BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CO.

With the market down, I decided to pick up some shares of BMY for my regular investment portfolio and my IRA. Bristol-Myers has a dividend payout of 5.30% and cash per share of $3.21. Their return on equity is 26.50% with a profit margin of 63.10%. Their earnings per share of $1.63 along with available cash makes the dividend payout of $1.28 per share seem secure. I think BMY will be a great addition to my dividend and retirement portfolio.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in August 1933 under the name Bristol-Myers Company, as successor to a New York business started in 1887. In 1989, Bristol-Myers Company changed its name to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as a result of a merger. It is a global biopharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life by providing the highest quality pharmaceutical and related health care products. The Company, through its divisions and subsidiaries, is engaged in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of pharmaceutical and nutritional products. The Company reports financial and operating information in two segments, Pharmaceuticals and Nutritionals. The Nutritionals segment is operated through the Company's subsidiary Mead Johnson Nutrition Company. The Nutritionals segment, through Mead Johnson, manufactures, markets, distributes and sells infant formulas and other nutritional products, including the entire line of ENFAMIL products. The ENFAMIL LIPIL product is the first infant formula in the U.S. to contain the nutrients docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. The Pharmaceuticals segment competes with other worldwide research-based drug companies, smaller research companies and generic drug manufacturers. These products are sold worldwide, mainly to wholesalers, retail pharmacies, hospitals, government entities and the medical profession. The Pharmaceuticals segment is comprised of the global pharmaceutical and international consumer medicines businesses. The products comprises of cardiovascular; virology, including human immunodeficiency virus infection; oncology; affective and other disorders; and immunoscience. The Company promotes its products in medical journals and directly to health care providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, technologists, hospitals, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Managed Care Organizations and government agencies. The markets in which the Company competes are generally broad-based and highly competitive. The Company is subject to global regulation by regional, country, state and local agencies.