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Alimentation Couche-Tard’s 25% dividend hike came before its sales slip in the quarter, although an earnings jump and a stock split increase its appeal for investors.

Mattr (formerly ShawCor) is making good progress with its two main industrial businesses as revenues and earnings are projected to grow significantly.

PORTILLO’S INC., $10.73, symbol PTLO on Nasdaq, is a Chicago-based restaurant chain that got its start in 1963 when founder Dick Portillo opened the restaurant “The Dog House” in a small trailer. Today, the business has 94 restaurant locations in 10 U.S. states.

Portillo’s is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and “famous” chocolate cake....

Vulcan Materials aggregates-led growth strategy continues to deliver results through strategic acquisitions in attractive markets.

Walmart’s U.S. stores get about a third of their merchandise from China, Mexico and other countries. However, the company’s large size should make it easier to re-negotiate costs with its suppliers to offset the impact of new U.S. tariffs. Meantime, Walmart’s ongoing investments in its online and advertising businesses will take its earnings higher over the next few years.


WALMART INC....

These oil producers are shifting their focus to more-promising projects and cutting costs. However, we feel Chevron is the better pick for your new buying.


CHEVRON CORP. $137 is a buy. The company (New York symbol CVX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 1.8 billion; Market cap: $246.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.3; Dividend yield: 5.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.chevron.com) is the second-largest integrated oil producer in the U.S....

IBM has a long history of successfully adapting to rapidly changing technologies. Those include shifting away from making chips and personal computers to faster-growing fields like consulting and software. The company now stands to profit from rising demand for artificial intelligence software, which should continue to fuel its dividends.


INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP....

IBM is well positioned for long-term growth thanks to its strategic acquisitions and AI focus.

Investors tend to prefer pure-play businesses that are easier to evaluate than companies with a range of different operations. That helps explain Becton Dickinson’s plan to transform itself into a pure-play medical device maker.

As a first step to achieving its goal, in April 2022, the company handed out shares in its Diabetes Care business (called embecta) to its shareholders.

Now, partly due to pressure from activist investor Starboard Value, Becton plans to set up its Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions operations as a separate, publicly traded firm....

While Campbell’s Co. faces near-term challenges from shifting consumer preferences and potential tariff impacts, its strong brand portfolio, dividend income, and strategic initiatives provide a solid foundation for long-term investors. The recent acquisition of premium brands like Rao’s enhances the company’s growth profile, while cost savings programs should help protect margins.

Investors should monitor developments regarding U.S....