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Recession-Proof Stocks: Buy this multi-national conglomerate before its next ex-dividend date

Posted April 17, 2008

A Today’s Financial News Research Report:

‘Unilever is a reliable stock to turn to in shaky market conditions and a realistic expectation of semi-annual dividends certainly lends appeal.’ – Laura Cadden

By Laura Cadden, TodaysFinancialNews.com
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The following is the TFN Hot Stock Pick for this week selected by Laura Cadden. Watch the financial video.

Baltimore (TFN): Diversifying your stock holdings by adding companies with well-developed overseas interests and revenues sources is a wise decision for U.S. investors – especially in current market conditions.

Just as valuable is a steady track record of profits – and dividends.

With this in mind, my TFN Hot Stock Pick for this week is a Netherlands-based company with facilities in more than 100 countries and over 170,000 employees: Unilever.

Basic needs are recession-proof

Let me tell you, no matter what happens to my income, I NEED mayonnaise – no sandwich is complete without it. My brand of choice? Hellman’s, of course. (Is there any other?)

Hellman’s, as it happens, is one of Unilever’s 400 brands in 14 categories of food, home, and personal care products sold all over the world.

Tired of reading? Watch the financial video.

We’re talking brands as diverse as Lipton, Suave, Ben & Jerry’s, Skippy, Q-Tips, Promise, Slim-Fast, Popsicle, and Vaseline.

The five Unilever laboratories are always working hard to create more essential products for our personal consumption.

The company covers our hygiene needs from facilities like those located here in Baltimore City, where it manufactures Dove, Wisk, all, Final Touch and Snuggle.

Total Wealth SymposiumPromising ad campaign for beauty products

Speaking of Dove, just this month, the company announced the launch of its Dove Digital Channel (www.dove.com) thereby expanding it Campaign for Real Beauty to new interactive levels.

If the viral videos stemming from this refreshingly unique marketing approach are any indication, it should be a success. (If you haven’t seen one, go to YouTube and type in “Dove Evolution” – or follow this link – it’s fascinating).

The benefits of globalization

2007 saw almost 40% of Unilever’s revenue come from Europe, just over 30% from the Americas, and just under that percentage from Asia and Africa.

Commodity costs have certainly affected Unilever’s bottom line – yet sales increased by 1.7% due to increased prices and as well as volume growth in the last quarter of 2007.

Especially promising markets for Unilever continue to be the usual suspects – China and India – but also emerging markets like Vietnam and Turkey.

Get in for the dividend

This is a reliable stock to turn to in shaky market conditions and a realistic expectation of semi-annual dividends lends appeal to this stock. The December interim payout was just over 36 cents a share. The year before, the dividends averaged a little over 63 cents.

With its continued research, global expansion, marketing savvy and dividend payouts, I recommend you buy Unilever N V NY (the New York Shares) – ticker symbol (UN:NYSE) – at or under $36 a share before the next ex-dividend date of May 19. There may be a slight drop in share prices of up to 5% after that date – an excellent opportunity for experienced investors to use the leverage of an options hedge strategy.
Today’s Financial News feed provides an independent and practical perspective on the U.S. and global investment markets. Sign up today to receive our e-mail each morning.

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Posted by Laura Cadden · Filed Under Hot Stock Pick of the Week 

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