We were recently asked the following excellent question from a subscriber and feel it provided the opportunity to share some helpful hints and insights into how to best utilize FAST Graphs: “Usually, I think I understand that the orange P/E ratio line is an average of some type and it usually intuitively makes sense. However, …
FAST Graphs At-A-Glance
Can General Electric Return to its Previous Blue-Chip Dividend Growth Stock?
Introduction General Electric (GE) has announced a strategy and new focus to be the world’s best infrastructure and Technology Company. Already in 2014, the company has announced that they have taken significant steps to reshape and refocus their portfolio. In the future the company has a stated goal to achieve 75% of their earnings from …
AT&T: Compelling Even Without Growth
AT&T is one of the largest and most recognized companies in the world. Due to its size, the overall expected growth prospects are rightfully subdued. Yet this fact alone does not preclude AT&T from being a reasonable investment opportunity. AT&T (T) traces its roots back to 1876 with Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone. …
Taking A “FUN” Look At Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark is a storied company and often a reasonable investment opportunity based on ordinary metrics. Frequently investors view these few basic metrics and come to an investment decision. With this article we would like to highlight additional fundamental data on this specific company that that might be useful. If you’ve ever had a baby, a …
Medtronic-A Lesson On Reasonableness Despite New Highs
People tend to lump all companies together as “stocks” and today the general characterization is that stocks are “expensive.” While it is true that Medtronic is at an all-time high price, this certainly doesn’t translate to an all-time high valuation. As such, many might be inadvertently passing over perfectly investable opportunities. Everyone is keenly aware …
Microsoft: The Progression Of A Maturing Business
Everyone is well aware of Microsoft’s storied historical growth record, which provides a classic case to watch a company progress into the maturation phase. As a result of this slower growth, one might be inclined to believe that an investment thesis today is “late to the party.” While it is true that the dynamics and …
U.S. Bancorp: Don’t Forget About This Fair Valued Bank
If you were to survey the field to name major banks, we’re guessing that U.S. Bancorp (USB) wouldn’t top too many lists. Instead, the likes of J.P. Morgan (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC), Bank of America (BAC) or Citigroup (C) would probably come to mind. Yet with $361 billion in assets, the Minneapolis based U.S. Bank …
Is Ingredion The Missing Ingredient In Your Portfolio?
Illinois based Ingredion (INGR) is a global ingredient solutions provider to the food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceutical world. Think corn, wheat and potatoes being turned into things like sweeteners, starches and fibers. What’s not readily apparent is that many ingredients show up in the rest of your world as well. For instance, did you know …
Macy’s ‘Way To Shop’ For A Discount
With the holiday season in full force, it’s likely that many of you have browsed your fair share of shopping aisles. Now this could – and likely does – mean any one of a variety of retailers. Yet Cincinnati, Ohio based Macy’s (M) and this time of year tend to go hand-in-hand – after-all it’s …
Aflac: Still Cheap Despite The Recent Price Run-Up
Georgia based Aflac (AFL) is probably best known among the general public for the Aflac duck parading about television commercials. However, investors probably know Aflac just as well by its consistency towards rewarding shareholders. Over the past 31 years this supplemental insurer has not only paid a dividend but also increased each year; during the …