Category Archives: Dividend Achiever Watch List

Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on May 7, 2010 by | 1 comment
At the end of the week, our watch list ballooned to 62 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for May 7, 2010. Stocks that appear on our watch lists are not recommendations to buy.  Instead, they are the starting point for doing your research and determining the best company to buy.  Ideally, a stock that is purchased from this list is done after a considerable decline in the price and extensive due diligence.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
MON Monsanto Co. 59.09 3.14% 24.62 2.40 1.06 1.79% 44%
HSC Harsco Corp. 26.38 3.37% 19.69 1.34 0.82 3.11% 61%
FRS Frisch's Restaurants, Inc 20.77 4.32% 10.49 1.98 0.52 2.50% 26%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 16.95 5.28% 26.48 0.64 0.32 1.89% 50%
VIVO Meridian Bioscience Inc.  18.29 5.66% 23.15 0.79 0.76 4.16% 96%
ADM Archer Daniels Midland Co. 25.94 6.97% 10.67 2.43 0.60 2.31% 25%
HCC HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. 24.71 7.06% 7.95 3.11 0.54 2.19% 17%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 74.10 7.24% 14.88 4.98 1.40 1.89% 28%
THFF First Financial Corp. Indiana  27.19 7.34% 15.72 1.73 0.90 3.31% 52%
LLY Lilly (Eli) & Co. 34.62 7.55% 8.92 3.88 1.96 5.66% 51%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp.  20.10 7.89% 28.31 0.71 1.19 5.92% 168%
T AT&T Inc 25.10 8.24% 12.49 2.01 1.68 6.69% 84%
CWT California Water Service Group 36.26 8.27% 18.79 1.93 1.19 3.28% 62%
VVC Vectren Corp. 23.25 8.70% 14.18 1.64 1.36 5.85% 83%
FII Federated Investors Inc 23.53 8.94% 12.01 1.96 0.96 4.08% 49%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp.   63.70 8.96% 14.51 4.39 1.76 2.76% 40%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas Co. 43.50 9.77% 15.37 2.83 1.66 3.82% 59%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc.  22.87 9.85% 20.60 1.11 0.64 2.80% 58%
SVU SUPERVALU INC 13.40 10.47% 7.24 1.85 0.35 2.61% 19%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 52.40 10.67% 14.16 3.70 1.21 2.31% 33%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares, Inc.  51.44 10.72% 19.94 2.58 1.36 2.64% 53%
CTWS Connecticut Water Service, Inc.  21.39 10.77% 17.97 1.19 0.91 4.25% 76%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp.  51.80 10.87% 16.29 3.18 1.12 2.16% 35%
MDU MDU Resources Group Inc. 18.47 10.93% 13.10 1.41 0.63 3.41% 45%
UHT Universal Health Realty Income 32.30 11.03% 20.84 1.55 2.40 7.43% 155%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp.  40.36 11.06% 17.47 2.31 0.74 1.83% 32%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 38.60 11.41% 12.78 3.02 1.36 3.52% 45%
GS* Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   142.99 11.66% 5.96 24.01 1.40 0.98% 6%
WTR Aqua America Inc 17.39 13.00% 22.58 0.77 0.58 3.34% 75%
SPH Suburban Propane Partners L.P. 44.10 13.08% 11.28 3.91 3.36 7.62% 86%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 51.22 13.09% 11.59 4.42 2.00 3.90% 45%
AROW Arrow Financial Corp.  25.96 13.20% 13.88 1.87 1.00 3.85% 53%
STT State Street Corp. 41.34 13.73% -10.08 -4.10 0.04 0.10% -1%
ABT Abbott Laboratories 48.72 13.96% 14.29 3.41 1.76 3.61% 52%
BXS BanCorp.South Inc. 20.19 15.04% 27.28 0.74 0.88 4.36% 119%
PGN Progress Energy, Inc. 38.83 15.05% 14.33 2.71 2.48 6.39% 92%
PBI Pitney Bowes Inc   23.53 15.46% 12.26 1.92 1.46 6.20% 76%
NJR New Jersey Resources Corp. 35.76 15.54% 29.80 1.20 1.36 3.80% 113%
BEC Beckman Coulter, Inc. 60.12 15.99% 25.15 2.39 0.72 1.20% 30%
SYBT S.Y. BanCorp., Inc.  22.98 16.06% 18.99 1.21 0.68 2.96% 56%
TR Tootsie Roll Industries Inc  25.42 16.45% 27.33 0.93 0.32 1.26% 34%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 19.01 16.48% 18.10 1.05 0.31 1.63% 30%
ATO Atmos Energy Corp. 27.33 16.60% 12.15 2.25 1.34 4.90% 60%
AWR American States Water Co. 36.12 17.20% 22.30 1.62 1.04 2.88% 64%
NUE Nucor Corp. 44.90 17.32% -187.08 -0.24 1.44 3.21% -600%
PX Praxair, Inc. 78.88 17.40% 19.29 4.09 1.80 2.28% 44%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp.  28.07 17.45% 17.12 1.64 0.76 2.71% 46%
BMI Badger Meter, Inc. 38.41 17.89% 17.70 2.17 0.48 1.25% 22%
HGIC Harleysville Group Inc.  30.76 17.90% 11.19 2.75 1.30 4.23% 47%
MATW Matthews International Corp.  32.51 18.13% 15.71 2.07 0.28 0.86% 14%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson   63.31 18.25% 13.30 4.76 2.16 3.41% 45%
SBSI Southside Bancshares, Inc.  20.61 18.51% 7.75 2.66 0.65 3.15% 24%
PFE Pfizer Inc 16.46 18.84% 13.38 1.23 0.72 4.37% 59%
APD Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. 70.98 19.09% 17.79 3.99 1.96 2.76% 49%
DBD Diebold, Inc. 28.92 19.26% 40.17 0.72 1.08 3.73% 150%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 88.14 19.46% 46.15 1.91 1.60 1.82% 84%
UGI UGI Corp. 26.47 19.72% 12.09 2.19 0.80 3.02% 37%
BCR CR Bard, Inc. 82.97 19.83% 17.54 4.73 0.68 0.82% 14%
CTAS Cintas Corp.  25.54 19.91% 23.87 1.07 0.48 1.88% 45%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc.  35.32 20.05% 15.98 2.21 1.47 4.16% 67%
BMS Bemis Co Inc 27.70 20.28% 21.47 1.29 0.92 3.32% 71%
WGL WGL Holdings, Inc. 34.44 20.46% 15.31 2.25 1.51 4.38% 67%
62 Companies

*Goldman Sachs isn't a former or current dividend achiever but I feel that it is worth watching because it could be the proxy of our financial system.


Watch List Summary

The best performing stock from last week's list was Simmons First National (SFNC) which was at break-even. The worst performing stock was Harsco (HSC) which fell 14.8%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list lost 4.9% versus the Dow which was down 5.7%.

Never before have we seen this many companies on our watch list. Part of the reason could be because the 52-week time frame now ranges from May 2009 to May 2010. You may remember that when the market bottomed in March 2009, I suggest that investors look at the company's performance at its worse possible level, which in many cases was the March 2009 low. 
Use this list to your advantage. There are (and will be) great companies paying nice dividends with low payout ratios. Place these companies in your own watch list so that when opportunities arise, you can purchase them with a greater margin of safety.
Market Commentary
As you may have noticed from our watch list, the market took a turn similar to what happened in January when the Dow retraced about 7% from the peak. At the close of Friday at 10,380, we've pulled back 7% from the closing high. It is interesting to note that in January, the Greek tragedy was already known so this shouldn't have surprised us. Our only concern at this point is, will the Dow fail to hold above the 150-day moving average which has been a strong support level for the market since July. (see chart below)

After seeing what took place on Thursday, I have increased my requirement for a margin of safety in new investment stakes. For example, I may look at companies that are within 15% of a new low instead of 20%. In considering companies to buy or sell, I would aim for a deeper discount (lower price) if I plan to buy and take smaller "fair profits" if I plan to sell. Remember, the market isn't cheap by any standard. With the latest figures I calculated, based on the Friday close, the Dow is now trading at 15x trailing earnings and 11x forward earnings. This assume 36% earning growth for the Dow. On a yield basis, the Dow is trading at 2.76%. Using the Thursday low, the yield was close to 3%. - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on April 30, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, our watch list contains 29 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for April 30, 2010. Instead, they are the starting point for doing your research and determining the best company to buy.  Ideally, a stock that is purchased from this list is done after a considerable decline in the price and extensive due diligence.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
MON Monsanto Co. 63.06 1.40% 26.28 2.40 1.06 1.68% 44%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 67.77 6.62% 17.03 3.98 1.68 2.48% 42%
LLY Eli Lilly and Co. 34.97 8.64% 9.01 3.88 1.96 5.60% 51%
FRS Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. 21.91 10.05% 11.07 1.98 0.52 2.37% 26%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 17.76 10.31% 27.75 0.64 0.32 1.80% 50%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 76.97 11.39% 12.83 6.00 1.40 1.82% 23%
FII Federated Investors, Inc. 24.12 11.67% 12.31 1.96 0.96 3.98% 49%
T AT&T Inc. 26.06 12.38% 12.97 2.01 1.68 6.45% 84%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 53.64 13.28% 14.50 3.70 1.21 2.26% 33%
UHT Universal Health Realty 33.22 14.20% 21.43 1.55 2.40 7.22% 155%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 52.05 14.93% 13.11 3.97 2.00 3.84% 50%
THFF First Financial Corp. 29.15 15.08% 16.85 1.73 0.90 3.09% 52%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares, Inc. 53.48 15.11% 20.73 2.58 1.36 2.54% 53%
CWT California Water Service 38.73 15.65% 19.86 1.95 1.19 3.07% 61%
HSC Harsco Corp. 30.96 16.00% 21.06 1.47 0.82 2.65% 56%
VIVO Meridian Bioscience Inc. 19.99 16.76% 25.30 0.79 0.76 3.80% 96%
VVC Vectren Corp. 25.01 16.92% 15.25 1.64 1.36 5.44% 83%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 40.62 17.24% 13.45 3.02 1.36 3.35% 45%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 24.44 17.39% 22.02 1.11 0.60 2.45% 54%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp. 28.08 17.49% 17.12 1.64 0.76 2.71% 46%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 54.98 17.68% 17.29 3.18 1.12 2.04% 35%
HCC HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. 27.19 18.11% 8.74 3.11 0.54 1.99% 17%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.92 18.28% 14.73 2.71 2.48 6.21% 92%
NUE Nucor Corp. 45.32 18.42% -188.83 -0.24 1.44 3.18% -600%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 18.33 19.10% 23.81 0.77 0.58 3.16% 75%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 22.22 19.27% 31.30 0.71 1.19 5.36% 168%
ADM Archer-Daniels-Midland 27.94 19.50% 15.70 1.78 0.60 2.15% 34%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas Co. 47.39 19.58% 16.75 2.83 1.66 3.50% 59%
BEC Beckman Coulter, Inc. 62.40 20.77% 28.62 2.18 0.72 1.15% 33%
29 Companies


Watch List Summary

The best performing stock from last week's list was FPL Group (FPL) which rose 1.5%. The worst performing stock was Federated Investors (FII) which fell 6.9%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list lost 1.8% versus the Dow which was down 1.75%.
No two ways about it, stocks got crushed. Monsanto (MON) continued to remain weak but the technical outlook turned rather positive when RSI diverge from the price. We'll have to see if this produce a short term rebound in price. Additionally, two positive notes came from Exxon (XOM) and Weyco (WEYS) which announced dividend increases.
Once again, the key to this list isn't to provide a winner but collectively, we hope that it can be a starting point for you to research these companies and hopefully provide lower volatility, margin of safety and  provide marginally higher return than the general market.
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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on April 23, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, our watch list contains 21 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for April 23, 2010. Instead, they are the starting point for doing your research and determining the best company to buy.  Ideally, a stock that is purchased from this list is done after a considerable decline in the price and extensive due diligence.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
MON Monsanto Co. 65.66 3.00% 27.36 2.40 1.06 1.61% 44%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 69.24 8.94% 17.40 3.98 1.68 2.43% 42%
LLY Eli Lilly and Co. 35.46 10.71% 9.00 3.94 1.96 5.53% 50%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 18.00 11.80% 28.13 0.64 0.32 1.78% 50%
T AT&T Inc. 26.25 13.20% 12.38 2.12 1.68 6.40% 79%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 51.30 13.27% 12.92 3.97 2.00 3.90% 50%
FRS Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. 22.70 14.01% 11.46 1.98 0.52 2.29% 26%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 78.82 14.07% 13.14 6.00 1.40 1.78% 23%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 54.53 15.16% 14.74 3.70 1.21 2.22% 33%
CWT California Water Service 38.90 16.15% 19.95 1.95 1.19 3.06% 61%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 40.44 16.73% 13.66 2.96 1.36 3.36% 46%
UHT Universal Health Realty 34.25 17.74% 21.96 1.56 2.40 7.01% 154%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares 54.82 17.99% 21.25 2.58 1.36 2.48% 53%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.59 18.18% 14.61 2.71 2.48 6.26% 92%
THFF First Financial Corp. 30.14 18.99% 17.42 1.73 0.90 2.99% 52%
HCC HCC Insurance Holdings 27.43 19.16% 8.82 3.11 0.54 1.97% 17%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 24.94 19.79% 22.47 1.11 0.60 2.41% 54%
FII Federated Investors, Inc. 25.90 19.91% 13.49 1.92 0.96 3.71% 50%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 18.47 20.01% 23.99 0.77 0.58 3.14% 75%
SFNC Simmons First National 28.74 20.25% 17.52 1.64 0.76 2.64% 46%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 56.31 20.53% 17.82 3.16 1.12 1.99% 35%
21 Companies


Watch List Summary

The best performing stock from last week's list was Brown & Brown (BRO) which rose 7.7%. The worst performing stock was Eli Lilly (LLY) which fell 3%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list gained 2.8% versus the Dow which was up 1.7%.
I revisited our watch list again from three months ago (January 22, 2010) to see what result these companies produced. The average gain for the list was 11.5% compared to the Dow's gain of 7.8%. The three biggest gainers were Republic Bancorp (RBCAA), Family Dollar (FDO), and Hershey (HSY). All rose more than 30%. The worse and only non-performer was Monsanto (MON) which fell 15% and remains on our list.

The key to this list isn't to provide a winner but collectively, we hope that it can be a starting point for you to research these companies and hopefully provide lower volatility, margin of safety and  provide marginally higher return than the general market.
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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on April 16, 2010 by | Leave a comment

At the end of the week, our watch list contains 23 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for April 16, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
MON Monsanto Co. 64.73 -0.69% 26.97 2.40 1.06 1.64% 44%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 67.93 6.88% 17.08 3.98 1.68 2.47% 42%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 48.43 6.93% 12.21 3.97 2.00 4.13% 50%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 37.74 8.93% 12.75 2.96 1.36 3.60% 46%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 76.31 10.43% 12.72 6.00 1.40 1.83% 23%
T AT&T Inc. 25.93 11.82% 12.24 2.12 1.68 6.48% 79%
FRS Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. 22.35 12.26% 9.93 2.25 0.52 2.33% 23%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares 52.61 13.24% 20.39 2.58 1.36 2.59% 53%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 18.59 13.91% 17.23 1.08 0.31 1.67% 29%
LLY Eli Lilly and Co. 36.54 14.08% 9.27 3.94 1.96 5.36% 50%
THFF First Financial Corp. 28.94 14.25% 16.73 1.73 0.90 3.11% 52%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 54.11 14.28% 14.62 3.70 1.21 2.24% 33%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 38.70 15.52% 14.29 2.71 2.48 6.41% 92%
CWT California Water Service 38.73 15.65% 19.86 1.95 1.19 3.07% 61%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 42.09 15.82% 19.13 2.20 0.74 1.76% 34%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 24.14 15.95% 21.75 1.11 0.60 2.49% 54%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp. 27.79 16.28% 15.97 1.74 0.76 2.73% 44%
HCC HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. 26.93 16.99% 8.65 3.11 0.54 2.01% 17%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 18.08 17.48% 23.57 0.77 0.58 3.21% 76%
AROW Arrow Financial Corp. 27.33 19.18% 13.73 1.99 1.00 3.66% 50%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas Co. 47.40 19.76% 16.75 2.83 1.66 3.50% 59%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 23.73 19.85% 19.94 1.19 0.68 2.87% 57%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 22.34 19.91% 31.46 0.71 1.19 5.33% 168%
23 Companies

Watch List Summary
The best performing stock from last week's list was Shenandoah Telecom (SHEN) which rose 4.8%. The worst performing stock, once again, was Monsanto (MON) which fell another 6% (it fell 2.8% last week). Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list gained 0.2% versus the Dow which was flat.

I revisited our watch list from three months ago (January 15, 2010) to see what result these companies produced. The average gain for the list was 13% compared to the Dow's gain of 3%. The biggest gainer was Southwest Bancorp (OKSB) which rose 92%. The worse performer was Exxon (XOM) which fell 1.7% and remains on our list. Although OKSB appeared to be speculative because of regional banking sector, we mentioned that we will include regional banks that have payout ratios of less than 50%. OKSB's payout ratio was 16%.
The key to this list isn't to provide a winner but collectively, we hope that it can be a starting point for you to research these companies and hopefully provide lower volatility, margin of safety and  provide marginally higher return than the general market.
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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on April 9, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, our watch list contains 26 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for April 9, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
MON Monsanto Co. 68.85 3.42% 24.78 2.78 1.06 1.54% 38%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 74.49 7.80% 12.42 6.00 1.40 1.88% 23%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 68.76 8.18% 17.28 3.98 1.68 2.44% 42%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 37.55 8.38% 12.69 2.96 1.36 3.62% 46%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 49.71 9.76% 12.53 3.97 2.00 4.02% 50%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.31 11.96% 21.00 1.11 0.60 2.57% 54%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 18.30 12.13% 16.94 1.08 0.31 1.69% 29%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares 52.82 13.69% 20.47 2.58 1.36 2.57% 53%
CWT California Water Service 38.08 13.71% 19.53 1.95 1.19 3.13% 61%
T AT&T Inc. 26.44 14.01% 12.48 2.12 1.68 6.35% 79%
LLY Eli Lilly and Co. 36.84 15.20% 9.35 3.94 1.96 5.32% 50%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 18.56 15.28% 29.00 0.64 0.32 1.72% 50%
THFF First Financial Corp. 29.24 15.44% 16.90 1.73 0.90 3.08% 52%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 42.15 15.99% 19.16 2.20 0.74 1.76% 34%
SFNC Simmons First National 27.74 16.07% 15.94 1.74 0.76 2.74% 44%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 55.07 16.30% 14.88 3.70 1.21 2.20% 33%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 17.92 16.44% 23.27 0.77 0.58 3.24% 75%
AROW Arrow Financial Corp. 26.77 16.74% 13.45 1.99 1.00 3.74% 50%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.17 16.93% 14.45 2.71 2.48 6.33% 92%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 23.16 16.97% 19.46 1.19 0.68 2.94% 57%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 21.87 17.39% 30.80 0.71 1.19 5.44% 168%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas Co. 46.88 18.44% 16.57 2.83 1.66 3.54% 59%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials 87.51 18.61% 45.82 1.91 1.60 1.83% 84%
HCC HCC Insurance Holdings 27.31 18.64% 8.78 3.11 0.54 1.98% 17%
CTWS Connecticut Water Service 23.18 20.04% 19.48 1.19 0.91 3.93% 76%
SBSI Southside Bancshares, Inc. 20.99 20.70% 7.44 2.82 0.65 3.10% 23%
26 Companies

Watch List Summary 
The best performing stock from last week's list is American State Water (AWR) which rose 7.4%. The worst performing stock is Monsanto (MON) which fell 2.8%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list gained 1% versus the Dow gained of 0.63%.


You may have noticed that this list is full of utility (Electricity, Gas, and Water) companies. Recently, a reader asked for our opinion on FPL Group (FPL). We replied under Research Request and urged anyone interested in investing in utilities carefully examine the sector. Although we are long California Water (CWT), we are not too excited about this sector due to the eventual rise in interest rates. Many people, myself included, may not remember the 70's (I wasn't even born yet) but our studies have shown that undervalue utilities became a bigger bargain when interest rate rose. Companies with dividend yields of 5% quickly became 10% as the price collapsed. The excerpt below was taken from my commentary on Seeking Alpha. 
Utilities got CRUSHED in the 70's when actual inflation came. Take a look at ED which traded at $5 at the end of 1974. Once year later the stock was just north of $2. It didn't reach $5 until end of 1977.AEP is another example. It closed 1974 at $26. It hit a low of $14 toward the end of 1975 and later closed the year at $18. It didn't get truly above $26 level until 1986.CNP is another name that got clobbered in 1973 to 1975.FPL didn't start trading until 1983 which saw the beginning of rate decline. The Fed Fund rate shot up to 12.9 in July 1974, came down and went back up to 14.94 in April 1982.Anyone interested in investing in Utilities, should study what really happen to cost of borrowing for these companies when rate rose.
- Art
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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on April 2, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, our watch list contains 26 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks current and former Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for April 1, 2010.
 
Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 36.52 5.41% 12.34 2.96 1.36 3.72% 46%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 67.61 6.37% 16.99 3.98 1.68 2.48% 42%
MON Monsanto Company 70.83 6.40% 25.48 2.78 1.06 1.50% 38%
DNB Dun & Bradstreet Corp. 74.38 7.64% 12.40 6.00 1.40 1.88% 23%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 48.84 7.84% 12.30 3.97 2.00 4.10% 50%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 17.73 8.64% 16.42 1.08 0.31 1.75% 29%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 40.41 11.20% 18.37 2.20 0.74 1.83% 34%
T AT&T Inc. 26.11 12.59% 12.32 2.12 1.68 6.43% 79%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.55 13.11% 21.22 1.11 0.60 2.55% 54%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares, Inc 51.93 13.16% 20.13 2.58 1.36 2.62% 53%
AWR American States Water 35.20 14.21% 21.73 1.62 1.04 2.95% 64%
CWT California Water Service 38.32 14.42% 19.65 1.95 1.19 3.11% 61%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 17.63 14.55% 22.90 0.77 0.58 3.29% 75%
THFF First Financial Corp. 29.12 14.96% 16.83 1.73 0.90 3.09% 52%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 18.59 15.47% 29.05 0.64 0.32 1.72% 50%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp. 27.60 15.48% 15.86 1.74 0.76 2.75% 44%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 22.88 15.56% 19.23 1.19 0.68 2.97% 57%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company 36.15 16.95% 9.18 3.94 1.96 5.42% 50%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 86.50 17.24% 45.29 1.91 1.60 1.85% 84%
LKFN Lakeland Financial Corp. 19.18 17.31% 15.22 1.26 0.62 3.23% 49%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.74 18.63% 14.66 2.71 2.48 6.24% 92%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas 46.98 18.70% 16.60 2.83 1.66 3.53% 59%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 22.18 19.06% 31.24 0.71 1.19 5.37% 168%
PBI Pitney Bowes Inc. 24.45 19.97% 11.99 2.04 1.46 5.97% 72%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc. 35.45 20.50% 16.04 2.21 1.47 4.15% 67%
UGI UGI Corp. 26.72 20.85% 12.09 2.21 0.80 2.99% 36%
26 Companies


Watch List Summary 

The best performing stock from last week's list, is California Water Service (CWT) which rose 4.1%. The worst performing stock is Tompkins Financial Corp. (TMP) which fell 3.3%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list gained 1.2% versus the Dow gained of 0.7%.

New addition to this list is Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) which is a former Dividend Achiever. DNB was removed from this list in 2000 after stopping the dividend payment. They reinstated dividend in March 2007 at $0.25 per share and have been raising that over the past three years. Current payout is at $0.35 which equate to annual increase of 12%. - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on March 26, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, our watch list contains 27 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for March 26, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 66.54 4.69% 16.73 3.98 1.68 2.52% 42%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 47.81 5.56% 12.04 3.97 2.00 4.18% 50%
MON Monsanto Company 71.10 6.80% 25.58 2.78 1.06 1.49% 38%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 37.75 8.96% 14.03 2.69 1.36 3.60% 51%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 17.81 9.13% 16.49 1.08 0.31 1.74% 29%
CWT California Water Service 36.81 9.91% 18.88 1.95 1.19 3.23% 61%
AWR American States Water 34.07 10.55% 21.03 1.62 1.04 3.05% 64%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 17.20 11.76% 22.34 0.77 0.58 3.37% 75%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 40.69 11.97% 18.50 2.20 0.74 1.82% 34%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 83.37 13.00% 43.65 1.91 1.60 1.92% 84%
T AT&T Inc. 26.24 13.15% 12.39 2.12 1.68 6.40% 79%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.60 13.35% 21.26 1.11 0.60 2.54% 54%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 22.65 14.39% 16.29 1.39 0.68 3.00% 49%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp. 27.36 14.48% 15.72 1.74 0.76 2.78% 44%
LLY Eli Lilly and Co. 35.42 14.59% 8.99 3.94 1.96 5.53% 50%
LKFN Lakeland Financial Corp. 18.80 14.98% 14.92 1.26 0.62 3.30% 49%
FFIN First Financial Bankshares 51.99 16.05% 20.15 2.58 1.36 2.62% 53%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom. 18.72 16.27% 29.25 0.64 0.32 1.71% 50%
THFF First Financial Corp. 29.55 16.66% 17.08 1.73 0.90 3.05% 52%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas 46.42 17.28% 16.40 2.83 1.66 3.58% 59%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc. 34.51 17.30% 15.62 2.21 1.47 4.26% 67%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.31 17.34% 14.51 2.71 2.48 6.31% 92%
UGI UGI Corp. 26.08 17.96% 11.80 2.21 0.80 3.07% 36%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 55.35 18.47% 17.52 3.16 1.12 2.02% 35%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 22.12 18.73% 31.15 0.71 1.19 5.38% 168%
PBI Pitney Bowes Inc. 24.28 19.14% 11.90 2.04 1.46 6.01% 72%
WGL WGL Holdings Inc. 34.50 20.67% 15.33 2.25 1.51 4.38% 67%
27 Companies

Watch List Summary 

The best performing stock from last week's list, is Simmons First National (SFNC) which rose 1.2%. The worst performing stock is Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) which fell 4.6%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list lost 1.2% versus the Dow gained of 1%.
Our team added two companies to our portfolio this week. AT&T (T) and Monsanto (MON) have ex-dividend dates approaching and we feel comfortable enough owning them at this level. In addition to those two, we currently have long position in Exxon (XOM) and California Water (CWT). - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on March 19, 2010 by | Leave a comment

At the end of the week, our watch list contains 25 companies. Here is the watch list which ranks Dividend Achievers that are within 20% of the 52-week low for March 19, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp 67.04 5.48% 16.84 3.98 1.68 2.51% 42%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 48.16 6.34% 12.13 3.97 2.00 4.15% 50%
MON Monsanto Company 72.20 8.46% 25.97 2.78 1.06 1.47% 38%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 17.98 10.17% 16.13 1.12 0.31 1.72% 28%
CWT California Water Service 37.07 10.69% 19.01 1.95 1.19 3.21% 61%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 38.37 10.75% 14.26 2.69 1.36 3.54% 51%
AWR American States Water 34.17 10.87% 21.09 1.62 1.04 3.04% 64%
T AT&T Inc. 26.24 13.15% 12.38 2.12 1.68 6.40% 79%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 41.18 13.32% 18.72 2.20 0.74 1.80% 34%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.62 13.45% 21.28 1.11 0.60 2.54% 54%
LKFN Lakeland Financial Corp. 18.62 13.88% 14.78 1.26 0.62 3.33% 49%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 17.53 13.91% 22.86 0.77 0.58 3.31% 76%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company 36.17 17.02% 9.18 3.94 1.96 5.42% 50%
OTTR Otter Tail Corp. 21.92 17.66% 30.87 0.71 1.19 5.43% 168%
SFNC Simmons First National Corp. 27.04 17.82% 15.54 1.74 0.76 2.81% 44%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 23.34 17.88% 16.79 1.39 0.68 2.91% 49%
THFF First Financial Corp. 29.87 17.92% 17.27 1.73 0.90 3.01% 52%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas 46.79 18.22% 16.19 2.89 1.66 3.55% 57%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 87.41 18.49% 45.76 1.91 1.60 1.83% 84%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 55.45 18.69% 17.55 3.16 1.12 2.02% 35%
PGN Progress Energy Inc. 39.84 18.93% 14.49 2.75 2.48 6.22% 90%
UGI UGI Corp. 26.52 19.95% 12.01 2.21 0.80 3.02% 36%
PBI Pitney Bowes Inc. 24.52 20.31% 12.01 2.04 1.46 5.95% 71%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc. 35.40 20.33% 16.02 2.21 1.47 4.15% 67%
WGL WGL Holdings Inc. 34.44 20.46% 15.31 2.25 1.51 4.38% 67%
25 Companies


Watch List Summary 

The best performing stock from last week's list, once again, is 1st Source Corp. (SRCE) which rose 8.4% this week and 20% in three weeks. The stock is now 30% above the 52-week low and off our list. The worst performing stock is Weyco Group (WEYS) which fell 1.4%. Overall, the Dividend Achiever watch list gained +2.7% versus the Dow's +1.11% and the S&P 500's  +0.98%.

Several new companies are appearing on our list for the first time due to the dramatic increase in the share price from the March 9, 2009 low. Names such as Eli Lilly (LLY), Otter Tail (OTTR), and Simmons First National (SFNC) have joined the list of companies that are within 20% of the 52-week low.

Exxon (XOM) remains a great bargain in our view. Exxon has been within the 10% range for 9 consecutive weeks. Monsanto's (MON) technical pattern remains intact for another week. The upside down head-and-shoulder is holding the stock above the $71 level. The team at New Low Observer have long positions in XOM and MON. - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on March 12, 2010 by | Leave a comment
At the end of the week, my watch list contains 22 companies. Here is my watch list for March 12, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 66.80 5.10% 16.78 3.98 1.68 2.51% 42%
AWR American States Water 32.50 8.62% 20.06 1.62 1.04 3.20% 64%
MON Monsanto Company 72.35 8.68% 26.03 2.78 1.06 1.47% 38%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 47.07 8.83% 11.86 3.97 2.00 4.25% 50%
CWT California Water Service 36.55 9.14% 18.74 1.95 1.19 3.26% 61%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 16.88 9.68% 21.92 0.77 0.58 3.44% 75%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 37.98 10.09% 14.12 2.69 1.36 3.58% 51%
T AT&T Inc. 25.62 10.48% 12.08 2.12 1.68 6.56% 79%
THFF First Financial Corp. 28.06 10.78% 16.22 1.73 0.90 3.21% 52%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 82.06 11.24% 42.96 1.91 1.60 1.95% 84%
LKFN Lakeland Financial Corp. 18.02 11.30% 14.30 1.26 0.62 3.44% 49%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 53.90 13.91% 14.57 3.70 1.21 2.24% 33%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 40.48 14.03% 18.40 2.20 0.74 1.83% 34%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 17.67 15.04% 15.78 1.12 0.31 1.75% 28%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 53.97 15.52% 17.08 3.16 1.12 2.08% 35%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.95 15.81% 21.58 1.11 0.60 2.51% 54%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 18.71 16.21% 30.18 0.62 0.32 1.71% 52%
UGI UGI Corp. 25.47 17.05% 11.52 2.21 0.80 3.14% 36%
WGL WGL Holdings Inc. 33.67 17.77% 14.96 2.25 1.51 4.48% 67%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 17.64 18.31% 8.73 2.02 0.53 3.00% 26%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 23.19 19.66% 16.68 1.39 0.68 2.93% 49%
SRCE 1st Source Corp. 16.66 20.38% 21.09 0.79 0.60 3.60% 76%
22 Companies

Watch List Summary 

The best performer from last week's list once again is 1st Source Corp. (SRCE) which rose 2.8% or 11% in two weeks. The worst performing stock is American State Water (AWR) which fell 6.1%. Overall watch list fell 0.5% vs the Dow gain of 0.5% and the S&P 500 gain of 1%.

Exxon (XOM) remain a great bargain in our view. This largest market cap company has been within the 10% range for 8 consecutive weeks. Once again, I'd like to flag Monsanto (MON) technical pattern for another week. The head-and-shoulder pattern remained strong this week when the stock held above the $71 level. The team at New Low Observer have long positions in XOM and MON. - Art

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Posted on March 5, 2010 by | Leave a comment

At the end of the week, my watch list contains 16 companies. Here is my watch list for March 5, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 66.47 7.45% 16.70 3.98 1.68 2.53% 42%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 16.75 8.84% 21.75 0.77 0.58 3.46% 75%
MON Monsanto Company 72.50 8.91% 26.08 2.78 1.06 1.46% 38%
CWT California Water Service' 36.90 10.18% 18.92 1.95 1.19 3.22% 61%
THFF First Financial Corp. 28.44 12.28% 16.44 1.73 0.90 3.16% 52%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 54.14 14.83% 14.63 3.70 1.09 2.01% 29%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 47.65 14.87% 12.00 3.97 2.00 4.20% 50%
T AT&T Inc. 24.99 15.59% 11.79 2.12 1.68 6.72% 79%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 17.36 16.12% 15.50 1.12 0.31 1.79% 28%
AWR American States Water 34.62 16.33% 21.37 1.62 1.04 3.00% 64%
SRCE 1st Source Corp. 16.20 17.05% 20.51 0.79 0.60 3.70% 76%
WGL WGL Holdings Inc 33.68 17.80% 14.97 2.25 1.47 4.36% 65%
UGI UGI Corporation 25.04 18.45% 11.33 2.21 0.80 3.19% 36%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 54.89 19.90% 17.21 3.19 1.12 2.04% 35%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 19.31 19.94% 31.15 0.62 0.32 1.66% 52%
MLM Martin Marietta Materials 82.14 20.79% 42.56 1.93 1.60 1.95% 83%
16 Companies
Watch List Summary 
The best performer from last week's list is 1st Source Corp. (SRCE) which rose 8.5%.
The worst performing stock is Aqua America (WTR) which fell 2.2%. Overall watch list gained 3.8% vs the Dow gain of 2.3% and the S&P 500 gain of 3%. We are at the one year anniversary of the March 2009 low. As a result, companies appearing on this week list may interesting to consider.

Once again, we'd like to highlight Exxon (XOM) which rose from the March low to December high of $76. This largest market cap company has been within the 10% range for 7 consecutive weeks. Monsanto (MON) is another name we flagged in our Nasdaq 100 watch list last week. A nice head-and-shoulder pattern developed this week when the stock held above the $70 level. The stock rose as high as $74.55 mid-week but gave most of the gain back on Friday.

As a sector, the water utilities still remain the most undervalued in our Dividend Achiever Watch List. A recent acquisition of Southwest Water Company (SWWC) left the sector with one less competitor. We are currently long California Water (CWT). 
- Art 
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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on February 26, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dividend Achiever Watch List

At the end of the week, my watch list contains 21 companies. Here is my watch list for February 26, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
THFF First Financial Corp. 26.28 3.75% 15.19 1.73 0.90 3.42% 52%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 65.00 5.08% 16.34 3.98 1.68 2.58% 42%
MON Monsanto Company 70.65 6.13% 25.41 2.78 1.06 1.50% 38%
CWT California Water Service 35.88 7.14% 17.94 2.00 1.19 3.32% 60%
SRCE 1st Source Corp. 14.93 7.88% 18.90 0.79 0.60 4.02% 76%
AWR American States Water Co. 32.16 8.06% 19.85 1.62 1.04 3.23% 64%
WTR Aqua America, Inc. 17.12 11.24% 22.53 0.76 0.58 3.39% 76%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 46.37 11.79% 11.68 3.97 2.00 4.31% 50%
TMP Tompkins Financial Corp. 35.86 11.89% 13.33 2.69 1.36 3.79% 51%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 18.03 11.99% 29.08 0.62 0.32 1.77% 52%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 16.78 12.24% 14.98 1.12 0.31 1.85% 28%
UMBF UMB Financial Corporation 38.31 13.85% 17.41 2.20 0.74 1.93% 34%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 23.02 14.30% 23.02 1.00 0.60 2.61% 60%
WGL WGL Holdings Inc 32.85 14.90% 14.60 2.25 1.47 4.47% 65%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 54.07 15.04% 14.61 3.70 1.09 2.02% 29%
T AT&T Inc. 24.81 15.72% 11.70 2.12 1.68 6.77% 79%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 53.29 16.40% 16.71 3.19 1.12 2.10% 35%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas Co. 43.99 16.65% 15.22 2.89 1.66 3.77% 57%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 16.87 17.40% 8.35 2.02 0.53 3.14% 26%
UGI UGI Corporation 25.05 18.50% 11.33 2.21 0.80 3.19% 36%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 21.95 20.01% 15.79 1.39 0.68 3.10% 49%
21 Companies


Watch List Summary

The best performer from last week's list is Weyco (WEYS) which rose 3.7%.

The worst performing stock is Monsanto (MON) which fell 9.1%. We are considering Monsanto as a possible investment. After some diligent research, out team was able to uncover the fact that MON had increased the dividend every year since 1967. In 1999, Pharmacia & Upjohn bought MON which technically discontinued the dividend increases. However, in 2000 Pharmicia spun-off MON which allowed MON to start their dividend increases in 2001.

One company that had been of particular interest was Northern Trust (NTRS). As the stock approached getting within 10% of the low, we ramped up our research of the company. In fact, just before our research was being completed the stock price jumped from $50 to $54 in a matter days. A primary rule of thumb when investing is to never chase a rising stock price. At $53.29, we can only watch from the sidelines. NTRS is a top notch financial institution which would end up being the subject of a bidding war or an acquirer of a substantially undervalued asset.

Overall performance of last week's list is a gain of 1.5%. Exxon Mobil (XOM), the largest company by market cap, has been within the 10% range for 6 consecutive weeks. As a sector, the water utilities are the most undervalued in our Dividend Achiever Watch List. A cursory examination and some patience will prove to be fruitful.

- Art


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Posted on February 19, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dividend Achiever Watch List

At the end of the week, my watch list contains 21 companies. Here is my watch list for February 19 , 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
THFF First Financial Corp 26.42 4.30% 15.27 1.73 0.90 3.41% 52%
XOM Exxon Mobil Corp. 65.87 6.48% 16.55 3.98 1.68 2.55% 42%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 22.19 10.34% 22.19 1.00 0.60 2.70% 60%
SRCE 1st Source Corporation 15.38 11.13% 19.47 0.79 0.60 3.90% 76%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 17.93 11.37% 28.92 0.62 0.32 1.78% 52%
CWT California Water Service 37.41 11.70% 18.71 2.00 1.19 3.18% 60%
BRO Brown & Brown, Inc. 16.72 11.84% 15.00 1.12 0.31 1.85% 28%
AWR American States Water 33.32 11.96% 20.57 1.62 1.04 3.12% 64%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp 37.88 12.57% 17.22 2.20 0.74 1.95% 34%
WTR Aqua America Inc 17.38 12.93% 22.87 0.76 0.58 3.34% 76%
FPL FPL Group, Inc. 46.88 13.02% 11.81 3.97 2.00 4.27% 50%
WMT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 53.49 13.81% 15.49 3.45 1.09 2.04% 32%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 16.59 15.45% 8.21 2.02 0.53 3.19% 26%
WGL WGL Holdings, Inc. 33.14 15.88% 14.73 2.25 1.47 4.44% 65%
MON* Monsanto Co. 77.75 16.79% 27.97 2.78 1.06 1.36% 38%
T AT&T Inc 25.10 17.02% 11.84 2.12 1.68 6.69% 79%
NWN Northwest Natural Gas 44.23 17.08% 15.30 2.89 1.66 3.75% 57%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 21.47 17.39% 15.45 1.39 0.68 3.17% 49%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp 54.60 19.27% 17.12 3.19 1.12 2.05% 35%
UGI UGI Corp. 25.46 20.46% 11.52 2.21 0.80 3.14% 36%
BCR Bard (C.R.), Inc. 83.44 20.93% 18.14 4.60 0.68 0.81% 15%
21 Companies
*Although Monsanto (MON) isn't a Dividend Achiever, we feel that it has a good potential of becoming one.

The best performer from last week's list is Northern Trust (NTRS) which rose 9.2%. The worse performing stock is Weyco (WEYS) which fell 2.9%. Overall performance of last week's list is a gain of 2.9% - Art

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Posted on February 12, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dividend Achiever Watch List

At the end of the week, my watch list contains 27 companies. Here is my watch list for February 12 , 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
THFF First Financial Cor 26.49 4.58% 14.48 1.83 0.90 3.40% 49%
XOM EXXON MOBIL CP 64.80 4.75% 16.28 3.98 1.68 2.59% 42%
CWT CALIFORNIA WATER 35.92 7.26% 17.96 2.00 1.19 3.31% 60%
AWR AMER ST WATER 32.05 7.69% 19.82 1.62 1.04 3.24% 64%
WTR AQUA AMERICA INC 16.59 7.80% 21.83 0.76 0.58 3.50% 76%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 15.54 8.14% 7.69 2.02 0.53 3.41% 26%
SRCE 1st Source Corp. 15.09 9.03% 19.10 0.79 0.60 3.98% 76%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 50.01 9.24% 15.68 3.19 1.12 2.24% 35%
FPL F P L GROUP INC 45.57 9.86% 11.48 3.97 1.89 4.15% 48%
WGL WGL HOLDINGS INC 31.75 11.05% 14.12 2.25 1.47 4.63% 65%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 17.98 11.68% 29.00 0.62 0.32 1.78% 52%
NWN NORTHWEST NAT GAS 42.15 11.77% 14.59 2.89 1.66 3.94% 57%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 20.56 12.41% 14.79 1.39 0.68 3.31% 49%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp. 37.86 12.51% 17.21 2.20 0.74 1.95% 34%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 22.82 13.48% 22.82 1.00 0.60 2.63% 60%
TMP TOMPKINS FINANCIAL 36.44 13.70% 13.55 2.69 1.36 3.73% 51%
WMT WAL MART STORES 52.90 13.81% 15.33 3.45 1.09 2.06% 32%
MON* MONSANTO COMPANY 75.82 13.90% 27.27 2.78 1.06 1.40% 38%
MLM MARTIN MARIETTA 78.25 16.36% 29.75 2.63 1.60 2.04% 61%
UGI U G I CP 24.62 16.46% 11.14 2.21 0.80 3.25% 36%
T AT&T INC. 25.07 16.93% 11.83 2.12 1.68 6.70% 79%
NJR N J RESOURCES CP 35.31 17.90% 55.00 0.64 1.36 3.85% 212%
BCR BARD C R INC 81.97 18.90% 17.82 4.60 0.68 0.83% 15%
PNY PIEDMONT NAT GAS CO 24.63 19.10% 14.73 1.67 1.08 4.38% 65%
MATW Matthews International 32.50 19.88% 16.58 1.96 0.28 0.86% 14%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc. 32.78 20.21% 15.46 2.12 1.47 4.48% 69%
SJW S J W CP 22.01 20.80% 24.46 0.90 0.68 3.09% 76%
27 Companies
*Although Monsanto (MON) isn't a Dividend Achiever, we feel that it has a good potential of becoming one.


New addition to this week's list is Matthews International (MATW).

Market Note
Berkshire B was added to the S&P 500 today thus attracting an unusual amount of volume. For more, click here. - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on February 5, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dividend Achiever Watch List

At the end of the week, my watch list contains 27 companies compared to 22 companies from the previous week. Here are the companies on my watch list as of February 5 , 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
THFF First Financial Corp 27.45 3.47% 15.00 1.83 0.90 3.28% 49%
XOM EXXON MOBIL 64.80 4.75% 15.09 4.29 1.68 2.59% 39%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 17.09 6.15% 27.56 0.62 0.32 1.87% 52%
CWT CALIFORNIA WATER 36.03 7.58% 18.02 2.00 1.19 3.30% 60%
SRCE 1st Source Corporation 14.93 7.88% 18.90 0.79 0.60 4.02% 76%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 15.73 9.46% 7.79 2.02 0.53 3.37% 26%
WTR AQUA AMERICA INC 16.92 9.94% 22.26 0.76 0.58 3.43% 76%
AWR AMER ST WATER 32.74 10.01% 20.21 1.62 1.04 3.18% 64%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp 50.54 10.40% 15.84 3.19 1.12 2.22% 35%
WGL WGL HOLDINGS INC 31.63 10.63% 13.23 2.39 1.47 4.65% 62%
UMBF UMB Financial Corp 37.60 11.74% 17.90 2.10 0.74 1.97% 35%
NWN NORTHWEST NAT GAS 42.23 11.99% 14.61 2.89 1.66 3.93% 57%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 22.61 12.43% 22.61 1.00 0.60 2.65% 60%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 20.66 12.96% 15.30 1.35 0.68 3.29% 50%
TMP TOMPKINS FINANCIAL 36.22 13.01% 13.46 2.69 1.36 3.75% 51%
FPL F P L GROUP INC 47.40 14.27% 11.94 3.97 1.89 3.99% 48%
WMT WAL MART STORES 53.45 15.00% 15.49 3.45 1.09 2.04% 32%
MON* MONSANTO CO. 76.74 15.28% 27.62 2.78 1.06 1.38% 38%
BCR BARD C R INC 79.92 15.93% 17.37 4.60 0.68 0.85% 15%
NJR N J RESOURCES CP 34.79 16.16% 54.36 0.64 1.36 3.91% 213%
UGI U G I CP 24.70 16.84% 10.47 2.36 0.80 3.24% 34%
MLM MARTIN MARIETTA 78.62 16.91% 29.90 2.63 1.60 2.04% 61%
T AT&T INC. 25.24 17.72% 11.91 2.12 1.68 6.66% 79%
PNY PIEDMONT NAT GAS 24.69 19.39% 14.78 1.67 1.08 4.37% 65%
MGEE MGE Energy Inc. 32.63 19.66% 15.39 2.12 1.47 4.51% 69%
SJW S J W CP 21.86 19.98% 24.29 0.90 0.68 3.11% 76%
SVU SUPERVALU INC 14.59 20.28% 32.42 0.45 0.35 2.40% 78%
27 Companies

*Although Monsanto (MON) isn't a Dividend Achiever, we feel that it has a good potential of becoming one.

Out of this week's list is Pitney Bowes (PBI) which rose 6.8% in one week and raised its dividend from 36 cents to 36.5 cents, an increase of 1.3%.
Back on the list are Piedmont Nat Gas (PNY), San Jose Water (SJW), and SuperValu (SVU). - Art

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Dividend Achiever Watch List

Posted on January 29, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dividend Achiever Watch List
At the end of the week, my watch list contains 22 companies compared to 21 companies from the previous week. Here are the companies on my watch list as of January 29, 2010.

Symbol Name Price % Yr Low P/E EPS Div/Shr Yield Payout Ratio
THFF First Financial Corp 27.60 4.03% 15.08 1.83 0.90 3.26% 49%
XOM EXXON MOBIL CP 64.43 4.15% 15.01 4.29 1.68 2.61% 39%
SHEN Shenandoah Telecom 17.20 6.83% 27.74 0.62 0.32 1.86% 52%
WTR AQUA AMERICA INC 16.59 7.80% 21.83 0.76 0.58 3.50% 76%
CWT CALIFORNIA WATER. 36.32 8.45% 18.16 2.00 1.18 3.25% 59%
SRCE 1st Source Corporation 15.25 10.19% 19.30 0.79 0.60 3.93% 76%
NTRS Northern Trust Corp. 50.52 10.35% 15.84 3.19 1.12 2.22% 35%
WGL WGL HOLDINGS INC 31.73 10.98% 13.28 2.39 1.47 4.63% 62%
AWR AMER ST WATER 33.22 11.63% 20.51 1.62 1.04 3.13% 64%
WEYS Weyco Group, Inc. 22.56 12.18% 22.56 1.00 0.60 2.66% 60%
MON* MONSANTO CO. 75.88 13.99% 27.29 2.78 1.06 1.40% 38%
NWN NORTHWEST NAT GAS 43.37 15.01% 15.01 2.89 1.66 3.83% 57%
WMT WAL MART STORES 53.43 15.52% 15.49 3.45 1.09 2.04% 32%
RBCAA Republic Bancorp, Inc. 16.61 15.59% 8.22 2.02 0.53 3.19% 26%
SYBT S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. 21.19 15.86% 15.70 1.35 0.68 3.21% 50%
UGI U G I CP 24.51 15.94% 10.39 2.36 0.80 3.26% 34%
FPL F P L GROUP INC 48.76 17.55% 11.81 4.13 1.89 3.88% 46%
MLM MARTIN MARIETTA 79.18 17.74% 30.11 2.63 1.60 2.02% 61%
T AT&T INC. 25.36 18.28% 12.59 2.02 1.68 6.62% 83%
PBI PITNEY BOWES INC 20.92 18.73% 10.84 1.93 1.44 6.88% 75%
BCR BARD C R INC 82.89 20.23% 16.60 4.99 0.68 0.82% 14%
HSY THE HERSHEY CO. 36.43 20.35% 21.29 1.71 1.19 3.27% 70%
22 Companies

*Although Monsanto (MON) isn't a Dividend Achiever, we feel that it has a good potential of becoming one.
New addition to this list worth noting is Martin Marietta Materials (MLM)

Side note: we are beginning to see earnings normalize as earning season progresses. The changes are noticeable in the S&P 500 where P/E went from 70 to 45 to 31.  I wonder if the addition of Berkeshire Hathaway (class B) to the index has anything to do with it. What's more important is the dividend yield which we, NLO, believed to be the best gauge for market valuation. The Dow is yielding 2.7% and the S&P 500 is yielding 2.16%. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI) used to pay out $1.60 in dividend as part of the S&P 500. Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay any dividend.

- Art

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