FTSE 100 giants GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) (NYSE: GSK.US), and National Grid (LSE: NG) (NYSE: NGG.US) are perennial favourites with investors looking for steady blue-chip stalwarts.
However, downgrades from City analysts in recent months have left both companies with more sell than buy recommendations. Should you really follow the bearish brokers and dispose of your shares?
GlaxoSmithKline
According to data provider Digital Look, nine analysts were positive on GlaxoSmithKline three months ago and four negative. The position has now shifted to five positive and seven negative.
JP Morgan Cazenove, for example, moved to underweight in January and reiterated its negative recommendation after GSKs recent results. The broker was disappointed with the companys lack of guidance for 2015 and grumbled that the Feb 14 pipeline table still hasnt been updated.
GSK delivered earnings per share (EPS) of 95.4p for its financial year to December 2014 and paid a dividend of 80p. At a current share price of 1,540p the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 16.1, which is about in line with the FTSE 100 as a whole, while the dividend yield is 5.2%, well above the markets 3.4%.
The analyst consensus is for EPS to dip to 91.5p this year, before bouncing back in 2016. The dividend is expected to be maintained at 80p this year, before resuming growth in 2016. So, while GSKs immediate prospects arent exactly sparkling, the future is brighter if we look beyond 2015.
National Grid
Energy utilities have become political footballs in the run-up to this years General Election. Consumer-facing groups Centrica and SSE have been in the spotlight, but erosion of analyst sentiment towards National Grid has reached a level that negative broker recommendations now outweigh positives by six to four.
Credit Suisse downgraded National Grid to underperform last month, joining a bear camp that includes heavyweight Goldman Sachs with a sell rating.
National Grid is forecast to post EPS of around 56p for its financial year ending 31 March, and to pay a dividend of 43.5p. At a current share price of 885p, the P/E is 15.8 and the dividend yield is 4.9%. So, similar to GSK, with a ballpark market earnings rating and well above average income.
Should you sell?
You have to remember that City brokers are working on relatively short-term timescales, with their one-year price targets and suchlike.
I believe its unwise for private investors to get too caught up in the Citys myopic concerns. We have the luxury of being able to take a much longer-term view. Routinely selling on short-term shifts in City sentiment is only likely to rack up trading costs, and enhance your brokers wealth at the expense of your own.
If I were a holder of GSK and National Grid, I wouldnt be selling. Indeed, while I dont see GSK and National Grid as out-and-out bargain buys at their current prices, the combination of an average earnings rating and juicy dividend yield appears reasonably attractive for long-term investors, particularly those looking mainly for income.
GSK and National Grid are actually two of five companies that have been identified by the Motley Fool’s team of top analysts as the FTSE 100’s crme de la crme for long-term investors.
Our team has written an in-depth analysis of all five companies in this exclusive FREE report.
The report comes with no obligation, but is available for a limited time only — simply click here for your copy.
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G A Chester has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended GlaxoSmithKline and National Grid. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.