Barron’s Magazine First Read: Dividends, VRX, DISCA

Herewith, some stories making headlines in the weekend’s print edition of Barron’s magazine (stories require Barron’s subscription):

Vito Racanelli writes that you’re likely to outlive your portfolio, so you might want to pick dividend stocks that will last. Vito lists 10, including Banco Santander (STD), Chevron (CVX), and Intel (INTC).

Bill Alpert argues investors are over-estimating the potential of an epilepsy drug being developed by Valeant Pharmaceutical International (VRX) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), giving the former a 50% premium to other specialty drug makers. Valent shares today are off 75 cents, or 2%, at $32.53.

Sandra Ward likes the way Discovery Communications (DISCA) has tapped into the average American’s real world dreams with John & Kate plus eight. With Oprah coming to the network in 2011, the stock’s prospects are still bright despite more than doubling in the last year. Discovery shares are up 96 cents, or 4%, at $32.12 this morning.