Exciting week in the markets so far!

It has been a good few days for me so far this week in the markets.  Yesterday Kimberly Clark rallied big on earnings and followed through today.  Today Boeing smashed the estimates and soared like their famous new plane that has been delayed many times the 787.

Then also this morning ARCP announced a proposed merger with COLE.  I own shares in both companies and they had been fighting over COLE turning down a couple offers from ARCP in the past that resulted in ARCP CEO Nicholas Scorsch calling a COLE executive a liar I recalled reading in the past.  There is a offer on the table and I would have the option to receive a specified amount of cash per share for my COLE shares or 1.0929 shares worth of ARCP for every COLE share owned.  I think I would likely take the shares as with all the ARCP acquisitions and mergers this will make them the World's largest REIT. It would result in an enterprise value of $21.5 Billion Market Cap and the dividend will be raised again to boot.  I can't argue as a shareholder with raises in my monthly dividend income and a stronger portfolio and company for leverage in the REIT industry.  I am considering trying to add to these positions in the future as both plan to continue normal operations and dividend payments until the merger is completed.  I'm still trying to read and learn about the details of this merger, but also looking for attractive income producing securities to welcome to my account.

What about you?  Having a good week with earnings?  Own any ARCP or COLE?

Fidelity 403(b) plan holdings

My employer retirement plan is through Fidelity and I do not receive a match.  I contribute to the plan at varying percentages over time depending on many factors.  These are my current funds holdings and prices as of 10/18/13:


Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)  $97.53/share
Fidelity Diversified International (FDIVX) $35.82/share
Fidelity Cash Reserves (FDRXX)  $1.00/share
Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 W (FIPFX)  $14.67/share
Spartan Long Term Idx Adv (FLBAX)  $11.53/share
Fidelity Select Gold (FSAGX)  $20.55/share
Fidelity Select Defense (FSDAX)  $115.48/share
Fidelity Select Energy (FSENX)  $64.52/share
Fidelity Select Healthcare (FSPHX)  $185.81/share
RS Partners A (RSPFX)  $42.69/share
Fidelity High Income (SPHIX)  $9.37/share
Vanguard Total BD MKT IDX (VBTIX)  $10.70/share
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund (VINIX)  $159.93/share

Dividend Update-September 2013

September has passed and I am glad to report my dividend income for the month.  I received some money for owning a portion of the some of the World's top companies.  Some of these companies I purchased years ago and some more recently, but all provided me the opportunity to just let the shares sit in my account while they continue to meet their operations and grow their business.  In the process of growing the business they decided to reward me as a loyal shareholder.  I feel blessed and appreciated to be rewarded with this passive income.  I agree with companies decisions to pay out dividends to shareholders, because I would rather have a portion of the earnings then trust a manager to have the opportunity to squander it or reinvest it in ways that for whatever reason don't work out during an uncertain economy.  I continue my plan with the structure being to reinvest it back into the businesses that paid the dividend and compound my shares and dividend income month after month and year after year.  My September dividend income was as follows: