Dividend Increases Week 17 (Part 1)

 

In this article, I will go through the weekly dividend increases and cuts in popular and well-known stocks. (Member of The Dividend Champions or Canadian All-Star list)

 

Recently, 25 companies announced dividend increases. Note that no dividend cuts or suspensions were announced during this period. This is the first part of the week’s notifications.

 

The table below summarises the dividend change announcements.  The table shows the current dividend, the new dividend and the percentage increase (%). Dividends are shown on an annual basis and in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Yield is the new dividend yield of the most recent price, and Years is the years of consecutive dividend increases.

Raytheon Technologies: America's Next Top Aerospace Company?

 

The company's rebounding commercial aviation vertical may be key to driving long-term growth

 

 

Summary

 

The product of a 2020 merger between Raytheon and United Technologies, the combined company is a sprawling aerospace business spanning both defense and commercial segments.

While initially panned by many investors, the merger has lately shown signs of paying off.

Raytheon's commercial aviation business, inherited from United Technologies, contributed significantly to its earnings beat last quarter.

If Raytheon can sustain both its defense and commercial verticals, it could surpass Boeing and Lockheed Martin on a revenue basis.

 

Raytheon Technologies Corp. (RTX, Financial) has been a mainstay of the aerospace industry for decades, yet it has frequently found itself overshadowed by its larger peers, especially the sprawling Boeing Co. (BA, Financial) and the dynamic Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT, Financial). That may soon change, however, if current trends persist.

 

 

Synergies and disruptions

 

Raytheon was already a large and varied organization even before it merged with United Technologies Corp. last year. As I discussed in January, the merger resulted in a far larger and more complex organization; so much so, in fact, that a number of prominent analysts and investors expressed considerable skepticism about the deal. Raytheon’s leadership was unperturbed, however. Speaking at the 2019 Paris Air Show soon after the merger was announced, Raytheon’s then-Chief Financial Officer Anthony O'Brien highlighted the key benefits of adding United Technologies’ commercial aviation capabilities to Raytheon’s respected defense business:

 

Continue reading …

 

Raytheon: Missiles and Defense Division in Focus

 

A $2 billion nuclear cruise missile contract is a welcome third-quarter windfall for the defense industry stalwart

 

 

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a division of Raytheon Technologies, has stood out in recent months.

Raytheon won several missile development contracts in the third quarter, but orders for existing missiles have continued to dip.

While Raytheon may face some headwinds over the relative short run, its long-term trajectory still looks solid.

 

Raytheon Technologies Corp. (RTX, Financial) was a complex and sprawling organization even before its merger last year with United Technologies Corp. Even after consolidating or divesting stray business units post-merger, the combined entity still sports four distinct divisions:

 

1. Raytheon Intelligence & Space
2. Raytheon Missiles & Defense
3. Pratt & Whitney
4. Collins Aerospace

 

While the commercial aerospace segments that Raytheon inherited from United Technologies have garnered the lion’s share of analyst focus lately, I consider the defense side of the business to be more than deserving of attention. Raytheon Missiles & Defense, in particular, has proven especially interesting of late and definitely merits a look under the hood as the company's third quarter winds to an end.

 

 

Competing on the cutting edge of missile technology

 

Raytheon has been at the forefront of rocketry and missile systems development for nearly eight decades. The company was a pioneer in the field of guided missile technology, and is credited as the developer of the first-ever functional missile guidance system. The company has built continuously on those early successes, and in the process has developed an enviable reputation and robust track record that continues to stand it up today as a respected leader and cutting-edge innovator among the top players in the defense and aerospace sector.

Continue reading ...

Notable Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades for Week of July 26, 2021

 

Upgrades:

 

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) was upgraded by investment analysts at Redburn Partners from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Briefing.com reports.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on ACN. Cowen boosted their price objective on Accenture from $305.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, June 25th. Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Accenture from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 23rd. Barclays lifted their target price on Accenture from $310.00 to $335.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 28th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Accenture from $325.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Friday, June 25th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Accenture from $310.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $311.13. Read more …

 

D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Wedbush from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday, The Fly reports. The firm presently has a $125.00 target price on the construction company’s stock, up from their prior target price of $94.00. Wedbush’s target price indicates a potential upside of 33.22% from the company’s current price.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on DHI. BTIG Research cut their target price on D.R. Horton from $124.00 to $117.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on D.R. Horton from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 27th. Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of D.R. Horton in a research report on Monday, July 19th. Citigroup cut their price objective on D.R. Horton from $109.00 to $106.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Raymond James raised D.R. Horton from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $110.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $102.44. Read more …

 

W. P. Carey (NYSE:WPC) was upgraded by Capital One Financial from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report issued on Monday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has a $90.00 target price on the real estate investment trust’s stock. Capital One Financial‘s price objective points to a potential upside of 13.31% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of W. P. Carey from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the company from $77.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Monday, May 3rd. Bank of America reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of W. P. Carey in a research note on Tuesday, April 13th. Zacks Investment Research raised W. P. Carey from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 13th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on W. P. Carey from $77.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised W. P. Carey from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $88.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. W. P. Carey currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $84.60. Read more …

 

 

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) was upgraded by Susquehanna Bancshares from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating in a report released on Monday, Stock Target Advisor reports. The firm currently has a $163.36 price target on the specialty chemicals company’s stock. Susquehanna Bancshares’ target price points to a potential downside of 0.86% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on PPG. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $197.00 to $189.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 21st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $180.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, May 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $187.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 11th. Argus boosted their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $157.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 19th. Finally, Susquehanna upgraded shares of PPG Industries from a “neutral” rating to a “positive” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $115.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. PPG Industries presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $174.08. Read more …

Notable Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades for Week of December 14, 2020

 

Upgrades:

 

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) was upgraded by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an "underweight" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage currently has a $51.50 price objective on the financial services provider's stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 12.35% from the company's previous close.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. TheStreet raised U.S. Bancorp from a "c" rating to a "b-" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. BidaskClub raised U.S. Bancorp from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. Morgan Stanley upgraded U.S. Bancorp from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and set a $57.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, November 30th. Stephens upgraded U.S. Bancorp from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $42.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Monday, November 30th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded U.S. Bancorp from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $39.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $47.13. Read more …

 

The Clorox (NYSE:CLX) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Smith Barney Citigroup from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, The Fly reports. The firm presently has a $249.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $238.00. Smith Barney Citigroup’s price objective points to a potential upside of 22.62% from the company’s previous close.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of The Clorox from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $235.00 target price for the company. in a report on Friday, October 16th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. ValuEngine downgraded shares of The Clorox from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 10th. DA Davidson raised their target price on shares of The Clorox from $263.00 to $268.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of The Clorox from $223.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of The Clorox in a report on Monday, December 7th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $250.00 target price for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $220.53. Read more …

 

Welltower (NYSE:WELL) was upgraded by KeyCorp from a “sector weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report released on Monday, The Fly reports. The firm currently has a $70.00 price objective on the real estate investment trust’s stock. KeyCorp’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 8.95% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Welltower from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $54.00 to $63.50 in a research report on Monday, November 16th. Barclays increased their price target on Welltower from $50.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, September 4th. Mizuho cut Welltower from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $51.00 to $57.00 in a report on Friday, October 16th. Berenberg Bank lowered Welltower from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank downgraded shares of Welltower from a “sector perform” rating to a “sector underperform” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $59.00 to $57.00 in a report on Thursday, December 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eighteen have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $57.64. Read more …

 

 

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK) was upgraded by stock analysts at Bank of America from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report issued on Monday, The Fly reports.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Zacks Investment Research upgraded American Water Works from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $169.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, November 9th. Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded American Water Works from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Barclays upped their price objective on American Water Works from $138.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 18th. Finally, HSBC upgraded American Water Works from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $175.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, November 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. The stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $145.92.

Shares of American Water Works stock opened at $148.28 on Monday. American Water Works has a fifty-two week low of $92.00 and a fifty-two week high of $172.56. The firm has a market cap of $26.88 billion, a PE ratio of 40.62, a P/E/G ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.18. The business's fifty day moving average is $155.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $143.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. Read more …

 

Notable Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades for Week of November 9, 2020

 

Upgrades:

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (NASDAQ:CHRW) was upgraded by research analysts at Smith Barney Citigroup from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, The Fly reports. The brokerage presently has a $118.00 target price on the transportation company's stock, up from their prior target price of $100.00. Smith Barney Citigroup's target price indicates a potential upside of 26.00% from the company's previous close.

CHRW has been the subject of a number of other reports. Barclays raised C.H. Robinson Worldwide from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $95.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Friday, October 16th. Citigroup Inc. 3% Minimum Coupon Principal Protected Based Upon Russell raised C.H. Robinson Worldwide from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $100.00 to $118.00 in a research report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded C.H. Robinson Worldwide from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $79.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Stephens downgraded C.H. Robinson Worldwide from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $110.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, Loop Capital downgraded C.H. Robinson Worldwide from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $96.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $90.67. Read more …

 

Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Smith Barney Citigroup from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, The Fly reports. The firm presently has a $132.00 price objective on the specialty chemicals company’s stock, up from their prior price objective of $99.00. Smith Barney Citigroup’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 13.53% from the company’s current price.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ALB. KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of Albemarle from $60.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Berenberg Bank downgraded shares of Albemarle from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and increased their target price for the company from $65.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Albemarle from $81.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Albemarle from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup Inc. 3% Minimum Coupon Principal Protected Based Upon Russell raised shares of Albemarle from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $99.00 to $132.00 in a research note on Monday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $92.54. Read more …

 

Ventas (NYSE:VTR) was upgraded by stock analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from an “underperform” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $50.00 price target on the real estate investment trust’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price points to a potential upside of 6.72% from the company’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Ventas from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 17th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Ventas from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the company from $34.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Friday, August 14th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Ventas from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Argus cut shares of Ventas from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus restated a “hold” rating and set a $43.00 target price on shares of Ventas in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. The stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $39.31. Read more …

 

 

Chubb (NYSE:CB) was upgraded by The Goldman Sachs Group from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $163.00 price target on the financial services provider’s stock, up from their previous price target of $120.00. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 10.90% from the company’s current price.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on CB. William Blair upgraded Chubb from an “underperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Bank of America upgraded Chubb from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $123.00 to $132.00 in a report on Thursday, October 29th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Zacks Investment Research downgraded Chubb from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating and set a $97.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Chubb from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $152.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Chubb from $135.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $145.31. Read more …

 

Week's Most Significant Insider Trades: Week of October 26, 2020

 

Disposals:

 

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) insider Shawn P. Ogrady sold 6,310 shares of General Mills stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $383,458.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 129,257 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,854,947.89. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

 Shares of General Mills stock traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $61.28. The company had a trading volume of 66,634 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,125,454. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $60.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market cap of $37.77 billion, a PE ratio of 16.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.60. General Mills, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $46.59 and a fifty-two week high of $66.14.  Read more …

 

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.74, for a total value of $1,138,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 19,391 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,416,106.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

NYSE:ACN traded up $3.36 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $222.59. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 40,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,782,384. The company has a market capitalization of $146.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.06. Accenture plc has a 12 month low of $137.15 and a 12 month high of $247.82. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $229.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $212.84. Read more …

 

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 98,579 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.47, for a total transaction of $32,478,823.13. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Shares of NYSE:UNH traded down $2.55 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $320.51. 2,426,439 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,187,595. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $314.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $302.05. The firm has a market cap of $307.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.68. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $187.72 and a 1-year high of $335.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Read more …

 

 

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) Director Mark Wiedman sold 3,850 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Monday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $626.47, for a total transaction of $2,411,909.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Mark Wiedman also recently made the following trade(s):

On Thursday, August 6th, Mark Wiedman sold 360 shares of BlackRock stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $583.20, for a total transaction of $209,952.00.

Shares of BLK stock traded down $13.82 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $600.71. 641,802 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 950,465. The firm has a market capitalization of $91.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.92, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 4.02 and a current ratio of 4.02. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $586.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $553.24. BlackRock, Inc. has a 52 week low of $323.98 and a 52 week high of $666.64. Read more …