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:

• Festival of Stocks published: Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) Dividend Stock Analysis
• Carnival of Money Hacks published: 20 Dividend Stocks Riding The Tsunami Of Dividend Increases
• Carnival of Financial Planning published: 20 Dividend Stocks Riding The Tsunami Of Dividend Increases

Articles I enjoyed reading included (in no particular order):

The DIV-Net Featured Articles

• Dividends4Life presented Stock Analysis: Walgreen Co. (WAG)
• The Dividend Guy presented Week 3 of the video series
• Barel Karsan presented Common Comes Last
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) Stock Analysis
• Buying Value presented Anticipating a Dividend Increase

Articles From DIV-Net Members

• The Dividend Guy presented The Hidden Advantages of Dividend Investing
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Seven dividend aristocrats that Buffett owns
• Barel Karsan presented Developing An Investment Philosophy: Chapter 2
• Buy Value presented Three Key Ratios For Investors
• moneygardener presented dropping the weight of consumer debt
• Stock Market Prognosticator presented Berman Is Back
• Disciplined Approach to Investing presented 2010 Dogs Of The Dow Performance Update
• Living Off Dividends & Passive Income presented How To Avoid Foreclose: Humor
• Old School Value presented 5 Tips to Maximize Research and Investing Time
• Triaging My Way To Financial Success presented 2010 QuickTax Review & Giveaway
• Dividend Money presented How Much Can I Borrow For A Mortgage?
• BuyLikeBuffett.com presented 3 Small Cap Dividend Stocks That Pay
• 40percent 20years presented Two articles for better investment!
• EPIC INVESTOR presented Current Short Interest
• Value Walk presented Stock Market Valuations- February 25 2010 Farily Valued

Other Articles

• BusinessWeek presented A Very Good Month For Dividends
• The Wall Street journal presented High Yields Aren’t Always A Good Thing
• SmartMoney presented 3 Midcap Stocks With Fast Dividend Growth
• Kiplinger presented Overconfidence Game
• Baron’s presented After Lost Decade, It’s Still Tough to Find Returns

There are some really good articles here, please take time and read a few of them.

(Photo: Sachin Ghodke)

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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.

This week several companies took a step toward doubling their shareholders yield-on-cost by increasing their cash dividends:

PG&E Corp. (PCG) is the parent of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. On February 19th the company increased its quarterly dividend to to $0.455/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.33%.

Abbott (ABT) is a leading maker of drugs, nutritional products, diabetes monitoring devices, and diagnostics. February 19th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.44/share. The cash dividend is payable May 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 13. ABT is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.24%. [Analysis]

ITT Corp (ITT) is a diversified industrial manufacturer of advanced technology products. February 22nd the company raised its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 1. The dividend yield is 1.95% on the new payout.

Home Depot (HD) operates a chain of over 2,200 retail warehouse-type stores, selling a wide variety of home improvement products. February 23rd the company increased its quarterly dividend 5% to 23.625/share. The dividend is payable on March 25, 2010, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 11, 2010. The dividend yield is 3.01% on the new payout.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is a leading consumer products company’s global tissue, personal care and health care brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex and Scott. February 23rd the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.66/share. The dividend is payable on April 5, 2010, to stockholders of record on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. KMB is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.38%. [Analysis]

MOCON (MOCO) makes equipment to test packages and packaging material, and performs consulting and analytical services. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend 6% to $0.095/share. The dividend is payable on May 21, 2010, to shareholders of record on May 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is May 5, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.74%.

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.48/share. The dividend will be paid on March 31, 2010, to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.76%.

Altria Group (MO) is the largest U.S. cigarette producer. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.35/share. The dividend is payable on April 9, 2010, to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. MO is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.91%.

Westar Energy (WR) provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services to apx. 674,000 customers in Kansas as of December 31, 2007. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.3% to $0.31/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 5. The yield based on the new payout is 5.62%.

Chubb (CB) is one of the largest U.S. property-casualty insurers, Chubb has carved out a number of niches, including high-end personal lines and specialty liability lines coverage. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.7% to $0.37/share. The dividend is payable on April 6 to shareholders of record on March 19. The ex-dividend date is March 17. CB is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 45 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.90%. [Analysis]

Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI) is a REIT focusing on shopping centers and industrial properties. February 24th the company increased its dividend. The yield based on the new payout is 4.92%.

McGrath Rentcorp (MGRC) rents and sells modular buildings and electronic test and measurement equipment; and manufactures and sells portable classrooms. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.225/share. The dividend is payable on April 30, 2010, to all shareholders of record on April 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 14, 2010. MGRC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.69%.

Essex Property Trust (ESS) is a real estate investment trust primarily owns and operates multi-family properties in California and the Pacific Northwest. February 24th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.0325/share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2010, will be $1.0325 per share. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2010. ESS is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.83%.

Donaldson (DCI) operates as a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. February 24th the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.12/share. The dividend is payable March 19th to shareholders of record as of March 5th. The ex-dividend date is March 3. DCI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.147%.

CenturyLink (CTL) provides voice service to 7 million customers and Internet service to 2 million customers in both rural towns and larger cities, like Las Vegas. February 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 3.6% to $0.725/share. The dividend is payable on March 22, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 5, 2010. CTL is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 8.37%.

Gap Inc. (GPS) is a specialty apparel retailer operates Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores. February 25th the company increased its dividend 18% to $0.10/share. The dividend is payable on April 28, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.96%.

Old Republic Int. (ORI) writes property and liability, mortgage guaranty, title and life, and disability insurance. February 25th the company raised its quarterly dividend 1.4% to $0.1725/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 6.1%. ORI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.13%.

Cleco Corp (CNL) generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in Louisiana; holds ownership interest in three steam electric generating stations and one gas turbine. February 25th the company increased its quarterly dividend 11% to $0.25/share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.90%.

The only way a company can consistently increase yield-on-cost is to consistently raise their dividends paid. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long ABT, KMB, CTL. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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• 7 Dividend Stocks To Take The Emotion Out Of Investing

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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:

Dividend Aristocrats: Companies in the S&P 500 that have followed a policy of consistently increasing dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years. As the name denotes, these are the best of the best – the blue blood stocks, including names like:

– Clorox Co (CLX) | Yield: 3.30%
– Coca-Cola Co (KO) | Yield: 2.90% | Analysis
– Emerson Electric (EMR)| Yield: 2.80% | Analysis
– Exxon Mobil (XOM)| Yield: 2.60%
– Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)| Yield: 3.10% | Analysis
– McDonald’s Corp (MCD)| Yield: 3.40% | Analysis
– Procter & Gamble (PG)| Yield: 2.80% | Analysis
– Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) | Yield: 2.00% | Analysis

US Broad Dividend Achievers: Is comprised of companies incorporated in the United States or its territories, trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ or AMEX, and have increased their annual regular dividend payments for the last ten or more consecutive years. Notable names on this list include:

– Chevron Corporation (CVX) | Yield: 3.70%
– Donaldson Company (DCI) | Yield: 1.10%
– McCormick & Co. (MKC) | Yield: 2.80%
– Nucor Corp. (NUE) | Yield: 3.20% | Analysis
– Raven Industries, Inc. (RAVN) | Yield: 1.90% | Analysis

The U.S. Dividend Champions: Is maintained by Dave Fish of MoneyPaper. The list is updated monthly and located at the The Drip Investing Resource Center. Like the Dividend Aristocrats above the Dividend Champions list looks for companies that have increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years. However, since S&P 500 membership is not a requirement, the list is larger than the Dividend Aristocrats list and also includes small-cap companies.

– Bowl America (BWL.A) | Yield: 4.50%
– Conn. Water Service (CTWS) | Yield: 4.00%
– Weyco Group Inc. (WEYS) | Yield: 2.70%

Needless to say, last year saw many companies fall off the list. Overall the number of constituents fell to 218 stocks in 2010 from 319 in 2009. What made last year so unusual were the number of big-name companies that no longer qualified for inclusion on the list, some that had paid increasing dividends for decades, including:

– American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
– Bank of America Corporation (BAC)
– General Electric Co. (GE)
– The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
– Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI)
– Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
– US Bancorp (USB)

The news wasn’t all bad. Partially offsetting the 133 companies that fell off the list were 32 new companies joining the Dividend Stock Ideas List. For the most part, these aren’t household names, not yet at least, but here are some names we will likely be seeing in the future:

– Arrow Financial Corporation (AROW) | Yield: 3.90%
– Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP) | Yield: 7.80%
– Federated Investors, Inc. (FII) | Yield: 3.70%
– Getty Realty Corp. (GTY) | Yield: 8.50%
– Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (HCBK) | Yield: 4.60%
– Investors Real Estate Trust (IRET) | Yield: 7.80%
– NSTAR (NST) | Yield: 4.60%
– Northeast Utilities (NU) | Yield: 3.80%
– Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA) | Yield: 6.80%
– Suburban Propane Partners LP (SPH) | Yield: 7.30%

You can see the entire Dividend Stock Idea List here. Remember, not every stock listed here is a great dividend investment, but virtually all great dividend investments are on this list.

Full Disclosure: Long CLX, KO, EMR, JNJ, MCD, PG, WMT, CVX, NUE. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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• Dividend Stocks: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
• Warren Buffett’s Dividend Stocks

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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.

Fair Value: I consider four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

RLI is trading at a discount to only 1.) above. The stock is trading at a 17.6% premium to its calculated fair value of $44.52. RLI did not earn any Stars in this section.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

RLI earned three Stars in this section for 1.), 2.) and 3.) above. A Star was earned since the Free Cash Flow payout ratio was less than 60% and there were no negative Free Cash Flows over the last 10 years. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. RLI earned a Star for having an acceptable score in at least two of the four Key Metrics measured. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15% means that dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year period over the last 10 years (1999-2002, 2000-2003, 2001-2004, etc.) I consider this a key metric since dividends will double every 5 years if they grow by 15%. The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1976 and has increased its dividend payments for 35 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA)? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

RLI earned a Star in this section for its NPV MMA Diff. of the $2,319. This amount is in excess of the $500 target I look for in a stock that has increased dividends as long as RLI has. If RLI grows its dividend at 15.0% per year, it will take 6 years to equal a MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.98%.

Other: RLI is a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index.

Conclusion: RLI did not earn any Stars in the Fair Value section, earned three Stars in the Dividend Analytical Data section and earned one Star in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of four Stars. This quantitatively ranks RLI as a 4 Star-Buy.

Using my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, I determined the share price would need to increase to $86.12 before RLI’s NPV MMA Differential decreased to the $500 minimum that I look for in a stock with 35 years of consecutive dividend increases. At that price the stock would yield 1.23%.

Resetting the D4L-PreScreen.xls model and solving for the dividend growth rate needed to generate the target $500 NPV MMA Differential, the calculated rate is 10.5%. This dividend growth rate is less than the 15.0% used in this analysis, thus providing only a margin of safety. RLI has a risk rating of 1.25 which classifies it as a low risk stock.

RLI has a history of strong dividend growth. However, as we have seen over the last several years, the Financial Services sector has been quite volatile. With that in mind, I prefer a higher current yield than RLI’s 2.03% at the expense of a lower dividend growth rate. Also considering the stock is trading well above my $44.52 fair value price, I will pas on any near-term purchases of RLI. For additional information, including the stock’s dividend history, please refer to its data page.

Disclaimer: Material presented here is for informational purposes only. The above quantitative stock analysis, including the Star rating, is mechanically calculated and is based on historical information. The analysis assumes the stock will perform in the future as it has in the past. This is generally never true. Before buying or selling any stock you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion. See my Disclaimer for more information.

Full Disclosure: At the time of this writing, I held no position in RLI (0.0% of my Income Portfolio). See a list of all my income holdings here.

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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:

• Carnival of Personal Finance published: Five High-Yield Positive Return Investments
• Carnival of Financial Planning published: 16 Dividend Stocks Aspiring To Be A Champion

Articles I enjoyed reading included (in no particular order):

The DIV-Net Featured Articles

• Dividends4Life presented Stock Analysis: RLI Corp. (RLI)
• The Dividend Guy presented Earnings Per Share & Dividend Yield Video
• Barel Karsan presented Making Sense Of The Business
• Dividend Tree presented Dividend Investing and Businesses with Moat
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Colgate-Palmolive (CL) Analysis
• Buying Value presented Only 4 Ratios

Articles From DIV-Net Members

• The Dividend Guy presented Three Essential Dividend Portfolio Question Every Investor Must Ask Now
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Ten Dividend Kings raising dividends for over 50 years
• Barel Karsan presented Catching Up With Innovation
• Dividend Tree presented ADM – Priced for Dividend Growth Portfolio
• Buy Value presented Dell- a Dud
• The Div Guy presented Solid Foreign Dividend Stocks
• Disciplined Approach to Investing presented The Value Is In Quality
• Living Off Dividends & Passive Income presented Taleb: Everyone Should Short US Treasuries
• Old School Value presented How to Invest: Research and Valuation Process
• Triaging My Way To Financial Success presented A Need for Stricter Mortgage Lending?
• BuyLikeBuffett.com presented Reaping Big Rewards From Trash
• 40percent 20years presented Walter Schloss – I do not like losing money
• Value Walk presented Why Did Berkshire Hathaway Signifcantly Reduce its Stake in Exxon Mobil?
• Think Dividends presented The Mall REIT

Other Articles

• BusinessWeek presented In Search of Dividends
• MSN Money presented Dividend stocks for a sideways market
• SmartMoney presented 3 Stocks With 7% Free Cash Yields
• The Street.com presented 10 Dividend-Paying Stocks For Shaky Markets
• Kiplinger presented Scoop Up Dividends

There are some really good articles here, please take time and read a few of them.

(Photo: Sachin Ghodke)

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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.

This week a few companies made their shareholders happy by giving them an increase in cash dividends:

Northwestern Corp. (NWE) provides electricity and natural gas in Montana, South
Dakota, and Nebraska. February 12th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.34/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010, to common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2010, the ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.42%.

Hubbell (HUB.A) produces electrical and electronic products for commercial, industrial, telecommunications, utility and residential applications. February 12the the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.36/share. The dividend will be paid on April 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.19%.

Genuine Parts (GPC) is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.41/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. GPC is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 4.03%. [Analysis]

Cooper Industries (CBE) is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools, and hardware. February 16th the company increases its quarterly dividend to $0.27/share. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.27%.

PSEG (PEG) is the holding company for Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), with a service area that encompasses 70% of New Jersey. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.0% to $0.3425/share. The dividend rate is $1.37 annualized. The first dividend in 2010 is payable on March 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.46%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is the world’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola beverage products, distributing to about 78% of the North American market. Coca-Cola Co. holds about 35% of CCE’s common stock. February 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.09/share. The dividend is payable March 25, 2010 to shareowners of record on March 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 10, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.84%.

Rogers Comm (RCI) is a Canadian communications and media company operates in three segments: Wireless, Cable and Media. February 17th the company increases its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.32/share. The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 3, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 3.9%. The yield based on the new payout is 3.89%.

Albemarle (ALB) makes specialty chemicals, intermediates and catalysts for polymers, petroleum refining, agricultural chemicals and pharmaceuticals. February 17th the company raises its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11. The yield based on the new payout is 1.48%.

Sherwin-Williams (SHW) is the largest U.S. producer of paints, is also a major seller of wallcoverings and related products. February 17th the company increased its quarterly dividend $0.36/share. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2010, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 24, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 2.2%. SHW is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 32 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.21%.

Ventas (VTR) is a real estate investment trust invests in health care facilities, including senior housing, specialty care facilities, hospitals, and medical office buildings. February 18th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.535/share. The yield based on the new payout is 4.76%.

Validus Holdings (VR) focuses its underwriting efforts on “short tail” risks, primarily in the property reinsurance market. February 18th the company increases its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to shareholders and warrant holders of record on March 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.25%.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) is a leading international retailer, designer, manufacturer, and distributor of fine jewelry and gift items. February 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend 18% to $0.20/share. The dividend will be paid on April 12, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 22, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 18, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.85%.

Coca-Cola (KO) is the world’s largest soft drink company with a sizable fruit juice business. February 18th the company increases its quarterly dividend 7% to $0.44/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2010. KO is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 48 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.15%. [Analysis]

T. Rowe Price (TROW) operates one of the largest no-load mutual fund complexes in the United States. February 18th the company increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable March 29, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 16, 2010. TROW is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.18%.

Your employer may not have given you a raise this year, but if you are invested in good dividend stocks, you will get a dividend increase from them. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long GPC, KO. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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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.

As for my portfolio, I consider asset allocation only when looking at my holdings in total. It would be much too difficult to maintain a good allocation within individual portfolios (income, growth, 401(k), Roth IRA, etc.), while trying to maintain my overall allocation. However, an investor could build a degree of allocation into a portfolio of dividend income securities. Consider the following:

Business Services Sector

• Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP)
  Yield: 3.33% | Style: Large Growth | Analysis
• C H Robinson Worldwide Inc. (CHRW)
  Yield: 1.86% | Style: Large Growth
• Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (EXPD)
  Yield: 1.16% | Style: Mid Growth

Consumer Goods Sector

• Clorox Company (CLX)
  Yield: 3.23% | Style: Mid Core
• Coca-Cola Company (KO)
  Yield: 3.04% | Style: Large Growth | Analysis
• Procter & Gamble Company (PG)
  Yield: 2.85% | Style: Large Core | Analysis

Consumer Services Sector

• Genuine Parts Company (GPC)
  Yield: 4.19% | Style: Mid Value | Analysis
• Sysco Corporation (SYY)
  Yield: 3.56% | Style: Large Core | Analysis
• McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
  Yield: 3.22% | Style: Large Core | Analysis

Energy Sector

• BP Plc ADR (BP)
  Yield: 6.15% | Style: Large Value
• Chevron Corporation (CVX)
  Yield: 3.75% | Style: Large Value
• ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM)
  Yield: 2.56% | Style: Large Value

Financial Services Sector

• Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC)
  Yield: 3.90% | Style: Small Value | Analysis
• Chubb Corporation (CB)
  Yield: 2.85% | Style: Large Value | Analysis
• Aflac Inc. (AFL)
  Yield: 2.38% | Style: Large Core | Analysis

Hardware Sector

• Diebold Incorporated (DBD)
  Yield: 3.67% | Style: Small Value
• Linear Technology (LLTC)
  Yield: 3.23% | Style: Mid Core
• Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN)
  Yield: 1.90% | Style: Small Growth | Analysis

Health Care Sector

• Meridian Bioscience Inc. (VIVO)
  Yield: 3.27% | Style: Small Growth
• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
  Yield: 3.08% | Style: Large Core | Analysis
• Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH)
  Yield: 2.10% | Style: Large Core | Analysis

Industrial Materials Sector

• Nucor Corp. (NUE)
  Yield: 3.40% | Style: Large Core | Analysis
• Emerson Electric Co. (EMR)
  Yield: 2.90% | Style: Large Core | Analysis
• 3M Company (MMM)
  Yield: 2.58% | Style: Large Core

Media Sector

• McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. (MHP)
  Yield: 2.63% | Style: Large Core

Pharmaceuticals Sector

• Eli Lilly & Company (LLY)
  Yield: 5.77% | Style: Large Value
• Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
  Yield: 2.97% | Style: Large Growth | Analysis

Real Estate Sector

• Essex Property Trust (ESS)
  Yield: 5.14% | Style: Mid Core
• Corporate Office Properties Trust Inc. (OFC)
  Yield: 4.29% | Style: Mid Core
• Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT)
  Yield: 4.06% | Style: Mid Core

Telecommunications Sector

• CenturyLink Inc. (CTL)
  Yield: 8.10% | Style: Large Value
• AT&T Inc. (T)
  Yield: 6.54% | Style: Large Value | Analysis

Utilities Sector

• Integrys Energy Group Inc. (TEG)
  Yield: 6.61% | Style: Mid Value
• Consolidated Edison Company (ED)
  Yield: 5.59% | Style: Large Value
• MGE Energy Inc. (MGEE)
  Yield: 4.45% | Style: Small Core

Bonds

• Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV)
  Yield: 2.74% | Style: Short-Term Bond
• Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV)
  Yield: 4.32% | Style: Intermediate-Term Bond
• Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV)
  Yield: 5.16% | Style: Long-Term Bond

Needless to say, the above will not provide a perfect allocation, but it goes a long way to provide diversity in a portfolio focused only on income securities. In my personal portfolio, I buy the best available dividend securities and use my other investments to balance my asset allocation.

Full Disclosure: Long ABT, ADP, AFL, BIV, BLV, BP, CLX, CTL, CVX, ED, EMR, GPC, HGIC, JNJ, KO, LLY, MCD, MMM, NUE, PG, SYY, T, TEG. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

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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.

Fair Value: I consider four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

CAH is trading at a discount to 1.) and 3.) above. The stock is trading at a slight premium to its calculated fair value of $32.22. CAH did not earn any Stars in this section.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

CAH earned three Stars in this section for 1.), 2.) and 3.) above. A Star was earned since the Free Cash Flow payout ratio was less than 60% and there were no negative Free Cash Flows over the last 10 years. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. CAH earned a Star for having an acceptable score in at least two of the four Key Metrics measured. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15% means that dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year period over the last 10 years (2000-2003, 2001-2004, 2002-2005, etc.) I consider this a key metric since dividends will double every 5 years if they grow by 15%. The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1983 and has increased its dividend payments for 14 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA)? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

CAH earned a Star in this section for its NPV MMA Diff. of the $6,254. This amount is in excess of the $2,100 target I look for in a stock that has increased dividends as long as CAH has. If CAH grows its dividend at 17.6% per year, it will take 5 years to equal a MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.98%.

Other: CAH is a member of the S&P 500 and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index.

Conclusion: CAH did not earn any Stars in the Fair Value section, earned three Stars in the Dividend Analytical Data section and earned one Star in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of four Stars. This quantitatively ranks CAH as a 4 Star-Buy.

Using my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, I determined the share price would need to increase to $48.44 before CAH’s NPV MMA Differential decreased to the $2,100 minimum that I look for in a stock with 14 years of consecutive dividend increases. At that price the stock would yield 1.44%.

Resetting the D4L-PreScreen.xls model and solving for the dividend growth rate needed to generate the target $2,100 NPV MMA Differential, the calculated rate is 14.1%. This dividend growth rate is less than the 17.6% used in this analysis, thus providing only a margin of safety. CAH has a risk rating of 1.50 which classifies it as a low risk stock.

CAH’s customer relationships and established distribution infrastructure provide notable scale advantages. Its diversified line of products and services provide good growth prospects for its contract drugmaking and its drug dispensing systems. The company is making steady progress in its performance initiatives by reducing the number of its generic drug suppliers, expanding its retail business and focusing on cost control. The stock is trading near my fair value price of $32.22. However, I am hesitate to buy with its yield at 2.19%. For additional information, including the stock’s dividend history, please refer to its data page.

Disclaimer: Material presented here is for informational purposes only. The above quantitative stock analysis, including the Star rating, is mechanically calculated and is based on historical information. The analysis assumes the stock will perform in the future as it has in the past. This is generally never true. Before buying or selling any stock you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion. See my Disclaimer for more information.

Full Disclosure: At the time of this writing, I held no position in CAH (0.0% of my Income Portfolio). See a list of all my income holdings here.

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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:

• Festival of Stocks published: United Technologies Corp. (UTX) Dividend Stock Analysis
• Carnival of Money Hacks published: 10 Dividend Stocks Increasing Yield On Cost
• Carnival of Financial Planning published: 10 Dividend Stocks Increasing Yield On Cost

Articles I enjoyed reading included (in no particular order):

The DIV-Net Featured Articles

• Dividends4Life presented Stock Analysis: Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH)
• The Dividend Guy presented Common Investment Misunderstandings
• Barel Karsan presented Setting The Linktone
• Dividend Tree presented Qualcomm – Stock Analysis for Dividend Growth Portfolio
• Dividend Growth Investor presented McGraw-Hill Companies (MHP) Stock Analysis

Articles From DIV-Net Members

• The Dividend Guy presented All Dividend Stocks Have Their Limitations – Do You Know What They Are?
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Dividend Growth beats Dividend Yield in the long run
• Barel Karsan presented Figure Out Who’s With You
• Dividend Tree presented ADM – Priced for Dividend Growth Portfolio
• moneygardener presented first trades of 2010 – chips & heavy oil
• Disciplined Approach to Investing presented Conflicting Investor Sentiment Data
• Old School Value presented Benjamin Graham’s Net Current Asset Value
• BuyLikeBuffett.com presented The Lowest Rated Bank
• 40percent 20years presented E. ON – Stable company near 6% dividend yield
• EPIC INVESTOR presented Bracing for Inflation
• Value Walk presented Warren Buffett and John Paulson video Interview from Omaha.com

Other Articles

• David Van Knapp presented Why I Love Dividends
• Associated Content presented Investing in Dividend Paying Stocks for Market Downturns
• Motley Fool presented The Best Dividend Stocks of the Decade
• Globe and Mail presented TSX dividends v. bonds
• Bloomberg presented High Dividend Yields Bolster Utilities, Telecom Stocks: Video
• Wall Street Journal presented High Trading Is Bad News For Investors

There are some really good articles here, please take time and read a few of them.

(Photo: Sachin Ghodke)

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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.

Description	January-2010	Year-To-Date	Life-To-Date
Beg. Portfolio Value	21,411.36	21,411.36	–
Online Cash Receipts	4,809.19	4,809.19	24,865.21
Online Expenses	(4.95)	(4.95)	(238.58)
Gross Profit	4,804.24	4,804.24	24,626.63
Dividends	17.20	17.20	319.72
Interest Income	1.02	1.02	18.66
Subtotal	4,822.46	4,822.46	24,965.01
Gain/(Loss)	(246.49)	(246.49)	1,022.32
Ending Portfolio Value	25,987.33	25,987.33	25,987.33
Portfolio Returns	(0.87%)	(0.87%)	13.16%

Online Cash Receipts are the collected earnings from my online endeavors. Most of which is advertising on the my various blogs. The  Online Expenses relates to various web related expenses such as registering 3 domains (DividendsValue.com, Dividends4Life.com and TheDiv-Net.com) and paying my annual hosting fee. The Interest Income line is interest earned on cash balances in an ING account I set up for the PCP. The Gain/(Loss) line is for market changes to the PCP (realized and unrealized). January Dividends of $17.20 included:

• $11.20 Genuine Parts Company (GPC)
• $6.00 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT)

The portfolio was down in January and for the year, but up since its inception. Online earnings in January surpassed the $4,000 mark for the first time. A large portion of the increase continues to be related to the strong interest in D4L-Premium Services. The premium service has continued grow each month. Traffic on Dividend Value set another record in January, breaking the previous record set in December 2009.

During the month of January, I purchased the following securities:

• 32 shares Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC) providing $41.60 in annual dividend earnings
• 36 shares Sysco Corp. (SYY) providing $34.56 in annual dividend earnings
• 14 shares Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) providing $48.58 in annual dividend earnings

Including the above January purchases, my annual PCP dividend income is now $817.26 at the current dividend rates. I ended the month with $5,067.69 in cash, enough to purchase several stocks in February. I have purchased at least one stock each month since May 2009. I believe the current cash balance and recent earnings will continue to support the purchase of at least one stock each month.

My PCP holdings are always available by selecting the Holdings option from the menu in the header. The next PCP update will be mid-March.

(Photo: sanja gjenero)

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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.

Here is a list of notable participants:

Commerce Bancshares (CBSH) banks provide services to individuals and businesses via 217 branches and 404 ATMs in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado February 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.235/share. The dividend is payable on March 26, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8. CBSH is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.49%.

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (BWP) engages in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. February 5th the company bumped its quarterly distribution to $0.50/unit. The distribution is payable on February 22, 2010, to unitholders of record as of February 15, 2010. The ex-distribution date is February 11, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.66%.

Temple-Inland (TIN) is a major producer of corrugated containers and containerboard. February 5th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.11/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record March 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is Feb 25th. The yield based on the new payout is 2.59%.

Compass Minerals (CMP) produces salt for highway deicing and general trade. February 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.39/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 2.39%.

Mercury General (MCY) is an insurance holding company operating primarily in California. February 8th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.59/share. The dividend is to be paid on March 31, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 12, 2010. MCY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 6.10%.

Jack Henry (JKHY) provides integrated computer systems, software and services addressing the information technology and data processing needs of banks and credit unions. February 8th the company bumped its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.095/share. The cash dividend on its common stock, par value $.01 per share, is payable on March 9, 2010, to stockholders of record as of February 24, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 22. JKHY is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.77%.

United Technologies (UTX) is an aerospace-industrial conglomerate with a portfolio including Pratt & Whitney jet engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Otis elevators and Carrier air conditioners, among other products. February 8th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.425/share. The dividend is payable March 10 to shareowners of record at the close of business Feb. 19. The ex-dividend date is Feb. 17. UTX is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.60%. [Analysis]

Owens & Minor (OMI) is a leading domestic distributor of medical and surgical supplies to the acute care market. February 8th the company raised its quarterly dividend 15% to $0.265/share. The record date for the stock split and the cash dividend is March 15, 2010. The cash dividend will be payable on March 31, 2010. OMI is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.15%.

Nu Skin (NUS) develops and distributes personal care products and nutritional supplements. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.125/share. The dividend will be paid on March 17, 2010, to shareholders of record on Feb. 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.93%.

Avon Products (AVP) is the world’s leading direct marketer of cosmetics, toiletries, fashion jewelry, and fragrances, with more than 5 million sales representatives worldwide. February 9th the company bumped its quarterly dividend 5% to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record February 23, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 19, 2010. AVP is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.00%.

Northeast Utilities (NU) is a utility holding company serves Connecticut, western Massachusetts and New Hampshire. February 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.25625/share. The dividend is payable March 31, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 4.06%.

American Science and Engineering (ASEI) develops, manufactures, markets, and sells X-ray and other inspection solutions primarily for homeland security markets. February 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.30/share. The dividend is payable on March 4, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 22, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 18, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.61%.

Corporate Executive Board (EXBD) provides corporate executives and professionals with the insights and resources necessary to excel in their roles and to drive corporate performance. February 9th the company bumped its quarterly dividend to $0.11/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.01%.

3M (MMM) has operations in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer, office, telecommunications, safety and security and other markets. February 9th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 3% to $0.525/share. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 17, 2010. MMM is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.62%.

Infinity Property and Casualty (IPCC) provides, through its subsidiaries, personal automobile insurance with a concentration on nonstandard auto insurance. February 9th the company raised its quarterly dividend 17% to $0.14/share. The dividend is payable on March 26, 2010 to holders of record on March 12, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.47%.

Wyndham (WYN) operations include the sale of interests in vacation ownership resorts; facilitating the exchange and rental of access to vacation properties; and the franchising of hotels. February 10th the company bumped its quarterly dividend to $0.12/share. The yield based on the new payout is 2.12%.

Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL) makes and sells a wide range of biochemicals, organic chemicals, and chromatography products. February 10th the company raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.155/share. SIAL is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.33%.

CSX (CSX) a major U.S. rail network, transporting bulk commodities, industrial products and intermodal containers. February 10th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 9% to $0.24/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is Feb. 24. The yield based on the new payout is 2.13%.

Diebold (DBD) develops, makes, and services self-service transaction systems, electronic and physical security systems. February 11th the company raised its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.27/share. The dividend is payable on Monday, March 8, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Monday, Feb. 22. The ex-dividend date is Feb. 18. DBD is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 3.87%.

SCANA Corp. (SCG) provides electric, natural gas, and telecommunications services. February 11th the company increased its quarterly dividend 1.1% to $0.475/share. The dividend is payable April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.43%.

First quarter is an exciting time for dividend growth investors as many companies elect to announce their annual dividend increases during this time. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long MMM, UTX. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

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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.

Several subscribers not liking the monthly PayPal charges asked for a longer subscription option. The request was heard and answered this month with a new one year subscription option. We are always looking to provide you with value, so it was decided to incorporate a discount with the one year subscription. You buy the first 11 months and the 12th month is free. That means you can get 12 months of D4L-Premium Services for just $65.45 ($5.95 x 11).

The D4L Premium Services are designed for the serious dividend investor. If you have not yet subscribed, please see the Overview and Subscribe page for more information on the benefits of these services, sample reports, pricing and subscription information. The premium section can always be accessed via the Premium menu option on the top-left of the menu bar above.

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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:

National Retail Properties, Inc. (NNN) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in high-quality, freestanding retail properties subject to long-term net leases with major retail tenants.
Purchased: September 2005 | Life-To-Date Return: 5.04% | Yield: 7.58%

Realty Income Corporation (O) engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial retail real estate properties in United States.
Purchased: May 2006 | Life-To-Date Return: 5.75% | Yield: 6.53%

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund (ETO) operates as a diversified and closed-end management investment company. The fund invests primarily in common and preferred stocks of the United States and foreign issuers.
Purchased: July 2008 | Life-To-Date Return: 7.97% | Yield: 7.80%

Health Care Property Investors, Inc. (HCP) operates as a real estate investment trust in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, invests in health care-related properties and provides mortgage financing on health care facilities.
Purchased: March 2005 | Life-To-Date Return: 10.92% | Yield: 6.56%

CenturyLink Inc. (CTL) provides a range of telephone services in 25 states, with operations concentrated in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Purchased: November 2008 | Life-To-Date Return: 32.50% | Yield: 8.28%

High-yield securities often carry a higher risk factor. Before adding any security to your portfolio you should understand its effect on your overall portfolio’s risk and allocation.

Full Disclosure: Long CTL, ETO, HCP, NNN, O. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

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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.

Fair Value: I consider four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

BDX is trading at a discount to 1.), 2.) and 3.) above. The stock is trading at a 9.6% discount to its calculated fair value of $83.39. BDX earned a Star in this section since it is trading at a fair value.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

BDX earned three Stars in this section for 1.), 2.) and 3.) above. A Star was earned since the Free Cash Flow payout ratio was less than 60% and there were no negative Free Cash Flows over the last 10 years. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. BDX earned a Star for having an acceptable score in at least two of the four Key Metrics measured. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15% means that dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year period over the last 10 years (2000-2003, 2001-2004, 2002-2005, etc.) I consider this a key metric since dividends will double every 5 years if they grow by 15%. The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1926 and has increased its dividend payments for 37 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA)? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

BDX earned a Star in this section for its NPV MMA Diff. of the $2,133. This amount is in excess of the $500 target I look for in a stock that has increased dividends as long as BDX has. If BDX grows its dividend at 15.0% per year, it will take 6 years to equal a MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.98%.

Other: BDX is a member of the S&P 500, a Dividend Aristocrat and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index.

Conclusion: BDX earned one Star in the Fair Value section, earned three Stars in the Dividend Analytical Data section and earned one Star in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of five Stars. This quantitatively ranks BDX as a 5 Star-Strong Buy.

Using my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, I determined the share price would need to increase to $120.24 before BDX’s NPV MMA Differential decreased to the $500 minimum that I look for in a stock with 37 years of consecutive dividend increases. At that price the stock would yield 1.23%.

Resetting the D4L-PreScreen.xls model and solving for the dividend growth rate needed to generate the target $500 NPV MMA Differential, the calculated rate is 10.8%. This dividend growth rate is less than the 15.0% used in this analysis, thus providing only a margin of safety. BDX has a risk rating of 1.00 which classifies it as a low risk stock.

In spite of the competitive landscape in the medical equipment market and reduced customer spending, BDX has seen product demand and favorable pricing in excess of industry averages. The company’s needle and surgical business has provided investors with robust returns for years. As a result of BDX’s innovation and judicial deployment of capital, its business continued to prosper during the economic downturn. The stock is favorably priced below my buy price of $83.39. However, I hesitate to buy with its yield below 2.0%. For additional information, including the stock’s dividend history, please refer to its data page.

Disclaimer: Material presented here is for informational purposes only. The above quantitative stock analysis, including the Star rating, is mechanically calculated and is based on historical information. The analysis assumes the stock will perform in the future as it has in the past. This is generally never true. Before buying or selling any stock you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion. See my Disclaimer for more information.

Full Disclosure: At the time of this writing, I held no position in BDX (0.0% of my Income Portfolio). See a list of all my income holdings here.

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• 10 Dividend Stocks With Above Target Returns
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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:

• Festival of Stocks published: Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN) Dividend Stock Analysis
• Carnival of Personal Finance published: 10 Stocks With 100+ Years of Dividend Payments
• Carnival of Financial Planning published: 13 Dividend Stocks With A Great Attribute

Articles I enjoyed reading included (in no particular order):

The DIV-Net Featured Articles

• Dividends4Life presented Stock Analysis: Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX)
• Barel Karsan presented Expanding When It Should Be Contracting
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Diageo Stock Analysis
• Buying Value presented dell dddd dumb

Articles From DIV-Net Members

• The Dividend Guy presented 7 Warning Signs You Need to Repair Your Portfolio
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Dividend Investors are getting paid for waiting
• Barel Karsan presented The Focus Of Mutual Funds
• Dividend Tree presented Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? – Book Review
• Buying Value presented The Effects of Layoffs on a Business
• moneygardener presented Colgate & UPS provide raises
• The Div Guy presented Blue Chips for the Long Run
• Disciplined Approach to Investing presented Dividend Payers Outperform Non Payers In January
• Old School Value presented PARL Net Net but Business Stinks
• Everyday Finance presented Innovative Ways to Hedge your Portfolio in This Market
• BuyLikeBuffett.com presented 4 Potential Value Plays
• 40percent 20years presented From Stock to Stinsen Warrants & Wall Street
• EPIC INVESTOR presented Be a Zen Investor
• Value Walk presented Warren Buffett Interview On CNBC

Other Articles

• The Globe and Mail presented The case for dividend stocks in uncertain times
• Minyayville presented Ten Dividend Stocks to Pad Your Portfolio
• SmartMoney presented 3 Stocks Retirees Should Own
• BusinessWeek presented Walmart-Like Shares Top S&P 500 Index With Dividends
• Motley Fool presented 5 Stocks for Growth and Income

There are some really good articles here, please take time and read a few of them.

(Photo: Sachin Ghodke)

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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.

Description	Dividend Income Annualized	Yield on Cost
2027 Goal	110,000	20.00%
2017 Goal	30,000	10.00%
2010 Goal	9,500	5.00%
December/2009	7,274	4.84%
Purchases YTD	248	-0.09%
Div. Changes YTD	19	0.01%
Sales YTD	–	-%
January/2010	7,541	4.76%
Purchases	248	-0.09%
Div. Changes	19	0.01%
Sales	–	-%
December/2009	7,274	4.84%

The above information covers the current month and year-to-date through the current month.

Click here for a Detailed Historical Progress Table.

For the month, annualized dividend income increased $267, and Yield on Cost (YOC) decreased (0.08%). This month’s changes were a net of new purchases and dividend changes (no sales). Let’s examine each of the these categories:

Purchases: The $248 increase in annual dividend income and (0.09%) decrease in YOC related to the following purchases (yield at the time of purchase):

• $84 Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC) 4.05% [Analysis]
• $94 Sysco Corp. (SYY) 3.45% [Analysis]
• $70 Vanguard Intermediate Bond ETF (BIV) 4.33%

All the above purchases lowered my YOC. As noted in earlier updates, I generally expect YOC to drop each month since most new investments will yield less than my current YOC, and dividend increases will not be sufficient to offset it.

Dividend Changes: The $19 increase in annual dividend income and 0.01% increase in YOC related to the following dividend changes (a=dividend stated in annual terms, q=quarterly, m=monthly):

• $1 Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) $0.236q>$0.241q 0.00%
• $1 iShares Invest Grade Bond (LQD) $5.71a>$5.73a 0.00%
• $13 Sysco Corp. (SYY) $0.24q>$0.25q 0.00%
• $4 Emerging Markets Debt (PCY) $1.61m>$1.63m 0.01%

Sales: There were no sales in this month.

After one month, I still expect to achieve my goal of an annualized dividend income of $9,500 by December 31, 2010.

That’s it for this time. The next monthly progress update will be early March.

(Photo: sanja gjenero)

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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.

This week a several companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

CMS Energy (CMS) is the largest utility in Michigan and the sixth largest gas and 13th largest electric utility in the U.S. January 29th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share. The dividend is payable Feb. 26, 2010 to shareholders of record on Feb. 8, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.91%.

HCP (HCP) holds direct and joint venture investments in health care-related facilities across the U.S. February 1st the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.465/share. The dividend will be paid on February 23, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 9, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 6.36%.

Source Capital (SOR) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. February 1st the company boosted its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.60/share. The dividend is payable Mar. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business Feb. 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.65%.

Hershey (HSY) is a major producer of chocolate and confectionery products. February 2nd the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.32/share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2010, to stockholders of record February 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.45%.

L-3 Comm (LLL) is a provider of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. February 2nd the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.40/share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 25, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.84%

Unitrin (UTR) provides property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and automobile finance services. February 3rd the company boosted its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.22/share. The dividend is payable on March 1, 2010 to its shareholders of record as of February 12, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 10. The yield based on the new payout is 3.86%

News Corp (NWS) is a media conglomerate, with controlling interests in leading content and distribution assets across the globe, including Fox Entertainment. February 3rd the company increased its semi-annual dividend 25% to $0.075/share. The dividend is payable on April 14, 2010 with a record date for determining dividend entitlements of March 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 0.94%

Ross Stores (ROST) is an off-price retailer providing in-season branded apparel and other merchandise through over 1,000 stores in 27 states and Guam. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend 45% o $0.16/share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2010 to stockholders of record as of February 19, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 17, 2010. ROST is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 1.41%.

AGL Resources (AGL) is an energy services holding company provides natural gas to about 2.3 million customers. February 4th the company boosted its quarterly dividend 2.3% to $0.44/share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 5.00%.

PennantPark Investment (PNNT) specializes in direct and mezzanine investments in middle-market companies. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.26/share. The dividend is payable on April 1, 2010 to stockholders of record as of March 25, 2010. The ex-dividend date is March 23, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 11.60%.

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies, with major market positions in agricultural processing and merchandising. February 4the the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.15/share. The dividend is payable March 11, 2010, to stockholders of record February 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date is February 16. ADM is a Dividend Aristocrat and has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.00%.

Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is a consumer products company markets oral, personal and household care, and pet nutrition products. February 4th the the company boosted its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.53/share. The dividend will be paid on May 14, 2010 to shareholders of record as of April 26, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 22. On an annual basis, the new dividend rate is $2.03 vs. $1.72 per share previously. CL is a Dividend Achiever and has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The yield based on the new payout is 2.66%.

UPS (UPS) is the world’s largest express delivery company. February 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.47/share. The dividend is payable March 3, 2010, to shareholders of record on Feb. 16, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 3.28%.

Hasbro (HAS) is a large toy company has brands that include Monopoly, Playskool and Tonka. February 4th the company raised its quarterly dividend by 25% to $0.25/share. The dividend will be payable on May 17, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 3, 2010. The ex-dividend date is April 30. The yield based on the new payout is 3.20%.

J. B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) provides truckload, intermodal, and contract carriage services. February 4th the company boosted its quarterly dividend $0.12/share. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on February 12, 2010. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.58%.

D&B (DNB) is a worldwide provider of business information and related decision support services and commercial receivables management services. February 4th the company increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.35/share. This quarterly cash dividend is payable on March 18, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2010. The yield based on the new payout is 1.80%.

To be a true dividend champion, a stock must consistently raise its dividend over more than just a few years. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.

Full Disclosure: Long HCP. See a list of all my income holdings here.

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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:

I. Understand Your Goals

If you don’t know where you are going, how do you know when you get there? A large number of investors fail because they have no goals or investing convictions. Instead, they jump from one investing method to whatever is hot today. Before investing, you should clearly define what you are tying to accomplish, then determine your goals and desires. It is my goal to create an ever-increasing income from dividend stocks, while it is my desire to beat the S&P 500 index over the long-term.

II. Select the Right Stocks

It is our nature to want it now. In dividend investing this means high yields. Depending on the the direction you chose in I. above, a portfolio of high yield stocks may not be the best means to help you accomplish your goals. Historically, high-yield stocks have been more prone to cut their dividends, so for me, they don’t align well with my goal of “ever-increasing income”. That is not to say I don’t hold some high-yield, high-risk income stocks, but they are not my core income holdings. Instead, I prefer to focus on stocks with a reasonable yield and a long history of consistently raising their dividends.  Companies in this category include:

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) – [Analysis]
Yield: 3.02 | Dividend Growth: 8.4% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 37

Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) – [Analysis]
Yield: 4.25 | Dividend Growth: 2.6% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 53

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – [Analysis]
Yield: 3.07 | Dividend Growth: 7.5% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 47

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) – [Analysis]
Yield: 3.02 | Dividend Growth: 7.9% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 47

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) – [Analysis]
Yield: 3.28 | Dividend Growth: 16.9% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 33

The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) – [Analysis]
Yield: 2.86 | Dividend Growth: 7.3% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 53

SYSCO Corporation (SYY) – [Analysis]
Yield: 3.50 | Dividend Growth: 4.2% | Consecutive Years of Increases: 39

III. Patience

The stock market does not travel in a straight line. There will be times it consistently goes down leaving you wondering if it will ever hit bottom. These are the times that many investors’ patience is tried. But for those with clear goals and confidence in their chosen strategy, they will find that these are the times that present the greatest opportunities.

Full Disclosure: Long ABT, GPC, JNJ, KO, MCD, PG, SYY. See a list of all my income holdings here.

(Photo Credit)

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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.

Fair Value: I consider four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

UTX is trading at a discount to 1.) and 2.) above. Since UTX’s tangible book value is not meaningful, a Graham number can not be calculated. The stock is trading at a slight discount to its calculated fair value of $69.44. UTX earned a Star in this section since it is trading at a fair value.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

UTX earned three Stars in this section for 1.), 2.) and 3.) above. A Star was earned since the Free Cash Flow payout ratio was less than 60% and there were no negative Free Cash Flows over the last 10 years. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45%. UTX earned a Star for having an acceptable score in at least two of the four Key Metrics measured. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15% means that dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year period over the last 10 years (1999-2002, 2000-2003, 2001-2004, etc.) I consider this a key metric since dividends will double every 5 years if they grow by 15%. The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1936 and has increased its dividend payments for 17 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA)? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

UTX earned a Star in this section for its NPV MMA Diff. of the $3,003. This amount is in excess of the $1,800 target I look for in a stock that has increased dividends as long as UTX has. If UTX grows its dividend at 15.0% per year, it will take 5 years to equal a MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.98%.

Other: UTX is a member of the S&P 500 and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index.

Conclusion: UTX earned one Star in the Fair Value section, earned three Stars in the Dividend Analytical Data section and earned one Star in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of five Stars. This quantitatively ranks UTX as a 5 Star-Strong Buy.

Using my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, I determined the share price would need to increase to $83.47 before UTX’s NPV MMA Differential decreased to the $1,800 minimum that I look for in a stock with 17 years of consecutive dividend increases. At that price the stock would yield 1.84%.

Resetting the D4L-PreScreen.xls model and solving for the dividend growth rate needed to generate the target $1,800 NPV MMA Differential, the calculated rate is 13.3%. This dividend growth rate is slightly less than the 15.0% used in this analysis, thus providing only a slim margin of safety. UTX has a risk rating of 1.25 which classifies it as a low risk stock.

UTX’s product leadership has produced a wide-moat. Over the last ten years, the company has shown steady growth in both earnings and dividends. UTX has a strong balance sheet with 34% debt to total capital and an excellent free cash flow payout of 29%. Large backlogs at Airbus and Boeing, moderate demand for global infrastructure, strong demand for military helicopters and sustained productivity improvements will benefit UTX in the near-term. UTX is trading near my buy price of $69.44. However, I will limit purchases based on its low dividend yield. For additional information, including the stock’s dividend history, please refer to its data page.

Disclaimer: Material presented here is for informational purposes only. The above quantitative stock analysis, including the Star rating, is mechanically calculated and is based on historical information. The analysis assumes the stock will perform in the future as it has in the past. This is generally never true. Before buying or selling any stock you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion. See my Disclaimer for more information.

Full Disclosure: At the time of this writing, I was long in UTX (4.2% of my Income Portfolio). See a list of all my income holdings here.

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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:

• Festival of Stocks published: AT&T Inc. (T) Dividend Stock Analysis
• Carnival of Personal Finance published: 10 Dividend Stocks With Above Target Returns
• Carnival of Financial Planning published: 6 Dividend Stocks Increasing Their Yield

Articles I enjoyed reading included (in no particular order):

The DIV-Net Featured Articles

• Dividends4Life presented Stock Analysis: United Technologies Corp. (UTX)
• Barel Karsan presented Catching Up With Innovation
• Dividend Tree presented ADM – Priced for Dividend Growth Portfolio
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Unilever Stock Analysis
• Buying Value presented Pink Slips

Articles From DIV-Net Members

• The Dividend Guy presented Dividend Capturing: Should You Use It?
• Dividend Growth Investor presented Stocks with fluctuating dividends to avoid
• Barel Karsan presented Keying In On Value
• Dividend Tree presented Dividend Investing: Two Common Questions?
• moneygardener presented freight and food make investors richer
• Disciplined Approach to Investing presented High Yield Spreads Near Long Term Average
• Living Off Dividends & Passive Income presented Best Trade of 2009
• Old School Value presented Stock Market Thoughts & Action Items
• Triaging My Way To Financial Success presented Dividend Growth Portfolio – Jan 2010
• Everyday Finance presented 41 Stocks That Have Increased Dividends Every Year for Over a Decade
• BuyLikeBuffett.com presented FDIC Shuts Down 6 More Banks
• 40percent 20years presented Berkshire Hathaway instead of Investor?
• EPIC INVESTOR presented Notes on Foreign Exchange

Other Articles

• Forbes presented Two Dividend Stocks To Love
• SmartMoney presented 3 Midcap Stocks With Rising Dividends
• Globe and Mail presented Five U.S. insurance stocks that pay big dividends
• Motley Fool presented 5 Keys to Successful Dividend Investing
• SumFolio presented Three Dividend Stocks to Watch – JNJ, OKS, BTE
• BusinessWeek presented The Man Who Refuses To Pay A Dividend
• Wall Street Journal presented Chubb, the High-End Insurer, Looks Like a Bargain Play

There are some really good articles here, please take time and read a few of them.

(Photo: Sachin Ghodke)

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