Mark Hake

Scottsdale

Financial Writer and Analyst at Investor Place

Financial Writer at Barchart

Articles

Is Dell Technologies Stock Too Cheap Now?

6 days ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Dell Technologies (DELL) recently hiked its dividend by 18%, giving DELL stock a 2.48% dividend yield. However, this is much higher than its 3-year average yield, since the company started paying dividends. As a result, DELL stock looks undervalued and could be worth 21% more using three valuation methods. DELL stock closed at $84.80 on Thursday, April 17. This is well off its 3-month high of $120.96 on Feb. 19, but up from a recent low of $71.63 on April 4.
Large Unusual Activity In GOOG Puts

1 week ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

A Barchart report yesterday (April 15) shows how large funds hedge their bets in Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) stock. A large tranche of deep out-of-the-money GOOG puts traded for expiry in 3 weeks (May 9). In effect, sellers of these puts made easy cash, while the buyers essentially bought crash insurance, likely hedging any downside from large holdings in GOOG stock. GOOG closed down 1.73% on April 15 at $158.68 per share, well off its recent peak of $207.71 on Feb. 4.
Constellation Brands Produces Strong FCF - STZ Stock Looks Cheap Here

1 week ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Constellation Brands (STZ) reported last week that it made higher-than-expected free cash flow (FCF) last year. Despite raising the dividend by just 1% (lower than expected), investors can make more income by shorting out-of-the-money STZ put options. STZ is at $185.30 in midday trading on Tuesday, April 15. This is up from a low of $170.96 on April 9, just before its April 9 earnings release for the year ending Feb. 28.
Kraft Heinz Stock Is A Value Investors' Favorite With Its 5.4% Yield

1 week ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) stock looks cheap to value investors with its annual 5.40% dividend yield. That is well over its historical average, while the dividend payment has remained stable. This implies KHC stock is worth much more. Moreover, short-put yield plays are attractive. KHC is at $29.59 in midday trading on Monday, April 14. That is well below a recent peak of $32.22 on March 10, but up from a recent low of $27.69 on April 8.
ExxonMobil Stock Looks Way Too Cheap Now With Its 3.8% Dividend Yield

1 week ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

ExxonMobil (XOM) stock has a 3.84% annual dividend yield as of Friday. Its average over the last 3 years has been 3.49%, implying a 10% upside in XOM. Moreover, shorting out-of-the-money put options can provide a 4% monthly yield. XOM closed at $103.14 on Friday, April 11, up from a low of $99.83 the day before, but well off its high of $119.04 on April 1. This means its $3.96 annual dividend per share (DPS) provides investors a 3.839% annual dividend yield.
Microsoft Stock Is A Winner In This Market Turmoil And Looks Cheap Here

1 week ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Microsoft Corp (MSFT) stock has held up much better than its technology peers in the latest stock market volatility. Moreover, investors can expect a dividend hike in about 5 months, and short-put yields over the next month are high. MSFT is up today at $386.82, although it's still well off its peak of $447.26 in January, but up from a recent trough price of $354.56 on April 8.
Huge Unusual Trading In Pfizer Put Options Signals Investors' Bearish Outlook

2 weeks ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Large, unusual trading volume in Pfizer Inc. (PFE) put options is accruing today, signaling a bearish outlook by institutional investors in PFE stock. This undoubtedly relates to the Chinese tariffs, and investors' concerns. PFE stock is down 2.82% today to $21.20 after the Chinese authorities signaled a 104% hike in retaliatory tariffs after the U.S. Administration's recent tariff hikes on China. Since March 7, PFE stock has dropped from $26.73, a fall of over 20.5%.
Carnival Corp Stock Looks Cheap Here

2 weeks ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Carnival Corp (CCL) produced positive free cash flow last quarter, and analysts have significantly higher price targets for CCL stock. Given its recent tumble, CCL looks attractive here, especially for cash-secured short-put plays. CCL is at $17.26 in midday trading on Tuesday, April 8, well off its Jan. 30 high of $28.49 per share. It may have reached a near-term trough of $16.43 yesterday. That makes it an opportune time for value investors to buy the dip.
People Still Eat Pizza During Recessions And Crashes

2 weeks ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

Domino's Pizza (DPZ) stock is a favorite among value investors. The bottom line is that people still eat pizza during recessions and market crashes, and there is no tariff effect. DPZ looks like a good buy here. DPZ is at $438.33 in midday trading on Monday, April 7. That is slightly down from a recent peak of $468.35 on April 2, prior to the tariff-induced market crash. But value investors love a bargain, especially from a strong free cash flow (FCF) company like Domino's.
ConocoPhillips' Expected Dividend Hike Next Month Could Push COP Stock 40% Higher

2 weeks ago | barchart.com | Mark Hake

ConocoPhillips (COP) is expected to hike its dividend per share next month. That may help COP shareholders and new potential investors as it could push COP stock up 40% to $121 per share, equal to its trailing 12-month dividend yield. COP is at $86.29 as of Friday, April 5, down over 15.7% in the last week. That pushed its dividend yield to 3.62% (i.e., $3.12 dividend per share (DPS)/$86.29). This is well over its average 12-month yield of 2.71%, using Morningstar data.