Here is an infographic showing the Top 40 Retailers in Asia:
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Source: Euromonitor International
In 2014, the top 500 Asian retailers had sales of US $1.1 Trillion. Japanese companies dominate the top 10 list as they have consolidated in the local market and expanded in regional markets as well.Walmart’s (WMT) China subsidiary ranks third in the top hypermarket category.
Disclosure: No Positions
Investors looking for dividend stocks can consider adding foreign dividend payers to their portfolios. Going abroad pays dividends in more ways than one. For example, not only one can earn higher yields but also benefit from global diversification.Three reasons for adding foreign dividend stocks are discussed below.
1. Dividend Yield:
The dividend yield of most US stocks is notoriously low. The dividend yield of the S&P 500 is around 2%. It has been at this level for many years now. Though one can higher yields in certain sectors such as utilities, in general dividend yields are usually lower in the US market. Compared to the low 2%, an investor can get much higher yields in countries such as Singapore, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. It is also possible avoid dividend withholding taxes in some cases. So there is no reason to avoid foreign income stocks.
2. Dividend Payout Ratio:
The payout ratio is also lower in the US compared to other developed markets. This is because US firms traditionally prefer to retain profits and reinvest for growth or hoard profits if the management is unable to put the funds to use. Since most investors including large institutional investors prefer price appreciation to income, the current dividend payment mentality suits for companies as well.
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3. Dividends paid – US vs. abroad:
According to a study by Henderson Global Advisors, nearly 70% of the world’s dividend payments are paid by firms outside the US.
NOTE: The 10 firms listed above are based on dividends paid in Q2, 2015
Source: Going Global Could Pay Dividends, Henderson Global Advisors, Sept 2015
Ten global dividend stocks are listed below with their current yields for further research:
1.Company: Singapore Telecom (SGAPY)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.76%
Sector: Telecom
Country: Singapore
2.Company: Sanofi (SNY)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.26%
Sector: Pharmaceuticals
Country: France
3.Company: Allianz SE (AZSEY)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.97%
Sector:Insurance
Country: Germany
4.Company: Nestle SA (NSRGY)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.00%
Sector: Food Products
Country: Switzerland
5.Company: British American Tobacco PLC (BTI)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.17%
Sector:Tobacco
Country: UK
6.Company: AXA Group (AXAHY)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.37%
Sector: Insurance
Country: France
7.Company: Edp Energias De Portugal SA (EDPFY)
Current Dividend Yield: 6.09%
Sector: Electric Utilities
Country: Portugal
8.Company: DBS Group Holdings Ltd(DBSDY)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.61%
Sector: Banking
Country: Singapore
9.Company: Nordea Bank AB (NRBAY)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.83%
Sector: Banking
Country: Sweden
10.Company: Rogers Communications Inc (RCI)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.14%
Sector: Telecom
Country: Canada
Note: Dividend yields noted above are as of Sept 18, 2015. Data is known to be accurate from sources used.Please use your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.
Disclosure: Long AXAHY
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Pharm Exec magazine published its annual ranking of the Global Pharma companies for 2015 earlier this year. The top ranked companies are selected based on sales.
From the research report:
Specialty drug sales, record-breaking M&A paired with tax synergies, and global expansion helped to bring a new face into this year’s Pharma 50 top 10, and substantially boosted the rankings of several others.
Led by the breakout success of its hepatitis C virus (HCV) franchise, Gilead Sciences recorded $24.5 billion in global revenues for 2014. Gilead’s rise into the top 10 list of biopharmaceutical companies, up from No. 18 in last year’s ranking, demonstrates the fast-track opportunity of specialty markets, especially in areas of high unmet medical need. The company’s announcement of its first quarterly cash dividend to stockholders, to be paid out beginning this month, is a clear sign of the growth Gilead has achieved as an organization.
Other climbers like Actavis, which jumped six places from 24 to 19 this year, have pursued an opportunistic growth platform with respect to M&A. Actavis completed its $66 billion acquisition of Allergan earlier this year, and intends to change its name as a result; look for Allergan rising to take a second new spot in the top 10, in next year’s Pharma 50.
By now, the big Pharma players have all established a presence and capability in emerging markets. While the pace of growth has slowed in some emerging markets like Brazil and China, AbbVie was able to maintain its ranking position, in the No. 10 slot this year, due to its commitment to expanding the global footprint of its key products.
The Top 50 Global Pharma Companies for 2015 are shown below:
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Source: Taking Flight: Pharm Exec’s Top 50 Pharma Companies, Pharma Exec
A few observations:
Related: The Top 50 Global Pharma Companies 2014
Disclosure: No Positions
Competition will not lead always to lower prices. Just like so many other industries such as telecom, media, airlines, railroads and many others, healthcare providers will form oligopolies and determine prices for products and services as needed…
Source: The CommonWealth Fund