Piling up big dividends can be just as rewarding as guessing on the next great growth stock. But our strategy of finding undervalued, cash-generating businesses works whether the broader market ever begins to pay attention or not. Read More

Advantage Portfolio recommendation Hexcel Corp saw some volatility last month in the wake of a weak earnings report from competitor Zoltek Companies. But Zoltek's problems appear to be both temporary and customer-specific. Read More

The nuclear power revival continues to swell as even environmentalists and former opponents recognize its role in fighting global warming. In January, the UK government approved a new wave of nuclear power plant construction in order to secure future energy supplies and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Read More

Earlier this year, we made a contrarian bet on REITs, contending that the real problems were primarily on the financing side of the business. So far this year, that’s proven to be the case, with well-placed property REITs, actually own and operate properties ranging from apartment communities to data centers, holding their own. Read More

We’ve often heard refiners recommended as plays on rising energy prices. This is a common mistake; refiners don’t benefit from higher oil prices. In fact, rising oil prices actually hurt profit margins for the group. Read More

Paced by the ever-jittery financial sector, US stocks plummeted as analysts forecast steep drops in bank profits and an anticipated takeover of Clear Channel Communications appears to be on the verge of collapse. Economic data provided little respite. The Commerce Department stoked recessionary fears after reporting that orders for durable goods declined for the second month in a row, suggesting exports have yet to compensate for weakening domestic demand. Read More

Every investor should hold a little cash as insurance against bad times. And it’s just as important to ensure your portfolio holdings, as dividend payers and businesses, are cash-flush. Read More

Mortgage Rates Explained Over the past several months, the interest rates that banks and lenders charge on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have fluctuated, sometimes increasing steadily and other times plunging abruptly. Read More

Growth Portfolio Nibbler Aircastle (NYSE: AYR) declared its quarterly dividend distribution Monday, payable April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 31; the stock goes ex-dividend March 27. Read More

US stocks spent much of the morning in the red, as the Case-Shiller index confirmed that house prices are still decelerating and the Conference Board reported that consumer confidence had plummeted to its lowest levels since 1973. However, led by commodity producers, the markets shrugged off these concerns and managed a respectable afternoon rally, finishing mixed. Read More