* Dividend Stocks In the News: July 31, 2008

All in a matter of weeks we have gone from "the sky is falling" to dropping gas prices. People weren't happy before and they are not happy now. Is change and misery the only constants left in the world? Not from where I am sitting. Each week there is a steady stream of companies raising their dividends. Below are several select companies that recently announced dividend increases:

* Stock Analysis: Sherwin-Williams Co (SHW)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Sherwin-Williams Co (SHW) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* The Perfect Dividend Stock

In an utopian world, the perfect dividend stock would be one that is both high-yield and provide a high dividend growth rate. Its share price would appreciate ratable with its increasing dividend. All of this would be driven by increasing earnings and cash flow. Ok, so much for my fantasies, the perfect dividend stock just may be a balanced compromise. Consider the following:

* Stock Analysis: Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net July 21, 2008.

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

* Up Next on The D4L Channel....

It is a week of contrasts! We start the week with something electrifying and powerful. This kingpin has the Big Apple sitting in the palm of his hand. If he doesnt perform, he can make millions and millions of people truly miserable.

* iStar Financial Inc. (SFI) Update

Like most financial company's, iStar Financial Inc. (SFI) has experienced a difficult time over the last several quarters. It has seen it share price collapse from a 52 week high of $40.55 to under $10. SFI's quarterly dividend is $0.87/share. Unfortunately, SFI has not earned its dividend the last four quarters, and it doesn't appear it will in Q2. In a July 18, 2008 earnings revision, SFI said it expects a second quarter non-GAAP loss of $1.55 to $1.45 per share with loan loss provisions of $275.0 million.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - July 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.

* Dividend Stocks In the News: July 24, 2008

With Bank of America's (BAC) big announcement this week, there appears to be life after financial crisis. Will it last? Who knows. If you are a dividend investor, it doesn't matter. If the market goes up, you can enjoy your paper-profits on recent purchases. If it goes down, it provides more opportunities to pick up some value-priced bargains. Below are several companies that increased their dividends last week:

* Stock Analysis: PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG)

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

* Your Greatest Wealth Building Asset

You may think your greatest wealth building asset is the Chevron (CVX) stock you purchased 3 years ago. Even though your brilliant purchase has appreciated over 50% in the last 3 years in the face of a bear market, it is not your greatest wealth building asset.

* Stock Analysis: Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net July 14, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Abbott Laboratories (ABT) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Next Week on the D4L Channel...

There are a lot chemicals out there - sitting and just waiting to be used. It is one group's plan for us to ingest them. We will take an in-depth look at this on Monday. Another group plans to to surround us in their chemicals. We'll go after that group on Wednesday. Both are trying to work themselves into our daily lives. Will they? I don't know, but the more important question is will either make it into my dividend portfolio. Stay tuned, we'll find out soon...

* All Intelligent Investing IS Value Investing

Article sharing is one of the benefits of DIV-Net. Periodically, I plan to post on Dividends4Life some articles originally appearing on The DIV-Net to allow my readers to experience first hand the high-quality authors writing for The DIV-Net.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - July 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.

* Which International Income ETF to Buy?

One of the areas that I am looking to increase my allocation is in the international arena. As described in an earlier article "International ETF Dividend Investing", I planned to add an international ETF to my Income ETF portfolio to help accelerate my international exposure. On a preliminary basis I identified the following candidates (information from Morningstar and yields as of 7/11/08):

* Stock Analysis: Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Lowe's Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate as a home improvement retailer in the United States and Canada. The company offers a range of products and services for home decoration, maintenance, repair, remodeling, and property maintenance.

* The Financial Crisis Heats Up!

No, not that Financial Crisis but the one in my portfolio. Over the last quarter my investments in the financial sector stayed put at 10.8%, in spite of not buying any individual financial stocks. I didn't have to look far to find the problem. At the end of June I had the following ETFs and Closed-end Funds in my income portfolio:

* Stock Analysis: Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net July 7, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Coming Up on the D4L Channel

Next week is going to be exciting! The D4L channel goes under-cover to get the inside scoop on a drug manufacturer. Later in the week we get the Low-down on a beaten up contender. This battle tested warrior just might be ready to make a move on its arch rival. Both are looking for a spot in my dividend portfolio. Will either make it? Stay tuned and find out...

* 2008-Q2 Progress Review

On the second Saturday after each quarter-end I review my asset allocation and year-to-date total returns by category. The attached PDF contains my actual asset allocation as of 2008-Q2 (alt.1).

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - July 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.

* Dividend Investing + Value Investing = Superior Returns

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net June 30, 2008.

Some may have wondered what is the connection between Dividend and Value Investing. The connection does not necessarily exist in all cases. For example, an investor selecting investments based solely on dividend yield, is not considering the value aspect of the equation. Conversely, value investors selecting stocks based only on current valuation and future capital appreciation, are ignoring the dividend aspect.

* Interest Rates: Things Are Not Always As They Have Been

Each month the Wealth, Money & Life Network chooses a topic as that month's theme. Since our members are a diverse group, the selected topic is usually broad, allowing each of us an opportunity to address it from our perspective. This month, Interest Rates was selected as our topic.

Historically, stock investors cheered when the Fed lowered interest rates. This nearly always would lead to a run up in the stock market. Lately, the Fed has been firing blanks.

* Investing Carnival #2 - A July Celebration!

Welcome to The DIV-Net's July 8, 2008 edition of the Investing Carnival #2 - A July Celebration! Here in the U.S., last Friday brought fireworks, food and celebrations across the country. Like many, I ate too much and will have to pay for it this week. There are some great articles in this week's carnival that are well worth celebrating! If you find an article you enjoy reading, share it with others by stumbling and linking to this this carnival on your blog. Without further ado, let the festivities begin!

* Stock Analysis: Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM)

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

* Tomorrow on the D4L Channel...

You had better not get in their way because they are mammoth! Carrying 550,000 thousand long tons of deadweight oil, they are powerful, but not nimble. They don't turn fast and once they get going in a certain direction it is difficult to stop them. A lot of people are dependent on this oil titan. He is a lot of things to a lot of people, but is he a good dividend investment? Stay tuned, were about to find out...

* Progress Update - June 2008

It is the first Saturday of the month, so it is time for a goals/progress update. A month like June makes you appreciate being a dividend investor. While other investors are focusing on their market losses and negative total returns, I and other dividend investors are able to look at net positive metrics such as an increase in annual dividend income. That's not to imply that we escaped the losses (I didn't as I will discuss next Saturday), but the day-to-day gyrations of the market is not how we measure success. Instead, our goal is steadily build a stream of dividend income over the years. To that end, progress was made in June. Now onto the numbers.

* Weekly Carnival & Article Links: July 4, 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 David Dodd and Why Should We Listen to Him

Smith & Wesson immediately means something to a person familiar with firearms. In much the same way, the phrase Graham and Dodd carries a lot of weight with value investors. David LeFevre Dodd, the lessor known of the two, was born in 1895. He was an educator and close colleague of Benjamin Graham at the Columbia Business School.

* Dividend Stocks in the News - July 2, 2008

If you are a dividend investor, last weeks melt-down provided a great opportunity for buying dividend stocks. As the price goes down, the yield goes up. Many companies continued to increase their dividends giving investors something to be happy about. Below are several companies that increased their dividends last week:

* Stock Analysis: 3M Co (MMM)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of 3M Co (MMM) (alt.1, alt.2). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis: