Are Defense Stocks Good 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 these investors defensive stance, one might ask how about some real defense stocks, as in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

7 Stocks Building A Higher Yield With Increased Dividends

Every investor wants to earn more. It is how we define "more" and how we go about earning it that determines the type of investor we are. Income investors want more income. Yield is a significant determinant of income. Instead of buying a current high-yield stock, investors in dividend growth stocks prefer to build their own. Granted, the current yield may never be classified as high-yield, but over time the yield-on-cost can reach epic heights.

Below are several companies that chose to build a higher yield for their shareholders with increased cash dividends...

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Weekly Links: September 28, 2014

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Emerson Electric Co. designs and supplies product technology, and delivers engineering services and solutions to a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets around the world.

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) Trading at a Discount and Double-Digit Dividend Growth

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

Company Description: IBM's global offerings include information technology services, software, computer hardware equipment, fundamental research, and related financing.

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International Securities For A Diversified Income Portfolio

Most investors that understand the merits of asset allocation also understand the importance of including an international allocation in their portfolio. The concept is that in "normal" times there is always a market somewhere in the world rallying. To meet my international allocation, I have focused on the following areas within my portfolio:

8 Stocks Sending A Strong Message With Higher Dividends

Selecting quality dividend stocks with sustainable dividends requires the investor to not only look back at the financials, but also look forward to determine in the business can continue to thrive. To succeed as an investor in dividend growth stocks, you must find companies that can sustain and grow dividends by focusing on their ability to generate cash.

Below are several stocks sending their shareholders a strong message with higher dividends...

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Weekly Links: September 21, 2014

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

August 2014 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.

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.

5 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 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 world watches. When it comes to selecting dividend growth stocks, the ones you want are those that will perform well over the long haul.

Weekly Links: September 14, 2014

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Medtronic Inc. (MDT) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Medtronic Inc. is a global medical device manufacturer has leadership positions in the pacemaker, defibrillator, orthopedic, diabetes management and other medical markets.

6 Rainy Day Dividend Stocks

A pessimist might say life is a series of bad things happening, then we die. I certainty wouldn't go that far, but life often deals us unfortunate circumstances to work through at what seems to be the most inopportune time. During the 2007-2008 economic downturn, many people lost their jobs at a time when companies weren't hiring. When things like this happen, those with an alternative income, including dividend growth stocks, are in a better position to deal with the circumstances thrust on them.

Weekly Links: September 7, 2014

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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 - August 2014

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 50 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 79 of the last 81 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2014 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

General Dynamics (GD) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of General Dynamics (GD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: General Dynamics is the world's fourth largest military contractor and also one of the world's biggest makers of corporate jets.

When A Stock Fails To Raise Its Dividend: Is It Time To Sell Intel?

I hate to sell a dividend growth stock. When I buy a stock, my intention is to hold it forever and enjoy its ever-growing dividend income. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes things change and the stock no longer fits my criteria for inclusion in my income portfolio.

It could be a company that cuts its dividend or in some cases freezes its dividend (fails to raise its dividend at the appointed time).  Let's take a look at a two-step process designed to help us determine if we should sell a stock after a dividend freeze.