At some point in the future will we look back on our actions today and refer to them as our greatest missed opportunity? There is a lot of fear in the market. Not all companies are created the same. While the market roars as a bear to frighten the weak, some prominent companies stand strong.

The past several months have been characterized by tremendous volatility and a lot of negative news regarding the state of the economy as a whole. Given the uncertainties in the global economy, investors are wondering whether they should cash out their portfolios and simply wait for the storm to end.

David Templeton reports that yesterday, McDonalds Corp. (MCD) announced a 33.33% increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend. The new quarterly dividend increases to 50 cents per share versus an equivalent 37.5 cents per share paid in the 4th quarter last year.

William Patalon III says there are four solid ways to protect your portfolio from these forces: 1) Buy dividend-paying stocks; 2) Buy gold; 3) Buy companies focused on overseas market; and 4) Don’t panic…

The following extract is taken from a research report published over the weekend by Money Morning…

The typical dividend aristocrat is a mature company with wide moat that has weathered the storms of many boom and bust cycles while continuing to increase dividend payments to shareholders. These companies as well as the dividend champions are the cornerstone to my dividend strategy.

Now that more than half the year is behind us, I thought it would be interesting to look at my top 5 performers through July 31, 2008. As dismal as the stock market has been this year, there are still some bright spots. One bright spot is that my top five performers have all achieved double-digit positive total returns since I owned them and positive returns in 2008. Here they are with comments:

Tom Dyson says the best way to protect your portfolio from the fallout of a failing Fannie and Freddie is to invest in high-dividend stocks…

China’s emerging middle class is chasing after the global consumer dream: name brand products. And the companies that make those products are profiting from China’s growing desire for genuine merchandise rather than cheap knock-offs to grow their brands throughout the Asian nation.

McDonald's Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates McDonald's restaurants worldwide. Its restaurants offer various food items, and soft drinks and other beverages.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) is the cheapest place to eat in the US right now.And 12% Letter editor Tom Dyson says it’s going to get more and more business as the recession puts expensive restaurants out of reach. But are prices going to stay low as McDonalds’ transport and food production costs rise? Only time will tell.

In the eyes of many, the Oracle of Omaha -- whose Berkshire Hathaway holding company owns or has major stakes in many iconic brands, including Fruit of the Loom, Kraft Foods and Johnson & Johnson -- looks like a brand investor...

Starbucks finally admits McDonalds and Dunkin are the competition, in an SEC filing... too much

The third part of this series, Jeff Matthews discusses Buffett's purchase of Dairy Queen.

An analysis on McDonald's

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?