This week’s episode had it all—succession news from Omaha, juicy dividend hikes, earnings talk, and our regular portfolio check-in. Derek and European DGI sat down to chat about the big names making waves, including Apple, Novo Nordisk, and ADM, plus some thoughtful listener questions on topics like Japanese stocks, football clubs, and portfolio moats.
Here’s a look at the episode highlights for anyone who missed it or wants to skim back through the best parts.
🎧 Timestamps & Tickers
00:00 – Intro
01:22 – Buffett’s last dance (AAPL, KO, BRK.B)
11:51 – Dividend hikes (AAPL, RTX, AWK, PEP, KLAC, EXPD)
14:31 – May dividend income (MURGY, ASML, BMY, BTI, SHEL, NNGRY, ASRNL)
16:33 – Dividend cut (WEN)
17:37 – Shell & BP discussion (SHEL, BP)
22:38 – Novo Nordisk earnings (NVO)
30:32 – ADM struggles (ADM)
34:27 – Ahold Delhaize results (AD)
42:19 – Legrand story & earnings (LR.PA)
51:53 – Football clubs as stocks (TUP, MMM, T, MSFT, PG, LVMH, LRL.PA)
53:46 – Japanese & Mexican equities (PAC, OMAB)
56:24 – Do we move markets? (LEGGY, LGEN.L)
60:57 – Dividend investing moats (MSFT, ASML, SAP, O, MAIN, ADP)
📢 Key News
Let’s start with the big headline: Buffett’s stepping down. This marks the beginning of what some might call Buffett’s last dance. Greg Abel is taking the reins, and while it’s not a total shock, it’s still a big moment. Buffett’s influence is unmatched, and it’ll be interesting to see how Berkshire shapes up without his day-to-day input. One thing’s for sure—he’s leaving behind a strong foundation.
Also worth noting: speculation around Shell possibly acquiring BP got some airtime. European DGI doesn’t think it’ll happen soon, citing Shell’s current buyback priorities and capital positioning. Still, at the right price and in the right conditions, it’s a scenario worth watching.
📈 Dividend Hikes
Several familiar names delivered good news for income-focused investors:
Apple (AAPL) – 4% bump, which felt a bit stingy given their cash pile.
RTX (RTX) – Up 7.9%.
American Water Works (AWK) – Increased by 8.2%.
PepsiCo (PEP) – Raised by 5%.
KLA (KLAC) – Delivered a solid 11.8% increase.
Expeditors International (EXPD) – Up 5.5%
Not bad for a single week. The team noted Apple’s hike could’ve been stronger—less buyback, more payout would’ve gone down well.
🧾 Main Topic: Earnings Breakdown
Novo Nordisk (NVO)
They reported 22% growth in operating profit, with strong sales on the obesity drug front. The oral weight loss pill re-submission was a hot topic, as was the company’s calm handling of counterfeits and competitor pressure (especially from Eli Lilly). Even with a slightly lowered outlook, the long-term picture looks bright.
ADM (ADM)
ADM is struggling—earnings per share dropped 52%, and they’re seeing negative free cash flow. Lower demand, high costs, and oversupply are all weighing on them. Derek suggested sitting on the sidelines for now.
Ahold Delhaize (AD)
This was a bright spot. Sales grew by 5%, and bol.com’s online sales jumped nearly 14%. Free cash flow dipped because of facility divestments, but the core business looks steady. European DGI liked the price competition strategy and hinted at a future bol.com spin-off.
Legrand (LR.PA)
The French company continues to impress. They posted double-digit growth in sales and margins, backed by some smart acquisitions. Their US exposure could mean tariff headwinds, but their pivot from porcelain to power has been a success story. Definitely one to keep on the radar.
💬 Listener Questions
As always, the audience brought strong questions:
Football Clubs as Stocks? Man United = Tupperware or 3M (past glory, fading fast). Real Madrid = Microsoft or LVMH (big brand, global reach). Liverpool = P&G—consistent and clean.
Japanese & Mexican stocks? Buffett likes Japan’s trading houses, but European DGI isn’t buying. As for Mexico’s airport stocks (PAC, OMAB), they feel more like short-term tourism plays—not ideal for dividend-focused portfolios.
Does this podcast move markets? Not really. But one tweet about a micro-cap did spike the stock price, so never say never.
Strongest moats? Microsoft and ASML got the nod. Deep integration and tough competition keep these names in a good spot. Also mentioned: ADP and SAP for their “sticky” business models.
MAIN & Realty Income (O)? Derek has a starter position in MAIN, mostly to learn. Realty Income wasn’t on DGI’s radar this quarter.
🧃 Final Thoughts
Buffett’s last dance sets the tone, but this episode had plenty more for dividend fans. Whether you’re watching Apple’s payout moves, digging into Novo’s results, or just collecting your May dividends, there’s always something new to chew on.
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