The editor of The Dividend Detective explains, "However, we continue to advise caution. Invest only money that you can commit for at least six-months to give you time to ride out unexpected market dips. Meanwhile, we have added four income issues to our various portfolios.

Continue reading Dividend Detective's Favorite Income Ideas

Dividend Detective's Favorite Income Ideas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We are at the early stages of witnessing a transformation of wireless activities away from voice and towards data for both personal and business customers," says says Ian Wyatt.

In his The Recovery Portfolio, he explains, "This portends great things Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), which has the best wireless network in the U.S. (For more on Verizon, see my recent post, The Safest Dividend in the Dow.)

"Verizon provides wireline service to 35 million access lines and 87 million wireless customers. It recently picked up 13 million of these wireless subscribers upon completion of its $28 billion purchase of privately held Alltel in January.

"My investment thesis for Verizon is all about growth in its wireless operating segment. Smartphone penetration, which is more profitable for Verizon, is still small and growing very rapidly.

Continue reading Call on Verizon (VZ) for smartphone growth

Call on Verizon (VZ) for smartphone growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Long-known in the newsletter community for his expertise in income investing, the advisor has just launched a new blog service, Stocks that Pay You. Here, he looks at some winners and losers from the current proposals for financial regulation.

George says, "In my view, these supposedly massive changes amount to window dressing. Banks and other related firms can continue to do what they've always done: cherry pick regulators and play off one regulator against another.

"So, unless we get the government actually empowering the guys down the line inside all of these agencies and departments, don't look for any big changes, because - while the players and the names might be changing - the contest is staying the same.

Continue reading Income ideas: Winners from financial regulation

Income ideas: Winners from financial regulation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

During the last eight months, with the market bouncing up and down, there have been times when I did not look too smart buying stocks through it all.

Of course I looked the most foolish on March 9, when I wrote the prophetic Nostradamus was a punk! Have we reached bottom? Some folks were commenting that they were staying in cash until the DJIA dropped to 5,000. Today that looks highly improbable, even if the market gives something back over the next few months.

There must be some readers that also have contrarian instincts and made good money this year. This is a reminder to take something off the table. It's time to book some gains. We all did great in 1999 and 2000 only to give it all back and then some. Don't let that happen to you again!

Continue reading Serious Money: ETF that's better than cash

Serious Money: ETF that's better than cash originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 May 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Throughout the credit crisis, we've focused on Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: KMP) -- and we've not been disappointed," says Keith Fitz-Gerald in The Money Map Report.

"With the economy in the toilet and prices in the hopper, the notion of going 'long' energy right now might seem like a move that will lower our portfolio returns over the long haul. Not true. In fact, now's precisely the time that you want to establish or add to an energy position.

"Energy is not only an ideal hedge against rough markets, but more importantly, as I have noted repeatedly in recent months, one of the most concentrated upside opportunities available today.

Continue reading Kinder Morgan (KMP): Pipeline profits

Kinder Morgan (KMP): Pipeline profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 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.

"The markets are littered with compelling buying opportunities that may be the best we see in a generation," says Keith Fitz-Gerald.

In The Money Map Report, he looks at a trio of income ETFs -- one focused on Treasury inflation protected securities, one invested in muni bonds, and one that buys high yield corporates.

"We are holding three positions in our portfolio which we believe can be bought with new money. First, we suggest iShares Lehman TIPS Bond ETF (NYSE: TIP). The 10 year TIPS' yield is 2.23% versus 2.40% for 10 year Treasuries.

Continue reading TIPs, munis & corporates: ETFs for income

TIPs, munis & corporates: ETFs for income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:20:00 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.

"The Congressional Budget Office upped its 2009 fiscal year deficit forecast to $1.2 trillion; add in the stimulus plan, and the deficit could be above $2 trillion," says Tony Sagami.

The editor of The Asia Stock Alert says, "As a result, we believe that the U.S. dollar is in big, big trouble. To protect your portfolio -- or even profit from the falling dollar -- buy Merk Hard Currency Fund (MERKX)."

The advisor explains, "For a long time, we have depended on the confidence and generosity of foreigners, especially the Chinese and Saudi Arabians, to fund our deficit spending lifestyle. Those days, however, are coming to a close.

"With the Federal Reserve Bank cutting its short-term interest rate target to range from 0% to 0.25%, I doubt you'll see overseas investors lining up to buy our next-to-nothing yielding bonds. The U.S. is, unfortunately, a country in trouble and headed for a painful currency devaluation. Inflation is lurking around the corner.

Continue reading Merk Hard Currency (MERKX): Diversify out of dollars

Merk Hard Currency (MERKX): Diversify out of dollars originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) is the top conservative investment for 2007 from Kelley Wright. The editor of Investment Quality Trends notes, "I know this company has been public relations-challenged, but let's consider the fundamentals.

"First, it's not only undervalued, it's trading almost 71% below its historic undervalued dividend yield of 2.20%. In dollar terms, the stock can appreciate $37 to $89 and still represent excellent historic value!

"Second, the stock has earned an A+ ranking by S&P for earnings and dividend quality; S&P doesn't hand out an A+ easily. The stock has also earned our 'G' designation, which denotes a remarkable 10% annual dividend growth over the past 12 years. And, the stock has a P/E of 11 and is trading right at 2 times book value; numbers Benjamin Graham would like.

"CEO Charles Prince is feeling the heat on unlocking shareholder value. Based on recent management restructuring, it appears they will attempt to boost earnings by cutting costs and trying to squeeze value from every corner of this far-flung enterprise. At the end of the day though, I think Prince will have to do more and the Street will reward those efforts."

To see Kelley's favorite speculative idea for 2007, click here.

Top Picks 2007: Kelley Wright banks on Citi for safety originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.