* Weekly Links: February 28, 2010

Each Sunday 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.

* 18 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Yield On Cost

For dividend growth investors, there are certain attributes of investments that are more relevant than others, such as yield and dividend growth. To illustrate the power of dividend growth consider that an investment's yield-on-cost will double every 5 years if they grow their dividend by 15%/year or 7 years at 10%/year or 14 years at 5%/year.

* The 2010 Dividend Stock Ideas List

Last year I introduced the Stock Ideas list and it has proven to be immensely popular. The list consists of Dividend Aristocrats, US Broad Dividend Achievers and U.S. Dividend Champions. Duplications in the above lists are eliminated and stocks are crossed out when I learn that they have either cut their dividend or fail to raise it. Here are some highlights on this year's changes:

* RLI Corp. (RLI) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net February 15, 2010.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative 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.

* Weekly Links: February 21, 2010

Each Sunday 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.

* 14 Dividend Stocks Giving Shareholders A Raise

You expect your employer to give you a salary increase periodically. Why wouldn’t you expect the same from your investments? One of the most important aspects of a dividend stock is its ability to consistency raise dividends over time.

* 38 Dividend Securities For A Well-Rounded Asset Allocation

I am a firm believer that asset allocation plays a significant part in a portfolio's long-term results. Recently, I received a question asking if you could have a diversified portfolio of dividend stocks. It is an interesting question that deserves further examination.

* Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net February 8, 2010.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Cardinal Health Inc. is one of the leading wholesale distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical supplies and related products to a broad range of health care customers.

* Pocket Change Portfolio - January 2010

Each month I update the Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP). The table below reconciles the PCP from beginning of period to end of period for January 2010, Year-To-Date (2010) and Life-To-Date. The Portfolio Returns line provides the calculated return for the three displayed periods.

* Weekly Links: February 14, 2010

Each Sunday 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.

* 20 Dividend Stocks Riding The Tsunami Of Dividend Increases

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were looking at big-name dividend cuts and very few increases. Last week's 16 increases set the stage for this week's flood of companies, large and small, raising cash dividends paid to their shareholders.

* D4L-Premium Services New Subscription Option

Since its introduction in July 2009, the D4L Premium Services has seen excellent growth in both features and subscribers. In addition to the initial D4L-Dashboard feature, the D4L-Premium Services now includes Analytical Reports, D4L-Alerts and D4L-Data. This month I am pleased to announce a new subscription option.

* Five High-Yield Positive Return Investments

Readers of this space know that the primary focus of my income portfolio is to create ever-increasing income by investing in dividend growth securities. This means that often I will choose a lower yielding security with better dividend growth prospects over a higher yielding security. However, as one that values diversity, I also invest in some high yield securities. Here are some of the better performers, along with my life-to-date return:

* Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net February 1, 2010.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Becton, Dickinson and Co. provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products used in hospitals, doctors' offices, research labs, and other settings.

* Weekly Links: February 7, 2010

Each Sunday 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 - January 2010

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income rose in January, extending the streak to 11 months after February 2009's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 25 of the last 26 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and updated in my 2010 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

* 16 Dividend Stocks Aspiring To Be A Champion

There are winners and there are champions in every walk of life. The difference is subtle, but very real. A champion is driven for success and will not let anything stand in its way. Some dividend stocks can be classified as champions. A bad economy, tight credit markets and a dark cloud of uncertainty are enough send some dividend companies running for the exit. However, these are the times that champions stand firm.

* Dividend Stocks: Three Keys For Successful Investing

To ensure a retirement that is free from financial concerns, there are certain things that must be done today. For many people this is not a desirable task. However, building a secure future by investing in quality dividend stocks is neither complicated nor overly burdensome. Below are three simple keys that will help you to be a better investor:

* United Technologies Corp. (UTX) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net January 25, 2010.

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

Company Description: United Technologies Corp. is an aerospace-industrial conglomerate with a portfolio including Pratt & Whitney jet engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Otis elevators and Carrier air conditioners, among other products.