3 Agriculture Stocks for Long-Term Growth and Dividends

• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked curiosity in agriculture shares.
• Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM): Archer-Daniels-Midland is the biggest publicly traded farmland product firm within the U.S.
• Deere (DE): Deere is a prime title within the manufacturing of farm gear.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) : A number one supplier of client garden and backyard merchandise, Scotts Miracle-Gro affords many family names.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked curiosity in agriculture shares after the battle triggered substantial will increase in commodity costs because it started a number of months in the past.

Ukraine is among the main exporters of corn, sunflower oil and wheat. Grain exports used to complete practically 5 million tons monthly for the nation, however now exports sit at shut to simply 500,000 tons monthly.

As a end result, meals costs are prone to stay excessive for no less than so long as the struggle continues.

In addition, the United Nations studies that the world might want to produce 60% extra meals to feed an estimated 9.3 billion folks by 2050.

Near file highs for world meals merchandise within the quick time period coupled with the necessity for aggressive meals manufacturing in the long run will probably imply robust outcomes for corporations working within the agricultural house.

Here are three of our favourite agricultural shares.

Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)

Our first decide amongst agricultural shares is Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM), the biggest publicly traded farmland product firm within the U.S. The $53 billion firm has generated income of greater than $85 billion final yr.

Thanks to its measurement, Archer-Daniels-Midland advantages from economies of measurement and scale. The firm had roughly 450 crop procurement places, 320 meals and feed processing services, and greater than 60 innovation facilities. The firm additionally has a big presence in worldwide markets as a consequence of its world distribution system. There are few, if any, corporations that may match Archer-Daniels-Midland’s infrastructure each domestically and internationally.

Deere has taken steps to reinforce its enterprise with strategic acquisitions. Sometimes acquisitions are extra of the smaller, bolt-on sort, comparable to the corporate’s $305 million buy of Blue River Technology in 2017 that added robotic herbicide sprayers to the product portfolio.

Other instances, Deere makes bigger purchases to enhance its standing in an space it doesn’t have a lot of a presence. instance of that is the corporate’s $5.2 billion addition of Wirtgen Group, which manufactures highway development gear. Prior to this deal, Deere didn’t produce highway constructing gear, comparable to pavers, however now could be an business chief in such gear.

Unlike Archer-Daniels-Midland, Deere is way more of a cyclical firm. Customers are inclined to make new funding in equipment when their companies are seeing development. When instances are tougher, they delay making huge outlays of capital. As a end result, earnings-per-share had been lower in half over the past recession. Then Covid-19, and the ensuing shutdown of enormous components of the worldwide financial system, brought on a 14% lower in earnings-per-share in 2020.

The excellent news is that whereas Deere is inclined to downturns within the financial system, demand for its merchandise in intervals of development is substantial. The firm skilled sharp rebounds in its enterprise instantly after these tough intervals. Earnings-per-share grew 111% in fiscal yr 2010 and surged nearly 119% final fiscal yr.

Deere has paused its dividend a number of instances over the long run, together with from 2015 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2020. These had been probably prudent selections as the corporate handled some uncertainty in its enterprise. Investors will notice that the corporate hasn’t lower its dividend throughout this time. We anticipate that Deere will proceed to develop its dividend going ahead because the projected payout ratio for this yr is simply 19%. Deere yields 1.1% presently.

Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG)

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Our ultimate agricultural title for consideration is Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE:SMG), a number one supplier of client garden and backyard merchandise. The firm is valued at practically $6 billion and generates near $5 billion of annual gross sales.

Scotts Miracle-Gro’s portfolio comprises a number of family names, together with the namesakes Scotts and Miracle-Gro. The firm is probably the most recognizable title in garden and backyard care within the U.S.

Having well-known and trusted manufacturers offers Scotts Miracle-Gro a leg up on the competitors. Home enchancment shops, each nationwide and native, favor the corporate’s merchandise as they may help drive retailer visitors. Brand recognition and prime shelf house affords the corporate the flexibility to cost premium costs in comparison with its opponents with out negatively impacting its market share. Scotts Miracle-Gro is the uncommon firm that may will increase its product pricing whereas additionally bettering its standing in its business.

Scotts Miracle-Gro has a rising hydroponics enterprise as nicely. Currently only a 25% contributor to gross sales, this space ought to turn into extra vital as the necessity for indoor and year-round meals manufacturing will increase together with meals demand.

The firm struggled through the Great Recession as earnings-per-share turned destructive in 2008. Scotts Miracle-Gro did rebound to file a brand new excessive for earnings-per-share the very subsequent yr. During 2020, bottom-line outcomes declined 7%, earlier than establishing one other new excessive in 2021.

Scotts Miracle-Gro has raised its dividend for the previous 12 years. We consider that the corporate will proceed to offer future dividend development in addition to the payout ratio is anticipated to be 31% this yr. Shares of the corporate yield 2.6%, practically twice the common yield of the S&P 500 Index.

Final Thoughts

The ongoing struggle in Ukraine has brought on commodity costs to hit contemporary highs in latest months. Looking out additional, meals manufacturing goes to want to ramp up in an effort to meet rising demand over the following three a long time.

With each short-term and long-term tailwinds, the agricultural business needs to be one of many greater development areas out there place. This probably means greater dividend yields as nicely.

Archer-Daniels-Midland, Deere  and Scotts Miracle-Gro have aggressive benefits over its peer group, making every the best-of-breed in its respective business. Investors trying to revenue from rising demand for agricultural merchandise, we propose they take into account considered one of these shares for their portfolio.

On the date of publication, Bob Ciura didn’t have (both straight or not directly) positions in any of the securities talked about on this article. The opinions expressed on this article are these of the author, topic to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.