Continue reading Insiders Snapping Up Webster Financial, Medtronic and More

Insiders Snapping Up Webster Financial, Medtronic and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Serious Money: Powerful Dividends Powering the Nation

Serious Money: Powerful Dividends Powering the Nation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 May 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

"If John McCain wins, there's a greater likelihood the reduced-dividend and capital gains tax rate will be extended; in that case, I would favor a tax-advantaged fund such as the Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund(NYSE: EVT)," says Carla Pasternak in High Yield Investing.

"Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund has a solid tax-advantaged yield of more than 11%, of which the entire 2007 amount qualified for the reduced dividend tax rate of up to 15%.

"EVT focuses on strong dividend-growers and undervalued stocks with room to move. About 80% of the fund's holdings are in common stocks, with the rest of the portfolio in high-yielding preferred shares.

"Top holdings include oil giants Chevron and ConocoPhillips, as well as utilities like Edison International and dividend stalwart Philip Morris.

"The fund does have large exposure to the financial sector, as it accounts for about 20% of the portfolio. Due to the turmoil in the sector, EVT has seen its share price sink amid the credit crisis.

"While we can't be sure of when the crisis in the financial industry will subside, we can be assured this fund will benefit once things turn around. Meanwhile, investors are able to lock in a juicy double-digit yield.

"Investors seeking international exposure will also do well with this fund. Less than half (45%) of the fund is invested in the U.S. The remainder is spread evenly across Europe's major economies, including Germany, the U.K. and Finland.

"With a solid record for dividend growth, and selling at a steep discount of about -20% to the value of its underlying portfolio assets (meaning investors can pick up a dollar's worth of assets for only 80 cents), EVT might be attractive no matter who assumes the presidency.

"However, due to its tax-advantaged nature, having a Republican in the White House who favors keeping the current reduced-dividend tax would be a direct benefit to EVT investors."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

McCain stock: Stick with dividend growers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• RBC Capital initiated Edison International (NYSE: EIX) with an Outperform rating and $64 target citing strong rate base growth and the favorable environment at Southern California Edison.
  
• Piper assumed coverage of Animal Health International (NASDAQ: AHII) with a Buy rating and $10 target, as they believe the current valuation is attractive from long-term investors.
  
• Pacific Crest started SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) with a Sector Perform rating and believes the valuation is too high following the recent strength as product margins are trending down.

• Sandler initiated Heritage Commerce (NASDAQ: HTBK) with a Hold rating and $16 target.
  
• Burger King (NYSE: BKC) was initiated with a Buy rating and $34 target at Piper.
  
• RBC Capital assumed U.S. Geothermal (AMEX: HTM) with an Outperform rating and $4 target.

Analyst initiations: SanDisk, Edison International, Animal Health International originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 May 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) has five separately managed segments comprising of Southern California Gas, San Diego Gas and Electric, Sempra Commodities, Sempra Generation and Sempra Pipeline and Storage. SRE is expected to report earnings on 11/1. SRE overall option implied volatility of 23 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting flat risk.

Edison International (NYSE: EIX) is the parent of Southern California Edison, the largest electric utility in California. EIX is expected to report earnings on 11/2. EIX overall option implied volatility of 28 is above its 26-week average of 26 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger risk.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update: SRE and EIX not impacted much by Southern California fires originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.