Rocky’s Weekly Stock Picks

This week we have a market closure on Monday, and news of upcoming stock buybacks. It’s also just about time to start barbecuing, so let’s get on with it!

1. VVV - $38.01/share. This symbol represents Valvoline. While synonymous with oil and oil changes, their retail stores actually offer a wide range of both standard and uncommon vehicle maintenance /minor repair services.
   
   More importantly, they’ve announced a stock buyback of $35-40/share. The price has recently ticked up in response, and we could take a nice profit by electing into the buyback. However, we’re anticipating that the price will move higher and stay higher. Therefore, buy and hold.
   
   While there is no regular dividend to be expected, they have happened in the past. Plus, we don’t see Valvoline’s iconic brand going anywhere anytime soon.
   
   

2. QVCD - $9.96/share, ex-div 5/31. These appear to be Senior Notes, though we’re not entirely clear on that. It’s strange that these would be available for purchase as if they’re common stock.
   
   In any case, we all know QVC. It’s the Home Shopping Network, from daytime cable TV.
   
   We’re not buying the whole hog on this one, but we are going to take advantage of its historically low price as it starts to turn upward.
   
   

3. DVSPF - $5.38/share, ex-div 5/30. It’s too late for this month, but we can take advantage of a price dip. Dividend 15-Split is one of a handful of OTC Pink sheets that are a reliable source of income.
   
   Tradestation does not charge a commission for OTC trades.
   
   

4. FTCH - $4.75/share, options trade weekly. We’re selling $5 puts.
   
   Of course, we also bought in at $30/share, so from our position we can’t lose on CSP’s for this symbol.
   
   

5. BDORY - $8.91/share, ex-div 6/2. Banco de Brasil. This is a long-standing bank in one of the world’s largesst economies. Brasil is a powerhouse, but you probably know very little about it.
   
   BDORY shares will incur ADR fees (the dividends more than cover them), and you will have to purchase whole shares.
   
   We’d really like to increase our holdings of this before the price makes its way beyond the $10 mark.