China may hold up Rockwell deal

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP. $122 (New York symbol UTX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 800.1 million; Market cap: $97.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 2.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.utc.com) has won approval from U.S. regulators for its acquisition of Rockwell Collins Inc… Read More

Auto-related stocks: 1 buy & 1 hold

A good way to profit from slowing sales of new cars is with companies that help drivers extend the lives of their older vehicles. Right now, we see Genuine Parts as a better choice over Snap-On.
GENUINE PARTS CO. $100 (New York symbol GPC; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing… Read More

Baxter’s restructuring lifts forecast

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. $67 (New York symbol BAX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 534.3 million; Market cap: $35.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.3; Dividend yield: 1.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.baxter.com) makes a variety of medical devices, including intravenous pumps and kidney-dialysis equipment.
The company gets… Read More

Strong U.S. economy will spur them higher

These three U.S. lenders continue to benefit as the improving American economy lifts demand for new loans at higher interest rates. As well, more borrowers are repaying their loans on time. What’s more, all three continue to trade at low multiples to their projected earnings.
J.P…. Read More

Global gains lift MCD

MCDONALD’S CORP. $177 (New York symbol MCD; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector, Shares outstanding: 775.8 million; Market cap: $137.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 6.4; Dividend yield: 2.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.mcdonalds.com) operates over 37,500 fast-food restaurants in 120 countries.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the company’s… Read More

Procter shifts focus for new growth

Procter & Gamble recently completed a major transformation that saw it shed about two-thirds of its brands. That has let it focus on a much smaller portfolio of products, most of which are market leaders.
The company also continues to enjoy the benefits of its multi-year… Read More

Q: Hi, Pat. Could I have your opinion on the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF? If one were considering a “Dogs of the Dow” approach, would this be an alternative? Thanks.

A: The ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF, $43.27, symbol SDOG on New York (Units outstanding: 49.3 million; Market cap: $2.1 billion; www.alpssectordividenddogs.com), is an ETF that applies the “Dogs of the Dow” theory on a sector-by-sector basis using the stocks in the S&P 500. The… Read More