Add A Little Magic To Your Portfolio With Merlin Entertainments Plc.

November 1, 2017November 2, 2017 The Security Whisperer Analysis, Commentary Alton Towers owner, attractions, British stocks, buy and hold, Disney, dividends, GBP stocks, good investment, Kirk Kristiansen, Kirkbi A/S, Legoland owner, London Stock Exchange, Long-term Hold, long-term investor, Long-term View, LSE, M&A, Madame Tussauds, Merlin Entertainments PLC, patient investing, publicly traded, theme parks

While I tend to prefer investing in businesses with a long history of rising dividends, there are some companies that I believe still make attractive investments for the long haul. I believe Merlin Entertainments PLC (LSE: MERL LN) is one of those companies that despite not having a long dividend history, would make an ideal investment. Continue reading →

Toromont Industries Ltd. Bulks Up With Hewitt Group Buy.

September 26, 2017 The Security Whisperer Commentary, Mergers and Aquisitions, performance business, buy and hold, buy low sell high, construction equipment, dividend yield, dividends, infrastructure, M&A, mining equipment consolidation, Toromont Industries Ltd., TSE dividend payer, Value Investing

Major Canadian Caterpillar dealer Toromont Industries Ltd (TSE: TIH CN) recently announced a deal to acquire Hewitt Group, a large Caterpillar dealer with 45 branches across Eastern Canada and approximately 2,000 employees. The deal was very well received by investors, who sent TIH stock up nearly 5% when the deal was announced on August 28.

You can read the announcement here:

https://www.toromont.com/newsdetails.asp?ReleaseID=1038349

You can click the link below to see my write up on TIH and why I believe it is an attractive investment for the long-term investor:

Heavy Duty Success: Toromont Industries Ltd.

Genuine Parts Company Announces Major European Move and Investors Applaud!

September 25, 2017 The Security Whisperer Commentary, Mergers and Aquisitions, Stock News Autoparts, buy and hold, dividend investing, dividends, Genuine Parts Company, GPC, M&A, NYSE

Dividend favorite Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced a near $2B move to enter the European market with a deal to acquire Alliance Automotive Group; sending GPC shares up more than $5 or nearly 6% on the day.

While not cheap, I believe today’s deal makes the company even more attractive for the long-term investor looking for a well-run business operating in an attractive sector.

Check out my original post on GPC from October 2015:

Tuning Your Car’s Engine…And Your Portfolio.

Bayer, Monsanto Tie Up.

September 14, 2016 The Security Whisperer Commentary, Mergers and Aquisitions Bayer AG, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Gadfly, buyer beware?, cheap debt, consolidation, M&A, Monsanto

I find Bloomberg Gadfly articles quite interesting and well-written. The article on the Bayer deal for Monsanto is a good read:

https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2016-09-14/bayer-defies-financial-logic-with-cheap-debt

Icahn Victorious

December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 The Security Whisperer Commentary, Mergers and Aquisitions bidding war, Bridgestone, Carl Icahn, ICAHN ENTERPRISES, M&A, Pep Boys

Carl Icahn victorious in battle for Pep Boys:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-29/bridgestone-declines-to-raise-bid-for-pep-boys-after-icahn-offer

Make Room Manny, Moe and Jack?

December 21, 2015 The Security Whisperer Commentary, Mergers and Aquisitions Autoparts, battle, Bridgestone, Carl Icahn, Genuine Parts Company, GPC, ICAHN ENTERPRISES, M&A, Pep Boys

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn today raised his offer to acquire automotive parts and services chain Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) to $16.50 per share in cash, trumping a rival offer of $15.50/share by Japanese tire giant Bridgestone.

Both Icahn and Bridgestone have very deep pockets and while its left to be seen how this battle plays out (Bridgestone has until December 23rd to propose a higher offer), those investors who bought into Pep Boys towards the end of last year as part of a long-term plan or short-term trading strategy are looking at a sweet gain of more than 60% should Icahn’s deal go through.

The long-term attractiveness of the automotive parts and services business together with potential synergies from each bidder’s respective existing businesses business undoubtedly led them to knock on Manny, Moe and Jack’s door, and while I did not make a call to go long Pep Boys, this whole scenario makes me feel more confident on the prospects of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) as an attractive long-term investment.