Best Ideas
25 January 2015
This is a list of companies that have a very nice estimated one year return on invested capital based on the sum of the delta of the one year estimated price target plus the calculated one year dividend yield.
(Full List)
Dividend Increases
19-23 January 2015
This is a list of those companies that have recently increased their dividends. The list includes the amount and percentage of the increase, the forward dividend yield, and the ExDividend, Record and Payment dates.
(Full List)
The Market Continues Sideways
23 January 2015
As can be seen in the chart to the right, the market continues to move sideways. Based on the RSI indicator, the market is neither over bought nor over sold. At this point I remain fully invested since going long on 16 December. 
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DJIA with RSI
Wynn Resorts
20 January 2015
China's anti-corruption campaign, its tightening of credit and its restrictions on transit visas are putting pressure on casinos operating in Macau and providing an opportunity for investors who see this as a temporary event. Of special interest is Wynn Resorts. Wynn Resorts operates casinos in Macau and Las Vegas, but its main raison d'être is entertainment.
(Full Article)
The JMP Group
16 January 2015
While looking for companies with high dividend growth rates I found six companies that have a relatively high rate of growth and wrote about them in the article titled "Six Companies Growing Their Dividends" dated 5 January 2015. One of those companies peaked my interest because it not only has a three year dividend growth rate near 30%, it recently announce it is upping its dividend by 50% and changing its dividend from a quarterly dividend to a monthly dividend. 
(Full Article)
Waste Connections, Inc.
14 January 2015
Waste Connections, Inc., an integrated municipal solid waste company, provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services primarily in the United States. The company seeks to avoid highly competitive, large urban markets and instead target markets where the company can attain high market share either through exclusive contracts, vertical integration or asset positioning.
(Full Article)
Steel and Iron Companies
12 January 2015
As the overall business environment continues to increase during this new year, it's almost intuitive that the steel industry will benefit from a better economy. It's also intuitive that as the oil and oil services industries contract the requirement for tubular steel will contract too. But steel is everywhere and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. 
(Full Article)
It's Not as Bad as it Seems
8 January 2015
In case you feel like you're suffering from whiplash from a market that seems to change its mind every day, or every few hours, you might want to relax just a little. By looking at a simple daily chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average it's easy to see that the last thirty days haven't been as bad as you may think they've been. 
(Full Article)
McDonalds Corporation
6 January 2015
With all the problems McDonalds has experienced with its suppliers this hasn't been a great time to own McDonald's shares. But for those who have been waiting for a good entry point, this may be the time to start accumulating shares of this company. Dividend growth investors will appreciate the fact that the shares are paying a dividend of 3.6% and growing at the rate of nearly 10% per year. 
(Full Article)
Six Companies Growing Their Dividends
5 January 2015
The key focus for Dividend Growth Investors is obviously and quite simply, dividend growth. Or at least that's what it should be. A true DGI's intent should always be to find all those companies that grow their dividends at a pretty fast pace and on a regular and consistent basis over time. And then he should prioritize those companies based on their growth rates.
(Full Article)
Ares and Main Street
2 January 2015
I'm always searching for those unique companies that have both a large estimated one year capital gain and a nice annual dividend yield to add to my portfolio. Two companies that fit that description are Ares Capital Corporation and Main Street Capital Corporation. 
(Full Article)
Focus and Concentrate
1 January 2015
As the year 2014 quickly fades into the past and the year 2015 is thrust upon us on a cold Thursday morning, I'm planning on focusing on only a few industries and sectors this year. As a result of this decision I'll be concentrating rather than diversifying my investments.
(Full Article)
Refining and Retail
18 December 2014
With the price of oil in free fall I've decided to look at other areas of interest in the oil and gas business. I've recently written a five part series on pipeline companies and today I'm looking at seven companies that have both downstream oil operations and operate convenience stores. 
(Full Article)
Competition, Disruption and Consolidation
16 December
The Oil Industry is currently undergoing a change that it hasn't seen in decades and this may just provide an opportunity for some investors. In this article I look at twelve of the larger independent oil and gas companies that have market capitalizations of at least ten billion dollars. These are all long term investments but it's widely known that the big money is made when an investor buys companies out of favor and holds them over a period of years.
(Full Article)

Pipeline Companies (A Five Part Analysis)
8-12 December 2014
The place that oil and natural gas is normally found is usually not where it is needed or consumed so the problem has always been how it gets to the consumer. The cheapest way to transport gases and liquids is through a pipe. The next cheapest way is by train. And the most expensive is by truck. Each has it's unique advantages and disadvantages but the most restrictive element for each of these is the transport network.
(Part 1)  (Part 2)  (Part 3)  (Part 4)  (Part 5)

Integrated Oil Companies
1 December 2014
It's always a good time to own oil companies but sometimes when they're on sale it a great time to be buying. With oil in free fall this may just be just the perfect time to be buying shares in these oil companies. You just may have to be a little selective about which ones. 
(Full Article)
How I Find Great Stocks
25 November 2014
One of the most valuable tools I use for finding great stocks is a stock screener. Another way, and a much easier way is to let someone else do the work for you. While this is not always the best idea, it is the easiest way. And the easiest place to start looking for great stocks with solid dividend growth characteristics is by reviewing the list of Dividend Kings or Dividend Aristocrats.
(Full Article)
Ford Motor Company
23 November 2014
Ford Motor Company's Ford Focus is now the most popular selling car in China with sales in excess of 403,600 units. In addition, Ford has started selling their redesigned 2015 Mustang, the No. 1 selling sports car. Finally, Ford will soon begin selling it's all aluminum body F-150 Truck, the number one selling vehicle in the United States.
(Full Article)
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The 2015 Ford Mustang GT
Knowing the Numbers
20 November 2014
Every day every investor is presented with hundreds of opportunities to invest in every possible kind of company traded on the US stock markets. And every investing opportunity begs the potential investor to gather as many facts about the business as possible. This process is often referred to as due diligence among investors.
(Full Article) 
The Exit Strategy
18 November 2014
The exit strategy is always a mandatory precondition for any trade I enter. All other strategies will have disaster embedded at their core. All other strategies are simply an emotional reaction to events external to the markets. And all other strategies will accentuate a reward while ignoring the damage that's incurred by accepting such an extensive implied risk.
(Full Article)

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DISCLAIMER
I am not a licensed investment adviser, and I am not providing investment advise for you on this site. Please consult with an investment professional before you invest your money. Any opinion expressed here should not be treated as investment advice. I am not liable for any losses suffered by any party because of data or information published on this blog. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Unless your investments are FDIC insured, they may decline in value.