McCain stock: Pro-growth strategy for CenturyTel (CTL)

This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

"A President McCain will be pro-growth but should be more aggressive in oversight as it pertains to mergers and acquisitions; with that being said, we like CenturyTel Inc. (NYSE: CTL)," says Kelley Wright, editor of Investment Quality Trends.

"CTL provides a variety of communications services to 25 states in primarily rural area and small to mid-size cities.

"The company offers local and long distance services, as well as enhanced voice services, as well as high-speed and dial-up Internet.

"In June the company increased its annual dividend to $2.80 from $0.27, reflecting its confidence in their growth model and as a deterrent to possible suitors.

"The blue-chip stocks that we recommend, including CTL, show exemplary long-term dividend growth, a P/E ratio of 15 or less, a payout ratio of 50% or less, debt of 50% or less, and technical characteristics on the daily and weekly charts that suggests the potential for imminent capital appreciation.

"Currently yielding almost 7.0%, CTL offers tremendous value in both dividend yield and the potential for long-term capital appreciation."

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