Tuesday, December 31, 2013

4 Higher Yielding Basic Materials Stocks With Growing Dividends

The Basic Materials Sector includes companies involved with the discovery, development and processing of raw materials. This includes companies engaged in the mining and refining of metals, chemical production and forestry products.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Procter & Gamble (PG) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Procter & Gamble (PG). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: The Procter & Gamble Company is a leading consumer products company markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Darden Restaurant Inc. (DRI) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Darden Restaurant Inc. (DRI). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Darden Restaurant Inc. operates the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, LongHorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille chains.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas 2013

On this special day...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

7 Dividend Growth Stocks That Could Make You Wealthy

It seems the older I get the more I fight with my weight. I know how to lose weight - I have done it several times. The formula is not difficult, eat less and exercise more. My problem, like many others, is in the implementation. In much the same way, the formula to building wealth is rather simple - spend less than you earn and invest the difference. Once again implementation is where many people come up short. With the right focus and some positive feedback, building wealth can be much easier than shedding the spare tire around your mid-section. Here's how to do it...

Monday, December 23, 2013

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Consolidated Edison, Inc. is an electric and gas utility holding company serves parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Weekly Links: December 22, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

November 2013 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 dividends earned.

Friday, December 20, 2013

21 Stocks Giving The Gift of Dividend Growth

Christmas is a time of giving. Families and loved-ones give gifts to each other. Many people give money to the needy and charities, while others give their time to help those that are not quite as fortunate. It seems that everyone is involved in giving this time of year, even corporations. Dividend growth stocks give a gift that keeps on giving - ever increasing dividends!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Meredith Corp. (MDP) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Meredith Corp. (MDP). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Meredith Corp. publishes a suite of magazines and websites focused on food, parents and women (Better Homes and Gardens) and operates 12 local TV stations.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

12 High-Yield Managed Distribution Policy Funds

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and closed-end funds (CEFs) are composed of many different individual securities. This usually results in uneven dividend distributions. Some funds have tried to address this with a managed distribution policy. In short, a managed distribution policy is management's commitment to make a fixed periodic dividend payment.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Target Corporation (TGT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Target Corporation (TGT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Target Corp. operates nearly 1,800 Target, SuperTarget and CityTarget general merchandise stores across the U.S. and about 125 stores in Canada.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Weekly Links: December 15, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

2014 Investing Goals

My goals were originally defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2013 Investing Goals. Like last year, I will exceed my 2013 goal of $25,000 in annualized dividend income. Looking at my long-rang goals, I am on track to reach my 2017 goal of $30,000 next year (3 years early). The 2027 goal of $110,000 is not as clear. My model now indicates I could surpass it in 2026.

Friday, December 13, 2013

8 Dividend Stocks Building Future Yield

As a young investor I followed an aggressive growth strategy. Having narrowly missed the tech bubble bursting, I purchased my first dividend stock on December 11, 2003. I had heard dividend investments were supposed to be safer, but knew very little else about the strategy. I was fortunate enough to accidentally buy enough good dividend stocks learn the “secret” of dividend investing. It is not necessarily starting with a high-yield investment, but ending up with a high-yield investment. This usually occurs by buying stocks with a moderate yield and a long history of growing dividends and letting time do its job.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Cardinal Health Inc. is one of the leading wholesale distributors of pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical supplies and related products to a broad range of health care customers.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The 2013 Elite Dividend Stocks List

As investors in Dividend Growth Stocks, we want to limit our purchases to only the very best stocks. Our first step is to look at published lists of dividend companies such as S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, US Broad Dividend Achievers™ Index and The U.S. Dividend Champions.

These lists are used to narrow the population of all publicly traded companies down to the very best dividend stocks. When these lists are combined, as I did with the Stock Ideas list, it is still a large and daunting collection of over 200 unique companies. So, how do we find the Elite companies on this list?

Monday, December 9, 2013

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of General Mills, Inc. (GIS). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: General Mills, Inc. is a major producer of packaged consumer food products, including cereal, yogurt and Betty Crocker desserts/baking mixes.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Weekly Links: December 8, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Dividend Income Progress Update - November 2013

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in November, extending the streak to 41 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 70 of the last 72 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2013 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

Friday, December 6, 2013

7 Dividend Stocks Providing Positive Feedback With Higher Dividends

What is the primary reason you invest in dividend stocks? For me, it is a means to build a growing income that can be relied on during retirement. One of the beauties of dividend investing is it provides you continuous feedback. As the years and decades go by you can see your earnings steadily grow as you invest your money in dividend stocks, and as an added bonus, great dividend stocks will increase their dividend payments each year.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Waste Management, Inc. (WM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Waste Management Inc. is a Houston-based company that is the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal concern.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

D4L Premium Services' Price Will Never Be This Low Again

Since its introduction in July 2009, the D4L Premium Services has seen excellent growth in both features and subscribers. It started with the initial release of the D4L-Dashboard. Then other services were added such as Analytical Reports, D4L-Alerts, D4L-Data, D4L-Forums and the monthly D4L-Newsletter. We are constantly looking for ways to provide our subscribers with value.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

6 High-Yield Dividend Achievers With 25 Years of Increases

While the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats may be the most recognized list of dividend stocks, it is certainty not the largest. Since the Dividend Aristocrats list is limited to only stocks included in the S&P 500 Index, many smaller stocks are excluded. To expand the population of potential investments, many investors look at the dividend growth stocks included in Broad Dividend Achievers™ list.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Coca-Cola Company (KO) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Coca-Cola Company (KO). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest soft drink company, KO also has a sizable fruit juice business.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Weekly Links: December 1, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. On this day most Americans reflect on all that they have been blessed with and give thanks for it. As a dividend stock investor, there are many things to be thankful for this year, including a wonderful family, friends and a country that allows me to pursue my dreams.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Becton, Dickinson and Co. provides a wide range of medical devices and diagnostic products used in hospitals, doctors' offices, research labs and other settings.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Investments That Pay Monthly Dividends


There is a reason that most mortgages are paid monthly and not quarterly. Banks are looking for reassurance the payments will continue to come in. In much the same way, many investors find comfort in owning stocks that pay monthly dividends. There are several advantages to receiving dividends each month over the traditional quarterly, semi-annual or annual dividends. Here are a few, along with some monthly dividend payers:

Monday, November 25, 2013

Pepsico, Inc. (PEP) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: PepsiCo, Inc. is a major international producer of branded beverage and snack food products.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Weekly Links: November 24, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Friday, November 22, 2013

9 Stocks Raising Their Yield On Cost With Higher Dividends

For dividend growth investors, there are certain attributes of investments that are more relevant than others, such as yield and dividend growth. To illustrate the power of dividend growth consider that an investment's yield-on-cost will double every 5 years if they grow their dividend by 15%/year or 7 years at 10%/year or 14 years at 5%/year.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Automatic Data Processing Inc., one of the world's largest independent computing services companies, provides a broad range of data processing services.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

12 Higher Yielding Stocks With A Low Dividend Payout Ratio

The main focus of dividend investing is finding and buying dividend stocks that will likely continue to raise their dividends in the future. In making this determination there are many factors to consider. One of the more important metrics to consider is the Dividend Payout Ratio.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Johnson & Johnson is a leader in the pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer products industries.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Weekly Links: November 17, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

October 2013 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 dividends earned.

Friday, November 15, 2013

6 Dividend Stocks Giving Shareholders A Raise

You expect your employer to give you a salary increase periodically. Why wouldn’t you expect the same from your investments? One of the most important aspects of a dividend stock is its ability to consistency raise dividends over time.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Raytheon Company (RTN) Dividend Stock Analysis


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

Company Description: Raytheon Company, the world's sixth largest military contractor, specializes in making high-tech missiles, advanced radar systems and sensors, defense electronics, and missile-defense systems.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Early Warning Signs of a Dividend Cut

Investors Dividend Growth Stocks look for stocks that will provide a predictable, sustainable and growing income from dividends. It is bad when a company fails to raise its dividend at its appointed time; However, it is much worse when a company cuts its dividend. In most cases the companies' investors should not have been surprised because there are usually early warning signs that foretold a dividend cut was imminent.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Occidental Petroleum Corporation is obe of the largest oil and gas companies in the U.S., OXY has global exploration and production operations. Its subsidiary, OxyChem, is one of the largest U.S. merchant marketers of chlorine and caustic soda.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Weekly Links: November 10, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Dividend Income Progress Update - October 2013

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in October, extending the streak to 40 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 69 of the last 71 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2013 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

Friday, November 8, 2013

17 Companies Compounding Shareholder's Wealth With Higher Dividends

Compound interest is what occurs when interest previously earned is added to the principle and is considered when calculating future interest – i.e. earning interest on interest. So, what’s more powerful than compound interest? Compound dividends! Compound dividends are like compound interest on steroids – you are not only earning on reinvested dividends, but the dividend rate is increasing.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (formerly T. Rowe Price Associates) operates one of the largest no-load mutual fund complexes in the United States.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Income Annuities vs. Dividend Stocks

I was born in 1962 which puts me on the tail-end of the Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). We have been described by some as "the pig in the python." Over the decades, the sheer size of our group has redefined many aspects of society. As we approach the tail of the python and look toward retirement, once again we have the government and others scrambling to figure out how to handle this aging and albeit disruptive force.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the largest retailer in the world, Wal-Mart operates a chain of over 10,000 discount department stores, wholesale clubs, supermarkets and supercenters.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Weekly Links: November 3, 2013

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week, along with any Carnivals I participated in. 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.

Friday, November 1, 2013

9 Dividend Stock Delivering Good News With Higher Dividends

I couldn’t begin to estimate how many different stocks are traded around the world on the various exchanges. Like everything else, there are many participants, but few players. Though the population of stocks may be large, there are only a precious few that are worthy dividend stocks. Increasing dividends is one attribute that separates the good dividend stocks from the rest.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Nike, Inc. (NKE) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Nike, Inc. is the world's leading designer and marketer of high-quality athletic footwear, athletic apparel and accessories.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

7 Tech Stocks With A History of Growing Their Dividends

When you hear the words "tech stocks", many investors think back to the tech bubble in the late 90s. A tech company's goal back then was to plow back every penny into the business for sustained grow. The entire focus was on capital gains. During this era companies that paid dividends were looked down on as inferior.