* The Most Dangerous Investment

The most dangerous investment is not investing in hedge funds, or even in derivatives. Though very risky, investing in penny stocks or day trading is not the most dangerous investment. Neither is investing in gold, or other commodities. Though investing in emerging markets focused on countries with unsettled governments is quite risky, it is still not at the top of the list. Even "investing" in lottery tickets is not the most dangerous investment.

* The Magnificent Marvelous Money Machine

Like most kids growing up in the late 60's early 70's, I spent my fair share of time reading comic books. I can't remember a lot about what was in them, but I do remember several of the ads. Of course, there was the classic Charles Atlas ad where the beach bully kicked sand on the skinny boy and his girlfriend.

* Stock Analysis: The Hershey Company (HSY)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of The Hershey Company (HSY) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* This Week on the D4L Channel...

Some call it sweet, others call it sinful. It often finds its way into our homes through our kids. On first contact it is quite pleasurable as it lures your mind into submission. Oh, but there is a dark side. It invades your body and permeates every square inch of it, leaving behind monuments honoring its past conquests. Has it invaded you? But the more important question is, should it be in your dividend portfolio? Stay tuned, and we'll find out...

* Would You Call Genghis Khan a Ruthless Warrior?

In the book "Genghis Khan or the Emperor of All Men" by Harold Lamb, Khan was described as such:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Apr. 25, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Measure What's Important

If you really want to know what is important to a person, you don't ask the person. Instead, you watch what they do. This will reveal where their heart truly lies. Attached is a PDF copy of my Excel Dashboard that I use to track stocks. I consider each of the metrics on here important, but which do I consider the most important?

* Auto Pilot Engaged, Sir!

You are a financial advisor. You have clients that have worked 30 years and built significant nest eggs, now they are ready to retire and enjoy the fruits of their labor. After a few years your clients start to complain that:

* 21 Suggestions for Success

Regular readers know that Dividends Value isn't just about dividend stock investing, but developing a winning attitude that can be applied to every aspect of our lifes. Recently I ran across an interesting web page "21 Suggestions for Success", by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Here are the 10 that I identified as most important building success in my life:

* Stock Analysis: Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Canadian National Railway Company (CNI ADR:NYSE) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Up Next on The D4L Channel....

It is the gripping story of "Iron Horse". He spent much of his life in obscurity delivering the goods in the great frozen north. He was good, very good, too good to stay hidden. Before anyone realized it he had turned his sights south and took all the land he needed. The only thing that stopped him was the Gulf of Mexico. But can that even contain him? Stay tuned...

* My 5 Least-Favorite Stocks for Today

Last week I listed the stocks in my portfolio that I considered to be "My Favorite 5 Stocks for Today". I thought it would be interesting to followup with the stocks that I am holding that are on the other end of the spectrum. It is important to note these picks will change over time (maybe even by the time the market opens on Monday). Below are the 5 stocks in my portfolio that I am the least happy with:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Apr. 18, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win

"If a man is a quitter, I'd rather find out in practice than in a game. I ask for all a player has so I'll know later what I can expect."
-- Legendary Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

* Who is Charles Mangum and Why Should We Listen to Him?

A 2003 CNN-Money article described Charles Mangum as such:

* Asset Allocation Model

Last Wednesday I posted "Measuring Asset Allocation Across Your Entire Portfolio" discussing the importance of periodically reviewing your asset allocation across all your holdings. It was a significant project that I undertook to measure my asset allocation over all my investment holdings using three different measures (origin, capitalization and sector).

* Stock Analysis: National Retail Properties, Inc. (NNN)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of National Retail Properties, Inc. (NNN) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Next Week on the D4L Channel...

It's a conspiracy! They are taking over the country. Buying it. One mall at a time. No one has said anything, because they are bribing the masses with enormous dividends. Will they get caught, or am I getting a piece of the action? Stay tuned...

* My Favorite 5 Stocks for Today

Recently, I was asked on another blog what are the top 5 income stocks that I like? It was an fascinating question that I quickly answered. I thought it would be interesting to expand on my answer here. It is important to note these picks will change over time (maybe even by the time the market opens on Monday) and are based on how I define "like". These are the ones I listed:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Apr. 11, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

Harvest the Fruit

The mango is native to Southern and Southeast Asia, but also grows in Central and South America, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Mango trees will settle into a cropping pattern by the third year after planting and reach peak production in six to eight years. Seedling trees take a year longer to come into production. The tree is long-lived with some specimens known to be over 300 years old and still producing fruit.

* Measuring Asset Allocation Across Your Entire Portfolio

It is important to periodically review your asset allocation across all your holdings. In yesterday's post "2008-Q1 Progress Review", I presented the results of a significant project I undertook to measure my asset allocation over all my investment holdings using three different measures (origin, capitalization and sector). As I pointed out yesterday, I was surprised that some of the areas I thought would be over-allocated were not when evaluating the portfolio as a whole (financials and real-estate), while other areas came up short (international).

* 2008-Q1 Progress Review

Over the last several months I have undertook a project that would allow me to measure my asset allocation over all my investment holdings using three different measures (origin, capitalization and sector). This attached PDF are the results for 2008-Q1.

* Stock Analysis: Clorox Co. (CLX)

This analysis was updated on 4/8/2008 due to erroneous dividend data. Thanks to MG and Dividend Growth Investor for pointing it out. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused. See the Comments to this post for more specific information. -- D4L

* Coming Up on the D4L Channel

This chemical can be deadly. It will take the skin off your bones, was used during World War I as a pulmonary choking agent and it is used to make pesticides. Oh by the way, this chemical is in my home and it is probably in yours. But the question at hand is, can its manufacturer find its way into my dividend portfolio? Stay tuned, we'll find out...

* Progress Update - Mar. 2008

It is the first Saturday of the month, so it is time for a goals/progress update. My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - Apr. 4, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I come across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Turbo Charge Your Portfolio With Reinvested Dividends

It is well-documented that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000. They determined that performance in any given year was driven by capital appreciation, but long-term returns were largely the result of reinvested dividends. Looking at 101 years of data in the U.S. and U.K., they found that a market-oriented portfolio with dividends reinvested would have generated nearly 85 times the wealth of the same portfolio relying solely on capital gains.

* Hey, You Invest Like a Girl!

What an insult! No testosterone laden man would put up with a jab like that. Several studies have shown that women:

* Dividends Under Attack, Again...

Back in the old west, if you had a reputation as a quick draw, there was always someone willing to risk their life to see if they were better. If you are good, someone will always be coming after you. Dividends must be really good.