Today’s bulletin describes a management change at H&R Block and bullish price movements, especially among integrated oil stocks.
We’ve got all kinds of government intrigue in the news today: murder, espionage, Russia! None of these things are going to put a damper on the strong corporate earnings growth scenario that’s propelling the stock market. I still expect additional stock market gains in 2017, followed by another good year in 2018.
H&R Block (HRB, 25 – yield 3.5%) announced CEO Bill Cobb’s retirement yesterday, effective in July, after six years at the helm. Mr. Cobb successfully brought the company through a transition away from the mortgage business, cut costs, increased profits, and more recently, turned around an eroding market share problem among do-it-yourself income tax filers. Tom Gerke, who recently held the positions of General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer at H&R Block, has now been appointed CEO and interim President.
The leadership changes are potentially constructive, bringing a fresh perspective to optimizing Block’s current businesses and new ventures.
I had been expecting HRB to rise to 27, linger briefly, then have a pullback, since it had risen 35% from its March lows. Yesterday, the share price reached 26.92, then declined 6%. News of the CEO’s retirement gave the market a reason to trigger the anticipated pullback in the share price.
It’s a little soon to foretell the stock’s next trading pattern, although if the S&P remains up around 2,400, I would expect HRB to trade between 24.50 and 27. Hold.
BP plc (BP, 36.37, yield 6.5%) is rising rapidly to short-term upside price resistance at about 37.50. If you bought the stock at 33 recently for a short-term trade, it’s almost time to sell. Everybody else should hold BP for additional capital gains and the big dividend yield. I don’t think it will be difficult for BP to break past this minor price ceiling in the coming months. If you want to buy BP, try to buy on a dip below 35.50. Strong Buy.
Cavium (CAVM, 73.34) just launched past 73. It could trade in the mid-70s for a while or continue climbing. It’s too soon to tell. Strong Buy.
Total SA (TOT, 53.86, yield varies, approx. 4.3%) is actively rising. Once it reaches 62, where it traded three years ago, it’s going to come to a halt. Remember, there are lots of people who bought it around that price, who have been waiting to break even. Many of them will sell, causing the share price to pull back. The stock will still be very undervalued at 62. Perhaps we’ll see it rise above 62 in 2018. Strong Buy.