Hot Dow Dividend Companies To Buy Right Now

Hot Dow Dividend Companies To Buy Right Now: Beam Inc (BEAM)

Beam Inc. (Beam), incorporated on October 1, 1985, is a premium spirits company that makes and sells branded distilled spirits products in markets worldwide. The Company's principal products include bourbon whiskey, tequila, Scotch whisky, Canadian whisky, vodka, cognac, rum, cordials, and ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktails. The Company's portfolio consists of brands the Company identifies as Power Brands, Rising Stars, Local Jewels and values Creators. The Power Brands are the Company's core brand equities, with global reach in premium categories. Rising Stars are smaller premium brands. Brands identified as Local Jewels act as Power Brands in local markets. Value Creators include a variety of brands. The Company's three reportable segments are the geographic regions, which consists of North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific/South America (APSA). Each segment is engaged in the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits products. In May 2012, the C ompany acquired the Pinnacle vodka and Calico Jack rum brands and certain related assets (Pinnacle assets) from White Rock Distilleries, Inc. In January 2012, Beam acquired Cooley Distillery plc (Cooley), an Irish whiskey producer.

The Companys Power Brands include Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Courvoisier Cognac, Canadian Club Whisky, Teacher's Scotch and Pinnacle Vodka. Beams Rising Stars brand includes Laphroaig Scotch, Knob Creek Bourbon, Basil Hayden's Bourbon, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Skinnygirl Cocktails and Sourz Liqueurs. The principal markets for the Company's spirits products are the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and the Company continues to invest in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Central Europe, Asia, and other geographies.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, Power Brands, Rising Stars, and combi! ned Loc al Jewels/Value Creators (including non-branded sales) repre! sent approximately 60%, 15%, and 25%, respectively, of the Company's net sales. Approximately 55% of its consolidated net sales were generated in the United States (based on country of destination) during 2012. In the United States, the Company sells its products either to wholesale distributors for resale to retail outlets or, in those states that control alcohol sales, to state governments who then sell them to retail customers and consumers. In the Company's other global markets, the Company uses a variety of route-to-market models, including third party distributors, global or regional duty free customers, other spirits producers and its joint ventures with The Edrington Group Ltd.

The Company competes with Bacardi Limited, Brown-Forman Corporation, Constellation Brands, Inc., Davide Campari Milano-S.p.A., Diageo PLC, Pernod Ricard S.A. and Remy Cointreau S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Nicole Seghetti]

  But the battle for the brown-liquor-sipping consumer won't come without a fight from major rivals Beam (NYSE: BEAM  ) and Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF-B  ) . Earlier this year, Beam announced plans to reduce the alcohol content of its Maker's Mark bourbon in an effort to stretch supply and accommodate demand. The company eventually reversed its decision, but not before Maker's Mark enjoyed a 44% spike in first-quarter sales. And last year, Brown-Forman announced plans for a new whiskey-barrel-making facility in order to meet growing demand for its Jack Daniel's. The company produced more than 11 million cases of the brand in 2012.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Spirits makerBeam (NYSE: BEAM  ) did the same thing after its Maker's Mark brand announced that it was going to water down its iconic bourbon to stretch volume, lowering alcohol content from 45% to 42%. After the outcry, it quickly reversed course and made a big show of contrition on its Facebo! ok page.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) was downgraded to Hold from Buy based on valuation at Argus.

  Covidien Ltd. (NYSE: COV) was started as Buy at Needham & Co.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/hot-dow-dividend-companies-to-buy-right-now.html