PEP

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) and Allegheny Energy (NYSE: AYE) to Combine in a $8.5 Billion Stock-For-Stock Transaction. Allegheny shareholders would receive 0.667 shares of FirstEnergy common stock in exchange for each share of Allegheny they own. FirstEnergy will also assume approximately $3.8 billion in Allegheny net debt. The combination creates a leading regional energy provider.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were looking at big-name dividend cuts and very few increases. Last week’s 16 increases set the stage for this week’s flood of companies, large and small, raising cash dividends paid to their shareholders.

’Tis the season for stock predictions! Virtually every financial writer will pen an article selecting his or her top picks for the upcoming year. I enjoy reading them and the logic behind the picks and sometimes there is a gem to be found.

A doozy of a recession may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean stocks are out of the woods. Creeping inflation, high unemployment, sluggish consumer demand and still-unsettled credit markets are only a few of the concerns that remain.

Deep-down in my soul, I am a contrarian. I felt a sense of excitement entering October. This is the month that stocks have traditionally gone on sale. I was prepared to make a double allocation depending on the level of the markets decline. It didn’t happen.

Driven by sophisticated computers, the investment markets move at light speed. What chance does a small individual investor have when trying to compete?

What makes a good dividend stock? Every dividend growth investor is looking for a stock that will increase its dividend every year I have found that stocks that are able to do this share some common characteristics.

PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) reported EPS were $1.08 compared with $1.06 last year. analysts average 1.03. PEP beats by $0.05.

Reported EPS Up 10 Percent, Core Constant Currency EPS up 8 Percent

PepsiCo, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells various snacks, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, and foods worldwide.
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In everything we do, we always want to be the best or be associated with the best. You never hear fans yelling, ‘We’re number 2, we’re number 2?, while holding two fingers in the air. The same is true when selecting dividend stocks.

I maintain an extensive database with a minimum of 10 years of information on each of the 110+ stocks that I track. This data is gathered from various sources deemed reliable. Most data is generic and can be pulled from various sites. That is except some S&P risk and quality information (RQ).

How much money will you need for retirement? This obviously is very important question, but also a very difficult question to answer. Many factors and assumptions that go into making this estimate With so many estimates and assumptions, there is a high probability the estimated number will be incorrect.

PepsiCo, Inc. (PepsiCo) is a global snack and beverage company. The Company manufactures, markets and sells a range of salty, convenient, sweet and grain-based snacks, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages and foods. Linked here is a detailed analysis and commentary.

I believe a pull back [7%-15%] on the major indices is not only inevitable but necessary for a healthy market recovery. Let's face it, we've come too far too fast, and as we were oversold on the downside until early March, I believe we are currently overbought.

As recently posted in my blog, I've been expecting a pull back. However the market has made a fool of me lately. The S&P 500 passed through the 1010 mark today on rather bad news, so maybe this rally is for real and will continue.

People keep calling me a bear, but I'm just being conservative. Given the rally we've had, I think it's a great time to take profits. I was selling a lot of covered calls for the August expiration Thursday, as we approached market close. I'm getting conservative because I think we're due for a pull back on the major indices.