Market Trends - The current trend for stocks remains bullish, particularly for technology and AI stocks, despite signs of economic slowdown [1] - The government shutdown may have a larger ripple effect on the economy, contrasting with the government's previous rescue actions in 2021 [2] - Investors are advised to consider adding defensive stocks due to ongoing economic uncertainty [2] Costco Wholesale - Costco has proven its value to consumers and investors, with a steady increase in membership fees and strong sales growth [4][5] - The stock has provided a total return of over 175% due to year-over-year comparable sales growth, buybacks, and dividends [5] - Despite its high share price of over $930, Costco's valuation remains reasonable compared to its historical performance [6] Chevron - Chevron has faced challenges as energy stocks have not performed well for growth investors, with crude oil prices not rising as expected [7] - The company is well-positioned in the LNG market, particularly in Asia, which is expected to drive revenue growth as markets shift away from coal [8] - Analysts forecast earnings growth of over 16.5%, suggesting Chevron stock may be undervalued at around 13x earnings [9] Clorox - Clorox is viewed as a contrarian pick among defensive stocks, with its stock trading near six-year lows due to post-pandemic demand struggles [11] - The company is modernizing operations and improving operating margins, which may present a buying opportunity despite bearish sentiments [12] - Clorox's stock has established a solid technical support base around $118, but it needs to demonstrate revenue and earnings growth to regain investor confidence [13]

Core Insights - The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is recognized as one of the Top 15 Growth Stocks for Long-Term Investors [1] Company Overview - Clorox has a history of over a century, with its first product, liquid bleach, introduced in 1913, and has since become a global producer of consumer and professional products [2] - The company offers a diverse range of brands that cater to various markets, providing significant scale and a strong presence across multiple product categories [2] Marketing and Brand Investment - Clorox maintains its leadership position through substantial advertising efforts, planning to spend approximately 11% of its net sales on advertising and promotions in fiscal 2026 [3] - This investment underscores the company's commitment to supporting its brands and sustaining market strength [3] Product Demand and Market Resilience - A key advantage of Clorox's business model is the everyday nature of its products, which are used by millions of consumers regardless of economic conditions [4] - The company estimates that its products are found in about nine out of ten U.S. households [4] - Demand for cleaning supplies and food products remains steady even during economic downturns, allowing Clorox to maintain profitability through various cycles [5] Dividend Growth - Clorox has a strong track record of increasing its dividend, with a growth streak spanning 22 years [5] - The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.24 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.13% as of October 12 [5]

Group 1 - The Clorox Company will announce its first-quarter fiscal year 2026 results on November 3, 2025 [1] - The announcement will include a press release and prepared management remarks, followed by a live Q&A audio webcast with the Chair and CEO Linda Rendle and CFO Luc Bellet [3] - Clorox has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, ranking No. 1 on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies list for three consecutive years [2] Group 2 - Clorox's trusted brands include Brita®, Burt's Bees®, Clorox®, Fresh Step®, Glad®, Hidden Valley®, Kingsford®, Liquid-Plumr®, and Pine-Sol®, along with international brands such as Clorinda®, Chux®, and Poett® [2] - The company has been headquartered in Oakland, California, since 1913 and was one of the first in the U.S. to integrate ESG into its business reporting [2]

Group 1: Clorox - Clorox is a dividend aristocrat with modest recent dividend increases, raising its quarterly dividend by 2 cents annually for the past four years, resulting in a less than 2% annual growth rate [1] - The 5-year dividend growth is 2.9% annualized, while the 10-year growth is 5.1% annualized, with the current yield at 4% [1] - Analysts forecast mid single-digit annual dividend growth over the next 10 years, with a payout ratio expected to be around 60% in the long term [1] Group 2: Craft Hind - Craft Hind announced plans to split into two firms and reduced its quarterly dividend rate to 40 cents from 60.25 cents in 2019, maintaining this rate since then [1] - The stock now trades at a 50% discount to its $51 fair value estimate, with a current yield of 6.2%, exceeding peers like Campbell and General Mills [2] Group 3: Verizon - Verizon declared a 1.8% dividend increase in early September, consistent with its 2% annualized growth over the past 5 years, resulting in a current yield of 6.3% [4] - The current dividend rate consumes less than 60% of free cash flow, providing a cushion to maintain this income stream for shareholders [5] - The stock trades near a 20% discount to its $53 fair value estimate [5]

Group 1 - The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is recognized as one of the Best High Yield Stocks to Buy in October, highlighting its attractiveness for investors seeking dividend income [1] - Clorox derives approximately 80% of its sales from brands that are leaders in their respective categories, providing a strong competitive advantage [2] - The company's product portfolio includes well-known brands such as Kingsford, Burt's Bees, Hidden Valley Ranch, Fresh Step, Pine-Sol, Brita, Glad, and Liquid-Plumr, indicating its resilience in challenging market conditions [3] Group 2 - Clorox currently pays a quarterly dividend of $1.24 per share, reflecting a 1.6% increase in July, marking the 22nd consecutive year of dividend increases [4] - The stock offers a dividend yield of 3.99% as of September 27, making it an appealing option for dividend capture strategies [4]

Core Insights - Clorox Company (CLX) is effectively managing margins through holistic strategies, product innovations, and the IGNITE strategy, capitalizing on pricing strength to support growth and mitigate cost pressures [1][10] - The company is proactively adjusting its pricing strategy to address inflation and changing consumer behaviors, with a focus on premium pricing for core brands [2] - Clorox has implemented a dual pricing strategy using advanced analytics to balance affordability for consumers with sustained profitability, which has reinforced gross margin expansion despite soft volume trends [3][10] Financial Performance - Clorox delivered flat gross margin in Q4 fiscal 2025 after ten consecutive quarters of expansion, demonstrating a disciplined pricing approach and cost-saving initiatives that have bolstered margins [4] - All three core business units of Clorox posted solid year-over-year growth in Q4 fiscal 2025, indicating broad-based segment strength [4][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CLX's fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 21.5%, while fiscal 2027 shows an anticipated growth of 14.1% [11] Valuation Metrics - Clorox shares have declined by 24.7% year-to-date, compared to an industry decline of 8.1% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.73X, slightly above the industry average of 19.12X [8]

Market Overview - The recent rate cut by the Federal Reserve has raised concerns about the economy, particularly regarding employment stabilization versus inflation focus [2] - The major tech stocks, referred to as MAG 7, have been driving the market higher but are currently experiencing a pause [2] Clorox - Clorox is being considered as a defensive investment due to its status as a consumer staple, especially as tech stocks take a break [3][4] - The company's recent earnings reported revenue of $7.1 billion and a gross margin of 45% [4] - The stock has historically bottomed around the $118 level, indicating a potential low-risk, high-reward opportunity [5] - Technical analysis shows a recent price range with resistance levels at $132 and $127, and a significant support level at $118 [7][11] - A bullish divergence in RSI suggests potential upward momentum despite recent price declines [9][10] - The proposed trade involves selling a $120 strike price put option expiring on October 17, which could yield a 10% return if the stock remains above $120 [12] American Electric Power - American Electric Power is highlighted for its vertical integration in the energy sector, providing a diversified approach to electricity generation and distribution [15] - The stock has been in an uptrend since July 2023, recently bouncing off a technical support channel [16] - Technical indicators show a series of higher lows, with important resistance levels around $110.50 and $115 [20][21] - The proposed trade involves a call option with a $105 strike price expiring on June 18, 2026, with a break-even point at $115 [23] Lowe's (Insurance Company) - Lowe's is recognized for its diversification beyond insurance, including investments in energy, natural gas, and hospitality [25][26] - The stock is in a long-term uptrend, supported by its diversified business model [27] - Technical analysis indicates a breakout above previous highs, with significant trading activity around the $96 to $97 level [30][34] - The proposed trade involves a long call option with a $90 strike price expiring on December 19, 2025, with a break-even point at $101 [37]

Company Overview - The Clorox Company (CLX) has a market cap of $14.9 billion and is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products, operating through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International [1] - Clorox's product offerings include trusted brands such as Clorox, Pine-Sol, Glad, Kingsford, Hidden Valley, Brita, and Burt's Bees, sold across various channels including mass retailers, grocery stores, and e-commerce platforms [2] Stock Performance - CLX shares have decreased by 29.3% from their 52-week high of $171.37, while the stock has seen a marginal rise over the past three months, outperforming the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP), which declined by 3.3% [3] - Year-to-date, CLX stock is down 25.4%, which is a more significant decline compared to XLP's slight drop, and over the past 52 weeks, CLX shares have decreased by 25.9%, while XLP dipped by 5.7% [4] Financial Performance - Clorox reported a stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.87 and net sales of $1.99 billion; however, shares fell nearly 2% the following day due to a weak FY2026 outlook [5] - The company anticipates a decline in net sales by 6% to 10% and organic sales by 5% to 9%, primarily due to a reversal of incremental ERP shipments that had previously boosted fiscal 2025 results [5] - EPS is projected to fall sharply to between $5.60 and $5.95, with adjusted EPS expected to be between $5.95 and $6.30, reflecting an 18% to 23% decline [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are cautious about Clorox's prospects, with a consensus rating of "Hold" from 19 analysts, and a mean price target of $132.44, indicating a premium of 9.6% to current levels [6]

Group 1 - The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is recognized as one of the 10 Safest High Dividend Stocks to buy now [1] - The company generates approximately 80% of its sales from brands that are either first or second in their categories, indicating strong brand recognition and customer loyalty [2] - Clorox is focused on enhancing brand value, maintaining a resilient supply chain, driving product innovation, and advancing digital transformation [3] Group 2 - On September 17, Clorox declared a quarterly dividend of $1.24 per share, consistent with its previous dividend, and has been increasing dividends for 22 consecutive years [4] - The stock currently offers a dividend yield of 4.08% as of September 20 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend-paying stocks are favored for their stability during market fluctuations and provide a steady income stream, with a preference for dividend growth stocks highlighted by Goldman Sachs [1][2]. Dividend Performance - Companies that initiate and consistently increase dividends have historically outperformed the broader market, with Dividend Growers and Initiators returning 9.62%, Dividend Payers at 8.78%, and companies with no dividend changes at 6.88% [2]. Shareholder Preferences - Established companies often face pressure from shareholders to distribute dividends, which signal genuine profits and provide a cash cushion during market declines, thus increasing demand for dividend-paying stocks [3]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The article utilized a Finviz screener to identify companies with at least 10 consecutive years of dividend growth, selecting those with dividend yields above 4% as of September 20 [6]. Company Highlights - **Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.04% - Known for personal care and tissue products, with a focus on product innovation and operational efficiency. The company has raised dividends for 53 consecutive years, currently paying $1.26 per share [9][11]. - **The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.08% - Recognized for a wide range of consumer goods, focusing on brand value, supply chain resilience, and product innovation. The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.24 per share and has increased dividends for 22 years [12][14].