In fairness of reporting --- I used the weakness in AT&T (T) to add 5000 shares this morning. The dividend is huge -- and the "earnings miss" is explainable via the huge amount of iPhones they sold in the quarter (this costs them up front but builds revenues going forward) and the T-Mobile costs to take down that deal. I don't mind an earnings miss if it's not a lack of sales!
I also added 2000 shares of Kinder Morgan Partners (KMP) because they go ex-dividend (ex-dividend means anyone that owns it before that date gets this quarters dividend) on the 31st. It's been a stellar performer and pays a huge dividend.
Here's the investing 102 lesson on "ex-dividend"... you can choose to pick up the dividend (as I have done with this purchase).... or you can buy the stock on the dip that "USUALLY HAPPENS" after they pay the dividend - lowering your cost basis (which is half a dozen to one 6 to the other).... Since I live off my dividends -- I chose to add the shares now and get the cash. I already have a huge gain in the shares which equals half of what I just invested...
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