Tag: dividend

CVS - An Undervalued Healthcare Juggernaut

Posted on by Noah Kiedrowski

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

CVS presents a compelling investment opportunity in the healthcare space. CVS has been highly acquisitive, growing its dividends over time and has an aggressive share buyback program in place. CVS is currently the largest prescription drug dispenser and the second-largest pharmacy benefits manager. Along with its recent acquisitions and partnerships will significantly expand its footprint and ability to dispense prescriptions to the general public and in assisted living and long-term care facilities that serve the senior patient population. As the United States continues to absorb an aging population alongside growing overall healthcare costs, more specifically prescription drug costs, CVS looks poised to benefit and continue to outperform the broader market.

CVS Health – A true healthcare company

Approximately one year ago, CVS announced that it had removed all tobacco products from its stores nationwide and would no longer sell any tobacco related products to its customers. This was a bold move as CVS has become the trailblazer in establishing itself as a true health oriented company. Ceasing tobacco sales negatively impacted overall sales, however, this move established itself as a true healthcare focused company. "One year ago, we stopped selling tobacco products because it conflicted with our purpose of helping people on their path to better health," said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health. "Today, we are excited to release new data demonstrating the positive impact our decision has had on public health overall as shown by a measurable decrease in the number of cigarette purchases across all retailers." Personally, I like companies that stand behind their name and practice what they advocate and, in this case, it's promoting overall health and wellbeing. Continue reading "CVS - An Undervalued Healthcare Juggernaut" →

Navigating Volatile Markets Via Coupling Dividends And Share Buybacks - Part 3

Posted on by Noah Kiedrowski

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

The broader indices have been highly volatile recently due to weakness in China, an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike and persistently low oil prices. Navigating these volatile markets can be difficult. I posit that via investing in high-quality companies that offer the combination of high-quality dividends along with share buybacks may position an investor to contend with this volatility while potentially being rewarded handsomely during bull markets. On the front half of this dual synergy is the dividend space. This space offers many quality attributes such as decreased volatility, healthy yields, moderate risk exposure and a hedge against downside risk thus may be an ideal synergy for any long portfolio. Historically, companies that have an established track record of not only paying dividends but growing their dividends over the long-term have generally outperformed their respective index with decreased volatility. On the back half of this synergy is share buybacks. Share buybacks can serve as an effective way to drive shareholder value via returning capital to shareholders by repurchasing its own stock.

At times, I'll be using both The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and The PowerShares Buyback Achievers ETF (PKW) as proxies for this analysis. I will also select specific high-quality companies to exemplify these attributes. The combination of VYM and PKW may present an ideal investing strategy in which to invest and potentially capitalize on a cohort of companies that engage in both dividends and aggressive share buyback programs, particularly in these volatile markets. This article caps off a three-part series focusing on navigating volatile markets while focusing on high-quality companies that pay out dividends and engage in aggressive share buybacks. This series is primarily focused on these attributes utilizing ETFs as proxies to exemplify the mitigation of downside risk while being well positioned in bull markets. Continue reading "Navigating Volatile Markets Via Coupling Dividends And Share Buybacks - Part 3" →

Navigating Volatile Markets Via Share Buyback Investing - Part 2

Posted on by Noah Kiedrowski

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

Share buybacks can serve as an effective way to drive shareholder value via returning capital to shareholders by repurchasing its own stock. Share buybacks are primarily driven by companies that strongly feel their shares are undervalued based on current fundamentals, future growth prospects and cash on hand. Taken together, executive boards approve share buyback programs based on these attributes in concert with undervaluation on the open market. Additionally, the company of interest feels a sense of bullishness and confidence on the future and sustainability of their business.

Theoretically, repurchasing and retiring shares satisfies many shareholder friendly objectives:

1) Reducing the number of shares tilts the supply and demand curve thereby removing shares will decrease supply and in turn increase demand and drive the share price higher

2) Earnings per share increase since earnings are now dividend over fewer shares

3) If share buybacks are coupled with a dividend, the dividend yield may increase if the aggregate quarterly payout amount remains unchanged thus; as a result the payout will be divided over fewer shares.

I'll be using The PowerShares Buyback Achievers ETF (PKW) as a proxy for this analysis. PKW focuses on U.S. companies that have reduced their shares outstanding by at least 5% in the previous year and weights these holdings by market capitalization, subject to a 5% cap within the ETF portfolio. PKW may present an opportunistic niche in which to invest and potentially capitalize on a cohort of companies that engage in aggressive buyback programs, particularly in these volatile markets. Continue reading "Navigating Volatile Markets Via Share Buyback Investing - Part 2" →

5 Ways To Tell If You Own A 'Dividend Disaster'

Posted on by admin

Imagine living in a world with stocks creating dividend yields of 20%, 30% or even over 40% on an annual basis. For income investors, that sounds like a dream come true -- but the truth is, these yields exist right now.

I recently searched for the highest-yielding stocks on the U.S. stock markets. I found 10 actively traded stocks that yield between 20% and close to 50% annually. My first reaction is that there must be something wrong with the data -- but these stocks actually exist. Here are three examples:

It may seem like all an investor needs to do is invest in one or more of these names and their portfolio will grow like wildfire. However, nothing is further from the truth.

Sure, several of the top 10 names will continue to pay ultra-high dividends for a while, but the dangers inherent in them are simply too high for prudent, risk-averse portfolios. Remember, a high dividend does not always indicate a successful company. Often, a high dividend yield is indicative of a plunging stock price or a failing company's last-ditch effort to attract interest. 

What's the best way to avoid a high-yielding "dividend disaster"? Here are five questions to ask before risking a penny on a high-yielder. Continue reading "5 Ways To Tell If You Own A 'Dividend Disaster'" →

5 Crucial Things Every Income Investor Needs To Know

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From: Street Authority

We're just past the edge. The "tipping point" is here.

Don't worry -- it's not dangerous. In fact, if you're an income investor, then this might be the start of a very prosperous trend.

Between now and 2030, roughly 10,000 Americans will turn 65 every day. You might be among them. This marks a major shift that will play out for millions of people in the next years and decades. And I think it could lead to a surge in popularity for income investing.

Think about it. There's currently $13 trillion sitting in U.S. mutual funds, with most of those assets held by soon-to-be retirees, according to the Investment Company Institute research group.

Regarding where that money may go, I think my colleague Amy Calistri put it best: "As baby boomers wind down their working years, they're going to do what retirees before them have done -- shift from riskier stocks and commodities into more buttoned-down income investments. In fact, given the rocky market in the past decade and disappearing pensions, the shift could be larger than most people think." Continue reading "5 Crucial Things Every Income Investor Needs To Know" →