If we truly are headed into a deep recession domestically as well as globally, the stocks of companies that provide goods and services that we are unlikely to go without during a recession are probably a good bet to continue to grow earnings and dividends throughout a slowdown.

Ever since the broad market indexes entered into bear market territory and the dollar stopped falling against most of the major currencies, I have been checking the international dividend achievers list for bargains. I came up with the following dividend stocks list, using the followoing screen criteria:

A look back at the performance of the Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio. My 12.22% return was pretty respectable given that the S&P 500 delivered less than half that. This post recaps my trades and current holdings.

The Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio outperformed the S&P 500 this month as well as the other major indexes. Read the details to see the latest activity in this portfolio.

The Fat Pitch Financials Port was up 8.35% in October and is currently up 15.19% over the past 12 months. Merck, Microsoft and Unilever were the most interesting positions this month.

In April, the Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio returned 5.93%. Year-to-date, the portfolio has returned 5.39%. The only major change this month was the addition of Broadridge Financial Solutions to the portfolio on April 10, 2007.

Unilever PLC ADRs are looking fairly value according to this intrinsic value analysis. All the steps taken in this valuation are detailed so you can learn from it and question the assumptions used.

The Fat Pitch Portfolio returned 19.75% in 2006 versus 15.23% for the S&P 500. Get the details on this value investor's portfolio.

The Fat Pitch Financials Portfolio has returned 23.41% since inception (Sept. 21, 2004) at an annualized rate of return of 10.01%. Review the trades of this model portfolio focused on purchasing stocks of wide moat companies trading at prices that provide a significant margin of safety.

George answers Gannon On Investing's 20 Questions. In other words, a revealing interview with George of Fat Pitch Financials about investing, investment books, blogging, and special situations.