* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - October 31, 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.

* If It Walks Like a Duck, Quacks Like a Duck, Then It Must Be an AFLAC (AFL) Dividend Increase and Others

When I first started dividend investing, I erroneously focused on current dividend yield. I was fortunate enough to accidentally buy some good dividend stocks and hold them long enough to figure out the "secret" of dividend investing. Dividend investing is about future yield, not current yield. It is not necessarily starting with a high-yield investment, but ending up with a high-yield investment. This usually occurs by buying investments with a moderate yield, a history of growing dividends and letting time do its job.

* Stock Analysis: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Still Buying At This Price

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Johnson & Johnson engages in the manufacture and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide.

* What To Do With A Dividend Freeze?

Earlier in the month we looked at reasons why to sell a dividend stock when it cuts its dividend. But what should you do if a company opts to just leave its dividend flat? This is happening more and more with the recent economic downturn.

*Stock Analysis: CenturyTel Inc (CTL) High Yield, Highly Discounted

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net October 22, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of CenturyTel Inc (CTL). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: CenturyTel Inc. provides a range of telephone services in 25 states, with operations concentrated in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.

*Don't Fall Into A Dividend Trap

Prices are falling and yields are rising on dividend stocks. It's a great time to be a dividend investor. That is assuming one of these wonderful stocks you just picked up doesn't do the unspeakable - cut its dividend.

*Change, the Only Constant

I must admit feeling a little strange writing this post. Sort of like the guy at the IT help desk that sent an email saying, "The network is down, please email me if you don't receive this message."

*Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - October 24, 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.

*Goodrich (GR) Boosts Qtr. Dividend by 11% and Other Increases

A vision is taking the time to think of (anticipate) in detail what the future will bring. You would need to consider future earnings, savings and economic issues such as inflation. Then based on what you foresee in the future, you would formulate an action plan to ensure the best possible outcome given your unique circumstances. You can't have a retirement plan until you have a retirement vision. It would seem to me that there are a lot or retirement plans out there but very few retirement visions.

*Stock Analysis: The Coca-Cola Company (KO) An Excellent Value

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of The Coca-Cola Company (KO). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: The Coca-Cola Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups worldwide.

*Buying Stocks On The Rebound: Four To Consider

The current financial downturn has caused consternation for many investors. However, it does have a good side - it has provided access to stocks that have been overvalued for some time. Below are several stocks that I previously rated weak or avoid (0-3 Stars), but are now in the buy zone based on their current share price (as of 10/20/2008 close):

*Stock Analysis: Manulife Financial Corp (MFC)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net October 13, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Manulife Financial Corp (MFC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Manulife Financial Corporation is a life insurance company with customers in the United States, Canada and Asia. It is the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and John Hancock Financial Services.

*What Would Warren Buffett Do?

The world's financial system, including the global stock market, is crashing all around us. The talking heads on the business channels are telling us things are bad and will likely get worse. So, in the midst of all this chaos, what would the Oracle of Omaha do? Let's ask him.

*2008-Q3 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-Q3.

*Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - October 17, 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.

*Healthcare Services (HCSG) Increases Qtr. Dividend 7% and Others

I love a sale! Last week equities around the world went on sale. Some stocks that had I wondered if they would ever be cheap enough to buy were last week. I felt like my wife the day after Thanksgiving. Everywhere I turned there were stocks selling at a cut rate. But not all of them were bargains. Some of them deserved to have their prices slashed. It is our job as investors to cut through the noise and find the real values.

*Stock Analysis: Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) A Buy on Dips

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Wells Fargo & Company (WFC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Wells Fargo & Co provides banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer finance services throughout North America.

*Should You Sell A Dividend Stock After A Dividend Cut?

I am not a stock trader; I am a dividend and value based long-term buy-and-hold investor. When I add a stock to my dividend portfolio, it is my intention to hold the stock forever. I am not smart enough to time the daily gyrations of the stock market. When stock prices start dropping, our primal instinct of flight kicks in and we want to sell. In many cases that is the time to be buying. However, sometimes selling a stock is the right thing to do.

*Stock Analysis: Intel Corporation (INTC) Attractively Priced

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net October 6, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my analysis of Intel Corporation (INTC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Intel Corporation engages in the manufacture and sale of semiconductor chips, as well as in the development of advanced integrated digital technology platforms for the computing and communications industries worldwide.

*How To Be a Better Investor During These Difficult Times

A recent article on The Motley Fool pointed out that now is the time that Baron Rothschild was referring to when he said, "Buy when blood is in the streets." It listed the following 5 ways to help you be a better investor during these difficult times:

*Pocket Change Portfolio - September 2008

On the second Saturday of the month I will update the Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP). The table below reconciles from beginning of period to end of period the PCP for September 2008, Year-To-Date (2008) and Life-To-Date. Obviously, Year-To-Date and Life-To-Date will be the same for the remainder of the year. The Portfolio Returns line provides the calculated return for the three displayed periods.

*Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - October 10, 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.

*United Technologies Corp (UTX) Boosts Dividend 20% and Other Increases

The big news this week has been Bank of America's (BAC) dividend cut and the continued financial meltdown. On Wednesday, Merrill Lynch lowered their 2008 profit forecast on General Electric Co. (GE) to $1.96 and cut its price target to $23. Murmurings on the street are that GE could join BAC and cut its dividend, which is currently over 5% - high by historical standards.

*Stock Analysis: United Technologies Corp (UTX) A Buy At This Price

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of United Technologies Corp (UTX). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

*Seize The Opportunity: Four Value Priced Stocks

Recent gyrations in the market have caused more than one investor some heartburn. Each day I hear disgruntled comments due to losses and see many people looking for an out. "The fact is people are scared and the only thing they're doing is selling," said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research. "Investors are cleaning out portfolios and getting rid of everything because nothing seems to be working."(a) As a dividend and value investor, these are the times we live for - value priced stocks and golden dividends.

*Stock Analysis: Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) In The Buy Zone

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net September 29, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

*Bank of America (BAC) Cuts Dividend By 50%

When I saw the announcement that Bank of America (BAC) would acquire Merrill Lynch, I was concerned about the combined company's ability to sustain its dividend. Unfortunately, my concerns were validated with an after the market announcement that BAC would cut its dividend to $0.32/share, down from $0.64/share. Below are excepts from the news release:

*October Has The Bad Reputation, But September Has The Resume

Standard & Poor's announced Friday that 138 of the approximately 7,000 publicly owned companies decreased their dividend during the third quarter of 2008, representing a 557% increase from the 21 issues that decreased their dividend during the third quarter of 2007.

*Progress Update - September 2008

Once again it is the first Saturday of the month, so it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased that I can continue to say that annualized dividend income has increased every month since I began tracking it in November 2007. I have one stock that I am certain will either cut or eliminate its dividend in October. I will likely sell it in the next few days and reinvest the proceeds. As noted in past reports, since I am well ahead of my 2008 goal it is unlikely I will fall below it.

*Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - October 3, 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.

*While the Market Roars as a Bear, Some Companies Stand Strong

When most people hear the phrase "missed opportunities" they tend to reflect on past events and what could have been. By nature I am forward looking, so "missed opportunities" for me is the present and the future.

*Stock Analysis: ProLogis (PLD) Priced for a Buy?

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of ProLogis (PLD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: ProLogis a real estate investment trust (formerly ProLogis Trust) is the largest publicly held, U.S.-based owner and operator of distribution facilities, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia.