Diamonds and Dogs

10/7/15

Providing solutions that help your company and pay you at the same time (not literally). Today's diamond is Global Payments (GPN) up over 8% to a new all-time high thanks to better than expected earnings. The company provides payment solutions for multiple types of organizations throughout North American, Europe and Asia-Pacific. I guess not everyone has to blame China for weak earnings. Besides reporting better than expected earnings, the company raised guidance and announced a 2 for 1 stock split. Hopefully the stock will keep making new higher highs.  

Cheap, delicious fast food is coming at a cost. Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM) is today's dog with the stock dropping over 18% toward its 52 week low. Yum, Brands owns such same names as Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. The company missed their forecasted earnings and lowered guidance for the full year due to, you guessed it, China. It doesn't help that US consumers are also looking for healthier fast food options like Panera Bread. But the news wasn't all bad. The company did hike their dividend 12% more than the 10% increase last year. With the recent pullback, the dividend yield is up to 2.7%.