Automatic Data Processing – Great Company, Lofty Valuation

Summary ADP reported Q3 results May 2 in which it announced an upward revision in its FY2018 outlook.’ At the June 12th Investor Day, ADP indicated it is accelerating the pace of margin expansion and it now targets its prior 3 year margin targets to occur one year sooner. The anticipated increase in interest rates [...]

By |June 13th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Automatic Data Processing – Great Company, Lofty Valuation

The J.M. Smucker Company – Priced Right But I Am Not Adding to My Position

Summary SJM is facing headwinds and revenue growth and profit margins are expected to remain under pressure amid a competitive environment and challenging retailer dynamics. SJM is currently exploring the divestiture of its US baking business and a sale of this business will likely impact FY2019 projections. Shareholders have been aptly rewarded over the long-term [...]

By |June 12th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on The J.M. Smucker Company – Priced Right But I Am Not Adding to My Position

Cummins Inc. – Tempting But I Will Pass For Now

Summary Cummins has retraced ~26% from a high of ~$194 set at the end of January 2018. The company is forecasting strong revenue growth but warranty costs are taking a bite out of profits and further significant charges (~$400 million) are possible. CMI’s 15+ year returns greatly exceed that of the S&P500. While CMI has [...]

By |June 11th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Cummins Inc. – Tempting But I Will Pass For Now

Hershey – Beaten Down….Sweet!

Summary Hershey’s current valuation is similar to that evidenced in FY2009 at which time we were experiencing that ‘little event’ called The Financial Crisis. HSY is unlikely to appeal to investors seeking companies with ‘high octane’ growth. The company’s dividend yield and valuation are at levels not evidenced in several years. I currently have a [...]

By |June 6th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Hershey – Beaten Down….Sweet!

Hormel – A Fairly Valued Consumer Staples Sector Member

Summary HRL, as with other companies in the Consumer Staples sector, is experiencing headwinds such as changing consumer tastes. Its stock price has not been negatively impacted to the same extent as other members of this sector. HRL Investors have not experienced significant positive investment returns over the last couple of years. They have, however, [...]

By |May 24th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Hormel – A Fairly Valued Consumer Staples Sector Member

Cisco – Transforming to Drive Sustainable Shareholder Value

Summary CSCO continues to shift toward the development and sale of more software and subscription-based offerings so as to improve the predictability of its revenue. It has an extremely strong balance sheet and generates significant FCF on an annual basis. I expect investors will continue to be rewarded with double digit percentage annual dividend growth. [...]

By |May 19th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Cisco – Transforming to Drive Sustainable Shareholder Value

General Mills – Too Many Headwinds

Summary GIS’s revenue has been on the decline for the last few years due to changing consumer preferences. High growth Blue Buffalo Pet Products was recently acquired as management endeavors to offset the decline in other areas of the business. The $8B purchase price for Blue Buffalo which reported $0.319B in adjusted EBITDA in FY2017 [...]

By |May 14th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on General Mills – Too Many Headwinds

Brookfield Asset Management – My Way of Having Exposure to Alternative Assets

Summary BAM reported strong Q1 2018 results on May 10, 2018. At the end of Q1 2018 (March 31st), BAM maintained core liquidity and uncalled private fund commitments of $32B. It also generated over $2.5B of annual free cash flow from its asset management business and distributions from invested capital. I wish to have exposure [...]

By |May 11th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Brookfield Asset Management – My Way of Having Exposure to Alternative Assets

Church & Dwight – A Better Option Than P&G

Summary CHD released its Q1 2018 results on May 3rd and upped its projected sales growth and projected organic sales growth guidance from that provided just a few months ago. CHD has outperformed its larger peers in the S&P 500 Household Products Index. I view CHD as having greater potential to provide superior long-term investor [...]

By |May 8th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Church & Dwight – A Better Option Than P&G

Procter & Gamble – I Am Not Interested In This Turnaround Story

Summary PG has struggled in recent years with sales having dropped from $82B in 2012 to $65B in 2017. PG has recently signed an agreement to acquire the Consumer Health business of Merck KGaA, for ~$4.1B which will add ~$1B in annual revenue. Strong cash flow has enabled PG to shower investors with dividends and [...]

By |May 4th, 2018|Equity Investing|Comments Off on Procter & Gamble – I Am Not Interested In This Turnaround Story
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