"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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

In her top-performing Global Investing advisory, Vivian Lewis looks at a lesser-known area of the income market -- non-cumulative preferreds -- explaining these vehicles and offering some favorites.

"Over 20 years ago, Barclays Bank, which is British, invented a new vehicle for raising money in the U.S. market to enhance its capital ratios and finance its growing dollar business.

"They were called non-cumulative preferred shares and were issued at $25/share to pay dividends four times a year just as normal U.S. stocks do. The clear target for these vehicles was U.S. retail investors.

Continue reading 'Royal' income: A look at non-cumulative preferreds

'Royal' income: A look at non-cumulative preferreds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"It's time to buy Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust (NYSE: GGN) a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income," says Bryan Perry.

The growth and income expert -- and editor of The 25% Cash Machine -- highlights the high-yielding play on gold and natural resources.

"Back in December we sold our position in GGN for a 45% gain in two months. But at that time, I promised to jump back on board after a sharp pullback, since gold is going to be a good inflation hedge this year and could hit $1,000 per troy ounce. Well, now it is time to buy back into GGN.

Continue reading Golden returns Gabelli Global (GGN)

Golden returns Gabelli Global (GGN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"You don't have to be in the upper tax bracket to rake in higher returns from these tax-free bonds," says income expert Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she looks two favorite vehicles: Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (NYSE: IMS), with a tax-equivalent yield of 7.9% and Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund (NYSE: MHF), with a tax-equivalent yield of 11.1%.

Continue reading High returns from tax-free muni bond funds

High returns from tax-free muni bond funds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"A contrarian play, CurrencyShares Australian Dollar ETF (NYSE: FXA) should benefit from any rebound in commodity and energy prices," says Carl Delfeld in The Chartwell ETF Advisor.

"The Australian dollar should also benefit from any intervention to weaken the Japanese yen, as well as from the perception that the currency is oversold.

Continue reading Aussie dollars: High yields from down under

Aussie dollars: High yields from down under originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With stock prices near decade lows and fear at generational highs, many market participants are looking for harbors in the storm -- and turning their eye from high risk growth stock opportunities to what are generally more conservative income ideas.

For those looking to broaden their holdings to include yield-generated income, we turned to a dozen leading newsletter advisors who in turn offered a wide variety of income-oriented ETF and fund favorites.

Yes, fixed income holdings have their own risks. But in general, a diversified portfolio -- balanced between stocks and bonds -- has proven a more defensive posture. In addition, the selections in this report are funds and ETFs; as such the investments themselves are diversified among many holdings.

Continue reading Today's best income ideas: A dozen experts look for yield

Today's best income ideas: A dozen experts look for yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

As the name implies, Dividend Superstars focuses on quality income-generating ideas. Here, Nilus Mattive looks to Patterson-UTI (NASDAQ: PTEN) as his top "contrarian" idea for 2009.

"For the Dividend Superstars Annual Forecast Issue, I screened for companies that had zero debt, single-digit P/Es, recent dividend hikes, payout ratios under 25%, a dividend coverage ratio exceeding 2.

"While it was a tall order, one company jumped to the top of my list: Patterson-UTI. As one of the biggest land-based drillers in North America, the company is highly correlated to demand and prices for that commodity.

"Recently, that hasn't been a good thing, especially because the slowing economy and tight credit has made companies less inclined to drill. The shares have gotten, well, drilled!

"But everything is cyclical. And Patterson-UTI has the financial wherewithal to weather the storm. It also has plenty of money to dole out to shareholders.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: Patternson-UTI (PTEN)

Top Stock Picks '09: Patternson-UTI (PTEN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"My top pick is US Cellular 8.75% Senior Notes (NYSE: UZG)," says Carla Pasternak. In her income-oriented advisory service, High-Yield Investing, she says, "The best thing about them? They are bonds, but trade like stocks."

Pasternak explains, "Their total interest payments of $2.1875 a year dished out quarterly are legal obligations, not discretionary payments like stock dividends.

"As senior notes, too, investors can rest assured that UZG's interest payments have a prior claim on the company's assets, ahead of any common or preferred share dividends, if the issuing company were to run into trouble.

"Not that I consider it likely United States Cellular (NYSE: USM), America's sixth-largest wireless firm and the name behind these bonds, is any danger.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: US Cellular Senior Notes (UZG)

Top Stock Picks '09: US Cellular Senior Notes (UZG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.