Recent Buys – Viatris, WestRock and more

Viatris Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company that came into existence because of the merger between Mylan and Upjohn, a legacy division of Pfizer, on November 16, 2020.

Since forming as a company, Viatris has continued to invest into their business.

In February 2022, Viatris announced an agreement where it will contribute to Biocon Biologics its biosimilars portfolio and related commercial and operational capabilities in exchange for up to $3.335 billion, including a stake of at least 12.9% in Biocon Biologics. This is a great strategy for the company to grow their investments.

In November 2022, the business agreed to acquire Oyster Point Pharma and Famy Life Sciences for an aggregate of $700–750 million to create an ophthalmology division. Now, they are also diversifying by expanding into other healthcare related fields.

Viatris Stock Dividend Data

Current Share Price: $11.60
Current Dividend Yield: 4.17%
Annual Dividend: $0.48
Payout Ratio: 13.78%
Dividend Growth History: 1 years
Earnings Per Share: $0.66
PE Ratio: 17.48

Recap of Information on Viatris Inc.

The company has begun increasing their dividend since forming into a company. So while the company has a short history of increasing their dividend, the payout ratio would indicate that the company will have the ability to increase their dividend for many years to come.

Along with a low payout ratio, the company has been making investments to expand their business which should also aide in the company being able to increase their dividend as well.

Viatris Inc. Impact on More Dividends

I added 25 shares of Viatris stock. Bringing my new total up to 127.991 shares. Making my new average price per share at $12.90. This addition to my portfolio will add $12.00 to my projected annual dividend income not including the compounding factor. My current position in Viatris contributes $61.44 to my projected annual dividend income. Currently, my project annual dividend income is $2,480.01.

If you remember, not too long ago, I published an article titled “Recent Buy – WestRock” where I discussed my initial reasoning for buying the stock. I have a long history with the company and definitely think that they will do great in the long run. They operate in an old boring industry but could see the price drug down more if we go into a deep recession.

My belief in this company will serve me well, beyond the next recession and into the next bull run of the market!

If my investment theory is correct, WestRock should have plenty of cushion built into their ability to continue to increase their dividend even during recessionary times. I spend a fair amount thinking about how to best prepare my expenses and my investments in case the economy does go into a recession and investing in an old boring company that currently has a small payout ratio seemed like a good idea to me.

From this point moving forward, I don’t know if I will continue to strengthen the position or if I hold off on buying anymore. I will keep looking for possible buying opportunities and I will evaluate those situations as they arise.

For now, let’s take a look at the current stats from WestRock.

WestRock Stock Dividend Data

Current Share Price: $37.14
Current Dividend Yield: 2.76%
Annual Dividend: $1.03
Payout Ratio: 20.88%
Dividend Growth History: 2 years
Earnings Per Share: $3.64
PE Ratio: 10.20

Recap of Information on WestRock

I haven’t heard any news from WestRock lately but currently the company still maintains a low payout ratio. Since my last purchase the current share price has went up which resulted in me getting les yield upon my purchase but I think it will be fine in the long run!

WestRock Impact on More Dividends

I added 10 shares of WestRock. Bringing my new total up to 47.093 shares. Making my new average price per share at $35.20. Currently, the share price is 5.5% higher at $37.14. This addition to my portfolio will add $11.20 to my projected annual dividend income not including the compounding factor. My current position in WestRock contributes $51.80 to my projected annual dividend income. Currently, my project annual dividend income is $2,480.01.

I am going to go outside of my conventional norms on this one. In this article, I also want to mention some of the alternative investments that I have been making recently.

Worthy Bonds

Currently, I am getting paid on a bi weekly basis. So I get paid twice a month. When I receive each of those paychecks I allocate a small amount to buying Worthy Bonds.

In case you have never heard of Worthy Bonds, you should know that they are low cost bonds that have a 5% return on investment.

I mainly started buying them a couple of months ago because I was wanting to have some money set aside in case there was a huge drop in the stock market. So far that huge drop hasn’t happened but I have been compounding 5% on my money every day.

I like this as an idea because it allows me to earn something on my money while still maintaining a bit of liquidity.

Bitcoin

That is correct.

The price of Bitcoin has been down over an extended period of time. For most pf the time, I have continued to dollar cost my position by making small weekly purchases.

This strategy will pay off in the future during the next crypto bull run. Hopefully with the latest movements in the price we may be looking at the running of the bull!

Conclusion

These additions were all about strengthening existing positions.

With Viatris, I am investing in a company with a solid line of legacy pharmaceuticals as well as investing in the expansion of their businesses in existing and new relatable industries.

With WestRock, I am investing in a company with a proven track record who currently has a small payout ratio which should help them increase their dividend even during recessionary times.

Adding to my collection of Worthy Bonds and Bitcoin purchases just helps add more assets which will give me more options of what to do with my money later on.

Have you recently purchased stock in Viatris or WestRock? Do you currently own any shares? If so I would love to hear about it.

As always I look forward to reading all of your comments and questions, until then….. happy investing!!!

-Jason from MoreDividends.com

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