Should You Buy General Motors Company Before its Earnings Report?

Should you buy General Motors Company (TSX:GMM.U)(NYSE:GM) now because of the 21% price decline and its safe dividend yield?

| More on:
The Motley Fool

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

From its high of U$39, General Motors Company (TSX:GMM.U)(NYSE:GM) has dropped to U$31, a decline of 21%. The company is reporting its second-quarter earnings results on Thursday. Should you buy the automaker today? First, let’s take a look at its business.

The business

GM has 11 brands: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, Autobaojun, Wuling, and Faw Jiefang. Furthermore, in 2014 it was a market leader in the United States with about 18% of market share.

Valuation

Currently, at under U$31 per share GM is priced at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of eight. That’s very cheap for a company of its size, having a market cap of close to U$49 billion.

Since GM was reborn after its bankruptcy in 2009, it has normally traded at a P/E of 10.8 with the potential of hitting a P/E of 12 if demand picks up. There may be signs of a growing demand as GM earned its highest retail market share since 2011 last month.

As a result, its forward P/E sits at 5.8, which is very cheap. If GM shares get back to its normal P/E of 10.8, it should trade at U$56 in a couple years. That equates to an annualized return of roughly 38%, including the dividend.

Sales growth and earnings growth

From 2011 to 2014 GM’s sales hardly grew. However, its earnings could grow at a double-digit rate for the next two years partly due to low oil prices and the growing number of aging cars. For example, at the end of 2014 the average age of a United States car is over 11 years old.

Year Sales Growth
2011
2012 1.3%
2013 2.1%
2014 0.3%

Dividend safety

GM started paying a dividend again in the first quarter of 2014. The quarterly dividend came to $0.30 per share, annualized at $1.20 per share. In the second quarter of 2015, GM hiked the dividend by 20% to $0.36 per share.

Since that hike, its shares have retreated over 11% and are now at a compelling yield of 4.7%. GM’s dividend looks safe with a payout ratio of 56%. Compare that with Ford’s yield of 4.1% and payout ratio of 68%.

Follow the smart money

Warren Buffett and George Soros both bought more shares of GM in the last quarter of 2014. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway increased its holdings by one million shares, while Soros Fund Management raised its position by roughly 729,000 shares. Today the shares are trading at or below the levels these smart money managers bought more shares at.

In conclusion

I’m not encouraging the timing of the market, but around earnings report time the market can get especially emotional about a company. GM could go up or down 5-7% in one day.

Because General Motors looks very cheap already, investors looking to buy a value company could buy half a position now and finish the position after the earnings report. That is, if you plan to buy $5,000 in GM, you could buy $2,500 today and buy more after the earnings report.

If the price goes up, it means the company is doing better than expected. If not, then you might be able to spend the same $2,500 and buy more shares at a lower price.

If you decide GM is a good fit for your portfolio, you should buy shares on the New York Stock Exchange because it’s much more liquid there than it is on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Should you invest $1,000 in Ag Growth International right now?

Before you buy stock in Ag Growth International, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Ag Growth International wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Kay Ng has no position in any stocks mentioned. David Gardner owns shares of Ford.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

protect, safe, trust
Dividend Stocks

Where I’d Allocate $20,000 in 2 Safer High-Yield Dividend Stocks for Retirement Needs

Here are two safer, high-yield dividend stocks I'm looking at for my retirement needs.

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

3 Reasons I’m Considering Enbridge Stock for a $5,000 Investment This April

I'm considering Enbridge stock to provide some defensive appeal and a juicy dividend to my long-term portfolio.

Read more »

monthly desk calendar
Dividend Stocks

A 9.2% Dividend Stock Paying Cash Every Single Month

With one of the highest dividends out there, this dividend stock deserves attention in your portfolio.

Read more »

Happy golf player walks the course
Dividend Stocks

Build a Powerful Passive Income Portfolio With Just $20,000

If you are worried that the bear market could reduce your savings, these stocks can build a powerful passive income…

Read more »

Hand Protecting Senior Couple
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Use My $7,000 TFSA Contribution to Start Retirement Planning

These TSX stocks have solid fundamentals and are well-positioned to deliver significant tax-free total returns over time.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

How to Turn Your TFSA Into a Gold Mine Starting With Only $10,000

It doesn't have to be complicated or scary. You can turn any portfolio into a major gold mine.

Read more »

ways to boost income
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: How to Invest Your TFSA Limit in 2025

This TFSA strategy can reduce risk and boost yield.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average Canadian TFSA and RRSP at Age 25

Are you not meeting the average? Then check out this ETF that can bridge the gap.

Read more »