14 Cheap Regional Banks With A Long Dividend Growth History

The banking sector has certainly come a long way since the financial crisis. Banks are better capitalized, have less risky loans and other assets, and are taking steps to operate more efficiently. There are some good investment opportunities in the banking sector.

My focus about high quality banks were on regional banks with a long dividend growth history. 25 stocks are available for trading that met these tight fundamental criteria.

Today I like to focus on those with a low forward P/E. Only 14 are part of my results which you can find in the attached list.

Here are the top yielding results...

8 Small Cap Dividend Growth Stocks Warren Buffett Would Love

Today I'd like to share small-capstocks with businesses that are both understandable and durable, but trade at prices I personally deem too high. All businesses have traits Buffett would love: durable brands, strong competitive positions, and low-cost advantages. If Mr. Market gives me a deal, I'll be buying shares of each with both hands.

The fascinating thing about low market valuations is that the company can grow at a faster pace because their current market potential seems to be enormous.

The bad thing about those stocks is that they offer a higher risk. However, let's try the screen and face the facts.

Here are the results:

3 Top Stocks That Warren Buffett Bought During The Recent Quarter

Warren Buffett is one of the most trusted investors on the market. When he moves his big money, the whole street is watching and tries to figure out what he is thinking about.

The latest big move was reasonable to Exxon Mobil, the largest U.S. oil producer. Warren bought ConocoPhillips on the peak of the oil price and was wrong with his investment decision. Now it looks that he gives his oil bet a second chance with the strongest cash flow producer in this field.

At the same time Warren Buffett reduced its current position in ConocoPhillips but keeps the downstream business Philips 66 stable. I have no idea what he is thinking about with this transaction. 

In addition, Warren increased shares of DaVita Healthcare Partners and Goldman Sachs. Here you can find a detailed overview about the latest big stock purchases from Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett's latest stock purchases (click to enlarge)
Source: Gurufocus.com

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) has a market capitalization of $415.45 billion. The company employs 76,900 people, generates revenue of $453.123 billion and has a net income of $47.681 billion. Exxon Mobil’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $65.769 billion. The EBITDA margin is 14.51 percent (the operating margin is 11.01 percent and the net profit margin 10.52 percent).

Financial Analysis: The total debt represents 3.47 percent of Exxon Mobil’s assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 6.98 percent. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 28.03 percent was realized by Exxon Mobil. Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $7.65. Last fiscal year, Exxon Mobil paid $2.18 in the form of dividends to shareholders.

Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 12.43, the P/S ratio is 0.92 and the P/B ratio is finally 2.58. The dividend yield amounts to 2.65 percent and the beta ratio has a value of 0.69.

Long-Term Stock Price Chart Of Exxon Mobil (XOM)

Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Exxon Mobil (XOM)

Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Exxon Mobil (XOM)

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) has a market capitalization of $76.86 billion. The company employs 31,700 people, generates revenue of $41.664 billion and has a net income of $7.475 billion. Goldman Sachs’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $12.462 billion. The EBITDA margin is 29.91 percent (the operating margin is 26.90 percent and the net profit margin 17.94 percent).

Financial Analysis: The total debt represents 47.24 percent of Goldman Sachs’s assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 585.58 percent. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 10.66 percent was realized by Goldman Sachs. Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $16.47. Last fiscal year, Goldman Sachs paid $1.77 in the form of dividends to shareholders.

Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 10.29, the P/S ratio is 1.84 and the P/B ratio is finally 1.13. The dividend yield amounts to 1.30 percent and the beta ratio has a value of 1.30.

Long-Term Stock Price Chart Of Goldman Sachs (GS)

Long-Term Dividend Payment History of Goldman Sachs (GS)

Long-Term Dividend Yield History of Goldman Sachs (GS)

DaVita HealthCare Partners (NYSE:DVA) has a market capitalization of $13.09 billion. The company employs 53,400 people, generates revenue of $8.186 billion and has a net income of $641.46 million. DaVita HealthCare Partners’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $1,710.45 million. The EBITDA margin is 20.89 percent (the operating margin is 15.84 percent and the net profit margin 7.84 percent).

Financial Analysis: The total debt represents 53.45 percent of DaVita HealthCare Partners’s assets and the total debt in relation to the equity amounts to 227.32 percent. Due to the financial situation, a return on equity of 18.16 percent was realized by DaVita HealthCare Partners. Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $2.66. Last fiscal year, DaVita HealthCare Partners paid no dividends to shareholders.

Market Valuation: Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 23.18, the P/S ratio is 1.60 and the P/B ratio is finally 3.45. The beta ratio has a value of 0.49.

Long-Term Stock Price Chart Of DaVita HealthCare Partners (DVA)

Long-Term Dividend Payment History of DaVita HealthCare Partners (DVA)

Long-Term Dividend Yield History of DaVita HealthCare Partners (DVA)

Warren Buffett's Latest Stock Portfolio

Warren Buffett's latest stock purchases (click to enlarge)
Source: Streetinsider.com

Warren Buffett's latest stock purchases (click to enlarge)
Source: Gurufocus.com

5 Banks Warren Buffett is Betting on for 2014

By our guest contributor Insider Monkey. As we begin to ponder what sectors will rule the markets in 2014, technology, healthcare and industrials are areas that many pundits point to. If you ask Warren Buffett, though, he’ll provide a decidedly different answer.

On CNBC earlier this week, Buffett gave a ringing endorsement to large-cap banks, revealing that he thinks they’re “in best shape [he] can remember.” While anyone who tracks Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio probably had a hunch Buffett is upbeat on banks—over 40% of his holdings are invested in the financial sector—these new comments indicate we should expect his bullishness to continue into next year.

By focusing on the best picks of the best hedge funds and other elite investors, it’s possible for retail investors to beat the market over the long-term (discover the data behind this phenomenon). Buffett is the cream of the crop and in light of his recent comments, we should take note of how he’s playing the banks.

Wells Fargo [WFC] is unequivocally the billionaire’s biggest banking bet, and his largest equity holding at that. The global giant is lauded for its management practices and simple business model, and its connection to Buffett has helped it land financing and advisory roles in multiple Berkshire acquisitions.

While shares of Wells Fargo are up nearly 25% year-to-date and the bank did beat Wall Street’s third quarter earnings estimates, its home lending business has been hurt by falling mortgage applications. Still, Wells’ long-term growth prospects and scale advantages remain intact, and Buffett has to love its price at a mere 10.6 times forward EPS. Don’t ignore the 2.8% dividend yield either; it's the best payout among the ‘Big Four.’

US Bancorp [USB] is Buffett’s No. 2 bank holding. Due to its attractive valuation, solid dividend yield, and strong growth prospects, many analysts know this regional player as a mini-Wells Fargo. In fact, US Bancorp is the only big bank that generates higher ROE and ROA figures than Buffett’s top pick.

His investment in Goldman Sachs [GS], meanwhile, now represents a major portion of Berkshire’s stock holdings. We discussed the intricacies of Buffett’s new $2 billion investment in Goldman here on MarketWatch last week, but all you need to know is that he doesn’t plan to close it any time soon.

The investment banking and brokerage firm has sentimental value for the billionaire, and it pays just 12% of its earnings out as dividends. Like Wells Fargo and US Bancorp, Goldman’s growth prospects are extremely cheap at current prices, and the multifaceted nature of its business gives Buffett exposure to an area of the financial sector that his other bank stocks don’t.

M&T Bank [MTB] and Bank of New York Mellon [BK] are a couple more Buffett favorites, and both are actually the final two bank stocks held in the top 20 of Berkshire’s equity portfolio. M&T Bank has been a staple in Buffett’s holdings for more than two decades, and it’s the only large U.S. bank that didn’t trim dividend payments during the financial crisis. The bank’s quarterly profit streak of nearly 40 years is legendary, and it’s no secret that Buffett is a fan of M&T CEO Robert Wilmers.

BNY Mellon, lastly, has been in Buffett and Berkshire’s good graces since the third quarter of 2010, and the stake was increased by 30% in their last 13F filing. The trust bank can see its bottom line improve if interest rates increase in the future. Uncertainty surrounding the fate of borrowing costs over the long-term is one reason why BNY Mellon could be considered undervalued.

Disclosure: none

Brazil - A Leading Source for Dividend Investors | 8 Dividend Ideas

Brazil is a stable and a rising country. It offers investors many opportunities of getting profit from its rotational economy. Investors should follow the Brazilian stock market (^BVSP) Sao Paulo Stock Exchange's benchmark Bovespa index. Here I would like to share investors 8 dividend-paying Brazilian stocks which are traded in the U.S.

1. Banco Bradesco (BBD): - It is a banking and financial company of Brazil. The market capitalization is 69.92 billion. P/E ratio is 12.51, dividend yield 2.40 percent with $0.40 annual dividend. 

2. Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao (CBD): - It is a mass distributor in Brazilian. This is a group of supermarkets, hypermarkets, appliance stores, the wholesale (cash & carry), e-commerce and a wide distribution network. The market capitalization is 14.07 billion. P/E ratio is 27.29, dividend yield 0.30 percent with $0.18 annual dividend. 

3. Companhia de Bebidas Das Americas (AMBEV) (ABV):- Basically this is an Americas' Beverage Company. AMBEV is originally a Brazilian company that opened a capital to international investors. The market capitalization is 127.70 billion. P/E ratio is 24.83, dividend yield 4.20 percent with $1.75 annual dividend. 

4. Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig) (CIG): - This is the one of the largest power generator and distributor in Brazil. The market capitalization is 9.84 billion. P/E ratio is 4.38, dividend yield 5.30 percent with $0.63 annual dividend. 

5. Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) (ELP): - In the state of Parana it is known as Copel, Brazilian electric energy company. The market capitalization is 4.29 Billion. P/E ratio is 8.84, dividend yield 5.66 percent. 

6. CPFL Energia (CPL): - This is the generator and distributor of electric energy in Brazil. The market capitalization is 10.04 billion. P/E ratio is 16.91, dividend yield 6.10 percent with annual dividend $1.29. 

7. Itaú Unibanco (ITUB): - This is a bank and Brazilian merged in 2008 establishments Banco Itaú and Unibanco. The market capitalization is 76.95 billion. P/E ratio is 12.43, dividend yield 0.50 percent with annual dividend $0.09.

8. Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP): -This is a Brazilian group in the three sections which operates its business units, distribution of fuel, production of chemical and integrated logistics solutions for special bulk with Ultra cargo. The market capitalization is 13.58 billion. P/E ratio is 27.34, dividend yield 2.70 percent with annual dividend $0.67.

For Brazil dividend stocks information visit the site Dividend Growth Investor.

9 Best Yielding Money Center Banks Below Book Value

The Best Yielding Money Center Banks Under Book Value Researched By Dividend Yield - Stock, Capital, Investment. Stocks from the money center banks industry still have tough times. Three years after the Lehman collapse, there is still pressure on the banking sector. The investment banking divisions are weak, equity efforts are higher and it is harder to make money at low interest rates in struggling economies. The current unattractiveness of the industry can also be an opportunity for cyclic investors.

I screened the money center industry by stocks with the best dividend yield as well as an price to book ratio of less than one. The industry has thirty companies of which eighteen pay dividends. Only nine of them are below their book value and seven of them have a buy or better rating.

5 High Yield Asia Bank Shares

Five Asian Bank Stocks To Consider By Topforeignstocks.com. Asian banks are relatively in a better position than European and US banks. Having stayed strong during the credit crisis, Asian banks continue to maintain high Tier 1 Capital Ratios and follow their conservative business models. In addition, state regulators have played a key role in strengthening the banking systems by formulating sound policies and implementing stricter standards on lending. For example, the Monetary Authority of Singapore requires domestic banks to hold a minimum Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio of 6% which is higher current Basel II standards. By 2015 the Central Bank will raise the minimum Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio to 8% which is also higher than the Basel III requirements. Below is a list of ADR's with a yield above 5 percent:

1.Bank:Hang Seng Bank Ltd (HSNGY)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.52%
Country: Hong Kong

2.Bank:Malayan Banking BHD (MLYBY)
Current Dividend Yield: 6.56%
Country: Malaysia

3.Bank:DBS Group Holdings Ltd (DBSDY)
Current Dividend Yield: 8.25%
Country: Singapore

4.Bank:United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOVEY)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.79%
Country: Singapore

5.Bank:BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Ltd (BHKLY)
Current Dividend Yield: 6.41%
Country: Hong Kong

Source: Topforeignstocks.com

High Dividend Financial Stocks To Consider

Investing in High Dividend Financial Stocks By Insider Monkey. Below, we provide a list of the top 30 S&P500 Financial Stocks by market cap and ranked them based on their annualized dividend yields (The sector classifications are sourced from Finviz and the market data are sourced from Fidelity).The stocks with higher and lower dividends, and their performances are shown below:

HIGHER DIVIDEND YIELDS		Dividend Yield	YTD Return
Public Storage	PSA	3.18%	19.56%
BlackRock Inc.	BLK	3.14%	-6.86%
The Travelers Companies Inc.	TRV	2.95%	0.91%
Vornado Realty Trust	VNO	2.94%	14.20%
Simon Property Group	SPG	2.68%	23.01%
AFLAC Inc.	AFL	2.61%	-17.63%
PNC Financial Services Group	PNC	2.56%	-8.90%
BB & T Corp.	BBT	2.48%	-0.23%
The Chubb Corporation	CB	2.47%	7.39%
JPMorgan Chase	JPM	2.46%	-2.89%
Equity Residential	EQR	2.16%	20.24%
ACE Ltd.	ACE	2.09%	8.99%
The Bank of New York Mellon	BK	2.06%	-15.42%
Prudential Financial Inc.	PRU	1.97%	-0.60%
CME Group Inc.	CME	1.97%	-10.92%
AVERAGE			2.06%
LOWERDIVIDEND YIELDS		Dividend Yield	YTD Return
U.S. Bancorp	USB	1.91%	-2.28%
MetLife Inc.	MET	1.86%	-10.42%
State Street Corp.	STT	1.72%	-9.14%
Wells Fargo & Co	WFC	1.70%	-8.18%
Charles Schwab Corp.	SCHW	1.61%	-12.29%
American Express Company	AXP	1.43%	19.17%
Aon Corporation	AON	1.21%	8.03%
The Goldman Sachs Group	GS	1.03%	-18.84%
Morgan Stanley	MS	0.89%	-17.34%
Franklin Resources Inc.	BEN	0.77%	16.85%
Loews Corporation	L	0.62%	3.20%
Capital One Financial Corp.	COF	0.42%	12.12%
Bank of America	BAC	0.41%	-26.50%
Citigroup	C	0.10%	-19.25%
American International Group	AIG	0.00%	-40.06%
AVERAGE			-7.00%

Related Stock Ticker:
ACE, AFL, AIG, AON, AXP, BAC, BBT, BEN, BK, BLK, C, CB, CME, COF, EQR, GS, JPM, L, MET, MS, PNC, PRU, PSA, SCHW, SPG, STT, TRV, USB, VNO, WFC

Source: Seeking Alpha