Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Top Yielding Stocks Going Ex Dividend Mid January

Investors occasionally use a stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends,' which is the technique of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets.

If you are interested in buying dividends, there are many stocks in many different industries to choose from. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks.

All of the following stocks have market caps over $500 million, and yield over 1%.

Repsol YPF, S.A. ( REP) Ex-dividend date: 1/12/2009 Yield: 7.55%
Solvay S.A. (SVYSY) Ex-dividend date: 1/12/2009 Yield: 7.51%
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 2.76%
The Buckle, Inc. (BKE) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 3.92%
City Holding Company (CHCO) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 4.13%
Corus Entertainment Inc. (CJR) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 4.78%
Del Monte Foods Company (DLM) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 2.37%
IDEX Corporation (IEX) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 2.12%
Mid-America Apartment (MAA) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 7.35%
The Ryland Group, Inc. (RYL) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 3.02%
Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 3.86%
Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN) Ex-dividend date: 1/13/2009 Yield: 2.18%
Saul Centers, Inc. (BFS) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 5.02%
Foot Locker, Inc. (FL) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 8.12%
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 2.57%
Harsco Corporation (HSC) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 3.15%
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 1.60%
PerkinElmer, Inc. (PKI) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 2.09%
Service Corporation International (SCI) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 3.33%
Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) Ex-dividend date: 1/14/2009 Yield: 2.54%
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) Ex-dividend date: 1/15/2009 Yield: 3.97%
Graco Inc. (GGG) Ex-dividend date: 1/15/2009 Yield: 3.33%
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) Ex-dividend date: 1/15/2009 Yield: 2.38%
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (WST) Ex-dividend date: 1/16/2009 Yield: 1.67%

For more details on dividend definitions, check out definitions of dividend dates. If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the the High Yield Utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

George Soros is Blamed for the Ukrainian Currency Collapse

According to a financial publication in Hungary, the noted investor George Soros, who was born in Hungary, is being blamed for the Ukrainian hryvnia currency crisis.

Christmas Shopper of the Year: $60,000 in a Duty-Free Shop Christmas Eve

A Chinese traveler at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, spent over $60,000 at a Aéroports de Paris (AEOPF.PK) duty free shop on Christmas Eve for his trip to Beijing. Most of the purchases were bottles of wine including 1947 Lafite Rothschild and a 1991 La Tâche Jeroboam.

Parent Company: First Major Bankruptcy After Christmas

The Parent Company (KIDS), which has a great stock ticker symbol by the way, is an online retailer of family and children's products. It is also the first major Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Christmas. The stock, which traded as high as $6.43 per share this year, is now down to seven cents a share.

Russian Professor Predicts Collapse of US in 2010

Igor Panarin, a Russian professor and dean of the Russian Foreign Ministry's academy for future diplomats, is predicting the economic and moral collapse of the United States in 2010. This former KGB agent says that by mid 2010, the US will be in a civil war causing the country to break into six parts. He said that California will become the California Republic, and be under Chinese rule, and Texas will be part of Mexico.

Top Canadian Oil Royalty Trusts: Yields Over 20%

With the price of oil dropping below $40 a barrel for several days, the prices of the Canadian oil royalty trusts have dropped substantially. These Canadian Income Trusts, also known as Canadian Oil Income Trusts or Canadian Royalty Trusts pay a very high income. These trusts pass through all their earnings from oil and gas wells to the trust holders, similar to real estate investment trusts. There is no taxation at the corporate level since they are structured as trusts. Also, a portion of the dividends may be non-taxable due to depletion and depreciation deductions.
You should be aware that the Canadian government came out with a plan to tax all Canadian trusts at the corporate level beginning in the year 2011. However, the average yield from Canadian trusts is still higher than the U.S. royalty trusts. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com recently came out with an updated database list of Canadian Oil Royalty Trusts. Below is a list of some of the Canadian Royalty Trusts that are traded on United States stock exchanges.

Pengrowth Energy (PGH) has been paying dividends since July 2004. The stock has a P/E of 9, with a yield of 28.1%.

Provident Energy Trust (PVX), has been paying monthly dividends since October 2002, has a PE of 5 and pays a yield of 22.6%.

Advantage Energy Income (AAV), has paid dividends since April 2004. The stock has a PE of 8 and a yield of 28.7%.

To get an Excel database list of all the US-traded Canadian Income Trusts, which you can download and sort, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above. Please note: these very high yields may not be sustainable.

By Stockerblog.com

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Book Review: Ten Roads to Riches

If you want to get really, really rich, then you need to get the advice of an expert, someone who is already a billionaire, and someone who works with the very wealthy on a day-to-day basis. That person is Ken Fisher, Forbes columnist, head of the money management firm Fisher Investments, and #271 on the 2007 Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans. Fisher is also the author of several investment books including the New York Times bestseller The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't , published by Fisher Investments Press and Wiley.

Fortunately for you, Fisher has written about ten different ways of becoming very wealthy, not a millionaire, but a multimillionaire or even a billionaire. He has put together a thorough analysis and description of these opportunities in a book called The Ten Roads to Riches: The Ways the Wealthy Got There (And How You Can Too!), another Fisher Investments Press and Wiley publication. Obviously, all ten of these roads won't appeal to or even be possible for everyone, but there are at least one or two pathways for anyone.

What is great about the book is that he uses real life examples, and even mentions names! He lets you know how these individuals got their start and made quantum leaps to the multimillionaires' club. Fisher even gives specifics with regards to resources, such as recommended books and web sites.

If you are looking for a book about how to invest in the stock market, you won't find it in this book. Ten Roads, is completely different from all his other investment books, a much easier read, much more humor, and by far his best book in my opinion.

Examples of some of the roads include starting your own business, become the CEO of an existing business (tip: take acting lessons!), and marrying into wealth (a very amusing and interesting chapter). The sooner you start down one of these roads, the sooner you will achieve wealth. And of course, the younger you are, the better your chances are of reaching your wealth goal. So don't waste any more time; buy a New Year's gift for yourself and get a copy of The Ten Roads to Riches: The Ways the Wealthy Got There (And How You Can Too!).

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Basketball Stocks: and Why a Warren Buffett Company is Included


At last night's Lakers versus the Celtics basketball game, tickets supposedly went for $20,000 each from the scalpers. Basketball, in addition to being a great aerobic sport for participants, a great spectator sport for fans, and is big business. The following companies are involved the sport of basketball in some way, some just a small portion of their business.

Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC) Their Madison Square Garden division owns and operates the New York Knickerbockers basketball team; they also own the Madison Square Garden Arena, the New York Rangers hockey team, the New York Liberty women's basketball team, and the Hartford Wolf Pack hockey team. The stock has a PE of 45, a PEG of 5.62, and a yield of 2.7%.

Comcast (CMCSA) The company owns Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, along with the the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, and the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League. The stock has a PE of 17, a PEG of 1.49, and a yield of 1.6%.

Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) markets basketballs and basketball equipment and apparel, along with all other types of sports equipment and sportswear. The stock has a PE of 11, and a PEG of 0.66.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) Warren Buffet's company owns Russell Corporation, which owns Spalding, a leading producer of basketballs, and has been the official ball supplier to the NBA since 1983. The stock has a PE of 18.

Amer Sports Oyj (AGPDY.PK) the largest manufacturer of sporting equipment in the world, owns the Wilson Sporting Goods Company, manufacturer of the official ball of all NCAA postseason tournaments.

Nike (NKE) produces balls for ULEB, including the Euroleague and is used in the NCAA and UAAP in the Philippines. The stock has a PE of 13, a PEG of 1.01, and a yield of 2%.

United States Basketball League Inc. (USBL.OB) is a Connecticut company that manages and franchises a professional basketball league in the United States. This is a very low market cap stock and should therefore be considered very speculative.

American Basketball Association, Inc. (ABKB.PK) operates a professional basketball league in the United States, along with selling league-related merchandise and products. This is a very low market cap stock and should therefore be considered very speculative.

If you like sports stocks, you should also check out Soccer, Racecar Motorsports, Golf, Hockey, and Tennis.

Author has owned USBL.OB for a long time. No recommendation expressed or implied.

By Stockerblog.com

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Holiday Season Stock Exchange Hours

The major stock exchanges will close at 1pm Eastern time (10am Pacific time) on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, in observance of Christmas Eve.

The stock exchanges will be closed Thursday, December 25, in observance of Christmas.

The stock exchanges will be closed Thursday, January 1, in observance of New Years Day.

Highest Yielding Stocks Going Ex Dividend Early January

Investors occasionally use a stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends,' which is the technique of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets.

If you are interested in buying dividends, there are many stocks in many different industries to choose from. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks.

All of the following stocks have market caps over $500 million, and yield over 1%.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 2.12%
Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 24.96%
The Bank of Nova Scotia (USA) (BNS) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 6.35%
Mack-Cali Realty Corp. (CLI) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 11.14%
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 5.22%
SEI Investments Company (SEIC) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 1.08%
Simpson Manufacturing Co, Inc. (SSD) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 1.51%
Toronto-Dominion Bank (USA) (TD) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 6.08%
Unibanco - Uniao Bancos Brasile SA (ADR) (UBB) Ex dividend date: 1/2/2009 Yield: 8.37%
Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) Ex dividend date: 1/5/2009 Yield: 1.61%
Gentex Corporation (GNTX) Ex dividend date: 1/5/2009 Yield: 5.23%
The Gap Inc. (GPS) Ex dividend date: 1/5/2009 Yield: 2.66%
Sovran Self Storage, Inc. (SSS) Ex dividend date: 1/5/2009 Yield: 7.36%
ABM Industries, Inc. (ABM) Ex dividend date: 1/6/2009 Yield: 2.77%
Apco Argentina Inc. (APAGF) Ex dividend date: 1/6/2009 Yield: 1.37%
Commercial Metals Company (CMC) Ex dividend date: 1/6/2009 Yield: 4.35%
Corn Products International, Inc. (CPO) Ex dividend date: 1/6/2009 Yield: 2.05%
American Express Company (AXP) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 4.01%
BB&T Corporation (BBT) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 7.32%
Brady Corporation (BRC) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 3.05%
CH Energy Group, Inc. (CHG) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 4.54%
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 2.88%
J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 4.41%
Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 10.26%
Masco Corporation (MAS) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 8.88%
Monsanto Company (MON) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 1.45%
NSTAR (NST) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 3.94%
OGE Energy Corp. (OGE) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 5.73%
AT&T Inc. (T) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 5.77%
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 5.61%
WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) Ex dividend date: 1/7/2009 Yield: 4.62%
General Mills, Inc. (GIS) Ex dividend date: 1/8/2009 Yield: 2.96%
Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN) Ex dividend date: 1/8/2009 Yield: 6.41%
Universal Corporation (UVV) Ex dividend date: 1/8/2009 Yield: 5.45%
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN) Ex dividend date: 1/8/2009 Yield: 1.23%
Velcro Industries, N.V. (VELCF) Ex dividend date: 1/9/2009 Yield: 1.56%
Tyco Electronics Ltd. (TEL) Ex dividend date: 1/9/2009 Yield: 3.81%


For more details on dividend definitions, check out definitions of dividend dates. If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the the High Yield Utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author owns T, VZ, and PGN.

By Stockerblog.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Madoff Investor Commits Suicide

Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, a money manager who invested over $1 billion with Bernard Madoff reportedly committed suicide by slicing his wrists and taking sleeping pills. Madoff's alleged Ponzi scheme is the worst in history, losing $50 billion of clients money.

Monday, December 22, 2008

STARmeter Ratings of People in the Financial Field

IMDB.com, also known as Internet Movie Database, publishes STARmeter ratings of anyone who has ever had anything to do with show business. I'm still not clear about how they calculate this, or what it really means, but here is a list of several people connected to the stock market along with their STARrating change from last week.

Suze Orman -26%
T. Boone Pickens -19%
Jim Cramer +3%
Timothy Sykes +6%
Dylan Ratigan +20%
George Soros +26%
Warren Buffett +127%
The Stockerblog proprietor +193%

How my rating increased so much, I can't even guess. Go figure.

Investment Trivia: What Billionaire Investor Appeared on a Soap Opera

Here is a trivia question for you. What billionaire investor appeared as himself on a soap opera?



Hint number 1: The Soap Opera is All My Children



Hint number 2: This billionaire appeared not once but twice in this TV series



Hint number 3: He plays himself in this show



Hint number 4: He also played the part of James Madison in an animated TV series called "Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776"



Give up? Who else but Warren Buffett. He appeared in the All My Children Episode 9869 on May 8, 2008 and Episode 9870 on May 9, 2008. He has also appeared in five documentaries. More interesting trivia about him is that his IMDB STARmeter Rating has gone up by 127% since last week.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Time for Brazil Stocks?

The iShares MSCI Brazil Index (EWZ) is down about 55% for the year, however, in the last month, it has risen over 35%. Brazil companies are on the move. Of the four BRIC countries, Brazil seems to be the country that is in the strongest shape and has the greatest potential. So what Brazilian stocks should you invest in? One resource is the book Investing in Stocks.

If you are looking for a petrochemical company, there is Braskem S.A. (BAK), the largest thermoplastics producer in Brazil. Unfortunately, the company has recently generated negative earnings; however, revenues for the latest quarter were up by 8.9%.

With growth in the rebuilding of infrastructure, the demand for steel should increase, and should benefit Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (SID), the second largest Brazilian steel manufacturer. The stock has a PE of 15.5, and a yield, based on historical payments this year, of 13%.

Companhia Vale (RIO) is the second largest mining company in the world and the largest logistics operator in Brazil. The stock has a PE of 7 and a yield of 1.1%.

Banco Itau Holding Financeira S.A. (ITU) is the second largest bank in Brazil, and also owns the investment company, Investimentos Itau. The stock has a PE of 15.5 and a PEG of 0.84. It pays a small yield of 0.5%.

Telemig Celular Participacoes S.A. (TMB) is one of the largest cellular providers in Brazil. The stock has a PE of 5 and pays a small yield of 0.%.

If you like beer, you'll love Companhia de Bebidas Das Americas (ABV) also known as AMBEV, which distributes beer, soft drinks sport drinks, and bottled water. The stock has a PE of 19 and a PEG of 2.5. Their yield is 5.1%.

CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL) is one of the largest electrical utilities in Brazil with a PE of 12 and a PEG of 8.13. The yield is 13.1% based on historical dividend payments.

To see a list of all Brazilian stocks, check out WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or the book Investing in Stocks.

Author does not own any of the above. However, he wrote the above book.

By Stockerblog.com

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Stockerblog Urgent News: NO MORE STOCK CERTIFICATES

(Washington DC, 12/17/08) Remember, you heard it here first. Effective January 1, 2009, stock brokerage firms which are Depository Trust Company participants (most of them are) will no longer allow the issuance of stock certificates for over 7,000 companies. The Securities and Exchange Commission made this decision on December 1 of this year. There are a small number of stocks which are not DTC registered, and those companies can have certificates issued until July 1, 2009.

Disclosure: Author buys and sells antique stock certificates

By Stockerblog.com

Friday, December 12, 2008

Smoking President Portfolio: Yields as High as 11%


Now that Barrack Obama is the president-elect, the United Stated will have the first smoking president in many years. Although he has made plans to quit smoking, he admits that he still hasn't yet stopped entirely. Will this have an effect on the consumption of cigarettes and tobacco? If you think so, and you have no objection to investing in cigarette stocks, you may want to consider the tobacco companies, especially because of their extremely high yields.

Vector Group Ltd. (VGR) is a Florida based company that has numerous brands of cigarettes including Liggett, Grand Prix, Eve, Pyramid, USA and nicotine-free Quest. The stock has a PE of 15 a PEG of 1.25, and pays a yield of 11.7%.

Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) makes and markets cigarettes and other tobacco products including the Camel, Kool, Pall Mall, Doral, Winston, Salem, Misty, Capri, Dunhill, State Express 555, and Natural American Spirit brands. The stock has a PE of 9 a PEG of 1.33, and pays a yield of 8.4%.

Altria Group Inc. (MO) is a Virginia based company that makes and markets cigarettes, cigars, and beer. It is the largest cigarette company by market cap in the US. The stock has a PE of 5 a PEG of 0.86, and pays a yield of 8.5%.

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a London based company that markets cigarettes and cigars under the Dunhill, Kent, Kool, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Vogue, Viceroy, and Peter Stuyvesant brands. It is one of the largest cigarette companies in the world by market cap. The stock has a PE of 14 a PEG of 1.17, and pays a yield of 3.5%.

Philip Morris International, Inc. (PM) markets Marlboro, L&M, Philip Morris, Chesterfield, Parliament, Lark, and Virginia Slims outside the United States. The stock has a PE of 12 a PEG of 1.1, and pays a yield of 5.1%.

Lorillard, Inc. (LO) has the Newport, Kent, True, Maverick, Old Gold, and Max brands. The have a PE of 12, a PEG of 1.44, and a yield of 6.3%.

If you like high yield stocks, you should check out electric utilities and gas utilities. You can also download an Excel database of monthly dividend stocks and utility stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Millionaire Fair

With all the profits you have made in the stock market this year, a great place to buy gifts is the Millionaire Fair, with cars, jewelry, and yachts.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Playing the Auto Bailout: Yields as High as 48%


Investors are looking for ways to play the automobile company bailouts, without having to speculate on the General Motors (GM) or Ford (F) stocks. A safer way of speculating on the autos is by buying their convertible preferreds, notes, convertible debentures, and minibonds, all of which should be paid off before the common shareholders are paid off, in the event of bankruptcy.

General Motors, 4.5 convertible debentures, 2032, (GXM) 25%

General Motors, 5.25, 2032, convertible debentures B (GBM) 34%

General Motors, 6.25, 2033, convertible debentures C (GPM) 36%

General Motors 7.5, 2044, (GMS), 43%

General Motors 7.375 (HGM) 44%

General Motors Senior Notes (BGM) 48%

General Motors 7.25 Notes (RGM) 48%

General Motors 7.25 (XGM) 45%

General Motors 7.25 QUIB (GMW) 45%

GMAC, 7.25 notes, 2033, (GKM) 42%

Ford Motor Capital Trust II 6.50% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities due January 15, 2032 (F-PS) 35%

CorTS Trust II Ford Notes 8.00% Corporate Backed Trust Security Certificates (KVU) 36%

Certificate of Trust Ford Debentures Corporate Backed Trust Securities 7.40% (KSK) 34%

Ford Motor Company 7.5% Notes (F-PA) 30%

Lehman 8% Corporate Backed Trust Certificate Ford Motor Company Note-Backed Series 2003-6, Class A-1 (XVF) 33%

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC 7.6% notes due March 1, 2032 (FCJ) 23%

Ford Credit Notes is the Ford Motor Credit 7.375% Notes due October 15, 2031 (FCZ) 22%

Above symbols are based on Yahoo's format for stock ticker symbols. Research the details on these securities before investing.

If you like high yields, you should check out the list of monthly dividend stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above

By Stockerblog.com

Monday, December 08, 2008

A Genuine Flying Car for Sale: Great Gift

If you are looking for that perfect Christmas present, how about a real, genuine flying car, known as the Aerocar. BillionairesLife.com has the details. Can you guess the price?

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Stockerblog's James Bond Stock Index Update: Down 6.47%


Quantum Of Solace, the latest James Bond movie, starring Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, was released in the United Kingdom on October 31, and is supposed to have more product placements than any other James Bond movie. There are many publicly traded companies that have paid to have their product appear in the film and several companies that benefit from the Bond movie. Stockerblog has put together the James Bond Stock Index.

Here are the components of the index:

Ford Motor (F) for the Aston Martin, and the Ford Car that Camille drives.

Heineken Holding NV (HKHHF.PK) for the beer.

Diageo plc (DEO) for the Smirnoff vodka.

Swatch Group (SWGNF.PK) for the Omega watch.

Singapore Air (SINGF.PK) which owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic.

Sony (SNE) Sony Ericsson cell phones, laptop and mobile phones.

Coca Cola (KO) Coca-Cola Zero Zero Seven.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI) Quantum of Solace video-game.

Corgi International (CRGI) James Bond collectibles and toys. [An extremely low cap and therefore extremely speculative stock]

Avon Products Inc. (AVP) 'Bond Girl 007' women's perfume.

It is interesting to note that through September of this year, the James Bond Stock Index outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average, dropping 9.9% versus a drop of 14.2% for the Dow. Unfortunately, since the movie was released, the James Bond Index was down 6.47% versus only a drop of 5.44% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.


Assumptions:
This is a price-weighted index, similar to the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Dividends were included.

Other celebrity indexes worth checking out:

Paris Hilton Stock Index

Jessica Alba Stock Index

Eva Longoria Stock Index

Gisele Bundchen Stock Index

Heidi Klum Stock Index

President Barack Obama Stock Index

Author owns F.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Stocks Which Benefit from Low Oil Prices Part 2: Utilities


Oil may break through $40 a barrel, since it is skirting very close to that price and has traded as low as $40.81. Recently, I wrote about the trucking and package delivery stocks which could benefit from lower gasoline prices.

With the price of oil and natural gas tanking, investors are now looking closely at the utility stocks that use oil and gas as a major fuel source of their electrical generation. Hopefully, the cost savings for these companies will pass through to the bottom line long before the Utilities Commissions implement rate reductions.

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (PNW) has one of the heaviest exposures, with 24% of their electric energy coming from oil and natural gas. About 35% comes from coal and 21.5% from nuclear. This Phoenix, Arizona based company has a PE of 11, a PEG of 2.62 and a yield of 7.2%.

Westar Energy Inc. (WR) generates about 34% of its energy from natural gas, with 56% from coal and 9% from nuclear. This utility which serves Kansas has a PE of 12, a PEG of 3.11 and a yield of 6.2%.

Entergy Corp. (ETR) has about 18% of its fuel sources coming from oil and natural gas. 12% is from coal and 33% from nuclear, with the rest purchased. Entergy serves Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, including the City of New Orleans, where it is based. The stock has a PE of 13, a PEG of 1.17 and a yield of 3.7%.

OGE Energy Corp. (OGE) has 29% of its energy coming from natural gas, with 51% from coal. They serve the south central United States. The stock has a PE of 9, a PEG of 2.32 and a yield of 6%.

Alliant Energy Corp. (LNT) has 28% of its electricity generated from natural gas and 6% from oil. The company serves Iowa and southern Minnesota. The stock has a PE of 8, a PEG of 1.78 and a yield of 4.9%.

Cleco Corp. (CNL), another Louisiana based company, with 14% exposure to natural gas. The stock has a PE of 13, a PEG of 0.99 and a yield of 4.2%.

If you like utility stocks, you should take a look at Highest Yielding Electric Utilities and Highest Yielding Natural Gas Utilities. You can also find an Excel database of utility stocks, which you can download, add to and sort, at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com

Stockerblog's Investment Blog Review

Have you seen Obama's 21st Century New Deal?
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Do you know why you shouldn't send your kids to college?
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This video about jobs has been around for a while, but it seems more appropriate now than ever.
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Why U. S. Treasuries might not be safe investments.
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Maybe 100 Year Bonds would solve the U.S. Treasury's problems.
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It is hard to believe, but the SEC allows its employees to to trade individual stocks.
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Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) is twice as likely to go bankrupt as Boeing (BA) or J. P. Morgan (JPM), according to an analysis discovered by James Altucher.
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The Top 10 Selling Brands at Perfume.com
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Wired has an article about the purple frog and velvet worms with legs.

Guest Article: Connecting The Dots (Friday Market Closings)

Connecting The Dots

One of the easiest ways to determine the trend in any market is simply to connect the dot's. In this five minute video, I explain how you can connect the dots in any market to determine its trend. I will show you three examples of connecting the dots...
1. How to determine a downtrend.
2. How to determine an uptrend.
3. How to determine when a market is making a change of direction.
One of the key components I look for is how a market closes on a Friday or the last trading day of the week. This is when traders have to decide what they want to do with their positions. It also tells you with a high degree of probability which way the market is headed for the upcoming week. I learned this trading secret on the floor of the exchange in Chicago and it is one I would like to share with you today. I feel that this technique has a lot of validity, particularly in light of today's volatile markets.
Enjoy the Video

Adam Hewison
President INO.com

Stocks Which Benefit from Low Oil Prices


With the price of oil dropping below $41 per barrel, now is the time to look for the companies would benefit from these lower prices. These are the companies that have oil and gasoline as one of their major expenses.

Obviously, the package delivery companies would be beneficiaries. For example, there is United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), which happens to be one of Warren Buffett's holdings. UPS has a forward PE of 16 and a PEG ratio of 1.33, with a yield of 3.2%.

Then f course, there is FedEx Corporation (FDX) with a PE of 23, a PEG of 1.07, and a yield of 0.6%.

Other companies that should benefit are the truckers. One of the largest is JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT). The stock has a PE of 17 and a PEG of 1.38, with a yield of 1.5%.

Landstar System Inc. (LSTR) has a PE of 14 and a PEG of 0.96. It pays a yield of 0.5%.

Heartland Express Inc. (HTLD) has a PE of 21 and a PEG of 1.95. It yields 0.5%.

Knight Transportation Inc. (KNX) has a PE of 24 and a PEG of 1.71. It pays a yield of 1.1%.

Werner Enterprises Inc. (WERN) has a PE of 20 and a PEG of 1.98. The yield is 1.2%.

Con-Way, Inc. (CNW) has a PE of 8 and a PEG of 0.75, with a yield of 1.6%.

Author owns UPS and FDX.

By Stockerblog.com

Monday, December 01, 2008

Cheap Stocks: Stocks Selling Below Cash with No Debt

If you are looking for a stock that has almost no downside, you can't beat a stock that is trading at a price below its cash per share, and on top of that, has little or no debt. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just updated their list of stocks selling below cash and has added a column which shows the amount a debt that the company has. Surprisingly, there are about a half a dozen with no debt at all and several more with relatively low debt.

For example, TradeStation Group Inc. (TRAD), an online stock brokerage company, has about $16 in cash yet the stock sells for less than $7 per share. Not only that, the stock is debt free. The company announced last month that their daily trading volume rose 62 percent in October. The stock has a PE of 8 and a PEG of 0.42.

Another 'below cash' stock is Health Net Inc. (HNT), the managed health care company. The company has over $20 per share in cash and the stock sells for less than $9 per share. In addition, the company only has $645 million in debt. The company just announced that that Jonathan H. Scheff has returned as chief medical officer. The stock has a PE of 5 and a PEG of 0.48.

CIENA Corp. (CIEN), the network hardware and software company, sells for less than $7 per share but has cash per share of over $11. They have about $800 million in debt. Their earnings call is scheduled for Thursday, December 11. The stock has a PE of 7 and a PEG of 0.37.

For a downloadable Excel database of cheap stocks, which can be sorted and changed, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com to see the Stocks Selling Below Cash with No or Low Debt.

By Stockerblog.com

More Stock Market Gifts

Last week, I provided a list of recommended investment, business, and stock market books. Here are some additional stock market related gifts:


Forbes Magazine subscription

Executive Style Stock Market Bull and Bear Rodium Plated Cufflinks

Dollar Signs by Umo Lorenzo silver metal cufflinks

Market Maker Card Game of Active Traders

Wall Street Wizard Stock Market Simulator Game

Executive Gift Stock Market Wall Street Bull and Bear Silver Plated Sculpture Figurines Paperweights

Wall Street Stock Market Bull and Bear Brass, Silver and Gold Plated Business Card Holder

Executive Gift Wall Street Stock Market Bronze KnockOut Bull and Bear Boxing Statue

StockCast Wireless Stock Market Tracker

Stock Market Bull and Bear Sculpture Bronze Bookends-Executive Gift

Ambient Market Maven

Executive Gift Bull And Bear Stock Market Wall Street Bronzed Brass with Burl Wood Base Bookends

Executive Gift Stock Market Wall Street Bull and Bear Silver Plated Sculpture Figurines Paperweights


Also, check out the list of recommended stock market books.

Book Review: The Age of Speed

I almost didn't take the time to read The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World by Vince Poscente, because I've been so busy, but I'm glad I did. Time is probably my most valuable asset, not counting my family.

Poscente explains how speed in terms of technology, work, and personal efficiency is the name of the game, in our personal lives and in the business world. He discusses how there are four different types of companies, (balloons, jets, zeppelins, and bottle rockets) and how the top ones, the jets, use their speed to become successful.

He also covers how many people (and companies) fear speed, and why it shouldn't be rejected. There is a chapter on how there are no boundaries anymore between work and leisure / family time, and how harnessing speed can make it work.

If you want to get a grasp on how our lives are going so much faster and why we should embrace it, why working faster, not harder, is important, I recomment that you read The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World.

Highest Yielding Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Early December

Investors occasionally use a stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends,' which is the technique of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets.

If you are interested in buying dividends, there are many stocks in many different industries to choose from. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks.

All of the following stocks yield over 2%.

Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.55% .
Callaway Golf Company (ELY) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.54% .
Greenhill & Co., Inc. (GHL) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.13% .
Kellogg Company (K) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.34% .
Manpower Inc. (MAN) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.14% .
Petro-Canada (USA) (PCZ) goes ex-dividend on 12/1/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.59% .
Avista Corporation (AVA) goes ex-dividend on 12/2/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.30% .
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (BOBE) goes ex-dividend on 12/2/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.17% .
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) goes ex-dividend on 12/2/2008 . The stock has a yield of 9.26% .
ArcelorMittal (ADR) (MT) goes ex-dividend on 12/2/2008 . The stock has a yield of 9.66% .
Bank of America Corporation (BAC) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 22.76% .
Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 11.28% .
El Paso Corporation (EP) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.74% .
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.35% .
Hancock Holding Company (HBHC) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.69% .
Harte-Hanks, Inc. (HHS) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.32% .
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.29% .
The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (PBG) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.12% .
Pacific Continental Corporation (PCBK) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.33% .
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.38% .
Praxair, Inc. (PX) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.14% .
Reliance Steel & Aluminum (RS) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.17% .
Sealed Air Corp. (SEE) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.81% .
The Stanley Works (SWK) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.04% .
Tidewater Inc. (TDW) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.18% .
Tupperware Brands Corporation (TUP) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.53% .
Valley National Bancorp (VLY) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.19% .
Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI) goes ex-dividend on 12/3/2008 . The stock has a yield of 18.77% .
Calavo Growers, Inc. (CVGW) goes ex-dividend on 12/5/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.39% .
Flushing Financial Corporation (FFIC) goes ex-dividend on 12/5/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.24% .
V.F. Corporation (VFC) goes ex-dividend on 12/5/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.81% .
Ameren Corporation (AEE) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 8.56% .
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (CEG) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 8.26% .
CME Group Inc. (CME) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.94% .
Canadian National Railway (USA) (CNI) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.72% .
Lancaster Colony Corp. (LANC) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.25% .
Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.25% .
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.14% .
Pepco Holdings, Inc. (POM) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.85% .
Regal Entertainment Group (RGC) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 16.62% .
Rayonier Inc. (RYN) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 7.05% .
SCANA Corporation (SCG) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.80% .
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.44% .
Titanium Metals Corporation (TIE) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.61% .
Embarq Corporation (EQ) goes ex-dividend on 12/8/2008 . The stock has a yield of 10.97% .
MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) goes ex-dividend on 12/9/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.98% .
TELUS Corporation (USA) (TU) goes ex-dividend on 12/9/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.59% .
Enersis S.A. (ADR) (ENI) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.94% .
Federal Signal Corporation (FSS) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.40% .
Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. (MIGP) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.61% .
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (PTEN) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 7.27% .
TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.71% .
Talisman Energy Inc. (USA) (TLM) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.95% .
Textron Inc. (TXT) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 7.70% .
UIL Holdings Corporation (UIL) goes ex-dividend on 12/10/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.28% .
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.92% .
Arbitron Inc. (ARB) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.66% .
BancorpSouth, Inc. (BXS) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.03% .
Corus Entertainment Inc. (USA) (CJR) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.68% .
Comerica Incorporated (CMA) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 15.76% .
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.59% .
The Corporate Executive Board Company (EXBD) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 8.65% .
Macy's, Inc. (M) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 9.06% .
First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.95% .
GATX Corporation (GMT) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.93% .
Harleysville Group Inc. (HGIC) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.87% .
Kaydon Corporation (KDN) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.21% .
NewMarket Corporation (NEU) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.24% .
New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.12% .
PepsiAmericas, Inc. (PAS) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.48% .
Public Storage (PSA) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 4.09% .
Quest Capital Corp. (USA) (QCC) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 24.03% .
Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 22.75% .
Shaw Communications Inc. (USA) (SJR) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 5.16% .
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 15.47% .
S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. (SYBT) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 3.27% .
NYSE Euronext (NYX) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.80% .
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (BR) goes ex-dividend on 12/11/2008 . The stock has a yield of 2.88% .
Baldor Electric Company (BEZ) goes ex-dividend on 12/12/2008 . The stock has a yield of 6.13% .
Euroseas Ltd. (ESEA) goes ex-dividend on 12/12/2008 . The stock has a yield of 39.10% .

For more details on dividend definitions, check out definitions of dividend dates. If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the the High Yield Utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author owns ELY, PEP, NYX.

By Stockerblog.com