When stock markets fall, its time to get busy.
Many investors run a watch list of quality firms theyd like to buy, and there isnt a better time to look at the thing than when share prices are weak.
But when my existing portfolio is being dragged down with the market I often dont feel like putting more money into shares thats when I need to get over myself!
Buying shares after a stock market correction often works out well for investors over time. The trick is to drill down into a firms individual prospects. If nothing much has changed, it could pay me to hold my nerve in the teeth of a stock market gale, hold onto my shares and even to steel myself sufficiently to buy more.
Here are two compelling reasons to focus on hard drinks provider Diageo (LSE: DGE) and consumer goods firm Reckitt BenkiserGroup (LSE: RB).
1) Brand-driven growth
The great strength of consumer goods firms is their consistent cash-generating abilities. Dependable flows of cash tend to enable the firms directors to keep pushing up the dividend.
We can see that effect playing out in Diageos financial record:
Year to June |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Net cash from operations (m) |
2183 |
2093 |
2033 |
1790 |
2551 |
Dividend per share |
40.4p |
43.5p |
47.4p |
51.7p |
56.4p |
Theres a similar story going on with Reckitt Benkiser:
Year to December |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Net cash from operations (m) |
1,544 |
1,740 |
1,888 |
2,121 |
2099 |
Dividend per share |
115p |
125p |
134p |
137p |
139p |
Diageos success is powered by well-known super brands, such as Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Buchanans, Smirnoff, Ketel One Vodka, Ciroc, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
As with all consumable products people tend to buy them, love them, use them and buy them again. However, with alcoholic beverages, theres the added attraction of the products addictive qualities to help bolster the steady cash flow generated from sales.
Meanwhile, Reckitt Benkiser powers forward with brands such as Dettol, Harpic, Durex, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Vanish, Cillit Bang and Calgon. Such consumer favourites generate brand loyalty from customers and have strong repeat-purchase credentials.
The secret of those ever-gushing cash flows is found in the strength of the consumable brands, which tend to keep Diageo and Reckitt Benkiser immune from the more severe effects of macro-economic cyclicality.
2) Diversified market coverage
Reckitt Benkisers consumer products span several market sectors, a situation which provides attractive diversification. Last year, 43% of core net revenue came from hygiene products, 32% from health products, 21% from home-related offerings and the rest from other markets.
Meanwhile, Diageos operations diversify across the spirits, beer, wine and ready-to-drink blends market sectors.
What now?
Stock market corrections and macro-economic wobbles shouldnt blind us to the ongoing attractions of solid cash-generating businesses such as Diageo and Reckitt Benckiser.
General stock market weakness can serve up opportunity for investors to buy shares in such quality outfits at better prices.
Diageo and Reckitt Benckiser are worth focusing on right now. In fact, they both feature in a Motley Fool wealth report about five firms with healthy balance sheets, dominant market positions, and reliable cash flows.
The shares discussed in this special report called Five Shares To Retire On demonstrate attractive characteristics, and our analysts think they could form an excellent foundation upon which you can then add further investments. To find out more, free of charge and for a short while longer, click here.
Kevin Godbold has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.