A candid interview with a Canadian dividend investor with commentary on risk, fundamentals, lessons learnt and long-term insight

The recent turbulence in the market has provided income investors first hand experience in managing their income portfolio in a declining market. For some, this may be their first significant and prolonged downturn. Here are some things that will help you succeed and thrive during this bear market:

Lynn Carpenter says pension fund deficits could be a major threat to dividend payments. Legislation forces companies to keep private pension plans well funded, meaning some will have to raise large sums of cash at short notice. Lynn picks 9 firms that could soon be forced into making big dividend cuts.

Last week was characterized by massive sell offs by investors, which fear that the worst is definitely going to happen. Despite the fact that the bailout plan was approved by congress, that didn’t improve investors’ sentiments. The US stock markets had the worst week ever.

The big news this week has been Bank of America's (BAC) dividend cut and the continued financial meltdown. Murmurings on the street are that GE could join BAC and cut its dividend, which is currently over 5% - high by historical standards. Here are a few select companies that recently raised their cash dividends:

United Technologies Corp. is an aerospace-industrial conglomerate with a portfolio including Pratt & Whitney jet engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Otis elevators and Carrier air conditioners, among other products. Linked here is a detailed stock analysis and commentary.

UTX is a dividend achiever as well as a component of the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials indexes. It has been increasing its dividends for the past 14 consecutive years. From 1998 up until 2007 this dividend growth stock has delivered an annual average total return of 17.20 % to its shareholders.

UTX has been a long-time consistant winner. This blog shows that its price is closely correlated with changes in its dividend and interest rates.