WASHINGTON—I just returned from Berlin and Prague, and the question many small business owners in these overseas cities posed for me was quite remarkable: Why do U.S. elected officials seem to dislike business and entrepreneurs? Good question. As these business owners noted, the U.S. free enterprise system is the envy of and the model for the entire world. So, they asked, why the path towards socialism and government command-and-control? Of course, I defended many in the U.S. Congress...
Dividend Growth Puts Buckle In Exclusive Club
May 15, 2008 on 11:41 pm | In Finance |
Kearney, Neb.-based Buckle () raised its dividend six times since it began paying one in 2003.
That’s made for a dividend growth rate of 79%, putting Buckle in an elite club.
Among the 1,592 dividend stocks that yield at least 2.1% which is what Buckle yields only 25 can match or beat Buckle’s dividend growth rate.
The operator of 370 teen apparel stores in 38 states gets good marks in Stock Checkup at Investors.com. It’s rated No. 1 in Overall, Technical and Attractiveness ranks in its 56-stock group.
The Retail-Clothing/Shoe industry group carries an A in six-month price performance.
While the recent economic turbulence has grabbed headlines, Buckle has resisted the downturn. Its stock price is up about 46% year to date, even as the NYSE composite slipped about 8%.
Earnings increased 29%, 73%, 22% and 29% in the past four quarters. Sales improved 10%, 21%, 17% and 18% in the same period.
Same-store sales, a key measure, rose 18.7% in the fiscal fourth quarter ended in January.
Margin after tax was 14% in Q4, the best in at least 18 quarters.
Its EPS Stability Rating is 4, exceptionally solid on a gauge that runs from 1 to 99, with 1 being the best.
In the fourth quarter, Buckle exceeded analysts’ expectations by about 11%.
Also in the most recent quarter, mutual fund ownership increased slightly, from 66 funds holding 5.7 million shares to 74 funds holding 5.9 million shares.
Some of that new money is smart money. Hedge fund manager Jeffrey Vinik, of Fidelity Magellan fame, increased his stake from 45,400 shares to 340,400 shares in the fourth quarter of 2007.
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