Stocks For 2014: High-Yield And Fairly Valued Dividend Stocks For High Current Income - Part 5 - Seeking Alpha

Stocks For 2014: High-Yield And Fairly Valued Dividend Stocks For High Current Income - Part 5 - Seeking Alpha: Introduction
Retired investors seeking high income to live off of during retirement, face greater challenges today than almost ever before. The days of high yields available from bonds and other fixed income vehicles are long gone. Consequently, generating an adequate level of current income on retirement portfolios is difficult to say the least. This is especially tricky for those investors with a low tolerance for risk.

How Do I Know When To Sell A Stock? [Cisco Systems, Inc., International Business Machines Corp., The Home Depot, Inc., NIKE, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., Pitney Bowes Inc., The Clorox Co, Automatic Data Processing, Sherwin-Williams Company] - Seeking Alpha

How Do I Know When To Sell A Stock? [Cisco Systems, Inc., International Business Machines Corp., The Home Depot, Inc., NIKE, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., Pitney Bowes Inc., The Clorox Co, Automatic Data Processing, Sherwin-Williams Company] - Seeking Alpha: The most common complaint that I have heard from investors over my 40 years in the financial services industry is as follows: "Everyone wants to tell me what to buy and when, but no one ever tells me when to sell."

Not only do I consider this a legitimate complaint, I also consider it an extremely important investing principle that investors face and must deal with. Knowing when it's the appropriate time to sell a stock can be a very challenging task. But perhaps most importantly, the prudent investor must simultaneously recognize and accept that it can rarely, if ever, be done with perfect precision. In other words, as the old saying goes, they do not ring a bell at market tops or bottoms on Wall Street. Consequently, the best that an investor can expect to accomplish is to make sound and rational sell decisions.

Which Is Best: DRIP Or Collect And Invest? [NIKE, Inc., Kimberly Clark Corp, Medtronic, Inc., AFLAC Incorporated, Sherwin-Williams Company] - Seeking Alpha

Which Is Best: DRIP Or Collect And Invest? [NIKE, Inc., Kimberly Clark Corp, Medtronic, Inc., AFLAC Incorporated, Sherwin-Williams Company] - Seeking Alpha: Disclosure: I am long MDT, KMB, IBM, AFL. (More...)

Introduction

Investors desirous of creating a common stock portfolio capable of providing them financial support in their retirement years have several options to choose from. The more aggressive investor might turn to designing and building an aggressive growth stock portfolio. However, aggressive growth stocks can be both risky and volatile. I wrote extensively about this approach in a previous article found here.

Challenge-Do Not Overlook These Future Dividend Challenger Stars-Part 3 - Seeking Alpha

Challenge-Do Not Overlook These Future Dividend Challenger Stars-Part 3 - Seeking Alpha: Disclosure: I am long ORCL, ACN, DLR, NOV, TGH, UNP, EEP, EPB, DRI. (More...)

Introduction

More people than ever are retiring today, and there is no end in sight as the baby boomer generation has reached retirement age. This one demographic fact alone has generated a host of doomsayers with dismal prophecies about what this will do to our economy, and perhaps more importantly, how and why they believe that the baby boomer generation is facing financial hardship and even ruin. However, as a baby boomer myself, I disagree with these Armageddon forecasts.

What Stock Market? These Dividend Contenders Are Not Overvalued - Part 2 - Seeking Alpha

What Stock Market? These Dividend Contenders Are Not Overvalued - Part 2 - Seeking Alpha: It has become vividly clear to me that many investors continue to believe that the stock market in general is currently overvalued. Some even go as far to say that it is currently in bubble territory. Although I disagree, (my views about the valuation level of the stock market as measured by the S&P 500 can be found in the introduction to my most recent article found here), it is not this fact alone that disturbs me most.

You May Think That The Market Is Overvalued But These Dividend Champions Are Not: Part 1 - Seeking Alpha

You May Think That The Market Is Overvalued But These Dividend Champions Are Not: Part 1 - Seeking Alpha: It has come to my attention that after the stock market's recent strong advance, many investors now believe that the market (and most stocks for that matter) is overvalued. Based on extensive research, I disagree. On the other hand, I do acknowledge that many common stocks today are more highly valued than they were at the beginning of 2011. However, the market, in the general sense (at least as measured by the S&P 500), is perhaps fully valued or even moderately overvalued. But valuations today are nowhere near a "bubble level" as many believe or would like us to believe.

For Maximum Total Return, Go For Growth [Apple Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Starbucks Corporation, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., Coach, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, Monster Beverage Corp] - Seeking Alpha

For Maximum Total Return, Go For Growth [Apple Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Starbucks Corporation, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., Coach, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, Monster Beverage Corp] - Seeking Alpha: Disclosure: I am long AAPL, CTSH, MIDD, GMCR, JNJ, CL. (More...)

Introduction

Not all investors are the same. Therefore, not all investors share the same goals and objectives. Consequently, there are numerous strategies and investing methods available to choose from. Moreover, it also goes without saying that the investment strategy that's right for me may not be right for you. For that reason, it's imperative that each individual looks for the strategy that is right for their own individual goals, objectives, risk tolerances and status. By status, I'm referring to how many years you have left before retirement.

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT): What Is Due Diligence? Here's How I Do It - Seeking Alpha

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT): What Is Due Diligence? Here's How I Do It - Seeking Alpha: The lexicon of the financial world is full of phrases and jargon that are often tossed about without considering that there may be those who are not exactly familiar with the true meaning of the terms. It recently came to my attention that due diligence may be one of those idioms. In my own writings, I routinely recommend that readers conduct their own due diligence and/or comprehensive research. However, I recently had a reader ask me exactly what due diligence was and how to do it?

Calculating A Stock's Fair Value Based On Future Growth Expectations: Part 2A - Seeking Alpha

Calculating A Stock's Fair Value Based On Future Growth Expectations: Part 2A - Seeking Alpha: Introduction

In part one of this two-part series I focused primarily on calculating the intrinsic value of a common stock based on an analysis and review of historical information and data. Although I strongly believe that there is much that investors can learn by studying the past, I even more strongly believe that since we can only invest in the future, that it is also implicit that we embrace a rational method of forecasting.

CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS): What's The Correct Discount Rate To Use? Part 2B - Seeking Alpha

CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS): What's The Correct Discount Rate To Use? Part 2B - Seeking Alpha: Introduction

One of the most widely-accepted and utilized methods of valuing a business in today's world of modern finance is discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Obviously, in order to calculate valuation, practitioners must rely on mathematical formulas. However, the challenge with utilizing mathematical formulas to determine the net present value (NPV) of a future stream of income is in determining the proper inputs. Consequently, the accuracy of our result is subject to the principle "garbage in garbage out." In other words, our calculations will only be good as the data inputs we use when running our formulas.

How To Calculate The Intrinsic Value Of Your Common Stocks: Part 1 [VF Corp] - Seeking Alpha

How To Calculate The Intrinsic Value Of Your Common Stocks: Part 1 [VF Corp] - Seeking Alpha: Every investor in common stocks is faced with the challenge of knowing when to buy, sell or hold. Additionally, this challenge will be approached differently by the true investor than it would by a speculator. But since I know very little about speculation (trading or market timing), this article will be focused on assisting true investors desirous of a sound and reliable method that they can trust and implement when attempting to make these important buy, sell or hold investing decisions.

Invest In Stocks With A Margin Of Safety To Reduce Risk And Enhance Returns - Seeking Alpha

Invest In Stocks With A Margin Of Safety To Reduce Risk And Enhance Returns - Seeking Alpha: Introduction

Of all of the many sound investing principles that legendary teacher and investor Ben Graham put forward, he believed that his concept of "margin of safety" was the most important of all. This investment lesson was so deeply ingrained into the mind of Ben Graham's most famous student, Warren Buffett, that he created his two most important rules of sound investing. Rule number one: Never lose money. Rule number two: Never forget rule number one. Clearly, both of these renowned sages understood the importance of minimizing risk, especially when investing in equities. The following quote from Ben's famous book The Intelligent Investor corroborates and summarizes my point:

Common Sense Strategies For Mitigating Risk In Your Retirement Portfolios: Part 2 - Seeking Alpha

Common Sense Strategies For Mitigating Risk In Your Retirement Portfolios: Part 2 - Seeking Alpha: In part one of this two-part series titled: How Investors Can Mitigate Their Portfolio Risk In Today's Tumultuous And Volatile World: Part 1, I primarily focused on how risk is thought about and dealt with in today's so-called world of modern finance theory. As I stated in the first article, my objective was not to denigrate what is commonly referred to as MPT (Modern Portfolio Theory). Instead, my goal was to establish how risk is commonly dealt with in the modern world of finance, in order to contrast it against what I coined as "Ancient Portfolio Reality."

How Investors Can Mitigate Their Portfolio Risk In Today's Tumultuous And Volatile World: Part 1 - Seeking Alpha

How Investors Can Mitigate Their Portfolio Risk In Today's Tumultuous And Volatile World: Part 1 - Seeking Alpha: I believe this question is one of the most important questions that investors need to have answered. This is especially true for retired investors whose lifestyles depend on the incomes their portfolios provide. But, in addition to income, safety, or stated differently, risk, is also a critical consideration. Moreover, on the surface this may seem like a relatively straightforward question to answer. However, there are much deeper issues that this question conjures up. Therefore, in order to answer this question most effectively the concept of risk must be defined, understood and dealt with in its totality.

Utilities - Today's Best Bond Alternative [The Southern Company, PPL Corporation, Xcel Energy Inc] - Seeking Alpha

Utilities - Today's Best Bond Alternative [The Southern Company, PPL Corporation, Xcel Energy Inc] - Seeking Alpha: To refer to any stock or equity as an alternative to bonds or fixed income is sure to stir up the ire and consternation of many professional and individual investors alike who deem themselves prudent. Frankly, under normal circumstances I would tend to agree. But the nature of bonds and other fixed income instruments are not normal today. With today's extreme, and in the minds of many, contrived low level of interest rates, the risk profile of bonds and fixed income are far from typical. More simply stated, the currently extreme low level of interest offered by bonds and other fixed income instruments have dramatically altered, and I contend, increased their risk profile.

The Telecommunications Services Sector Untethered And Poised To Grow - Seeking Alpha

The Telecommunications Services Sector Untethered And Poised To Grow - Seeking Alpha: Suffice it to say that the Telecommunications Services sector of today is not your grandfather's Telecommunications Services sector. The explosion, and rapidly becoming ubiquitous implementation, of wireless technologies have been disruptive and game changing. As a result, the very nature of the established stalwarts within this industry have gone through an extraordinary metamorphosis. As wireline has given way to wireless, virtually every company in the Telecommunications Services sector has been forced to change their business models to align themselves with contemporary phone, Internet and cable offerings.

Improve The Productivity Of Your Dividend Growth Portfolio With Technology - Seeking Alpha

Improve The Productivity Of Your Dividend Growth Portfolio With Technology - Seeking Alpha: Dividend growth investors seeking quality dividend growth stocks to fund their retirement portfolios have not historically looked to the Information Technology sector. Traditionally, the Information Technology sector has been associated with higher growth and higher risk. However, in addition to higher growth, many technology companies are also very cyclical in nature. Another common attribute for tech companies is how they have traditionally utilized their capital. In order to finance their high-growth needs, the majority of Information Technology companies have traditionally not paid dividends. Instead, they used their capital to fund future growth. However, another contributing factor to the no dividend policy of Information Technology companies was the nascent nature of this industry.

Is The Financial Crisis Over For Financial Stocks? [Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc, Wells Fargo & Co, AFLAC Incorporated, American Tower Corp, BlackRock, Inc., ICICI Bank Limited (ADR), Monmouth R.E. Inv. Corp., Vanguard Financials ETF] - Seeking Alpha

Is The Financial Crisis Over For Financial Stocks? [Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc, Wells Fargo & Co, AFLAC Incorporated, American Tower Corp, BlackRock, Inc., ICICI Bank Limited (ADR), Monmouth R.E. Inv. Corp., Vanguard Financials ETF] - Seeking Alpha: The cause of the financial crisis of 2007-2008, also known as the Great Recession of 2008, is attributed to many different theories. However, one of the most common theories is an easy money regulatory environment that led to an abundance of subprime loans, which in turn inflated real estate prices to bubble levels. Additionally, many blame the Financial sector, predominantly the money center banks, for exploiting the lax lending requirements with reckless and greedy behavior. They did this through the creation of and proliferation of high risk bundled subprime mortgages (CMOs, etc.) and the creation of other high risk and complex financial products that were being pawned off as safe investments.

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN): For A Healthier Portfolio - Look Here - Seeking Alpha

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN): For A Healthier Portfolio - Look Here - Seeking Alpha: The Healthcare sector is comprised of many diverse companies, as can be seen from the list of subsectors provided below. Historically the Healthcare sector has been comprised of a significant number of companies with above-average growth rates of earnings. Consequently, a majority of the companies comprising the Healthcare sector could be thought of as growth stocks over dividend growth stocks.

Beware The Valuations On The Best Consumer Discretionary Dividend Growth Stocks - Seeking Alpha

Beware The Valuations On The Best Consumer Discretionary Dividend Growth Stocks - Seeking Alpha: The Consumer Discretionary sector consists of businesses that sell nonessential, and therefore, discretionary goods and services. Companies in this sector include retailers, media companies, consumer services companies, consumer durables and apparel companies, automobiles and components companies. Since so much of what this sector offers is discretionary items, companies in the sector tend to do best when the economy is strongest. Unfortunately, as we will soon see, so do the prices of their stocks tend to perform best when the market is performing best.