Frontier Communications (FTR) tumbled to the bottom of the S&P 500 today after getting cut to Neutral from Buy at BofA Merrill Lynch.
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Frontier Communicationsdropped 5.1% to $2.62, while the S&P 500 declined 0.3% to 2,368.38.
24/7 Wall St.’sJon C. Ogg excerpts from Merrill Lynch’s note:
In our view, the challenge for the stock is that as the top line has compressed at a surprising rate, the payout ratio and therefore risk to the dividend, is rising. With a 15% yield already, we see the stock as caught in a negative feedback loop. The market is pricing in a dividend cut that neednt happen now or even in the next several years, but the mere fact the yield is that high carries the risk that the Board and management could simply respond to the market by trimming the dividend proactively. Even if the dividend were cut 50%, we dont believe there would be substantial downside for the stock as the yield would emerge at a relatively more normal 7.5%. Until FTR can show business stability, however, which we had expected in 4Q but now do not expect until 2H at the earliest, irrespective of the attractive yield, we dont believe the stock will be able to outperform.
Hot Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2018: Air Industries Group(AIRI)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Dividends4Life]
Air Industries Group Inc. (AIRI), an aerospace and defense company, designs and manufactures structural parts and assemblies that focus on flight safety. Sept. 17, the company increased its quarterly dividend 100% to $0.125 per share. The dividend is is payable Oct. 15, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Sept. 30, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 6.9%.
Hot Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2018: Rex Energy Corporation(REXX)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Our peer group is up an average of 46% over the past 4 weeks in response to a 30% rebound in the 12-month strip NYMEX oil price. Some of the largest gainers include Hold and Sell rated stocks that we would not chase such asDenbury Resources (Sell, +138%), Halcon Resources (HK) (Sell, +147%), Jones Energy (JONE) (Hold, +166%), Rex Energy (REXX) (Sell, +60%), Sanchez Energy (SN) (Hold, +93%), Ultra Petroleum (UPL) (Sell, +61%), andWhiting Petroleum (Hold, +103%), which have outperformed the E&P Index (+32%) over the same time period. Balance sheets and/or well level returns remain challenged for these companies despite improved oil prices. While we believe oil markets should re-balance over the next 12 to 15 months, the recent recovery to $40 could reverse during 2Q16 as bloated inventories continue to rise, new volumes from Iran pressure an oversupplied market, and a highly anticipated decline in non-OPEC supply (especially in the U.S.), is not as steep as expected. The risk of an oil price retracement, which would significantly pressure the recent out-performers, outweighs the upside in these stocks, in our view. However, we are raising our target prices on Buy ratedAnadarko Petroleum ($54 from $48), Concho Resources (CXO) ($120 from $109), Matador Resources (MTDR) ($22 from $21),Noble Energy (NBL) ($40 from $34), SM Energy (SM) ($22 from $15), Rice Energy ($14 from $12), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) ($155 from $135),Continental Resources ($32 from $28), and Parsley Energy (PE) ($24 from $23). We believe our Buy-rated stocks are better positioned to weather challenging oil markets.
Hot Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2018: Brink's Company (The)(BCO)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Benzinga News Desk]
World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WW) received a pair of downgrades after its earnings report came in below estimates.
Sell-Side's Most Noteworthy Calls
Baird downgraded Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) to Neutral.
Imperial downgraded Brinks (NYSE: BCO) to In-Line.
Jefferies upgraded AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) to Buy.
Craig-Hallum upgraded LendingClub (NYSE: LC) to Buy.
Deal TalkGeneral Electric (NYSE: GE) was said to be in talks to acquire Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI), according to sources as reported by Dow Jones. A deal could be valued at as much as $30 billion. However, Bloomberg later reported that a GE spokesperson said they're in talks with Baker Hughes regarding possible partnerships, but not an acquisition. Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) had attempted to acquire Baker Hughes in 2014, but the DoJ sued to block the deal valued at $35 billion.
- [By Lee Jackson]
Another hedge fund that is also a director at Brink’s Co. (NYSE: BCO) was busy selling stock this past week. Starboard parted with a total of 650,000 shares of the security and protection company at prices that fell between $51.47 and $52.05. The total for the sale was set at $34 million. Shares closed on Friday at $52.00. The consensus price target is $56, and the52-week range is $26.86 to $53.90.
