The markets have seen some significant gains since their March lows. Each time this occurs there is a new round of experts calling the bottom. Time and time again the market throws them a cruel twist and heads lower. Will this time be different?
Tue. Aug. 11, 2009
commentary
Another Call For The Bottom *
Tue. Jun. 9, 2009
classics, commentary
Warren Buffett’s Dividend Stocks *
Some of my fellow dividend investors have accused Warren Buffett of being a closet dividend investor. I won’t quite go that far, but there is significant common ground between dividend and value investors. With that said, let’s take a close look at Mr. Buffett’s most recent 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Wed. Mar. 25, 2009
process
Early Warning Signs of a Dividend Cut *
It seems each week another dividend Aristocrat, Achiever or Champion cuts its dividend after increasing it for 10 or more years. In most cases the companies’ investors were not surprised because they saw the early warning signs that indicated a dividend cut was imminent. Here are three signs that a company is heading toward a dividend cut:
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Wed. Mar. 11, 2009
process
Should You Sell A Dividend Stock After A Dividend Freeze? *
When I add a stock to my dividend portfolio, it is my intention to hold the stock forever. However, sometimes selling a stock is the right thing to do. In determining when to sell a dividend stock, I have one hard and fast sell rule: When an individual stock held as a dividend investment lowers its dividend, immediately sell it. This rule has served me well. Since I have begun chronicling by investments online, there have been several stocks I sold immediately after a dividend cut. Here is a list of those stocks with my exit price and a recent price:
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Tue. Feb. 24, 2009
commentary
Financial Crisis: Can You Spare A Dime For My Wealthy Friend? *
So, the company you work for is starting to lose money and the layoffs have begun. You hold your breath as the names are read. Then suddenly it dawns on you – it just the working stiffs that are being affected. Is there something wrong with this picture? Where’s the equity in this? Not to fear, after careful research I have determined this financial downturn is so bad, that even the well-to-do are suffering – at least in their own way. Consider the following:
Tue. Feb. 17, 2009
commentary
Wells Fargo: Things May Not Be Well at Wells *
I thought Bank of America (BAC) was strong enough to survive without cutting its dividend. It was better managed than Citigroup (C) and wasn’t in near the dire straits that C was in when it was forced to cut its dividend. This all changed with the announced acquisition of Merrill Lynch. When a company such as Merrill is sold at a fire sale, there usually is a reason. BAC is now learning why Merrill was so favorably priced – they got what they paid for. Is this same situation playing out with Wells Fargo’s (WFC) acquisition of Wachovia?
Wed. Jan. 28, 2009
commentary
Dividend Stocks: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly *
Like virtually everything else in this world Dividend Stocks can be placed into a few categories based on their historic performance and expectations for the future. Here are three broad categories and some representative selections from each:
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Fri. Jan. 23, 2009
commentary
Big Banks, Little Dividends: More Bad News For Large Banks *
Big banks continue to struggle and rely on TARP funds to prop them up. Last week Bank of America (BAC) reported a net loss of $0.48 per share for the fourth quarter, well below the consensus of an $0.08 profit. Merrill Lynch’s preliminary results indicate a fourth quarter loss of $15 billion due to the turmoil in the capital markets. The U.S. government agreed to provide BAC an additional $20 billion to assist in the Merrill acquisition. In addition, the government has agreed to provide BAC protection against certain losses on $118 billion in selected capital markets.
Wed. Jan. 21, 2009
commentary
TARP Investment ROI Significantly Down *
When the government wants to spend pork, but not call it pork they rebrand it as an “investment” in our future. Such is the case with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). So, as taxpayers and “investors” how have we fared with our “investment” and how does TARP fit into our dividend portfolios?
The 2010 Dividend Stock Ideas List *
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