Thursday, September 29, 2011

Is Chick Beer Politically Incorrect? How About Beer Stocks?


If you are a woman and you were looking for a beer just for women, your wish has come true. There is now a beer with the unforgettable name of 'Chick Beer', described in the video below. The beer was created by a 61 year old mother of five children, and is sold in pink bottles. The six pack carton looks kind of like a purse. Unfortunately, you can't buy stock in the chick beer company.

But according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are more than a dozen publicly traded breweries and beer retailers. In addition, half a dozen of the beer stocks pay dividends, ranging up to over 3%.

One example is Molson Coors Brewing Company (TAP), a Canadian based company that markets the Coors Light, Molson, Carling, Pilsner, Keystone Light, and Granville Island brands. The stock trades at 11 times current earnings and 10 tkmes forward earnings, with a reasonable price to earnings growth ratio of 0.95. Remember, a PEG below one is a very favorable buy. In addition, the company pays a generous yield of 3.1%.

Another dividend paying brewery is Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), which has the memorable stock symbol representing its popular Budweiser brand. It also sells Stella Artois, Beck's, Leffe, Bud Light, Skol, Brahma, Quilmes, Michelob, and many other brands. The stock has a current price to earnings ratio of 18, a forward PE of 12, and a 0.97 PEG. The stock sports a yield of 1.8%.

If you are looking for more beer stock ideas, check out the free list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which can be updated, sorted, and downloaded.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of October


Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) market cap: $79.0B ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 3.8%

Ennis, Inc. (EBF) market cap: $368.9M ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 4.3%

Foot Locker, Inc. (FL) market cap: $3.4B ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 3.1%

General Growth Properties, Inc (GGP) market cap: $11.7B ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 3.2%

Harsco Corporation (HSC) market cap: $1.6B ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 4.2%

Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) market cap: $8.4B ex div date: 10/12/2011 yield: 4.4%

Wells Fargo Adv Inc Opport Fund (EAD) market cap: $668.5M ex div date: 10/13/2011 yield: 10.8%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.


Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Coffee May Reduce Depression in Women: Time to Pour Coffee Stocks in Your Portfolio?

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston did a study of the effects of drinking coffee on over 50,000 American women who drank four cups of coffee a day. They found that the risk of depression dropped by about 20% on average. Unfortunately for decaf drinkers, there was no reduction in depression risk. The study, called the Nurses' Health Study, ran from 1996 to 2006.

Investors who are looking for coffee stocks to invest in can find half a dozen that pay dividends. According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are more than ten publicly traded companies in the coffee industry.

Starbucks (SBUX) is the largest coffeehouse retailer in the world, with outlets in 50 countries and over 17,000 shops worldwide. The stock trades at 26 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 1.3%. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 34% on an 12% increase in revenues.

The J. M. Smucker Co. (SJM) is not a pure play but it sells the Folgers brand of coffee. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 14 and a generous yield of 2.6%. The company just increased its dividend by 9%.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

On the non-retail side, there is Coffee Holding Co. (JVA), a roaster of wholesale coffee which markets wholesale green coffee, private label coffee, and branded coffee in the US and Canada. The stock trades at 10 times forward earnings and has a small dividend yield of 1.0%. Unfortunately, earnings for the latest reported quarter dropped by 60% on an 88% increase in revenues.

For a list of all of the coffee stocks, including more than half a dozen that pay dividends, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list can be downloaded, sorted, and updated.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.


By Stockerblog.com

Monday, September 26, 2011

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the First Week of October


Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.

Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) market cap: $1.1B ex div date: 10/3/2011 yield: 7.5%

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. (CLI) market cap: $2.4B ex div date: 10/3/2011 yield: 6.5%

Raytheon Company (RTN) market cap: $14.3B ex div date: 10/3/2011 yield: 4.4%

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) market cap: $64.2B ex div date: 10/3/2011 yield: 3.8%

Erie Indemnity Company (ERIE) market cap: $3.4B ex div date: 10/4/2011 yield: 3.0%

American Greetings Corporation (AM) market cap: $771.4M ex div date: 10/5/2011 yield: 3.0%

General Dynamics Corporation (GD) market cap: $20.6B ex div date: 10/5/2011 yield: 3.4%

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) market cap: $5.8B ex div date: 10/5/2011 yield: 3.1%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Chelsea Clinton Named to Board of Directors of Match.com Company

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has been named to the Board of Directors of IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI). IAC owns the online dating and matchmaking service, Match.com.

60 Minutes Spotlights Counter Terrorism in NYC: Top Anti Terrorism Stocks


On 60 Minutes, the first segment covered how the City of New York is using numerous ways of fighting terrorism, and the pro-active processes in place to prevent anything from happening in the first place. Commissioner Ray Kelly, the chief of the New York Police Department said on the program that they are ready for various types of situations including taking down a plane.

There are many businesses that market to the Federal government, New York City, and other governments and communities to help them with offsetting and preventing terrorism. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just updated its list of over 20 different anti terrorism companies which develop products and services in various areas of domestic security. Most of these stocks have market caps over $250 million and over half a dozen of the stocks pay a dividend.

One example is American Science & Engineering (ASEI) makes and markets X-ray inspection equipment and systems for homeland security. The company has a market capitalization of $506.57 million and trades at 11.5 times forward earnings. It sports a yield of 2.1%.

FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR) is a provider of thermal imaging and infrared camera systems for force protection, counter terrorism, search and rescue, perimeter security, navigation safety, and law enforcement. The company has a market cap of $4.17 billion with a forward PE of 15. The company is debt free with over $235 million in cash.


Monthly Dividend Stock List

Analogic (ALOG) is in the business of making and marketing security technology products, explosives detection systems, and weapon and threat detection aviation security systems, in addition to their medical imaging business. The stock has a market cap of $554 million, and a forward PE of 18.6. This debt free company has $12.24 in cash per share and pays a yield of 1.00%.

To see all of the counter terrorism stocks, check out the free database at wsnn.com, which can be downloaded, updated, and added to.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

FTC Cracks Down on the iPhone Acne Treatment App

There is an Apple (AAPL) iPhone app for treating acne, called AcneApp, which purportedly uses red and blue lights generated by the app for the treatment. However the Federal Trade Commission said No Way to this $1.99 app.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Top Facial Recognition Stocks


When Facebook started promoting its facial recognition software, Facebookers and of course privacy activists went nuts. Now facial recognition has sparked the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is holding a workshop on Dec. 8, 2011 in Washington, DC. All this attention has caused investors to take a closer look at this industry.

There are many big players with facial recognition as a small portion of the business including 3M (MMM), with the Cogent BioTrust biometric logon software, and the CAFIS system which can integrate facial recognition authentication. Apple (AAPL) has the iPhoto software Faces. Last year, Apple purchased the Sweden based Polar Rose facial recognition company for $22 million. Also, Google (GOOG) uses PittPatt technology to allow Picasa to add name tags to pictures.

Safran SA recently took over L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (SAFRY.PK), one of leaders in the face recognition arena. The company provides facial biometric technology to casinos and the gaming industry. L-1 has such products as FaceEXPLORER, a mugshot booking solution, FaceIt® Argus, a security checkpoint face screening system, and the ABIS® System FaceExaminer that analyzes, searches and identifies faces of wanted subjects taken from poor quality surveillance video. Safran trades at 4.5 times earnings, and recently reported a 2.5% increase in earnings.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

AuthenTec (AUTH), a seecurity and identity management company, produces the TCEFC1 TouchChip module used with the Mobile Offender Recognition and Identification System known as MORIS. The stock trades at 97 times forward earnings. Although recent earnings were negative, the company reported a 51.2% in revenues for the latest quarter.

WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has turned up a list of over ten companies involved in facial recognition. The free list can be downloaded, sorted, and updated.

Disclosure: Author owns AAPL.


By Stockerblog.com

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Odd Lots: Financial News Snippets

Free AK-47 rifles to customers of Florida credit company.

China liquidating US Treasuries.

$1.2 Trillion Secret Loan Bailout.

Back in August, Tim Geithner said that there was 'No risk' of the United States being downgraded from AAA.

Hugo Chávez Moving Gold Holdings back to Venezuela. Guess why?

Zimbabwe has implemented new currency controls to keep money in the country. However, the old Zimbabwe trillion dollar bills are becoming a collectible in the United States.

Old interview with Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

A $4 million mini car covered in gold, silver, and gems.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Senate Renews Highway Funding: Top Infrastructure Stocks

The United States Senate just renewed funding for highway and airport improvement projects, which should preserve the jobs for numerous workers, and should also benefit the companies involved in providing infrastructure services and products for the Federal government.

Many of these companies are publicly traded companies, and can be found on the free list of infrastructure stocks that WallStreetNewsNetwork.com recently updated. These companies include the suppliers, the contractors, and the consultants.

As an example, URS Corporation (URS) provides consulting, engineering, and construction services for surface, air, and rail transportation networks, ports and harbors, and water supply and water treatment systems. The stock has a very reasonable price to earnings ratio of 9.3, a forward PE of 7.7, with a very reasonable price to earnings growth ratio, also known as a PEG ratio, of 0.80. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 7.9% on a 4.9% increase in revenues.

Michael Baker Corporation (BKR) provides professional engineering and consulting services for the public and private sector covering the life cycle of infrastructure. The stock trades at 21.4 times earnings, and 9.6 times forward earnings, with a PEG ratio of 1.03.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

AECOM Technology Corporation (ACM) is a provider of professional, technical, and management support services to government and commercial businesses. The stock trades at 8.6 times current earnings and 6.7 times forward earnings, with a PEG of 0.53.

To see other top infrastructure stocks, access the free list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which can be downloaded, updated, and sorted.

Author does not own any of the above.


By Stockerblog.com

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Eye of BRIC: Top India Stocks


Actually, the title of this article should have been the I of BRIC, since I stands for India. The B is Brazil, the R is Russia, and C for China.

India is the most populous democracy in the world and the fourth largest economy in the world is by GDP purchasing power parity. India's automobile industry is the world's second-fastest growing, and it has increased domestic sales by 26% during the 2009 to 2010 time frame. Speaking of cars, did you see the $4.6 million Tata (TTM) Nano automobile? It is covered in gold.

Tata Motors trades at 27 times forward earnings and sports a yield of 2.5%. It has an extremely low price to earnings growth ratio of 0.14. Revenues for the latest quarter were up 24% with flat earnings. Tata also makes and markets utility vehicles, trucks, buses, and defense vehicles. It produces gasoline, electric and hybrid vehicles.

There are several other India stocks that provide dividends. They can be found on the free list of Indian stocks developed by WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. For example, ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN), the second largest bank in India and the largest private sector bank in India based on market capitalization, yields 1.6% and has a forward price to earnings ratio of 16. Quarterly earnings jumped 16.9% on a revenue gain of 16.8% for the latest quarter.

Wipro Ltd. (WIT) is a semi-conglomerate, which sells software services, computer hardware such as computers, servers, and laptops, and personal care products, and lighting products. It has also invested in renewable energy projects. The stock has a yield of 1.9% and a forward PE of 16. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 1.2%.

To access a free recently updated list of the India stocks that trade in the United States, almost half of which pay dividends, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Top Yielding Israeli Stocks

One of the top IPOs in the United States last year was SodaStream International Ltd. (SODA), an Israeli company, which went public at $20 per share and has more than doubled.

Sodastream manufactures and markets home beverage carbonation systems, which can turn tap water into sparkling water and soda in just a few seconds. The product is marketed by Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY), Macy's (M), Sears (SHLD), Williams-Sonoma (WSM), and many other retailers.

Unfortunately the stock doesn't pay a dividend, so if you are interested in Israeli companies that pay dividends, there are several available. The payouts can help reduce volatility and speed up your return of capital. According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are more than half a dozen Israeli companies with high yields ranging from 2% to 15%.

Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT), a manufacturer of defense systems and products, pays dividends quarterly and yields 4%. The company has been paying dividends since 1997. The stock trades at 7.3 times forward earnings and sports a price earnings growth ratio of 0.84.

Cellcom Israel Ltd. (CEL) is a cellular communications provider in Israeli that yields 9.9%, with dividends having been paid payable quarterly since 2007. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 6.7 and a PEG ratio of 0.60.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), a developer and producer of generic and branded pharmaceuticals, has been paying quarterly dividends since 1997 and yields 2%. It trades at 6.8 times forward earnings and carries a PEG of 0.88.

The dividend paying stocks from Israel that trade in the United States can be found in a free list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which is available for download, sorting, and updating.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time it was written.


By Stockerblog.com

What Warren Buffett Says About Dale Carnegie

In case you didn't know it, Warren Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A), used to have a fear of public speaking. Then he took a Dale Carnegie course and got over his fear. Carnegie is the author of the best selling book How to Win Friends & Influence People.



Carnegie's book just came out in its 75th Anniversary Edition:

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The Benefits of Monthly Dividend Stocks

Would you like your capital returned faster, and have your compounding happen more quickly? How about less volatility? You can get all that from monthly dividend stocks. According to the database list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are almost 200 different companies that pay dividends monthly, many of which have fairly high yields. Although these investments are often referred to as stocks, that term is used loosely. These investments are real estate investment trusts, oil income trusts, closed end bond funds, and closed end income stock funds, which pay dividends every month.

The Advent Claymore Convertible Securities & Income Fund (AVK) sports a yield of 6.0%, sells at about a 3% discount to net asset value, and carries a 0.92% management fee. This closed end fund, founded in 2003, invests approximately 60% of its portfolio in convertible securities and 40% in lower-grade non-convertible income securities.

Another example is Gas Natural Inc. (EGAS), previously called Energy, Inc., It is a distributor of natural gas in Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Maine. It was founded in 1909. The stock pays a yield of 5.0% and sports a forward price to earnings ratio of 13.

If you think that real estate is due for a refund, you might want to take a look at LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (RIT). It is an exchange traded fund that invests in real estate related companies including real estate investment trusts. It sports a yield of 4.4%, and has paid dividends since 2002. It is trading at a slight discount to net asset value. The management fee is 0.61%.

The MFS Multimarket Income Trust (MMT) pays a yield of 7.9%. The stock trades at a 6% discount to net asset value. The company, which has been around since 1987, has a management fee of 0.85%.

Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGH) is a Canadian oil royalty income trust that yields 8.3%. the company was founded in 1988. The company explores, develops, and produces oil and natural gas reserves in western Canada.

Realty Income Corp. (O), one of the few stocks with a single letter stock ticker symbol, yields 5.0%. This real estate investment trust which specializes in commercial retail real estate, has been around since 1969. The stock trades at 16.3 times forward earnings.

The monthly dividend investments you should avoid are:
1. the ones with high management fees
2. the ones with limited liquidity and which trade very few shares each day
3. the ones that trade at a premium to net asset value
4. the ones using excessive leverage
5. for municipal bond closed end funds, beware of the Alternative Minimum Tax

To see the list of almost a couple hundred monthly dividend stocks, including many that have yields of 6% or more, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. Remember, very high yields may not be sustainable.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

China Puts the Squeeze on Rare Earth Metals: Top Rare Earth Stocks

China, producer of 95 percent of the world's rare earth metals, is cutting way back on the production of these elements by nationalizing and shutting down the producers. China's excuse is reducing pollution, but the extended consequence is higher prices on fluorescent light bulbs. Rare earth metals, also known as rare earth minerals or rare earth elements, are used for such applications as superconductors, magnets, electronic polishers, car batteries, luminescent materials, lasers, optical-fiber communication systems, welding, night vision goggles, rangefinders, and radar.

The rare earth metals include:
Scandium
Yttrium
Lanthanum
Cerium
Praseodymium
Neodymium
Promethium
Samarium
Europium
Gadolinium
Terbium
Dysprosium
Holmium
Erbium
Thulium
Ytterbium
Lutetium

Other metals and elements are often (incorrectly) referred to as rare earth metals such as lithium and manganese. However, many of the companies involved in the mining of the rare earth metals are also involved in mining some of the other scarce elements.

Rare Element Resources Ltd. (REE) is a Vancouver, Canada based company involved in the exploration and development of rare earth mineral and gold properties mostly in Canada and the United States. The company, which was founded in 1999, is debt-free with 1.68 in cash per share. However, it has recently generated negative earnings.

Another example is Molycorp, Inc. (MCP), another company involved in the rare earth industry, based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The company has $200 million in debt, and over $680 million in cash, with $8.11 in cash per share. The stock trades at 13 times forward earnings.

Neo Material Technologies, Inc. (NEM.TO) (NEMFF.PK), is a processor of rare earth metals, and trades on both the Pink Sheets and the Toronto Stock Exchange. This Toronto, Ontario based company processes rare earths, magnetic powders, and other metals. The company distributes cerium, lanthanum, europium, neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, and other materials. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 9 with a forward PE of 6. It also has an extremely favorable price earnings growth ratio of 0.33. Earnings for the latest quarter were up an incredible 229% on a 172% revenue increase.

A more conservative and diversified approach to rare earth investing is through the Market Vectors Rare Earths/Strategic Metals Exchange Traded Fund (REMX).

To see a free list of over 25 rare earth metals stocks, which can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. This site also has a list of lithium stocks, which are not technically rare earth stocks, by are often included in the same investment arena.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.
By Stockerblog.com

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fifth Week of September


Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.

Nicor Inc. (GAS) market cap: $2.4B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 3.6%

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) market cap: $20.3B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 3.5%

Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) market cap: $59.1B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 3.5%

National Health Investors Inc (NHI) market cap: $1.1B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 6.0%

Thor Industries, Inc. (THO) market cap: $1.1B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 3.2%

TransCanada Corporation (TRP) market cap: $28.4B ex div date: 9/28/2011 yield: 4.2%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fourth Week of September


Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF) market cap: $4.2B ex div date: 9/19/2011 yield: 6.3%

Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. ADR (TMX) market cap: $8.4B ex div date: 9/19/2011 yield: 5.1%

Federal Realty Inv. Trust (FRT) market cap: $5.3B ex div date: 9/20/2011 yield: 3.3%

Portland General Electric Company (POR) market cap: $1.7B ex div date: 9/22/2011 yield: 4.7%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money

The book, Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money by financial journalist Larry Light, is a very thorough and complete analysis of all the various investment strategies and types of investments. He discusses how investors can't just rely on one technique such as value investing, growth investing, and asset allocation.

Light provides extensive coverage of international investing, real estate investing, short selling and bonds. The chapter I found most interesting was Chapter 8 on Alternatives. On page 169, he reported how Hillary Clinton turned $1,000 into $100,000 in just ten months by trading cattle futures.

Chapter 12 on Behaviorism is also very fascinating, covering the emotional side of investing. Key pitfalls are loss aversion, anchoring (relying on information that is irrelevant), and recency (believing that what happened recently is more important than what happened in the past.

The book has extensive anecdotes, and provides the various strengths and weaknesses of the many approaches to investing. In addition to Light's many articles in BusinessWeek, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal, you will find Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money an interesting read.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Will High Yield Water Stocks Clench Your Thirst?


Recently, there has been significant discussion in the press about moving water from flood hit areas to drought stricken areas. Unfortunately, it wouldn't really be feasible due to the extremely high costs to build a pipeline and the inability to predict where the next flood will take place.

At least water distribution companies are able to distribute water to their customers. Water utility stocks can provide a decent income, growth potential, and diversification, yields ranging from 2.5% to in excess of 4%. There are almost a dozen water utility stocks with dividends that were turned up by WallStreetNewsNetwork.com on their water utility list that was just updated.

The York Water Company (YORW) is one example, yields 3.1%. The stock trades at 20.7 times forward earnings. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 4.9% on a 7.2% rise in revenues. The company is a distributor of drinking water in Pennsylvania.

American Water Works Co., Inc. (AWK) is a New Jersey based distributor of water in 35 states and two Canadian provinces. The stock trades at 16 times forward earnings, with a decent 3.1% yield. Earnings for the quarter were up an amazing 16.2% from the previous quarter on a 6.2% increase in revenues.

SJW Corp. (SJW) is a San Jose, California based water distributor which serves the Silicon Valley area and has customers in Cupertino, San Jose, Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and parts of Santa Clara County. The stock trades at 19.5 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 3.0%.

To see a free list of all the top yielding water stocks, which can be downloaded, updated, and sorted, check out WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Article from the Past: Three Eggs for $100 Billion

Occasionally, we reprint timeless Stockerblog.com articles from the past. Here is one that got a huge number of views when it was first published:


I've written numerous articles about the recent outrageous inflation in Zimbabwe and the issuance of the highest denomination of banknotes in history, including the notorious $100 trillion dollar bill.

Now the site Email Forwards, which features interesting emails that have recently been forwarded around the world, has posted a list of pictures that really put the Zimbabwe inflation situation into reality.

The first picture shows a boy on his way to the market with hundreds of bills worth about one US dollar. The second shows a man with bundles of Zimbabwe bills worth about $100 US.


The third picture shows the purchase of three eggs. Price: 100 billion Zimbabwe dollars. The fourth picture shows the payment for a meal at a Zimbabwe restaurant.

Fortunately, Zimbabwe now has their inflation under control, now that the country is allowing the use of foreign currencies, including the US dollar, for commerce. And the countries former high denomination bills have now become collector's items, mementos of runaway inflation.

Source of pictures: emailforwards.net

Microsoft Co-Founder Selling $13 Million Island

Here is an interesting investment. A 292-acre island with a small house, a 2,400 foot airstrip, and a boat dock, located in the San Juan Islands area off the coast of the state of Washington. The price of this island, owned by Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder, is only $13 million.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Perfect Stocks: High Cash No Debt High Yield Stocks

What would make a perfect stock? One feature that I look for is a stock that is debt free. It is difficult for a company to go out of business when it has no debt. Then I also prefer stocks that pay dividends. Dividends provide stability to the stocks and accelerate the return of capital. The other criteria I like to see is lots of cash. The more cash per share a company has compared to its stock price, the better. Cash is a great cushion during downturns.

WallStreetNewsNetwork.com just updated its free list of High Cash No Debt High Yield Stocks, and includes more than 20 companies, showing the stock symbol, market cap, forward price-to-earnings ratio, cash per share, yield, and cash per share as a percentage of stock price.

An example is Cato Corp. (CATO), which is a North Carolina based specialty retailer of fashion apparel and accessories in the southeastern US. This debt free company has $9 in cash per share representing about 36% of the recent price per share. On top of that, the current yield is 3.8% after the company increased the dividend rate by 16.5%. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 13% on a slight increase in revenues.

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) is a $5.85 billion market cap debt free company that makes global positioning systems, also known as GPS products. The stock sports a 5% yield after doubling its payout rate over last year. It trades at 15.4 times forward earnings. It has a decent cushion of $7.63 in cash per share.

Superior Industries International, Inc. (SUP), a manufacturer of aluminum road wheels, pays a yield of 4% and carries a forward price to earnings ratio of 10.8. The stock has a substantial $5.51 in cash per share and has no debt.

Weis Markets (WMK), a retail supermarket chain, which is another debt free company, has $5.17 in cash per share, a PE ratio of 15, and a yield of 3.1%.

To see the entire list of High Cash No Debt High Yield Stocks, which you can sort, change, and update, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Don't Buy an Apple iPad from Someone in a Parking Lot


A woman in South Carolina paid $180 cash for an Apple (AAPL) iPad that was offered to her in the parking lot of a McDonald's (MCD) restaurant by a couple guys who said they got a good deal on a purchase of a bunch of them. Much to her dismay, when she got home and opened the box, it turned out to be a flat block of wood painted black.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Third Week of September


Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.

In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust (HRUFF) market cap: $2.8B ex div date: 9/12/2011 yield: 4.7%

Public Storage (PSA) market cap: $19.4B ex div date: 9/12/2011 yield: 3.3%

GATX Corporation (GMT) market cap: $1.4B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 3.8%

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) market cap: $6.0B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 5.2%

H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) market cap: $4.1B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 4.5%

Leggett & Platt, Inc. (LEG) market cap: $2.7B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 5.8%

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) market cap: $96.3B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 4.9%

Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI) market cap: $16.0B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 3.9%

Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) market cap: $8.8B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 4.3%

Huntsman Corporation (HUN) market cap: $2.8B ex div date: 9/13/2011 yield: 3.4%

Mercury General Corporation (MCY) market cap: $2.0B ex div date: 9/14/2011 yield: 6.6%

DTE Energy Company (DTE) market cap: $8.0B ex div date: 9/15/2011 yield: 5.0%

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS) market cap: $7.8B ex div date: 9/15/2011 yield: 3.6%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.

Dividend definitions:

Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

10,000 Natural Gas Filling Stations in 5 Years: High Yield Gas Stocks

According to Aubrey McClendon, the CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., the United States could have tens of thousands of natural gas filling stations for cars and trucks within a few years. Many investors prefer natural gas over oil, as it is a greener fuel generating a lower carbon footprint. Plus, it also has a long history as a fuel.

The yields on natural gas stocks are fairly decent. Based on the recently updated list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, over 20 gas utilities have yields ranging from 2% to over 7%. One example is Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP), which is a publicly traded limited partnership that processes, transports, and sells natural gas. The stock trades at 17.4 times forward earnings and pays a generous yield of 8.2%. The company has been paying quarterly since 1997.

Dallas Texas based Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO) trades at 13.7 times forward earnings and yields 4.1%. The company has been paying dividends since 1989.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is a provider of natural gas distribution services in Delaware, Maryland, and Florida. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 13.3 and pays a yield of 3.5%.

For a free list of high yield natural gas utility stocks, which can be downloaded, sorted, and added to, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list has over twenty different stocks with yields above 2%.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

U of Colorado Opens Cord Blood Bank: What About Cord Blood Stocks


University of Colorado recently opened a public cord blood bank, funded by the federal government. Donations are accepted from almost anyone and the cord blood is available to those in need.

Cord blood is blood that comes from the umbilical cords of babies, and contains a significant amount of hematopoietic stem cells. Specialized cord blood banks, both private and public, are available to store this blood. Cord blood stem cells are considered far superior to stem cells from bone marrow. Parents often have their baby's cord blood preserved in the event it may be needed at some point in the future for treatment of their child's or the child's sibling's cancer or genetic disease. Numerous diseases have been treated with cord blood. For a lot more detail on cord blood and how it is collected, stored, and used, go to CordBloodStocks.com.

The cord blood industry continues to grow. Even Richard Branson, of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways fame, set up Virgin Health, a cord blood bank. Investors have a two-pronged approach to this investment industry: owning the stocks of the cord blood banks or owning the companies that use cord blood to develop cures.

PerkinElmer, Inc. (PKI) owns ViaCell, a Cambridge, Massachusetts company which sells ViaCord, a product which is used to preserve baby's umbilical cord blood. They also research and other therapeutic uses of umbilical cord blood-derived and adult-derived stem cells. The stock trades at 12 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 1.3%.

Baxter International Inc. (BAX) makes blood collection bags for umbilical cord blood and develop adult stem-cell therapies. They also own a patent for assembling and methods to process cord blood in a sterile fashion to avoid exposure to bacterial contamination and to disburse the introduction of cryopreservation solution into cord blood at a desired rate, thereby avoiding damage or trauma to the cord blood cells. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 12 and pays a yield of 2.3%.

Celgene (CELG) is a New Jersey company that is involved in the discovery, production, and marketing of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases. They own LifeBank USA, a cord blood bank. The forward PE is 14, but does not pay a dividend.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN) is also funding research into cord blood extraction, preservation, and storage. The stock has a forward PE of 10 and sports a yield of 2.1%.

China Cord Blood Corporation (CO) provides cord blood collection, and stem cell storage services. The company is based in Beijing, China. The stock does not pay a dividend but trades at 12 times earnings.

For a free list of cord blood and stem cell stocks, which can be downloaded, updated, and sorted, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.


By Stockerblog.com

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Electric Utilities with the Highest Yields

Can you guess what the oldest electric utility company in the United States is? Can you even guess what state has the oldest electric utility? According to BusinessHistory and EnergyOnline, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PCG) can trace its sources back to 1852, making it the oldest American utility. In the mid 1800's, the San Francisco Gas Company was founded. It later merged with the California Electric Light Co., which was founded in 1879 in San Francisco. This was the first electric power company with a central generating station to distribute electricity to multiple individual and business customers.

PG&E trades at 15 times current earnings and 11 times forward earnings, and pays a decent yield of 4.4%. Dividends are paid quarterly. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 8.7% year-over-year on a 14% increase in revenues.

Some of the great features of electric utilities are that they can generally provide relative security, safety, and stability compared to stocks in many other sectors, from the payment of fairly high dividends. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com just updated its list of electric utility stocks and there are more than a couple dozen with yields greater than 3%.

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) has a price to earnings ratio of 12, a forward P/E ratio of 13, and sports a yield of 5.3%. This Charlotte, North Carolina based company had a 7.7% increase in quarterly revenues, and just increased its dividend slightly. The company reports earnings on October 24.

Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (TEG), based in Chicago, operates in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Canada. The stock trades at 16 times earnings and 14 times forward earnings. The stock pays a yield of 5.7%. Unfortunately, earnings for the latest quarter were down 63% on flat revenues.

If you want a free list of top yielding utilities, you can access a downloadable database of high yield electric utility stocks at WSNN.com, including a couple which yield more than 6%.

Disclosure: Author did not not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Monday, September 05, 2011

High Yield Stocks Below $10 a Share

Most investors still believe that it is easier to get a better return on lower priced stocks than higher priced stocks. However, it really doesn't make a difference on a generalized basis. Just look at the performance of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) A shares. Fifteen years ago, Berkshire was trading at a high priced 32,150 per share. It has more than tripled in price to 104,000.

Even still, from a psychological standpoint, investors like lower priced shares. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com just updated its list of high yielding stocks under $10 a share. Many of the companies listed are closed end funds, such as the Blackrock Enhanced Dividend Achievers (BDJ), which sports a yield of 9.4% and the Putnam Premier Income Fund (PPT), which pays out a yield of 9.2%.

Yet there are also regular corporations, such as Alaska Communications (ALSK) which provides landline and wireless services to the 49th state, which happens to be the largest state by area. The stock sells for a little over $7 per share, has a forward price to earnings ratio of 19, and pays a yield of 11.8%. The company reports earnings on October 26.

Another example is Provident Energy (PVX) processes, transports, stores, and markets natural gas liquids in the United States and Canada. It sells for a bit over $8 per share, and yields 6.5%. It recently generated negative earnings.

Hercules Technology (HTGC) which is a private equity, venture capital, and venture debt firm, sells for less than $9 per share, has a forward PE of 7.5, and sports a yield of 9.9%.

For a list of more than a dozen stocks that pay yields in excess of 4% and sell for less than $10 per share, go to wsnn.com. Keep in mind, very high yields may not be sustainable and may be indicative of higher risk.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com