Fifth Anniversary Post - 2012

Wow, it has already been another year. Today, October 31, 2012, marks my fifth full year of writing as Dividends4Life. Like the first four years, I have had a wonderful time and saw many changes over the year. Looking back much has changed since last year's anniversary post. Below are some of the more notable items:

Asset Allocation For Income Investors

When to buy a stock and at what price are very important decisions. However, serious investors will tell you the most important decision is how you allocate your assets. As I approach retirement, I routinely step back consider my asset allocation and how well it is working for me.

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.

Weekly Links: October 28, 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-Q3 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-Q3. Below is a high-level summary of the information contained in the PDF:

For Your Amusement, This Stock Just Increased Its Dividend 50%, Now Yields Over 6%

Angus Wynne, founded this family entertainment company in 1961. Mr. Wynne imagined regional parks large in scope but closer to where people live, making them convenient and affordable. Parks that featured innovative rides complemented by brilliant theme presentations became his formula for success. His ingenious use of themes turned the centuries-old amusement park idea into the theme parks.

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.

8 Stocks With Strong Dividend Growth Metrics

When evaluating a company as a potential income investment I look at its calculated fair value, ability to generate cash, debt position and the net present value of its dividend stream (NPV MMA Differential) compared to alternative "safe" investments. In earlier articles, we have looked at each of these in depth.

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) Dividend Stock Analysis

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: October 21, 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:

September 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 dividends earned.

3 Stocks Yielding More than 5% That Recently Raised their Dividends

Astute investors understand the power of growing dividends. Over time, a low yielding stock will increase its payout (along with its yield-on-cost) and normally the share price follows the growing dividend. But what if you need income today? High-yield investments sometimes sacrifice growth, but not always...

Nacco Industries, Inc. (NC) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Nacco Industries, Inc (NC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Nacco Industries, Inc. conducts business in the areas of lift trucks, housewares, and mining in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.

10 Dividend Stocks Balancing Yield And Growth

In a perfect world, income investors would not have to choose between growth or yield, they could have both. Without the benefit of a perfect world, we are left with the middle ground which is a balancing act between growth and yield. How much yield are you willing to give up for growth at a certain level, and how much growth will you sacrifice for a higher yield?

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) Dividend Stock Analysis

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: October 14, 201

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:

How To Profit From Real Estate With No Stopped Up Toilet Calls

A multitude of self-made millionaires (and billionaires) made their fortunes in real estate. Often through the development of large-scale projects such as shopping centers or planned communities. On a smaller scale, there are many landlords with one or more rental properties earning them a monthly income.

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.

Defense Stocks May Not Be Defensive Stocks

When the economy and the market starts heading south, many investors start buying dividend growth stocks. They have long been considered a defensive position in turbulent times. Given many investors recent defensive stance, one might ask how about some real defense stocks, as in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

Walgreen Co. (WAG) Dividend Stock Analysis

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: October 7, 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:

Dividend Income Progress Update - September 2012

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in August, extending the streak to 27 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 56 of the last 58 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.

8.8 Billion Reasons Why Dividend Increases Are Dynamite

Earlier this week, S&P Dow Jones Indices announced today that dividend net increases (increases less decreases) were $8.8 billion in the third quarter of 2012. This is believed to be a new record for quarterly dividend payouts in aggregate dollars. It was also reported that 439 stocks increased dividends during the third quarter of 2012, a 25.4% gain over 2011. Only 53 companies out of approximately 10,000 decreased their dividend in the third quarter of 2012. Howard Silverblatt, Senior Index Analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices said:

Harris Corporation (HRS) Dividend Stock Analysis

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.

10 Dividend Stocks That Gave Me A 20%+ Annualized Return

Andy Warhol in 1968 said that "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." In our society, many things follow the 15 minutes of fame paradigm, though duration of time is sometimes more or less. For example, at a fireworks display each rocket that is shot is viewed by the audience, albeit just for a few seconds. Olympic athletes will train in obscurity for years for a chance to have a gold medal hung around their neck as the worl watches. When it comes to selecting dividend growth stocks, the ones you want are those that will perform well over the long haul.

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Waste Management, Inc. (WM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Waste Management Inc. is a Houston-based company that is the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal concern.