2014 Top Stocks Market, Best Stocks Investment In 2014, Top Stocks For 2014: Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014

John Paulson is the founder and president of $36 billion hedge fund Paulson & Co. In 2014, Paulson beat the S&P by 61.1% during the credit crisis; in 2014, his funds gained $8.4 billion gross. In recent quarters, he significantly increased his holdings in energy companies, particularly those involved to some degree in the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. Currently, he owns stock in three energy companies:

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:America First Mortgage Investments Inc. (MFA)

MFA Financial, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), primarily invests in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that include hybrid and adjustable-rate MBS. MFA Financial has elected to be taxed as a REIT and would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was formerly known as MFA Mortgage Investments, Inc. and changed its name to MFA Financial, Inc. in January 2009. MFA Financial was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:Medallion Financial Corp. (TAXI)

Medallion Financial Corp., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company engages in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. It offers commercial loans to finance the purchase of the equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business, or the purchase or improvement of an existing business; asset-based loans to small businesses; and secured mezzanine loans to businesses in various industries, including manufacturing and various service providers. The company also raises deposits; originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, trailers, and hearing aids; and conducts other banking activities. In addition, it provides other debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in various industries. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:AT&T Inc. (T)

AT&T Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services to consumers, businesses, and other service providers worldwide. Its Wireless segment offers wireless voice communication services, including local wireless communications service, long-distance service, and roaming services. This segment also sells various handsets, wirelessly enabled computers, and personal computer wireless data cards; and accessories comprising carrying cases, hands-free devices, batteries, battery chargers and, other items. This segment sells its products through its own stores, or through agents or third party retail stores. The company?s Wireline segment provides voice services, including local and long-distance services, calling card, 1-800 services, conference calling, wholesale switched access service, caller ID, call waiting, and voice mail services; and application management, security service, integration services, customer premises equipment, outsourcing, government-related services, and satellite video services. This segment also offers data services, such as switched and dedicated transport, Internet access and network integration, data equipment, and U-verse services; high-speed connections comprising private lines, packet, dedicated Internet, and enterprise networking services, as well as DSL/broadband, dial-up Internet access, and WiFi products; businesses voice applications over IP-based networks; and local, interstate, and international wholesale networking capacity to other service providers. In addition, its Advertising solutions segment publishes yellow and white pages directories; and sells directory advertising and Internet-based advertising and local search. The company was formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. and changed its name to AT&T Inc. in November 2005 as a result of merger with AT&T Corp. AT&T Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

By JON C. OGG At 2011-12-6
AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) closed at $28.93 and the analyst consensus price target is $32.78. It carries a 5.9% dividend yield and the stock is down 9.4% from its 52-week high. The price to book value is 1.5 and its return on equity is 18%. S&P gives a “A-” local long-term credit ranking. Our only caveat on AT&T is the pending T-Mobile deal, which could result in a multi-billion charge if the buyout fails to win approval. The yield is amazing here and it did not have the iPhone defections at a rate that many expected.
By Putnam At 2011-10-6
AT&T is headquartered in Texas, USA and is the world's largest communications holding company by revenue. AT&T has America's fastest 4G network & 17.8 million broadband connections. In its 2010 annual report, the company reports it paid $9.9 billion in dividends to stockholders. The company also increased its dividend for the 27th consecutive year from 42 cents/share to 43 cents / share. AT&T also has 24,000 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide, the most of any U.S. provider. The company currently has a market capitalization of $170 billion and sports a 5.96% dividend yield. The company has 96 million wireless subscribers across the United States, the largest of any telecom company. AT&T offers voice coverage in more than 220 countries, data roaming in more than 200 countries and mobile broadband in more than 130 countries.
By Chuck At 2011-10-6
AT&T is a provider of telecommunications services in the United States and worldwide. Cramer holds 500 shares of T stocks. T has a dividend yield of 5.94% and returned 1.76% since the beginning of this year. It has a market cap of 1.22B and a P/E ratio of 8.80. Phill Gross and Robert Atchinson hold the largest T position.
By Toby At 2011-9-10
A major provider of telecommunications services to consumers and businesses in the United States and internationally, this household name fell from a high of almost $43 in 2007 to under $21 at the bear-market low.?This blue chip took almost two years to consolidate following its fall, but in July it broke from resistance at $26.50 beginning a series of bullish stairsteps that recently took AT&T (NYSE:T) to just under $32.

The stock shows a solid and regular pattern of steady buying, has positive momentum, and if it can break from its recent descending triangle could, within six months, easily challenge its old high at $43.?S&P has AT&T rated as a “Strong Buy 5-Stars,” its highest rating.?The annual dividend is $1.72 providing a yield of 5.59%.
By Jim Cramer At 2011-9-7
This one has had a huge move already and will be losing exclusive selling rights for the iPhone to Verizon (VZ). That's going to freeze the market and cause the company's growth rate to slip a tad, maybe to below 6%. If that happens the $2.50 estimates might come down, but just a few pennies. I worry more though that it will finally break its linkage with Verizon and get a tad less of a multiple. It will be bailed out by its bountiful yield but I don't see the company trading above $32 given the rate of rate of change upward and a small dividend boost. Still worth owning for the combined return however.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)

Eli Lilly and Company develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers neuroscience products to treat schizophrenia, manic episodes, and bipolar maintenance; depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults; bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorders; and bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression. The company?s endocrinology products are used for diabetes; type 2 diabetes; osteoporosis in postmenopausal women; osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men at high risk for fracture; and human growth hormone deficiency and pediatric growth conditions. It also provides oncology products to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma; pancreatic, metastatic breast, non-small cell lung, ovarian, and bladder cancers; and colorectal cancers, as well as offers cardiovascular products to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome, as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention, and to treat adults with severe sepsis at high risk of death. In addition, the company offers animal health products, such as cattle feed additives; antibiotics to treat respiratory and other diseases in cattle, swine, and poultry; leanness and performance enhancers for swine and cattle; protein supplements to improve milk productivity in dairy cows; anticoccidial agents; antibiotics to control enteric infections in calves and swine; parasiticides for use on cattle and premises; products to treat canine separation anxiety; and products that prevents flea infestations on dogs, as well as other pharmaceutical products to treat staphylococcal infections and bacterial infections. Eli Lilly distributes its products through independent wholesale distributors, as well as directly to pharmacies. The company was founded in 1876 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

By Tom Hutchinson At 2011-9-20

Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has been around since 1876. The company makes top drugs in a variety of areas, including antidepressant drug Prozac and neurological drug Zyprexa. Lilly is truly a global powerhouse, with product sales in 143 countries.

Lilly faces steep patent expirations in the next two years on drugs accounting for about 40% of sales. But this problem seems well reflected in the stock, which sells for about seven times earnings, well below the market (15.4) and industry (13) averages.

Like Bristol, Lilly is ambitiously trying to fill the looming patent hole. The company acquired biotech giant Imclone in 2008 and has been investing heavily in its internal pipeline of new drugs. Lilly has also built a war chest of $6 billion and is in a good position to make more acquisitions to boost earnings. In the meantime, the drug giant pays a 5.7% dividend yield that's strongly supported by a 41% payout ratio.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:Southern Company (The) (SO)

Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as a utility company that provides electric service in the southeastern United States. The company generates, transmits, and distributes electricity through coal, nuclear, oil and gas, and hydro resources. It offers electric service primarily in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi; and serves approximately 4.4 million retail customers with approximately 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Southern Company also constructs, acquires, owns, and manages generation assets and sells electricity in the wholesale market. Its transmission assets include 27,000 miles of transmission lines and 3,700 substations. The company also provides digital wireless communications, such as push to talk, cellular service, text messaging, wireless Internet access, and wireless data in the southeast; and wholesale fiber optic solutions to telecommunication providers under the name Southern Telecom. Southern Company was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG)

ConAgra Foods, Inc. operates as a food company primarily in North America. It operates in two segments, Consumer Foods and Commercial Foods. The Consumer Foods segment provides branded, private label, and customized food products, which are sold in various retail and foodservice channels. It offers products in various categories, such as meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks, and desserts in frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable temperature classes. This segment?s principal brands include Alexia, ACT II, Banquet, Blue Bonnet, Chef Boyardee, DAVID, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt?s, Marie Callender?s, Orville Redenbacher?s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack, Swiss Miss, Van Camp?s, and Wesson. The Commercial Foods segment provides commercially branded foods and ingredients that are sold to foodservice, food manufacturing, and industrial customers. Its primary products consist of specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, a range of vegetable products, seasonings, blends, and flavors. This segment sells products under brands, such as ConAgra Mills, Lamb Weston, and Spicetec Flavors & Seasonings. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Advisors' Opinion:

By Jonson At 2011-10-17
Paul T Maass, who is President, Commercial at ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG), sold 4,781 shares on Sep 26 at $23.90 per share for a total value of $114,242. About the company: ConAgra Foods, Inc. manufactures and markets packaged foods for retail consumers, restaurants and institutions. The Company offers a wide range of food products, including meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks, specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, and blends and flavors.
By Jonson At 2011-10-17
Kenneth E Stinson, who is s Director at ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:! CAG), so ld 8,316 shares on Sep 26 at $23.81 per share for a total value of $198,013. About the company: ConAgra Foods, Inc. manufactures and markets packaged foods for retail consumers, restaurants and institutions. The Company offers a wide range of food products, including meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks, specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, dehydrated vegetables and seasonings, and blends and flavors.
By Carlson At 2011-9-22
ConAgra (CAG) withdrew its $94-per-share offer for Ralcorp (RAH) after the Ralcorp board rejected its most recent proposal, the company said in a statement released 2 minutes after Ralcorp’s deadline to enter into discussions had passed.

ConAgra has said in recent days that it has heard from Ralcorp shareholders who wanted the company to consider selling to ConAgra. Clearly the pressure now is on Ralcorp. If the company can’t find a way to boost its value to its shareholders through a spin-off of its Post brands, which includes Grape Nuts, the $94-per-share offer will look like a big missed opportunity.

Top Dividend Stocks To Own 2014:Procter & Gamble Company (The) (PG)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides consumer packaged goods in the United States and internationally. The company offers beauty products, such as cosmetics, female antiperspirant and deodorant, female personal cleansing, female shave care, hair care, hair color, hair styling, pharmacy channel, prestige products, salon professional, and skin care products under the Head & Shoulders, Olay, Pantene, and Wella brands; and grooming products, including electronic hair removal devices, home small appliances, male blades and razors, and male personal care products under the Braun, Fusion, Gillette, and Mach3 brands. It also provides health care products comprising feminine care, gastrointestinal, incontinence, rapid diagnostics, respiratory, toothbrush, toothpaste, water filtration, and other oral care products under the Always, Crest, and Oral-B brands; snacks and pet care products under the Iams and Pringles brands; fabric care and home care products consisting of laundry additives, air care, batteries, dish care, fabric enhancers, laundry detergents, and surface care products under the Ace, Ariel, Dawn, Downy, Duracell, Gain, Tide, and Febreze brands; and baby care and family care products, such as baby wipes, diapers, paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper products under Bounty, Charmin, and Pampers brands. The company sells its products in approximately 180 countries through retail operations, including mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores, salons, and high-frequency stores. The Procter & Gamble Company was founded in 1837 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

By David Sterman At 2011-12-6
Investment advisors often suggest owning “consumer staple” stocks, though you can simply focus on the industry’s strongest player: Procter & Gamble. The maker of brands such as Crest, Iams, Bounty, Duracell and Tide will be celebrating its 175th anniversary next year.

Sales grow at a slow pace every year, but they really build a head of steam over time: P&G’s sales rose nearly 100% from 2002 to 2010. Most important, P&G continues to boost its exposure to the world’s most dynamic emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.
By Paul At 2011-11-21
The company has some of the strongest brands in the world. For example, Gillette truly is a wide-moat business brand. Men shave frequently, and the cartridges provide a recurring revenue stream for the company that sell them. Procter & Gamble is a well-positioned portfolio of strong consumer brands, and as a result, its business is relatively recession-resistant, while also capitalizing on such hot trends such as the growing middle class in emerging markets. The issue I have with this company is that I frequently add to it when there are not many other opportunities, which means that I have an above-average position in the stock.
By Kevin1977 At 2011-11-8
3.3% Dividend which is very strong for such a rock solid company. Procter and Gamble coined market research and is a master of selling their zillions of brands all over the world. They know what they are doing in each country and can really pick outstanding price points, in store locations, and targeted commercials. I expect them to beat analyst&rsquo! ;s expec tations and I can’t see any real downside risk at all with them.
By McWillams At 2011-10-17
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) provides consumer packaged goods in the United States and internationally. The company has consistently raised dividends for 54 years in a row and currently yields 3.30%
By Jim Cramer At 2011-9-7
Procter & Gamble's (PG) been marking time long enough. The company gave you a low single-digit one-year return, rather paltry given all the new products, the emerging market growth and the sharetake from other players. I believe all will be improved upon in 2011 and that P&G will eat Colgate's (CL) lunch because Colgate hasn't kept pace in R&D and marketing won't make up for it. Like Coca-Cola and McDonald's, you just can't get lights-out performance out of a mature company like P&G but $75, the price it reached at the end of 2007, certainly seems within reason. 2011 will be the year that the investments P&G has made for the future pay off and it goes back to being the gold standard of the packaged goods world.