Kevin talks about why he just added to his position in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (WMT) even while being very skeptical of the overall market.

Altria Group, Inc. (MO) announced recently that they are increasing their quarterly dividend by 8.6% from $.35 a share to $.38 a share or from $1.40 annually to $1.52 annually. Altria continues its practice of increasing their dividend payout every single year as it has done since 1970.
As the economic data deteriorates and more people buy in to the idea that we are actually in an economic depression versus a typical business cycle recession, I believe that the focus will increasingly turn towards dividends, income, and capital preservation versus …

On Friday, McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) reported nice earnings, but it wasn’t enough to impress the analysts (silly I know).  The result was that MCD traded down just slightly (as of writing, it’s down 1.5%).  For me, this is what I want to happen.  I want the share price to drop.  Let me tell you why.
McDonald’s (MCD) is one of two stocks that I buy every single month.  The other stock is Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (WMT) I use a DRIP (dividend reinvestment plan) vehicle to do so.  Let me make it …

I can’t help but think about all the investors who constantly stress out about the market or about the future of their investments.  This is a terrible way to go about investing, because it is just not healthy, and it can also lead to unwise investment decisions.
There are a few things I think you can implement to help remove the stress of having money at risk in the stock market.

Have some of your portfolio in cash – By having some of your portfolio in cash, you can accomplish a couple …

To the average person, this might seem like it violates common sense, but this is a fairly common move for public companies.

Interesting article on what companies are doing with their cash.  Corporate profits have been up, but it looks like the cash isn’t going into creating new jobs.  Instead, companies are looking to buyback shares at a much higher level than last year.  So, corporate profits are good for investors, yet not so much for the unemployed.  Note: I much prefer dividends versus buybacks!

If you’re looking for a safe yet fruitful investment, especially during an economic recession, dividend stocks may be the answer. Investors view dividend stocks as having minimal risks and reliable profits when compared to other investing options. Dividend stocks are not as volatile as other stocks when markets are chaotic, and their value can continue to rise even during market lows.
The Basics
Dividend-paying stocks offer an excellent strategy for creating a reliable and lucrative income in years to come. As a long term investment plan, these stocks give you the flexibility …

Without going into detail, I believe a number of factors will force us into a lost decade including a de-leveraging economy, high government debt levels and a shift in American attitudes towards saving and spending.