Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 23, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the largest retailer in North America, Wal-Mart operates a chain of discount department stores, wholesale clubs, and combination discount stores and supermarkets.

Weekly Links: April 29, 2012

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. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

2012-Q1 Performance Review

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 2012-Q1. Below is a high-level summary of the information contained in the PDF:

23 Companies Raising Their Dividends, Including Several Mega-Stocks

When it comes to selecting dividend stocks, one of the most important items to look for is consistency in raising dividends. Sure it is easy to increase dividends when the economy is booming and business is good, but to be consistent a company has to persevere and continue to increase dividends during the tough times.

Teco Energy, Inc.(TE) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Teco Energy, Inc. (TE). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: TECO Energy Inc. owns Tampa Electric Co., which serves the Tampa Bay region in west central Florida and has significant diversified operations related to its core business.

6 Healthcare Dividend Stocks For A Healthy Portfolio

In addition to death and taxes, we can add one more sure thing: Until death, our bodies will continue to age and need more attention. As I am approaching 50 this is becoming more of a reality to me. I take little comfort in knowing that there are millions of other people in the same situation. However, from an investing standpoint, it does provide an opportunity.

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 16, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Genuine Parts Company (GPC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Genuine Parts Co is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products.

Weekly Links: April 22, 2012

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. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

13 Dividend Stocks Providing Positive Feedback

It seems that ever so many years the market turns down and someone declares the death of buy-and-hold. Some even go as far to say that Warren Buffett has lost his touch. With time on their side, the buy-and-hold investors and Mr. Buffett always seem to make a spectacular rebound. As long-term dividend investors our focus should be on acquiring fundamentally sound dividend growth stocks at a reasonable valuation and maintaining our asset allocation.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

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

In Search For A Safer Higher Yield

None of us wants to take a pay cut. On the contrary, in addition to a good wage, we have grown accustomed to periodic raises. Chasing high yield investments can often leave you with a pay cut. There has to be a better way to generate higher income while keeping risk in balance.

11 Low-Debt, Higher-Yielding Dividend Stocks

When investing in dividend growth stocks, the goal is to find and buy stocks that will continue to raise their dividends. To do so, the business must generate cash in excess of their operating needs. But too many times this is simply not enough. Many companies generate significant free cash flow, but often that cash is already spoken for in the form of debt obligations.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 9, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Norfolk Southern Corp. operates 20,000 route miles serving 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia, and Ontario, Canada.

Weekly Links: April 15, 2012

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.

March 2012 Pocket Change Portfolio Performance

The Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP) was first introduced on September 13, 2008 as a real money dividend income portfolio funded by the "pocket change" earned from my various online endeavors. Each month I report on the portfolio's progress and update its holdings.

5 Dividend Stocks Providing A Growing Income

For most people fortunate enough to be born in the U.S., or any other industrialized country, they have access to the two main ingredients to achieve financial success: 1. Opportunity and 2. Time. There are many valid ways to successfully build long-term wealth. Some involve more risk than others. Being relatively conservative, I have chosen Dividend Growth Stocks as a significant part of my financial plan. Many of today's dividend growth stocks have provided investors financial security for decades.

Erie Indemnity Co. (ERIE) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Erie Indemnity Co. (ERIE). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Erie Indemnity Co. is a management services company that provides sales, underwriting, and policy issuance services to the policyholders of Erie Insurance Exchange in the United States.

7 Small-Cap, High-Yield Dividend Stocks

Want to beat the market and get paid for waiting? To do so you need to go where large institutional investors dare not go. It is not excessive risk that's keeping them away. Institutional investors, such as mutual funds, have restrictions that limit them from owning large positions in any single stock. Savvy investors know this and look for opportunities in these stocks...

Walgreen Co. (WAG) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 2, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Walgreen Co. (WAG). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Walgreen Co. is the largest U.S. retail drug chain in terms of revenues, this company operates more than 8,000 drug stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Weekly Links: April 8, 2012

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.

Dividend Income Progress Update - March 2012

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in March, extending the streak to 21 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 50 of the last 52 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2012 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

6 Stocks Delivering More Cash With Higher Dividends

Americans are worried that they might not have enough money for retirement. Women who outlive their husbands are at special risk, with 40 percent of widows living almost exclusively on Social Security. There are a lot of worried retirees out there. So, what are your retirement plans? Quality low-risk dividend growth stocks make an excellent addition to our retirement portfolio, and the good new is, you don’t have to wait until you retire to figure out what income it will generate.

Raytheon Company (RTN) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Raytheon Company (RTN). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Raytheon Company, the world's sixth largest military contractor, specializes in making high-tech missiles, advanced radar systems and sensors, defense electronics, and missile-defense systems.

10 High-Energy, High-Yield Dividend Stocks

The Energy Sector includes businesses engaged in the production and sale of energy products. This includes extraction, manufacturing, refining and distribution. As the world's population increases and third-world countries continue to develop, there will be more intense demand on our finite supply of energy.

Harris Corporation (HRS) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net March 26, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Harris Corporation (HRS). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Harris Corporation focuses on communications equipment for voice, data and video applications for commercial and governmental customers.

Weekly Links: April 1, 2012

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.