Big Changes to Argus Model Portfolios (EXC, DRI, IP, DUK, HNZ, DOW, COH, CAKE, MYL, VRTX)

The research team at Argus Research is making some changes to its theoretical model portfolios. It is making buy and sell recommendations in the Equity Income, Growth & Income and Mid-Cap Growth model portfolios.

In the Equity Income model portfolio: selling Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC) and Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI); establishing new positions in International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP), with a 3.5% yield, and Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK), with its 5% yield.

In the Growth & Income model portfolio: selling H.J. Heinz Co. (NYSE: HNZ) and Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW); establishing new positions in Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH), with its 2.2% yield, and Cheesecake Factory Inc. (NASDAQ: CAKE), with its 1.4% yield.

In the Mid-Cap Growth model portfolio: selling Mylan Inc. (NASDAQ: MYL) and buying Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTX).

We have shared these key changes outside of our normal analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations because model portfolio changes are generally for different reasons that the Buy, Sell and Hold recommendations at most firms.

Also speaking of model portfolios, here are the latest changes to Warren Buffett’s stock holdings at Berkshire Hathaway.

JON C. OGG