We believe investors so far this year have greater confidence that modest global economic growth will benefit a wider swath of companies, particularly those with long-standing business models such as dividend achievers.

Global equity markets went on a rollercoaster ride in October, although given the cauldron of global issues that were brewing for some time and the months history of big moves, it shouldnt be all that shocking many investors got spooked. While much of the media focused on the short-term panic, long-term investors used such pullbacks to search for bargains.

After a year when it seemed as if US equities could move only higher, vulnerabilities have begun to surface in 2014. Equities now seem to be at a mid-year crossroads, with many investors asking whether there is still potential upside to explore in the marketor at least, certain sectors. Don Taylor, chief investment officer, Franklin Equity Group, US Value, and portfolio manager of Franklin Rising Dividends Fund, thinks theres still value to be found in the US market over the long term. And, hes using setbacks to add stocks to his dividend-minded portfolio.

As consumers gear up for the upcoming holiday shopping season, many investors in individual equities are eagerly anticipating another season that, instead of draining their wallets, might actually fatten them-dividend season. Don Taylor, portfolio manager of Franklin Rising Dividends Fund, is on the lookout for companies which not only have a track record of paying regular dividends, but increasing them. Here are some of Taylors thoughts on the early dividend season scorecard.

The laws of gravity may dictate that what goes up must come down, but interest rates seem to have their own converse course of action what goes down eventually will go up. Although it seems like interest rates can stay stuck in low gear for years, (decades even, in the case of Japan) eventually they will creep higher, and talk is heating up about the timing and magnitude of such creep in the US. As the portfolio manager of Franklin Rising Dividends Fund, Don Taylor was quick to comment that higher interest rates dont mean all dividend-paying stocks are doomed.

Dividend-paying stocks have received a good deal of attention this yearand for good reason. Ed Perks, senior vice president and director of the Core Hybrid Portfolio Management Group at Franklin Templeton, and Don Taylor, senior vice president and portfolio manager for Franklin Equity Group, suspect it's these fearful prognostications that are overinflated, not the asset class. As they see it, the dividend-paying stock universe is expanding, and deserves investor attention.

One of the interesting attributes over the last couple of years ?and obviously there's been a lot of volatility?is the actual macroeconomic environment has not actually been all that volatile; it's been slow, but it's been fairly consistent.