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Dow Inc.: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
The Motley Foolยท 2025-03-17 11:30
Investment Thesis - Dow Inc. offers a high dividend yield of 7.8%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of approximately 1.2% [2] - The company has a diversified business model with a market capitalization of $25 billion, operating across major chemical segments [3] Buy Recommendation - The recent announcement of a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share maintains the same level since the 2019 separation from DowDuPont, appealing to income-focused investors [2] Sell or Avoid Recommendation - Dow Inc. is not suitable for investors seeking a growing income stream, as the company is unlikely to become a dividend growth stock due to the volatile nature of the chemicals industry [4] - The company is undergoing a business model revamp, including asset sales and partnerships, which introduces uncertainty, especially with a dividend payout ratio exceeding 100% [5] - The high yield is partly a result of weak business performance, with a 2% year-over-year sales decline in Q4 2024 and a 4% sequential decline from Q3 2024 [6] Hold Recommendation - Holding Dow Inc. may be justified for investors who believe in the company's efforts to improve its business through asset sales and partnerships, which could lead to better performance [8] - The stock has lost about one-third of its value over the past year, making holding a contrarian position, as most analysts have a negative outlook on the company's future [9] Overall Assessment - Dow Inc. presents a high yield but lacks strong business performance, with management actively seeking ways to reduce debt and enhance performance [10] - The company is not currently viewed as an attractive investment compared to other high-yield stocks [10]