"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.

"Our goal is helping investors grow their capital and income base from which to derive cash for their current and future needs," notes dividend expert Kelley Wright.

The editor of Investment Quality Trends explains, "To that end we believe that high-quality stocks purchased at historically low-price-to-high-yield offers the best potential for downside protection and upside appreciation. Our Timely Ten list represents our current top ideas.

Continue reading The Timely Ten: Blue Chip Dividends

The Timely Ten: Blue Chip Dividends originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Realty Income (O) is one of our favorite companies; they continue to grow their portfolio of properties which will ensure their dividend stream will grow for years to come," says Steve Christ.

The editor of Wealth Advisory explains, "The company recently announced its 54th consecutive quarterly increase and the 61st dividend increase since Realty Income went public in 1994.

"The company recently announced that it had signed definitive purchase agreements to acquire up to 33, single-tenant, retail, distribution, office and manufacturing properties under long-term, net-lease agreements for approximately $544 million.

Continue reading Realty Income (O) Ups Dividend for 54 Consecutive Quarters

Realty Income (O) Ups Dividend for 54 Consecutive Quarters originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One of the best inflationary hedges of the 20th century is often forgotten -- timber," suggests Larry Spears.

The contributing editor to Money Morning explains, "In the modern era, inflation has never been a match for timber. On average, the price of harvested lumber itself has risen more than 5% annually over the past 100 years.

"Since 1910, the value of timberland as an investment has risen faster - and with less volatility - than stocks as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Here's a trio of stocks to benefit from this trend.

Continue reading Timber: The 'Forgotten Inflation Hedge'

Timber: The 'Forgotten Inflation Hedge' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As partnerships, MLPs pass through the majority of their income to investors in the form of regular distributions; the average MLP currently yields about 6 percent," observes eneergy sector expert Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "QR Energy LP (QRE) debuted as a publicly traded master limited partnership on Dec. 17, 2010.

"QR Energy owns upstream assets from which it produces oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas liquids account for about 70 percent of the outfit's reserves (29.7 million barrels of oil equivalent) and production (5,184 barrels of oil equivalent per day).

Continue reading QR Energy (QRE): A New Buy Among MLPs

QR Energy (QRE): A New Buy Among MLPs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"London-based Rio Tinto (RIO) is one of the largest and most diversified mining companies in the world; ith the potential to reward shareholders with increased dividends and share buybacks, Rio is a buy for investors seeking exposure to booming commodity markets," says Paul Tracy.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Rio's operations are located in Australia, North and South America, South Africa, Europe and Indonesia. Its strategy is to concentrate on the development of large, high quality mineral deposits and become a low-cost producer for each commodity.

Continue reading Commodity 'Boom' Boosts Rio Tinto (RIO)

Commodity 'Boom' Boosts Rio Tinto (RIO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:45:00 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.

"Altria (MO) -- our top investment idea for the coming year -- is an extremely simple business; the company provides a specific product, tobacco, to a specific consumer niche, tobacco users," says dividend expert Kelley Wright.

The editor Investment Quality Trends explains, "While distasteful, if not outright abhorrent to much of the population, tobacco is the poster-child of 'sinful' indulgences, which makes Altria Group the poster-child of 'sin' stocks.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Altria (MO)

Top Picks 2011: Altria (MO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:00:00 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.

"With fewer people tapping the housing market, apartments are filling up fast. That's one big reason I like Equity Residential (EQR) for 2011," says income specialist Amy Calisti.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "Equity Residential is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) of its kind.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Equity Residential (EQR)

Top Picks 2011: Equity Residential (EQR) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "As such, in my research I was happy to find Blackrock Floating Rate Income Trust (BGT), a closed-end fund yielding 5.7%, in my research.

"Many floating rate funds concentrated in the financial sector. Fortunately, BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust is not.

Continue reading BlackRock Floating (BGT): Protect Against Rising Rate

BlackRock Floating (BGT): Protect Against Rising Rate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We will leave the debate over the relative morality of the cigarette business to others," says Geoffrey Seiler, adding "Our view is simple: it is a legal product and Philip Morris International (PM) is one of the best operators in the segment."

The editor of BullMarket.com explains, "The Philip Morris value creation model is easy to understand. While organic volumes are still slipping, the tobacco industry continues to have great pricing power.

"Thus the simple formula for the company is to raise prices, use its prolific cash flow to buy back shares, make some accretive acquisitions, increase the dividend, and repeat.

Continue reading Philip Morris International (PM): A Simple Formula for Success

Philip Morris International (PM): A Simple Formula for Success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I believe we have a unique opportunity to initiate a new position in a company that is still under the radar of most investors: CoreSite Realty Corp. (COR)," says growth and income specialist Bryan Perry.

The editor of The Cash Machine explains, "CoreSite is structured as a REIT intended to meet the strict needs of the information technology community; it manages more than 2 million square feet of data center space for more than 600 customers.

"Since the company's founding in 2001, CEO Thomas Ray has been in charge of the company's actions. (Before the initial public offering in September, Ray also served as a managing director of The Carlyle Group.)

Continue reading CoreSite (COR): Total Return from Data Center REIT

CoreSite (COR): Total Return from Data Center REIT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:45:00 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.

"Rising demand for electricity has been among the surest trends on which you could bet for the past 100 years;" says utility sector and income expert Roger Conrad.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "That's money in the bank for the companies that produce and distribute power, including these three Income Portfolio power plays: Dominion Resources (D), Southern Company (SO), and Xcel Energy (XEL).

"After a dip in 2008-09, Americans' power use is climbing again, as more and more electricity-using devices become essential to modern life.

Continue reading Utility Trio: Income Experts' Power Plays

Utility Trio: Income Experts' Power Plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last January I suggested that shares of Ross Stores (ROST) might be as much of a bargain as the merchandise it sells. That turned out to be true. The stock has outpaced the market considerably. At the time, it was trading at $45.20. Last week, on Sept. 3, Ross closed at $52.60 for a year-to-date gain of 16.37%.

Ross pays a small dividend yielding 1.12%. It is not high, but it exceeds what you're getting from money market accounts or CDs and, added to the stocks appreciating, it's a bonus.

After this nice gain, how do the metrics shape up today? Is it too late to make some money here?

Continue reading Chasing Value: Ross Stores Update, Great Then and Now

Chasing Value: Ross Stores Update, Great Then and Now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As an income investor, it's difficult to find solid investments that can protect you from interest rate risk; but JPMorgan Chase Fixed-to-Floating Rate Securities (JPM-Z), which offer a 7.6% variable yield, look like a good candidate," says income expert Amy Calistri.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explain, "Interest rates are at their lowest levels in history. And for the foreseeable future, the U.S. Federal Reserve is going to keep it that way.

"Until an economic recovery is well in hand, the Fed is going to err on the side of caution and low interest rates. And that's good for existing fixed income securities.

Continue reading Variable Gains: JPMorgan Fixed-to-Floating Rate (JPM-PZ)

Variable Gains: JPMorgan Fixed-to-Floating Rate (JPM-PZ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Considering that the 73 utility stocks in the S&P 1500 Index combine to represent just 4% of the index's market value, they certainly occupy a big place in the hearts of investors," notes Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter that has been published for nearly 60 years -- explains, "Here, we offer a diversified 12-stock utility portfolio, as well as our top utility choice for investors who only wish to buy one stock in the sector.

Continue reading Dow Theory's Diversified, 15-Stock Utility Portfolio

Dow Theory's Diversified, 15-Stock Utility Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"For much of the market's rally since March 2009, the best-performing stocks were those that tilted toward the risky side. That is about to change," says Chuck Carlson.

The editor of The DRIP Investor explains, "Quality stocks -- larger companies with consistent track records, strong finances, industry leadership positions, and stable and growing dividends -- should lead the market going forward.

"Quality stocks now offer good relative value versus more aggressive stocks, and I suspect investors will be more focused on a value over the next 12 to 24 months.

Continue reading Quant's Top Quality Picks: Aflac (AFL), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), and 3M (MMM)

Quant's Top Quality Picks: Aflac (AFL), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), and 3M (MMM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

They call themselves bond vigilantes. They are investors who are demanding higher yields at U.S. Treasury auctions.

Treasury auctions were going along quite smoothly until last week. Inflation is low, the housing market is in a slump and unemployment is at near record levels. All of this mixture is the stuff that low interest rates are made of.

Last week, the Greek debt crisis brought the problem of too much debt front and center. Now, investors are looking at the U.S. and see a mountain of fiscal debt that needs financing. The huge U.S. debt, $1.7 trillion, is making investors reappraise the yields on U.S. treasuries.

Continue reading Investors Demand Higher Yields on U.S. Treasuries

Investors Demand Higher Yields on U.S. Treasuries originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Greek Bonds Faltering -- Back to the EU Drawing Board

Greek Bonds Faltering -- Back to the EU Drawing Board originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.