The special dividend at $4.50 is double last year's $2.25. BKE's $197 million cash position on July 28 likely has grown by about $40 million in the third quarter (we will know for sure on Nov. 15 third quarter earnings report), plus fourth quarter is off to a good start, with strong same-store sales, up 3.8 percent, for October. A $4.70 payout (including .20 regular divi) will cost about $211 million on 45 million shares outstanding. BKE can easily cover the special divi, no need to carry $300 million in cash on the books at year end, I suspect company will end the year with $80 million to $90 million cash on hand.
Sentiment: Buy