Which Companies Pulled the Dow Lower Today?
Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over daily movements, we do like to keep an eye on market changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
After losing another 72 points, or 0.47% today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has now posted its first losing week since the third week of June. The Dow now sits at 15,425 after losing 232 points, or 1.48%, during the last five trading sessions. The other major indexes also lost ground today, as the S&P 500 declined 0.36%, and the Nasdaq lost 0.25% today. During the day, we saw very little economic news, or any major market moving reports released today. And, as we finish up earnings season, today's slide, and this past week's fall, in general, may mean that investors have not been thrilled with what they have seen for the second quarter, and they don't have high hopes for the short-term future.
A few Dow losers
Shares of Johnson & Johnson slid lower by 1.05% today. There was very little news pertaining to the company this afternoon, but with shares up 31.75% year to date, and the Dow only managing to gain a little more than 17%, the stock is getting a little frothy. Currently, J&J's price to earnings ratio is more than 20, and with the company being a dividend-paying stalwart, rising interest rates may put pressure on shares as investors move out of dividend paying equities and back into bonds. For the long-run, J&J will likely be a big winner for investors, but the short-term head winds that the stock is going to face may make it difficult for some to ride out the bad weather.
Speaking of frothy valuations, my colleague Dan Caplinger noted this morning that Home Depot and Walt-Disney may also be getting a little frothy. Both companies lost today, as shares of Home Depot fell 1.34%, and Disney declined 1.55%, on very little news. Home Depot currently has a price-to-earnings ratio of 25, while Disney supports one that is nearly 20. Both stock are up nicely in 2013, 27% and 30%, respectively, and as value investors search the realm of stocks, these are two companies that are likely not popping up on their radar. But, having said that, both Home Depot and Disney have great futures ahead of them, and could continue to really give investors great returns for a number of years.
Home Depot has certainly performed well due to the recovering housing market, and should continue to benefit from rising home prices and homeownership rates in the future. But, just because you build a Home Depot, doesn't mean they will come. The company has focused on customer service and helping their customers learn more about doing it themselves over the past few years, and those weekend classes on how to lay tile should continue to pay dividends for the company for years to come. Disney currently has one of the most valuable TV networks with ESPN, and when we look at the potential Lucas films and Marvel bring to the company, it's hard to think of a reason not to like Disney for the long run.
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The article Which Companies Pulled the Dow Lower Today? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Matt Thalman owns shares of Walt Disney and Johnson & Johnson. Check back Monday through Friday as Matt explains what caused the Dow's winners and losers of the day, and every Saturday for a weekly recap. Follow Matt on Twitter @mthalman5513. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot, Johnson & Johnson, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson and Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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