Broad Equity Market Tone:Advance/Decline Line: Substantially LowerSector Performance: Almost Every Sector DecliningVolume: Heavy Market Leading Stocks: UnderperformingEquity Investor Angst:Volatility(VIX) 25.2 +9.4%DJIA Intraday % Swing 1.45% Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 42.5 -12.0% Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 147.2 -.6% Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 12.0 -.1% CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 41.9 +9.0% ISE Sentiment Index 83.0 -8.0 pointsTotal Put/Call 1.04 +7.2% NYSE Arms 1.53 +71.9% Credit Investor Angst:North American Investment Grade CDS Index 86.4 +3.1% US Energy High-Yield OAS 448.77 +7.4%Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 448.0 +8European Financial Sector CDS Index 132.4 +10.2% Credit Suisse Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 1,051.5 +5.2%Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 195.0 basis basis points +5.0 basis pointsAsia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 136.8 -2.8%Emerging Market CDS Index 262.2 … [Read More...]

I review the list of dividend increases as part of my monitoring process. This exercise helps me monitor existing holdings. It also helps me identify companies for further research.I typically focus on the companies that have managed to increase annual dividends for at least ten years in a row.There were 19 companies that increased dividends last week. There were three companies that raised dividends last week, which have also managed to increase dividends for at least ten years in a row. The companies include:Realty Income (O) The Monthly Dividend Company, is an S&P 500 company dedicated to providing stockholders with dependable monthly income. The company is structured as a REIT, and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 6,500 real estate properties … [Read More...]

Watchdog Group Launches Investigation Into Biden’s ‘Woke Army’ Authored by Savannah Hulsey Pointer via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is launching an investigation into a recent executive order the group called an “unprecedented scheme” they believe violates the democratic process. US President Joe Biden discusses his efforts to reduce gun violence at The Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, in Monterey Park, Calif. on Mar. 14, 2023. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) In a press release, FGA said they are “sounding the alarm” on the “‘woke army’ being assembled inside the federal government,” through Executive Order 14091 (EO), titled “Executive Order Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government.” FGA announced that their … [Read More...]

As a dividend growth investor, I look for solid companies to invest my hard earned money in. I look for companies that can grow earnings, and afford to raise dividends regularly. A long dividend streak is the indicator of quality, that places companies on my list for further research. A long dividend streak is not an accident, but the result of a long period of a solid company generating excess cashflows. A byproduct of this solid competitive advantage ultimately results in companies showering their investors with more cash dividends every single year. In my research I look at trends in earnings per share, dividends per share, dividend payout ratios and valuation. I try to evaluate qualitative as well as quantitative factors at play as well.This is… [Read More...]

The 10 Rules Of Propaganda Authored by Brian Maher via DailyReckoning.com, Lord Arthur Ponsonby was a British diplomat and politician, dates 1871–1946. This keen and cagey fellow pinpointed 10 rules of propaganda. They are these: 1. We don’t want war, we are only defending ourselves. 2. The other guy is solely responsible for this war. 3. Our adversary’s leader is evil and looks evil. 4. We are defending a noble purpose, not special interest. 5. The enemy is purposefully causing atrocities; we only commit mistakes. 6. The enemy is using unlawful weapons. 7. We have very little losses, the enemy is losing big. 8. Intellectuals and artists support our cause. 9. Our cause is sacred. 10. Those who doubt our propaganda are traitors. Just Look at the News A daily scan of the newswires calls to mind three … [Read More...]

Night Trading Asian equity indices are -.25% to +.25% on average.Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 110.0 -2.5 basis points. China Sovereign CDS 64.75 +2.75 basis points. China Iron Ore Spot 125.6 USD/Metric Tonne +1.0%. Bloomberg Emerging Markets Currency Index 47.8 +.01%. Bloomberg Global Risk-On/Risk Off Index 67.3 +.5%. Bloomberg US Financial Conditions Index .25 -6.0 basis points. Volatility Index(VIX) futures 20.3 -.21%. Euro Stoxx 50 futures -.02%.S&P 500 futures +.10%.NASDAQ 100 futures +.15%. Morning Preview Links BOTTOM LINE: Asian indices are mostly higher, boosted by consumer and industrial shares in the region. I expect US stocks to open modestly lower and to rally into the afternoon, finishing mixed. The Portfolio is 50% net long heading into the day. [Read More...]

Broad Equity Market Tone:Advance/Decline Line: Substantially HigherSector Performance: Almost Every Sector RisingVolume: Around Average Market Leading Stocks: Performing In LineEquity Investor Angst:Volatility(VIX) 18.8 -4.1%DJIA Intraday % Swing .91% Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 66.8 +1.9% Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 150.60 -.24% Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 10.5 -.4% CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 34.9 -1.0% ISE Sentiment Index 104.0 +18.0 pointsTotal Put/Call .86 -19.6% NYSE Arms .86 +16.2% Credit Investor Angst:North American Investment Grade CDS Index 71.5 -4.6% US Energy High-Yield OAS 335.8 -3.3%Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 323.0 -6European Financial Sector CDS Index 85.66 -3.97% Credit Suisse Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 392.9 -1.0%Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 182.0 basis basis points -5.0 basis pointsAsia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 112.2 -1.3%Emerging Market CDS Index 227.8 -4.3%China Corp. High-Yield … [Read More...]

As part of my monitoring process, I review the list of dividend increases every week. This is helpful as a method to observe recent developments in companies I own. This process is helpful in identifying companies for further research, which may be exhibiting certain characteristics that look promising.I usually focus on companies with at least a ten year streak of annual dividend increases, in order to focus my attention to companies that can establish and maintain a streak throughout a full economic cycle.The next steps involve evaluating the rate of increase relative to the historical average, in an effort to determine consistency. Usually, I end up observing a dividend growth rate that is accelerating or decelerating.I also try to review trends in earnings, and… [Read More...]

The Global Internet Kill Switch The global number of internet shutdowns has been rising again for the second year in a row. As Statista’s Katharina Buchholz reports, a newly released report by Access Now puts the number of internet shutdowns in 2022 at 187. Just under half – 84 – happened in India… You will find more infographics at Statista In the year of 2020, the number of internet shutdowns dipped. Many government use internet shutdowns in connection with curbing protests and dissent and the pandemic likely caused fewer of these events to happen as stay-at-home orders were issued and limits on gatherings were imposed. The highest number of internet shutdowns since reporting started in 2016 was reached in 2019 at 213. The same year also saw the highest figure of internet shutdowns in … [Read More...]

Broad Equity Market Tone:Advance/Decline Line: Substantially LowerSector Performance: Almost Every Sector DecliningVolume: Around Average Market Leading Stocks: Performing In LineEquity Investor Angst:Volatility(VIX) 22.1 +4.5%DJIA Intraday % Swing 1.09% Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 60.2 -.4% Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 149.8 +.9% Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 10.95 +1.7% CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 38.2 +7.6% ISE Sentiment Index 95.0 -8.0 pointsTotal Put/Call 1.13 +10.8% NYSE Arms .94 -29.3% Credit Investor Angst:North American Investment Grade CDS Index 76.5 +2.53% US Energy High-Yield OAS 375.26 -.72%Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 301.0 unch.European Financial Sector CDS Index 90.2 +2.1% Credit Suisse Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 404.91 +.6%Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 190.0 basis basis points unch.Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 117.8 -1.3%Emerging Market … [Read More...]

Successful people identify their goals, break them down into small actionable steps, and take action towards achieving them.Unsuccessful people identify their goals, get discouraged and give up.For example, assume that you need $12,000 in annual dividend income for your retirement. In theory, given todays environment, someone needs about $400,000 invested at a 3% yield to get to $12,000 in annual dividend income.The ones that never make it would get discouraged, because having $400,000 looks like a big and insurmountable amount of money. They get discouraged, and give up.The investors that make it, break this goal down to small manageable steps. They know that Rome was not built in a day. In other words, by regularly saving and investing, and holding patiently over a … [Read More...]

Are Americans Trying To Eat Healthy? Around half of Americans are healthy eaters, at least according to their own testimonies. As Katharina Buchholz reports, according to Statista Consumer Insights, 50 percent of Americans claim to actively try to eat healthy.  You will find more infographics at Statista The attitude is most prevalent among Baby Boomers at 58 percent agreeing, but not much lower among Gen Z, where 44 percent said they were pursuing the aim. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found out that more than 36 percent of Americans are consuming fast food regularly, to the extend that on any given day, a third of Americans is eating from fast food restaurants. In a separate survey by the Cleveland Clinic, 46 percent of U.S. adults … [Read More...]

Dividend growth investing involves the selection of companies based on a set of criteria such as valuation, strong brands, strong competitive advantages and long histories of annual dividend increases. It is not about chasing high yielders today, but more about finding the right stock that would grow distributions over time, and thus provide investors with inflation protection in their income. Only companies with strong business models are able to increase dividends every year for long stretches of time. Dividend investors should take the time to study these success stories as they unfold in front of their eyes and even consider adding some to their dividend portfolios.I tend to review the list of dividend increases every week, in an effort to monitor existing holdings. It is also … [Read More...]

Broad Equity Market Tone:Advance/Decline Line: LowerSector Performance: Most Sectors DecliningVolume: Around Average Market Leading Stocks: Performing In LineEquity Investor Angst:Volatility(VIX) 20.6 +2.1%DJIA Intraday % Swing .83% Bloomberg Global Risk On/Risk Off Index 61.1 -1.7% Euro/Yen Carry Return Index 149.0 +.37% Emerging Markets Currency Volatility(VXY) 10.8 +.7% CBOE S&P 500 Implied Correlation Index 35.4 +4.0% ISE Sentiment Index 101.0 +5.0 pointsTotal Put/Call 1.11 +26.1% NYSE Arms 1.29 +20.6% Credit Investor Angst:North American Investment Grade CDS Index 74.3 +2.0% US Energy High-Yield OAS 380.07 +3.2%Bloomberg TRACE # Distressed Bonds Traded 322.0 -4.0European Financial Sector CDS Index 85.70 +2.21% Credit Suisse Subordinated 5Y Credit Default Swap 386.02 +.79%Italian/German 10Y Yld Spread 186.0 basis points unch.Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 112.26 +3.53%Emerging Market … [Read More...]

Which Countries Pollute The Most Ocean Plastic Waste? Millions of metric tons of plastic are produced worldwide every year. While half of this plastic waste is recycled, incinerated, or discarded into landfills, a significant portion of what remains eventually ends up in our oceans. In fact, many pieces of ocean plastic waste have come together to create a vortex of plastic waste thrice the size of France in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii. Where does all of this plastic come from? In this graphic, Visual Capitalist’s Freny Fernandes and Louis Lugas Wicaksono used data from a research paper by Lourens J.J. Meijer and team to highlight the top 10 countries emitting plastic pollutants in the waters surrounding them. Plastic’s Ocean Voyage First, let’s talk about … [Read More...]

A reader writes in, asking “I’m a big fan of Morningstar and the stuff they’ve released recently on ‘safe withdrawal rates.’ My question is how I should be thinking about future Social Security payments, when I calculate my ‘safe withdrawal rate.’ To me, it makes sense to add the NPV (calculated conservatively) of the future Social Security payments that I expect my wife and I to receive to our current portfolio, before I do the math on what our starting annual withdrawal number looks like. Have you published anything on how to think about that question?” That’s a great question, and it gets directly to the limitations of safe spending rate research. That is, such research is very … [Read More...]