* Elite Dividend Stocks

There are many lists of dividend companies such as S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, US Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index and The U.S. Dividend Champions. They all have one thing in common - trying to narrow the population to the very best dividend companies. When combined, as I did with the Stock Ideas list, this is a large and daunting list of 319 unique companies. So, how do we find the Elite companies on this list?

* Buy-And-Hold Under Attack

Have you ever noticed those that most vehemently attack a buy-and-hold strategy really don't understand how buy-and-hold works? They confuse a buy-and-hold strategy with day-trading with a longer duration.

* McDonald's Corp. (MCD) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 20, 2009.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of McDonald's Corp. (MCD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: McDonald's Corporation is the largest fast-food restaurant company in the world. Its restaurants serve a varied, yet limited, value-priced menu in more than 110 countries around the world.

* Weekly Links: April 26, 2009

Each Sunday 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.

* Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Increases Dividend For 47th Consecutive Year

Thursday, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) declared a 6.5% increase in its quarterly dividend rate, from $0.46/share to $0.49/share (yield: 3.6%). This follows last week's 10% increase from the other blue-chip ampersand company Proctor & Gamble (PG). JNJ's CEO William C. Weldon stated, "Given our strong financial position, confidence in the future of Johnson & Johnson, and in recognition of our solid results in 2008, the Board has voted to increase the dividend for the 47th consecutive year." JNJ is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field. The Company has more than 250 operating companies within three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. (Analysis)

* A Two Step Process To Follow After A Dividend Freeze

I hate to sell a stock. When I buy a stock, my intention is to hold it forever and enjoy its ever-growing dividend income. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes a stock changes and no longer fits in my income portfolio. It could be a company that cuts its dividend or in some cases freezes its dividend. Let's take a look at a two-step process designed to help us determine if we should sell a stock after a dividend freeze.