Over the last year the financial industry has taken a beating. Many banks have failed while others have taken drastic measures to preserve their future. The markets have recognized the turmoil this and punished bank stocks. Year-to-date through October 31st, I had earned positive returns on two bank stocks:

The dividend stocks which helped the dividend aristocrats' index outperform S&P 500 in 2008 include:

Investors need a solid defense right now, says Martin Denholm. This means holding high-dividend stocks. Consumer staples and telecoms industries are the best places to cherry pick strong companies. For a lower-risk alternative, try these two high-dividend ETFs (AMEX:SDY, PEY).

BBT is a dividend aristocrat as well as a component of the S&P 500 index. It has been increasing its dividends for the past 37 consecutive years. From the end of 1999 up until September 2008 this dividend stock has delivered an annual average total return of 3.60 % to its shareholders. The stock has gained about 12% so far in 2008.

A recent article on The Motley Fool pointed out that now is the time that Baron Rothschild was referring to when he said, "Buy when blood is in the streets." It listed the following 5 ways to help you be a better investor during these difficult times:

The New York Times has an interactive graphic that visually conveys the impact the current market crisis has had on the financial sector. It has market cap scaled regions for two time periods, September 12, 2008 and October 9, 2007. It would be interesting to have a similar chart by a value metric, such as book value.

When investors purchase their initial position in a stock, it is usually after their most rigorous research. Once a stock is in their portfolio, some investors relax on the research for subsequent purchases. Each and every time you purchase a stock, you should run it through the same process as if you were buying it for the first time.

At some point in the future will we look back on our actions today and refer to them as our greatest missed opportunity? By most measures, many blue-chip stocks are trading at a historical discount. Are you going to buy now or pay full-price or a premium price later? Unlike the perpetual going-out-of-business sale at the local furniture store, this sale will end suddenly and without warning.