Why Dividends Matter

It seems that every financial adviser or financial publication is proclaiming that you should own dividend stocks. Each are proclaiming the virtues of dividend stocks from their own perspective.

To that I have two questions:

1. What took you so long?
2. Do you really understand why dividend stocks are such a good long-term investment?

3M Company (MMM) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net January 23, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of 3M Company (MMM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: 3M Co. is a diversified global company that provides enhanced product functionality in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer, office, telecommunications, safety & security and other markets via coatings, sealants, adhesives, and other chemical additives.

Weekly Links: January 29, 2012

Each Sunday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

Introducing The New D4L-Premium Services Website

I am pleased to introduce an all-new website for D4L-Premium Services subscribers. When D4L-Premium Services first started back in July 2009, it only offered a weekly Dashboard and was very easily integrated into my free websites. As the features and number of services grew (see below for what's currently offered), the integration became somewhat confusing to existing subscribers, and almost impossible for new subscribers.

26 Confident and Secure Companies Boosting Dividends

Dividend growth investing is a long-term strategy. A growing dividend is a sign that the company is becoming more valuable. Companies that consistently increase dividends tend to have steadily rising share prices and the best way to benefit from this is to buy and hold the stocks. Diversification and a focus on blue-chip stocks provides insurance for the few companies that don't pan out.

6 Industrial Strength Stocks With Growing Dividends

Companies in the Industrial Sector are often referred to as members of the “smokestack industry” and are classified as cyclical stocks. A cyclical stock is one that rises and falls in step with the economy. The Industrials Sector consists of companies that manufacture products or provide business services. The products are sometimes inputs into another manufacturing process.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), that owns, acquires, repositions and manages technology-related real estate.

2011 Was A Great Year For Dividend Stocks

Investing in dividend growth stocks is a long-term proposition. One of the beauties of following a dividend growth strategy is that you don't have to watch your portfolio or the market on a daily basis. For the most part, daily, monthly and yearly movements are just noise in the system.

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net January 16, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Verizon Communications Inc. offers wireline, wireless and broadband services primarily in the northeastern United States. It acquired MCI in 2006 and has since sold or spun off non-core assets. Alltel was acquired in early 2009.

Weekly Links: January 22, 2012

Each Sunday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

2011-Q4 Performance Review

After each quarter-end, I review my asset allocation and year-to-date total returns by category. The attached PDF contains my actual asset allocation as of 2011-Q4. Below is a high-level summary of the information contained in the PDF:

23 Stocks Increasing Shareholder Wealth With Higher Dividends

Dividend growth investing is a long-term strategy. A growing dividend is a sign that the company is becoming more valuable. Companies that consistently increase dividends tend to have steadily rising share prices and the best way to benefit from this is to buy and hold the stocks. Diversification and a focus on blue-chip stocks provides insurance for the few companies that don't pan out.

5 High-Yield REITs With Growing Dividends

Have you ever looked at your pay stub, sighed, and wished you didn't have to pay taxes? After the government gets a hold of out paycheck, what's left seems so small compared to the pretax annual salary quoted to us by our employers. The good news is some don't have to pay taxes, and it is legal. Consider this...

Universal HealthRealty Income Trust (UHT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Universal HealthRealty Income Trust (UHT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Universal Health Realty Income Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in healthcare and human service related facilities.

Utilities Stock Funds Were 2011's Bright Star

Utility dividend stocks. When you hear those words what do you think of? Long considered the domain for "widows and orphans", utilities have developed a somewhat stodgy reputation. Why are utilities considered good for widows and orphans?

Here a few reasons:

AFLAC Incorporated (AFL) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net January 9, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of AFLAC Incorporated (AFL). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Aflac Incorporated provides supplemental health and life insurance in the U.S. and Japan. Products are marketed at work sites and help fill gaps in primary insurance coverage. Approximately 80% of earnings comes from Japan and 20% from the U.S.

Weekly Links: January 15, 2012

Each Sunday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

December 2011 Pocket Change Portfolio Performance

The Pocket Change Portfolio (PCP) was first introduced on September 13, 2008 as a real money dividend income portfolio funded by the "pocket change" earned from my various online endeavors. Each month I report on the portfolio's progress and update its holdings.

7 Stocks Enticing Investors With Higher Dividends

The goals of an income portfolio are much different than those of a capital appreciation portfolio. The good news is an income portfolio consisting of quality dividend growth stocks can not only succeed, but excel during a market downturn. Dividend investors are focused on building a stream of steadily rising income from solid companies. While many panic when their portfolios decline, income investors see a downturn as an incredible buying opportunity as they are look for sustainable growing dividends.

9 Dividend Stocks Trading at a 20%+ Discount

Fair value is really a simple concept. Given some select information such as dividends, dividend growth, holding period, discount rate and few other inputs, one can easily calculate the fair value of a stock. As with most simple things, the devil is in the details - the inputs must be correct to calculate a reasonable fair value, otherwise, garbage in, garbage out.

Teco Energy, Inc. (TE) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Teco Energy, Inc. (TE). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: TECO Energy Inc. owns Tampa Electric Co., which serves the Tampa Bay region in west central Florida and has significant diversified operations related to its core business.

2011 Dividend Increases Nearly Doubled, and 7 Dividend Stocks that Led the Way

Have you noticed that investing in dividend growth stocks has gone main stream? What a change from a couple of years ago when dividends were considered "stodgy, for old people, yawn, boring!" With its new found attention, dividend growth stocks aren't disappointing their newly acquired fans. When all is said and the last word is written, 2011 was a great year for dividends!

McDonald's Corporation (MCD) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net January 2, 2012.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of McDonald's Corporation (MCD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: McDonald's Corporation is the largest fast-food restaurant company in the world, with about 33,144 restaurants in 119 countries.

Weekly Links: January 8, 2012

Each Sunday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article:

Dividend Income Progress Update - December 2011

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in December, extending the streak to 18 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 47 of the last 49 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2012 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

5 Dividend Stocks Raising Shareholder Returns

It's human nature for new income investors to focus on yield. Many eventually learn that above average yields often carry an above average risk of a dividend cut, loss of invested capital or both. People involved in extreme sports/hobbies, such as base jumping, hang gliding and shark diving, do things to minimize risk and protect themselves. In much the same way those investing in dividend stocks, can do certain things to increase their chance of success. One method is to focus on stocks the consistently increase their dividends.

6 High-Dividend, Low P/E Value Stocks

Before the internet and even before computers, critical financial information was printed daily in newspapers. Though many newspaper still print this information, most people find it easier (and faster) to get information on their stocks from financial websites. So back when financial information was a tedious and manual process what was considered relevant enough to warrant inclusion?

J.M. Smucker Comp. (SJM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of J.M. Smucker Comp. (SJM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: J.M. Smucker Co.'s products include coffee, fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods, and beverages.

6 Dividend Stocks For The New Year

As we start a new year, this is the time that people make their resolutions. In addition the timeless resolutions of losing weight, quitting smoking, start exercising, et. al, some people are resolving to get their finances in order in case the economy turns down in 2012. Here is one more resolution may want to consider...

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) Dividend Stock Analysis

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net December 26, 2011.

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Grainger Inc. is the largest global distributor of industrial and commercial supplies, such as hand tools, electric motors, light bulbs and janitorial items.

Weekly Links: January 1, 2012

Each Sunday I highlight the Carnivals I participated in over the past week, along with any notable articles that I came across. For those readers not familiar with carnivals, it's where personal finance bloggers submit their best articles of the week with one blog serving as the host. The entries are separated into various categories such as Investing, Credit, Debt, Budgeting, Frugality, Wealth Building, Money Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, The Economy, Real Estate, et. al. Below are the carnivals that I participated in this week, along with a link to my article: