July 2015 Stock Considerations

Here we are with half of 2015 already in the books. While I have enjoyed investing and making my monthly buys during the first half of the year I can truly say that I’m excited as ever for the second half of 2015 and eager to read the headlines and other market noise that will inevitably come up during the next six months. Will a debt ceiling discussion make headlines or perhaps another impending fiscal cliff. Will the Fed finally raise interest rates or will some European or Asian financial contagion make market waves? Iran anyone? Ukraine? Russia? Greece? Puerto Rico? Looks like Ebola is making a summertime return among the media outlets. Not to sound too jaded to these top news items but my point is that during all economic conditions, from all time market highs to the lows and depths of severe recession, there will always be a case made to not invest. Of course, this is the noise that we must filter and seek out our own individual high quality stocks that always seem to exist. After all, I keep reading about various new buys among other dividend blogs which just tells me that value and decent sustainable yield still exists out there.

Looking at my portfolios going into the month of July I will be adding to positions that are already in my account. I have no interest in finding any new stocks for my portfolios at this time and prefer to continue my usual nibbling on stocks I already own. However, I do plan to shop for a new insurance company as my Chubb Corporation (CB) was just bought out by ACE Limited (ACE) in a cash and stock deal. I have owned CB since 2007 and am sad to see it leave my portfolio and when it finally does I will want to add another property and casualty insurance name to my portfolio. A couple names that I may consider once CB departs are Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) and The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) but those won’t be considerations till the CB/ACE deal goes through. That being said, let’s take a look at my July stock considerations.

First up is a relatively new name to my portfolio that I discussed back in April. I’m speaking of Dover Corporation (DOV). DOV is one of those companies that produces products that surround our everyday lives yet is often out of sight. Clamps, conveyors, connectors, specialty glass, display cases, commercial glass refrigerator and freezer doors, kitchen ventilation systems and much more lay in DOV’s core competency. DOV has a current yield of 2.28% with a low payout ratio of 38.4% based on an EPS of 4.38. DOV also stands in a class of its own having raised its dividend for over 59 years consecutively. Just as impressive as its dividend raise history is the ten year annualized dividend growth rate of 11.84%. From a dividend perspective DOV seems to be firing on all cylinders. From a PE standpoint DOV has a current PE of 16.0 which is pretty much in line with its five year average. Forward PE looks more enticing at 15.1. No doubt depressed oil prices have affected DOV’s operating income as a significant portion of their revenue comes from oil and gas support and services.

Next, I am considering, surprise, surprise, Canadian banks. As many of you already know I have been buying into the Canadian banks slowly over the past year and I’m not done. The two banks I am considering need no introduction as many are already ubiquitous in various dividend growth portfolios. They are, The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) and The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS). I continue to see value and a great sustainable dividend among the Canadian banks which is why they still attract me at these levels.

Finally, I will be considering adding to my positions in the health REIT sector with potential buys in HCP, Inc. (HCP)Health Care REIT, Inc. (HCN) and Ventas, Inc. (VTR). Of course, I always qualify these posts with the statement that Mr. Market may have his own ideas for my potential buys but if the market pretty much stays at current levels I’ll be adding from the names mentioned above.

So there you have it. My July stock considerations are DOV, TD, BNS, HCP, HCN and VTR. What’s on your shopping list for the month of July?

 

Disclosure: Long DOV, TD, BNS, HCP, HCN, VTR, CB.

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Carol W 8 years ago Contributor's comment

by the way please read my article..you might find it interesting if you own a home..let me know what you think! www.talkmarkets.com/.../millennial-regret

Keith Park 8 years ago Contributor's comment

I'm a very happy renter but no doubt a home can be curse or a blessing depending on how you treat it financially. No doubt a home offers roots and deep sentiments which to me is the real value of home ownership. It's those intangibles that are much more important than simply treating a home as an investment.

Carol W 8 years ago Contributor's comment

Hi there - check out DOC..cheers..I like your list.I am long DOV VTR DOC and HCP.cheers Carol

Keith Park 8 years ago Contributor's comment

Thanks for the DOC tip. Seems like we like any of the same names going into July.

Carol W 8 years ago Contributor's comment

yes..good luck to us..cheers