(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The eight “Dogs of the Dow” for 2018 outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2018. After an aggregate year-to-date gain of 8.3% through November, the downside volatility in December took a bite out of performance, but the dogs eked out a gain of 1% for 2018. This outperformed the Dow 30, which lost 5.6% in 2018.

Merck (MRK) was a 2018 dog but does not qualify to be in the “Dogs of the Dow” for 2019. Merck was the best performing Dow component in 2018 with a gain of 35.8% but its dividend yield ended the year at 2.91%, which disqualifies the stock as my guideline is a dividend yield above 3.00%.

Procter & Gamble (PG) was a 2018 dog but does not qualify as its dividend yield of 3.19% ranks ninth. My dogs are limited to eight and Procter & Gamble ended 2018 in bull market territory, 30% above its 2018 low of $70.73 set on May 2.

The Scorecard for The Eight ‘Dogs of The Dow’ For 2019

The Dogs Of The Dow For 2019 Global Market Consultants

Cisco Systems (CSCO) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 3.32%, ranked sevent^h. The weekly chart for Cisco is negative with the stock below its five-week modified moving average of $44.47 but well above its 200-week simple moving average or “reversion to the mean” at $33.79. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end this week at 32.92, down from 39.11 on December 28.

Buy weakness to my semiannual and annual value levels of $41.70 and $39.84, respectively, and reduce holdings on strength to my monthly and quarterly risky levels at $45.65 and $49.39, respectively.

Chevron (CVX) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 4.27%, much cheaper than 3.45% one year ago, ranked fourth. The weekly chart for Chevron is negative with the stock below its five-week MMA at $112.60 but above its 200-week SMA or reversion to the mean at $106.93. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end the week at 31.06, down from 32.46 on December 28.

Buy weakness to my semiannual value level of $106.15 and reduce holdings on strength to my annual risky level at $131.43. I show monthly and quarterly pivots at $111.76 and $112.24, respectively.

International Business Machines (IBM) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 5.71%, much cheaper than 4.11% a year ago, ranked first. The weekly chart for IBM is negative but oversold with the stock below its five-week MMA at $119.10 and well below its 200-week SMA or reversion to the meanvat $151.22. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end this week at 13.58 well below the oversold threshold of 20.00.

Buy weakness down to the December 26 low of $105.94. My monthly, quarterly and semiannual pivots are $119.63, $122.49 and $126.75. Reduce holdings on strength to my annual risky level at $166.09.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) ended 2018 with a dividend yield 3.45%, ranked sixth. The weekly chart for our nation’s largest bank is negative but oversold with the stock below its five-week MMA at $102.14 and above its 200-week SMA or reversion to the mean at $84.21. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end the week at 18.54, below the oversold threshold of 20.00.

Buy weakness down t the December 26 low of $91.11. My annual and monthly pivots is $102.64 and $106.56, respectively. Reduce holdings on strength to my semiannual and quarterly risky levels at $110.75 and $114.59, respectively.

Coca Cola (KO) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 3.46% versus 3.40% a year ago, ranked fifth. The weekly chart for Coke is negative with the stock below its five-week MMA at $47.92 and above its 200-week SMA or reversion to the mean at $43.71. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to decline to 61.52 this week, down from 70.62 on December 28.

Buy weakness to the 200-week SMA at $43.71. My semiannual, quarterly and monthly pivots are $46,28, $48.84 and $49.51, respectively. Reduce holdings on strength to my annual risky level of $51.51.

Pfizer (PFE) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 3.30%, down from 3.75% a year ago, ranked eigth. The weekly chart for Pfizer is neutral with the stock trading back and forth around its five-week MMA at $43.39. The stock is well above its 200-week SMA or reversion to the mean at $35.08. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to slip to 41.70, down from 45.85 on December 28.

Buy weakness to my semiannual value level at $41.49 and reduce holdings to my annual risky level at $48.44. My quarterly and monthly pivots are $43.71 and $46.57, respectively.

Verizon (VZ) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 4.31%, slipping from 4.49% a year ago, ranked third . The weekly chart for Verizon is negative with the stock below its five-week MMA at $56.48. The stock is above its 200-week SMA of reversion to the mean at $49.88. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end the week at 45.66 down from 53.02.

Buy weakness to my quarterly value level at $48.80. My semiannual and monthly pivots are $55.97 and $58.92, respectively. Reduce holdings on strength to my annual risky level at $62.95.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) ended 2018 with a dividend yield of 5.03%, up from 3.75% a year ago, ranked second. The weekly chart for Exxon Mobil is negative but oversold with the stock below its five-week MMA at $73.78 and below its 200-week SMA of reversion to the mean at $82.22. The 12x3x3 weekly slow stochastic reading is projected to end the week at 16.31, below the oversold threshold of 20.00.

Buy weakness to my quarterly value level at $66.87. My semiannual pivot is $69.47. Reduce holdings on strength to my monthly and annual risky levels of $79.19 and $94.26, respectively.