* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - November 30, 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.

* Does This Market Have A Bottom?

Each time the market rallies, the question is asked 'Was yesterday the bottom?' Up to this point the answer has been a resounding 'No' as the market quickly resumed its downward slide after each rally. Recently, a columnist asked some Wall Street pros, people who deal with hundreds of millions, billions, of dollars every day, what they are looking for that will tell them the worst is finally over and the market is beginning to recover? Here are their responses:

* NIKE (NKE), Donaldson (DCI), Hormel (HRL), McCormick (MKC) and Others Increase Dividends

Dividend investing in the classic implementation focuses on identifying solid companies with a record of growing their dividends each year; and an expectation that it will continue into the future. The focus is not solely on yield but a combination of yield and dividend growth. Often it is the lower yield, higher growth, security that will provide the best return over time.

* Dividend Investing: A Lot To Be Thankful For!

Today is Thanksgiving in U.S. This is a time that most Americans reflect on all that they have been blessed with and give thanks for it. As a dividend stock investor, there are many things to be thankful for this year. Here are a few of the things I am thankful for:

* Stock Analysis: RLI Corp (RLI)

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

Company Description: RLI Corp, based in Peoria, IL, provides selected property, casualty and surety insurance.

* Strategically Managing Your Dividend Portfolio In A Downturn

The recent turbulence in the market has provided income investors first hand experience in managing their income portfolio in a declining market. For some, this may be their first significant and prolonged downturn. Here are some things that will help you succeed and thrive during this bear market:

* Stock Analysis: Entertainment Properties Trust (EPR) A Buy, But...

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net November 17, 2008.

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Entertainment Properties Trust (EPR). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Entertainment Properties Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT), develops and acquires entertainment and related properties.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - November 23, 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.

* Is The Financial Crisis Getting the Best of Warren Buffett?

Through November 21, 2008, Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A) year-to-date return was -36.4%. Since last December 11th when Class A shares hit its record high of $151,650, it has lost nearly half its value closing at $77,500 on Thursday; its lowest level since August 2003. This has not gone unnoticed by shareholders. Some investors have lost confidence in the ability of BRK to pay its debts.

* Sysco (SYY) Raises Qtr. Dividend by 9% and Others

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. However, I have one hard and fast rule about selling stocks: When an individual stock held as a dividend investment lowers its dividend, immediately sell it.

* Stock Screen For Improving Dividends

Standard & Poor's has speculated that the dollar amount of S&P 500 dividend payments will drop 10% in the fourth quarter, the biggest drop since 1958. However, more than half of companies will pay more in 2008 vs. 2007. This oddity is driven by the banks, which have historically paid some of the highest dividends. As any dividend investor can tell you, the banks have led the way in dividend cuts. In September and October, 16 financial companies cut their dividend payments by $14.6 billion.

* Stock Analysis: Sysco Corp (SYY)

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

Company Description: SYSCO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of a range of food and related products primarily for food-service industry in the United States and Canada.

* Measuring Dividend Stocks Investment Risk Profile

As part of defining your investing process, don't forget to spend some time understanding risk. Seasoned investors will tell you that you should know your risk profile before starting to invest. There are several tools available on the web to help you gauge your risk profile. Here are a few:

* Stock Analysis: Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) A Value Buy, But Not a Dividend Buy

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net November 10, 2008.

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

Company Description: Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) operates Canada's largest railroad, linking customers in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico through approximately 20,400 miles of track.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - November 16, 2008

Each week I highlight the Carnivals I participated in, 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.

* Pocket Change Portfolio - October 2008

On the second or third Saturday of the month I update the Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP). The table below reconciles the PCP from beginning of period to end of period for October 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 2008. The Portfolio Returns line provides the calculated return for the three displayed periods.

* Looking for 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.

* Searching the World For The Best Dividend Stocks

Most people would agree that an asset allocation should include a defined percentage dedicated to international investments. As a dividend investor, this has been one of the more difficult allocations within my portfolio. I have identified several difficulties in locating, acquiring and owning international stocks:

* Stock Analysis: International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) A Value Priced Stock

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: IBM, the world's largest technology company, offers a diversified line of computer hardware equipment, application and system software, and related services.

* Two Winning Bank Stocks

Over the last year the financial industry has taken a beating. Many banks have failed while others have taken drastic measures to preserve their future. The markets have recognized the turmoil this and punished bank stocks. Historically, financials are some of the most consistent and highest yielding stocks. As such, they are a cornerstone of most dividend/income portfolios. In my personal portfolio, I held six bank stocks at the beginning of the year. Year-to-date through October 31st, I had earned positive returns on two of them:

* Stock Analysis: Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) A 4-Star Buy On Dips

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net November 3, 2008.

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

Company Description: Microsoft is the world's largest software company. It develops PC software, including the Windows operating system and the Office application suite.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - November 9, 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.

* Progress Update - October 2008

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. With several dividend cuts in October, I am pleased to say that my annualized dividend income still managed to eek out an increase for the month. This kept alive the string of consecutive months of increases dating back to November 2007 when I began tracking it. November 2008 will be a challenge to keep the string going as, I have already experienced one dividend cut. I am well ahead of my 2008 goal; thus, it is unlikely I will fall below it.

* Vornado Realty (VNO) Raises Qtr. Dividend 5.3% and Others

Sometimes a cash rich company will declare a special one-time dividend to eliminate surplus cash. These special dividends are generally ignored when evaluating a company's dividend growth performance. An example, of this would be Microsoft's (MSFT) special $3.00/share dividend in 2005. Most analysts in-the-know exclude the $3.00/share special dividend use the $0.32/share regular dividend when calculating a dividend growth rate for Microsoft.

* Investment Winners and Losers in an Obama Administration

The election is over and no matter how you feel about Obama, he will be the next U.S. president. Some economists are projecting total government borrowing in excess of $1.5 trillion in the fiscal year ending next September. Such a sharp increase in new debt could push up interest rates and continue the downward pressure on the stock market. Even in a down market, there are always winners. Let's take a look at some of the possibilities:

* Stock Analysis: Emerson Electric Co (EMR)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Emerson Electric Co (EMR). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Emerson Electric Co. primarily makes backup power equipment for telecom and Internet providers and users, climate control components, and electric motors.

* How Is Your Portfolio Doing This Year?

With all the talk about the financial crisis, market melt-downs, Dow/S&P crashing, et. al., the one metric that really matters to each of us individually is the performance of our personal portfolio. So, how is your portfolio doing this year? Mine has performed above expectations.

* Stock Analysis: Dover Corp (DOV)

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net October 31, 2008.

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

Company Description: Dover Corp. manufactures a broad range of specialized industrial products and sophisticated manufacturing equipment..

* Dividend Stocks in Today's Market

Periodically, I will bookmark an article I don't have time to read at that moment, then forget about it. Then later when I stumble across the bookmark, it is like finding lost treasure. Needless to say, this has just happened as I was looking for a site in my bookmarks and found an old link to How to Play Dividend Stocks in Today's Market by Roger Conrad.

* It Has Been a Wonderful Year!

Yesterday, October 31st, marked Dividends4Life's one year anniversary. It has been an exciting year that has seen many changes, not only at Dividends4Life, but in the global markets and their underlying economies. Please indulge me as I reflect back over the past year. I apologize in advance for the length.