Dividend stocks; the S&P elite, when will tax changes come?, and Obama mementos a good investment? - Today in Money 11/7

Posted Nov 7th 2008 9:24AM by Allan Halprin
Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo! (YHOO), Wal-Mart (WMT), Coca-Cola (KO), PepsiCo (PEP), Ford Motor (F), Exxon Mobil (XOM), McDonald's (MCD), Walt Disney (DIS), Johnson and Johnson (JNJ), Sprint Nextel Corp (S), Money and Finance Today, Abbott Laboratories (ABT), AFLAC Inc (AFL), Family Dollar Stores (FDO), Procter and Gamble (PG), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Mattel, Inc (MAT), Nordstrom, Inc (JWN)

In the News:

· Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.5%; Highest Since 1994 as 240,000 Jobs Lost

· Ford Posts $129 Million Loss

· Disney Profit Falls, Predicts Tough Times Ahead

· Microsoft CEO Not Interested in Buying Yahoo

· Crunch Time for The Auto Industry

· Mattel to Cut 1,000 Jobs; Fidelity to Cut 1,300 Jobs With More to Come

· Sprint Nextel Loses 1.3 Million Customers in Q3

· Money Magazine's Top Editor Departing

· Craigslist to Curb Its Sex Ads

Dividend Stocks: The S&P Elite
These 28 companies have boosted their payouts in each of the past 25 years with top S&P STARS rankings. They include Abbott Labs, Aflac, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Family Dollar, J&J, Kimberly-Clark, McDonalds, Pepsi, P&G, 3M, Wal-Mart and more.
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2008/pi2008116_893947.htm

Tax Changes Coming, But When?
Taxpayers' bills will very likely change under President-elect Barack Obama's administration, but don't hold your breath for major tax changes as soon as he takes office. Here is what you can expect and when.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Obamas-plans-may-delayed-your/story.aspx?guid=%7B06D020A6%2D9797%2D4B89%2DB48C%2D6037BDA934FD%7D

What's in Store for Top Stores Over Holiday's
Holiday sales are being rolled out well before Black Friday this year. From Nordstrom's half-yearly sale with 40% off or more to Wal-Mart's in-store specials starting this Saturday at 8am here is a sampling of what you can expect and how to get the most out of holiday sales.
http://www.smartmoney.com/Spending/Deals/Get-the-Most-Out-Of-Retailers-Holiday-Sales/

Are Obama Mementos a Good Investment?
Barack Obama's election is being hailed as a historic moment. Does that make buying a $100 copy of November 5th's Chicago Tribune on eBay, with an original cost of 75 cents, a good investment? From autographs and newspapers to buttons and inaugural items, how to size up Obamabilia.
http://www.smartmoney.com/Spending/Deals/Are-Obama-Mementos-A-Good-Investment/

Most Dangerous Holidays for Drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday for drivers thanks to heavy traffic, drinking and long-distance car trips which combine to create fatal travel conditions. Independence Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend and New Year's Eve/Day round out the top 5 most dangerous.
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2008/11/06/dangerous-driving-holidays-forbeslife-cx_jd_1106travel.html