Same here... thats why i posted my comment.. seems they are the "buzz" (them and apple)... which kinda makes me "wonder".

This is why its good to have some of you experienced investors chime in. Help keep us newbies from screwing ourselves.

I am a newbie compared to Greg, so I am here to just share thoughts.

But for sure, we cannot get greedy looking to double digit gains or Annaly, and just overbuy..

But in my strategy, I have in the past, looked to common themes from different sources..And they have sang the same tune for a long time now...

Not just investing , but money management, too... When several sources are all talking about certain things to do, I at least check them out.. See why they like it, or what they think will happen going forward..

Also Kiplinger's talks of Stock's fighting inflation, and not just TIPS, or Gold...

But today has been a reading day for me...There is just so much to learn..A life long journey, and I am bitten by the bug to do the best that I can..

Another one to ask Greg about that has been talked about for years..

TVA.. Tennessee valley authority.

Energy distribution. I could not look up the data, but i am throwing it out there for discussion..

Several good names in "energy" --- with good dividends etc... Connoco Phillips == Chevron -- Exxon... or the pipes -- Enbridge Energy Partners - Kinder Morgan Partners -

You'll just have to do some digging around. (Oil pun - get it?)

No particular "rules" that I use... I just prefer to buy on down days. Sometimes waiting for a down day is futile because "down" is relative - if the stock has gone UP 20% while you waited for your down 5% move -- that ain't so brilliant!

I prefer not to try to time the market -- I just buy "some" -- wait and watch -- and maybe buy some more - up or down - there's no rules - this is all just a giant "who the hell knows" game. It's more a gut feeling for when over any thing else. Nobody has a crystal ball.

What I was trying to point out - using your three names listed here - is that I'd add to my Con Ed or Pepsi before adding to Disney -- given the percentages listed.

You've been reading!! And learning!!

This is the best example YET --- doing what should be done -- you've bought good quality best of breed companies -- and then when you wanted to you added -- showing you're an INVESTOR!

I will sleep well tonight knowing that somebody "get's it"!!! :lateral: :cheers: :woot:

ADR's --- American Depository Receipts

There are fees associated with any ADR -- by the institution that holds the underlying securities...

So here's what that "dividend" payment looks like for Banco Santander (STD) the last time I got a dividend. I actually had a position in this name - then sold it - and waited for a little better news on the euro debt crisis -- then have scaled back into it just in the last month or so.


05/09/2011 STD BANCO SANTANDER SA ADR FSPONSORED ADR
type: FOREIGN TAX PAID
-$322.64

05/09/2011 STD BANCO SANTANDER SA ADR FSPONSORED ADR
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$1,698.13

So as you can see -- the $1700 dividend was actually $1400.... and I'll claim the foreign tax paid on my income taxes.

I like the dividend on this bank over other banks - and I don't expect the name to turn around over night. Some times you have to have a brass set to own some of this junk. I fortunately can buy stuff like this... not sure anyone else should be. It's high risk.

Re: Annaly Capital Management -- or any other 'name' like this....

I'm not the resident stock guru - nor resident stock picker... I really am quite uncomfortable discussing various names like this because you all have different reasons for your investments - different tolerances for risk - different goals - incomes etc.

Here's something also worth repeating:

If you don't know the name -- and don't understand the business the company is in ---- DON'T BUY IT! Because when something goes sideways --- you won't know why you own the name - and won't have any connection with it -- and that's SCARY!

I've been preaching since the beginning of this thread about investing in names you know... and there's no sense in investing outside your comfort level until you own all the "regular good stuff"... why go looking for trouble?

This is Investing 102....

Some of this stuff is for sophisticated investors that understand the risks associated with investments like junk bonds - and mortgage REITS etc. When you start playing with this stuff you better know what you're doing and be on top of the news - and trends etc.

Not saying that I'm sophisticated and you're not --- I'm just once again writing for ALL that read these threads... Please start out investing in all the best of breed - good dividend payers - steady eddies -- and live with that stuff for awhile -- before you start jumping into companies that make nothing... ya don't know what they even do... or what affects their earnings etc.

Thank you for the explanation on Annaly Capital Management. I agree I will have to learn more before jumping into something like this.