Core Viewpoint - The article discusses top dividend stock picks for the upcoming year, highlighting a diverse selection across different sectors, including a REIT, materials, energy, and healthcare stocks, aimed at providing stable income regardless of market conditions [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Selections - Amcor is highlighted for its recent merger with Barry, projecting 13% earnings growth next year and 11% the following year, and is considered a dividend aristocrat [4]. - Bristol Myers is noted for its strong cash flow and potential for earnings growth, although its growth is expected to materialize further out [2][4][16]. - Enbridge, a major pipeline company with 40,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines, is positioned to benefit from ongoing energy demand without being overly exposed to oil and gas price cycles [5]. - Vichy, primarily a REIT focused on casinos, maintained 100% occupancy during the pandemic and is currently trading nearly 10% below its recent high, offering a 6.4% yield [6][9]. Group 2: Market Context and Performance - The selected stocks generally yield around 6%, with Bristol Myers yielding approximately 4.5%, and all are trading at about 10 times earnings [2]. - The healthcare sector, particularly for Bristol Myers, is expected to see improved clarity and appreciation due to ongoing discussions around drug pricing [5]. - Vichy's stock performance has been impacted by perceptions of weakness in Las Vegas, despite its strong occupancy rates and long-term leases with high-quality tenants [7][11]. Group 3: Dividend Strategy and Economic Considerations - The discussion emphasizes the importance of dividend income, especially in a context of potentially higher interest rates, suggesting that dividends may still provide better income growth compared to treasury yields [18][19]. - The historical growth rate of dividend income is noted to be around 5.5%, aligning with the S&P's dividend growth, making dividend-paying stocks attractive for income-seeking investors [19]. - Companies like Amcor face challenges in assessing their debt portfolios and interest expenses in a rising rate environment, particularly with significant maturities approaching in 2027 [20][21].

Core Insights - The article highlights the positive impact of JARDIANCE on managing type 2 diabetes, showcasing its effectiveness in improving the quality of life for patients [1] Company Overview - JARDIANCE is positioned as a key medication for individuals managing type 2 diabetes, indicating its relevance in the pharmaceutical industry [1]

Company Overview - Amcor plc (AMCR) is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and provides packaging solutions for consumer and healthcare markets, focusing on sustainability across flexible and rigid formats [1] - The company has a market capitalization of nearly $19 billion, serving global food, beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries [1] Stock Performance - AMCR stock is currently trading 21.2% below its March high of $10.45 and has experienced a modest decline over the past three months, while the S&P 500 Index advanced 3.7% during the same period, indicating relative underperformance [2] - Over the past 52 weeks, AMCR has declined 17.6% and has fallen another 12.5% year-to-date (YTD), contrasting with the S&P 500's respective gains of 12.8% and 16.1% [4] Technical Analysis - The stock has remained below its 200-day moving average of $8.95 since mid-August, failing to break through this declining trend line [5] - Although AMCR briefly reclaimed its 50-day average of $8.23 in November, a pullback in December reversed that progress, indicating a weak near-term trend [5] Financial Performance - On November 5, AMCR reported Q1 fiscal 2026 results, with revenue rising 71.3% year-over-year to $5.75 billion, slightly missing the analyst estimate of $5.83 billion [6] - Adjusted EPS reached $0.19, matching expectations and reflecting an 18% annual increase [6] - Earnings exceeded the midpoint of management's guidance range, demonstrating disciplined cost control and improving productivity [7] Future Outlook - Management targets at least $260 million in synergy benefits in fiscal 2026, with potential for more than 30% EPS growth driven by synergies over the three years through fiscal 2028 [7] - The integration of the Berry business is tracking at the upper end of expectations, strengthening confidence in management's execution [7] Industry Context - The pressure on AMCR is not isolated, as shares of rival Ball Corporation (BALL) also declined 12.2% over the past 52 weeks and fell another 7.7% YTD [8]

Core Viewpoint - Amcor plc will implement a 1-for-5 reverse stock split, reducing the number of outstanding shares from approximately 2.3 billion to about 461 million, effective January 15, 2026 [1][3]. Group 1: Reverse Stock Split Details - The reverse stock split was approved by Amcor shareholders on November 6, 2025, and will be executed after trading closes on January 14, 2026 [1][3]. - Following the reverse stock split, Amcor's ordinary shares will trade on a split-adjusted basis, and the par value of the shares will increase to $0.05 [3]. - No fractional shares will be issued; instead, shareholders entitled to fractional shares will receive cash payments [4]. Group 2: Trading Information - Amcor ordinary shares will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMCR" but will have a new CUSIP number [5]. - CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) will also be consolidated on a 1-for-5 basis, with one CDI representing one ordinary share post-split [1][3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Amcor is a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, generating $23 billion in annualized sales from operations across over 400 locations in more than 40 countries [8]. - The company focuses on innovation and sustainability in packaging for various sectors, including nutrition, health, beauty, and wellness [8].

Economic Outlook - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected to cut the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points with a nearly 90% probability [1] - Lower short-term interest rates may ease refinancing conditions for businesses, but could signal economic weakness if not managed properly [2] Investment Opportunities - In a soft landing scenario, investors are encouraged to consider dividend stocks for steady income and potential capital appreciation as bond yields decline [3] NNN REIT - NNN REIT offers a 6.01% dividend yield with a quarterly payout of $0.6 per share, benefiting from a stable demand for single-tenant retail properties [4][6] - The REIT has increased its annualized base rent (ABR) by 7.2% year-over-year and has $1.4 billion in available liquidity with no floating rate debt [8] - NNN REIT's stock has a price target of $44.41, above its current price of $40.01 per share [8] Verizon Communications - Verizon has announced layoffs of 13,000 employees, about 13% of its workforce, as part of an AI integration strategy, incurring a severance charge of $1.6-$1.8 billion in Q4 [9][10] - The company reported $33.8 billion in total operating revenue for Q3, a 1.5% year-over-year growth, while reducing unsecured debt by $6.7 billion [10] - Verizon's stock has a price target of $46.55, compared to its current price of $40.89 per share, making it an attractive entry point [11] Amcor - Amcor, a leader in flexible and rigid packaging, is poised for growth due to increasing consumer demand for convenience and e-commerce, with the online food delivery packaging market expected to grow from $4.9 billion in 2024 to $10.2 billion by 2033 [12][13] - For fiscal Q1 2026, Amcor reported a 25% year-over-year increase in net sales of flexible packaging solutions to $3.3 billion, with a 205% increase in rigid packaging sales to $2.48 billion [14] - Amcor's stock has a price target of $10.63, above its current price of $8.22 per share, with analysts maintaining bullish ratings [15]

Core Thesis - Amcor plc is positioned as a global packaging leader following its acquisition of Berry Global, focusing on higher-margin healthcare and hygiene segments, which enhances its pricing power and procurement leverage [2][3] Financial Metrics - As of December 1st, Amcor's share price was $8.54, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 28.31 and 10.59 respectively [1] - The forward P/E of Amcor is approximately 10x, compared to peers at 12–15x, indicating potential upside if synergies are realized [2] Growth Segments - The healthcare and hygiene segments are expected to grow at a CAGR of 3–4%, complementing Amcor's traditional flexible and rigid plastics businesses [3] - Amcor serves major multinational FMCG clients such as Nestle, P&G, and J&J, which supports its growth strategy [3] Synergy and Cash Flow - Key catalysts include a near-term synergy realization of $260 million by FY26 and a full synergy capture of $650 million by FY28, potentially driving free cash flow to $2.1 billion [4] - The company has a 5% dividend yield and a 10% free cash flow yield, with projected upside of 20–30% based on peer EV/EBITDA valuation [4] Risks and Challenges - Risks include integration failure, over-leverage, tariff exposure from Asia-Pacific revenue, forex volatility, and potential demand compression from FMCG clients [3]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend-paying stocks, highlighting a long-term focus on this investment strategy by the company for over 15 years [1] Summary by Categories Dividend-Paying Stocks - The company has been tracking dividend-paying stocks closely, indicating a sustained interest in this segment of the market [1]

Core Insights - South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit is planning to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq following a merger with Naver, a South Korean internet firm [1][2] - The merger between Upbit's parent company Dunamu and Naver is expected to be completed this week, potentially creating a bridge between cryptocurrency and traditional finance [2][3] Company Developments - Naver's FinTech arm, Naver Financial, and Dunamu have been in discussions regarding potential collaborations, indicating a convergence of the tech and cryptocurrency sectors in South Korea [3] - Naver's quarterly revenue surpassed 3 trillion South Korean won (approximately $2.04 billion) in Q3, driven by AI integration in its services [4] - Naver Pay's revenue increased by 12.5% year-over-year and 5.2% quarter-over-quarter, reaching 433.1 billion South Korean won (about $294.5 million) [5] Market Trends - Over one-third of South Korea's population, approximately 18 million people, are engaged in trading digital assets, highlighting a significant market for digital finance [4] - Naver Pay's total payment volume in Q3 reached 22.7 trillion South Korean won (about $15.4 billion), reflecting a 21.7% increase from the previous year [5] - Naver Pay's acquisition of a 70% stake in Securities Plus Unlimited demonstrates its commitment to expanding its role in the FinTech sector [6]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of strong foundational companies in the technology, industrial, and conglomerate sectors for long-term success [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The focus is on analyzing diverse businesses, particularly those with robust financials and strategic positioning [1] - The analysis combines financial metrics with narrative storytelling to provide insights into company performance and market understanding [1] Group 2: Industry Perspective - There is a clear interest in the technology, industrial, and conglomerate sectors, indicating a belief in their growth potential [1]

Core Insights - Amcor has launched the Amcor Lift-Off Winter 2025/26 Challenge to invite global start-ups to develop sustainable packaging solutions, focusing on flexible and paper-based packaging [1][3] - The initiative aims to build on previous successful collaborations in areas such as AI-powered waste analytics and bio-based materials [1][3] Challenge Details - Start-ups are encouraged to submit solutions in three areas: home-compostable adhesives for flexible packaging, high-performance compostable oxygen transmission barriers for paper packaging, and nature-based barrier additives for film formulation [2] - The challenge will occur in three phases, with selected start-ups presenting their technologies to Amcor's R&D team for potential joint development and investment opportunities of up to $500,000 [2] Company Performance - Amcor reported a net income of $262 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, an increase from $191 million year-over-year, with net sales rising 68% to $5.74 billion at constant currency [4] - The company reaffirmed its earnings outlook for fiscal 2026, indicating strong financial performance [4] Strategic Focus - Amcor's vice-president of corporate venturing and open innovation emphasized the company's commitment to advancing circularity and environmental responsibility through collaboration with start-ups [3] - In early November 2025, Amcor announced an expansion of its printing, lamination, and converting capabilities in North America to better serve the protein packaging market [3]