This article is in response to Mr. Brian Grosso’s article entitled “Dividend Growth Investors, Wake up!” In it, Mr. Grosso generalized that many if not most dividend growth investors ignore valuation and focus too heavily on large cap stocks. I also got the sense that Mr. Grosso does not comprehend the dividend growth investing strategy. He himself stated that he has warmed up to dividends. I get the impression this is much like someone warming up with their morning cup of coffee. I do not think he has drunk enough coffee yet to wake up and comprehend the actual purpose dividends play in dividend growth investing. It may have something to do with the impression I got while reading his article that, although it was not written, he is growth or total return oriented and enjoys receiving dividends if his investments provide one. He acknowledges their importance but fails to recognize why they are the basis of dividend growth investing. Finally, Mr. Grosso encourages dividend growth investors to move towards small cap stocks that pay dividends and offers investors a few “new” ideas. I am going to take the opportunity to expound on some of the written and unwritten points offered by Mr. Grosso.
Top Small Cap Stocks To Watch For 2018: Rackspace Hosting Inc(RAX)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Monica Gerson]
Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (NYSE: RAX) reported better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter, but the company missed analysts’ sales estimates. Rackspace shares dropped 7.72 percent to $20.80 in the after-hours trading session.
Top Small Cap Stocks To Watch For 2018: FuelCell Energy Inc.(FCEL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Peter Graham]
The Q4 2016 earnings report for small cap fuel cell stockFuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL) is scheduled forbefore the marketopens onThursday (January 12th). At the beginning of December, FuelCell Energy announced a business restructuring to reduce costs and align production levels with current levels of demand in a manner that is consistent with the Companys long-term strategic plan.The Company said it cut 96 jobs, or 17% of its workforce, and has halved production to 25 megawatts a year in order to position for delays in order flow.The Company alsoexpects to take a $3 million charge in fiscal 2017 related to the job cuts.
- [By Peter Graham]
The Q1 2017 earnings report for small cap fuel cell stockFuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL) is scheduled forbefore the marketopens onThursday (March 9th). Last December,FuelCell Energy announced a business restructuring to reduce costs and align production levels with current levels of demand in a manner that is consistent with the Companys long-term strategic plan.The Company said it cut 96 jobs, or 17% of its workforce, and has halved production to 25 megawatts a year in order to position for delays in order flow.
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of Plug Power plus alternative energy or fuel cell stock peers like Ballard Power Systems Inc (NASDAQ: BLDP), FuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL) and Hydrogenics Corporation (NASDAQ: HYGS) all peaking in 2014 before collapsing with shares leveling off or perhaps finally to recover a bit:
- [By Lisa Levin]
FuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL) shares dropped 33 percent to $1.08. FuelCell Energy priced its $15.4 million underwritten public offering of common stock and warrants.
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap fuel cell stockFuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL) reportedQ2 2017 earnings before the market opened with shares up in premarket trading. Total revenueswere $20.4 million versus $28.6 million with the revenue components being:
Top Small Cap Stocks To Watch For 2018: Panera Bread Company(PNRA)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Billy Duberstein]
In late March, the company informed investors that after a two-year undertaking, it had finally removed all preservatives from its tortillas, making the Chipotle menu completely preservative-free. The company also called out competitors McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) and Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA) for marketing their menus as “natural,” as Chipotle insisted these other restaurants still use preservatives made in a lab.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Then there’s Panera Bread (PNRA) , a company that had lost its way. But after interviewing Panera’s CEO Ron Shaich, Cramer learned that at its new, remodeled “Panera 2.0” stores, the lines were out the door. As the rollout continued, earnings only got stronger. Never underestimate the power of a restaurant redo, Cramer concluded.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Shares of Panera Bread Co (NASDAQ: PNRA) got a boost, shooting up 14 percent to $312.29 after the company agreed to be acquired by JAB for $7.5 billion.
- [By WWW.THESTREET.COM]
Cramer wanted to talk a little psychology. With its after-hours move Tuesday, Panera Bread (PNRA) is up more than 16% this week on takeover speculation. Panera is an old Action Alerts PLUS name, one the trust sold at a nice gain, too.
- [By Seth McNew]
Other companies have followed suit with great success, including PaneraBread (NASDAQ:PNRA), which has focused on improving the customer experience, including via shorter wait times. Panera 2.0 was largely successful because of the company’s focus on its digital strategy and Chipotle looks to be doing the same thing.
Top Small Cap Stocks To Watch For 2018: Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ACHN)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ben Levisohn]
We updated our annual U.S. Hep C survey in early July, in order to gauge the future for Gilead, AbbVie/Enanta Pharmaceuticals (ENTA), Merck, and J&J/Achillion Pharmaceuticals (ACHN). In conjunction with script trends, physicians indicate that the market for treatment-eligible, easily accessible Hep C patients is shrinking, but that Gilead’s share of the shrinking pie is continuing to grow. With no end to script declines in sight, we are left wondering where the Hep C will bottom…
