* Next Week on the D4L Channel...

It's a chemical and it is sticky! He has invaded the world via our workplace and he is slowly finding his way into our homes. And he has a friend that is shocking and electrifying. He too wants in your workplace and in your home, but he doesn't quite travel as well as his sticky friend. Will they succeed in finding a spot in my dividend portfolio? Stay tuned...

* Dividend Stocks In the News: August 30, 2008

It is well-documented that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000. They determined that performance in any given year was driven by capital appreciation, but long-term returns were largely the result of reinvested dividends.

* Weekly Links: Carnivals & Articles - August 29, 2008

Each Friday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al.

* Are You Creating Your Greatest Missed Opportunity?

Each month the Wealth, Money & Life Network chooses a topic for that month's theme. Since our members are a diverse group, the selected topic is usually broad, allowing each of us an opportunity to address it from our perspective. This month, Missed Opportunities was selected as our topic.

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? There is a lot of fear today. Fuel prices have soared driving up the prices of everything that is transported. The economy is slowing and some fear that they may lose their jobs. Many are posturing themselves in a defensive stance, moving money out of equities into cash and bonds. With that, consider the following stocks (data as of mid-day 8/27/08):

AFLAC Inc (AFL): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 18.8 and 0.95%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 14.8 and a dividend yield of 1.79%.

BB&T Corporation (BBT): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 15.8 and 3.30%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 9.1 and a dividend yield of 6.66%.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 14.5 and 5.47%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 10.0 and a dividend yield of 5.69%.

General Electric (GE): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 25.4 and 2.24%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 13.2 and a dividend yield of 4.39%.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 23.9 and 1.77%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 17.1 and a dividend yield of 2.60%.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 22.0 and 0.37%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 14.0 and a dividend yield of 1.38%.

Sysco Corp (SYY): Its average P/E and dividend yield between 1998 and 2007 was 26.4 and 1.48%, respectively. It is currently trading with a P/E of 17.4 and a dividend yield of 2.79%.

By most measures, many blue-chip stocks are trading at a historical discount. Are you going to buy now or pay full-price or a premium price later? Unlike the perpetual going-out-of-business sale at the local furniture store, this sale will end suddenly and without warning.

Tags: [AFL] [BBT] [ED] [GE] [JNJ] [LOW] [SYY]

* Stock Analysis: Target Corp (TGT)

Linked here is a PDF copy of my detailed analysis of Target Corp. (TGT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

* Investing Carnival #9

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the ninth edition of Investing Carnival supported by the members of The Dividend Investing and Value Network (The DIV-Net).