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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 / Markets / Industries / Industrials
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
General Dynamics Demonstrates Ground-Based Aircraft-Protection Technology
Comtex
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 8, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products recently conducted a system demonstration of its ground-based, Counter Man-Portable Airspace Protection System (CMAPS) against multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at the Naval Air Systems Command test facility in China Lake, Calif. CMAPS successfully detected, tracked and destroyed various UAVs by targeting critical aircraft components during the test. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
The recent counter-UAV demonstration at China Lake follows a series of successful CMAPS technology demonstrations since March 2006 in which CMAPS demonstrated capability in defeating Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS). To date the system has detected, tracked and defeated MANPADS; and now has proven its success in defeating small UAVs as well.
"As we just demonstrated, CMAPS defeated a variety of UAVs, proving that the system has multi-mission capabilities," said Phil Hynes, vice president of strategic planning for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "Tests have shown that General Dynamics' ground-based countermeasure system can successfully protect airspace and other assets, including infrastructure and ships, against a broad spectrum of threats."
CMAPS is a ground-based system that uses a network of sensors to detect and track a threat, whether it is a missile or UAV. Once identified, high-power, infrared countermeasures are directed to the target to defeat the threat.
One of CMAPS' key strengths is its mobility. It is portable and can be rapidly deployed to any airfield, and the system can operate safely in both remote and densely populated areas.
In 2006, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to explore new missile-countermeasure technologies that do not rely solely on infrared technology onboard aircraft. The General Dynamics ground-based CMAPS continues to prove to be a viable alternative to current aircraft-based countermeasure technologies. Developed primarily to protect military aircraft, the system also could be deployed at civilian airports to protect aircraft at any locale. It eliminates the need for a jet to have its own aircraft-based system.
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance armament systems; defensive armor solutions; aerospace components; mobile shelter systems; and is the leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection systems. More information about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at http://www.gdatp.com .
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at http://www.generaldynamics.com .
SOURCE General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
http://www.gdatp.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved ********************************************************************** As of Friday, 07-04-2008 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend� Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated a DOWNTREND on 06-05-2008 for GD @ $88.82. For more information on SmarTrend, contact your market data provider or go to www.mysmartrend.com SmarTrend is a registered trademark of Comtex News Network, Inc. Copyright � 2004-2008 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.
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