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Fri. Feb. 11, 2011

20 CEO’s Showing Confidence With Increased Dividends *

A person’s character is determined by how they behave when no one else is looking and during difficult times. In much the same way, we can learn a lot about a company’s management when they face adversity. One metric I look at closely during a downturn is cash generation relative to earnings. The ability of a company to grow its dividend throughout the economic cycle is highly dependent on the management’s ability to generate cash in a downturn.


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Wed. Dec. 8, 2010

13 Dividend Stocks With A Good Yield/Growth Mix *

As dividend growth investors we understand the danger of focusing on high yield alone. Many, if not most, high yields are simply not sustainable over the long term. However, we often turn our heads to what can be an equally dangerous metric – high dividend growth rates. Like high yields, high dividend growth rates often are not sustainable. As a company grows and matures, incremental sales and earnings are harder to come by. So what is a good mix of yield and growth?


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Wed. Jul. 7, 2010

7 Dividend Stocks For The Ultimate In Deferred Gratification *

Deferred gratification is a principle where one or more people choose to postpone near-term benefits in order to enhance their chances of greater benefits in the future. In our microwave society marked by the ‘I want it now’ attitude, it is unusual to find someone willing to wait. However, deferred gratification is essential for anyone wanting to build wealth and is a key ingredient in a successful dividend investing strategy.  Consider these choices:
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Wed. Feb. 24, 2010

The 2010 Dividend Stock Ideas List *

Last year I introduced the Stock Ideas list and it has proven to be immensely popular. The list consists of Dividend Aristocrats, US Broad Dividend Achievers and U.S. Dividend Champions. Duplications in the above lists are eliminated and stocks are crossed out when I learn that they have either cut their dividend or fail to raise it. Here are some highlights on this year’s changes:


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Fri. Feb. 12, 2010

20 Dividend Stocks Riding The Tsunami Of Dividend Increases *

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were looking at big-name dividend cuts and very few increases. Last week’s 16 increases set the stage for this week’s flood of companies, large and small, raising cash dividends paid to their shareholders.


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Fri. Feb. 13, 2009

3M (MMM) and Manulife (MFC) Answer The Leadership Call *

When the world appears to be collapsing in around you and things look their darkest, it is then when character is determined and leaders rise to the top. On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner called for a new program that combines public and private capital to be used in a fund that will buy troubled assets of up to $1 trillion, aimed at unfreezing credit markets. The the markets were underwhelmed. Many companies, such as Harley-Davidson (HOG) and Dow Chemical (DOW), used this smoke screen to slash dividends, but in the midst of the turmoil, an American Aristrocrat and a Canadian Achievier stood tall.


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