Dole plc has managed to maintain profitability despite taking on significant debt post-merger and facing supply chain challenges. The company has shown strong revenue and EBITDA growth over the last decade, with potential for deleveraging the balance sheet in the future. Selling a non-core asset in the vegetable business could help to accelerate deleveraging.
As stock markets reach new all-time highs, it's tough to find bargains among strong companies with frothy valuations. Steady and reliable may not be enough to excite the markets, but for value investors, these treats are hidden gems in plain sight.