Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Dividend investing for retirement -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ernest K Brandt who wrote (11284)	3/8/2012 2:17:32 PM
From: chowder	2 Recommendations Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34328

I sold most of my position in FTR. All I have left are the shares spun off from VZ. I have no intention of purchasing FTR again. From my perspective, management lied to us and continued to lie to us about the dividend being safe. If they are going to lie about the dividend, they are probably lying about the fundamentals of the company. They have lowered the dividend now twice, plus their credit rating has been lowered. That's enough for me to say see ya! It was a spec play for me that didn't work out. I'm done with spec plays now too. Ha! I don't see a need for spec when my dividend growth positions are doing so well. So, I've been adding to them. I still hold around 50 positions, give or take a position or two. Going forward, I've decided I will only add to my positions that have increased their dividend for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. I will make them my core positions, thus I will overweight them. I actually have 16 of those and have therefore called that portion of my portfolio, "Sweet 16." I wasn't looking for that number, I just happened to have them in hand. If you're looking for a little excitement, instead of an investment, I suppose now would be the time to purchase some FTR. This is one of those times where I think Cramer makes a lot of sense. Management has been lying about the safety of the dividend. He would want to see another quarter in order to determine if the fundamentals are actually improving.