Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) Upgraded to Neutral by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE:GPC) was upgraded by equities researchers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on GPC. Wedbush reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Genuine Parts in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of Genuine Parts from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 5th. Atlantic Securities started coverage on shares of Genuine Parts in a research note on Wednesday, December 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Group cut their price target on shares of Genuine Parts to $95.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 20th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $98.91.

Source: American Banking and Market News

The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) Upgraded by RBC Capital Markets to Outperform

The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS) was upgraded by investment analysts at RBC Capital Markets from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday. The brokerage currently has a $130.00 price objective on the entertainment giant’s stock, up from their previous price objective of $101.00. RBC Capital Markets’ price target would indicate a potential upside of 20.19% from the company’s current price.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Barclays PLC raised their price objective on shares of The Walt Disney to $99.00 in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup Inc. raised their price objective on shares of The Walt Disney from $117.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of The Walt Disney in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of The Walt Disney from a “market perform” rating to an “underperform” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $90.00 to $88.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Loop Capital reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $117.00 target price (up from $113.00) on shares of The Walt Disney in a report on Tuesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. The company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $112.14.

Source: BBNS

Cummins Inc. (CMI) Raised to Buy at Longbow Research

Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) was upgraded by research analysts at Longbow Research from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday. The firm presently has a $165.00 target price on the stock. Longbow Research’s price target points to a potential upside of 17.94% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “hold” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Cummins in a research note on Friday, January 13th. Barclays PLC raised Cummins from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $108.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Vetr raised Cummins from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $144.50 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, December 19th. Evercore ISI raised Cummins from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $113.00 to $144.00 in a research note on Monday, November 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $109.00 price target (up previously from $103.00) on shares of Cummins in a research note on Wednesday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Cummins presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $124.26.

Source: The Cerbat Gem

The Top Dividend Stocks to Buy for Safety in 2017

These dividend stocks not only throw off yield, but keep risk at bay as well

I like to scan over the universe of dividend stocks at the beginning of each year. I try to suss out which dividend stocks not only offer a healthy dividend greater than 4%, but might also be undervalued. That creates a list of dividend stocks to buy that may not only offer income, but offer safety and even nice upside as well.

The list of dividend stocks to buy is quickly narrowed, however, by the fact that the overall market is about 20% overvalued. So your typical blue-chip stocks that allegedly represent both income and safety, in my opinion, offer nothing of the kind.

One of the biggest misleads in the market is that you can invest in some legacy Big Pharma or consumer name that pays a 3% yield and things will be just fine. Making 3% is little consolation when one loses 20% in a correction.

Instead, we’re looking at a trio of investments that not only yields between 4% and 10%, but that should provide more safety than most other stocks throughout the rest of the year.

Source: InvestorPlace

3 Cheap Value Stocks to Buy Today

The market is expensive, but there are still some great value stocks available.

Value stocks come in all shapes and sizes, and value investors can have wildly different portfolios despite sharing the core idea that buying something for less than it's worth is the best way to beat the market. Growth plays an important role in value investing, as a company's intrinsic value depends not only on its current earnings power, but also on its growth potential.

We asked three of our contributors to each discuss a stock that they consider to be a great value in today's market. Here's why Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS), International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM), and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) are cheap value stocks worth buying.

Source: The Motley Fool

Coca-Cola’s Growth Potential & Market Share

Coca-Cola (KO) is the gold standard in the beverage industry.

The company is the largest seller of non-alcoholic beverages in the world.

Coca-Cola operates a tremendously strong business model. This is evident in their dividend history.

With 54 years of consecutive dividend increases and counting, Coca-Cola is a Dividend Aristocrat (25+ years of rising dividends) and a Dividend King (50+ years of rising dividends).

Coca-Cola is one of 18 businesses with 50+ years of consecutive dividend raises. Click here to download your free detailed Dividend Kings Excel Spreadsheet so you can see other businesses with strong and durable competitive advantages like Coca-Cola.

This level of dividend growth would not exist unless the company operated a recession resistant business model with distinct competitive advantages and a wide economic moat.

That being said, there are some that believe that Coca-Cola’s best days are behind it. Soda sales have dropped for 11 straight years. Fiscal 2015 fanned this flame, as investors watched total revenues fall 4% and operating profits drop by 10%.

In short, many believe that Coca-Cola is on the decline. This is not the case.

In fact, the company still has plenty of room to grow. The beverage industry is expected to increase by $300 billion between 2015 and 2020, and the company continues to hold dominant market share.

This article examines Coca-Cola’s growth potential and market share in detail.

Source: TalkMarkets

10 Dividend Growth Stocks That Simply Print Money

These 10 stocks collectively yield 3%, but thanks to fantastic cash generation, your yield down the road will be far more generous

History has taught us that dividend growth stocks are the absolute best way to grow both your income and wealth over time.

One such group of dividend stocks is known as the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats — S&P 500 companies that have increased their payouts for at least 25 consecutive years. Aristocrats have collectively outperformed the S&P 500 over time with less volatility.

Of course, to be able to pay secure and growing dividends, a company needs to have a strong competitive advantage that gives it good pricing power and allows it to generate strong free cash flow.

Today, we’re going to look at 10 great dividend growth stocks worth investigating. These are companies with strong businesses that consistently generate rivers of FCF that allow them to reward long-term dividend lovers. Each of these companies also scores well using our Dividend Safety Scores, which income investors can learn more about here.

Here they are, in order of free cash flow margin:

Source: InvestorPlace

Medtronic PLC (MDT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) manufactures and sells device-based medical therapies worldwide. This dividend champion has paid dividends since 1977 and increased them for 39 years in a row.

The company’s last dividend increase was in June 2016 when the Board of Directors approved a 13.10% increase (1) to 43 cents/share. The company’s largest competitors include Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX), Becton Dickinson and Co (NYSE:BDX) and St Jude Medical Inc (NYSE:STJ).

Over the past decade this dividend growth stock (2) has delivered an annualized total return of 5% to its shareholders.

Source: Insider Monkey

10 Best Stocks for Retirement Investors

The market has rallied strongly since the election, but investors shouldn’t forget about dividend-paying stocks

The stock market has rallied strongly since the election, and the Federal Reserve is officially on track to increase interest rates over time. Retirees are benefitting from higher stock portfolio values and the prospects for higher payouts in their bond portfolios.

But they shouldn’t forget about dividend-paying stocks. They could grow less appealing over time as bond payouts rise, but that could also mean opportunity as they lose favor. Below are 10 stocks that are laser focused on sustaining and growing their dividend yields over time.

And generally (and if not otherwise noted), the below companies also sport reasonable valuations when also taking their growth prospects into account.

Source: InvestorPlace

3M: A Buy And Hold Forever Dividend King

When it comes to dividend growth stocks, there are few better core holdings for one’s portfolio than the legendary dividend kings, companies that have raised their dividend for 50+ straight years. Investors can view all of the dividend kings here.

These are companies that have not just proven to have an ability to steadily grow throughout any kind of economic, interest rate, and political environment, but also have a very dividend-friendly corporate culture that endures periodic management changes.

3M (MMM), with 58 consecutive years of rising dividends, is one such dividend king, and we happen to hold the company in our Top 20 Dividend Stocks portfolio as well.

Let’s take a deep look at what makes up 3M’s secret sauce and if this is the type of company that deserves to be a core holding in almost any income growth portfolio.

Source: TalkMarkets

Let Realty Income Corp (O) Stock Pay Your Bills in 2017

Trump's surprise win caused a selloff, but now Realty Income is ready to rock

Regardless of your political preferences, the “Trump rally” that has pushed stocks higher since November has been a rip-roaring good time. No one ever complains about making money.

Let Realty Income Corp (O) Stock Pay Your Bills in 2017Of course, there are also no guarantees it will continue. The stock market is extraordinarily expensive after eight years of virtually uninterrupted bull market, and “The Donald’s” promises of reduced regulation and higher growth may prove harder to deliver in practice.

There are some pretty aggressive growth assumptions priced into the stock market right now, so any failure to deliver could result in a nasty correction … or even a full-blown bear market.

I’ve always been a big believer in taking a total return approach to investing, focusing on both capital gains and income. And with the capital gains looking a little more iffy than usual at current stock prices, current income in the form of dividends is more important than ever.

Continue to read at InvestorPlace

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) Stock Is More Attractive Than You Think

Sometimes, setting your sights on the moon can be a waste of time and money, and lead to lost opportunities

It’s no longer a real secret that Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is on the defensive in the router/switching market — a market that thrust Cisco to the head of the class in the late 90’s, and a market that Cisco still mostly dominates. On the flipside, investors more than a little familiar with CSCO stock also know the company’s newest priority isn’t the kind of heavy-hitting revenue generator its networking wares used to be.

That new focus? Software, and the Internet of Things in particular … a party to which Cisco showed up late, and an arena that it still doesn’t look like it’s perfectly ready to compete in compared to other players like General Electric Company (NYSE:GE).

Fear not, however. Not only is Cisco equipped well enough to remain relevant in a future where IoT is everything, some subtle clues recently dished out by key executives suggests the company “gets it” to a far greater degree than anyone’s giving it credit for.

Source: IvestorPlace

5 Stocks to Buy for a Big January

History says these picks are prone to outperform most others this month

Although the month of January is generally a good one for the market (with the S&P 500 averaging a 0.8% gain), the first month of the calendar year is an unusually good month for certain stocks to buy, year in and year out.

The reason? Well. the most plausible reason is that it’s got something to do with the foray into a new tax year, or perhaps cold weather ultimately spurs a bullish sentiment on these names.

Regardless of the reason, it happens. With that as the backdrop, here’s a closer look at the top five stocks to buy this month.

I’ve calculated the lifetime monthly returns for each stock using a proprietary charting platform, and each of them is in the habit of reliably making their way decidedly higher during January.

Source: IvestorPlace