Inflation increased in the first two months of the year and investors are uncertain as to when the Federal Reserve will start its rate cuts. This has raised concerns among market participants and made markets volatile.The Federal Reserve said at the end of last year that it would soon end its rate hike regime and go for rate cuts in 2024. This came as inflation declined sharply in 2023 after the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary tightening policy to curb 40-year-high inflation saw it hiking interest rat ...

Key PointsInvestors may find safety in these low-beta reliable businesses as the VIX creeps back to its 2024 highs.With steady and predictable finances, three stocks could be the place to be until the volatility storm passes. High margins, analyst price target boosts, and an attractive dividend all in one trend back to safety.5 stocks we like better than Equity ResidentialStocks never really stay put. Every once in a small timeframe cycle, they tend to jump and have little ‘hiccups’. These hiccups are chara ...

6 Dividend Kings To Buy Now For Secure Dividend Growth ptasha / iStock via Getty Images Investors love dividend stocks, especially the ultra-yield variety because they provide a significant income stream and give investors a great opportunity for massive total returns. Total return includes interest, capital gains, dividends, and distributions realized over time. In other words, the total return on an investment or a portfolio consists of income and stock appreciation.For example, if you buy a stock at $2 ...

New deodorant offers 11 scents with naturally sourced and derived moisture-locking ingredients inside modern containers made from 100% Recycled Plastic Dermatologist Expert Dr. Adeline Kikam of @BrownSkinDerm joins launch efforts to help consumers understand what it means to go natural with their underarm protection KENNEBUNK, Maine, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 50 years of dedication to the mission of making products that are good for the consumer and the planet, Tom's of Maine announces the n ...

It’s usually never a bad idea to consider defensive stocks to buy. They’re not sexy and they probably won’t make you rich. However, not ending up destitute is the name of the game, especially amid some worrying signals.Among the worst – if not the worst – is the so-called pawn shop indicator. While many political leaders have touted the robust headline print of the economy, the boots on the ground tell a different tale. According to one pawn shop operator that USA Today interviewed, it has a glut of invento ...

For those looking to find strong Consumer Staples stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Colgate-Palmolive (CL) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Colgate-Palmolive is one of 194 companies in the Consumer Staples group. The Consumer Staples group currently sits at #14 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector group ...

Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that mea ...

Wall Street started 2024 on a high, with major indexes hitting all-time highs as a steep decline in inflation by the end of last year raised hopes that the Federal Reserve would soon initiate rate cuts. However, the hopes have faded drastically over the past couple of weeks as inflation rose above 3% in the first two months of the year.The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.4% month over month in February after rising 0.3% in January. Year over year, CPI rose 3.2% in February, higher than January’s jump of 3 ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) today increased the quarterly common stock cash dividend to $0.50 per share, up from $0.48 per share. The increase will be effective in the second quarter, 2024. The Board declared that the second quarter dividend is to be paid on May 15, 2024 to shareholders of record as of April 22, 2024. On an annualized basis, the new dividend rate is $2.00 versus $1.92 per share previously. The Company has paid uninterrupted divide ...

Summary of Colgate-Palmolive Company Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) - **Participants**: - John Hazlin - President, Hill's Pet Nutrition - Stan Sutula - Chief Financial Officer - Peter Grom - UBS Analyst Key Industry Insights - **Industry**: Pet Nutrition - **Growth Dynamics**: - Colgate has seen stronger organic revenue growth due to strategic initiatives, particularly in the Hill's division, which has experienced multiple years of double-digit organic sales growth [2][4][10] - The pet nutrition market has moderated post-COVID, with inflation impacting consumer buying behavior [15][16] Core Business Strategies - **Science-Driven Innovation**: - Hill's focuses on science-driven nutrition that leads to optimal health outcomes for pets, supported by veterinary endorsements [5][6] - Investment in media and advertising has increased brand awareness and household penetration [7][13] - **E-commerce Growth**: - E-commerce has become a significant growth channel for Hill's, which was previously underutilized [6] - **Advertising and Innovation**: - Increased investment in advertising has been crucial for driving growth, even during challenging times [10][11] - Continuous innovation in product offerings, such as the Derm Complete diet, has been a key focus [8] Market Challenges and Opportunities - **Market Slowdown**: - Post-COVID dynamics have led to softened volumes in the U.S. pet market, influenced by inflation and changes in pet adoption rates [15][16] - **Long-Term Growth Potential**: - Despite short-term challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive due to trends like the humanization of pets and premiumization of pet food [16][17] - Opportunities exist in under-indexed areas such as small dogs and cats, as well as therapeutic nutrition [21][22][31] Financial Performance and Projections - **Organic Growth Expectations**: - Hill's is expected to grow ahead of the company's long-term algorithm of 3% to 5%, with significant headroom for penetration in the U.S. market [30][32] - **Margin Compression**: - Hill's has faced margin compression due to raw material inflation, but pricing strategies and operational efficiencies are being implemented to recover margins [34][41] Capital Allocation and Strategic Investments - **Investment Focus**: - Colgate is committed to investing in capacity, R&D, and advertising to support long-term growth [24][61] - Recent acquisitions and new facilities are aimed at enhancing production capabilities and market reach [50][52] - **International Opportunities**: - International markets present significant growth potential, with low brand awareness and penetration in many regions [26][28] Conclusion - **Overall Outlook**: - Colgate-Palmolive's strategic focus on science-driven innovation, increased advertising, and capacity expansion positions Hill's for continued growth despite current market challenges [56][59] - **Commitment to Long-Term Growth**: - The company remains dedicated to leveraging its strengths in the pet nutrition market while navigating short-term challenges effectively [74][76]