While the Market Roars as a Bear, Some Companies Stand Strong

When most people hear the phrase "missed opportunities" they tend to reflect on past events and what could have been. By nature I am forward looking, so "missed opportunities" for me is the present and the future.

At some point in the future will we look back on our actions today and refer to them as our greatest missed opportunity? There is a lot of fear in the market. Not all companies are created the same. While the market roars as a bear to frighten the weak, some prominent companies stand strong.

Below are several select companies that recently flexed their muscles by raising their cash dividend:

• Tyco Electronics (TEL) Ups Qtr. Dividend 14% to $0.16/Share (2.31% yield)
  
• National Semiconductor (NSM) Raises Qtr. Dividend 33% to $0.08/Share (1.86% yield)
• Lockheed Martin (LMT) Boosts Qtr. Dividend 36% to $0.57/Share (2.08%)
  
• Campbell Soup (CPB) Increases Qtr. Dividend 14% to $0.25/Share (2.59%)
• Accenture (ACN) Ups Qtr. Dividend 19% to $0.50/Share (1.32%)
• McDonald's (MCD) Raises Dividend 33% to $0.50/Share (3.14%)
• CLARCOR (CLC) Boosts Qtr. Dividend 12.5% to $0.09/Share (0.85%)

After running these companies through my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, LMT with a NPV of MMA Differential of $5,412 was interesting, but cut its dividend by 50% in 2000. I hold MCD and it has performed well. However, I am not currently adding to my position due to its valuation. None of the others achieved the necessary NPV of MMA Differential to justify a full evaluation.

Disclosure: Long MCD.

(Photo: Steve Woods)


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