Nike's dividend will have to be cut unless earnings double in a quick turnaround, because earnings now run below the payout. As @valuemaverick1 notes, Nike has the cash to sustain the dividend, but it does not earn it, so it should not be hiking it; that shows the Dividend Aristocrat label is worthless and the dividend a manipulated signal. Long extremely mispriced, the stock is still adjusting to new realities. The only reason to own Nike would be improving free cash flow and earnings. x.com  … Show more

Ross Stores is a catch-up play to TJX as it works to close its productivity gap. Off-price retail is strong as consumers seek value and plenty of inventory is available to buy. Better sales and selection make sellers and brands more willing to work with Ross, which draws more shoppers and improves inventory turns in a flywheel. x.com 

TJX looks overpunished for its reporting difficulties given its solid balance sheet. It is one of the safest companies in the S&P 500; the last call's Sierra versus combined TJ Maxx and Marshalls reporting drew a harsh reaction. x.com 

Off-price retailers TJX and Ross Stores have almost everything going for them except broad consumer weakness, and even there they probably benefit from trade-down, or are far less hurt than many consumer categories. Ross is crushing it, while TJX gets too much hate: relatively weaker, but its business is not falling apart, and the two are not just in a knife fight for share. x.com  x.com 

Altria, Johnson & Johnson, Waste Management, TJX, Linde, Costco and Quest Diagnostics add defense to a portfolio, scoring highest among S&P 500 stocks on an antifragility screen of low volatility, strong free cash flow, minimal debt and stable earnings. All are also trending up this year, with momentum scores above 75; Altria scores 100 on antifragility and J&J 99. x.com