Continue reading U.S. Stock Futures Down, All Eyes on Payroll Data

U.S. Stock Futures Down, All Eyes on Payroll Data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We will leave the debate over the relative morality of the cigarette business to others," says Geoffrey Seiler, adding "Our view is simple: it is a legal product and Philip Morris International (PM) is one of the best operators in the segment."

The editor of BullMarket.com explains, "The Philip Morris value creation model is easy to understand. While organic volumes are still slipping, the tobacco industry continues to have great pricing power.

"Thus the simple formula for the company is to raise prices, use its prolific cash flow to buy back shares, make some accretive acquisitions, increase the dividend, and repeat.

Continue reading Philip Morris International (PM): A Simple Formula for Success

Philip Morris International (PM): A Simple Formula for Success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Many growth and income investors will eventually need to start taking dividends to supplement other forms of cash flow," says Chuck Carlson, an expert in dividend reinvestment plans.

The editor of the DRIP Investor explains, "And many investors would like to receive those dividends on a regular basis. And, in fact, you can get monthly dividend check from a portfolio holding just three stocks.

Continue reading Monthly Dividends from a 3-Stock Growth Portfolio

Monthly Dividends from a 3-Stock Growth Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Philip Morris International Revises 2010 Guidance

Philip Morris International Revises 2010 Guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Fear is back and it can be seen in the internals. So what is one to do? What we always do: identify quality, establish value, and take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself," suggests Kelley Wright.

The editor of Investment Quality Trends -- an advisory service that assesses blue chip stocks by analyzing their historic dividend yield levels -- adds, "While all ships go out with the tide, value is eventually rewarded. Remember, we are in this for the long haul.

"Our current Timely Ten -- featured below -- is our reasoned expectation based on our methodology and experience for what we believe will perform best over the next five years. Do we believe that all 10 will go up simultaneously or immediately? Of course not.

Continue reading The Timely Ten: Blue Chip Buys from IQ Trends

The Timely Ten: Blue Chip Buys from IQ Trends originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder, contributing analyst Tom Slee looks at "recession-resistant" global stocks. Here, he reviews Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP).

Slee explains, "Philip Morris continues to benefit from rising tobacco consumption and 'uptrading' as people in the emerging countries switch to more expensive products.

"Almost recession proof, the international tobacco industry is prospering thanks mainly to new markets, strong cash flows, and reduced litigation.

Continue reading Play defense with PepsiCo (PEP) and Phillip Morris Int'l (PM)

Play defense with PepsiCo (PEP) and Phillip Morris Int'l (PM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tobacco titan Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) is snapping up the South African operations of Swedish Match for a cool 1.75 billion rand, or roughly $224.7 million. The acquisition is part of PM's broader strategy to gain a foothold in the smokeless tobacco arena. Currently, Swedish Match South Africa is the market leader in the South African pipe tobacco and snuff categories.

"This financially attractive acquisition represents an excellent strategic fit for our business in South Africa," said Jean-Claude Kunz, PM's president of Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa. "We firmly believe that merging the two businesses will provide us with the talent, infrastructure, and expertise to further build and grow our portfolio of strong brands in this important market."

Continue reading Philip Morris shells out $224.7 million for Swedish Match unit

Philip Morris shells out $224.7 million for Swedish Match unit originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Income investors have to be very careful when searching for yield; many high-yielding stocks have turned in disastrous performances over the last year," cautions Chuck Carlson.

In his The DRIP Investor he adds, "That's what makes Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) so attractive. The issues stands as as one in which investors can be confident of a steady dividend stream."

"The stock's current yield of 5% is especially attractive in this environment. And the dividend is taxed at the current preferential tax rate of just 15%, giving it an extra appeal relative to yields on fixed-income investments. Furthermore, the dividend is safe.

Continue reading Steady income from Philip Morris Int'l (PM)

Steady income from Philip Morris Int'l (PM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"If you're going to stay invested, you should look to defensive sectors," explain Ron Rowland and Brandon Clay, who point to consumer staples as a top pick for the current market environment.

In their Invest with an Edge, the advisors explain, "Perhaps the best way to stay defensive is with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLP), an exchange traded fund.

"In a bear market, opportunities are usually limited to certain sectors. Surveying the investment horizon, we think the consumer staples sector has the best opportunity for growth in this economy.

"Regardless how the economy acts, people still eat. Consumers may not shop at Whole Foods, but they'll still buy groceries. Companies like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Safeway (NYSE: SWY) will continue to rake in revenues from hungry customers.

"In addition, these companies should continue to receive additional revenue from consumers who normally shop at specialty stores, but can no longer afford to.

"Consumers may not be shopping at Sharper Image any more, but there are other creature comforts that will be difficult for Americans to abandon.

"Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) will still sell products during a prolonged downturn. In addition, companies providing toiletries and convenience like Procter and Gamble and CVS Pharmacy stand to do well during a shifty economy.

Continue reading Stay defensive: Invest in consumer staples

Stay defensive: Invest in consumer staples originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Altria (MO) to spin off overseas cigarettes business

Altria (MO) to spin off overseas cigarettes business originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.