Stoyan Bojinov]
Citigroup announced on Wednesday that it was maintaining a “Neutral” rating on the Glenview, IL-based industrial conglomerate, Illinois Tool Works (ITW), but went on to raise its price target for the company.
Deane Dray, an analyst with the firm, noted “Following its disclosure in February 2013 that it was reviewing strategic alternatives for its $2.4 bil Industrial Packaging business, ITW officially announced on Sept-24 that the sale process has begun. In an incremental positive, the company declared that all the dilution from the divestiture would be offset by buybacks and that additional balance sheet leverage will be used to fund the program.” Given the lagged benefit of the expected buyback, Citigroup raised its price target on the stock from $75 to $80 a share.
Illinois Tool Works shares traded lower on Wednesday, shedding 0.97% on the day. The stock is up 27% YTD.
Best Dividend Stocks To Watch For 2014: Lorillard Inc(LO)
Lorillard, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. The company offers 43 different product offerings under the Newport, Kent, True, Maverick, and Old Gold brand names. Lorillard, Inc. sells its products primarily to wholesale distributors, who in turn service retail outlets, chain store organizations, and government agencies, including the United States? Armed Forces. The company was founded in 1760 and is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
How bad has performance of Phillip Morris been? Its shares have dropped 1.9% during the past 12 months, while American-focused Altria Group (MO) has gained 15%. British American Tobacco (BTI) has gained 3%, Reynolds American (RAI) has advanced 14%, and Lorillard (LO) has jumped 26%.
- [By Rich Smith]
Philip Morris stock is at the bottom of the pack
When you stack up Philip Morris stock against its rivals, it quickly becomes apparent that investors have been overpaying for an inferior company. Valued on its earnings, a share of Philip Morris stock will cost you 18.1 times earnings today, while a share of former parent Altria (NYSE: MO ) costs only 17.2 times earnings, and a pack of Lorillard (NYSE: LO ) shares sells for a P/E of just 14.1 -- 22% cheaper than Philip Morris. - [By Patricio Kehoe] n to the popularity of its brands, Phillip Morris benefits from scale advantages, combined with the historically strong brand loyalty among smokers, earning the firm strong pricing power. This advantage has allowed revenue to nearly double since 2006, leaving its current level of $77.4 billion.
Regarding Taxes, Regulations and Margins
Despite recent anti-tobacco laws passed by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S, the company�� pricing power has helped maintain its margins. In 2012, for example, Phillip Morris hiked prices on its products in Russia, Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece and Spain, among others. Although the necessary measure caused substantial volume declines in these countries, consumers rapidly became accustomed to the increased prices, and returned to their habitual product consumption. Given the success of this strategy, the firm is likely to rely on it in Japan for 2014, where taxes are expected to increase yet again by 8%, after the 40% spike in October 2010.
Another profitable business opportunity may come from the company�� recent cross-licensing agreement with its parent firm Altria, regarding next-generation products. The deal will allow Phillip Morris to market Altria�� eCig products outside the U.S, while the parent firm commercializes the tobacco giant�� two heated tobacco products, Platform 1 and Platform 2, within the U.S. Platform 1 is meant to launch in 2014, and Platform 2 a year later, which should help the company branch out to changing consumer habits among smokers and generate further revenue. On another note, Phillip Morris��shareholder returns should not pass unseen by investors. Since 2008, the company has returned $59.1 billion to its investors via share repurchases ($27.9) and dividends ($24), and currently holds a steady dividend yield of 4.39%.
Bottom Line
With an EPS growth of 16.90%���well above the industry�� average ���nd an i
- [By Monica Gerson]
Lorillard (NYSE: LO) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.81 per share on revenue of $1.27 billion.
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.02 per share on revenue of $2.13 billion.
Best Dividend Stocks To Watch For 2014: New York Mortgage Trust Inc.(NYMT)
New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. The company engages in acquiring, investing, financing, and managing mortgage-related assets. It primarily invests in agency residential adjustable-rate, hybrid adjustable-rate, and fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities (RMBS); non-Agency RMBS; prime adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts; commercial mortgage-backed securities; commercial mortgage loans; and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT and will not be subject to federal income tax if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Susan J. Aluise]
LEN stock is only up about 3% in 2014, but it’s clearly a growth play. With a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio of just 0.6 and a forward P/E of a little more than�12, LEN stock looks undervalued now. LEN pays a nominal dividend with a 0.4% current yield, but the company knows its market and is positioning its new properties well, so LEN promises to be a solid buy-and-hold stock.
REIT:�New York Mortgage�(NYMT)There are two basic types of REITs –�those that hold real property and those that hold mortgages on property (mortgage or mREITs). Among mREITs, New York Mortgage�(NYMT)�is a so-called ��ybrid mREIT�� meaning that it holds a combination of federally guaranteed (agency) and non-agency debt, like commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).
- [By Lawrence Meyers]
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Preferred Stocks: New York Mortgage Trust (NYMT)Dividend Yield: 8.2%
New York Mortgage Trust (NYMT) is a mortgage real estate investment trust, or mREIT, that acquires, invests in, finances and manages mortgage related securities. These mREITs are very much tied to interest rates, so while rates are low, the stocks will do well. NYMT common stock, in fact, yields more than 14%. Yet that�� why I would choose the New York Mortgage Trust 7.75% Preferred Series B (NYMTP).
Best Dividend Stocks To Watch For 2014: NYSE Euronext Inc.(NYX)
NYSE Euronext, through its subsidiaries, operates securities exchanges. It operates various stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NYSE Arca, Inc., and NYSE Amex LLC in the United States; and five European-based exchanges that comprise Euronext N.V. ? the Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Lisbon stock exchanges, as well as the NYSE Liffe derivatives markets in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Lisbon. The company?s Derivatives segment provides access to trade execution in derivatives products, options, and futures; offers clearing services for derivative products; and sells and distributes market data and related information. NYSE Euronext?s Cash Trading and Listings segment engages in offering access to trade execution in cash trading and settlement of transactions in European markets; obtaining new listings and servicing existing listings; selling and distributing market data and related information; and providing regulatory services. Its Info rmation Services and Technology Solutions segment operates sell side and buy side connectivity networks for its markets and for other market centers, and market participants in the United States, Europe, and Asia; provides trading and information technology software and solutions; sells and distributes market data and related information to data subscribers for proprietary data products; and offers asset management services, and consultancy services to exchanges and liquidity centers. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Whitney Kisling]
NYSE Euronext (NYX), the U.S. exchange operator being bought by IntercontinentalExchange Inc., reported second-quarter earnings that beat analysts��estimates as revenue from derivatives trading rose and costs fell.
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