Snapshots and Updates

Big Dividends Report: 200+ Closed-End Funds

If you enjoy digging into the universe of data (to help yourself identify attractive opportunities for further research), this report shares updated data on over 200 big-dividend (technically “big-distribution”) Closed-End Funds (“CEFs”). The data includes a variety of CEFs (including taxable bond CEFs, non-taxable municipal bond CEFs, stock CEFs and more), and it is sorted by market cap (you likely recognize several of your favorites near the top). There is also a link to an Excel spreadsheet with all the data (for those of you who like to sort, slice and dice the data your own way). We own several CEFs on this list in our Blue Harbinger “High Income NOW” portfolio.

Microsoft Earnings: Temporary or Permanent Slowdown?

Microsoft announced earnings Tuesday after the close, and the shares are reacting negatively. The company beat earnings expectations and topped revenue estimates, but provided weak guidance. Is this a sign of bigger fundamental problems for Microsoft or just a temporary blip on the long-term radar?

Market Too Hot? Top 10 Big Dividend REITs Worth Considering

With the S&P 500 recently hitting new all time highs, some investors fear we are overheating. One way to take a little risk off the table is by investing in attractive big-dividend REITs, which tend to rise and fall less with the overall market, but keep paying those big dividends throughout if you select them right. Despite, some analysts arguments that even REITs are overheating, many of them remain a much safer bet (with much higher income) compared to the overall market. This article addresses REIT valuation concerns, as well as overall market concerns in light of the Fed’s changing interest rate posture and where we seem to be (very late) in the current economic cycle. We conclude with our Top 10 Big-Dividend REITs worth considering.