Companies and Brands

Analyst Has 5 Top Weak Dollar Stocks to Buy Right Now

Lee Jackson

Published: January 29, 2018 10:05 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:00 am

When Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said recently that a weaker dollar was good for the United States, the eyebrows of every world leader and financial pundit shot up.

Of course a weak dollar is good for an economy enjoying it, including the United States, as exports to other countries are dramatically cheaper and more affordable and imports become more expensive. However, that is just something NEVER said, and the president and Secretary Mnuchin backtracked and back-pedaled the statement at once, both saying that, long term, a stronger dollar was in the best interests of the United States.

The bottom line though is that the dollar remains weak and it makes sense for investors to buy stocks that do a high percentage of their business overseas. We screened the Merrill Lynch research universe and U.S. export data for companies rated Buy that also do much of their business outside the United States. We found five that look like great stocks to own now.

Altria

This maker of tobacco products and wine has posted very solid numbers. Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) is a top mega-cap consumer discretionary stock to buy on Wall Street, and the company’s Marlboro brand remains one of the most recognizable in the world.

Many Wall Street analysts concede that the stock has solid downside support owing to the generous dividend yield, which remains at a huge premium in relation to the 10-year Treasury rate. Cash flow generation and the return of cash to Altria shareholders remain key facets of the company’s total shareholder return, and the analysts expect support of the strong dividend, which they believe will continue to climb along with strong share repurchase activity.

To diversify away from cigarettes and cigars, Altria has expanded its portfolio into new categories like wine, e-cigarettes and a 27% stake in brewer SABMiller, which together generated nearly 10% of its pre-excise tax revenue last quarter.

Altria investors are paid a hefty 3.72% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price target for the shares is $82, and the Wall Street consensus estimate is $76.62. The stock traded early Monday at $70.10.

Exxon Mobil

This company remains a top Wall Street energy pick and is up over 10% year to date. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) is the world’s largest international integrated oil and gas company. It explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Africa and elsewhere.

The company also manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and specialty products, and it transports and sells crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.

For 75 years in a row, Exxon has raised its dividend on a split-adjusted basis. Thanks to the company’s vertically integrated model in the oil and gas business, its profitability doesn’t suffer through commodity price swings like a company that’s a pure play in one segment of the value chain.

Shareholders are paid a nifty 3.46% dividend. Merrill Lynch has a $102 price objective. The consensus target price is set much lower at $88.95. The shares traded at $88.95 Monday morning.

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Coca-Cola

This top Warren Buffet holding not only offers safety but an incredible strong worldwide brand with 40% overseas sales. Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.

Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, the company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, it is the number one provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees and juices and juice drinks.

Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy Coca-Cola beverages at a rate of more than 1.9 billion servings a day. With coolers getting packed for picnics, parades and vacations you can bet that they will be stuffed with products from this iconic American company. Also remember that the company also owns 16.7% of Monster Beverage, which continues to deliver big numbers.

Coca-Cola investors receive an outstanding 3.05% dividend. The $52 Merrill Lynch price target compares with a consensus price target of $49.87. The stock was last seen at $48.35.

McDonald’s

The fast-food giant does a ton of business overseas and still remains a solid pick for investors seeking dividends and a degree of safety. McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer, with over 36,000 locations serving approximately 69 million customers in over 100 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business persons.

The company reported fourth-quarter per-share earnings excluding items that were higher than the company earned last year, but revenue fell 5% year over year. However, the decline in the latest period was narrower than some analysts expected.

McDonald’s shareholders are paid a 2.27% dividend. Merrill Lynch has set its price target at $200. The posted consensus price objective is $186.57, and shares traded at $178.00.

Procter & Gamble

This stock also offers a very solid dividend and safety. Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) is another solid consumer staples stock for conservative investors to consider. It sells lots of very well-known household items that are essential for everyday life. Brands include Pampers, Tide, Bounty, Charmin, Gillette, Oral B, Crest, Olay, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Ariel, Gain, Always, Tampax, Downy and Dawn.

The company posted in-line earnings last quarter, and many on Wall Street feel that the new focus on a slimmed down product portfolio will help spur earnings growth and return the company to its long-time premium consumer staples multiple. Some analysts’ estimates for the next two years are 2% above current Wall Street expectations.

P&G actually is innovative in its product development process and uses that to help ensure future growth and cash flow. This should provide investors years of steady growth and dividends. While currency headwinds have weighed on earnings and projections, a weaker dollar scenario would bode well for the future.

Shareholders are paid a 3.14% dividend. The Merrill Lynch price objective is $100. The consensus target price is $93.92. The stock traded at $87.15 a share.

While all these companies do depend on continued consumer support around the globe and here at home, they all make reasonably priced products that are used daily. They also provide a degree of safety, pay good dividends and, most importantly, don’t go out of style. With the dollar looking to stay weak at least for the short term, earnings should continue to come in strong.