Category Archives: Investing Topics

Lanny’s October Watch List

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It’s been a while since I’ve come out with a post.  Just for the readers – I’m a public accounting firm in a top 10 firm that audits SEC registrants and the last week I’ve been in the middle of our own regulators inspection process on the audit work that we perform – therefore, my days have been approximately 12-15 hours long, depending on the day, been a whirlwind, but thank God for Bert, the other Diplomat for continuing to write away.  Thank you Bert.  I’ll also do a spin off with him and write about my October Watch List.  Let’s see what stocks are high on my list and which one’s I would actually consider to invest into.  “There’s only one October!”

Watch List

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Bert’s October Watch List

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Typically Lanny and I post a combined watch list; however, in October, we are changing the format slightly for a variety of reasons.   In this article, I am going to discuss the two stocks that I am watching closely, especially considering the fact that I have a little extra capital to deploy.  The waters have seemed to calm down after the turbulent September and it is difficult to find as many great discounts since the stock market had a mini recovery from the crazy downturn.  Let’s take a look at my October Watch List!

Watch List

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Seagate Technologies (STX) Stock Analysis

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Now seems to be a pretty good time to perform a stock analysis as we approach the middle of the month!  We have had ups and downs within the Market and it really can’t decide which way it truly wants to go.  With interest rates remaining on hold (thanks Fed… – was really hoping for a bigger discount, kidding!), the market has been a tick upwards over the last 1-2 weeks.  I wanted to hop into a sector and stock that has been beaten down this year with what is perceived to be sound dividend metrics.   How about the technology sector? Seagate Technologies (STX) – you are up!seagate

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Bert’s Quarterly Goals Review – Q3 2015

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Even after writing my September Dividend Income Summary, I still can’t believe that the third quarter of 2015 has come to a close.  Holy cow, where has all of the time gone?   Just like Lanny, I perform a quarterly goal review to track my progress so I can make any necessary adjustments before it is too late.   Let’s take a look at my progress through the first nine months of 2015!

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Small Dividend Increases from Big Companies This Year

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As I sit here with the desire to “crank out” an article before the day starts (going for an 8 minute post) – it dawned on me that this year hasn’t been the “strongest” in terms of dividend increases for large companies that we all share, hold and love.  Some are even dividend aristocrats that increase their dividend year, after year, after year.  Some are big name companies that over the last 5 to 10 years have had large or more than the average dividend growth rates, say between 5 and 15% increases, vs the 0-5% increases from some of the others.  This has been a very different year for dividend investors as we navigate the playing field and start seeing action events from companies on their annual increases, which – we can’t blame them at all, given the facts displayed out below.  Let’s see what I’m talking about so far this year, with 5 examples of companies that haven’t provided that historical or thought of dividend increase year. Continue reading →

Investing Lesson Learned: Always Have a Watch List Prepared

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This week, I learned a valuable investing lesson that caused me to miss a great opportunity in the market.   Luckily, this lesson did not result in a realized loss like lessons in the past, so I can’t complain too much.  However, I did miss a golden opportunity to capitalize on Mr. Market taking a crazy turn (even more so than a few months ago).   What lesson did I learn and how will I apply it going forward?

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