Amen.... Some of these are really small plays in my Big Mix, so I am not trying to make a killing with the asset..It is more of a balance to my steady eddies..

Remember to really have a blended mix..Sure some of it seems boring, but no one should load up on these assets without doing the homework...

That is why I am usually not mentioning specific assets..i don't want it to bite someone, and then bite me...:cheers:

ok...

So.. I am making a "list" per say, of "data" i am documenting for each stock i am reviewing, so i can compare the numbers and see which way i want to go, etc.

With that being said, i have a silly (to me) math question, that i just cant seem to find the answer to. Or i am overlooking it, or something. :_paranoid

I want to calculate the "Growth" of a dividend over a certain time frame... Say, for example, in 2007 the dividend was $0.25 and now, in 2012 (5 yrs) its $0.38. What was the dividend growth percent (not looking for the ACTUAL value, but the math to get it. lol).

Or perhaps this is on a Schwab chart that i am overlooking? or somewhere else?

Also, similar to Dividend growth, i want to see share price growth. Now i think this one is on the default "Summary" charge on Schwab. if you hit the 5yr mark on the "Quote Details" company performance chart, it says "Price Change: +10.00(13%). Is that indicating my stocks price has gone up simply 13% over that 5 yr mark?

thanks fella's...

and heck, i was at near the top of my class in math back in school. :wow:

To calculate the percentage change in your example you would subtract $0.25 from $0.38 which is a change of $0.13. Then divide the $0.13 by $0.25. You should come up with a percentage change of 52%.

I believe you are correct on the Schwab question? One way to check would be to pull up historical prices from five years ago and then calculate the % change as in the example above. Google finance has historical prices going back many years.

If I understand your question, I think you want to see the annual dividend growth percentage for the last 4 years (2007 - 2011). That should be:

(nTH root of (new div / old div) - 1) * 100%

where 'n' is the number of years.

Using the above numbers:

((4th root of (.38 / .25)) - 1) * 100% =

(4th root of (1.52)) - 1 * 100% =

(1.110352 - 1) * 100% =

0.110352 * 100% =

11.0352%

You can use the Scientific version of the Windows calculator to derive the nth root of a number. I don't know how to put the radical symbol in here, hopefully you can figure that out. Maybe this will help. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nth_root

Hope that helps!

thanks guys!

I also think i found the info on Schwab's website, under the "fundamentals" section. It has the 1/3/5 yr growths.

:thumbsup:

Looks like the "Albert Sale" is over... ED and MO back on the rise today. lol

ahhh, the joys of diversity. I own MCD which is down today pretty significantly for MCD. Not too worried as I've been to MCD in EU and in Asia and those stores are plenty busy. I'm literally praying MCD stays down here for a few more days as I'm expecting a new wave of employees looking for work. I also own REIT's that took a bit of a hit today. This sort of volatility is more expected in these names.

On the other hand I also own FUN and STD which thoroughly made up for MCD and the REIT's. FUN and STD were up 3% and 4% each today. STD I just picked some up yesterday and will be eyeing some additions shortly. :woot: :woot:

Here's an interesting article I read today:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4195...g_income&ifp=0

grrrrrrrr this isn't the place for me to comment on your link Sieg. Let's just say I am not happy with the "leadership" of this country. I really hope the author of that opinion piece is correct.


On a brighter note, I put in my orders to purchase Occidental Petroleum(OXY), Whole Foods(WFM), Southern Company(SO), and the Coca Cola Company(KO) tonight. We will see if they go through and when. Once it's official, I'll list some details as the starting point for tracking how I do. I have both the interest earned and dividend earned selected to reinvest. Here's hoping it all works on in the long run :woot:

On another related note, Jose, who's the woman in your avatar? LOL Everyone has pictures of cars and such for there avatars so scrolling down the window I don't see anything that makes me stop. Then I hit your name and pow! really gorgeous woman. Stop scroll wheel, reverse scroll wheel, and dadamn, who is that?

Trey thats Desiree Elyda, Google her. I must say, even though I can't possibly afford to buy every stock mentioned throughout this thread, I do save them to my portfolio to compare for future purchase. This thread is great.

One thing is certain in my camp........no matter what happens my portfolio will better off than if I'd left it status quo thanks to the Lat-G investing club. :thumbsup:

she reminded me of this....but she would be like "wheres my table?"

http://i32.tinypic.com/15ntws2.jpg

I have owned AAPL for many years and I hope it goes over a grand like the analysts predict.

Ditto this!! This thread is awesome ... it's one that definitely has had a positive impact on me. Thanks to all who have contributed.

I'm too fried to comment "much" this morning - after flagging auto X at RTTC for 2 days -- My brain is burned up and so are my feet!


One thing I want people to NOTICE ----- Note how "steady" the steady eddies are in your portfolio on down days. The have these names for a reason and you won't appreciate their "usefulness" until you start to see how they help you. It's not because they jump up leaps and bounds - rather - because they don't sink like rocks on the down side.

They help you stay in the game. If you have a portfolio of wild stuff... it's real fun when it's going up -- not so much when it's coming down.

Think of it like an expense exotic motor -- great to own and lots of fun - up until the time it blows a rod through the block.... "there went $25 grand".... versus blowing up a mild SBC... "there went $25 hundred".

Good to see you guys at RTTC... Many guys came up to me and said they're reading and DOING! Love it! :cheers: :woot:

Greg...

Welcome Back..

Sounded like a good time..Class act Event , that I missed..:lateral:

I also believe in managing the "down side"... Very important..:thumbsup:

You are right that people need to look at more than just the Money they will MAKE...But what will you LOSE on the bad cycles ??

Although I follow a kinda different Portfolio, I do factor in the LOSS I will take , as much as the GAINS I will make...

Part of the diversity, opposing correlating assets, ect.. Factoring RISK, ect...

Actually not "back" --- In Bakersfield at Ironworks -- Bob is doing some digital scan work on the '62 Bubbletop -- then he flies out of here and I take the mega dollar scanner back down to LA... Then.... I might start heading north. :unibrow: It's at least sunny and warm down here!!!

Very cool.

got my next three "investments" pending for tomorrow's purchase (no commission). :D

Hi Greg.. I have only read the first 5 pages of this thread but you have inspired me to buy my first stocks! However, you said not to buy gold, what reason do you have for this? It matches your advice, that you get paid to wait, and over the last 10 years, the trajectory has been up, as it has been with other precious metals. So I'm just wondering what you have against them?
TIA!

Now, I'm just trying to decide where the best place to manage my online stocks would be. Scottrade anyone?
Tony

I switched from Scottrade to Schwab, as the latter allows dividend reinvestment. :thumbsup:

I recommend Schwab, but I have not seen ScottTrades website, especially if you are an Investor. When you open a Schwab account, you have access to tons of information..IMO.


I don't talk much about my holdings or strategies, but I always thought that 5% in PM's was part of my Diversity plan...Although I have gone much higher than that, it is a personal choice, and I will NEVER be able to recommend it..


But this thread is based on other methods that should be used...If you want to throw in some metals, 5%, that is a personal choice, but one i can't recommend, even though I am in i

But this thread is about doing your homework and being satisfied with what you own because you understand it..That is what I am doing.. But I cannot recommend it..:cheers:

I use sharebuilder for my ROTH.

They have promo's occasionally that allow me to "auto buy" stocks on Tuesdays for free. And if your a Costco Exec member you get $2 "auto buy" purchases normally. and $7 "buy it now" purchases. Plus they generally have a free $50 or $75 signup deal.

It also allows me to buy "parts" of a share... So i can simply dump $1k at a stock, and it will buy 17.343 shares (or whatever) gets me to that $1k.

i have a scwhab account, simply for the "tools" they have. I may use that one for my "Personal - non retirement" investing. But havent got that far yet.

What about http://www.sharebuilder.com/?

The seem good for a starter, no minimums, etc. ?

edit: Thanks Albert, that helps!

oh, also.. Sharebuilder does auto-reinvestment for Dividends too.. which was discussed as being a "necessity" for Investing 102. ;)

I've just rolled in from RTTC a couple hours ago and am a bit "rummy" -- but wanted to respond to your gold question.


My feelings about any investment in precious metals are the same - gold or silver etc.

Basically I think there are two trades here -- SPECULATIVE --- which means you're HOPING it goes up from where you bought...

OR

A person is a fatalist -- and sees the world coming to an end and Gold will be the only currency.


I'm not a speculator.... and I don't see our economy becoming so bad that I'll have to use gold as a currency. If I'm going to speculate that the price of an investment is going to go up == then I want to get paid while I wait for that to happen. Dividend stocks or apartment complexes - or commercial real estate are far better long term "speculations" IMHO.

If I thought the worlds currencies were going to collapse --- then I'd have to have ALL my money invested in gold - and I'd have to take possession of it - and probably build a bomb shelter and stock food and water. :D :cheers:

But that is also why I own everything I "have" - house - cars - etc. Nobody can take that away from me even if EVERYTHING goes south.

I sure don't believe the world will end, but I do profit on the printing and spending that has gone on..

I also believe that the illegal alien student loans are being dumped onto the government books just before another bailout...Also more housing baliouts now, and to come..Print money here..

All pushing the dollar down further...So fatalist, nope, but speculative ? Well by my research, calculations and past performance the last ten years, a good speculation.But a small portion of the mix..Larger than most, but not portfolio wrecking if things go south..I have assets to counter that and pay divividends while stopping losses.

But I won't recommend it to anyone....A Volatile assets in Volatile times...Not to be taken lightly...So if you don't fully understand it, stay AWAY from it.

But I don't believe Metals are the answer..They are scary...But I have done enough research to feel good about what i am doing..

And this thread says to do your homework and know why you own something...Or you won't know when the tree is shaking or why it is shaking...The little man wants you to sell, so India and China can pick it up on sale..IMHO..

But I am crazy...So you may want to not follow the crazy man:lateral:

Woot! :woot:

3/15/2012 DIVIDEND:MCD: $5.26 :thumbsup:

it may not be much, but its a another partial share!

Remember you get this FOUR TIMES PER YEAR!

:cheers: :thumbsup:

exactly. :)

Next thing to tackle, my 401k funds... eep!

Im set for now i think on my ROTH.

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and a huge thanks to those who have contributed, esp Greg (Grocery store guy be damned - now I can actually say I get some of my best investment advice from the guy who flags my autocross lol!). I've learned a ton in the short time I've been consuming this thread and really makes me want to get started. I like your simple, makes-sense approach Greg - esp about buy what you consume and/or understand. I run a technology company but I like to think I understand the inherent risks associated enough not to dump all my eggs in that one basket. I really like the thought of the long-term, steady-as-she-goes brands I do consume outside of technology. My money is doing little-to-nothing right now so now is as good a time as any.

Happy asking the noob questions. Choosing a broker looks like choosing a stock. I don't want to research it to death and end up doing nothing. I'm not talking about dumping $100k in - just starting small anyway. Any issue(s) changing online-discount brokers down the line? Afterall - correct me if I am wrong but I OWN the stocks regardless of where I buy/manage them, right?

G.

Other than my feet still hurt.... I love doing that stuff! The only thing is I don't get time to chat! I'd rather be driving but the Mustang doesn't qualify - so it's kind of a "why bother". I did just register for a SAAC (Shelby American club) event at Thunderhill @ the end of April... so I'll get some seat time.

++++++++++++++++++++++

YES! YOU own the stocks - and they're transferable to any brokerage. Open the new account -- do a little paperwork -- they'll handle the rest. Takes 10 days or so -- but if you're not "trading" -- who cares.

I'm a tech kinda guy.... and have made most all of my money investing in tech companies. However, this is also why it's so important to diversify - because as you and I know - tech can be hot or cold in a nanosecond. Techs are cyclical and subject to getting beat to the punch. Ask RIMM about that... right? :lol:

It's sad to find out how much money has been invested -- and after years -- there has been little to no return. TIME is the great healer of money and when a decade slips away - it's HUGE -- just huge. :cheers:

03/08/2012 MSFT MICROSOFT CORP
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$40.00

03/06/2012 PFE PFIZER INCORPORATED
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$22.00

03/01/2012 INTC INTEL CORP
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$33.60

:yes: :yes: :yes:

Sweet! I also got PFE and MSFT's dividend last week. but they were very very small (only have about $300 in each stock) lol.

Don't ya just love FREE MONEY??

Gotta love those dividends!!

I'm just patiently waiting to see the first ones from T, VZ, NLY, MO.

They'll balance out the AFR acquisition. :unibrow:

Again, thank you for the inspiration. :thumbsup:

I'm hauling the Musty-yang to Thunderhill the end of April -- so I can bring those heads down then??

Apple seemed to be on a steady climb so what do I do, buy $40,000 worth of stock in it. And of course, the little man on Wall Street yells, the idiot just bought $40,000 Gs worth, TAKE HER DOWN! Damn you Little Wall Street Leprechaun.



Oh yeah I also forgot to mention that this was purchased on a market simulator for my investment class.

DISCLAIMER
No real money was hurt during the purchasing of this stock.

GUARANTEED EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE!

and after you "sell" === GUARANTEED TO GO STRAIGHT UP!

Somewhere it's written in stone. :rolleyes:

:yes: Friday the 27th?? Nor Cal Shelby event?

Yeah -- I'll go through beautiful downtown NIKEVILLE on the 26th --- 'cause Charley would be mad if I'm late. :lol:

Okay --- I'm laughing to myself here.... and I just couldn't resist!

THIS is how dividends look... when you're OLD like me!!



03/15/2012 MCD MC DONALDS CORP
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$2,800.00

03/15/2012 ED CONSOLIDATED EDISON INC
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$3,025.00

03/07/2012 HYG ISHARES TRUST IBOXX $ HIGH YIELD CORP
type: ORD DIV - CASH
$3,488.67

03/07/2012 PFF ISHARES S&P U S PFD FUNDS&P U S PFD STK INDEX FD
type: ORD DIV - CASH
$1,784.69

03/01/2012 KFN KKR FINANCIAL HLDGS LLC REIT
type: ORD DIV - CASH
$2,700.00

03/01/2012 JPM+I JPMORGAN CHASE 8.625%PFDDEP SHS REPSTG 1/400 NON
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$4,042.97

03/01/2012 CHKR CHESAPEAKE GRANITE WASH
type: QUALIFIED DIV
$7,277.00