"The stocks in our Cash Cows portfolio keep the checks coming regardless of riots in Europe, revolutions in the Middle East, or natural disasters in the Pacific," says income specialist Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "This doesn't mean that our Cash Cows won't occasionally see negative price action on a given day or week; but you can be confident that any price setbacks will be temporary.

"The the foundation of this portfolio is four core global bond investment funds.

Continue reading Cash Cows: Four Favorites for Global Income

Cash Cows: Four Favorites for Global Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:00:00 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.

"To find strong dividend paying stocks, we apply two primary tests; and one stock that passes both of these tests -- and ranks our as top investment idea for the coming year -- is CPFL Energia (CPL), one of Brazil's major power utilities," says income specialist Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "I focus on stocks that will grow your retirement wealth during good times and bad.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: CPFL Energia (CPL)

Top Picks 2011: CPFL Energia (CPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Express Scripts (ESRX): The Right Prescription?

Express Scripts (ESRX): The Right Prescription? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Aberdeen Indonesia (IF): A 'Bargain Buy'

Aberdeen Indonesia (IF): A 'Bargain Buy' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"I've always been a big fan of investing in real assets. One group I particularly like is pass-through securities, which pass through profits directly to shareholders," says Neil George.

In his Pay me Strategy, the income expert looks at five energy-related securities: Linn Energy (LINE), Holly Energy (HEP), Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), Natural Resource Partners (NRP) and Navios Maratime (NMM).

Continue reading Energy Income Plays: Five Favorite Pass-Through Securities

Energy Income Plays: Five Favorite Pass-Through Securities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"While stocks have moved up and down sharply in recent months, minibonds have just kept bobbling along, still paying their big dividends and accruing cash to keep paying those dividends," says income advisor Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "You might be surprised to learn how large the universe of minibonds is; there are always new opportunities to add to your minibond collection. Take a peek at what I've found and perhaps take a nibble or two.

For example, media companies CBS (RBV) and Viacom (VNV) have both had to deal with cost containment challenges while trying to bolster revenues from their audiences and advertisers.

Continue reading Minibond Investing: Five Income Plays on Media and Retail

Minibond Investing: Five Income Plays on Media and Retail originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Usage and demand for wireless data services is surging; according to the U.S. FCC data use has soared by over 700% in just the past four years alone," says Neil George.

In his Stocks that Pay You, he says, "We suggest you look at four companies involved in different aspects of the developing 4G network, which will provide for easier handling of more data, particularly in mobile devices."

Continue reading Four Plays on 4G: How to Play the Data Logjam

Four Plays on 4G: How to Play the Data Logjam originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Why try to guess what the S&P, gold, the dollar or anything else might do in 2010 when you can invest sure and simple in a proven utility company that pays you to own it?" asks Neil George.

In his Stocks That Pay You, he looks to Otelco (OTT), an Alabama-based phone company, as his top investment idea for 2010.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Otelco (OTT)

Top Picks for 2010: Otelco (OTT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"A few stocks have really grabbed my attention; they have core assets that generate lots of cash, and serve their investors a good cut of the profits with regular streams of big dividends," says income specialist Neil George.

In his Stocks That Pay You, the advisor reviews three income issues that he calls, "fabulous finds."

He explains, "I'll start with a company, Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI), that as its name implies -- holds stuff. Specifically, it holds ownership in small set of operating companies in varied but basically solid businesses.

Continue reading Income trio: Neil George's 'fabulous finds'

Income trio: Neil George's 'fabulous finds' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Water, one of the most precious of resources, continues to be the most mispriced," says Neil George.

In his Profits Hidden in the News advisory, he explains, "Millions of Americans are drinking dangerous water from the tap." Here, he looks at two ways to profit as this situation gains attention.

"The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently updated its data on US municipal water and, as with previous surveys and reports - the news is not good. In fact, for wide swaths of the US population - including those in the nation's capital - its flat out scary.

Continue reading Clean water profits

Clean water profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"While I continue to avoid bank stocks and bank ETFs , I very much continue to recommend that you buy and own plenty of nicely high-yielding bank preferreds and bank minibonds for your retirement investing," says Neil George.

In his income-focused Stocks that Pay You, the advisors reviews his favorites among these lesser-known investment vehicles.

"Why invest in banks at all? Because -- as they continue to clean up and bolster their balance sheets -- banks are getting even better credit risks, which means that you'll be even more likely to get paid your high-yield dividends and interest payments.

Continue reading Bank bets for income investors

Bank bets for income investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Think munis are a risky deal?" asks income expert Neil George. In his Stocks that Pay You, he states, "Don't. Instead, buy them now."

However, rather than buying individual bonds, the advisor suggests that investors focus on buying closed-end muni bond funds. Here, he looks at a trio of favorites.

"The muni market isn't for the uninformed or the novice. Unlike the treasury market and much of the corporate market - when it comes to munis - you have to know each bond inside and out before you buy, and keep tabs on it after you buy.

Continue reading Buy munis: A trio of favorite closed-end funds

Buy munis: A trio of favorite closed-end funds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:30:00 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.

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.

"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'

Bailout blues? 'Buy closed-end bond funds' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We see flowing profits from companies in the water sector involved with pipes, pumps, regulators and other equipment," notes Neil George.

In his industry-leading Personal Finance newsletter, the advisor offers a fascinating overview of three companies that help "utilities and other industries provide quality water service."

"Aging pipes are one of the most pressing challenges in the US and beyond. Studies show that in some municipalities, loss from leaky pipes accounts for as much as 10% of water consumption.

"Ameron International (NYSE: AMN) is a pipe manufacturer with operations on every continent. Earnings per share don't show smooth-line growth on a quarterly basis given the cyclical nature of construction. But it does show solid, year-over-year growth.

"There's some price volatility as investors are jarred with increasingly pessimistic domestic construction outlooks, but overseas earnings will continue to bolster the balance sheet.

"Watts Water Technologies (NYSE: WTS) manufactures pumps, valves and controls for a broad array of both consumer and industrial applications.

Continue reading Profits in pipes: Infrastructure gains

Profits in pipes: Infrastructure gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The operations of many energy partnerships have nothing to do with the price of crude and natural gas; they only need to have demand to move and process crude oil and natural gas rather than to pump it out of the ground," explains Neil George.

In his specialized advisory services, The Partnership, he looks at Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP) and Kinder Morgan Management (NYSE: KMR).

"Midstream partnerships--those that operate pipelines or storage and processing facilities segments as well as those that invest in these segments--are among the most stable distribution payers.

"And, more importantly right now, they're among the most stable investments in what's become a treacherous stock market.

These middlemen, in between the producers and the consumers, are perhaps the best hedge for your portfolio as they continue to generate hefty cash flows for investors.

"Whether the broad energy market is up or down, these partnerships continue to be all-around successes. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and Kinder Morgan Management, are Foundation holdings in our portfolio.

Continue reading 'Kinder' income: Partnerships for steady dividends

'Kinder' income: Partnerships for steady dividends originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The soaring cost of food isn't just hitting families in the US; it's hitting everyone around the world," says Neil George. Here, in Personal Finance, he looks at some agriculture, chemical and seed plays.

"During the past five years, consumer food costs have soared by more than 117%. And that momentum is increasing; in the trailing 12 months alone, prices surged more than 52%.

"The mega-investors aren't waiting around; they're buying into other parts of the ag business-from grain elevators to ag processors and distributors-as a workaround for such potential regulation.

"You shouldn't be sitting on your hands, either. This food trend is going to be here for a while, so you better stake your claim while buyers still outnumber sellers.

"One way to invest in this trend is to step into companies that are serving the ag producers. This means the companies developing and selling engineered seeds, as well as chemicals and fertilizer products needed to not just grow crops but more bountiful and, therefore, more profitable crops.

Continue reading Growth in seeds: Chemical ag plays

Growth in seeds: Chemical ag plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The market is pricing publicly-traded partnerships as if they're headed for bankruptcy," says Neil George who sees high yield and value in select issues. Here's two ideas from The Partnership Letter -- a global infrastructure play and a real estate investment trust.

"There are some darn good partnerships out there that are indeed worth the near-term risk, even amid the probability of lower stock prices.

"Partnerships are characterized by high cash generation and the maximization of depreciation and other tax deductions. They then pay out as much cash as possible to unitholders. And with prices so low, we get to buy into assets that in many cases are worth a lot more in terms of liquidation value.

Continue reading Partnerships for yield and value investors

Partnerships for yield and value investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"After coal, natural gas is the No. 2 source for power generation; and the largest source of gas production in the US is now unconventional reserves," explains Neil George.

In his Personal Finance newsletter, the advisor looks at two favorites plays on this trend: Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) and XTO Energy (NYSE: XTO). Here is his review.

"Unconventional reserves now account for close to 40% of all domestic gas production. In addition, with the possible exception of deepwater fields, unconventional production is the only domestic source of gas that's likely to show real growth in coming years.

"The term 'unconventional' refers to any gas field that can't be produced economically using traditional well technologies. But, using a combination of new techniques, wells drilled in unconventional fields are prolific producers. US natural gas producers remain on a 17%-plus tear in gains so far this year.

Continue reading 'Unconventional' gains in natural gas

'Unconventional' gains in natural gas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.