MSFT

Microsoft has loads of cash, and it continues to generate lots of cash. But it only knows how to waste it. It is for these reasons I am wary of considering it a potential dividend growth company.

If the goal of dividend investing is to find and buy dividend stocks that will continue to raise their dividends, it is not enough to only look at a company’s free cash flow . Many companies generate significant free cash flow, but often that cash is already spoken for in the form of debt.

Jason Zweig discusses the current rally in "garbage" stocks. The article includes advice from Jeremy Grantham and also discusses the opportunities in Japanese stocks selling below net current asset value.

This portfolio focused on buying wide moat companies at discount prices is starting regain some ground during the recent rally.

In the investing nightmare of 2008, only one stock screening strategy returned positive results - the Piotroski method. Learn about this technique and see Magic Formula stocks that are ranked highly using it.

Breakdown of Magic Formula stocks by industry sector. What sectors are currently out of favor but can provide good returns on capital?

Microstrategy has an attractive business, a strong balance sheet, and moat potential through high switching costs. The company makes a fine Magic Formula purchase, but there are a few concerns.

T2 Partners' Q1 portfolio has been filed. New or increased positions include WFC, GE, GGP, MSFT, COST, LH, SCC, CMG, AAPL, YHOO, AB, DPZ, ALD, MBI, etc.

Part 2 of going through Fortune's 40 best stocks to retire on.
1. Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO)
2. McKesson Corp (MCK)
3. 3M Co (MMM)
4. Microsoft Corp (MSFT)
5. Parker Hannifin Corp (PH)
6. Walgreen Co (WAG)
7. Applied Industrial Technologies Inc (AIT)
8. Carlisle Companies Inc (CSL)
9. Cascade Corp (CAE)
10. National Presto Industries Inc (NPK)

David Dreman's Q1 portfolio has been filed. New positions include MSFT, MD, LM, IMA, RJF, RPM, FST, EAT, ARE, DKS, etc.

This post analyzes Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) results in the three months that ended on 31 March 2009, which was the third quarter of the company's fiscal year. The GCFR Overall Gauge score of Microsoft's Cash Management, Growth, Profitability, and Value now stands at 69 of 100 points.

As a S&P report recently revealed, members of its S&P 500 spent $48.1 billion in stock repurchases in the fourth quarter, a 66% decline from the $141.7 billion spent during the fourth quarter of 2007. This, despite the fact that cash levels stand at record highs.

The big news ON Monday was the failed merger talks between Sun Microsystems and IBM. Sun Microsystems (JAVA) lost almost 23% of its value after the news hit the street. JAVA exploded on March 17 after rumors of a potential bid by IBM made Sun’s shares 79% more expensive.

In general, the notable positive characteristics of tech titans are free cash flow, low level of debt (zero in many cases), higher gross margins, and cash on balance sheet. They are beginning to provide their extra cash as dividends to common shareholders. A look at full spectrum of tech corporations.

I cannot predict what will happen to the value US Dollar and/or future growth from emerging markets. Dividend growth investors have many choices to position themselves which will blunt the effect of these issues. Invest in dividend growth companies that have notable presence in all markets. After that, the discussion of dollar demise becomes purely academic in nature.