One of the best way for investors to have consistent gains in the stock market is to stay invested. Jumping in and out and trying to time the market is a recipe for disaster. The long-term view combined with a plan for total return adds up to success for many patient investors. Again, total return is the combined increase in a stock’s value plus dividends. For instance, if you buy a stock at $20 that pays a 3% dividend, and it goes up to $22 in a year, your total return is 13% — 10% for the increase in stock price and 3% for the dividends paid.
One of the best vehicles for total return gains is the UBS Dividend Ruler stocks portfolio. This model portfolio rose by 4.9% in the third quarter (total return). Meanwhile, the S&P 500 increased by 4.5%. With stock prices high, and safety a concern for many investors, we screened the Divided Ruler stocks for four companies that should continue to do well in 2018. All are rated Buy at UBS.
Coca-Cola
This top Warren Buffet holding not only offers safety but an incredible strong worldwide brand with 40% overseas sales. Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.
Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, the company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, it is the number one provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees and juices and juice drinks.
Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy Coca-Cola beverages at a rate of more than 1.9 billion servings a day. With coolers getting packed for picnics, parades and vacations you can bet that they will be stuffed with products from this iconic American company. Also remember that the company also owns 16.7% of Monster Beverage, which continues to deliver big numbers.
Coca-Cola investors are paid an outstanding 3.23% dividend. The UBS price target for the stock is $51, while the Wall Street consensus target is $48.11. The stock was trading early Wednesday at $45.95 a share.
Home Depot
This remains the undisputed leader in the home improvement retail category. Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,270 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.
Home Depot stores sell various building materials, home improvement products, and lawn and garden products, as well as provide installation, home maintenance and professional service programs to do-it-yourself (DIY), do-it-for-me (DIFM) and professional customers.
The stock has rallied on the company’s strong fundamentals, as well as a highly consolidated industry position that separates it from other retail subsectors. Home Depot remains, clearly, the “best house on the retail block” with room for continued upside on strong traffic and share gains.
The horrific storms that hit Texas and Florida this summer are almost certain to drive third-quarter results higher. Given the work to repair could take some time, the potential could continue well into 2018. The company will report results in the middle of November.
Shareholders are paid a solid 2.4% dividend. UBS has a $175 price target, and the consensus price objective is $171.70. The shares were trading Wednesday morning near $166.10.
Johnson & Johnson
With a diverse product base and a very popular and solid brand, this is among the most conservative big pharmaceutical plays. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is one the top stocks in the health care sector and will raise the dividend for shareholders this year for the 54th consecutive year. With everything from medical devices to over-the-counter health items and prescription drugs, it remains one of the most diversified health care names on Wall Street.
The health care giant also has one of the most exciting pipelines of new drugs in the sector. That combined with the solid over-the-counter product business makes the stock an outstanding holding for conservative accounts with a long-term investment horizon. The company generates a little over half of its sales in international markets, which are expected see higher spending on health care over the next 10 years and beyond.
The company posted strong third-quarter results that beat the UBS estimates that were already higher than the consensus. The analysts noted that once again the bright spot of the quarter was Pharmaceuticals, driven by strength in key franchises like Darzalex, Imbruvica, Xarelto and Stelara.
Top analysts feel investor appreciation for the company’s pharmaceuticals business will act as the key driver for shares over the next 12 months. As noted at the company’s investor meeting in May, Johnson & Johnson plans to launch a total of 10 or more new molecular entities and over 50 line extensions through 2021.
Shareholders are paid a solid 2.4% dividend. The $148 UBS price target compares with the $144.81 consensus estimate. The stock traded Wednesday at $139.85 a share.
UTC
This very diversified company has large government contract exposure. United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) is an industrial that 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.
Many Wall Street analysts believe the company is strategically positioned to benefit from two megatrends in the long-term: urbanization and commercial aerospace. The company received good news recently as the military and foreign buyers are set to increase purchase of the F-135 Jets. UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division, which builds the F135 engine for the military, earns a superb 22.5% profit margin on its products.
The company announced in September it has agreed to buy aircraft parts manufacturer Rockwell Collins for $30 billion, including debt. Under the deal, Rockwell shareholders will receive $140 per share in stock and cash, split between $93.33 in cash and $46.67 in UTC stock. Wall Street likes the deal, as it increases the scope and reach for UTC.
Investors are paid a solid 2.34% dividend. The UBS price target is $135. The posted consensus target is $127.06, and shares were last seen trading at $120.25.
These are four quality companies for investors to buy and put in their accounts for a long time. Given the strong run in the markets, as we have suggested more often, it may make sense to scale buy shares over a three-month or longer period. The market needs a breather, and that would allow shares to be purchased at lower levels
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