"Between early November and mid-January, the normally staid municipal bond market plunged; and despite recovering off the lows, federally tax-exempt muni funds with an average credit quality of AA+ still carry yields of better than 6%," notes income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Launched in 1991, Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal Bond (NIF) is one of the longest-standing muni funds. It's managed by Nuveen, specialists in the muni area.

Continue reading Nuveen Premier Insured Muni: A 9% Tax-Equivalent Yield

Nuveen Premier Insured Muni: A 9% Tax-Equivalent Yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"National Grid (NGG), an electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution utility, is a low-risk, income-generating idea," suggests income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Based in London, the company's largest market is still the UK, and it holds a virtual monopoly on the electricity transmission grid in England and Wales.

"Its primary business is to balance the supply and demand of electricity and natural gas and transmit that power from producers to customers across its network of high-voltage transmission wires and natural gas pipelines.

Continue reading National Grid (NGG): Defensive Income

National Grid (NGG): Defensive Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"MV Oil Trust (MVO) is a U.S. royalty trust which receives 80% of the royalties on all properties of MV Partners; these properties are located in the oil-prone regions of Kansas and Colorado," notes income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Currently yielding 7.8%, I have selected the trust as my favorite investment idea for the coming year.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: MV Oil Trust (MVO)

Top Picks 2011: MV Oil Trust (MVO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With a superior dividend yield, reliable cash flows, and great growth prospects Atlantic Power Corp. (AT) is a solid income investment," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The company operates 12 hydro, gas, and coal power generating projects in eight states and an 84-mile transmission line in California. It sells power to major electric utilities under long-term purchase agreements, which provide steady and reliable cash flow.

"Earnings were solid in the third quarter. EBITDA rose 15% in the third quarter and 7% in the first nine months of the year compared to the year-ago periods.

Continue reading Power Up Your Income Portfolio with Atlantic Power (AT)

Power Up Your Income Portfolio with Atlantic Power (AT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Getty Realty Corp. (GTY), yielding 6.6%, is the largest publicly traded REIT which owns and leases gas stations and convenience stores," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The REIT has provided strong double-digit average returns of 11% annually over the past decade and a half (almost double the 6% for the S&P 500).

She continues, "It owns about 1,060 properties, mainly in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic state and operates nine petroleum distribution terminals.

Continue reading Getty Realty (GTY): Fill Up with Gas Station Gains

Getty Realty (GTY): Fill Up with Gas Station Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"My prescription for a cautious yield-seeking investor? Health care REITs. This group of 12 trusts has returned a solid +15% but still carries an average yield of 5.4%," says Carla Pasternak.

The income specialist and editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Of this group, two REITs offer the most appealing valuations: Senior Housing Properties (SNH) and Health Care REIT (HCN).

Continue reading Health Care REITs Offer Healthly Yields

Health Care REITs Offer Healthly Yields originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As a result of the Financial Reform Act, certain trust preferreds can offer investment-grade safety, robust yields of around 6-7%, and capital gains potential," suggests Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Among our top picks in this group are Bank of America Capital Trust IV, 5 7/8% Capital Securities (BAC-U) and Wells Fargo Capital IX 5.625% Trust Preferred Securities (JWF).

"Traditional preferreds are an equity investment in a company. They are normally perpetual -- that is, they have no maturity date. In contrast, trust preferreds are debt, not equity. As such, they provide greater safety than traditional preferred stock.

Continue reading Bank on Preferreds: Bank America and Wells Fargo

Bank on Preferreds: Bank America and Wells Fargo originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund (SRV) is a closed-end fund that invests in master limited partnerships (MLPs), MLP bonds, and natural resource companies that are not publicly traded," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High-Yield Investing explains, "In addition to providing diversification, SRV provides a huge advantage over investing in individual MLPs.

"Unlike individual MLPs, SRV is classified as a corporation for tax purposes and doesn't generate a K-1 form or unrelated business taxable income, which can be taxable in an IRA. In short, SRV offers the high income of MLPs without the tax hassle.

Continue reading Cushing MLP Total Return: Partnership Profits

Cushing MLP Total Return: Partnership Profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Atlantic Power Corp. (AT) operates 14 power generation projects and one transmission line in the U.S. and sells power mainly to electric utilities in major U.S. markets," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High-Yield International explains, "Atlantic took a huge step forward when shares became listed on the NYSE on July 23rd. This listing will add recognition and liquidity to the company.

Investors can now more easily purchase shares without the extra commission associated with purchasing foreign securities. The increased exposure that the NYSE brings could also be advantageous to the share price.

Continue reading NYSE Listing Boosts Atlantic Power

NYSE Listing Boosts Atlantic Power originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO), a master limited partnership, transports and stores crude oil to offshore oil drillers; it operates the world's largest fleet of shuttle tankers, which carry oil from offshore production and storage facilities to onshore terminals," notes income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The partnership was designed to increase distributions, both to its parent company and to unitholders like you and me.

"The company holds a 75% share of the UK North Shore shuttle market and is the largest shuttle operator in Brazil. The partnership also operates a fleet of floating storage and floating storage production units, as well as crude oil tankers that carry oil across the seas.

Continue reading High Yield from Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO)

High Yield from Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Israel-based Shamir Optical Industries (SHMR) makes lenses for eyeglasses, focusing on progressive lenses (also called no-line bifocals); it also sells finished lenses directly to opticians and provides design services to other lens manufacturers," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International asserts, "The shares of this small cap company are attractively valued and carry a juicy 6% yield.

"Like many foreign companies, Shamir pays dividends once per year. The stock paid a $0.61 dividend in December 2009, which was a +150% increase over the 2008 dividend and translates to a solid 6.4% yield.

Continue reading Shamir Optical (SHMR): Visionary Value?

Shamir Optical (SHMR): Visionary Value? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The Safest Dividends in the S&P

The Safest Dividends in the S&P originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Shipping Stocks: 'Poised for a Huge Comeback'

Shipping Stocks: 'Poised for a Huge Comeback' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU) is an excellent way to diversify outside of the U.S. in a defensive portfolio of quality stocks," says Carla Pasternak .

In High Yield International, she explains, "This ETF tracks the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index of international dividend-paying utilities outside of the United States and Canada. To be included in the index, companies must have paid at least $5 million in cash dividends on their common stock in the prior year. Positions are weighted based on the amount of regular cash dividends paid.

Continue reading WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU): ETF Targets Global Power Plays

WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU): ETF Targets Global Power Plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Atlantic Power Corp. (ATP) sells power primarily to electric utilities in major U.S. markets under long-term contracts," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing and High Yield International explains, "The firm has reorganized its share structure, has been listed on the Toronto exchange and expects a NYSE-listing shortly."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Atlantic Power (ATP)

Top Picks for 2010: Atlantic Power (ATP) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"AT&T (T), one of the oldest and most well-known companies in the world is on the rise again," says income expert Carla Pasternak, who has chosen the issue as her latest "High-Yield Security of the Month."

In her High Yield Investing, she explains, "Investors may not realize just how well the company is weathering the recession or that it is now paying a juicy 6% yield."

"Formed in 1885 as a subsidiary of the American Bell Telephone Company, AT&T is now one of the largest telecom providers in the world. It also owns subsidiary AT&T Mobility, the second largest wireless provider in the US; it is also the largest broadband provider in the nation.

Continue reading Call on AT&T (T) for income and growth

Call on AT&T (T) for income and growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Chinese markets have been absolutely soaring this year," says long-standing income expert Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing advisory, she suggests, "The China Fund (NYSE: CHN) - ranked in the top 1% of funds in the Pacific/Asia ex-Japan category for the latest ten-year period -- should be an excellent way to play this growth story over the long term."

"China's massive stimulus spending and interest rate reductions have succeeded in igniting domestic demand.

Continue reading China Fund (CHN): High yield, fast growth

China Fund (CHN): High yield, fast growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We think that junk bonds -- bonds rated BB+ or lower by S&P or Ba1 or below by Moody's -- are worth considering as part of a diversified income portfolio." says Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she asks, "If you agree with us that one's person's junk may turn out to be your treasure, how do you invest?" She answers by offers a pair of junk bond fund ideas.

"SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE: JNK) has a $2.2 billion portfolio of 140 junk bonds. Its holds junk bonds in only three sectors: industrials (75.8%), utilities (12.16%) and financials (8.72%).

"It pays a monthly distribution comprised entirely of earnings. JNK is best held in a tax-advantaged account as distributions are taxed at your marginal income tax rate.

Continue reading Income expert looks to junk bond bets

Income expert looks to junk bond bets originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"For income investors, China is one of the hardest places on the planet to find high yields," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she suggests, "However, we have found a trio of China funds that do offer a dividend yield along with tremendous long-term potential." Here, she looks at two favorites: Oberweis China Opportunities (OBCHX) and Matthews China (MCHFX).

Pasternak explains, "I think we're in the early stages of China's economic boom, and I believe the country can continue to grow at a high single-digit pace for the next decade; if that happens, then plenty of Chinese companies will provide handsome returns for their shareholders.

Continue reading China funds for growth and income

China funds for growth and income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Following last year's dismal market performance, investors are looking for something they can be sure of in the year ahead; and for income investors, that means finding a safe and rewarding dividend yield," says Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she offers a fascinating review to find the "safest dividend in the Dow." Here's her assessment.

"The 30 members of Dow Jones Industrial Average represents some of the strongest names in America. So these corporate titans are a good place to start searching for the safest dividend.

"The first step in the process is not to look at the Dow at all, but to start with the 10-year Treasury note, currently yielding 3.86%.

Continue reading The safest dividend in the Dow

The safest dividend in the Dow originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.