FOX Translator
No data currently available.
No data currently available.
You know that buying a stock makes you part owner of a company, theoretically with millions of other people. But, while ownership has its privileges (at minimum you get a neat stock certificate and an invitation to the annual meeting), being an owner doesn't necessarily pay. Sure, you make money if the stock goes up, but only if you sell, and you can, in theory, lose all the value of your investment if the stock tanks.
Enter the dividend. Here, you get money simply from holding the stock. Companies pay a yield, which is expressed in a percentage based on the stock's price. For example, if a stock trades at $10, and pays a 10% annual yield, your dividend payment would be a $1. (Usually, companies break out the payments quarterly, so, using our example, you¿d get, well, a quarter each quarter.)
Companies that pay dividends fall into a few categories. First, you've got your big, stable companies that generate enough cash that it makes sense to throw some back to shareholders. Next, there are businesses, like real estate investment trusts, that are in the business of sitting back and receiving cash, then distributing it to holders. And, then there are companies that need to dangle a high dividend yield like a carrot to ease investor fears. Cigarette-maker Altria has been doing this for years.
Simply because a company pays a dividend doesn't make it a good investment. After all, you may want to take a chance on a growth stock that can move higher in price than dividend payers are known to do. But, you can¿t beat the safety of knowing that, even if a stock doesn't move in a year, you¿re at least making something off your investment.
Home
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
AMA Adopts Strategies to Help Address Medical Student Debt
Comtex
CHICAGO, June 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----New Policies Aim to Help Relieve Physician Shortage
CHICAGO, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - The American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted new policy to help address the increasing medical student debt burden at its Annual Meeting. Over the last 15 years, the cost of a public school medical education has doubled and private school tuition has increased by 133 percent. Upon graduation, the average medical student has a debt of $140,000.
"The overwhelming cost of medical education significantly hinders bright students from considering medical careers," said Chris DeRienzo, M.D., AMA Board Member and 2008 graduate of Duke University Medical School. "As our nation ages and we continue to face a growing physician shortage, the alarming cost of medical school tuition and the debt burden on young physicians must be addressed."
The AMA will support a requirement that medical schools inform students of all government loan opportunities along with private loans, and will require medical schools to disclose why preferred lenders were chosen. New policy also calls on the AMA to support transparency in how medical schools spend increases to students' tuition and fees.
"Medical students deserve to understand how their tuition money is being spent," said Dr. DeRienzo. "Increased transparency with tuition dollars will encourage medical schools to spend money in ways that more directly benefit student learning."
SOURCE American Medical Association
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Market Snapshot
| Symbol | Last Price | Netchange | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
