Key Points Historically, Kimberly-Clark has focused on producing paper products, such as towels and diapers. That business has enabled the company to offer investors a steadily growing dividend. The pending acquisition of Kenvue will materially change Kimberly-Clark's product portfolio. 10 stocks we like better than Kimberly-Clark › Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) is a Dividend King, with over five decades of annual payout increases backing the stock's attractive 5% yield. Income investors intereste ...

Key Points Coca-Cola raised its dividend by 5.2% in 2025, extending its streak to 63 straight years. Kimberly-Clark's 3.3% raise last year pushed its dividend growth streak to 53 consecutive years. Johnson & Johnson's 4.8% payment hike in 2025 pushed its dividend growth streak to 63 years in a row. 10 stocks we like better than Kimberly-Clark › Dividend Kings are some of the most durable dividend stocks. These companies have increased their payments for at least 50 years in a row. Their ability t ...

Global mergers and acquisitions surged in 2025, nearly reclaiming the all-time peak of 2021. After a lull from cooling markets and higher borrowing costs, firms around the world stepped back into deal-making with renewed confidence. Total M&A value reached roughly $4.5 trillion — about 50% above 2024 levels and the second-largest annual tally on record, the Financial Times reported Friday. One defining characteristic of 2025’s deal boom was the value of the cash exchanging hands. There were 68 transact ...

Core Viewpoint - The Meridian Hedged Equity Fund's third-quarter 2025 performance reflects a market more influenced by policy easing than weakening fundamentals, achieving a net return of 1.67% despite concerns over stagflation [1] Fund Performance - The fund's return of 1.67% in Q3 2025 is compared to the S&P 500 Index's return of 8.13% and the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index's return of 3.53% [1] Company Focus: Kenvue Inc. - Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE), a consumer health company with brands like Tylenol and Neutrogena, is highlighted as a key investment despite a one-month return of -0.06% and a 52-week loss of 21.06% [2][3] - Kenvue's stock closed at $17.02 on December 23, 2025, with a market capitalization of $32.609 billion [2] Investment Rationale for Kenvue Inc. - The fund sees potential for Kenvue to unlock value through reinvestment in underfunded brands, cost optimization, and margin improvement [3] - Recent market reactions to studies linking acetaminophen to autism risk during pregnancy are viewed as overblown, with minimal revenue impact expected from pregnant women, who represent less than 1% of Tylenol's global sales [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Kenvue Inc. was held by 73 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 72 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest [4] - Despite this interest, the fund suggests that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk compared to Kenvue [4]

Market Overview - Value stocks have shown signs of life, outperforming the market in the current quarter, with S&P value leading [1][2] - Only two of the FAANG stocks have outperformed the market this year, indicating a shift in market dynamics [2] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to stay invested and avoid trying to time the market, focusing on less popular sectors that are not leading the market [3][5] - Healthcare is highlighted as a favorable sector due to its affordability and lower economic sensitivity, making it a good option if the economy slows [3][5] Stock Picks - UPS and Kimberly Clark are identified as attractive investment opportunities, both down nearly 50% from their highs, with Kimberly Clark offering a PE of 12 compared to its usual 19 and a safe dividend yield of 5% [6][10] - UPS has seen a significant drop of 60% from its highs, but the company is moving away from its reliance on Amazon, which could improve its performance [11] Market Trends - There is a belief that the current inflationary environment will persist, similar to trends seen in the 1970s, which could benefit materials and commodities [13]

Not every stock needs a flashy growth story to outperform. Sometimes, the biggest winners are the companies that simply keep executing, quarter after quarter, year after year- it’s all about consistency. In 2025, a handful of quiet standouts are doing precisely that, delivering substantial year-to-date gains while continuing to reward investors with reliable income. These are businesses with deep moats, disciplined management teams, and a proven ability to thrive across market cycles. More News from Bar ...

Group 1 - Global mergers and acquisitions are projected to reach over $3 trillion, marking the best year since 2021, driven by significant late-year deals [1][4] - Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for $72 billion highlights the trend of bold M&A activity under a favorable regulatory environment [1][6] - Companies are leveraging record financing packages, with Netflix securing a $59 billion loan, facilitating large-scale transactions [2] Group 2 - Notable deals include Kimberly-Clark's $40 billion acquisition of Kenvue and BlackRock's $40 billion purchase of Aligned Data Centers, reflecting a surge in high-value transactions [3] - US M&A volumes have increased by 53% to nearly $1.8 trillion, approaching the 2021 peak, with 32 deals exceeding $10 billion this year [4][5] - The enterprise value of the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal is approximately $82.7 billion, as firms rush to finalize deals before the holiday slowdown [6]

Core Thesis - Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is viewed positively due to its diversified business model, strong financials, and consistent dividend growth, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1][4]. Business Overview - J&J operates in three major divisions: pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products, with pharmaceuticals being the largest growth driver [2]. - The company’s consumer health brands, such as Tylenol and Band-Aid, provide stability and relevance in everyday life, ensuring recurring demand and resilient cash flows [2]. Financial Performance - J&J's revenues increased from $70 billion in 2015 to nearly $89 billion projected for 2024, with operating income exceeding $61 billion [3]. - The company maintains a conservative payout ratio of around 55–60%, supporting its status as a Dividend King with 62 consecutive years of dividend increases [3]. Investment Metrics - J&J scores above 90 on the MaxDividends framework, indicating strong stability across sales growth, profit growth, net income resilience, payout safety, and low leverage [4]. - The stock has a moderate dividend yield of 2.8% and steady growth of approximately 6%, with valuation metrics suggesting it is slightly undervalued compared to peers [4]. Recent Performance - Since a previous bullish thesis in January 2025, J&J's stock price has appreciated by approximately 40.42%, reflecting strong fundamentals and continued investor confidence [5].

Group 1: Investment Activity - Nuance Investments initiated a new equity position in Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, acquiring approximately 1.2 million shares valued at nearly $44 million as of September 30, 2025 [1][2] - Aspen Insurance now ranks among the top ten holdings of Nuance Investments, representing 4.48% of its reportable assets under management (AUM) [3] - The firm reported a total of 46 holdings with $982.15 million in U.S. equity assets [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Aspen Insurance provides a range of reinsurance and insurance products, including property catastrophe, specialty, casualty, and financial lines [4] - The company operates as a diversified underwriter, generating income by managing risk for clients across global markets [4] - Aspen Insurance is based in Bermuda and has a significant international presence, serving clients in regions such as Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, with a workforce exceeding 1,100 employees [5] Group 3: Portfolio Adjustments - Nuance Investments made significant changes to its portfolio, including a notable sale of nearly 1 million shares in Estee Lauder Companies, valued at approximately $87.94 million [6][8] - The firm reduced its holdings in three healthcare stocks, decreasing their combined representation from almost 17% to just 7% of its total holdings [9] - Nuance Investments also opened a new position in Kenvue, a company associated with various domestic health brands [9]

Core Viewpoint - Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB) is recognized as a strong investment opportunity, particularly following its better-than-expected third quarter earnings and plans to acquire Kenvue, enhancing its consumer health presence [2][3]. Group 1: Company Performance - Kimberly-Clark has recently upgraded its rating to Buy from Hold, with a price target set at $120, indicating a positive outlook despite recent stock lagging [2]. - The company reported better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, which has contributed to the stronger outlook from analysts [2]. Group 2: Acquisition and Market Position - Kimberly-Clark plans to acquire Kenvue, a company that focuses on consumer health and owns several well-known brands, with the deal expected to be completed in the second half of next year [2][3]. - Both Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue operate in resilient product categories, making KMB an attractive long-term investment option [3]. Group 3: Revenue Generation - The majority of Kimberly-Clark's revenue is generated through direct sales to various channels, including retailers, distributors, and online platforms [4]. - The company serves a diverse global customer base, including supermarkets, big-box stores, drugstores, and institutional buyers across multiple sectors [4].