Forget Buy and Hold. Periodic Rebalancing Is the New Discipline [View article]
While a stock will move in coloration with the market, I keep my methods a little simpler. If the reasons why a purchased shares in the individual stock change for the negative, I'll work on that holding. Is that usually timed with the macros of the market, yes. Its timing by default, I guess. I usually won't touch a holding that is moving down "only" because the market is though. If the fundamentals and the story behind them (and the dividend) ring true, there's opportunity. I refuse to chase momentum stocks, they spook me. That was my big lesson two bubbles ago. Calling tops and bottoms is a fool's game.
Anybody care to guess if PFF and PGF keep rolling? Does anybody see any serious downside risk right now. I don't think the technicals are worth much because these ETFs started falling as soon as they were initiated in 2007. I re-allocated some of my bond holdings in PFF last spring, love the dividends, thinking about more (missed Feb's dip), but this has had a big run already. Opinions are welcome.
Utilities: An Opportunity Too Great to Ignore [View article]
Even if rates rise there are some companies that have done a really good job of sprucing up their balance sheet in the past two years. Do some research from this angle and stay away from the ETFs and funds. Don't be afraid to look at foreign utilities either.
Even Dividend Stocks Are Breaking Out [View article]
The cash-flow is there. If it ever starts to dry up, you'll see it coming. If you're still not comfortable take a look at PM. Dividends are being increased and you're probably looking at a breakout on the shares even if the market stays sideways.
Even Dividend Stocks Are Breaking Out [View article]
MO rocks and so do you guys. If MO hangs around $20, with the occasional dip to buy some more, what else could you ask for. It's a safe 6.5% on your investment, plus the occasional gain on the downside buy. I love the fact that Schwab (who I manage my IRA through) gives it a big old "D" on their ratings.
PM rocks also, plus its a good hedge if you're down on the buck for the long-term.
Can anybody point me to a lender where I can get an interest-only mortgage and a separate loan for the down payment? I'm stunned we haven't seen more pain in housing and banks. I think it's still coming...only piece by piece, rather than all at once...I'm not sure that's a good thing either.
No effect here, I was actually up a little while that played out. While the world financial situation is a sad story, there is no guarantee of a solid, comfortable retirement when and where you want it.
What can we do as individuals? Pay your credit cards off. Don't take an interest-only loan on a house you can't afford. Save money every month. Learn the realities of investing with discipline, not investing with Jim Cramer.
While the market was dumping over the past two years I completely sold two of my holdings on the rumors that dividend cuts were on their way. One did cut (almost all) and one hung in there. The fact is that they were both threatening to me, and neither could live up to the reasons I purchased them in the first place, the money was quickly sunk into positions I held onto and still trusted, in this case MO, VZ and KO. Have these stocks outperformed the market? Nope, I would even call Verizon a little disappointing...if it were not for the fact that there was never a hiccup in those lovely dividends.
Dividends saved my backside over the past couple of years and it didn't take a crystal ball to find the reliable ones, just a little leg-work. DRIPs, diversification and a little bit of re-balancing is what I concentrate on. Fed policy, big banks and bubbles are three things that I can do nothing about, so I won't let it distract me.
Dividend ETFs: The Exodus Before the Jobs Report [View article]
I'm inclined to agree with you about the performance of the funds. It's a re-balancing issue. Many of the "Old Faithfuls" gave up the ghost last year. The ETFs took it on the chin because they were limited by formula. I'm a believer in dividend investing, especially when the market can't pick a direction, but I'll stick with individual stocks so I can re-balance whenever I need to.
I will confess to owning one ETF for preferreds, PFF.
Anybody that worries about the ratio of stocks to bonds as the extent of their diversification is headed toward trouble no matter what happens in the market. The basic gap fillers to consider contain a multitude of quality dividend paying options: utilities, preferreds, MLPs, REITs and ton of consistently paying stocks, both domestic and international. Do you still need to manage it, yes. The hardest lesson I've had to learn is that when you think you are diversified enough...you're probably not. Stocks, yes. Bonds, yes...and the kitchen sink too, if it will pay me steady income.
Dividend Aristocrats and Champions With Low Yields [View article]
Forget Buy and Hold. Periodic Rebalancing Is the New Discipline [View article]
Preferreds Are Preferred [View article]
Utilities: An Opportunity Too Great to Ignore [View article]
Even Dividend Stocks Are Breaking Out [View article]
Even Dividend Stocks Are Breaking Out [View article]
PM rocks also, plus its a good hedge if you're down on the buck for the long-term.
Ready for a Double-Dip in Housing? [View article]
The New Reality of Retirement [View article]
What can we do as individuals? Pay your credit cards off. Don't take an interest-only loan on a house you can't afford. Save money every month. Learn the realities of investing with discipline, not investing with Jim Cramer.
The New Reality of Retirement [View article]
Dividends saved my backside over the past couple of years and it didn't take a crystal ball to find the reliable ones, just a little leg-work. DRIPs, diversification and a little bit of re-balancing is what I concentrate on. Fed policy, big banks and bubbles are three things that I can do nothing about, so I won't let it distract me.
Dividend ETFs: The Exodus Before the Jobs Report [View article]
I will confess to owning one ETF for preferreds, PFF.
The Retiree's Conundrum [View article]