Stock Picker: Wait For Growth, Buy the Dividends
The unemployment rate is at 7.2 percent, that's just for openers, and investors should plan accordingly, according to Michael Yoshikami of YCMNET Advisors. He feels portfolios should be built on shares of companies with safe dividend returns, because those waiting for growth are going to wait a long time.
"It's going to be tough on earnings, and, in the end, dividends are going to matter," Yoshikami told CNBC.
Recommendations:
"If you have companies that have good, quality earnings, with CEOs that have come out and reaffirmed dividends, companies like Vodafone, companies like US Bancorp , that are paying good, solid dividend rates with some upside appreciation, that's how I think you need to position for the portfolio," he said.
As to reassurances from General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt that GE's dividend is safe through 2009, Yoshikami doesn't think that's quite enough.
"It doesn't mean that GE, in the end, won't be OK, but I don't think you buy it for that dividend play," he said.
