C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) is the latest Dividend Achiever to reach a 52-week low today. According to Yahoo!Finance, Bard Inc. is "engaged in the design, manufacture, packaging, distribution, and sale of medical, surgical, diagnostic, and patient care devices worldwide."
Bard Inc. (BCR) is one of the most efficient medical device manufacturers that I know. This is represented by both double digit return on equity and return on assets since 2001 as verified by Morningstar.com. The company's low debt position gives it lots of room to weather the future economic turmoil that might be on the horizon. Additionally, BCR has a very low dividend payout ratio of 16%. According to MergentOnline.com, BCR has increased its dividend every year for 37 consecutive years in a row.
According to Dow's Theory, the following are the upside and downside targets for BCR.
Upside Targets:
* $79.83
* $90.72
* $101.61
Downside Targets:
* $60
* $40
* $10
On the upside move there is significant resistance at the $85 level. Therefore it is well worth considering your willingness to hold this stock if it reaches $84. On the downside there is significant support at the $60 level. We can only hope that this stock falls further to increase the value component of this stock.
The purpose of my research recommendations is to point out quality Dividend Achievers that have reached a new 52-week low. From this point begins the research to verify the quality of the stock for both short and long-term investing. These recommendations are within the context of the 2nd year of an 18-year bear market. A bear market that I expect to trade in a range between 16,000 and 5,000. The bear market will be considered over when the Dow Transports and Dow Industrials exceed their respective peaks on high volume or the dividend yield on the Dow exceeds 6% or higher. Touc.
