10/19/07

Economics

fiscal profligacy (Government spending as a percent of GDP is too high and the looming explosion in entitlement expenditures will make it worse. There is no good solution save spending discipline.). Earmarks, the gift that keeps on giving:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/10/earmarks_over_all.html

The argument for a strong dollar:

http://www.seekingalpha.com/article/50529-seven-reasons-why-a-weak-dollar-hurts-america

Politics

Domestic

International War Against Radical Islam

The Market

Technical

Fundamental

Cramer on Altria (Dividend Growth Portfolio):

http://www.thestreet.com/p/_htmlrmd/rmoney/jimcramerblog/10385325.html

News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

VF Corp (Dividend Growth Portfolio) reported third quarter operating earnings per share of $1.86 versus expectations of $1.82 and $1.64 recorded in the comparable 2006 quarter. The company also raised its quarterly dividend per share from $.55 to $.58.

EPS: 2006 $4.73, 2007 $5.30, 2008 $5.90; DVD: $2.20 YLD 2.6%

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=VFC

3M (Dividend Growth Portfolio) reported third quarter operating earnings per share of $1.29 versus expectations of $1.28 and $1.17 recorded in the comparable period in 2006. The company also raised the low end of its 2007 earnings guidance range by $.15.

EPS: 2006 $5.06, 2007 $5.00, 2008 $5.20; DVD: $1.92 YLD 2.2%

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MMM

Wilmington Trust (Dividend Growth Portfolio) reported third quarter operating earnings per share of $.67 versus expectations of $.72 and $.67 recorded in the third quarter of 2006.

EPS: 2006 $2.66, 2007 $2.80, 2008 $3.00; DVD: $21.32 YLD 3.6%

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=WL

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