NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by AnalystChoice.com (AC).

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) declared its first ever quarterly dividend earlier today, telling investors it will payout 15 cents a share on January 8 to shareholders of record on December 21.

The company, whose brands include 7Up, Mott's as well as Dr. Pepper and Snapple, also said it will buyback $200 million of its own shares. Dr. Pepper Snapple has been a public company for just 18 months.

Dr Pepper Snapple Declares First-ever Dividend

Visit StreetInsider.com at http://www.streetinsider.com/news.php?st=p&id=5129773 for the full story.

Visit StreetInsider.com at http://www.streetinsider.com/news.php?st=p&id=5129768 for the full story.

See the rest of the story here.

Theflyonthewall.com is Wall Street's specialist in breaking equity news. Veteran traders build a proprietary feed of news that's faster and more relevant than any other source. Try us for free and discover for yourself.

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS) reported third quarter results on Nov 5 which surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.20%. It was the fourth earnings surprise in a row. Earnings per share for the beverage company were 54 cents compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents. Net sales, however, fell 4%. The company [...]

(DPS) Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. – $ Earnings Surprises in a Row

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS) reported third quarter results on Nov 5 which surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.20%. It was the fourth earnings surprise in a row.

Earnings per share for the beverage company were 54 cents compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents.

Net sales, however, fell 4%. The company said it was too early to see the economic recovery translate into higher beverage sales. Liquid refreshment beverage trends remained negative in the quarter.

2009 Guidance

Dr. Pepper Snapple forecasts sales to be in the range of negative 3% to 4%. Earnings per share are expected to be between $1.92 and $1.96 per share.

The current 2009 Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for $1.95 per share.

Value Fundamentals

Dr. Pepper Snapple is a Zacks #2 Rank (buy) stock. It still has attractive value characteristics. It is trading with a forward P/E of 13.5. The company's price-to-book ratio is 2.31. Dr. Pepper Snapple also has a stellar 1-year return on equity (ROE) of 16.1%.

Read the June 11 article.

Update to Previous Value Zacks Rank Buy Stocks

The Andersons, Inc. (ANDE) is scheduled to report third quarter earnings after the bell on Nov 4. Despite a slowdown in the agriculture sector analysts are bullish on the quarter and expect 2009 year over year earnings growth of 23.80%. Read the full article.

Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) recently raised full year guidance as it surprised on estimates for the third time in the last 4 quarters. The company is trading with a forward P/E of just 8.9. Read the full article.

Harbin Electric, Inc. (HRBN) is growing quickly as it takes full advantage of the Chinese stimulus plan. Harbin has a PEG ratio of just 0.78. Read the full article.

Steve Madden Limited (SHOO) is hot. The company posted record sales in the third quarter and has raised 2009 earnings guidance each of the last 3 quarters. SHOO is attractively valued, trading at 14.2x forward earnings. Read the full article.

Zacks Investment Research

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS), a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean, reported strong third-quarter earnings of 59 cents per share, compared to 41 cents in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding the one-time non-recurring items, earnings for the quarter came at 54 cents per share versus 45 cents in the [...]

(DPS) Dr Pepper Snapple Group Reports Strong Earnings

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS), a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean, reported strong third-quarter earnings of 59 cents per share, compared to 41 cents in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding the one-time non-recurring items, earnings for the quarter came at 54 cents per share versus 45 cents in the year-ago period.
 
Bottler case sales volume increased 4% during the quarter year over year with carbonated soft drinks growing 5% and non-carbonated beverage sales up marginally. On a geographic basis, volume sales increased 4% in North America and 9% in Latin America.
 
Net sales of Beverage Concentrates increased 14% during the quarter due to extensive distribution of Crush-brand. Segment operating profit increased 25% year over year. In the Packaged Beverages segment, net sales decreased 1% with a 1% dip in sales volume. However, segment operating profit increased 42% due to lower packaging and transportation costs and continued operating efficiencies.
 
During the quarter, Dr Pepper reported a 9% increase in sales volume growth in Latin America Beverages. Segment operating profit, however, remained flat during the quarter largely due to higher selling and distribution costs. The company decreased its corporate and other items expenses to $65 million during the quarter compared to $69 million in the year-ago quarter.
 
Year-till-date, Dr Pepper generated $701 million of cash from operating activities with a capital expenditure of $218 million. During the first nine months of 2009, the company also repaid $480 million of debt, and had no significant debt maturities before 2011.
 
For the full year, the company expects reported earnings in the range of $2.12 - $2.16 per share with a 3% - 4% decline in net sales. Excluding non-recurring items, earnings for the year are expected in the range of $1.92 - $1.96 per share.
Read the full analyst report on "DPS"
Zacks Investment Research

Cisco Systems (CSCO) reported better-than-expected first quarter adjusted earnings of 36 cents a share, versus 37 cents a year ago, beating Zacks estimates of 26 cents a share. Revenues of $9 billion, though off last year’s $10.3 billion, exceeded Zacks projections of $8.75 billion. Current quarter revenue guidance was lifted to ...

Companies featured in this segment: Sunoco Incorporated (NYSE:SUN), Honeywell International (NYSE:HON), Dr Pepper Snapple Group Incorporated (NYSE:DPS), Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (NYSE:KMP), Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (NYSE:ETP), GMR Infrastructure Limited (BSE:532754), Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (BAK:ITD), Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (BSE:532653), PTC India Limited (BSE:532524), Jindal Steel and Power (BSE:532286), Larsen & Toubro Limited (BSE:500510), Reliance Industries Limited (BSE:500325), Praxair Incorporated (NYSE:PX), BP plc (NYSE:BP)

DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC. (NYSE:DPS) starting trading yesterday on the NYSE and Wall Street could care less.  Hard to believe but they are the 3rd largest beverage company in the U.S. which makes you wonder - should you invest in them?

read more