PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

Diamond Foods missed estimates by 12.5% for the first time in the last five quarters. It had surpassed estimates for EPS in all the four quarters of fiscal 2015.

The Taylor rule is a backward-looking model used to determine short-term interest rates in an economy. Bill Gross prefers a corollary to Gresham’s law.

The Hershey Company (HSY) has a market cap of $24.2 billion. Its stock rose by 16.8% to close at $113.49 per share on June 30, 2016.

On April 26, 2016, Baxter International (BAX) released its 1Q16 earnings. After the announcement, Baxter’s share price rose ~1% from $43.63 on April 25, 2016, due to the company’s better-than-expected 1Q16 results.

Costco’s suppliers include companies like PepsiCo (PEP), Procter & Gamble (PG), and the Kraft Heinz Company (KHC). No single supplier accounts for over 5% of revenue.

Mutual fund ownership of equities is at the lowest level in ~13 years, while ETFs (SPY) (IVV) are gradually increasing their share in the stock market.

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has projected a run rate savings worth $1.3 billion by the end of 2017. In 2016, it managed to save up to $1.1 billion.

Narayana Kocherlakota, 12th president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, said central banks have been able to control inflation better when left alone by the government.

If you’ve reached your investment horizon and have seen substantial gains, it would be wise to liquidate or reallocate to more conservative funds.

A legitimate bull market In this series, we’ve taken a look at Richard Bernstein’s views on investors’ fear of an impending bear market. In Richard Bernstein Advisors’ October Insights newsletter, he rejects the notion that the current rise in US stocks (SPLV) (OEF) has been brought about only by the Fed’s easy monetary policy. In the […]

On July 15, 2016, Ingredion (INGR) closed at $132.84. It traded 15.6% above its 100-day moving average, 8.3% above its 50-day moving average, and 3.9% above its 20-day moving average.

As of July 15, 2016, Ingredion (INGR) was trading at $130.90. Analyst recommendations remained the same with an update in the target price.

China accounts for around one-third of Mead Johnson’s global business.

The J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) reported its fiscal 4Q16 and fiscal 2016 results on June 9, 2016. The company ended fiscal 2016 with strong earnings.

With its fiscal 4Q16 earnings release, the General Mills board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share. It will be paid on August 1, 2016.

Analysts are expecting J.M. Smucker’s adjusted EPS to be $1.19 in fiscal 4Q16—compared to 4Q15 EPS of $0.98. It represents a tremendous rise of 21%.

Altria Group (MO) released its 1Q16 earnings on April 28, 2016. Its adjusted diluted EPS (earnings per share) rose 14.3% to $0.72 in 1Q16.

The Green Giant divestiture, along with continued foreign exchange headwinds, impacted the net sales of General Mills (GIS), as anticipated by the company.

In its preliminary results for 2Q16, Campbell Soup mentioned that it expected its adjusted EPS for the quarter to be ~$0.87. It was in line with the expectations.

WhiteWave Foods (WWAV) was expected to report revenue of $1,034 million for 4Q15, a rise of 13.5% YoY (year-over-year). The company reported $1,027 million, an increase of ~13% compared to 4Q14.

During fiscal 1Q16, General Mills (GIS) paid $34 million in cash related to restructuring projects. In fiscal 1Q16, the company approved “Project Compass.”

General Mills’ net sales for fiscal 1Q16 fell by 1% to $4.2 billion. The foreign currency exchange effect caused the growth to fall by five percentage points.

Diamond Foods reported a fall in sales in fiscal 4Q15 of 7.9% compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. It also reported net sales of $201.8 million.

Economic growth is the biggest driver of earnings growth. Earnings growth seems to follow the same trajectory of GDP growth.

The Pittsburgh-based, privately owned ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation acquired Kraft Foods last month.

On October 20, 2015, Mead Johnson’s board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of $1.5 billion of the company’s common stock.

In 1Q16, General Mills paid $34 million related to restructuring initiatives. The company expects to incur ~$71 million in other project-related costs.

The new company, Coca-Cola European Partners PLC (or CCEP), expects to realize significant synergies from the transaction.

CVS Health posted a strong financial performance in 1Q15. Adjusted EPS in 1Q15 grew 12.2% year-over-year to $1.14. CVS came in ahead of its own guidance by a long margin.

CVS is planning to transfer Target’s generic business to Red Oak Sourcing. Target currently sources from McKesson.

In simple terms, municipal solid waste is trash or garbage discarded by households and commercial establishments.

Walmart (WMT) has a history of increasing dividends. Its stock is classified as a dividend aristocrat. At 2.4%, Walmart’s dividend yield is healthy.