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.

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

"Assuming you want to invest a little more in the markets now, which ETF should be your first choice?" asks ETF expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investors's ETF Report, he reveals his favorite picks from from two of his model portfolios -- a favorite for long-term wealth building and one investors still in their pre-retirement years.

Continue reading Best income buys: Wealth building and pre-retirement

Best income buys: Wealth building and pre-retirement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Right now we need to start doing what Uncle Sam is doing -- buying preferred shares of solid banks," says Neil George in By George. Here's a look at First Banks 8.15% preferred A (NYSE: FBS-A).

"The major response to the credit and market bubble's popping is of course the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.

"The legislation authorizes the U.S. Treasury to be able to spend taxpayer funds on pretty much anything deemed to be helpful at getting the economy and markets working again.

"Over the coming years -- hundreds of billions of dollars have been allocated with more available initially and ostensibly to buy up troubled loans and other credit assets of banks.

"That was the plan -- but as it's been put to work after Congress authorized it -- the Treasury has begun to buy not troubled loans -- but ownership interests in banks as well as now insurance companies and other financials.

Continue reading Top Stock Picks '09: First Banks (FBS.A)

Top Stock Picks '09: First Banks (FBS.A) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A friend of mine was as happy as all get out because he just put some long term savings into a bank certificate of deposit (CD) and is getting a 4.67% rate of return for 6 months. The funds he put into the CD were long term savings money and not earmarked for any near term expense. Man he was thrilled. After yawning I asked him why he did that as opposed to buying a good, high-paying dividend stock. He had that deer in the headlights look.

Four good things can happen to you if you buy a good company that pays a healthy dividend.1) The payments are 4 times per year as opposed to every 6 months. This can help those rely on steadier cash flow. 2) Good companies have a history of raising those dividend payments becaiuse of earnings increasing.. 3) Federal taxation on dividend income is at a flat 15% as opposed to your full Federal tax rate on interest earned. 4) Good companies that pay high dividends and have a history of raising those payments typically have a higher stock value in 1, 2 or 3 years.

Compare this with a bond or CD. 1) You will receive back your initial investment, but not a penny more, 2) you will be fully taxed (except if it is a municipal bond) at the Federal and if a corporate bond or CD, your individual state level, 3) interest payments will never rise during the course of owning the bond or the CD-its fixed.

My friend wasn't so happy after we spoke, but I least bought the coffee...

Georges Yared is the author of recently released books "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?" and "Stop Losing Money Today" For more info go to http://www.georgesyared.com

Dividends are superior to interest originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.