Analises_Dad

Goldman Upgrades REITs, But Investors Should Look at Preferreds

I agree with your assessment of this sector. I've had a great ride with HCP-E since last fall, 50% gain on shares of the preferred plus an effective dividend yield of 12.4%. Pretty safe play since to eliminate the dividend, they would also have to eliminate the dividend on the common.

This may also be converted at any time now into the companies common stock at it's face of $25.00 This issue was only for $259 million and has an effective cost of 7.1% to HCP.

Smith & Wesson's a Buy Ahead of 2nd Amendment Decision

Rifle, I tend to agree with the potential price appreciation for the reasons stated in the article. I've recently purchased January 2009 $7.50 call options. If the price goes up to $60, I'll retire a year early. If the stock continues to fall (adverse Supreme Court ruling) I'm out with less than a $1k loss.

Attractive Preferred Stocks for a Volatile Market

Some not on the list. EPEXP (Energy), FCX-M (Mining), HCP-F (Heath Care). I try to find underlying issues where the common pays a dividend, much less to cut the preferred if they also have to cut the dividend on the common.

Some of my other current preferred: SLM-A, TMA-F. Great source for research on these stocks at quantumonline.com