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Herewith are four stocks representing the four pillars of a sin portfolio worthy of virtuous consideration:
Altria Group (MO)
If you like to win bar bets, ask someone to name the most profitable stock of the last 50 years. If they’re not astounded when you tell them that it is Altria Group, one of the largest producers of tobacco products in the world, they will be when you tell them that it has returned an average of 21% versus the S&P 500’s 10% over that time. Equally impressive is its 45-year history of increasing dividends.
After spinning off its brand namesake, Phillip Morris, in early 2011, Altria continues to dominate U.S. tobacco sales, which, in a period of declining usage and heavy regulatory attacks, remains its most profitable line of business. Its diversification into wine sales (Columbia Crest), beer sales (SABMiller), and real estate helps to secure its revenue and, in turn, protects its healthy dividend yielding nearly 6%. In the face of revenue and regulatory challenges it still manages to deliver a healthy return on equity (71% for the year ending September 2011) and it continues to reward its shareholders by paying out 80% of the earnings in dividends.
Diageo Plc (DEO)
One of the largest producers of premium spirits in the world, Diageo has a strong foothold in the U.S. with its brand favorites, Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray and Smirnoff, as well as the fast-growing emerging markets where it generates 34% of its revenue. Although its revenue growth has tailed off in recent years, it blows away its competition on the margins posting a hefty 60% gross and 20% net in 2010. Future earnings growth is expected as a result of its dominant position in emerging markets, planned cost restructurings and anticipated acquisitions (newly spun off Jim Beam is a target), which means investors should continue to enjoy increasing dividends that currently yield 3.20%.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS)
Throughout economic cycles there are few constants, but one of them is that people will gamble in good times or bad. Although the gambling industry was hit hard during the financial meltdown, it has since recovered thanks in large part to an Asian growth spurt. And now, several companies offer tremendous opportunities for earnings growth over the next several years. The ones offering the greatest potential currently have forward price earnings ratios well below the industry avenue. Las Vegas Sands Corp., the big daddy of the industry, has the added appeal of having demonstrated steady growth in its returns on invested capital over the last three years. And, with its dominant footprint in the new gambling Mecca of Macau, it has the luxury of waiting for domestic gamblers to make their way back to Las Vega and its other American casinos as discretionary spending picks up.
General Dynamics (GD)
The fourth pillar of the sin portfolio has historically been built on firearms stocks, but more recently, political correctness has forged a sub-category comprised of defense contractors for their role in making war and not love. Both firearms manufacturers and defense contractors are facing financial and regulatory pressures, and defense contractors in particular are under the gun (sorry) due to the deficit cutting mandate given to Congress. The political reality, however, points to U.S. interests increasingly under siege from abroad, and a Congress that is more likely to buckle than make unpopular defense cuts.
General Dynamics (GD) has emerged as a value play (Warren Buffet has recently bought 3.1 million shares) trading at less than nine times earnings while paying a solid dividend yielding 2.9%. Defense stocks have been battered recently over defense cuts concerns, and will likely remain under pressure through the next election. General Dynamics is a more diversified defense play for its emphasis in areas that aren’t like to come under the budget knife. Its profitable Gulf Stream jet division is still a winner and its lucrative submarine division would seem to be untouchable. Even if there is an across the board defense cut, GD has less exposure and reliance on government contracts than their competitors. Only 70% of its revenue comes from the government compared with 85% and 92% for Lockheed and Northrop.
As the market continues to vacillate over uncertain earnings growth, investors looking to stabilize their portfolios with more certain ROIC plays are well-advised to add solid performing non-cyclical stocks, and few have performed better over time than sin stocks. If there is ever going to be a time when vice becomes a virtue, this may be it. If you are conflicted over investing in these companies, you can always donate to your favorite charities once they make you wealthy!
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