Neil Hennessy's No-Nonsense Investing Strategies
Neil Hennessy, Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer of The
Hennessy Mutual Funds. Hennessy, who has been repeatedly ranked among
Baron’s Top 100 Mutual Fund Managers, is a fierce believer in the golden
rule of investing: No emotions. (
Hennessy’s Focus 30 Fund uses the following investing criteria.
- Market cap $1-10 Billion
- no ADRs
- Price/Sales of 1.5 or less
- Higher earnings than prior year
- Positive relative strength (price appreciation) over 3-6 month period
- Narrowed down to the 30 companies with the best relative strength over 12 month period in equal dollar amounts. Hold them for approximately 1 year, then rebalance
Based on this Rebecca Lipman came up with 30 stocks that fit that bill:
1. Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS): Soft Drinks.
2. ONEOK Inc. (OKE): Operates as a natural gas distributor primarily in the United States.
3. PetSmart, Inc. (PETM): Pet Stores in North America.
4. Energizer Holdings Inc. (ENR): Batteries, portable lighting, and personal care products worldwide.
5. Foot Locker, Inc. (FL): Athletic footwear and apparel.
6. The Valspar Corporation (VAL): Distributes coatings, paints, and related products worldwide.
7. AutoNation Inc. (AN): Automotive retailer in the United States.
8. Cosan Ltd. (CZZ): Production of sugar and ethanol products.
9. Patterson Companies Inc. (PDCO): dental, companion-pet veterinarian, and rehabilitation supply
10. RPM International Inc. (RPM): Specialty chemical products
11. WESCO International Inc. (WCC): Electrical, industrial and communications maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO)
12. Cabela’s Inc. (CAB): Hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise.
13. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI): Flooring products and ceiling systems in the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.
14. Diebold, Incorporated (DBD): Self-service delivery and security systems and services
15. PriceSmart Inc. (PSMT): Operates warehouse clubs in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
16. Vectren Corporation (VVC): Provides energy delivery services
17. HSN, Inc. (HSNI): Markets and sells a range of third party and private label merchandise
18. AO Smith Corp. (AOS): Water heating equipment to the residential and commercial markets
19. Coinstar Inc. (CSTR): Provides automated retail in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
20. Darling International Inc. (DAR): Recycling, and recovery solutions to the food industry worldwide.
21. Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. (LNCE): Provides various snack food products.
22. Thor Industries Inc. (THO): RV's and small and mid-size buses in the United States and Canada.
23. Mine Safety Appliances Co. (MSA): Health and safety products used by workers in the fire service,and others
24. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST): Components and systems for injectable drug delivery and plastic packaging
25. Cash America International, Inc. (CSH): Provides specialty
financial services to individuals primarily in the United States
26. Franklin Electric Co. Inc. (FELE): Groundwater and fuel pumping systems.
27. Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (RDEN): Fragrances, skin care, and cosmetic products
28. Scholastic Corporation (SCHL): Children’s publishing, education, and media company primarily in the United States.
29. Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc. (SWM): Paper and reconstituted tobacco products to the tobacco industry
30. Euronet Worldwide Inc. (EEFT): Provides electronic payment services.
Having 30 stocks means that you have diversification. I like the larger
stocks with a mix of household names and other companies that are spread
across multiple market sectors. I also like the idea of holding them
for approximately a year and then reviewing who is doing well and who
needs to be swapped out.
It will be interesting to measure them with our dividend
bearing ETF portfolio: