Every investor would love to stumble upon the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that provides everything you could possibly want?
One thing's for sure: You'll never discover truly great investments unless you actively look for them. Let's discuss the ideal qualities of a perfect stock, then decide if Dole Food
The quest for perfection
Stocks that look great based on one factor may prove horrible elsewhere, making due diligence a crucial part of your investing research. The best stocks excel in many different areas, including these important factors:
- Growth. Expanding businesses show healthy revenue growth. While past growth is no guarantee that revenue will keep rising, it's certainly a better sign than a stagnant top line.
- Margins. Higher sales mean nothing if a company can't produce profits from them. Strong margins ensure that a company can turn revenue into profit.
- Balance sheet. At debt-laden companies, banks and bondholders compete with shareholders for management's attention. Companies with strong balance sheets don't have to worry about the distraction of debt.
- Money-making opportunities. Return on equity helps measure how well a company is finding opportunities to turn its resources into profitable business endeavors.
- Valuation. You can't afford to pay too much for even the best companies. By using normalized figures, you can see how a stock's simple earnings multiple fits into a longer-term context.
- Dividends. For tangible proof of profits, a check to shareholders every three months can't be beat. Companies with solid dividends and strong commitments to increasing payouts treat shareholders well.
With those factors in mind, let's take a closer look at Dole Food.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | 3.8% | Fail |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 4.8% | Fail | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 10.9% | Fail |
| Net Margin > 15% | 0.5% | Fail | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 205.3% | Fail |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 1.68 | Pass | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 5.1% | Fail |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 17.74 | Pass |
| Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
| 5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
| Total Score | 2 out of 10 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Total score = number of passes.
With only two points, Dole Food doesn't look too appetizing. The food maker has been in a big slump over the past year, but recent results suggest a turnaround could be coming.
Like many food companies, Dole has suffered in recent years. The company has never been overwhelmingly profitable, but after a loss in 2010, Dole just barely got into the black last year. Yet sales are still down from their levels three years ago.
One way in which Dole has tried to improve its margins is by getting into the organics business. Both Dole and Chiquita
Last week, Dole finally had something go right. The company announced a much narrower loss than expected, sending the shares up 12%. Even in a weak environment, Dole has done a good job of cutting costs to try to get back to profitability.
For Dole to start moving in the right direction, it needs to figure out a strategy to put its brand name to use. Specifically, a closer relationship with high-end grocer Whole Foods
Keep searching
No stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfection than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you'll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate the best investments from the rest.
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