Trump Suspends Tariff Sanctions for 90 Days: What Can Be Done During This Waiting Period?
Last week, Trump announced a 90-day suspension of tariff sanctions. In this three-month waiting period, what can be done? The U.S. stock market is currently experiencing significant volatility, and the U.S.-China trade war continues to escalate. Even the most steadfast investors may feel uneasy about the market. Benzinga analysts have selected five international stocks that are unaffected by tariffs and also distribute dividends. Below are introductions to these five stocks, purely for market observation and not constituting any investment advice.
Mizuho Financial Group
Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG) was once the world’s largest asset management company and is currently Japan’s third-largest bank, with assets nearing $2 trillion (254 trillion yen) and over 59,000 employees. Mizuho is headquartered in Tokyo and is divided into four sectors: retail, corporate, wealth and asset management, and specialized affiliates (Mizuho Research Institute). The company’s current market capitalization is $61 billion.
Mizuho’s fundamentals are strong, with a continuous upward trend expected into early 2025. However, the stock plummeted after the White House announced tariffs, with an expected earnings ratio of nine times and a price-to-book (PB) ratio of 0.91. MFG has a dividend yield of 3.32%, with a dividend payout ratio (DPR) below 28, indicating that the dividend payment is sustainable and has room for growth. Benzinga Edge rates MFG’s quality at 98.94, momentum at 86.30, and growth at 73.54.
From a technical perspective, MFG had been using the 50-day moving average as a support level before the crash in April, but recently triggered an oversold signal on the relative strength index (RSI). If the stock can break through the 200-day moving average, there may be greater upside potential in addition to the generous dividends.
SK Telecom Co Ltd.
SK Telecom Co Ltd. (NYSE: SKM) is one of South Korea’s largest telecommunications companies, with annual sales exceeding $13 billion (in U.S. dollars) and a market capitalization close to $9 billion. SK Telecom is one of South Korea’s most prominent sports sponsors and has partnered with Comcast in the esports business, making it one of the best-known Korean brands globally.
SK Telecom shares are listed on both the Korean Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. The company’s valuation is reasonable: the expected price-to-earnings ratio is 9.99, and the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 0.64. The telecommunications sector has generally been a low-margin industry, but SKM achieved a profit margin of 6.89% last quarter, with a dividend yield of 6.47% (a higher but sustainable DPR of 65.7%).
Weekly stock charts also show a moving average convergence divergence (MACD) crossover, which may trigger the next wave of upward momentum. SK Telecom’s ratings on Benzinga Edge are also high, with a quality score of 99.68 and a value score of 96.10.
Banco Santander S.A. ADR
Banco Santander S.A. ADR (Ticker: SAN) was founded over 160 years ago and is one of Spain’s largest banks. As of 2023, it ranks as the 49th largest publicly traded company in the world. The current market capitalization is approximately $101 billion, with over 70% of its revenue stemming from retail banking. Over the past 12 months, the bank’s sales exceeded $145 billion, and net income surpassed $13.6 billion.
In the European banking sector, Banco Santander’s dividends are safe and stable, currently yielding 3.52%, with a DPR below 20%. The company’s dividends have grown by over 50% in the past three years, with an expected price-to-earnings ratio of just 6.8 times and a price-to-book ratio of only 0.70. The stock price has recently broken above the 50-day moving average, which is a positive signal for upward movement.
Jiayin Group Inc.
Jiayin Group Inc. (Nasdaq: JFIN) is a fintech platform specializing in connecting lenders and borrowers, and its consumer finance products may see a boost due to an incentive plan set to launch in Beijing in 2025.
JFIN currently boasts a yield of 7.89%, a figure that is often too high to sustain. However, JFIN’s DPR rate is 17.8%, and the company’s latest earnings report shows a gross margin of up to 65%. JFIN’s price-to-earnings ratio is 4.18, and the price-to-sales ratio is 0.35. Additionally, Benzinga Edge rates its value score at 96.17, momentum score at 96.60, and growth score at 79.21. Daily stock charts indicate a strong upward trend, with the 50-day moving average above the 200-day moving average and the RSI showing comfortable numbers below 50.
Gold Fields Ltd. ADR
Gold has been an asset unaffected by tariff fluctuations this year, with analysts believing it will reach historical highs in 2025. If one does not wish to hold physical gold bars, investing in related international stocks can yield profits.
Gold Fields Ltd. (NYSE: GFI) has mining operations in South Africa, Australia, Ghana, and Peru. The company has achieved several successful performances in recent years and is expected to see a 75% growth in earnings per share this year. The DPR is sustainably maintained at 26%, and the stock trades at 8.7 times expected earnings. Technical indicators also suggest more upward potential in the future.
A golden crossover occurred in early February (with the 50-day moving average above the 200-day moving average), and recent stock price declines are testing the 50-day moving average. However, this line remains a solid support, potentially triggering the next wave of upward movement. As long as gold continues to be a hot commodity, gold stocks like GFI may see higher prices and generous dividends in the future.
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