Re N Brown. Good points. So little is said about the company in the media or by investors that it is a bit of a mystery. What I do know is that net income is up every single year since 2006, dividend has been increased every single year since 2006, eps growth has averaged 11% over the last five years, trailing P/E based on diluted eps is 9.5 and trailing yield is 4.85%. I acknowledge that if I don't know what is behind those figures, then I take a risk. But that's where diversification should give me some protection.

I believe N Brown cater for an 'expanding' market, in that they supply clothes to the 'larger' members of society. In other words, they are 'big' in the outsize market. Sorry for the puns - couldn't resist. But that I suspect is why they are doing fairly well, and also why they don't broadcast their particular sector - N Brown, clothes for fatties.... doesn't ring well, does it.

Cheers,
Steve.