Business

Sometimes change just isn't an option; it's a necessity.

Ennis Inc. (EBF) has surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate the last 3 quarters in a row even while economic conditions remain tough. The company has recently seen a quarter over quarter increase in sales. Ennis is trading with a forward P/E of 13.5. Company Description Ennis makes business forms, apparel and other business products. The company [...]

(EBF) Ennis Inc. – Surprised by 42.31% in the Last Quarter

In January I predicted (see Notable Bankruptcies of 2009: Q1) that “major” bankruptcies in 2009 would challenge the 383 mark set in 2001 (the high-water mark after the dotcom bubble). I even suggested that it was possible that we could exceed 400 “major” bankruptcies in 2009.[More...]

In January I predicted (see Notable Bankruptcies of 2009: Q1) that “major” bankruptcies in 2009 would challenge the 383 mark set in 2001 (the high-water mark after the dotcom bubble). I even suggested that it was possible that we could exceed 400 “major” bankruptcies in 2009. According to Bankruptcydata.com, there have been 156 “major” filings thus far in 2009. Assuming that bankruptcies are equally distributed throughout the year, this puts us on pace for 312 bankruptcies. That is tracking well shy of my prediction. In fact, bankruptcies were down significantly from Q1 to Q2, as there were 90 bankruptcies in the first quarter but only 66 in the second. That stylized fact begs the question: Is that a “green shoot”[More...]

With the stock market reaching new lows every single day, I thought it’d be interesting to run my trusty ol’ Ben Graham stock screener. Because this screener is primarily focused on finding undervalued companies – and with the market undervaluing companies left and right – I’m not surprised to see more results than usual. Benjamin Graham [...]

If you are looking for dividend buys, here are some stocks going ex-dividend during the last half of July. Most of the following stocks have a PE below 20, all have PEG ratios below 2.5, and yields over 2.5%.

First Defiance Financial (FDEF) 7/9/2008 Yield: 6.62% PE: 8
Horizon Financial Corp (HRZB) 7/9/2008 Yield: 9.22% PE: 4
West Coast Bancorp (WCBO) 7/9/2008 Yield: 6.62% PE: 13
Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFMI) 7/9/2008 Yield: 3.52% PE: 21
Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) 7/9/2008 Yield: 4.75% PE: 12
BB&T Corporation (BBT) 7/9/2008 Yield: 7.78% PE: 8
Ennis, Inc. (EBF) 7/9/2008 Yield: 4.11% PE: 9
Capital Bank Corporation (CBKN) 7/10/2008 Yield: 3.72% PE: 13
Gevity HR, Inc. (GVHR) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.90% PE: 22
Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) 7/11/2008 Yield: 6.08% PE: 9
Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD) 7/11/2008 Yield: 11.86% PE: 6
Oxford Industries, Inc. (OXM) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.82% PE: 12
Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.45% PE: 14
Watsco, Incorporated (WSO) 7/11/2008 Yield: 4.36% PE: 19
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) 7/11/2008 Yield: 2.65% PE: 22
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (BONT) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.87% PE: 16
City Holding Company (CHCO) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.49% PE: 13
Corus Entertainment Inc. (CJR) 7/11/2008 Yield: 3.52% PE: 12
McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) 7/14/2008 Yield: 3.33% PE: 14
Quaker Chemical Corporation (KWR) 7/15/2008 Yield: 3.71% PE: 16
WD-40 Company (WDFC) 7/15/2008 Yield: 3.69% PE: 15
CBRL Group, Inc. (CBRL) 7/16/2008 Yield: 3.46% PE: 7
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) 7/22/2008 Yield: 4.66% PE: 12
Spartech Corporation (SEH) 7/22/2008 Yield: 5.89% PE: 28
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) 7/23/2008 Yield: 2.59% PE: 11
The Clorox Company (CLX) 7/24/2008 Yield: 3.04% PE: 17
Zenith National Insurance Corp. (ZNT) 7/29/2008 Yield: 5.59% PE: 6
Lifetime Brands, Inc. (LCUT) 7/30/2008 Yield: 3.35% PE: 36
Bank of Montreal (BMO) 7/30/2008 Yield: 6.94% PE: 11

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of buying dividends, you should check out the article on dividend buying. Also check out the list of dividend definitions.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com