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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Recent Buy: BBL

Nov 20, 2014: Bought 57 shares of BBL at $50.20 per share.

BHP Billiton is a diversified natural resources company and one of the world's largest producers of major commodities, including aluminum, coal, copper, iron ore, manganese, nickel, silver and uranium. BHP Billiton is a dual listed company comprising of BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) and BHP Billiton Plc (BBL). I'm buying shares in BBL, offered as American Depository Receipt (ADR) shares on the NYSE.

BBL is an existing holding, so I'm adding shares following substantial recent weakness in the stock price. I first initiated a position in June 2013, buying 43 shares at $58.39 per share and with an initial yield on cost (YoC) of 3.90%. With this buy, I'm averaging down to a per share price of $53.72. This time, initial YoC is a very respectable 4.94%.

BBL has traded in a range between $50 and $70 per share for more than three years. In August, the company announced demerger plans, which, along with concerns over the lack of a new buyback program, has sent the stock down about 28% to date.  This weakness provides an excellent opportunity to buy more shares.

Despite the recent drop, BBL is still outpacing the S&P 500 handily over a 10-year period:

Source: Scottrade


Analysis of BBL


BBL ranked third on my November dashboard of dividend growth stocks. My fair value estimate for BBL is $64.50, so I'm picking up shares at a discount of about 22%. For comparison, Morningstar's fair value estimate is $70, while S&P Capital IQ's fair value estimate is $59. Zacks Investment Research has a target price of $48.40.

The following table provides some key statistics, with highlighted values relating directly to my selection criteria:


BBL passes the following selection criteria:
  • A streak of at least 5 years of dividend increases (12 years)
  • Dividend yield exceeds 2.75% (4.94%)
  • Chowder Rule: Dividend yield plus 5-year CAGR exceeds 12% (15.4%)
  • Debt to equity ratio less than 50% (44%)
  • Price to earnings ratio (P/E) is less than 20 (TTM 10.05x and Forward 18.79x)
  • P/E to annual earnings per share growth (PEG) ratio is less than 2 (1.79)
  • 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is at least 10% (10.63%)
  • Reasonable confidence in continued dividend growth (Yes)
  • Price discount is at least 5% of fair value estimate (28.49%)

BLL only one of my selection criteria:
  • Earnings per share (EPS) percentage payout is less than 40% (47.9%)

Based on these statistics, BBL earns 6 stars out of a possible 7: (******-)

Other ratings for BBL


 Zacks Rank 4-Sell
 S&P Capital IQ's Stock Report (****-) Buy 
 MorningStar Rating (****-)
 The Motley Fool's CAPS Rating (****-)

Dividend Prospects


BBL has an impressive dividend growth record with a streak of 12 years of increased dividends. Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend at an annual rate of 10.6%. The most recent dividend increase, announced on 19 August and paid on 23 September, was 5.08%. At my purchase price of $50.20, BBL yields 4.94%. Presently, the payout ratio is 47.9%. Due to exposure to highly cyclical commodity markets, BBL's results do vary significantly from year to year. Generally speaking, though, earnings are increasing over time and BBL should be able to continue growing its dividend even while earnings fluctuate.

Data source: gurufocus.com

The question is how the announced demerger plans will affect shareholder return. On 27 October 2014, BHP Billiton explained how they plan to maximize value and shareholder returns by reducing operating costs and improving capital efficiency. The company's CEO, Andrew Mackenzie, said:
"We are confident that our productivity drive will be accelerated by the demerger proposal we announced in August. A simpler portfolio, focused on our 19 core assets, will retain an optimal level of diversification while generating even stronger growth and margins.

"We see our capital management strategy as a precondition to maximizing shareholder value. It has allowed us to invest through the cycle and grow our dividend at an average annual rate of 17 percent over the last decade without interruption. 
"Our strategy, including our commitment to a strong balance sheet, has worked well for our owners. We have delivered a total shareholder return of 394 percent over the last decade including US$64 billion in dividends and buy-backs. By safely improving operating and capital efficiency we will maximize value and increase cash returns to our shareholders. Improving our competitiveness will benefit shareholders and the local communities and economies in which we operate".
So, the proposed demerger could provide a catalyst for shareholder return through increased focus on operating and capital efficiency, while a new, independent company could provide additional upside by itself.

Concluding Remarks


BHP Billiton is the largest diversified natural resource company in the world. The company has a strong track record of paying and raising dividends despite the cyclical nature of its business. 

A proposed demerger has created some uncertainty in the market, sending the share price down by about 28%. This weakness provides an excellent opportunity to buy more shares, as BBL still have strong fundamentals. 

The demerger, if finalized would result in two independent companies. BBL shareholders would receive shares in the new business. On 16 October 2014, BHP Billiton confirmed that it will pursue a standard listing in London and admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange for the proposed new company, alleviating earlier concerns that shares may solely trade on foreign exchanges. 

57 shares of BBL represent $141.36 of expected annual dividend income, which increases DivGro's projected annual dividend income to $5,458.37.

20 comments :

  1. Good Job, I like the buy here. It seems that every time the stock gets down to this level it bounces right back. Great starting yield here along with fantastic growth. I only wish they paid quarterly rather than biannually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Captain! I realize the biannual payment bothers some investors. It doesn't bother me that much. As long as the yield is good and the dividend is increased every year, I'm OK with biannual (or even annual) payments!

      Cheers
      FerdiS

      Delete
  2. FerdiS,

    I added to my BBL position today at the same exact price. I almost can't believe it's this cheap, but I'm happy to scoop up more shares!

    I'm not sure you have the date at the top of the article correct, however. I don't believe BBL was trading that low on the 11th. It just hit its 52-week low today.

    Happy to be a fellow shareholder here!

    Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for pointing out the typo, Jason -- I fixed it. Indeed, like you, I bought shares today. I've been looking to buy more shares since you bought more a couple of months ago. I wanted to reach my goal of owning 36 stocks first, which I did with my HP purchase. And today, when I saw the price drop again, I scratched together more funds to do this buy.

      Amazing stock at a bargain basement price!

      Delete
  3. Great Purchase FerdiS!

    They've been on my watch list on the LSE for a couple of months now. When I had capital to buy them 3 weeks ago their price had started to creep up and I used to money to purchase another company that offered great value. If they're in a similar position in 2 weeks, I'll most certainly become a shareholder.

    All the best
    Huw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Huw -- perhaps you'll get an even better deal in a few weeks time! Good luck!

      Delete
  4. Dividends only twice / year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, like many foreign stocks (from a U.S. perspective), BBL pays biannually. I'm fine with that. As long as the yield is good and they continue to raise the dividend!

      Delete
  5. I would love to buy BBL but I am concerned with iron ore prices dropping so much. I think that is the main reason for the drop though the demerger didnt help. I'll keep an eye on them and buy if it hits low $40s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The iron ore prices is one reason for the drop. If you can buy in the low 40s, that would be a tremendous buy. I'm not convinced it would go that far down, though. BHP Billiton is a good company with solid fundamentals.

      Delete
  6. Love the buy! I bought a small amount last week at 50.13, and would have bought a ton more if I had the capital. I'm hoping it goes down even further, as I double up my small position. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Special Agent Dividend -- good price you got there! The price popped some on Friday, so lets see what happens in the next few weeks. Maybe you'll get your chance to buy more...

      Delete
  7. As a recent buyer myself, I certainly can't quibble with your decision! Takes some restraint from continuing to load up, knowing the solid fundamentals of the company and how the market has them valued.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to be a fellow share holder! I know what you mean by restraint! I wanted to wait until I reached my goal of owning 36 stocks in DivGro before starting to load up on existing holdings. (SDRL was an exception). I'm actually glad I waited, 'cause I think I got in at a really good price!

      Delete
  8. Of all the mining majors, BHP /BBL is one of those I’d consider given its diverse portfolio of assets. I’m a little cautious about where iron ore pricing may end up, but if anyone should make out well it should be BHP/BBL and Rio Tinto given their low cost operations. Good luck with the purchase!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Integrator! Indeed, BHP Billiton has a very diverse portfolio, but also good fundamentals. As far as the pricing of iron ore is concerned -- that may be challenging for future earnings, but we're long term investors and in the long term, I think they'll be fine. Cheers!

      Delete
  9. I love the buy. I've also been averaging down on shares here. This price and juicy dividend seems too good to pass up! I hope we're all right in a few years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Bargain basement price in my view. Hopefully, the divestment will allow BHP Billiton to focus on their smaller portfolio and be even more productive. And we'll get shares of NewCo as well...

      Delete

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