* Stock Analysis: Cincinnati Financial Corp (CINF)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Cincinnati Financial Corp (CINF) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* The Dividend Investing and Value Network (DIV-Net)

It is with great pleasure that I, and our collective membership announce the debut of The Dividend Investing and Value Network (DIV-Net). Dividends4Life is proud to be a Founding Member of this new investing network focusing on dividend investing, value investing and a long-term buy and hold philosophy. The authors of The DIV-Net want this network to be the premier destination for readers interested in a variety of investing insight, stock analysis and perspectives that might otherwise be found fragmented across the web.

* Stock Analysis Update

To preserve the comparability, I do not like to make a lot of changes to my stock analysis template. However, I have identified a couple that I have considered and determined that they are worthy of being made. They are as follows:

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - June 27, 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.

* International ETF Dividend Investing

One area that many portfolios are lacking is international exposure. Most people feel more comfortable buying the companies they are familiar with, which is understandable. However, we still need some exposure to international equities. I too need to bolster my position in non-U.S. equities.

* Dividends in the News

It seems lately that the headlines are dominated by companies dropping their dividends such as Fifth Third (FITB) from $0.44 to $0.15, KeyCorp's (KEY) Board expressed its intention to reduce its dividend 50% to an annualized dividend of $0.75/share, FairPoint Communications (FRP) lowering their dividend 35% and Crystal River Capital (CRZ) cutting its dividend from $0.68 to $0.30. Not all the news is bad.

* Stock Analysis: Procter & Gamble Co. (PG)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Stock Analysis: BB&T Corporation (BBT)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of BB&T Corporation (BBT) (alt1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Double-Header Week on the D4L Channel...

It is the two items we are the most sensitive about. On Monday they get your money, then on Tuesday they go after your personal goods. One makes bold statements, while the other is very familiar. Both have been luring you for over a hundred years. Will either find a place in your heart, or more importantly, will they find a place in my dividend portfolio? Stay tuned...

* Can You Walk Away From It?

Addiction can be a powerful thing. According to Wikipedia, addiction is a term used to describe a devotion, attachment, dedication, inclination, etc. Nowadays, however, the term addiction is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual's health, mental state or social life.

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - June 20, 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.

* The Dark Side of Dividends

In life there are precious few things that are lily pure in which nothing negative could rightfully be said about them. I am not foolish enough to believe that dividends are the ultimate panacea. Join me today as don myself in black and explore the the Dark Side of Dividends.

* Life is a Choice

They are now past retirement age, but they will never retire. Their finances are in a shambles. They still take 3 vacations a year, and somehow find a way to stay a few steps ahead of their creditors and the tax man, but the gap is closing quickly. The lucrative jobs they had years ago are not what they once were. Their home equity is depleted, and their house is in desperate need of repair. Their family is growing tired of having to bail them out just before the house is seized and sold by the bank. How did they end up in this position?

* The Race of Your Life

This week (June 9th) we are vacationing in Florida, so my posts may be more introspective as I have time to stop, think and reflect on life, family, success and what is really important. My kid's good friends will be moving to another state next month, so we invited them along on our vacation. I have enjoyed watching their interactions.

* Stock Analysis: Paychex Inc (PAYX)

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

* This Week on the D4L Channel...

All this week, we are on location in sunny Florida with a lot of different exciting events planned! Monday, we are up close and personal with the most popular person in the workplace! On Tuesday, we'll be covering a race more exciting than the Daytona 500. Wednesday in the Lifestye section, we'll be looking at some tough choices. Then Thursday... we turn to the dark side... Do we make it back? Only one way to find out... Stay tuned...

* The Will to Win

"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."-- Legendary Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

* Weekly Carnival and Article Review - June 13, 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.

* Review of Bank Stock Holdings

It is good to periodically take a look at your holdings and the various sectors that you are invested in. My single largest sector is financials. It currently makes up 11% of my total investment portfolio. I like to limit any individual sector to 10%, thus I am slightly over-allocated.

* Dividends - The Capitalist’s Ideal

Below is a guest post by Sarah Scrafford.

Corporate ownership and private enterprise have been the buzzwords of developed economies for quite some time. Privatization has been a positive trigger for rallying stock markets all over the world. It was the sign that heralded the readiness of a corporate entity to meet the harsh and demanding needs of the private investor. But what makes a public company a headline stealer? It’s either the fact that the company has made castles in the air real for a multitude or, at the other end of the spectrum, because it has shattered the dreams of millions.

* The Graham Number

Last week in my the article "Who is Ben Grossbaum and Why Should We Listen to Him?", I profiled Benjamin Graham and his lasting contributions to the investing community. One of the metrics I look at when considering the fair-value of a company is the "Graham Number". The formula is as follows:

* Stock Analysis: General Electric Company (GE)

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

* Up Next on The D4L Channel....

The giant meets the pack. We all like to see the underdog pull out a miraculous victory. In April, this giant took a body blow that not only stunned him, but stunned all that were watching. Like wolves, the pack turned on the beleaguered giant, beating it down unmercifully. The giant cried for mercy blaming the Bear for its weakened state. Will the giant return to its former self? Stay tuned...

* Progress Update - May 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 - June 6, 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.

* Who is Ben Grossbaum and Why Should We Listen to Him?

Ben Grossbaum was born on May 8, 1894 in London and moved to New York with his family when he was one year old. Young Ben was motivated by the death of his father and the humiliation of poverty. Wanting a better life, he became a model student, graduating as the class salutatorian from Columbia University at the age of 20.

* Discounted Cash Flow Model (DCF)

We've all heard of EPS, EBIT, EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Operating Cash Flow. They are all used by analysts in trying to value a stock. What the analysts are trying to get at is cash flow. Ultimately, every financial valuation ends with a cash projection into the future, then discounting it back into today's dollars. Hence the term discounted cash flow (or DCF).

* John D. Rockefeller Quotes

You have probably picked up on the fact that I love inspirational (and other) quotes. I see quotes as a portal to someone's very soul. They reveal much about the person both good and bad. Read enough of a person's quotes and you will get to know the person. Let's spend some time getting to know John D. Rockefeller.

* Stock Analysis: Bank of America Corp (BAC)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Bank of America Corporation (BAC) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Up Next on The D4L Channel....

In today's D4L Biography we'll introduce you to Shirley Polykoff. Approximately 54% of American women color their hair. In Europe, it’s closer to 60%. But it hasn't always been this way. Until the mid-1950s only about 7% of the women dyed their hair. Coloring your hair was reserved for actresses, showgirls and ladies of questionable character. Then something happened that forever changed the way women looked at coloring their hair.