I like entertainment/media companies, and our latest featured recommendation is one of the best of the bunch, says Chuck Carlson, editor of DRIP Investor.
Comcast (CMCSA) has its tentacles in a host of businesses, from cable television and network broadcasting, to filmed entertainment and theme parks.
Via its Comcast Cable operation, the firm is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand.
The firm's broadcasting and cable assets include NBC, Bravo, and USA. Other assets include Universal Pictures, Universal theme park, and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team.
During a time when some satellite and cable providers are concerned about consumers cutting the cord, Comcast has a number of competitive advantages.
For starters, the company's high-speed Internet services, often bundled with cable services, help retention and provide a business that continues to see nice growth. Further, the NBC Universal business brings content, a valuable weapon in the entertainment and media wars.
The second quarter was especially impressive on several fronts. Per-share profits rose 30% to $0.65. Total revenue rose 7%.
Free cash flow was up 25% to nearly $2 billion. Comcast's ability to generate lots of cash has allowed the firm to shrink the number of outstanding shares by more than 20% over the last decade.
Strong cash flow has also afforded ample dividend growth. The quarterly dividend has nearly tripled since 2009. I would expect another dividend increase within the next nine months. The current yield is 1.8%.
Comcast sports impressive Quadrix numbers (our quantitative ranking system), with an Overall score of 93 (out of a possible 100), Value of 73, and Momentum of 84. Such broad-based strength should continue to prove rewarding for investors.
The shares have performed well this year, and I see the stock outperforming the market over the next 24 months. I would be a buyer of the stock at current prices and buy more aggressively on dips below $40.
Please note that Comcast offers a traditional dividend reinvestment plan, in which an investor must be a shareholder of record in order to join the plan. Once in the plan, minimum investment is just $50.
Subscribe to DRIP Investor here…
More from MoneyShow.com:
