(A Top Pick Dec 13/16. Up 7%.) This has merged and is going to split into 3 pieces. The underlying metrics of the 3 different businesses are all generally improving. Generates a lot of cash.

This is a good company that is getting better. They are merging into DuPont (DD-N), and will wind up splitting into 3 pieces. The US has the lowest cost natural gas globally. In chemical companies, natural gas is the biggest cost. There are very persistent low natural gas prices because of what has happened with fracing in the US. The merging companies will likely unlock some value. They generated about a 20% dividend growth over the last 5 years. Dividend yield of 3.01%. (Analysts’ price target is $67.06.)

One of his newest names, one of the highest quality companies in the world.  Going through a merger with DD-N (Dupont).  Once completed, they will spin off the business into 3 components.  It has a rich dividend and growth.  A recession would be the biggest risk, but he doesn’t see one on the horizon.  He feels comfortable going forward in rate of dividend growth. 

DuPont (DD-N) and Dow (DOW-N) merger? Generally, when you put 2 big businesses together, there is going to be plenty of opportunity to cut costs and there are going to be synergies. Ultimately it is going to be a pretty good deal for shareholders. You could own either.

Merging with DuPont (DD-N). This will be one of the great industrial companies of the world. They make products that everybody needs in the manufacturing business. Assumes there will be synergies because of cost cutting, and that there will be more pricing power than what they currently have. In the chemical industry much is dependent on the price of feedstock, which is oil and natural gas. This is one that people are going to want to own.

(Top Pick Nov 7/14, Up 4.65%) He decided there were other things he liked better.  It is recovering and the volume is coming back into the stock.

This is a high beta play on economic growth, and particularly on industrial production. Given the weakness we are starting to see, he doesn’t like this.

One of the big input costs for chemicals is natural gas, and prices have been very weak for natural gas. This company benefits when the economy is a little stronger. It concerns him the way chemical stocks sold off in October. He wouldn’t want to see this dip below $50, so if you own, use that as a Stop. He would like to see it make a new high by trading through $55. Feels there may be better names. 3.2% dividend yield.