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Top Picks 2011: Fidelity Dividend Growth (FDGFX)

Fidelity logoThis 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.

"Fidelity Dividend Growth (FDGFX), a top pick for the coming year, is one of Fidelity's more broadly diversified growth funds," says fund expert Jack Bowers.

The editor of Fidelity Monitor explains, "Fund manager Larry Rakers has a structured approach to bargain-hunting that has outperformed the S&P 500 this year.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Fidelity Dividend Growth (FDGFX)

Cushing MLP Total Return: A 'Cash Machine' in Gas Partnerships

"It looks like we have a golden opportunity to take advantage of the macro natural gas theme, involve some professional management, diversify risk, collect a double-digit yield in the form of quarterly distributions and have a security that's appropriate for IRAs and self-directed retirement plans," says income expert Bryan Perry.

The editor of The Cash Machine explans, "I'm speaking of the Cushing MLP Total Return Fund (SRV), a NYSE listed closed-end fund that owns most of the leading gas Master Limited Partnerships.

The objective of the Cushing MLP Total Return Fund is to obtain a high after-tax total return from a combination of capital appreciation and current income. The fund will try to accomplish this by investing at least 80% of its net assets in MLPs.

Continue reading Cushing MLP Total Return: A 'Cash Machine' in Gas Partnerships

Janus Flexible (JAFIX): A 'Sterling' Track Record

Janus Flexible Bond (JAFIX) is a so-called multi-sector bond fund whose consistently good year-to-year performance has resulted in a sterling long-term record," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of the No-Load Fund Investor explains, "For all of 2008 and 2009, Flexible Bond produced a cumulative total return of 18.9%, vs. only 6.9% for the multi-sector funds tracked by Morningstar. Over the past five years, Flexible Income's annualized return of 6.6% places it among the top 7% of all the fixed-income funds we cover.

"Over the past two years, the fund was the 10th best performer of every fund we track. In 2008, when most funds with significant holdings of corporate bonds produced major losses, Flexible Bond produced a gain of 5.6%.

Continue reading Janus Flexible (JAFIX): A 'Sterling' Track Record

A four-pack of income fund favorites

"We believe it is prudent to lock in some profits, and focus on developing an income stream in the event that we get either a major correction or double-dip recession," says Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to The Internet Wealth Builder suggests, "It seems to me to that the most promising areas worth considering are high-yield bond funds and international real estate funds, preferably with some underlying income." Here, the reviews four income ideas.

"I like high-yield bond funds, even though there is concern that interest rates will rise in 2010.

Continue reading A four-pack of income fund favorites

Defensive bets: A trio of dividend funds

"It's time to take some profits and play defense for a while," says Glenn Rogers, adding, "Fortunately, we can hedge our bets by taking some profits and building cash reserves and reinvesting in more defensive securities."

In The Internet Wealh Builder, the advisor suggests, a trio of conservative dividend-focused exchange-traded funds.

He explains, "Everybody I talk to these days is nervous, although for different reasons. Some are nervous because they feel left behind. They sat on the sidelines and missed the incredible rally we've had since March. Now they're afraid they won't have a chance to participate because the market has been refusing to correct.

"Others are nervous because they made a pot of money in the rebound and they're afraid they could lose it all in a replay of last year's meltdown. Meanwhile, there some relatively low-risk ETFs where you could park some money while we see how all this plays out.

Continue reading Defensive bets: A trio of dividend funds

Income trio: Favorite funds for yield

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

"Some types of bonds have rarely looked as appealing as they do now compared with other income alternatives," says Philip Springer. In Leeb's Income Performance Letter, the advisor looks at three favorite fixed-income funds -- one invested in mortgages, one in corporates and one in municipal bonds.

"Our top pick among fixed-income funds now is U.S. government-guaranteed, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by government agencies.

Continue reading Income trio: Favorite funds for yield

Vanguard Dividend (VDIGX): Top pick for US large caps

"Our favorite US stock market fund is Vanguard Dividend Growth (VDIGX); in 2008, it lost less than just about any other large-cap fund," says Mark Salzinger in his The No-Load Fund Investor.

"In 2008, Vanguard Dividend Growth lost 25.6%, vs. 37.1% for the S&P500 Index. Over the longer term, manager Donald Kilbride has proven his mettle with good stock picks and nimble application of his strategy.

"He looks for stocks with histories of rising dividend payouts along with the wherewithal and intention to continue increasing dividends into the future. Plus, he likes to buy these stocks when they appear relatively inexpensive.

Continue reading Vanguard Dividend (VDIGX): Top pick for US large caps

'Money Map' to safe returns: A trio of income funds

"Investors should not forget that we tend to have the best news at market tops and the worst news at or near the bottoms; that means that a rising tide of bad news is an important part of the bottoming process," explains Keith Fitz-Gerald.

Emphasizing the need for patience in the current environment, the editor of The Money Map Report is maintaining a diversified portfolio including several quality income-oriented positions from Nuveen, PIMCO ad Vanguard. Here's a trio funds for safety and income.

"Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund (NYSE: NQU) seeks current income exempt from regular federal income tax. A lot of folks are fleeing munis right now because they're fearful of the credit crisis and an anticipated wave of municipal defaults.

"What makes NQU appealing is that it concentrates substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of AA federal tax-exempt investments, which gives it an added safety cushion. Right now the taxable equivalent distribution rate is 9%.

"And don't forget: Right now it's selling at 7.97% below its net asset value. This gives us a super way to potentially achieve over 16% this year. That's especially appealing given how the markets are behaving lately.

Continue reading 'Money Map' to safe returns: A trio of income funds

Bailout blues? 'Buy closed-end bond funds'

"With the government set to bail out a trillion dollars in debt, what should you buy?" asks Neil George, editor of Personal Finance. "Bond funds are the foundation that steadies your portfolio."

"While the Fed and the Treasury work to bail out a trillion dollars in debt, other governments around the planet seems to be jumping on board this train; similar deals are being cut from the UK to Russia to Japan and beyond.

"The result is a big surge of short-covering and rampant buying as the markets trade and party like it's 1999 again. But is this a good thing?

"Although it might satisfy the political agendas of government leaders, these moves do pretty much nothing to restore normal risk and reward characteristics that make for a productive free market system.

"Meanwhile, bonds are what continue to perform. The rally in stock might continue for a time, but when more and more serious investors and traders begin to figure out the ramifications of the government's heavily expanded role in the formally private sector, it won't take long for another selloff to materialize.

Continue reading Bailout blues? 'Buy closed-end bond funds'

Income expert bets on trio of closed-end bond funds

"Buy bonds," says income expert Neil George, adding "More and more folks are heading for the door on stocks and are moving toward quality."

The senior editor of Personal Finance explains, "This means bonds-but not just any bonds: government and upper-tier corporate bonds." Here's a trio of favorites.

"We start with AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund (NYSE: AWF). This fund owns a collection of government and government agency bonds, along with some selected high-quality domestic and foreign corporates that add to our stability.

"We aren't just locked into the US and the US dollar; we have exposure to the best of Europe, Asia and elsewhere, too. The average duration (measurement of price against changes in yield) is a conservative but attractive 7.4 years.

"The fund generates a yield just shy of 8% and has given us a positive performance of near 100% during the past five years. It trades at a discount of more than 6% to meltdown value.

Continue reading Income expert bets on trio of closed-end bond funds

Best Stocks for 2008: 'Prudent' pick with Prudent Global Income (PSAFX)

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"If you live in the US, most of your portfolio is probably denominated in dollars -- your Treasuries, stocks, even gold. The same is true for your bank accounts, real estate and insurance policies," explains Martin Weiss and Mike Larson in Safe Money Report.

"That's natural, and we don't recommend turning your financial life upside-down to switch all of your money to foreign-currency denominated accounts.

"But you can protect yourself -- and even profit from -- the dollar's decline with Prudent Global Income Fund (NASDAQ: PSAFX). Here's why we like it and have selected it as our favorite conservative idea for 2008:

"First, the fund holds mostly fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies. Roughly 70% of its investments were in foreign debt at the end of the third quarter, with the euro, Swiss franc, and Canadian dollar receiving the largest allocations.

"Second, its fixed-income securities are predominantly under three years in maturity. This gives you reduced exposure to any bond-price declines.

"Third, the fund concentrates on the highest-rated debt, such as government securities. And as an extra dollar hedge, 11% of its assets were recently in gold and gold shares. They tend to rise in value when the dollar falls. "

Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-89.2312,801.23
NASDAQ-23.352,903.88
S&P 500-9.311,342.64

Last updated: February 12, 2012: 04:31 AM

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