Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett Cuts Back on Consumer Goods Stocks

Warren Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) (BRKB), has cut back on a few consumer goods stocks. According to recent filings, Buffett has reduced holdings in Procter & Gamble (PG) and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (KRFT). In addition, although not a true consumer goods company, Berkshire Hathaway lightened up on Johnson and Johnson (JNJ).

Buffett is still maintaining his current positions in dozens of other stocks. As a matter of fact, he owns over 35 stocks, according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, over 25 of which are dividend paying stocks.

One of his holdings is General Dynamics (GD), the aerospace and defense company, which trades at 9.5 times trailing earnings and 8.7 times forward earnings. The stock pays quarterly and yields 3.3%. Earlier this year, the company raised its dividend by 8.5%. Earnings for the latest quarter were down 8% on a 1% rise in revenues.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is another stock owned by Buffett. The stock trades at 13.8 times trailing earnings and 11.4 times forward earnings, with a yield of 1.8%. Earnings were flat for the latest quarter on a 5.4% drop in sales. It pays a decent yield of 1.8%.

Other holdings include Torchmark Corp (TMK), the insurance company, that trades at 10 times earnings and yields 1.2%, US Bancorp (USB) yielding 2.5%, and Wal Mart Stores Inc (WMT), which pays a yield of 2.3%.

For a free list of all the Warren Buffett stocks, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

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

By Stockerblog.com

Stocks Going Ex Dividend Early April

If you want to try the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends,' which is the technique 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, there are many stocks to choose from. This technique generally works only in bull markets.

When you buy dividends, there are many stocks in many different sectors to choose from. 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.

American Express Company ( AXP) Ex-dividend date: 4/1/09 Yield: 5.20%

Medtronic, Inc. ( MDT) Ex-dividend date: 4/1/09 Yield: 2.60%

Torchmark Corporation ( TMK) Ex-dividend date: 4/1/09 Yield: 2%

Weight Watchers International, Inc. ( WTW) Ex-dividend date: 4/1/09 Yield: 3.60%

IVC Invacare Corporation ( IVC) Ex-dividend date: 4/2/09 Yield: 0.30%

The Gap Inc. ( GPS) Ex-dividend date: 4/6/09 Yield: 2.70%

ABM Industries, Inc. ( ABM) Ex-dividend date: 4/7/09 Yield: 3.20%

Robbins & Myers, Inc. ( RBN) Ex-dividend date: 4/7/09 Yield: 1.10%

Roper Industries, Inc. ( ROP) Ex-dividend date: 4/7/09 Yield: 0.80%

Sasol Limited ( SSL) Ex-dividend date: 4/7/09 Yield: 1.60%

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. For more details on dividend definitions, check out definitions of dividend dates. Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Author does not own any of the above at the time this article is written.

By Stockerblog.com