Altria is a stock from the illustrious circle of the “dividend kings”. It is even so special that it has actually raised its dividend more than once a year over the past half century – 57 increases over 53 consecutive years. However, the last few years have been disappointing in operational terms. Recent results, in particular, have shown the direction this company is likely to take. There are still a few puffs left, but don’t be surprised by the impending dividend cut at this darling of many dividend investors.
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Zombie companies – The Walking Dead?
Being dead and being alive are mutually exclusive conditions. But with stocks, there are companies that to a large extent fit into this scheme. Now facing a heavily toxic cocktail of likely higher interest rates and a slowing economy, many of these businesses will be tested for their survivability. Even if they do survive as a whole business, it is nonetheless dangerous to invest into equities of heavily indebted zombies – no matter how high the temptation might be.
Continue readingDollar stores with discounted prices, but expensive shares
Physical retail stores as a whole in most developed countries have more likely than not reached their peak. However, there is a sub-category in this sector that is expanding quickly. More than that, the so-called “dollar stores” have even been beneficiaries of a diminishing middle-class. Are the respective stocks a good investment idea, especially as inflation is trimming budgets?
Continue readingThe funeral business: dead money or under-looked opportunity?
Last week, I wrote about farmland and farmland stocks. But land can also be used for other purposes. While being asked about land, the most common answers will be farmland or land for housebuilding. Maybe also forestry. However, there is another sector that could prove to be a more valuable investment opportunity due to being less followed, but obvious in hindsight.
Continue readingIs Axon Enterprise an electrifying crisis investment?
Everywhere you look, there seems to be some kind of crisis. Whether economic, health, political, financial, housing, migration or war crises – it seems as if there is no silver lining on the horizon, currently. Would it be condemnable to consider crisis investments that can even profit from such developments?
Continue readingThe last dominos to fall
There is a very high likelihood that most stock market participants will be in the red or even deep underwater so far this year. 2022 is the year of the bear market, right? Well, not quite right! What many don’t believe and can’t explain is why in many cases individual portfolios have actually lost even disproportionately more than the indexes. Today, I’ll show you how the crash proceeded, what you can learn from it, and what you might expect next.
Continue readingDebt and high inflation – money for nothing or looming meltdown?
Who would complain being relieved of their debt burden? With inflation reaching a 40-year high in many regions, it seems that not only is the purchasing power of money eroding, but so is the burden of debt, measured in real terms. But is it really wise to buy stocks of companies with a lot of debt and hope they pay it off with cheaper money?
Continue readingAre evil energy (oil) stocks already priced too ambitiously for a recession?
It is an old wisdom that during a recession cyclical equities in general and energy stocks in special are suffering pretty much. When the economy slows down, the supply and demand imbalance pushes energy prices down, too. Stocks of these “commodity businesses” come under pressure in unison. But is it the same now? Or could we even be in for a surprise to the upside?
Continue readingThe massive power of monopolies – and why Warren Buffett likes them
Who doesn’t know the boardgame Monopoly? What is either boring or very exciting to its players, has an important message for real life investors, like us. In today’s Weekly, we look at the origins of this game, what you can learn for your investment journey and why Warren Buffett likes such structures. By the way, as an investor you should, too!
Continue readingBargain or pain? Ten dividend darlings that face painful cuts
Who doesn’t like collecting dividends? Just receiving money on a regular basis for owning a few shares and waiting for payday. In fact, as I wrote last week, dividends have historically accounted for most of the total return on stock investments. But what if I told you that there are some companies that are in danger of cutting their distributions to shareholders?
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