Here are key updates on 3 dividend payers: Power Corp., CIBC and Archer Daniels Midland Co.

POWER CORP. $25 is a buy. The conglomerate (Toronto symbol POW; Conservative-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 621.4 million; Market cap: $15.5 billion; Dividend yield: 7.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.powercorporation.com) last raised its quarterly dividend by 10.5% with the May 2020 payment, to $0.4475 a.. Read More

These updates help direct your investing

HP INC. $15 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HPQ; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $21.0 billion; Dividend yield 4.5%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.hp.com) took its current form on November 1, 2015, when the old Hewlett-Packard Co. split into two firms—HP Inc. (which… Read More

‘Carveout’ sets investors up for higher gains

Foodmaker Post Holdings recently initiated a “carve-out,” using an IPO to sell a portion of its active nutrition business, BellRing Brands. That now pure-play firm makes protein bars, shakes and nutritional supplements.
Post used the proceeds from the sale to pay down its debt and strengthen… Read More

COVID-19 slows move to unlock value

The stock market turmoil caused by COVID-19 will likely prompt many companies to postpone their upcoming spinoffs or strategic sales. Even so, when business conditions improve, we expect Vonage and Archer Daniels to follow through with their own plans to add investor value.
VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP… Read More

Sony sets the stage for your gains

SONY CORP. ADRs $62 is still a hold. The Japanese conglomerate (New York symbol SNE; Manufacturing sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $80.6 billion; Dividend yield: 0.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Lowest; www.sony.net) has created a new subsidiary called Sony Electronics Corporation to hold three of its businesses—Imaging Products… Read More

Activists use pandemic to spur change

Sharp share-price drops due to the coronavirus outbreak will likely encourage activist investors to raise their stake in—and influence on—these three firms (including Sony—see box). However, for reasons outlined below, we advise you to stay on the sidelines, at least for now.
OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORP. $14… Read More