The Wit and Wisdom of Warren Buffett

As mentioned in previous articles, I love inspirational (and other) quotes. I see quotes as a portal to someone’s inner self. They reveal much about the person both good and bad. Read enough of a person’s quotes and you will get to know the person. Let’s spend some time getting to know Warren Buffett through his quotes.

Duke Energy (DUK) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Duke Energy (DUK). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Duke Energy Corp. merged with Progress Energy in mid-2012, and is the largest electric power holding company in the U.S., serving more than 7 million customers in six states.

8 Dividend Stocks With The Right Stuff

What makes a good dividend growth stock? Every dividend growth investor is looking for a stock that will increase its dividend each and every year at a rate that makes the stock a better investment than fixed income alternatives. I have found that stocks that are able to do this share some common characteristics.

Abbvie Inc. (ABBV) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Abbvie Inc. (ABBV). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Abbvie Inc. is a global research-based pharmaceuticals business that emerged as a separate entity following its spin-off from Abbott Laboratories at the start of 2013. AbbVie's key drug is Humira for rheumatoid arthritis.

6 Dividend Stocks Trading at a Double-Digit Discount

Getting a discount of 10%, 20% or even more is awesome. When it is on a big ticket item like a automobile, there are a lot of dollars to be saved and people have been known to drive great distances to receive the discount. Everyone loves a sale!

Well, maybe not everyone. When stocks go on sale it seems to depress a large number of market participants. However, for those of us that like buying stocks at a discount, a market pullback provides us a little relief.

AFLAC Incorporated (AFL) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of AFLAC Incorporated (AFL). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Aflac Incorporated provides supplemental health and life insurance in Japan and the U.S. Products are marketed at work sites and help fill gaps in primary coverage.

Charlie Munger's 10 Rules for Investment Success

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's friend and partner, is quite an investor in his own right. Munger is vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and served as chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation from 1984 through 2011. He is also worked as the chairman of the Daily Journal Corporation, based in Los Angeles, California, and a director of Costco Wholesale Corporation. Munger's 10 Rules for Investment Success are detailed in his book Poor Charlie's Almanac. Here they are:

Digital Realty Trust, Inc (DLR) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Digital Realty Trust, Inc (DLR). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), that owns, acquires, repositions and manages technology-related real estate.

Are You Creating Your Greatest Missed Opportunity?

When most people hear the phrase "missed opportunities" they tend to reflect on past events and what could have been. By nature I am forward looking, so "missed opportunities" for me is the present and the future. At some point in the future will we look back on our actions today and refer to them as our greatest missed opportunity? 

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Apple Inc. (AAPL). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Apple Inc. is a prominent provider of hardware including iPhone smartphones, iPad tablets, Mac computers, wearables and iPod digital media players.

Increasing Dividend Yield Part VII: Time

This is the seventh and final installment in a multi-part series that looks at various options used by income investors to boost their yield while waiting for dividend growth to lift their portfolio's overall yield-on-cost. Last time we looked at Increasing Dividend Yield Part VI: Crypto Currency Earning. This week we are looking at Time.

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Amgen, Inc. (AMGN). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Amgen Inc. is one of the world's leading biotech companies with major treatments for anemia, neutropenia, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, cancer and osteoporosis.

5 Best U.S. Dividend Growth Stocks

In everything we do, we always want to be the best or be associated with the best. You never hear fans yelling, 'We're number 2, we're number 2', while holding two fingers in the air. The same is true when selecting dividend growth stocks.

This is an article that I started to write several times, but would always stop after getting mired in the details. My natural tendency is make every question an analytical exercise and solve it by modeling and crunching numbers.

3M Co. (MMM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of 3M Company (MMM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: 3M Co. provides enhanced product functionality in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer, office, telecommunications, safety & security and other markets via coatings, sealants, adhesives and other chemical additives.

Increasing Dividend Yield Part VI: Crypto Currency Earning

This is the sixth installment in a multi-part series that looks at various options used by income investors to boost their yield while waiting for dividend growth to lift their portfolio's overall yield-on-cost. Last week we looked at Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). This week we are looking at Crypto Currency Earning.

Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Automatic Data Processing Inc., one of the world's largest independent computing services companies, provides a broad range of data processing services.

3 Low P/E Value-Stocks, Yielding 4% Or Higher

Before the internet and even before computers, critical financial information was printed daily in newspapers. Though many newspapers still print this information, most people find it easier (and faster) to get information on their stocks from financial websites. So back when financial information was a tedious and manual process what was considered relevant enough to warrant inclusion?

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Grainger Inc. is the largest global distributor of industrial and commercial supplies, such as hand tools, electric motors, light bulbs and janitorial items.

Increasing Dividend Yield Part V: MLPs

This is the fifth installment in a multi-part series that looks at various options used by income investors to boost their yield while waiting for dividend growth to lift their portfolio's overall yield-on-cost. Last time we looked at Bonds. This week we are looking at Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. is the largest U.S. retail drug chain in terms of revenues, this company operates more than 8,000 drug stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

How Much Money Will You Need To Retire?

How much money will you need before retiring? This obviously is very important question, but also a very difficult question to answer. There are many factors and assumptions that go into estimating the income that will be needed in retirement. With so many estimates and assumptions, there is a high probability the estimated number will be incorrect.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Air Products and Chemicals Inc. is a major producer of industrial gases and electronics and specialty chemicals also has interests in environmental and energy-related businesses.

Seeding A Forest Of Dividend Growth Stocks

In the southern U.S. where I live, there has been some controversy over harvesting forests of hardwoods and reseeding them with pines. Valuable hardwood trees such as white and red oaks, cherry, ash, yellow poplar and black walnut require decades to reach financial maturity. The southern pine reaches financial maturity in a fraction of the time, but will not bring the same price as hardwoods. Growing hardwoods is very similar to investing in dividend growth stocks.

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Waste Management, Inc. (WM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Waste Management Inc. is the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal concern.

Dividends Are Gold in a Down Market

In a down-market when many people are rushing to buy gold, I already have mine. No, not that kind, but something much better! A stable stream of dividend income from solid companies. While everyone else is panicked about their portfolio's decline, I see the downturn as an incredible buying opportunity.

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Emerson Electric Co. (EMR). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Emerson Electric Co. designs and supplies product technology, and delivers engineering services and solutions to a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer markets around the world.

5 Stocks With A Strong Cash To Dividend Coverage

Dividends are not paid with sales, earnings, EPS, EBIT or EBITDA. Instead dividends are paid with cash. As an investor, you want to pay close attention to the cash flow statement. Unfortunately, it is probably the least used and most misunderstood statement.

Ultimately, cash flow is what drives the value of any financial asset. The reason analysts look at revenue, EPS, EBIT, EBITDA and margins, they are trying to estimate the level of cash the company will generate in the future.

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: United Parcel Service, Inc. is the world's largest express delivery company, UPS has established itself as a facilitator of e-commerce.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. is one of the world's leading agribusiness concerns, with major market positions in agricultural processing and merchandising.

The First Steps To Investing

Note: This is a refresh of a post that originally was published on 05/21/2008 when my children were 10 and 7. As Paul Harvey would say, "Here is the rest of the story..." 

I am not a licensed professional and I don't know your specific situation, so I can't tell you how to invest. However, you can listen in on the advice I gave my children as they were growing up.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Abbott Laboratories (ABT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: This diversified health care products company is now focused on nutritionals, diagnostics, generic drugs, and medical devices, following the spinoff of its R&D-based prescription pharmaceuticals business at the beginning of 2013.

Optimizing Your Asset Allocation

When to buy a stock and at what price are very important decisions. However, serious investors will tell you the most important decision is how you allocate your assets. Many people step back and look at their asset allocation and how it needs to change as they approach retirement.

Leggett & Platt, Inc. (LEG) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Leggett & Platt, Inc. (LEG). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Leggett & Platt Inc. makes a broad line of bedding and furniture components and other home, office and commercial furnishings, as well as products for non-furnishings markets.

Dividend Growth Stocks Are My Conviction

For many investors, there is no clear conviction as to how they should invest. Today's investments are guided by what was read or heard yesterday, and the popular media is constantly churning out new and different ideas. Granted it makes for some "interesting" reads, but it certainty is no way to run a portfolio.

General Dynamics (GD) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of General Dynamics (GD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: General Dynamics is the world's fourth largest military contractor, and also one of the world's biggest manufacturers of corporate jets.

3 Stocks With A Low Debt To Total Capital

If the goal of dividend investing is to find and buy dividend stocks that will continue to raise their dividends, it is not enough to only look at a company's free cash flow. Many companies generate significant free cash flow, but often that cash is already spoken for in the form of debt obligations.

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Becton, Dickinson and Co. provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products used in hospitals, doctors' offices, research labs and other settings.

Never Confuse Desires With Goals

In any pursuit, if you have more than one or maybe two goals, they will often start to conflict with each other. We should never confuse desires with goals. For example, it is my goal to create an ever-increasing income from dividend growth stocks, while it is my desire to beat the S&P 500 index over the long-term.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Cisco Systems, Inc. offers a complete line of routers and switching products that connect and manage communications among local and wide area computer networks employing a variety of protocols.

One Dividend Stock That I Will NEVER Lose Money On

Wouldn't it be nice to buy stocks that only had upside. While we are wishing why don't we add in predictable earnings, predictable dividends and, of coarse, we don't want to pay a premium for this investment. Does this sound unrealistic? Possibly, at face value, but there is a way to accomplish this. It won't happen overnight, but it can be done. Here is how I have been able to do it...

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the largest retailer in the world, operating a chain of over 10,000 discount department stores, wholesale clubs, supermarkets and supercenters.

Should You Sell A Dividend Stock After A Dividend Cut?

I am not a stock trader; I am a dividend growth and value based long-term buy-and-hold investor. When I add a stock to my dividend portfolio, it is my intention to hold the stock forever. I am not smart enough to time the daily gyrations of the stock market. When stock prices start dropping, our primal instinct of flight kicks in and we want to sell. In many cases that is the time to be buying. However, sometimes selling a stock is the right thing to do.

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Genuine Parts Company (GPC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Genuine Parts Co. is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products.

Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Union Pacific Corporation (UNP). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Union Pacific Corporation operates the largest U.S. railroad, with more than 32,000 miles of rail serving the western two-thirds of the country.

Yield on Cost: Measuring for Success

If the first step in sucuessfully managing something is to determine the desired outcome (set a goal), then the logical second step is to determine how to measure your progress to ensure you are moving toward your goal. Most investors look at anualized returns and compare it to a benchmark when evaluating their portfolio. Beyond benchmarking an annualized return, there is a great disparity in how investors measure their progress. One of the more interesting metrics I track is Yield on Cost (YOC). It is simply the annual dividend rate times number of shares owned divided by what you paid for the investment (basis).

Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Texas Instruments Inc. is one of the world's largest manufacturers of semiconductors, this company also produces scientific calculator products and DLP products for TVs and video projectors.

All Investing Involves Risk

If your goal is to accumulate wealth for a comfortable retirement, then there is no risk-free path. Throughout time every angle has been tried and failed. However, some approaches carry less risk than others. Let's consider some of the popular paths.

Kellogg Company (K) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Kellogg Company (K). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Kellogg Company is a leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal also sells snack and convenience foods such as cookies, crackers, potato chips, cereal bars, fruit snacks and frozen waffles.

Asset Allocation For Income Investors

When to buy a stock and at what price are very important decisions. However, serious investors will tell you the most important decision is how you allocate your assets. As I approach retirement, I routinely step back consider my asset allocation and how well it is working for me.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is a diversified manufacturer that operates a portfolio of 60 business units that serve industrial and consumer markets globally.