Death, Taxes, & VolatilityAfter a strong stock market recovery in the back half of 2023, stocks continued to enjoy smooth sailing into January of the new year. However, though equity markets may experience periods of low volatility, historical trends and data suggest that volatility is an inherent and cyclical aspect of these markets. Charlie Bilello, Chief Strategist at Creative Planning, pointed out yesterday that “The S&P 500 fell 1.6% today, the first daily decline of 1% or more this year. Since 1928, t ...

Dividend Stocks Overview - Dividend stocks provide a straightforward path to passive income, requiring investors to buy, hold, and monitor equities while receiving payments [1] - High-yield dividend stocks may not always offer long-term returns, while lower-yield stocks with growth potential can be more attractive [1] - Wall Street's top dividend stock picks are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [1] Watsco (WSO) - Watsco generates most of its revenue from HVAC equipment, with 4% from commercial refrigeration products [2] - The company has paid dividends for 50 consecutive years with double-digit YoY dividend growth [2] - Watsco reported 4% YoY revenue growth and 8% YoY net income growth in Q3 2023, with a 2.50% dividend yield and 26 P/E ratio [2] - Shares have gained 41% over the past year and 164% over the past five years [2] - Lower interest rates could boost demand for HVAC equipment, with analysts forecasting a 13% stock price increase [3] LVMH (LVMUY) - LVMH owns luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and has seen a 141% stock increase over the past five years despite a 9% decline in the past year [4][5] - The company offers a 1.75% dividend yield and reported 13% YoY revenue growth in 2023, including 10% growth in Q4 2023 [5] - Selective Retailing grew 25% YoY, while Wines & Spirits declined 4% YoY [5] - Net profits increased 8% YoY, driven by strong demand for luxury brands despite economic challenges [5] Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) - MAA is a REIT focused on properties in the southeastern and southwestern US, offering a 4.50% dividend yield [6] - Shares are down 19% over the past year but up 31% over five years, with analysts predicting a 6% upside [6] - The company raised its dividend for the 14th consecutive year, with a 5% YoY increase to $1.47 per share [6] - Funds from operations slightly decreased in Q3 2023 but are up over the nine months ended September 30 [6] - MAA is developing five communities and acquired a 323-unit complex in Phoenix, with over 100,000 apartment units in its portfolio [7] Costco (COST) - Costco is rated a "Strong Buy" by 28 analysts, with a potential 10% upside to a $755 price target [8] - The company reported strong December sales, with double-digit YoY e-commerce growth [8] - Costco announced a $1.02/share dividend, likely to increase in the next quarter, and operates 872 warehouses globally [9] JPMorgan (JPM) - JPMorgan shares have gained 24% over the past year and 66% over five years, with a 2.45% dividend yield and 11 P/E ratio [10] - Q4 2023 results showed 7% YoY net revenue growth (excluding First Republic) and $9.3 billion in net income, down 21% YoY due to FDIC assessments [10] - The home lending division saw demand almost double YoY, with potential for higher profits as interest rates decline [10] - Analysts rate JPMorgan as a "Moderate Buy," with a 10% upside to the $189.60 average price target [11] Digital Realty Trust (DLR) - DLR is a data center REIT benefiting from AI-driven demand, with a 30% stock increase over the past year and a 3.40% dividend yield [12] - Q3 2023 net income reached $2.33/share, up from $0.75/share YoY, with 18% YoY revenue growth to $1.4 billion [12] - The company has a strong balance sheet, with total assets nearly double liabilities and a 4.3x interest coverage ratio [13] Visa (V) - Visa shares have gained 95% over five years and 21% over the past year, with a low dividend yield but significant dividend appreciation [14] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 15.6% YoY to $0.52/share, supported by a net profit margin above 50% [14] - Q1 fiscal 2024 results showed 9% YoY revenue growth, 17% YoY GAAP net income growth, and 20% YoY GAAP EPS growth due to stock buybacks [14] - Visa's CEO expressed optimism about consumer spending resilience and the company's future growth [15]

Where does Costco Wholesale’s (NASDAQ:COST) value really come from? It doesn’t come from price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios or other traditional metrics. Rather, it comes from the loyalty of Costco’s members. Today’s Costco stock analysis will reveal a valuable truth: as long as there’s strong customer loyalty and resilience among the consumers, Costco shares will provide consistent value.It’s that loyalty, by the way, that makes Costco stock a recession-resistant asset. Sure, Costco will have to deal with issu ...

A viral video of a Costco customer returning a couch purchased over two years ago sparked online discussion about the wholesale retailer's return policy and whether customers are abusing it. A woman named Jackie shared she bought a couch from Costco over two and a half years ago, in a video posted last week to TikTok that's attracted nearly 3 million views.Jackie admits she was nervous to return the large item to the warehouse store and felt intimidated by other shoppers staring at her while waiting in line ...

A stock splitting its shares is generally a positive sign that the company (and its stock) is doing well. Splits don't change the actual value of an investor's holdings in a company, they just divide the holding into smaller pieces. But at a lower price point, a stock may become more accessible and attractive to a wider pool of investors. It's also indicative of a stock's success; stocks that split their shares normally do so because their prices are high. However, not doing a stock split doesn't necessaril ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) , an esteemed player in the retail discount space, has showcased a robust performance. The company's success is propelled by strategic operational efforts underpinned by a customer-centric business approach and a steadfast commitment to its membership program. With a clear emphasis on delivering value-oriented offerings, Costco remains well-positioned for continued success in the dynamic retail landscape.A Dominant Warehouse RetailerThis Issaquah, WA-based company continu ...

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) stock continues to be one of the best blue-chip stocks investors can buy and remains the gold standard of the retail sector. In the last 12 months, COST stock has risen 40%, bringing its five-year return to shareholders to 230%. The warehouse club’s stock continues to run circles around its largest competitors, such as Walmart (NYSE:WMT), whose stock is up 13% in the last year, and Kroger (NYSE:KR), whose share price has gained 4%. However, investors shouldn’t feel that they’v ...

The latest trading session saw Costco (COST) ending at $679.90, denoting a -0.96% adjustment from its last day's close. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.53%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.64%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.19%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the warehouse club operator had gained 2.96% over the past month. This has outpaced the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.63% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.48% in that time.Market participants wil ...

Costco (COST) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Over the past month, shares of this warehouse club operator have returned +3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry, which Costco falls in, has gained 2.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future directi ...

Costco (COST -0.16%) is an unusually successful retailing business. The warehouse giant has been winning market share for decades thanks to its no-frills, membership-based selling approach that allows it to offer products at rock-bottom prices. Costco routinely beats rivals such as Walmart (NYSE: WMT) in key growth and customer traffic metrics. Its earnings are among the most stable in the industry, too.Yet Costco isn't an ideal dividend stock for several reasons, including the fact that management prefers ...