Just released: the 3 best dividend-focused shares to buy in December 2022 [PREMIUM PICKS]

Our goal here is to highlight some of our past recommendations that we think are of particular interest today, due to a combination of business performance and potentially attractive share valuation.

Mark Rogers ❯

As the Head of The Motley Fool’s UK Investing Team, Mark approaches the stock market with the same old-fashioned business instincts and values that he honed growing up around the family business. An investor for 20 years, Mark specialises in unearthing top-quality under-the-radar investments in the small-cap market. He currently serves as Director of Investing for Motley Fool UK services and Managing Director of Motley Fool UK.

Published 10 December, 2022 5:43 pm GMT

| More on: ULVR

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Our monthly Ice Best Buys Now are designed to highlight our team’s three favourite, most timely Buys from our growing list of income-focused Ice recommendations, to help Fools build out their portfolios.

“Best Buys Now” Pick #1:

Unilever (LSE:ULVR)

Unilever is certainly faced with challenges going into 2023 as the cost of raw materials, energy, and transportation remain at sky-high levels, consumers in some markets cut back on spending in reaction to the economic environment, and the company begins to look for a new CEO to replace Alan Jope.
Yet, in some ways the company is looking as attractive for investors as it has in years. Growth is finally the lodestar for management, volumes are down only moderately despite aggressive price hikes to recoup inflationary cost increases, and activist investor Nelson Peltz, who has had success in the consumer goods space, has joined the board and should influence the company in a shareholder-friendly direction.
Plus, Unilever and the goods it sells are more defensive than most businesses out there. Downside limitation is attractive in times like these.
Unilever’s valuation of circa 21 times trailing earnings is not cheap but if the company can deliver on promised growth targets in the medium-term, begin to rebuild margins through price hikes, and deliver more cash to shareholders it could be an attractive one.

“Best Buys Now” Pick #2:

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Should you invest £1,000 in Unilever right now?

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