"The stocks in our Cash Cows portfolio keep the checks coming regardless of riots in Europe, revolutions in the Middle East, or natural disasters in the Pacific," says income specialist Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "This doesn't mean that our Cash Cows won't occasionally see negative price action on a given day or week; but you can be confident that any price setbacks will be temporary.

"The the foundation of this portfolio is four core global bond investment funds.

Continue reading Cash Cows: Four Favorites for Global Income

Cash Cows: Four Favorites for Global Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our latest 'Stock of the Month' has one of the finest and most dependable dividend streaks you'll ever find," notes Nathan Slaughter.

The editor of Street Authority Market Advisor explains, "Realty Income (O) just recently announced its 488th consecutive monthly dividend, meaning it hasn't missed a payment since 1970.

"That tells me two things. One, the shareholder-friendly management team is committed to returning excess cash to shareholders. Two, it has consistently generated the profits to back up those payments through thick and thin.

Continue reading Realty Income (O): 488 Consecutive Monthly Dividends

Realty Income (O): 488 Consecutive Monthly Dividends originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Over the past decade, Southern Company (SO) has generated a compound annual return of nearly 12 percent," says utility sector expert Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "The recent approval of the company's three-year rate hike in Georgia -- source of nearly half its revenue -- is the best possible assurance of a similarly enriching performance for the next 10 years.

"The Georgia Public Service Commission approved 70, 93 and 87 percent of the requested increases for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, as well as a superior 11.15 percent target return on equity.

Continue reading Rate Hike Boosts Southern Company (SO)

Rate Hike Boosts Southern Company (SO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Many growth and income investors will eventually need to start taking dividends to supplement other forms of cash flow," says Chuck Carlson, an expert in dividend reinvestment plans.

The editor of the DRIP Investor explains, "And many investors would like to receive those dividends on a regular basis. And, in fact, you can get monthly dividend check from a portfolio holding just three stocks.

Continue reading Monthly Dividends from a 3-Stock Growth Portfolio

Monthly Dividends from a 3-Stock Growth Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading PIMCO Municipal (PMF): A 10% Tax-Equivalent Yield

PIMCO Municipal (PMF): A 10% Tax-Equivalent Yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust (GGT) has been around since 1994; the closed-end fund invests in traditional global telecommunications, media and entertainment industries -- along with newer interactive media products and services," notes income expert Amy Calistri.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "Since its inception, the fund has returned an average of +5.85% per year. But there are two reasons to believe GGT will do even better than that in the foreseeable future.

Continue reading Gabelli Global Multimedia (GGT): High Yield in Media

Gabelli Global Multimedia (GGT): High Yield in Media originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Income-hungry investors have spoken, and they have chosen bonds as their investment of choice," notes dividend expert Chuck Carlson, who prefers to look to blue chip stocks for potential capital gains and income growth.

The editor of The DRIP Investor explains, "In 2009, a record $375 billion of new money flooded into bond funds. Over the same period, domestic stock funds saw $40 billion go out the door.

And through the first half of 2010, taxable bond funds had net new cash flow of $136 billion versus outflows of $18.4 billion for domestic stock funds. This torrent of money has driven down the yields on bonds to microscopic levels.

"The upshot is that, on a relative basis, dividend-paying stocks seem quite cheap compared to bonds.

Continue reading The Dow's Best Buys for Growth and Income

The Dow's Best Buys for Growth and Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:30:00 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.

"Ferrelgas Partners LP (FGP) is a propane distributor whose dividend history and underlying business seem to offer the promise of a secure income stream," notes Marvin Appel and Josh Mandelbaum.

In Systems & Startegies, the advisors explain, "Ferrellgas is the second largest retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest tank exchange company. The partnership has a 16-year history of paying $2.00/share. This represents a yield of 8.2%.

Continue reading Ferrellgas LP (FGP): Propane Partnership

Ferrellgas LP (FGP): Propane Partnership originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We believe that high-quality stocks purchased at historically low-price-to-high-yield offers the best potential for downside protection and upside appreciation," says dividend specialist Kelley Wright.

The editor of Investment Quality Trends explains, "Here we look at three blue chip stocks that have earned our top designation for outstanding dividend growth: IBM (IBM), Automated Data Processing (ADP) and Abbott Laboratories (ABT).

Continue reading Blue Chip Trio: IBM, Abbott and Automated Data

Blue Chip Trio: IBM, Abbott and Automated Data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

An investment professional was stimulated by yesterday's post Chasing Value: Granny Said, 'It Has Turned into One Big Casino'. She suggested an alternative investment for granny that is simpler and perhaps advantageous for older investors seeking fixed income. Such investors should consider the iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index (PFF) exchange traded fund for its high yield and simplicity.

While this investment vehicle would not work for my particular "granny" due to her unique circumstances, it might be ideal for many others.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Here's How to Get a 6.76% Yield

Chasing Value: Here's How to Get a 6.76% Yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:50:00 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.

"We've had some good luck recently in the bond arena; now I've found another trading opportunity: Templeton Global Income Fund (GIM), a global government bond fund that yields 5.6%," says growth and income expert Richard Band.

The editor of Profitable Investing explains, "The fund is run by one of the finest international bond managers, Dr. Michael Hasenstab. Plus, I think we're in for a nice capital gain as the dollar settles down from its torrid run against most foreign currencies.

"Over the past decade, this closed-end fund has rolled up a sizzling total return of 235% at net asset value (through mid-June). Meanwhile, the S&P 500 stock index has lost 11%, even with reinvested dividends.

Continue reading Templeton Global Income (GIM): "Time to Pounce"

Templeton Global Income (GIM): "Time to Pounce" originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Investors should consider adding exposure to the oil tanker industry; this business is notoriously volatile, as tanker rates fluctuate," says Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Nonetheless, I expect the back half of the year to be a solid environment for tanker companies. Moreover, many stocks in the group offer substantial dividend yields. One of our favorites is Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NAT), which yields over 8 percent.

Continue reading Energy Expert Eyes Nordic American Tanker (NAT)

Energy Expert Eyes Nordic American Tanker (NAT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The editor of Dividend Genius newsletter explains, "The fundamentals for the energy company here have not changed, if anything they remain as strong as ever and the decline in the units is more the result of Enterprise being viewed as an energy name, not weakness in the company's business.

"Case and point: Enterprise was easily able to tap the capital markets in May, selling $400 million in notes due in 2015 at a fixed rate of 3.7%, $1 billion in notes due in 2020 at a fixed rate of 5.2% and $600 million in notes due in 2040 with a fixed rate of 6.45%. Of course, those yields pale in comparison to the 7.1% you get by owning Enterprise units directly.

Continue reading Enterprise Products (EPD): A Profitable Niche in Shale

Enterprise Products (EPD): A Profitable Niche in Shale originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"When it comes to bond managers, you won't find better than Bill Gross, founder and Managing Director of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)," asserts Amy Calistri.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "Gross is considered the world's foremost fixed income authority. And when you own the PIMCO Corporate Income Fund (PCN), you tap into his expertise and enviable track record.

She continues, "Since its inception in December 2001, the fund has enjoyed an average annual return of +11.3%. And Gross doesn't generate those returns by holding high-risk junk bonds. The fund's portfolio has an investment-grade credit quality.

Continue reading PIMCO Corporate Income Fund (PCN): Investing with Bill Gross

PIMCO Corporate Income Fund (PCN): Investing with Bill Gross originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Health Care REIT (HCN): Defensive Play for Growth and Income

Health Care REIT (HCN): Defensive Play for Growth and Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"While stocks have moved up and down sharply in recent months, minibonds have just kept bobbling along, still paying their big dividends and accruing cash to keep paying those dividends," says income advisor Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "You might be surprised to learn how large the universe of minibonds is; there are always new opportunities to add to your minibond collection. Take a peek at what I've found and perhaps take a nibble or two.

For example, media companies CBS (RBV) and Viacom (VNV) have both had to deal with cost containment challenges while trying to bolster revenues from their audiences and advertisers.

Continue reading Minibond Investing: Five Income Plays on Media and Retail

Minibond Investing: Five Income Plays on Media and Retail originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As background, Ford Motor Company (F) was the only one of the "Big Three" automobile manufacturers that didn't take a government handout.

"While certainly challenged during the economic downturn, Ford benefited from the relative weakness of its peers. Consumers preferred buying from Ford rather than a rival headed for bankruptcy court.

Continue reading High Yield from Ford Motor Credit Notes

High Yield from Ford Motor Credit Notes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 May 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.