UBS Makes Year-End Changes to Red-Hot Quality Growth at a Reasonable Price Portfolio

By Lee Jackson Updated Jan 13, 4:05PM EST · Published Dec 15, 9:50AM EST

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UBS Makes Year-End Changes to Red-Hot Quality Growth at a Reasonable Price Portfolio — © Thinkstock

In what has been a very difficult year for investors, one portfolio that we cover on a regular basis has done outstanding. In a new report, the analysts at UBS make a late 2015 addition to the firm’s Quality Growth at a Reasonable Price (Q-GARP) portfolio, which has had another market beating year for investors.

The Q-GARP portfolio through last week was up a solid 5.3% this year, versus the -0.3% for the S&P 500. Since the inception of the portfolio in 2007, the Q-GARP stocks are up a sparkling 123.1%, versus the S&P 500’s 58.1%, a relative outperformance of a stunning 58.1%.

The company adds a top medical technology company to the portfolio, and we screened for the top dividend-paying stocks that also make the cut.

Becton, Dickinson

This top health care company makes its debut on the Q-GARP list. Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX) is a leading medical technology company that partners with customers and stakeholders to address many of the world’s most pressing and evolving health needs.

The company’s innovative solutions are focused on improving medication management and patient safety; supporting infection prevention practices; equipping surgical and interventional procedures; improving drug delivery; aiding anesthesiology and respiratory care; advancing cellular research and applications; enhancing the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancers; and supporting the management of diabetes.
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The UBS report points out that the company has very strong capabilities in medication management and delivery with products like needles, syringes, intravenous catheters, surgical supplies, diabetes management and diagnostics. The company scores well on the Q-GARP metrics screen for quality, growth and attractive valuation. UBS also sees the recent acquisition of CareFusion as helping leverage the company’s overseas sales and distribution infrastructure to drive CareFusion revenue growth in non-U.S. markets.

Becton Dickinson investors receive a 1.72% dividend. The Thomson/First Call consensus price target for the stock is $165.13. The shares closed Monday at $153.19.

Boeing

This top aerospace industrial has just returned to levels where it was trading before the summer and fall sell-off. Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) has been on a downward trend since February and now may be ready to perk up. The company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems and services worldwide.

Top Wall Street analysts have increased confidence in continuing good demand and note that Boeing recently has made announcements that support the analyst’s thesis that productivity and margins will continue to improve. 787 execution is good as the company works through the backlog, and cash flow looks to be strong with 787 deliveries and C-17 orders. Some Wall Street analysts also point to low oil prices as a bullish indicator for the top carriers that are Boeing’s big customers.

Boeing investors receive a solid 2.55% dividend. The consensus price target is $162.83. The shares closed on Friday at $146.95.
Invesco

This financial services leader has strong positions in both equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) and actively managed equity and debt mutual funds. Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) looks to be very well-positioned to capitalize on inflows into both segments, as well as higher asset prices, as many on Wall Street see a continuation of the six-year bull market.

Invesco PowerShares is the boutique investment management firm that manages a family of ETFs. The company markets the PowerShares product and has been part of Invesco since 2006. The incredible growth and popularity of the product is why many on Wall Street remain so bullish on the stock.

UBS sees the company as one that is best positioned to compete for share given mix, product offerings and attractive relative performance.

Invesco investors are paid a 3.55% dividend. The consensus target price is $41.21. The shares closed Monday at $34.10.

United Technologies

This diversified company has large government contract exposure. United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) provides high technology products and services to aerospace industries and building systems worldwide. Its segments are UTC Climate, Otis, Controls & Security, UTC Aerospace Systems and Pratt & Whitney.

Since peaking in late February, the stock has rolled over and not acted well, so current trading levels offer investors an outstanding entry point. Many Wall Street analysts believe the company is strategically positioned to benefit from two megatrends in the long-term: urbanization and commercial aerospace.

The completion of the Sikorsky division sale to Lockheed was viewed by many on Wall Street as preferable to a spin-off after the premium that Lockheed Martin paid was willing to pay made up for the tax cost United Technologies would have incurred.

United Technologies investors receive a 2.77% dividend. The consensus price target is $109. The stock closed Monday at $93.03.
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The Q-GARP managers are good at sniffing out value in growth companies, and typically they wait to see their thesis play out. For investors looking for solid growth ideas that aren’t overpriced, these stocks make good sense now and for 2016.

About the Author Lee Jackson →

Lee Jackson has covered Wall Street analysts' equity and debt research and equity strategy daily for 24/7 Wall St. since 2012. His broad and diverse career, which included a stint as the creative services director at the NBC affiliate in Austin, Texas, gives him unique insight into the financial industry and world.

Lee Jackson's journey in the financial industry spans over 30 years, with nearly two decades as an institutional equity salesperson at Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. His career was marked by his presence on the sell side during pivotal Wall Street events, from the dot.com rise and bubble to the Long Term Capital Management debacle, 9/11, and the Great Recession of 2008. This is a testament to his resilience and adaptability in the face of market volatility.

Lee Jackson’s practical financial industry experience, acquired from a career at some of the biggest banks and brokerage firms, is complemented by a lifetime of writing on various platforms. This unique combination allows him to shed light on the intricacies and workings of Wall Street in a way that only someone with deep insider experience and knowledge can. Moreover, his extensive network across Wall Street continues to provide direct access for him and 24/7 Wall St., a privilege few firms enjoy.

Since 2012, Jackson’s work for 24/7 Wall St. has been featured in Barron’s, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Business Insider, TradingView, Real Money, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Benzinga, and other media outlets. He attended the prestigious Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and has a degree in broadcasting from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.