Top pick Barrick Mining just raised its dividend a whopping 140% as it generates record earnings and continues its strategic asset reorganization.
Warner Music Group Corp. is well-positioned for higher-margin catalog revenues, added streaming adoption, and new AI monetization opportunities.
ARC Resources keeps returning its cash flow to shareholders through a growing dividend and substantial share buybacks.
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SNAP-ON INC. $163 (New York symbol SNA; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 58.2 million; Market cap: $9.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.6; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.snapon.com) makes tools for auto mechanics and sells them through a fleet of franchised vans that visit garages. It also makes specialized tools for industrial customers. In the three months ended April 2, 2016, the company’s revenue gained 0.8%, to $834.2 million from $827.8 million a year earlier. But excluding exchange rates and acquisitions, sales gained 2.5%. Thanks to an ongoing efficiency plan, earnings per share rose 15.5%, to $2.16 from $1.87. The stock trades at 18.3 times the $8.93 a share that Snap-On will likely earn this year. That’s a somewhat high multiple for a company that relies on the cyclical automotive industry for 60% of its earnings....
SONY CORP. ADRs $26 (New York symbol SNE; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $33.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Dividend yield 0.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.sony.com) has also had to shut down two plants in Japan due to earthquake damage. These facilities make image sensors for smartphones. The company has also warned that slowing demand for high-end smartphones has hurt sales of these sensors. In addition, negative interest rates in Japan are hurting earnings at Sony’s banking and insurance operations. The company has now cut its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, by about 9% to $2.6 billion. Sony is a hold.
MCCORMICK & CO. INC. $93 (New York symbol MKC; Income Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 115.3 million; Market cap: $10.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.8; Dividend yield: 1.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mccormick.com) has paid $114 million for Botanical Food Co. Based in Australia, this firm makes packaged herbs under the Gourmet Garden brand. It sells these products mainly in Australia and North America. The purchase complements McCormick’s existing spice products. It will also add $53 million to its annual sales of $4.3 billion. The stock now trades at 24.9 times the $3.73 a share that the company will likely earn in its current fiscal year. That’s a high multiple in light of McCormick’s growth-by-acquisition strategy and currency risk....
PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $28 (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 917.1 million; Market cap: $25.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 3.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.philips.com) had a deal to sell 80.1% of its Lumileds subsidiary, which makes lightemitting- diode (LED) components, to a Chinese firm. However, U.S. regulators blocked the sale. As a result, Phillips now plans to sell shares in its entire lighting division, including Lumileds, to the public. That could raise $6 billion, and set the stage for a possible spinoff. It would also allow the company to focus on its health care products, including X-ray scanners and ultrasound systems, and consumer goods such as electric shavers and coffee makers. Philips is still a buy.