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What a year it has been for the BP (LSE: BP) share price. Year-to-date, the stock is up 45%. It’s all a far cry away from a couple of years ago when the oil price turned negative and it was sitting on heavy losses. As an existing shareholder, it has been one of my best performing shares. However, as recession fears grow, is the party about to come to a spectacular end?

Surging free cash flows

When it comes to cash flows, oil stocks are in a class of their own. In their Q3 results released today, BP reported surplus cash flow of $3.5bn. For the first nine months of the year, it reached $14.2bn. This is over 300% higher than the same period last year.

Underlying profit was $8.2bn, slightly down on the record figure last quarter. This reflected lower oil prices, which averaged $101 for the quarter.

BP continues to use a significant portion of these profits to bring down its net debt. I believe this is a very prudent strategy as it reduces interest expense at a time when interest rates are rising.

Shareholder returns

One of the primary reasons why I invest in BP is for passive income. Last quarter it raised its dividend per share by 10% to 6.006 cents. Although it didn’t raise it this quarter, the dividend yield is still a respectable 4.2%.

The company remains committed to allocating 60% of free cash flow to share buybacks. Over the next three months it intends to buy back another $2.5bn of its own shares. So far this year it has announced buybacks of $8.5bn. With a smaller issued share capital, existing shareholders will end up owning a larger proportion of the company.

BP is undervalued

Despite its significant share price appreciation, I still believe that BP shares offer tremendous long-term value.

Clearly, BP does face some short-term headwinds. There is increased uncertainty about how demand for oil will hold up should the economy go into recession. Demand is also being affected by ongoing lockdowns in China.

However, what makes me extremely confident about BP over the longer term are underlying structural factors related to the supply of oil.

In the decade leading up to the global financial crisis, oil prices rose to $150. In response, more and more demand came online. Today, the macro set-up is totally different.

Since the shale boom of 2014, the oil industry has suffered from a severe lack of underinvestment. Several factors are likely to ensure that this remains the case for several years.

First, increasing calls for windfall taxes makes oil companies nervous about investing. Second, as interest rates rise in a bid to cool inflation it becomes a double-edge sword. Yes, it reduces demand; but the increase cost of capital hits exploration budgets. In response, oil companies cut back on much-needed long-term investment.

There is no magic bullet for solving the energy crisis. Until structural forces holding down supply are resolved, the medium-term outlook, in my view, remain rosy for BP. That is why I continue to add shares to my portfolio on a regular basis.

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Andrew Mackie has positions in BP. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Anybody who loves top dividend stocks will struggle to resist going on a buying spree at the moment. The FTSE 100 is packed full of them.

Some of the yields on offer are astonishing. Housebuilder Persimmon currently yields 17.9%. That’s the best on the FTSE 100 but mining giant Rio Tinto isn’t that far behind, with a yield of 12.87%.

Fund manager Abrdn yields 9.37%, insurer Phoenix Group Holdings yields 9.07%, and builder Taylor Wimpey yields 9.05%. Wow.

I’m buying dividend stocks today

There are plenty more where those came from. In fact, I can hardly remember a time when yields were so high. But can I trust them?

A yield is calculated by dividing a company’s dividend by its share price. So if the dividend is 5p and the share trades at £1, the yield is 5%. This means that if the share price halves, say, to 50p, the yield doubles to 10%. 

As this basic example shows, a high yield is often the sign of a company in trouble. It signals both an opportunity, and a threat.

If stock markets are down generally and my chosen dividend stock has got caught up in the wider malaise, then I’ll see that as an opportunity. Loads of stocks fits the bill right now, thanks to this year’s global political and economic turmoil. 

But I would also work through its reports, statements, and updates, to see whether there are problems specific to that company. In particular, I would look to see whether management can afford to continue paying its dividend. The easiest way of doing this is to check dividend cover. This is calculated by dividing shareholder payouts by company earnings, but it can also be found easily online. 

Ideally, it will be covered twice or more. This figure is often lower with utilities, where earnings are typically more reliable, allowing companies to hand more of them to shareholders. A healthy level of cover is no guarantee, but it’s a promising sign that the company will be able to continue paying me passive income in future.

I would also look at other company numbers, such as the size of its net debt and of course the reliability of its free cash flows, which fund shareholder payouts. Similarly, I would prioritise firms with a lengthy track record of making dividend payments. Especially those who maintained them through thick and thin (and the pandemic, too). 

FTSE 100 offers amazing yields

Any company that increases its dividends year after year would be high on my list, as this gives me a rising passive income. While past performance is no guide to the future, it does offer reassurance.

As a general rule, I would prefer a company with a lower dividend that looks more reliable, than a higher dividend that is likely to be cut. When a dividend is cut for being unaffordable, the company’s share price tends to bleed, too.

Naturally, a host of other factors will determine whether the dividend is sustainable. A strong balance sheet, loyal customer base, unique brand, or popular products can all help secure those all-important cash flows. 

While I’m thrilled by all the top FTSE 100 dividend stocks out there right now, I’m doing some careful sums before buying them.

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Harvey Jones holds shares in Persimmon. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

The next few weeks are set to see businesses update investors with their latest results. And with the way 2022 has played out, it’s no surprise some firms have been posting sub-par results. With this in mind, I’m keeping an eye on Lloyds (LSE: LLOY) shares.

It’s been a tough year for the business. The grim economic outlook has seen its share price fall by 14% in 2022. Across the last 12 months, it’s down a slightly more respectable 12%.

However, with the stock currently trading for around 43p, I think now would be a good time to add it to my portfolio. Here’s why.

Lloyds profits slide

It hasn’t been the smoothest ride for long-term Lloyds shareholders. And yesterday this continued as the bank announced that its pre-tax profits for Q3 fell by over 25% to £1.5bn.

The fall was largely pinned to provisions for bad debts and loan losses. And with these jumping to £668m, this indicates that Lloyds is protecting itself against customers who may default on payments in the future.

The release saw the Lloyds share price slip in the early hours of the morning. That said, it recovered to finish yesterday slightly up.

Silver lining

The large drop in profits clearly isn’t what Lloyds shareholders wanted to hear. But it’s not all bad news. One major positive was the 13% rise in net income due to rising interest rates. With rates in the UK currently sat at 2.25%, this has allowed the firm to charge customers more when they borrow from the bank. With this, Lloyds was also able to increase its net interest margins.

As inflation continues to soar and show no signs of slowing down as we head into 2023, there have also been predictions that rates could be hiked to as high as 4% in the months and years ahead. Going forward, this will continue to provide a boost for Lloyds.

What I also like about Lloyds is the passive income stream I can create by buying the stock. With a FTSE 100 average-beating 5% dividend yield, the stock seems like a smart play in current times. Its low price-to-earnings ratio of seven is also an attractive factor.

Housing market slowdown

Lloyds also gave a bleak prediction for the future state of the UK housing market. And as of one the largest mortgage lenders, this may spell trouble for the business. It predicted that UK house prices will fall by 8% next year, followed by a long period of stagnation.

However, this could be offset by its new rental venture, Citra Living, and it has predicted that demand is set to increase across the next five years.

Why I’d buy

There’s no doubt in my mind that Lloyds shares will be a slow burner. However, as a Fool, a long-term approach to investing doesn’t faze me. The short term may be volatile for the business as the UK braces itself for a tough year ahead. However, with the bank set to benefit from rising interest rates, along with its substantial dividend yield, I think the stock is a smart buy. While I don’t have any spare cash right now, if I did, I’d happily buy Lloyds shares at their current price.

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Charlie Keough has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Lloyds Banking Group. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

I don’t want to rely solely on the State Pension in retirement, so I’m keen to generate a passive income of my own. One way I do this is by investing in FTSE 100 shares, which offer some of the most generous dividends in the world.

At time of writing, the average yield across the FTSE 100 is 4.1%, which looks good to me. Especially since any share price growth when markets rise will be on top of that.

I’m investing for passive income

I will put my dividends to work in two ways. Initially, I will reinvest them back into my portfolio so that they compound and grow over time. Later, I will draw those dividends as income when I retire. By investing inside my annual Stocks and Shares ISA allowance, I can take that income tax free.

How much passive income I could generate will depend on factors such as how long I invest for, how much I pay in, and how well my shares perform. Let’s say I invest £3 a day. That’s around £90 a month, or £1,095 a year.

Let’s also say I was starting from scratch aged 25, increased my contribution by 3% a year, and generated a total average return of 7% a year. By 67, I would have a portfolio worth £400,809.

That’s not a bad return from investing £3 a day (and rising). If my portfolio of FTSE 100 shares was yielding 4.1% at that point, it would give me income of £16,433 a year. That’s way above my £5,000 target, which would be brilliant. Apart from one thing. I’m not 25.

If I started at 35 applying the same assumptions as above, I would have £179,854 by 67. That’s a much lower figure and underlines the importance of investing as early as possible. On the plus side, it would still generate income of £7,374 a year.

So if I waited until 45 instead, I would fall short of my target. With just 22 years to retirement, I would generate just £73,647 by the time my 67th birthday comes around. My income stream would fall to just £3,020 a year, assuming the same 4.1% yield.

Sooner I start buying shares, the better

I am actually 15 years from my anticipated retirement date. Luckily, I’m not starting from scratch, but if I was, I would need to invest £10.50 a day (£3,833 a year) to achieve my original passive income target of £5,000 in retirement.

Investing that much would give me a pot of £122,731 and income of around £5,032 a year, using all the same assumptions.

As these figures show, there is no time to lose in the battle to gain sufficient passive income for retirement. Now looks like a particularly good time to get stuck in, as there are loads of FTSE 100 dividend stocks available at dirt-cheap valuations in the current turmoil.

Plenty of them yield 6%, 7%, or 8% a year, or more. That’s a lot more than 4.1%. If I targeted higher-yielding stocks, I could potentially generate much more than £5,000 a year, but with a bit more risk.

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Harvey Jones doesn’t hold any of the shares mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

In 2022, oil and gas stocks have been far and away the standout performers in the FTSE 100. Year-to-date, the Shell (LSE: Shel) share price is up 47%. However, investors still remain wary about buying into Big Oil. Here I’ll explain why I believe that Shell, and the broader industry, will continue to outperform the general market in the years ahead.

Gushing free cash flow

In its Q3 results released today, Shell reported earnings of $9.5bn. That’s over double what it reported in the same period last year. EBITDA (earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortisation) was 60% higher, standing at $21.5bn.

Despite these impressive figures, they’re down slightly on Q2 as oil prices have come off their highs of $120, reached earlier in the year.

Growing dividends and buybacks

One of the primary reasons for investing in Shell is for its dividend. When the pandemic struck, it shocked the market by reducing it by 66%. It’s now seeking to woo investors back by steadily increasing dividends.

In Q3, it announced a dividend per share (DPS) of 25 cents, unchanged from last quarter. In Q4, however, DPS is earmarked to rise 15%. If that dividend were maintained, my calculations are that the stock would provide a yield of 4.2%.

Admittedly, Shell’s dividend yield is hardly headline-grabbing. However, the company continues to buy back its own stock at an increasing rate.

Throughout 2022, it’s expecting to buy back $18.5bn of its own shares. Over the next quarter alone, it has earmarked buybacks totalling $4bn. As a result, total distributions to shareholders will be in excess of 30% of cash flow from operations (CFFO). Given that at the nine-month mark, CFFO stands at $46bn, shareholders are been handsomely rewarded.

Commodities bull market

Over the last year, I’ve written extensively about the oil and gas industry. While many investors have given the sector a wide berth, wary about its medium-term prospects, I continue to remain bullish.

Back in June when oil stocks began selling off, I was in favour of taking a contrarian stance. Since then, the commodities sector has bounced back strongly. So where do I go from here?

Since reaching a peak of $120 in June, the oil price has slowly been declining. However, this decline needs to be set in a wider context.

In a bid to increase supply, the US government has been selling off its strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) at a record rate over the past year. At this rate, the SPR will be zero in 18 months.

Elevated levels of inflation are forcing central banks to push up interest rates. As the world economy heads into a likely deep recession, demand will undoubtedly take a hammering.

Yet despite these two huge macro forces bearing down on it, the oil price continues to hold up well. The reason is that inventories remain extremely tight. It’s the lack of supply coming online in the years ahead that’s the real driver for oil prices to remain elevated.

Levels of capital expenditure across the industry remain depressed. Solving this issue will involve international consensus around energy security. Until addressed, I expect the Shell share price to continue to perform well. That’s why I recently increased my position in Shell.

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Andrew Mackie has positions in Shell plc. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

I’m no longer 40 years old but if I was and had no retirement savings, I’d follow the same strategy as I do in my 50s, and invest in FTSE 100 stocks.

Although the first thing I would do is kick myself, for leaving it so long to take investing seriously. That’s because I have learned that the longer my money sits in the market, the more time it has to compound in value. That is particularly important when investing in the FTSE 100, as it is packed full of top dividend stocks paying mighty yields.

I’d pile into FTSE 100 stocks

Some of my favourite companies on the index haven’t delivered much share price growth over the last five years or so. Many have fallen sharply over the last 12 months. That doesn’t put me off, because they now look dirt cheap and their yields are huge. Many of my favourite FTSE 100 stocks yield between 5% and 8%. Some pay even more than that.

If I was 40, I would reinvest all my dividends straight back into my portfolio, again, exactly as I do today. My reinvested dividends would pick up more stock, which would pay more dividends, which I would reinvest to buy yet more stock.

This is a virtuous circle and even I started from scratch at 40, I would still expect to build a decent pot of money by the time I reached state pension age.

Let’s say my FTSE 100 shares delivered a total return of 7% a year, which is roughly the long-term average across the index. If I invested a lump sum of £10,000, that would grow to £62,139 by age 67 years. That’s a pretty decent return.

If I followed that up by investing £300 a month, which is £3,600 a year, I would end up with a thumping £349,050. Again, this assumes 7% a year growth.

I’d buy cheap value stocks

Here’s another thing I would do. I would increase the amount I invested each year, to keep up with inflation. Let’s say I increased that £300 monthly contribution by 3% a year. By the time I hit 67, I would have £446,624 in total. 

Of this, £290,069 would have been pure profit from compound growth. That’s an impressive two-thirds of my total portfolio.

I think now is a tempting time to start buying FTSE 100 stocks because the index is packed full of bargains. I can scarcely believe my eyes when I see dividend aristocrat Legal & General Group trading at 6.87 times earnings and yielding 7.94%. Or housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, whose valuation has tumbled to just 5.28 times earnings, while it yields 8.91% a year.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is currently valued at just 4.09 times earnings and yields a staggering 12.09%.

Of course, dividends are not guaranteed, and share prices can always fall. No stock is ever totally safe. That’s why I would invest in a balanced spread of FTSE 100 stocks, to spread my risk. I would also pay in as much as I could afford today, to ensure a comfortable retirement tomorrow. That would apply whether I was 30, 40, 50, or older.

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Harvey Jones doesn’t hold any of the shares mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

In today’s challenging economic environment, investors have been rotating out of growth stocks and into value ones. What particularly attracts me to value stocks is their ability to generate a passive income for me. One sector I believe is primed to grow its dividend payouts in the years ahead is banking.

Dividend champion

FTSE 100 banking giant HSBC (LSE: HSBA) is one stock on my radar for generating passive income. Despite beating analysts’ profit expectations, the market didn’t warm to its third-quarter results. Yesterday, its share price fell 7%. Year-to-date, the share price has been flat.

In 2022, analysts are predicting a dividend per share (DPS) of 29 cents. At today’s share price, that equates to a yield of 5.8%. However, what really attracts me to HSBC shares, is the prospect of bumper returns in the years ahead.

For 2023, analysts are forecasting a 58% increase in DPS to 46 cents. This is on the back of materially higher expected returns. The company is also reinstating quarterly dividends.

Driving the improved performance of HSBC, is rising interest rates. In the last 18 months, net interest income (NII) has increased 30% to £8.5bn. Unsurprisingly, this has had a positive impact on the net interest margin (NIM).

Targeting £100 a month from HSBC shares

There are two methods I can employ in order to target £100 a month in dividend income from the shares.

Firstly, I could make a lump sum investment. Crunching the numbers, and assuming a forward yield of 9%, I would need to invest £13,300 to reach my target. At a price of around 443p per share, I would therefore need to buy 3,010 shares.

Secondly, and a better proposition for me, would be to build my position in the stock over time. I will make an initial investment of £1,000. Each month thereafter I will buy £100 of its stock. If I reinvest all my dividends too, in approximately seven years I would have reached my target of 3,010 shares.

Of course, these figures are purely illustrative. They assume that both the dividend yield and share price remain constant; a highly unlikely scenario.

Is HSBC’s dividend yield safe?

A key metric I look at when determining dividend sustainability, is dividend cover. This tells me how many times earnings are covered by DPS. In 2023 and 2024, analysts are predicting that earnings per share (EPS) will be 96p and 104p, respectively. Consequently, dividend cover is comfortably above the recommended two times.

However, the banking industry is a notoriously cyclical one and earnings estimates can change very quickly.

The macroeconomic environment has deteriorated during 2022. Rising inflation and stagnant growth have raised the spectre of the return of stagflation.  Little surprise, therefore, that HSBC has significantly increased its expected credit loss (ECL) provisions. Its large exposure to China’s commercial real estate sector is another particular concern.

Despite these risks, I believe that HSBC is well placed to ride out the economic storm and emerge stronger.

Over the last few years, it has been exiting low-growth markets and pivoting toward Asia. A growing, propensity to save, middle class, coupled with low investment product penetration, provides HSBC with incredible growth opportunities. As its share price languishes, I intend to build a position in the stock.

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Andrew Mackie has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended HSBC Holdings. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

The FTSE 100 has performed better than most global stock markets this year, but it has still fallen sharply. Trading at just over 6,900, it is down almost 8% in 2022.

This has been a tough year. The global economy had barely started to recover from the pandemic, when Putin invaded Ukraine.

Energy prices have rocketed, while inflation is in double digits. The era of cheap money has hit an abrupt close, as stimulus goes into reverse. All the froth has gone out of stock markets, and house prices may soon start falling.

The FTSE 100 has done okay

The UK is in crisis, after former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget undermined the pound and the nation’s pension funds. As far as the FTSE 100 is concerned, the only surprise to me is that it has not fallen further.

I’ve no idea whether we will see another sell-off. I never predict stock market movements, for the simple reason that it is not possible to do so with any consistent degree of success.

Instead, I aim to take advantage of market movements after they have happened. At least there I’m on solid ground. The FTSE 100 has dropped this year, therefore my favourite companies are cheaper. If I buy them today, I’m getting a relative bargain.

Naturally, the lead index could drop again, making them cheaper still. If that happens, I will console myself with the fact that my reinvested dividends will pick up more stock at the lower price.

I will further console myself by investing a little more, at the lower price. That’s how I invest. By feeding any spare money I have into the market, taking advantage of any dips.

There are so many bargain stocks on the FTSE 100 right now, I hardly know where to start. Many individual stocks have fallen much further than the index as a whole. For example, private equity firm Intermediate Capital Group is down 51% over 12 months, and now trades at a bargain 5.5 times earnings. It yields a thumping 7.67%.

I’m amazed by how cheap stocks are

Many other FTSE 100 stocks have a similar profile. Barclays is down 24% in the last turbulent year. It trades at just 3.93 times earnings and yields 4.16%. British Land is down 30%. It’s valued at just 3.38 times earnings and pays income of 6.43%.

I would need to do more research before actually buying them, but their low valuations and high yields are incredibly tempting. There are loads more like them on the FTSE 100. This is a great time to buy dirt-cheap dividend stocks.

The big risk when buying companies is that I may be walking into a value trap. Especially now, as inflation powers upwards and consumers and businesses face the worst cost squeeze in four decades. I expect things to get worse rather than better, but I also remind myself that stock markets typically recover long before the actual economy does.

If I waited for happier times to buy FTSE 100 shares, they would cost me a lot more than they do today, and yield far less.

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Harvey Jones doesn’t hold any of the shares mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool UK has recommended British Land Co. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

The stock market has been in meltdown this year, although the FTSE 100 has held relatively firm. While the US S&P 500 is down 25.3% year to date, the UK’s blue-chip index has fallen just 8.25% to 6,893 at time of writing.

As a rule, people learn more when things go wrong than when things are going right. That’s definitely the case when the stock market hits a bump in the road. Here are five investment lessons I’ve learned this year. 

1. Stock market fads never last

I’m old enough to resist the temptation to get lured into investment fads and fashions, and watched last year’s meme stock mania from a safe distance. There was no way I was going to chance my arm trading GameStop or AMC Entertainment.

Yet there were still moments when I wondered if I was missing out – especially on the US technology boom. It’s human nature. I resisted buying at the peak of the cycle and I’m glad I did, given subsequent events. Markets can be irrational, but sanity always returns in the end.

2. Investors should always expect a crash

With the stock market, anything can happen. Nobody expected the Covid pandemic to trigger a stock market boom, for example, while Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine threw stock market forecasts into disarray.

I prepare myself for the turbulence by investing for the long term, by which I mean at least 15 to 20 years. That allows me to pretty much ignore every stock market crash. I simply leave my money invested until markets recover. I also keep a bit of a powder dry, to go shopping for my favourite shares at reduced prices.

3. Investing every month is a comfort

Ages ago I set up a direct debit to invest a regular monthly sum in a blend of shares. Having budgeted for the money to leave my account, I rarely give this a second thought.

As a result, falling shares prices actually work in my favour. That is because my monthly investment picks up more stock at the lower price. It also boosts my odds of buying at the very bottom of the market, if only for one month.

4. Dividend stocks are a joy

Dividend stocks fell out of favour during the tech boom, but I kept the faith. Now my loyalty feels vindicated. I reinvest all my dividends and with share prices down, they’re picking up more stock every month. When markets recover, I’ll reap the benefit. Those dividends will form the bedrock of my retirement income.

5. Diversification is key

I focus most of my investment energies on buying UK shares. I particularly like buying them when markets are down and valuations are low, as they are now. I also have international exposure, through a handful of investment trusts and exchange traded funds (ETFs).

This diversification means that although I’ve been hit by the US bear market, and my Russian fund has collapsed, my overall losses are manageable.

My holdings in UK dividend stocks have helped me sleep comfortably at night. I’m now buying more of them to take advantage of today’s dirt-cheap valuations.

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Harvey Jones doesn’t hold any of the shares mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.