fundamentals, dividend

dividend, stable, cash cow

For the 32nd year in a row, venerable household-cleaning-products maker Clorox (CLX) is adding sparkle to its payout. The Oakland, Calif., company, which turns 100 in 2013, Thursday boosted its quarterly common payout 8.7%, to 50 cents a share from 46 cents. Investors of record July 27 will receive the new dividend Aug. 14. The ex date is July 23. Payouts have been made without interruption since 1968. This latest boost gives the shares a 3.55% yield. In a May 4 Barron's feature, Staff Writer Dimitri DeFotis discussed how Clorox's roster of iconic brands, plus new additions such as Burt's Bees and Green Works, should keep the shine on the company's stock. From a 52-week low of 45.67 March 9, Clorox shares were recently quoted above 56. Their 52-week high is 65.

raised its dividend 9 percent to 50 cents per share, or $2 on an annualized basis; the dividend is payable Aug. 14 to holders of record July 27.

People still need clean

Finerman thinks P&G (PG), Clorox (CLX), Kraft (KFT) and Wal-Mart (WMT) are all worth a look.

Jason Gere, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, says Clorox is one of three domestic household and personal-care companies about which he has "a higher degree of comfort" concerning their ability to drive stronger earnings in a soft economy. The others are Church & Dwight (CHD) and Alberto-Culver (ACV). Gere recently initiated coverage of the sector, with a 12-month price target of 61 for Clorox. The company could average gross margins of 42.8% in fiscal 2009, he notes, up from 41.2% in fiscal '08. Gere projects gross margins of more than 44% in fiscal '10.

6% down YTD/offers dividend

Cramer said when times get tough, strong companies get stronger and take market share from their weaker rivals. He said companies like Clorox (CLX) and Colgate (CL) are getting it right, by capitalizing on the strength of their brands.

Energizer's Out of Juice: David Peltier, portfolio manager for TheStreet.com's Value Investor newsletter, says stay away from Energizer due to its heavy debt load and slower battery sales ahead.
Click here to watch the video.

Defensive. Dividend. Potential to spin off brands

zzzzz

10Q Detective: In our view, the almost 20 percent gain in the price of Clorox’s stock already discounts the expected turnaround in operating margins and share-net growth.
<a href="
http://thevalueblogs.com/10q-detective/see-the-unexpected-a-new-ceo-at-clorox"> Link</a>