Last weekend the hope page of MSN’s business page was 12 things that will or should disappear in the next 25 years. Some of them are already disappearing, as people use electronic devices more and more. Newspapers and magazines were on the list, both are not going disappear tomorrow, but they will likely continue to shrink as people look at them differently. It may mean our homes will be cleaner or less cluttered, or it may mean electronic devices will continue to be less expensive every year, ensuring the content is even more important just the delivery mechanism changes.

Linking to dividend producing stocks, as you read these lists that get produced and they ae just predictions, think about the companies you own. If they are in that business and the business models or margins are changing, ask how is management changing to maintain or increase their margins for the business. If the margins are going down, then it is a really good time to look at alternative investments. Change happens to all companies, the issue is how does the company maintain its margins in the area where it makes its profits? Fortunately on the stock exchanges there are always alternatives or some are better than the others.

There are always more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.