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Generating passive income is a cornerstone of financial independence. It creates steady cash flows without requiring active involvement, allowing investors to focus on other aspects of their lives or pursue additional opportunities. For many, the ultimate goal is to build a portfolio that generates enough passive income to cover living expenses indefinitely.

Enter Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the brainchild of investing legend John Bogle. These ETFs offer a powerful combination of broad diversification and rock-bottom fees, making them ideal vehicles for long-term wealth-building and income generation. Vanguard’s approach to investing, pioneered by Bogle, emphasizes low-cost, passive strategies that have revolutionized the investment landscape.

Vanguard ETFs distinguish themselves in the investment landscape through a unique blend of features. These funds typically boast lower turnover rates compared to actively managed alternatives, a characteristic that substantially reduces investors’ tax liabilities. This tax efficiency, combined with the impressive dividend growth rates many Vanguard ETFs have demonstrated since their inception, underscores the premium quality of their underlying holdings.

Moreover, Vanguard’s approach to passive management ensures that these ETFs closely track their underlying indexes. This methodology maximizes efficiency while maintaining the simplicity that individual investors appreciate. The result is a powerful investment vehicle that combines the benefits of broad market exposure with the cost-effectiveness of passive investing.

Another critical advantage of Vanguard’s low-cost ETFs is their reliability. Thanks to their highly diversified portfolios and high-quality holdings, these ETFs are unlikely to suspend their cash distributions, even during economic downturns. This reliability is a significant benefit over individual stocks, which may cut or eliminate dividends during challenging times.

Let’s explore three Vanguard ETFs that have the potential to provide lifetime passive income, each offering a unique approach to dividend investing.

A low-cost core holding

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) mirrors the performance of the benchmark S&P 500 index, encompassing 500 of the largest U.S. companies. With an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%, this ETF allows investors to retain more of their returns. While its 30-day SEC yield of 1.23% might appear modest initially, the fund’s true strength lies in its growth potential.

Since its inception in 2010, the fund has achieved an impressive 13.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of distributions. This remarkable figure illustrates the power of investing in high-quality, dividend-growing companies over time. To put this into perspective, a $10,000 investment at the fund’s launch, with dividends reinvested and assuming no tax liabilities, would have burgeoned to $69,250 today.

Story continues

Comprehensive U.S. market exposure

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEMKT: VTI) offers investors broad exposure to the entire U.S. stock market, encompassing small-, mid-, and large-cap stocks. Matching its S&P 500 counterpart, it sports a minimal expense ratio of 0.03%, maximizing investor returns.

While its 30-day SEC yield of 1.22% closely mirrors the S&P 500 ETF, this fund’s true value lies in its long-term performance and diversification across the entire U.S. market. Since its inception in 2001, the fund’s distributions have grown at an annual rate of 5.05%.

This steady growth translates to significant returns over time. A $10,000 investment at the fund’s launch, with dividends reinvested and assuming no tax liabilities, would have blossomed to $76,590 today.

The fund’s performance has outpaced the aforementioned S&P 500 ETF due to its longer track record. Its comprehensive coverage provides investors with a simple way to capture the performance of the entire U.S. stock market in a single fund.

Focus on high-yield stocks

For investors prioritizing current income, the Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEMKT: VYM) presents a compelling option. This ETF targets stocks with above-average dividend yields, resulting in a higher 30-day SEC yield of 2.65%.

While its expense ratio is slightly higher at 0.06%, it remains remarkably low compared to actively managed funds. The fund’s strength lies in its income generation and growth potential.

Since its 2006 inception, the ETF’s distributions have grown at an annual rate of 9.18%. Although its earnings growth rate of 10.6% is lower than the broader market ETFs, it compensates with a higher current yield.

To illustrate its performance, a $10,000 investment at the fund’s launch, with dividends reinvested and assuming no tax liabilities, would have grown to $45,750 today. This growth showcases the fund’s potential for both income and capital appreciation over time.

The power of passive management

All three ETFs benefit from Vanguard’s passive management approach, which closely tracks their respective indexes. This hands-off approach simplifies investing for individuals seeking passive income. The low turnover rates of these ETFs (2.2% for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, 5.7% for the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) further enhance their tax efficiency.

These Vanguard ETFs showcase the potential for growing passive income over time. Their broad diversification, ultra-low fees, and passive management approach set them apart in the ETF landscape.

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3 Vanguard ETFs That Can Provide Lifetime Passive Income was originally published by The Motley Fool

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

• Net sales of $587.2 million, increased 1.2% year-over-year
  
  
• Income from operations of $124.9 million, resulting in operating income margin of 21.3%
  
  
• Net income per diluted share of $2.21
  
  
• Revising full year 2024 outlook based on reduced housing start expectations

PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the “Company”) SSD, an industry leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2024. All comparisons below (which are generally indicated by words such as “increased,” “decreased,” “remained,” or “compared to”), unless otherwise noted, are comparing the quarter ended September 30, 2024, with the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Consolidated 2024 Third Quarter Highlights

Management Commentary

“Our third quarter net sales of $587.2 million were up modestly year-over-year despite the housing markets in both the U.S. and Europe remaining under pressure,” commented Mike Olosky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. “In North America, our volumes were relatively flat year-over-year with strength in the national retail, component manufacturer and OEM markets offsetting weakness in residential and commercial. While product mix drove a higher average sales price per pound in the quarter, our customer mix resulted in greater volume discounts applied. In Europe, sales increased modestly year-over-year, outperforming the market as we’ve continued to benefit from new customer wins and product applications.”

Mr. Olosky continued, “Despite near-term challenges, we grew our North America volume by 500 basis points ahead of U.S. housing starts over the trailing twelve months. Even though our overall profitability is good, it is below our expectations and we are working to align costs with market conditions to improve profitability. For 2024, we now expect U.S. housing starts to be down in the low single-digit range from 2023 with low single-digit growth to come in 2025. In Europe, 2024 housing starts are expected to be down in the high single-digit range compared to the prior year with meaningful growth to be pushed out further into 2026 and beyond.”

North America Segment 2024 Third Quarter Financial Highlights

• Net sales of $461.4 million increased 1.0% from $456.8 million due to slightly higher average sales prices resulting from a favorable sales mix on relatively flat sales volumes, in addition to incremental sales from the Company’s 2024 acquisitions.
• Gross margin decreased to 49.5% from 51.8%, primarily due to higher factory and overhead and warehouse costs, as a percentage of net sales, partly offset by efficiency gains.
• Income from operations of $123.3 million decreased 9.1% from $135.6 million. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in gross profit, as well as increases in operating expenses of $4.1 million from 22.1% of net sales to 22.7%. Increased operating expenses include personnel costs (including engineering support services) and advertising and tradeshow costs, which were partly offset by a decrease in variable incentive compensation.

Europe Segment 2024 Third Quarter Financial Highlights

• Net sales of $121.2 million increased 1.8% from $119.0 million, due to increased sales volumes, partly offset by price decreases in some regions. Net sales benefited from the positive effect of approximately $1.5 million in foreign currency translation.
• Gross margin decreased to 36.6% from 37.9%, primarily due to higher labor, factory and overhead, and warehouse and freight costs as a percentage of net sales, partly offset by lower material costs.
• Income from operations of $12.6 million decreased 18.2% from $15.5 million. The decrease was primarily due to increases in operating expenses of $2.4 million from 24.3% of net sales to 25.8% as well as a decrease in gross profit. Increased operating expenses included higher personnel and depreciation costs, which were partly offset by a decrease in variable incentive compensation.

Refer to the “Segment and Product Group Information” table below for additional segment information (including information about the Company’s Asia/Pacific and Administrative and All Other segments).

Corporate Developments

During the third quarter, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the operating assets and assumed liabilities of Monet DeSauw Inc. and certain properties of Callaway Properties, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “Monet”) for a total purchase consideration of approximately $48.5 million, net of cash received. Monet specializes in the production of large-scale saws and material handling equipment for the truss industry in the United States.

During the third quarter, the Company completed the acquisition of QuickFrames USA, a manufacturer of pre-engineered structural support systems for commercial construction with sales in North America.

Balance Sheet & 2024 Third Quarter Cash Flow Highlights

• As of September 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents totaled $339.4 million with total debt outstanding of $465.4 million, of which $75.0 million remained outstanding under its $450.0 million revolving credit facility.
• Cash flow provided by operating activities of $102.5 million decreased from $200.9 million, primarily due to increases in working capital.
• Cash flow used in investing activities of $106.6 million increased from $18.5 million due to increases of $61.5 million in acquisitions and $25.6 million in capital expenditures.

Business Outlook

The Company has updated its 2024 financial outlook based on three quarters of financial information to reflect its latest expectations regarding demand trends, cost of sales, and operating expenses. Based on business trends and conditions as of today, October 21, 2024, the Company’s outlook for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 is as follows:

• Based on current expectations that U.S. housing starts will be down from the prior year, operating margin is estimated to be in the range of 19.0% to 19.5%.
• The effective tax rate is estimated to be in the range of 25.3% to 25.8%, including both federal and state income tax rates as well as international income tax rates, and assuming no tax law changes are enacted.
• Capital expenditures are estimated to be in the range of $175.0 million to $185.0 million, which includes $90.0 million to $100.0 million for the Columbus, Ohio facility expansion and the new Gallatin, Tennessee fastener facility construction with the remaining spend carrying over into 2025.

Conference Call Details

Investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to join the Company’s third quarter 2024 financial results conference call on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). To participate, callers may dial (877) 407-0792 (U.S. and Canada) or (201) 689-8263 (International) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will be webcast simultaneously and can be accessed through ir.simpsonmfg.com. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available beginning that same day at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 4, 2024 by dialing (844) 512–2921 (U.S. and Canada) or (412) 317–6671 (International) and entering the conference ID: 13749013. The webcast will remain posted on the Investor Relations section of Simpson’s website at ir.simpsonmfg.com for 90 days.

About Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., headquartered in Pleasanton, California, through its subsidiary, Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., designs, engineers and is a leading manufacturer of wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, and concrete construction products, including adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing carbon & glass fiber materials. The Company primarily supplies its building product solutions to both the residential and commercial markets in North America and Europe. The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SSD.”

Copies of Simpson Manufacturing’s Annual Report to Stockholders and its proxy statements and other SEC filings, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, are made available free of charge on the company’s website on the same day they are filed with the SEC. To view these filings, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “outlook,” “target,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “change,” “result,” “future,” “will,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “likely,” “potentially,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact and include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales and market growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, stockholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, our ongoing integration of ETANCO and recently acquired companies, our strategic initiatives, including the impact of these initiatives on our strategic and operational plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing.

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to vary in material respects from what we have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements include the effect of global pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other widespread public health crisis and their effects on the global economy, the effects of inflation and labor and supply shortages, on our operations, and the operations of our customers, suppliers and business partners, and our ongoing integration of ETANCO, as well as those discussed in the “Risk Factors” and ” Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports we file with the SEC.

We caution that you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in our reports filed with the SEC that advise of the risks and factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain financial information not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Since not all companies calculate non-GAAP financial information identically (or at all), the presentations herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. Further, these measures should not be considered substitutes for the financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA as an additional financial measure in evaluating the ongoing operating performance of its business. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA allows it to readily view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons, and identify strategies to improve operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before income taxes, adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization, integration, acquisition and restructuring costs, goodwill impairment, gain on bargain purchase, net loss or gain on disposal of assets, interest income or expense, and foreign exchange and other expense (income).

CONTACT:         
Addo Investor Relations
investor.relations@strongtie.com
(310) 829-5400

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SOURCE Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

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© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.