VF Corp. has a long history of managing top apparel brands

The Motley Idiot Take

VF Corp. is likely one of the largest attire firms on this planet, with a current market worth close to $11 billion. It has an extended historical past of managing prime manufacturers, together with the Fort Price model Dickie’s, which it purchased in 2017; Vans; Timberland; The North Face; and most just lately, via acquisition, the favored streetwear model Supreme.

After a robust yr of progress popping out of the pandemic, excessive inflation has taken its toll on the corporate’s financials. Income was down 1% yr over yr via the primary half of this fiscal yr, with stable progress at The North Face and different manufacturers offset by declines at Vans and Dickies. Consequently, the inventory worth was just lately down 61% this yr, presenting a superb shopping for alternative.

By fiscal 2027, administration is concentrating on annualized income progress of as much as 10%, together with quicker progress in earnings per share — within the mid to excessive single digits. How will administration accomplish these targets? The corporate narrowed its model portfolio from over 30 names to 12, concentrating on merchandise in excessive demand, similar to out of doors attire, workwear and streetwear.

VF’s dividend just lately yielded a fats 7%, and administration plans to return about $7 billion to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases over the following 5 years. Lengthy-term buyers in search of revenue ought to give VF Corp. a better look.

Ask the Idiot

From R.W. in Palmer, Alaska: What does the time period “priced for perfection” imply?

The Idiot responds: It’s usually used when referring to a seemingly overvalued inventory. It means that buyers have excessive expectations for the corporate, and that their enthusiastic shopping for has pushed the share worth as much as a excessive valuation. It additionally suggests some riskiness, as a result of if the corporate makes any errors or there’s some dangerous information, the inventory may take a giant hit.

You would possibly keep away from such a situation by favoring “worth investing” — in search of wholesome, rising firms whose shares are priced significantly under what you see as their intrinsic worth. That builds in a margin of security, which might scale back your danger if the share worth drops.

From P.T. in South Kensington, Md.: Are inventory dividends actually taxed twice?

The Idiot responds: Normally, sure. Right here’s how: Think about that Buzzy’s Broccoli Beer studies $120 million in gross sales. After subtracting varied bills, it retains $30 million, which is topic to taxation.

With its post-tax income, Buzzy’s would possibly construct a brand new manufacturing facility, purchase extra promoting, rent extra staff, repurchase a few of its shares of inventory and/or pay dividends to shareholders, amongst different issues.

Any dividends that Buzzy’s pays out are typically thought of taxable revenue for shareholders. That’s how dividends can get taxed twice — first the corporate is taxed on its revenue, after which after it pays shareholders, they’re sometimes taxed on these funds, too.

Some favor firms to construct extra worth for shareholders with out paying out dividends. As an example, firms would possibly repurchase some shares. Doing so reduces the share rely, boosting every remaining share’s stake within the firm — and it doesn’t generate taxable revenue. (Repurchasing shares is wasteful, although, when a inventory is overpriced.)

The Idiot’s Faculty

There are various scammers on the market, they usually love to focus on senior residents. The FBI’s most up-to-date Elder Fraud Report famous that in 2021, greater than 92,000 victims over 60 years outdated reported dropping $1.7 billion to fraud — that’s 74% greater than in 2020. Victims misplaced $18,246, on common, and three,133 individuals misplaced greater than $100,000.

Frequent senior scams contain Social Safety. You would possibly, for instance, obtain an alarming cellphone name, e mail or textual content suggesting that you simply’re in bother. It would say that your Social Safety advantages are about to be canceled except you are taking sure actions — now. You is perhaps pressured to present out private data, similar to your Social Safety quantity, birthdate and/or monetary account numbers. The scammers would possibly demand that you simply pay some cash instantly.

Any of these issues ought to function a giant purple flag. Know that the Social Safety Administration won’t ever name you out of the blue, or threaten that you will need to pay cash instantly. If there’s ever a problem, the SSA is more likely to ship you a letter — or it would e mail or textual content you when you have opted in for such communications. It normally requests funds through on-line invoice pay or Pay.gov or in particular person at one in every of its many places of work. For those who’re ever doubtful, simply contact the SSA instantly and ask.

You may proactively stop being focused for a Social Safety rip-off by signing up for a “my Social Safety” account at SSA.gov. Everybody ought to achieve this, even when they’re removed from retirement. When you do, you may test in any time and see the SSA’s file of your earnings and estimates of your advantages. It’s also possible to replace your contact data and handle your advantages on-line. For those who haven’t arrange such an account, a scammer would possibly set one up for you, aiming to gather your advantages.

For extra retirement-related steering, take a look at our “Rule Your Retirement” service at Fool.com/services. It affords Social Safety suggestions and a few mannequin portfolios with inventory and fund suggestions.

My Dumbest Funding

From S.O., on-line: My dumbest funding? Effectively, it was my first-ever inventory funding — a single share of Amazon.com that I purchased for $303. I offered it three months later for $334 and thought I had made an excellent commerce. Lesson discovered: Play the lengthy sport!

The Idiot responds: Amazon’s inventory worth now — it was just lately at $89 — some would possibly assume that you simply dodged a bullet. However Amazon break up its inventory 20-for-1 in June. Shares have been buying and selling for round $2,450 pre-split, and when you owned one share then, you’d have ended up with 20 shares post-split, with every share price round $122.50.

(Splits don’t change the worth of your holdings — one share price $2,450 or 20 shares price $122.50 have the identical complete worth. However getting all the way down to a cheaper price means extra buyers can afford to purchase shares.)

You in all probability purchased your share lengthy earlier than the break up, when the inventory was on its manner as much as $2,450. Hindsight is 20/20, and it’s simple to remorse promoting the share, but when on the time you didn’t believe in Amazon’s potential to develop larger, promoting was the proper transfer.

It may be tempting to promote a inventory after it rises a bit and affords a revenue, however at all times do some analysis to see whether or not it appears more likely to continue to grow over a few years.

Who am I?

I hint my roots again to 1883, when my namesake based me with $372. In 1901, I used to be the primary grocer to have my very own bakeries; I added meat departments after that. At present, based mostly in Cincinnati, I declare to be the most important meals producer in America, with annual income topping $140 billion and greater than 400,000 staff. I boast greater than 2,700 grocery shops, together with supermarkets and multi-department shops, in 35 states and the District of Columbia; my manufacturers embody Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Ralphs and Roundy’s. My pharmacies fill greater than 200 million prescriptions yearly. Who am I?

Can’t bear in mind final week’s query? Find it here.

Final week’s trivia reply: Boston Beer Co.