Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of December


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, and may need to avoid the technique during those times.

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.

Ameren Corporation (AEE) market cap: $7.6B ex div date: 12/5/2011 yield: 5.1%

Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY) market cap: $2.6B ex div date: 12/5/2011 yield: 4.1%

Cousins Properties Inc (CUZ) market cap: $560.1M ex div date: 12/5/2011 yield: 3.3%

Greenhill & Co., Inc. (GHL) market cap: $1.0B ex div date: 12/5/2011 yield: 5.2%

Regal Entertainment Group (RGC) market cap: $2.1B ex div date: 12/5/2011 yield: 6.2%

Gannett Co., Inc. (GCI) market cap: $2.5B ex div date: 12/7/2011 yield: 3.1%

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) market cap: $8.4B ex div date: 12/7/2011 yield: 3.3%

Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB) market cap: $27.1B ex div date: 12/7/2011 yield: 4.1%

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.

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

Harmonica at Carnegie Hall

This video has nothing to do with stocks, bonds or investments, but I thought you would find it of interest, if you have any interest in music at all. See why there is a standing ovation at the end.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Steve Jobs and Apple

Now that Steve Jobs, founder of Apple (AAPL) has passed away, several books about him have been published recently. If you are looking for some to put on your Christmas list, check out the following:



Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

I, Steve: Steve Jobs in His Own Words by George Beahm

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience by Carmine Gallo

Time Steve Jobs: The Genius Who Changed Our World by the Editors of TIME

The Steve Jobs Way: iLeadership for a New Generation by William L. Simon

And for books about Apple:

Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company by Owen W. Linzmayer

Return to the Little Kingdom: How Apple and Steve Jobs Changed the World by Michael Moritz

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the First Week of December


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, and may need to avoid the technique during those times.

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.

BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) market cap: $27.1B ex div date: 12/1/2011 yield: 3.6%

Cedar Fair, L.P. (FUN) market cap: $1.2B ex div date: 12/1/2011 yield: 12.5%

Hancock Holding Company (HBHC) market cap: $2.3B ex div date: 12/1/2011 yield: 3.5%

Itau Unibanco Holding SA ADR (ITUB) market cap: $35.0B ex div date: 12/1/2011 yield: 3.9%

Old Republic International Corporation (ORI) market cap: $1.9B ex div date: 12/1/2011 yield: 9.6%

Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (CMDXF) market cap: $322.9M ex div date: 12/2/2011 yield: 3.2%

CenturyLink, Inc. (CTL) market cap: $22.0B ex div date: 12/2/2011 yield: 8.1%

EarthLink, Inc. (ELNK) market cap: $636.9M ex div date: 12/2/2011 yield: 3.4%

Royce Value Trust Inc (RVT) market cap: $764.1M ex div date: 12/2/2011 yield: 7.0%

NV Energy, Inc. (NVE) market cap: $3.4B ex div date: 12/2/2011 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.

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

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Top Yielding British Stocks

Investors have heard a lot this year about the financial trials and tribulations of European countries, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. There are even some grumblings about France and Germany. But one country you don't hear much about, at least in terms of debt problems, is the United Kingdom.

The UK has a AAA rating from Standard & Poor's with a stable outlook, whereas S&P gave the United States a AA+ rating with a Negative outlook. Moody's and Fitch also gave the UK their top rating with a Stable outlook. Maybe it is time for investors to take a closer look at the stocks of the country that has the world's sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP.

Many British stocks pay decent dividends; according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are over 15 British stocks with yields of 2.5% or more. One example is Aviva plc (AV), which pays one of the highest yields for British stocks, at 7.4%. The stock trades at 18 times earnings. Aviva is a provider of insurance, savings, and investment products in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific.

Another example, Intercontinental Hotels Group plc (IHG), based in Denham, UK, operates numerous hotels including 64 in the London area. The stock trades at 12 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 1.9%.

Diageo plc (DEO) makes Johnnie Walker scotch, Smirnoff vodka, Baileys Original Irish Cream, Captain Morgan rum, Jose Cuervo tequila, Tanqueray gin, Guinness stout, and various wine products including Blossom Hill, Sterling Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard, and Chalone Vineyard. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 13 and sports a CD beating yield of 3.9%.

In the oil and gas arena, there is BP plc (BP), which seemed to survive the oil spill fiasco and is trading at 6 times forward earnings and yielding 4.2%.

To see a list of all the top yielding British stocks, that can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

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

By Stockerblog.com

How the Carlsberg Brewery Promotes Its Beer

Carlsberg (CABJF.PK), a Danish brewing company, is the 4th largest brewery group in the world with about 45,000 employees. It trades on the Swedish-Finnish stock exchange, OMX AB, which is part of the NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NDAQ). Check out this video to see how the company promotes its Carlsberg Beer.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Why I Don't Like to Shop: Happy Thanksgiving!

I really don't like shopping (except for shopping online). Apparently, a lot of people are the opposite of me; they love shopping. And they shop to the extreme. Take a look at this short compiled video about Black Friday shopping stampedes.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Holiday Gift Ideas for Investors

Books

Top selling books in the category of Investing at Amazon:

Liar's Poker

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches

How To Win Friends and Influence People

Endgame: The End of the Debt Supercycle and How It Changes Everything

Markets Never Forget (But People Do): How Your Memory Is Costing You Money-and Why This Time Isn't Different

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition)

Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School

The Great Crash Ahead: Strategies for a World Turned Upside Down

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not!

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy


DVDs



Wall Street Collector's Two-Pack (Wall Street / Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps)

Boiler Room

Inside Job

Biography - J. Pierpont Morgan: Emperor of Wall Street

Barbarians at the Gate


Other

Bling Jewelry Sterling Silver Wall Street Bull and Bear Cufflinks

Vintage Wall Street Cufflinks - Famous Signs Themed Formal Wear - Cufflinks

Desk Top Bull and Bear Paperweight - Wall Street - Genuine Marble and Brass- Magnificent !!

Executive Gift Stock Market Wall Street Bull and Bear Silver Plated Sculpture Figurines Paperweights

Wall Street Bull and Bear Duel Statue

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fifth Week of November


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.

Supervalu Inc. (SVU) market cap: $1.7B ex div date: 11/29/2011 yield: 4.4%

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) market cap: $26.1B ex div date: 11/29/2011 yield: 5.2%

Briggs & Stratton Corporation (BGG) market cap: $749.2M ex div date: 11/29/2011 yield: 3.0%

Dominion Resources, Inc. (D) market cap: $29.8B ex div date: 11/30/2011 yield: 3.8%

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (CTB) market cap: $893.4M ex div date: 11/30/2011 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.

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

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Highest Yielding Canada Stocks

In spite of the fact that Standard & Poor's has lowered the rating on United States debt, Canada seems to be in good shape as Moody's has reaffirmed Canada's rating of AAA a few months ago. Probably because the banking crisis and housing crisis hasn't affected Canada as much as the US. For income investors looking for diversification, Canada has over a dozen stocks with yields in excess of 3% according the recently updated free list of top yielding Canadian stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI), a Toronto based communications and media company, yields 3.9% and trades at 11 times forward earnings. The company has increased dividends every quarter since 2008.

Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) has a network of about 20,600 miles of track that spans Canada and middle America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. It sports a yield of 1.7% and trades at 14 times forward earnings.

TransCanada Corp. (TRP) is a Calgary based oil and gas pipeline company which yields 4.2%. The stock trades at 17 times forward earnings.

In the financial sector, Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is one of Canada's major banks, based in Toronto, Ontario and provides a favorable yield of 5%. The stock trades at 9 times forward earnings.

For a list of over fifteen high yield Canada stocks, which can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

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

By Stockerblog.com

Odd Lots November 2011: Financial News Snippets

HEDGE FUNDS

Hedge Funds are Underperforming the S&P 500

Hedge Funds are Investing in Apple (AAPL)


PHARMACEUTICAL STOCKS

Is the birth control pill causing prostate cancer?

Study links Parkinson's disease to industrial solvent


SCAMS

SEC Disciplined Over Madoff

Hedge Fund Involved in Fake Shares of Facebook


FUN STUFF

Own your own spacecraft

Empire Avenue - The Social Stock Market is an online stock market that revolves around influence. On the site, you can buy shares in your favorite brands, stars and personalities and begin climbing the ranks.

Turn your friends into trillionaires


TOILETS

The Silicon Valley of Toilets

$6400 toilet

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Top Yielding Brazil Utility Stocks

Brazil is a very wealthy country, based on its commodity resources, its financial stability, and its people. Speaking of Brazilian people, did you happen to see how wealthy the Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bunchen is and her effect on the companies that she endorses? As a matter of fact, three of the top five wealthiest supermodels in the world, Gisele, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio, are all from Brazil. What is it about Brazil?

Is it because this country, the fifth largest in the world by both area and population, is ranked number seven out of all countries in terms of Gross Domestic Product? Is it because a substantial portion of its energy comes from renewable sources, primarily hydroelectricity and ethanol? Is it due to the huge oil reserves off its coast? Or maybe it is the jump in the literacy rate since 1980 from 75% to 90%? Maybe it is all of the above.

Brazilian utility stocks may be one option for investors looking for growth, income, and stability in terms of Brazilian investments. According to the free list of Brazil stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are half a dozen Brazilian utilities to choose from.

CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL) is the largest provider of electric generation and distribution in Brazil. It is also Brazil's third largest utility. The company, headquartered in Campinas, Sao Paulo, is composed of CPFL Brasil, CPFL Pirantininga, CPFL Paulista, CPFL Geracao and SEMESA.

The company has an installed generating capacity of over 2,300 megawatts. The consumer group revenues were approximately 31.4 percent from industrial customers, 19.6 percent from commercial customers, 37.3 percent from residential customers and 3.3 percent from rural customers, along with 8.4 percent from other customers.

The company also owns a couple dozen small hydroelectric generation facilities and one thermoelectric power plant. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 10.1 and a hefty yield of 6.4%. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 7.1% on a 6.2% increase in revenues.

Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais [CEMIG] (CIG) is one of the largest generator and distributor of power in Brazil. Also known as CEMIG, it has over 50 power plants in operation, with a generating capacity of 6,000 megawatts. The company also owns cable television and Internet and telecommunications services. Over half of the stock in CEMIG is owned by Minas Gerais, which his traded on the Bovespa and the New York Stock Exchange.

The power generation of the company is produced through 59 hydroelectric plants, three thermoelectric plants and four wind farms. Eight of the hydroelectric plants account for about 83 percent of the installed electric capacity of the company. The company also has over 30 substations, with around 100 transformers that have a transformation capacity of approximately 15,000 megavolts.

The company transmits both its own energy, and the energy that is purchased from Itaipu. The company has a dozen industrial consumers, who accounted for nearly 20 percent of the total volume of electricity the company sold. electricity to approximately 7.1 million end-consumers. The stock trades at 11.3 times forward earnings and pays a yield of 6.3%. Earnings for the latest quarter ending June 30 were up an outstanding 28.5% on an 11.3% revenue rise.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia [COPEL] (ELP), also known as COPEL, is an electric power company that specializes in the business of transmission, distribution and generation of electric power in Brazil’s Parana state. The company also provides telecommunication and information technology services through services it has developed with various partnerships. The company has over 17 hydroelectric plants and one thermoelectric plant.

The company is made up of five subsidiaries, Copel Geracao, Copel Transmissao, Copel Distribuicao, Copel Telecomunicacacaes and Copel Participacaes. The system relies on 12 substations, several of which are remote-operated. The stock has a forward P/E ratio of 8.7 and a yield of 1%.

To see other high yield Brazilian utilities and other dividend paying Brazil stocks, you can access a free list of Brazil stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which can be downloaded, updated, and sorted.

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

By Stockerblog.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Here is How Nestle Gets Women to Exercise


Nestle (NSRGY.PK), which trades on the Swiss Stock Exchange and the Pink Sheets in the United States, is the largest food and nutrition company in the world. The company, which sells Häagen-Dazs and Dreyer's ice cream, has come up with a way for women who have eaten too much of their ice cream to keep the weight off.

Check out this video for Contrex, the mineral water brand owned by Nestle.

High Yield Business Development Corporation Stocks Paying Over 9%

Income investors who are looking for a little speculation are taking a closer look at private equity firms and business development corporations. Private equity firms invest in the equity and often the debt of private companies. Usually private equity firms are not available to the general public. Yet based on the list of Private Equity Firms at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are over 20 that are publicly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ, with yields ranging from 3% to 14%. Several of these companies are registered as Business Development Corporations.

A Business Development Corporation, also known as a Business Development Company or BDC, is a publicly traded private equity fund. Many private equity companies are registered as BDCs for tax advantages, generally paying no corporate income tax because at least 90 percent of their income, profits, and capital gains are paid out as taxable dividends to investors.

TICC Capital (TICC) is a BDC that has been paying dividends quarterly since 2004, and yields 12%. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 7 and a similar forward PE. The company invests in secured and unsecured senior debt, subordinated debt, junior subordinated debt, preferred stock, and common stock of both private and public companies, specializing in technology, media, telecommunications, and medical equipment. The company's investments include NetQuote, Inc., the web-based portal for insurance companies and consumers, and StayOnline, Inc. a provider of wireless high-speed Internet access solutions for the lodging industry, and Ai Squared, a manufacturer of assistive technology software which makes the screen magnification program ZoomText.

PennantPark Investment (PNNT) is a business development company that yields 10.4%, and has been paying quarterly dividends since June of 2007. The company invests between $10 million and $50 million in each of its portfolio companies, holding mezzanine debt, senior secured loans, and equity investments. The stock trades at 8.3 times current earnings and has a forward price to earnings ratio of 8.2. PennantPark invests in such companies as the hot tub and spa manufacturer Jacuzzi Brands Corp., Learning Care Group, Inc. which is owner of one of the largest early education and child care providers La Petite Academy, and VPSI, the world's largest vanpool service provider.

To see a list of over 20 high yield business development companies and private equity firms, which can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. Several of these companies pay dividends monthly and more than a dozen have yields above 8%.

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


By Stockerblog.com

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fourth Week of November


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.

Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund (AOD) market cap: $1.1B ex div date: 11/21/2011 yield: 14.0%

Park National Corporation (PRK) market cap: $957.8M ex div date: 11/21/2011 yield: 6.2%

Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (MXIM) market cap: $7.6B ex div date: 11/21/2011 yield: 3.5%

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) market cap: $23.7B ex div date: 11/22/2011 yield: 3.9%

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) market cap: $175.7B ex div date: 11/25/2011 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.

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

Monday, November 14, 2011

Warren Buffett Invested $10.7 Billion in IBM

Warren Buffett just announced that Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) (BRK-B) has purchased 64 million shares of International Business Machines (IBM) for a total of $10.7 billion. Buffett started buying in March and now owns 5.5 percent of IBM.

IBM trades at 15 times current earnings and 13 times forward earnings. The dividend, which was raised by15% in May, provides a decent yield of 1.2%. For the latest quarter ending September 30, earnings rose by 7% on a 7.8% growth in revenues. Two research firms initiated coverage on IBM on October 14. Macquarie gave the company a Buy rating and ISI Group gave it a Hold.

In the past, Buffett has shied away from tech stocks although he has owned a couple companies involved in technology in some way, according to the free list of Warren Buffett stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. For example, Berkshire Hathaway has owned Ingersoll-Rand Plc (IR), which makes temperature control products, electronic locks, portable security systems, remote home management products, and electronic and biometric access control systems and software. The stock has a current price to earnings ratio of 35 and a forward PE of 10. In June, the company raised its dividend by an amazing 71%, from 7 cents a quarter to 12 cents a quarter, giving a current yield of 1.5%.

Berkshire also owns Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK), a provider of proprietary data, analytics methods, and embedded decision support solutions, It trades at 24 times current earnings and 20 times forward earnings, nd dos not pay a dividend.

To see other stocks owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com for a free list that can be downloaded and sorted.

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

By Stockerblog.com

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Third Week of November


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.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) market cap: $17.4B ex div date: 11/14/2011 yield: 4.0%

Wells Fargo Adv Inc Opport Fund (EAD) market cap: $681.8M ex div date: 11/14/2011 yield: 10.5%

Aqua America, Inc. (WTR) market cap: $3.1B ex div date: 11/15/2011 yield: 3.0%

Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI) market cap: $24.1B ex div date: 11/15/2011 yield: 4.3%

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) market cap: $4.5B ex div date: 11/16/2011 yield: 3.5%

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (TRK) market cap: $542.1M ex div date: 11/16/2011 yield: 3.2%

Sonoco Products Company (SON) market cap: $3.1B ex div date: 11/16/2011 yield: 3.9%

Diebold Incorporated (DBD) market cap: $2.0B ex div date: 11/16/2011 yield: 3.7%

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.

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

Friday, November 11, 2011

Supermodel Gisele Outperforms the Dow

Did you happen to see the Victoria's Secret fashion show on TV the other night? Supermodel Miranda Kerr wore a $2.5 million diamond-studded bra. Who can afford such apparel? Well, Gisele Bündchen, the richest supermodel in the world, for one.

Gisele, the wife of football star Tom Brady, is still in first place in terms of supermodel earnings, making approximately $45 million per year. Heidi Klum is in second place at $20 million, with Kate Moss in third place at $13.5 million. In fourth place is Adriana Lima at $8 million and Alessandra Ambrosio with $5 million per year according to Forbes.

Gisele, who receives most of her income in euros and Brazilian reals, is a celebrity endorser and spokesperson for numerous products of many publicly traded companies. If you look at these companies and build them into the form of a stock index, you can see how Gisele's stocks compare to stocks in general.


Tracking the stocks she is connected with from January of 2007, the Gisele Bundchen Stock Index has substantially outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

A selection of the stocks in her index include:

Volkswagon (VLKAY.PK) TV commercial spokesperson

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. (RL) Advertising campaign face for Ralph Lauren, owned by Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.

Vivo Participacoes (VIV) Celebrity endorsement - largest mobile phone service provider in Brazil and in South America

News Corp. (NWSA) Starred in the comedy, Taxi, in her movie debut, and The Devil Wears Prada, both produced by 20th Century Fox, a division of News Corp.

Procter & Gamble (PG) Celebrity endorsement, increased Pantene's sale in Brazil by 40%.

Disney (DIS) Celebrity endorsement - appeared in the 'Year of a Million Dreams' celebration photoshoot

The Gisele Index is UP 41% since January 2007 versus the Dow which was DOWN 4% during the same period. Since January 2008, Gisele was up 39% versus a drop of 4% for the Dow. And since January 2009, Gisele rose 67%. You can access a free list of stocks in the Gisele Index at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Apple (AAPL) used to be part of the index because Gisele Bundchen appeared on the 'Get a Mac' advertisements to promote the new line of Macintosh's a few years ago. If Apple was still in the index, her return would be significantly higher.

Other celebrity stock indexes you may be interested in include the Heidi Klum Stock Index, the Eva Longoria Stock Index, the Angelina Jolie Stock Index, the Jessica Alba Stock Index, the Nicole Kidman Stock Index, the Freida Pinto Stock Index, and the Supermodels Stock Indices.

Assumptions:
The Gisele Index is a price-weighted index, similar to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It includes reinvested dividends.

Disclosure: Author owned DIS, NWSA, and AAPL at the time the article was written. No celebrity endorsement expressed or implied.

By Stockerblog.com

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

No Debt High Yield Stocks

If a company has debt, it can be beneficial if the company can earn far more than the interest expense. But there are drawbacks to incurring debt. When times get tough, earnings drop, and the business can't afford the debt service, then the viability of the company is at risk. Many strong companies are debt free, such as Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN). If you put the debt free trait with a high yield, you should end up with a successful investment.

There are a selection of over ten stocks on the latest No Debt High Yield Stocks List at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which have yields ranging from 2% to above 9%, all of which are free of debt.

One example is Paychex, Inc. (PAYX), which provides human resource, payroll, and benefits outsourcing solutions to primarily small and medium size businesses. This debt free company pays a yield of 4.3%, and has been paying quarterly dividends since 1994. It trades at 17 times earnings. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 12.9%, on a 8.6% increase in revenues.

Another example is Erie Indemnity Co. (ERIE), an insurance company based in Erie, Pennsylvania, which also has no debt. The stock sports a yield of 2.6%, and a forward price to earnings ratio of 25. Net income per diluted share for the latest quarter was up 6.1% year over year, on a revenue increase of 35.9%.

Several of the stocks on the list are royalty trusts such as the Sabine Royalty Trust (SBR) which is debt free and yields 7.8%.

To see a free list of many other companies that have no debt and pay high yields, half a dozen of which pay more than 6%, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list can be downloaded, sorted, and updated.

Disclosure: Author owns AAPL and AMZN.


By Stockerblog.com

Monday, November 07, 2011

Warren Buffett Invested $23.9 Billion for the Latest Quarter

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) (BRK-B) and the third richest man in the world, at least this week, invested $23.9 billion during the third quarter. Apparently, Buffett is now very bullish as this is the most he has spent in a quarter in the last 15 years. According to the Berkshire's latest report, stocks identified as “commercial, industrial and other” increased by a substantial 62 percent for the latest quarter.

There is no denying that Warren Buffett is an outstanding investor, and he knows what he is doing. Much has been written about Buffett, which gives advice about how to invest by following in his footsteps. But one of the easiest and best ways to invest like Buffett is by buying what he is buying. Over a dozen of the Warren Buffett Berkshire Hathaway stocks pay dividend yields in excess of 2%, according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Buffett has a fairly diversified portfolio. He owns large oil companies, ConocoPhillips (COP) yielding 3.5% and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) which pays a yield of 2.1%. He also owns food and beverage companies, including Kraft Foods Inc (KFT) paying 3.8% and Coca Cola Co (KO) which pays 2.7%. Buffett is also bullish on financial stocks, considering the number of companies he owns, such as M&T Bank Corp (MTB) yielding 3.1%, American Express Co (AXP) 1.6%, Bank of New York Mellon (BK) 1.2%, US Bancorp (USB) 0.7%, and Wells Fargo & Co (WFC) 0.6%.

The health care related stocks owned by Buffett include GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) which yields 6.4%, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 3.6%, and Sanofi Aventis (SNY) 3.2%.

You can access a free list of two dozen of the stocks owned by Warren Buffett at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which shows the PE ratio, the forward PE, the EG, and the yield.

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


By Stockerblog.com

Are Recreational Vehicle Stocks a Recession Play?


Why do people buy RV's? Travelers don't have to pay for airline fares or hotel fees or car rental expenses. Large families can travel together for far less than what it would cost to travel by plane. Yes, the price of gasoline is much higher than it was a couple years ago, the price seems to have stabilized. Also, with interest rates the lowest they have been in years, the cost to purchase a motor home, camper, or trailer is favorable.

There are several companies in the business of manufacturing RVs, several of which pay dividends according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. An example is Thor Industries, Inc. (THO), the world's largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles which just announced its preliminary sales report. RV sales were up 11% year over year for the three months ended October 31, 2011. The company's brands include Airstream International, Classic, Flying Cloud, and Bambi travel trailers, along with Interstate and Avenue Class B motorhomes. Thor trades at 11 times forward earnings and pays a decent yield of 2.4%.

Another way to play this market is through the stocks of companies that manufacture components for recreational vehicles, such as Drew Industries Inc. (DW). The company produces such products as towable RV steel chassis, axles, and suspensions, thermoformed bath, kitchen, and other products, patio doors, manual, electric, and hydraulic stabilizer and lifting systems, windows and screens, chassis components, and furniture and mattresses for RVs. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 13. Unfortunately, earnings for the latest quarter tanks by 30% over the same quarter last year, on a revenue increase of 13.6%.

A free list of other companies in the recreational industry can be found at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, which can be downloaded, updated and sorted.

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

By Stockerblog.com

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Buffettology: The Previously Unexplained Techniques That Have Made Warren Buffett The Worlds Most Famous Investor

I have been doing a lot of traveling by car recently, and started to listen to audio books to utilize my time better. I have been listening to the audiobook of Buffettology: The Previously Unexplained Techniques That Have Made Warren Buffett The Worlds by Mary Buffett and David Clark. This book, which originally came out in 1999, is a great read for beginning investors and many intermediate investors.

The book covers how Warren Buffett researches and chooses stocks, and how he was originally able to build Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) (BRK-B) into a top investment. The books shows the types of companies that Buffett likes and doesn't like, giving specific examples.

It describes how he looks for companies with competitive advantages and advantages that are durable, in other words, maintaining the competitive advantages without spending significant amounts of money. The authors go into detail about finding companies with consistent products, that provide higher earnings, which can be used to expand the companies' market.

Get yourself, or a friend, or relative a gift of Buffettology: The Previously Unexplained Techniques That Have Made Warren Buffett The Worlds.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Books About Warren Buffett and Stock Trading

There are many books written about Warren Buffett, including general biographies, essay books, and books with just pictures of Warren Buffett. However, if you are looking for books on Buffett's investing and trading techniques, here are some of the top sellers:

Trade Like Warren Buffett

How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett: Profiting from the Bargain Hunting Strategies of the World's Greatest Value Investor

The Buffettology Workbook: Value Investing The Warren Buffett Way

J. K. Lasser's Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett

The Warren Buffett Portfolio: Mastering the Power of the Focus Investment Strategy

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of November


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.

Weyerhaeuser Company (WY) market cap: $9.3B ex div date: 11/8/2011 yield: 3.5%

Belo Corp. (BLC) market cap: $606.3M ex div date: 11/8/2011 yield: 3.2%

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC) market cap: $7.7B ex div date: 11/9/2011 yield: 3.2%

Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) market cap: $8.3B ex div date: 11/10/2011 yield: 4.5%

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) market cap: $44.1B ex div date: 11/10/2011 yield: 5.2%

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. (ARR) market cap: $843.9M ex div date: ex div date: 11/10/2011 yield: 19.5%

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (DD) market cap: $42.6B ex div date: 11/10/2011 yield: 3.6%

Astoria Financial Corporation (AF) market cap: $763.7M ex div date: 11/10/2011 yield: 6.7%

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.

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