Best Dividend Picks for Exposure to Apple (AAPL)

Best Dividend Picks for Exposure to Apple. Great advice if you do not want to invest your hard earned dollars directly into AAPL...

Stock Pick of the Week: Icahn Enterprises LP (IEP)

Icahn Enterprises LP, stock ticker IEP, provides an excellent investment opportunity for the masses. With a current 7.20% dividend yield, $1.00 per share, IEP is currently undervalued. IEP's 52 week high is $90.75 and 52 week low is $37.22. So with a current share price of $55.52, IEP is in a sweet spot.

IEP's net assets are worth twice as much as its market cap!

Icahn Enterprises LP is essentially a diversified holding company. IEP owns subsidiaries, which are engaged in Investment, Gaming, Automotive, Railcar, Real Estate, Food Packaging, Metals, and Home Fashion. IEP is like a mini mutual fund that pays a sweet dividend.

IEP owns a 99% limited partner interest in Icahn Enterprises Holdings LP. All of IEP assets and liabilities are owned through Icahn Enterprises Holdings and all of their operations are conducted through Icahn Enterprises Holdings and its subsidiaries. Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc. (Icahn Enterprises GP), the Company’s sole general partner, owns a 1% general partnership interest in both Icahn Enterprises Holdings and Icahn Enterprises.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired additional shares of common stock of Federal-Mogul Corporation and owned approximately 77.2% of the common stock of Federal-Mogul as of December 31, 2011.

Billionaire Carl C. Icahn is the Chairman of the Board of Icahn Enterprises GP. Check out the videos below for more information regarding Mr. Icahn. His track record speaks for itself! Between 1996 and 2004, Mr. Icahn invested in 56 companies, with an average stock gain of 53%. The market is ripe for more of his astute acquisitions. Click on this link to learn more about Mr. Icahn.

Current IEP Statistics (as of April 6th, 2013):

52 week $37.22 - $90.75
Avg. Volume 213,014.00
Mkt cap 6.00B
P/E 15.68
Div/yield $1.00/7.20%
EPS 3.54
Shares 108.03M
Beta 1.03
Inst. own 96%


Feel free to visit Icahn Enterprises LP homepage, here. Also, analyze their Investor Relations page, here. Enjoy the videos below and you'll see why this stock is a winner! Go ahead and pick up a bunch of shares of IEP. Let's secure our financial future by trusting in Mr. Icahn's wise investment decisions. IEP is on the rise!

Until next time, spend within your means, reinvest your dividends within a ROTH IRA stock portfolio, and have a great day!

Carl Icahn: The Takeover Man (60 Minutes Interview)

Carl Icahn Shares Advice To Graduates (2008)

Dell To Give Carl Icahn A Look At Their Books (March 2013)

Top Dividend ETFs for 2013

Click play below to learn which ETFs will provide you with a year's worth of dividends and also for many years to come.. to infinity and beyond!!

Apple Special Event October 2012 - Keep the Dividends Coming!

Click on the link below to learn more about Apple's October 2012 event. AAPL pays a great dividend which will continue to grow as they supply the masses with the best products on the face of the Earth. Long AAPL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YnYKv9EeZs

Recommendation: Dividend Stocks Online

Now there are plenty of ways to find the best dividend paying companies using the Internet. With just a little time and effort you can find some stable dividend paying companies using Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, SeekingAlpha.. the list goes on and on! However, if you want a comprehensive list of dividend stocks, a devoted group of associates, and detailed stock analysis which is constantly updated to assist your due diligence then you have come to the right place.

Have you been you surfing the Internet looking to invest your hard earned dollars into reliable dividend paying companies? Well, look no further. Dividend Stocks Online ("DSO") provides top dividend lists to highlight the best dividend stocks, top 100 dividend stocks, ex-dividend ratings, high yield ratings, monthly reports and more.

Signing up with DSO is a great way to obtain professional stock investing advice without paying enormous fees to a broker who just wants you to invest in the latest and greatest stock. It is rare for Dividend Stock Investing For the Common Man to make a recommendation so I assure you this is a legit outfit. DSO has pointed out some cost saving points about some of our favorite dividend aristocrats over the years.

Dividend Stocks Online provides:

• Ex-Dividend Ratings: Get premium dividend data for stocks going ex-dividend each month.
• Dividend Growth Stocks: Find stocks with the best dividend and income growth rates.
• Dividend Income Tracker: Track stocks in your portfolio and the dividend income you will receive each month.
• High Yield Ratings: See how the stocks listed on our high yield list stack up against our DSO rating system.
• Safe Dividends: Dividend Paying stocks that have increased their dividend for 20 consecutive years or more.
• Monthly Dividend Stocks: Dividend Paying stocks and funds that distribute dividends for shareholders monthly.
• International Dividend Stocks: See the DSO ratings for Canadian stocks and other International companies.
• High Yield REITs: A complete list of Real Estate Investment Trusts that yield 2% or more and trade above $5.00 per share.
• Analyst Ratings: A review of analyst upgrades and downgrades and the reason behind the change in rating.

I highly recommend supplementing your already fantastic stock selecting with Dividend Stocks Online services. You will be able to save over 50% your first month. It is only $9.00 for your first month. $19.00 for each month thereafter. Cancel anytime, no cancellation fees. So, Click here to sign up!

Please feel free to ask us any questions about Dividend Stocks Online. Until next time friends, continue to invest as much as you can into your Roth IRA and purchase long term, dividend yielding companies. Your retirement years will be stress free and you will look back on your laborious working years and be proud of your well thought out financial planning.

PS.. Click here to sign up!

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. - CBRL

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., stock ticker CBRL, currently pays their shareholders 40 cents per share, which is a 2.65% dividend yield. I love CBRL because they serve great food, their restaurants are always very clean and they bring in senior citizens by the busload. You cannot find a more loyal human being on the planet than a sweet kind senior citizen. They demand quality!

CBRL's gift shops are out of this world. You can find some cool items in there. Actually their profit margin are much higher with gift shop sales than the restaurant portion! CBRL are very strategic, even somewhat picky, where they build each restaurant and are in no hurry to rush this process.

CBRL is a well run outfit and their bottom line is solid. I have seen many Cracker Barrel stores in my day and their parking lots are always full for breakfast, which just happens to be  the biggest profit meal of the day. Buying some CBRL under $65.00 per share would be ideal for your Roth IRA stock portfolio and hold for the long term. They are currently selling at $60.41 per share.

CBRL is engaged in the operation and development of their Cracker Barrel Old Country Store concept. As of September 20, 2011 CBRL operated 604 stores in 42 states. Their restaurant generated approximately 79% of its total revenue during the fiscal year ended July 29, 2011. As previously stated, their restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (closing at 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Just as an FYI, in case you ever want to visit your local Cracker Barrel.

The best part about Cracker Barrel establishments is that their breakfast items can be ordered at any time throughout the day! Breakfast items include: juices, eggs, pancakes, bacon, country ham, sausage, grits, and a range of biscuit specialties, such as gravy and biscuits and country ham and biscuits.
Lunch and dinner items include: country ham, chicken and dumplings, chicken fried chicken, meatloaf, country fried steak, pork chops, fish, steak, roast beef, vegetable plates, salads, sandwiches, soups and specialty items, such as pinto beans and turnip greens.

Are you hungry for some CBRL food? Well, you should be hungry for their dividend too! 40 cents per share is a reasonable offering. Here are some additional current CBRL statistics below:

52 week                37.31 - 61.89
Vol / Avg.                253,411.00/246,976.00
Mkt cap                1.40B
P/E                        16.41
Div/yield                $0.40/2.65%
EPS                        3.68
Shares                23.24M
Beta                        0.91
Inst. own                86%

Key stats and ratios
                                            Q2 (Apr '12) 2011
Net profit margin                       3.12% 3.50%
Operating margin                       6.43% 6.87%
EBITD margin -                       9.45%
Return on average assets               5.53% 6.55%
Return on average equity              23.18% 37.08%
Employees                              67,000

CBRL has excellent food and a large variety at a competitive price. Their service is excellent and in my humble opinion they are better than any other restaurant chain at supplementing income with a high margin gift shop with good variety. Their locations are near heavily traveled roads which help the repeat business from travelers.

Argus just recently raised Cracker Barrel to a buy on May 28th, 2012 and I cannot agree with them more! Click here. CBRL recently announced that for fiscal year 2012 their expected total revenue was between $2.55 billion and $2.6 billion, reflecting anticipated increases in comparable store restaurant and retail sales in a range of 1.5% and 2.0%. CBRL opened 13 new Cracker Barrel stores in the current fiscal year!

CBRL expects adjusted earnings per diluted share for fiscal year 2012 to be between $4.35 and $4.45. CBRL reported earnings per diluted share of between $4.14 and $4.24. Analysts were expecting CBRL to report revenue of $2.56 billion and earnings per share of $4.31 for fiscal year 2012 so they outperformed quite nicely.

With other companies complaining about lack of customers it seems like Cracker Barrel is doing something right to maintain and expand their customer base. Please feel free to visit their homepage, here, and their Investor Relations web page, here. Please watch the videos below to see first hand just how great this company truly is. Better yet, take a Cracker Barrel Virtual Tour, here!

Feed your Roth IRA some CBRL today and reap the benefits of dividend reinvesting. Until next time friends, stay healthy, invest as much as you can into some of your favorite dividend paying stocks, reinvest your dividends, and hold for life!

California Water Service Group - CWT

Water is the most precious natural resource on Earth. There is no denying that. The amount of useable water on our planet decreases year after year (Watch the 3rd video below for more details). Droughts are becoming more and more prevalent even in areas where floods take place. Additionally, water is becoming more expensive. A company that benefits holding a material which is a necessity to our existence is a fantastic investment for your Roth IRA stock portfolio.

Look no further than...

California Water Service Company is the largest subsidiary of the California Water Service Group, stock ticker CWT. CWT is the largest investor-owned American water utility west of the Mississippi River and the third largest in the country. Formed in 1926, the San Jose-based company serves more than 460,000 customers through 28 Customer and Operations Centers throughout the state.

CWT operates California Water Service Company (Cal Water), New Mexico Water Service Company (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water), Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water), and CWS Utility Services and HWS Utility Services LLC are collectively called Utility Services.

Their bulk business consists of the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public and irrigation uses, and for fire protection. CWT also provides non-regulated water-related services under agreements with municipalities and other private companies.

Current CWT Statistics:

52 week 16.65 - 19.37
Vol / Avg. 280,836.00/269,878.00
Mkt cap 732.12M
P/E 20.23
Div/yield $0.16/3.61%
EPS 0.86
Beta 0.27
Inst. own 54%

Currently selling at $17.47, CWT is undervalued. California, and the west coast for that matter, will be forever in need of water. Owning a utility company providing that so needed product seems like a smart play, right? CWT is not likely to go to the heavens, but still at these prices it is a market beater.

They pay a stable 31 cents per share, which is a 3.61% dividend yield. Click here to view CWT's stock dividend payment history. CWT has performed various stock splits in their historic history. The most recent stock splits, each two-for-one, occurred in 1984, 1987 and 1997. It looks like it is about time for another split!

If you like a consistent company with no frills or thrills then CWT is right up your alley. I guarantee you that 99% of the people that you know do not know about CWT, which makes this one a sleeper. They do what they do well and that's all there is to it. Check out their "Frequently Asked Questions" section, here.

In conclusion, CWT is a small cap, water play, which pays a sweet 3.61% dividend yield. I believe CWT is a safe haven stock for when the rest of the market is not performing on all cylinders. Feel free to visit CWT's homepage, here, and their Investor Relations webpage, here.

Facebook Inc - FB: Hate It Or Love It?

Facebook, Inc., Nasdaq stock ticker FB, is a winner in my book. Over 900+ million people use Facebook to stay connected with their friends and family, to discover what is going on in the world around them, and to share and express what matters to them to the people they care about. Internet developers can use the FB  platform to build applications and websites that integrate with Facebook to reach its global network of users and to build personalized and social products. Advertisers can engage with FB's users based on the information they have chosen to share (i.e. age, location, gender, or interests). And for these reasons I believe FB is going to increase in value and they are not just a come and go tech company.

Facebook's IPO was not over hyped nor was the company inaccurately valuated. The underwriters and FB priced the stock perfectly, which is the reason there was not a dramatic increase in share price. It seems like most expected FB to double by the end of day today, however the fact that FB did not drop to $15.00-$20.00 proves that the stock can hold it's weight. Yes, FB is selling at 100x times last years earnings, however just think of the possibilities for FB now. Here are just 5 which come to mind:

Option 1: Monetize users 
 - With 900 plus million active users, even if FB charges $1.00 per month per user that is healthy revenue stream.
Option 2: Acquire BING, yes it's possible.
 - Acquiring BING from Microsoft would allow FB to compete toe to toe with Google
 - Endless advertising capabilities.
Option 3: Facebook Phone
 - Completely independent FB Phone with their own 3G/4G network
Option 4: Potential Acquisitions
 - Just think about the possibilities. FB can integrate any of these companies listed below and instantly solidify themselves.
     -- Zillow, Yelp, Pinterest, Twitter (yes I said it), Tumblr, Mashable, DIGG, LinkedIn, Zynga, IZEA, Hubpages, Stumbleupon, E-Bay/Paypal.
Option 5: Continue to stay put and run the parallel internet, as referenced in the Video below.
 - When a user is on FB they are completely contained within the platform. They are not visiting other websites like Google or Twitter so therefore FB has a monopoly on user/customer internet traffic patterns, so therefore knows more about 900+ million people than any other company on the planet!

Let me backtrack for a second. I assure you that I am not trying to pump this stock. FB is not even my favorite company, however listening to the reports on my local news, national news and all over the net about how FB "flopped" or was "over-hyped" is a complete joke. FB did their thing today and should be proud of how far they have come from a dorm room to the Nasdaq.

Yes, I know FB does not pay a dividend and very well may never pay a dividend, however FB is a quality investment, even if it has only been on the market for 1 day. Now don't go out tomorrow and invest all of your hard earned dollars into FB, however pick up a few shares and ride it out. If FB is able to execute as well as they have over the past few years then be content with your investment and reap the profits.

You can either love FB or leave it. I believe the lyrics of 50 Cent sum up today's FB IPO:

"Hate it or love it, the underdogs on top, I ain't goin nowhere so you can get to know me!" Long live FB!

What are your thoughts on FB? A fad? An empire? Check out the hand picked videos below and be proud of Mark Zuckerberg. An American company on the rise.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day tomorrow. 

Allstate Corporation - ALL

Is your stock portfolio in good hands? Are you ready to live off of your retirement investments? Tell me, are you in good hands? Well, adding a stock like Allstate Corporation, stock ticker ALL, to your IRA would be a smart move.

Allstate is a holding company for Allstate Insurance Company. Allstate's business is conducted principally through Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company and their affiliates. They are engaged, principally in the United States, in the property liability insurance, life insurance, retirement and investment product business. Allstate's primary business is the sale of private passenger auto and homeowners insurance.

In short, Allstate Corporation is currently selling at a 50% discount from what it sold for in 2007.  Allstate is a solid company that is trading at a huge discount to its book value. ALL should continue to do better as it embraces more of a direct-to-consumer sales model and begins to shift away from using agents. Add in a solid dividend and you've got a buy! Allstate pays a 22 cent quarterly dividend, which is a 2.57% dividend yield. They are a dividend machine!

Allstate also sells several other personal property and casualty insurance products, select commercial property and casualty coverages, life insurance, annuities, voluntary accident and health insurance and funding agreements. It conducts its business primarily in the United States. Allstate has four business segments: 1) Allstate Protection 2) Allstate Financial 3) Discontinued Lines and Coverages 4) Corporate and Other. In October 2011, ALL acquired Esurance and Answer Financial from White Mountains Insurance Group (See video for more about Allstate's Esurance and Answer Financial acquisition).

Here are some helpful up to date Allstate Statistics which will help you decided whether ALL is right for your Roth IRA stock portfolio:

52 week 22.27 - 34.83
Vol / Avg. 6.51M/4.21M
Mkt cap $16.80B
P/E 16.35
Div/yield $0.22/2.57%
EPS 2.09
Shares 491.36M
Beta 1.49
Inst. own 76%

I believe Allstate will grow in profitability as property insurance benefits from the eventual real estate recovery and the middle class's recovery in jobs, investments, and purchasing power. Allstate is an experienced company, currently cleaning up the agent pool and insurance books. They have a lot of potential!

Feel free to visit Allstate's Investor Relations website, here, and register to listen to their Q1 2012 Earnings conference call, here. In conclusion, Allstate is a great company who cares about their customers. They pay a fantastic quarterly dividend which will continue to grow. ALL is way too cheap as of today. With such a great balance sheet I do not see why ALL is not selling for a much higher share price.

Interview with Thomas Wilson, CEO of Allstate

Answer Financial & Esurance Acquisition

Allstate Commercials

Becton, Dickinson and Co. - BDX

Becton, Dickinson and Company, stock ticker BDX, is a global medical technology company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents used by health care institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. BD’s operations consist of three business segments: BD Medical, BD Diagnostics and BD Biosciences.

On November 19, 2009, BD acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of HandyLab, Inc. (HandyLab), a company that develops and manufactures molecular diagnostic assays and automation platforms. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, BDX sold their Ophthalmic Systems unit, as well as their surgical blades, critical care and extended dwell catheter product platforms of the Medical Surgical Systems unit.

In August 2011, the Company acquired Carmel Pharma, AB. In February 2012, the Company acquired KIESTRA Lab Automation BV.

BDX Current Statistics:

52 week $69.59 - $89.75
Mkt cap $15.71B
P/E 13.68
Dividend/Dividend Yield $0.45/2.41%
EPS 5.47
Shares 210.10M
Beta 0.59
Inst. own 81%

BDX is a stable business. Great ROE, good profit margins and a fairly valued stock. Also, with a very obvious fantastic long term growth rate. Becton Dickinson looks cheap to me at $74.79 cents per share (closing price as of April 13th, 2012. I could see this one going to around $80.00-$85.00 within the next few months.

BDX has been consistent in the past and their present price does not reflect that combined with a growth profile heading forward. This is a great buy if you can get it below $70.00. BDX should be a core position in your Roth IRA portfolio. The dividend is pretty sweet! They have increased the dividend consistently over the past 28 years. They currently yield 2.41% and pay out $1.80 per year. I am in love with BDX's dividend. Yes, I confess!

Trading at 13.68 times 2013 earnings, BDX is pretty cheap. Their projected 10% earnings growth for 2013 is modest. Buying BDX both as short-term defensive and long-term growth prospect is a safe play. Aren't we all looking for some safety during our retirement years? BDX is well positioned to grow in emerging markets, but must adjust product costs to truly compete - which they will do!

I'm betting on BDX management to figure it all out and resume their historic consistent growth. BDX is a dividend aristocrat but more importantly a slow winner. Almost like a tortoise versus the rabbit. Put your money on the tortoise!! Like a giant tortoise, it may be big and slow, but it has a hard shell and can swim far. Far far away to support your retirement portfolio.

Please visit the BDX Investor Relations web page, here as well as visit their "About Us" web page, here. Check out the videos below and have a great investing week! Make smart decisions and watch your money work for you!

Sara Lee Corp - SLE

"Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!" 

Sara Lee Corporation, stock ticker SLE, is THEE global manufacturer and marketer of brand-name products for consumers globally focused primarily on the meats, bakery, beverage and household products categories. Their major brands include Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Senseo and namesake, Sara Lee. Now tell me that you have not enjoyed one of these tasty products during your lifetime? Jimmy Dean is my personal favorite. Click here to learn more about SLE brands. The list goes on and on and on and on (here).

SLE has five segments: North American Retail, North American Fresh Bakery, North American Foodservice, International Beverage and International Bakery. In May 2011, SLE acquired Aidells Sausage. In October 2011, Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. acquired North American private brand refrigerated dough business of it. In November 2011, SLE sold North American Fresh Bakery business. In December 2011, Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV announced that it has completed the acquisition of Sara Lee’s business. In January 2012, The J.M. Smucker Company acquired the North American foodservice coffee and hot beverage business of Sara Lee Corporation. In January 2012, the Company acquired Tea Forte.

I like SLE because of their healthy 2.17% dividend yield of 12 cents per share per quarter. See below for some additional SLE statistics:

52 week 15.66 - 22.04
Vol / Avg. 6.59M/8.04M
Mkt cap $12.52B
P/E 73.93
Div/yield $0.12/2.17%
EPS 0.29
Shares 591.59M
Beta 0.86
Inst. own 76%

Click here to visit Sara Lee's Investor Relations website and listen to their earnings calls. Always perform your own due diligence before you invest your hard earned dollars into a company. Take time to listen about the company direct from the horse's mouth, I mean each company's officers.

Sara Lee is a corner stone of the American packaged goods industry, however there are some positives and negatives about this company. Negative? Sales have declined at a 5 percent annual pace the past five years. Positive? Although sales have declined, earnings the past five years increased at an annual pace of 68 percent! SLE has gone 265+ quarters with a dividend and has solid margins!!

SLE is just what the doctor ordered for any ailing portfolio. Currently, SLE would be a nice addition to your Roth IRA retirement portfolio. SLE is currently selling for about $10.00 less than their all time high. They have the brand recognition to weather the storm of another economic downturn. Pick up some shares at this level and reinvest those dividends for optimal profits. Until next time, keep saving as much as your possibly can and invest in dividend aristocrats!

The Ascent of Money - A Financial History of The World by Niall Ferguson

Get educated before you invest your hard earned dollars into the stock market. It is not a game.

Below is a great 6 part series, as well as an interview of the man who brought us, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of The World. Mr. Niall Ferguson breaks down the most recent market crash and sub-prime mortgage issues.

Niall Ferguson follows the money to tell the human story behind the evolution of finance, from its origins in ancient Mesopotamia to the latest upheavals on what he calls Planet Finance.

Ep1 Dreams of avarice 0:00
Ep2 Human bondage 47:39
Ep3 Blowing bubbles 1:35:49
Ep4 Risky business 2:24:02
Ep5 Safe as houses 3:11:57
Ep6: Chimerica next video

Imagine a world with no money! What a concept!

Betting on the Market

For your viewing pleasure. Below is a great episode of PBS Frontline from 1997 called "Betting on the market". This episode includes interviews with Cramer, Van Wagonner and Lynch.

Take what you want out of these videos, but never put all of your money into the market like the guy during Part I 6 min 20 seconds to 6 min 40 seconds.

Enjoy!

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Thomson Reuters Corporation - TRI

Thomson Reuters Corporation a.k.a. Thomson Reuters is a provider of information for the world’s businesses and professionals. Stock ticker TRI pays a 32 cent quarterly dividend, which is currently a 4.54% dividend yield. They have paid a dividend since August 20th, 2002 and increase it annually. TRI is a long term hold for any educated investor's Roth IRA stock portfolio.

As of January 1, 2012, TRI was organized in four business units:

• Financial & Risk, a provider of news, information and analytics
• Legal, a provider of critical information, decision support tools, software and services to legal, investigation, business and Government professionals worldwide 
• Tax & Accounting, a provider of integrated tax compliance and accounting information, software and services for professionals in accounting firms, corporations, law firms
• Government, and Intellectual Property & Science, a provider of intellectual property and scientific resources

Thomson Reuters’ corporate headquarters are located in New York, New York with key operations in the United Kingdom, India, Eagan, Minnesota and Stamford, Connecticut. It operates in over 100 countries. In February 2012, the Company acquired RedEgg.

TRI has come down in price during the past two year and it is finally looking like a good value pick. Get in while this stock is below $30.00. They will always be one of the top leading information distributors worldwide and are very quick to increase the speed to its customers. The market for business intelligence collected and distributed by companies such as TRI is growing. One of TRI's offerings is Westlaw, a standard legal resource. With the number of legal proceedings in this country, there's little chance that demand for Westlaw will diminish.

Statistics as of April 6th, 2012:
52 week 25.28 - 41.35
Vol / Avg. 874,734.00/1.36M
Mkt cap 23.36B
Div/yield $0.32/4.54%
EPS -1.70
Shares 828.07M
Beta 0.95
Inst. own 38%

Bottomline: TRI is a great dividend paying blue chip stock and they have a solid balance sheet. The company is insider controlled. Feel free to visit Thomson's homepage here, and watch the videos below.

In closing, constantly reassess what your stock portfolio goals are and also how much risk you are wiling to take. If you make solid, well thought-out purchases then you can sleep better at night. Do your homework! Research how long each company has paid a dividend, listen to their quarterly conference calls so you can hear how well or bad the company is performing directly from the CEO's lips. Take notes and then hold them accountable if they do not meet analysts, but more importantly, your shareholder expectations. Keep excellent records so you can go back and pinpoint where the company may have gone wrong, or made erroneous decisions.

Only invest money that you can lose. Now of course, you probably won't lose your money if you make smart investing decisions, but it is so important to not use money that you should be using to pay your bills (for example, college loans, utilities, car note, mortgage, grocery, clothing money, etc.). Don't cut yourself short each month just because you want a few more shares of your favorite winning stock. The stock market is a risky place, but historically has provided some of the best return on investments the world has ever seen.

Apple Joins The Dividend Club - Finally!

Well, it's official. Apple, stock ticker AAPL, will begin paying a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share. Although many expected a higher dividend, such as myself, beggars can't be choosers, right? As you can tell from my two prior Apple posts (AAPL - Apple, It's time to pay a dividend & Apple iPhone 4s, iCloud and Siri - It's dividend time!), I thought Apple should spend a large percentage of their cash on hand in the form of dividend payments to their loyal shareholders. With that 90 plus billion dollars in the bank I felt Apple should have paid a gigantic one time dividend. At least $50.00 to $100.00 per share would have been nice and then a quarterly dividend of 3% to 5% ($17.00 to $29.95). It just makes sense!

Apple has doubled 5 times over the last decade and is regularly closing in on $600.00. Apple used to sell for $8.78 back in 1987, $13.53 back in May of 2004, just think if you got in on this puppy back then! Don't beat yourself up too much. AAPL still has plenty of room left to grow and could very well perform a stock split. I do not believe in pumping stocks so their share prices become unrealistic, but AAPL could hit $1,000 per share over the next 3-5 years if they continue to product innovative, useful products.

Feel free to watch these hand picked videos below from YouTube which discuss this very topic. Long live Apple!

Whole Foods Market, Inc - WFM

Whole Foods Market, Inc., stock ticker WFM, is a natural and organic foods supermarkets. They currently operate 311 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their stores average 38,000 square feet in size and 10 years in age, and are supported by its Austin headquarters, regional offices, distribution centers, bakehouse facilities, commissary kitchens, seafood-processing facilities, meat and produce procurement centers, and a specialty coffee, tea procurement and roasting operation. Their 311 stores include 299 stores operated in 38 United States and the District of Columbia; seven stores in Canada; and five stores in the United Kingdom. It owns 12 stores, two distribution facilities and land for one store in development, including the adjacent property. It also owns a building on leased land, which is leased to third parties, and has one store in development on leased land.

WFM's 52 week stock price range is $53.32 to $86.00. They have a current market cap of $15.68 billion and a P/E of 41.44. WFM pays a current quarterly dividend of 14 cents per share, dividend yield of 0.65%, which is a great thing. It is hard to find a supermarket today which pays such a sweet dividend. Their current EPS is 2.07 and are 89% institutionally owned.

If you were able to purchase shares of WFM back in November of 2008 for $8.19 then great job! You are reaping the benefits of this revolutionary company. If you buy shares at $85.97 tomorrow don't get discouraged. WFM could double within 12-24 months, but always think long term. Ask yourself, Will Whole Foods exist 20-30 years from now? I strongly believe they will be. Although WFM has had a nice run up in share value during 2011 and 2012 I know the sky is the limit. They are raking in the cash which should allow them to buy back shares and increase their quarterly dividend.

Back in 1980, WFM started out with one small store in Austin, Texas. Today, they are the world’s leader in natural and organic foods. They are riding the trend of healthy lifestyles with strong execution in sustainable business practices which makes this company a long term winner. Infuse your Roth IRA retirement stock portfolio with this growth play while it is still under $100.00 per share.

With obesity rates in the United States rising year after year during the past twenty years and resulting in illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes it is great to see that WPM is trying their best to change the tide. Organic food is a rising market, and whole foods is leading the movement. WFM has the healthy lifestyle recipe down to science, and their ability to inspire customer loyalty is unsurpassed!

Feel free to visit Whole Foods Market's home page, here, and their Investor Relations website here. Also watch these great videos below featuring John Mackey (Co-CEO) and a nice tour of a Whole Foods market in Edgewater, New Jersey and Austin, Tx. Until next time, continue to invest as much as you can on a weekly basis and watch your money work for you!

Strayer Education Inc - STRA

Strayer Education, Inc., stock ticker STRA on the NASDAQ provides post-secondary education services. You might be saying to yourself, Why would I want to invest in an education "company"? Well, STRA pays a $1.00 quarterly dividend and is selling at $98.34 compared to $254.50 back on April 16th, 2010. STRA was listed as 1 of 10 highly shorted stocks with strong profitability by Seeking Alpha. For-profit secondary schools will not go away just because the government may change legislation or force schools like Strayer, Devry, Apollo Group, etc. to have to abide by new laws. Every child in America should have the accessibility to go to a non-profit or for-profit school.

STRA offers a range of academic programs through its wholly owned subsidiary Strayer University, Inc., both in classroom courses and online via the Internet. Strayer University is an institution of higher learning that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health care, public administration and criminal justice at 92 physical campuses in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C., and online. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had opened 78 of its campuses. STRA has also developed a robust online education program.

Back in November of 2011 Strayer joined forces with Jack Welch Management Institute. Feel free to read more about this relationship by clicking here. Also, watch the video below. Yet another reason to cough up some of your hard earned dollars by investing in STRA.

Strayer has been caught between the federal and short seller cross hairs but they have shown no signs of deterioration from the analysts following the stock. STRA expanded with eight additional new campuses during 2011. They increased their quarterly dividend from 75 cents to $1.

STRA is a high-quality company and should be around forever. Yes, there are no true guarantees, but if you are looking for a safe stock to invest in, which pays a 4.07% dividend yield and could triple in stock valuation over the course of the next few years, well then look no further than STRA.

Visit Strayer's homepage, here, and their Investor Relations webpage, here. Enjoy the videos below!

Apple Should Pay A Dividend

With 90 billion dollars in the bank I believe Apple, stock ticker AAPL, should start thinking about paying their loyal shareholders a hefty dividend. Not just a 2% dividend yield, but a gigantic one time dividend, then a quarterly dividend of 3 to 5%. Apple has doubled 5 times over the last decade and is closing in on $600.00!

I am a huge fan of Apple. They will continue to develop futuristic products for the Common Man's needs. Now is the time to congratulate their investors with a hefty quarterly dividend. Sorry to sound redundant but if  AAPL can create the iPad 2 then why can they not unload some of their profits to the loyal shareholders? Now is the time!

Some are saying AAPL will hit $1,000.00, check out this YouTube video below. Also, an additional video about AAPL with the argument Why an Apple dividend would be bad for investors?

What are your thoughts? Pay a dividend or continue to hoard their cash? A dividend would be an excellent way to reward shareholders, who ultimately are most likely consumers of their products as well.

BGC Partners, Inc. - BGCP

Stock ticker BGCP pays a 17 cent quarterly dividend, which is currently an 8.98% dividend yield. With shares selling at $7.57 per share I don't see how anyone would not want to get in on this financially solid company. BGCP's CEO Howard W. Lutnick was on television the other day stating that their dividend is safe and healthy. He could not see a reason why they would not be able to continue paying the 17 cents per share.

BGC Partners, Inc. is a global financial intermediary to the financial markets specializing in the brokering of a range of financial products, including fixed income securities, interest rate swaps, foreign exchange, equities, equity derivatives, credit derivatives, commodities, futures, structured products and other instruments. They also provide a range of services, including trade execution, broker-dealer services, clearing, processing, information, and other back office services, to a range of financial and non-financial institutions. Through their eSpeed and BGCantor Market Data brands, they also offers financial technology solutions, market data, and analytics related to select financial instruments and markets. BGCP's customers include banks, broker-dealers, investment banks, trading firms, hedge funds, governments and investment firms.

BGCP has a market cap of $999.75 million dollars, P/E of 53.71 and a current 52 week average of $5.40 to $9.94. They are 43% institutionally owned which is nice to see with a semi-smaller company. BGCP has 11% inside ownership, which is a clear sign that the dividend will not be cut. I do not envision the stock price falling due to BGCP having $3.00 of cash on hand per share. They have beat the market on earnings during the last few quarters. I think they will have continued success if the market continues to either hold or rise, which in that case the dividend gives you some downside protection.

I am not a fan of BGCP just because the CEO was on television. I like BGCP for their potential long term dividend paying attributes. Also, they are a major brokerage firm. Whether the economy is good or bad BGCP with shine due to the millions of transactions they facilitate. This one fact alone will ultimately bode well for your Roth IRA stock portfolio.

Yes, you will want to have the typical dividend aristocrats as the driving forces within your Roth IRA stock portfolio, for example JNJ, WMT, or KO, however it is perfectly okay to have a not so well known highly profitable company like BGCP added into the mix.

If you are in your 20s or 30s it is okay to take a chance on a company like BCGP. If you are in your late 50s or 60s it is safe to invest in BGCP due to their consistent quarterly dividend which will provide you with steady income as you head into retirement. Just think smart and be confident about your decision.

Please perform your own due diligence by visiting BGC Partners, Inc. homepage, here. While on their main page scroll down to watch a 30 second introduction video on the left hand side. Visit their Investor Relations page, here and listen to BGC's Q4 2011 Earnings Conference Call. What a great quarter! Also, check out these great videos from YouTube. Thanks for your time and support. Always remember, I am not associated with any company I blog about, I'm just looking out for the Common Man! Have a great day!

American Capital Agency Corp - AGNC

American Capital Agency Corporation, stock ticker AGNC, is a premier real estate investment trust. AGNC invests in residential mortgage securities and mortgage obligations on a leveraged basis. Their securities principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the United States Government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), or by a the United Sates Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae).

To learn how AGNC's business works I advise you to click here, just to get a better understanding of what you're getting yourself into if you so choose to invest your hard earned monies into AGNC.

AGNC is currently selling at $30.69. They have a market cap of $6.88 billion and are 42% institutionally owned. With an EPS of 5.22 and P/E of 5.88 AGNC is highly attractive regardless of their massive quarterly dividend payment of $1.25 every three months. Yes folks, that's a 16.29% dividend yield.

AGNC's 52 week value ranges from $22.03 to $30.91. In short, AGNC borrows money short term from the Federal government, and buys much higher-interest mortgage backed securities that are backed by the Federal government! This stock is normally a sideways stock. It will, I repeat will, outperform the market for one more year or so and we'll see how it goes during the second half of 2013 when the Fed may increase interest rates.

While AGNC's dividend yield is compelling it is safe to say you will receive a steady flow of income due to their stock investing in value. Some feel that this is a risky stock to buy since the dividend yield is so high, however they have maintained their dividend payment since June 30th, 2008. Let this puppy's dividend payments compound within your Roth IRA portfolio through dividend reinvestment.

Click here to learn more about AGNC and perform your own analysis. If you pick up some shares I would hold for at least a year just to reap the benefits of the dividend.

Bottomline: AGNC is a solid performing company. They are proving to be a strong, consistent, steady player within their industry, and I like the stock's prospects moving forward. To listen/watch to AGNC's Q4 2011 Shareholder slide show presentation, click here! Also, here is another fan of AGNC below. Spread the word!