Dividends4Life: Stock Analysis: SYY

Stock Analysis: SYY

Posted by D4L | Monday, December 31, 2007 | , | 3 comments »

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Sysco Corp (SYY) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: SYSCO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of a range of food and related products primarily for food service industry in the United States and Canada.

Fair Value: I consider four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description: 1.) Avg. High Yield Price, 2.) 20-Year DCF Price, 3.) Avg. P/E Price and 4.) Graham Number. SYY is trading at a discount to two of the four valuations listed above. If I exclude the high and low valuation, and average the remaining two valuations, SYY is trading at a 9.8% premium. SYY gets a Star for being fairly valued. However, since it is trading at a premium, there are some mixed signals here.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section I consider five factors, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description: 1.) Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%, 2.) Dividend Growth Rate, 3.) Years of Div. Growth, 4.) 1-Yr. > 5-Yr Growth and 5.) Payout 15% of avg. SYY scored a grand-slam home run in this section, earning all 4 available Stars. This is the type of performance I look for in my dividend stocks.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA)? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description: 1.) NPV MMA Diff. and 2.) Years to >MMA. SYY earned a Star for 1.) above with a $19,472 (per $1,000 invested) 20-year NPV differential to a MMA earning 5.11%.

Other: SYY raised its dividend in 2008 to $0.22/share from $0.19/share in 2007. This is a 15.8% increase. I like to see increase in excess of 15% - at that level a stock's yield on cost will double every 5 years. From S&P: We expect results of this leading U.S. food distributor to include both internal growth and additional acquisitions, with SYY increasing its market share. Over time, we look for SYY's profitability to benefit from an increased amount of consolidated purchasing, the addition of regional distribution centers, improved management of freight costs, and better inventory management.

Conclusion: SYY earned one Star in the Fair Value section, a perfect four Stars in the Dividend Analytical Data section and one Star in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of Six Stars, one more than my scale allows, which rates it as a 5-Star Strong Buy. Even at these valuations, I plan to add to my position in SYY during 2008.

Disclaimer: As always this is only my opinion and you should not rely on it. Before buying or selling any stock you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion. See my Disclaimer for more information.

Full Disclosure: At the time of this writing, I own shares of SYY in my IRA.

What are your thoughts on SYY?

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3 comments

  1. Anonymous // December 31, 2007 at 11:43 AM

    Very nice find D4L. I like it. I looked back over the dividends the past fourteen years or so and it has been consistent. They have continued to throw out double digit dividend growth every year. The operating margins are very low, but I suppose that goes with the territory in this business.

  2. D4L // December 31, 2007 at 1:04 PM

    Jake: Thanks. This is one I've held in my IRA and have been pleased with the results. It is a relatively "safe" investment that I like to use to offset some of my more riskier/volatile investments. As noted in my post, I plan to start accumulating this security in my taxable account in 2008.

    Best Wishes,
    Dividends4Life

  3. Unknown // April 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM

    With the wild ride on the market this year, how has this stock's Fair Value changed?

    (While I do understand how Fair Value works, I am still learning how it can change and have no clue if the NAV has anything to do with it.)

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