investment

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many companies are now shifting their annual shareholder meetings away from physical locations to the Internet. Even after the current crisis ends, it’s likely many firms will continue these “virtual” meetings.


That’s good news for Broadridge investors, as it helps businesses better communicate with shareholders and count up proxy votes....

The COVID-19 outbreak will slow the growth of these top insurance companies, particularly in Asia. The shock to their investment portfolios will also limit their earnings.


However, both firms should rebound quickly once the outbreak eases. That should also let them keep raising your dividends.


MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP....

These two REITs have recently completed multi-year restructuring plans that shifted their focus to much more promising properties. Moreover, both have held your distributions steady during their restructuring, and we feel they’re poised to add to your income following the current COVID-19 crisis.


H&R REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST $8.46 is a buy. Through your units in this REIT (Toronto symbol HR.UN; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Units outstanding: 286.7 million; Market cap: $2.4 billion; Dividend yield: 16.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.hr-reit.com) you tap income from 455 properties: 33 office buildings, 311 retail developments, 87 industrial buildings and 24 residential properties....

Stock prices have dropped sharply in anticipation of a much wider spread of the coronavirus, and the deep economic setback that could result from its spread. That could happen—no one can predict the future. However, most sharp market downturns are temporary. Due to modern medicine and technology, the coronavirus impact is unlikely to get so big that it brings on a long-lasting stock-market decline.


Our advice is that if your stock holdings made sense for you a few weeks ago, in light of your investment goals, financial circumstances and temperament, then you should hang on to them.


You should also continue to follow our three-pronged Successful Investor strategy: Invest mainly in established companies; spread your money out across the five main economic sectors; and downplay or avoid stocks that are in the broker/media limelight.


But most important—with yields on many stocks currently so much higher than before the COVID-19 tumult and with many companies cutting their dividends—income investors need to pay close attention to our Dividend Sustainability Ratings.


In this, your latest issue of Dividend Advisor, you’ll also find several high-yielding stocks we recommend for new buying....

INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC. $105 (www.iff.com) is still a buy. The company plans to merge with the nutition and biosciences business of DuPont (New York symbol DD). DuPont shareholders will own 55.4% of the combined company, with IFF shareholders owning the rest....

The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has cut Stanley’s price by 33% in the past month. However, we expect the stock—and the company—should rebound strongly once the crisis ends. That’s due to its wide variety of products, strong brands and broad geographic presence....

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. $2.28 is still a hold. The company (New York symbol BGG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 42.5 million; Market cap: $96.9 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.1; Dividend suspended in March 2020; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.briggsandstratton.com) makes lawnmower engines, portable power generators, pressure washers, and snowblowers and throwers.


Under a new strategy to protect investor value, Briggs will focus on making engines for industrial and consumer uses, standby power generators and commercial battery systems....

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $37 remains a buy. The company (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 891.0 million; Market cap: $33.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 2.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.philips.com) makes industrial health-care products, including X-ray scanners and ultrasound systems, along with consumer goods such as electric shavers, electric toothbrushes and air purifiers.


As part of its long-term plan to focus on health-care products, the company is now studying various options for its Domestic Appliances business, which makes kitchen appliances (such as coffee makers) and garment care products (steam irons)....

The COVID-19 outbreak could prompt many businesses to cut their spending on important equipment such as video surveillance systems (made by Motorola Solutions) and self-serve cash registers (NCR). However, we believe many other businesses will see that as a false economy because these products help them operate more efficiently....

Cintas investors already expect the COVID-19 pandemic to hurt demand for the company’s uniform services, particularly from restaurants and hotels.


However, invests will benefit from higher demand for uniforms, including scrubs, from hospitals and healthcare providers....