United Technologies Stock in 2018

There are two main themes to United Technologies Corporation(NYSE:UTX) coming year. The first is the completion of the acquisition of Rockwell Collins, Inc (NYSE:COL) and the second is the continuation in development of United Technologies's long-term strategic objectives.

The investment thesis for the stock isn't really about its near-term earnings potential -- analysts are expecting just 3% EPS growth in 2018 -- but rather how the company is positioning itself for long-term earnings growth. Let's take a look at current progress and what the company needs to do in 2018.

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UPS Stock in 2018

Another year and another period of FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) stock performance trouncing that of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS). In fact, UPS stock is flat on a year-to-date basis at the time of writing. It's all very disappointing because UPS is supposed to be a way to play booming growth in e-commerce transactions. What's going on, and what should investors look out for in 2018?

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Why Caterpillar's stock soared in 2017

It's not hard to see the overlying reason why Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)stock is up nearly 50% in 2017 at the time of this writing. The simple explanation is earnings expectations have more than doubled since the start of its financial year as management raised full-year 2017 adjusted profit per share guidance from $2.90 to $6.25. Here's a look at just how and why this happened

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Stocks Benefiting From Trump's Trip to China

President Trump's plans to readdress the trade deficit got a boost from his trade mission to China, with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announcing around $250 billion in trade deals for U.S companies. The majority of the deals were signed as part of the recent CEO delegation to China, and there's little doubt about Trump's determination to defend U.S. interests.

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Focus on GE's Power Segment

It's hard to understate the importance of General Electric Co.'s (NYSE:GE) power segment for investors. It's long been the company's core business, and given that CEO John Flannery's plans are to focus GE on power, healthcare, and aviation, it's clear his ability to return the ailing segment to form will be a key factor in any investment thesis around the stock. GE may well get power back on track, but if so, it's still going to take time, and it might not be as easy as many people think. Here's what you need to know.

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Is General Electric's Dividend Safe

General Electric Company's (NYSE:GE) previous annual dividend of $0.96 per share has been reduced to $0.48, but is even this payout sustainable? The reason for the cut was that earnings and cash flow fell well short of expectations in 2017 and management needs to improve performance going forward. That said, let's take a look at the plans CEO John Flannery recently outlined at the investor update, and whether they make GE's new dividend truly sustainable or not. 

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Can Caterpillar's Stock Keep Soaring

The nearly 48% increase in Caterpillar Inc.'s (NYSE:CAT) stock price over the past year has taken the stock up to heady-looking valuations that can only be justified if the company keeps raising earnings guidance. That kind of statement usually leads to concluding that the stock's priced to perfection and significant downside risk exists. That may well be a valid conclusion, but Caterpillar did raise guidance again on its third-quarter earnings report, and its end markets continue to strengthen. Can the stock's run continue?

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Danaher Corporation Stock Research

Danaher Corporation's (NYSE:DHR) third-quarter earnings saw the company return to form by generating core margin expansion and 3% core revenue growth. On a reported basis, revenue increased 9.5% and adjusted diluted EPS increased 15% in the quarter. Moreover, Danaher shrugged off the negative impact of hurricanes in reporting its strongest quarter of the year. Let's look at the quarter and what it's changed about the investment thesis for the stock.

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Key Conclusions From GE's Investor Update

On Monday, General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) CEO John Flannery finally updated investors on his strategic plan for the company, and by now, most investors will know that it involves cutting the annual dividend yield in half to $0.48. The dividend cut is painful, but if it helps get the company back on track and the stock price appreciates accordingly, most investors would be happy. Indeed, Flannery took center stage during the update conference call in order to convince shareholders that he is the man for the job. However, in analyzing the presentation, it becomes clear that the person responsible for executing the plan is probably going to be someone else. Let's take a look at the key takeaways from the update and find out who that person is.

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