Yes, absolutely. I focus on the right hand columns of the Stock Guide ( Earnings per Share) to make certain that there are no recent negative numbers (a recent operating deficit). It's not uncommon for companies to pay a dividend for a while after they begin leaking oil. A dividend cut or omission won't be far behind. We want both, profits and dividends.

Always keep in mind that a bad quarter, in a generally profitable long term picture, sets the stage for those good quarter to quarter comparisons that Wall Street gets all excited about down the road. Such earnings surprises always make the news, and often cause a severe decline in market price.