My Five Top And Bottom Performing Dividend Stocks Through September

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.

My normal practice is to refresh my analytical spreadsheets each Friday with updated price information on the 250+ stocks that I follow. Even then, I don't normally look at the value of my portfolio or the performance of individual stocks.

However, each quarter I update my income portfolio's performance and benchmark it against the S&P 500 and other portfolios. At that time I look at the performance of individual stocks to understand the overall performance the portfolio.

Saturday, I updated my Income Portfolio's performance for the third quarter. Building on that, here are my income portfolio's top and bottom five performers for the year, through September 30, 2014...

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Tags: JNJ, CSCO, LMT, MSFT, GD, OMI, EMR, AFL, CTBI, XOM,

Nike, Inc. Has Strong Financial, Operating And Dividend Metrics

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.

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Tags: NKE, CROX, DECK, WWW,

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is a diversified manufacturer that operates a portfolio of 60 business units that serve industrial and consumer markets globally.

Stocks Sending A Strong Message With Higher Dividends

One of the many reasons I like dividend stocks is because they provide continuous feedback. As time passes, dividend investors see their income grow steadily. You don't have to wait five to ten years to determine if the strategy is working.

Each dividend and dividend increase provides assurance that the strategy is working. When companies like 3M Company (NYSE:MMM), Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR) and Dover Corp. (NYSE:DOV) put together a string of consecutive dividend increases in excess of 50 years, they are sending a strong message to their shareholders.

Below are a few companies that may not quite have the legacy of those mentioned above, but nevertheless are providing positive feedback to their investors with higher cash dividends...

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Weekly Links: October 26, 2014

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.

2014-Q3 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 2014-Q3. Below is a high-level summary of the information contained in the PDF:

United Technologies Corp. (UTX) Has A Strong Balance Sheet And Excellent Free Cash Flow

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

Company Description: United Technologies Corp. is an aerospace-industrial conglomerate with a portfolio includes Pratt & Whitney jet engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Otis elevators, and Carrier air conditioners, among other products. In July 2012, UTX purchased aerospace competitor Goodrich.

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Tags: UTX, BA, GE, HON

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.

7 Higher-Yielding Stocks With A Low Price To Book

When looking for value-priced stocks, the Price-To-Book (P/B) ratio is one that I like to consider. P/B is calculated as share price divided by book value per share. Book value is most often calculated as Assets less Liabilities.

8 Stocks Compounding Shareholders' Wealth With Increased Dividends

Some goals for building wealth would include putting kids through college, paying off mortgages, helping family members and enjoying a financially worry-free retirement. If you don't have a generous relative or wealthy parents, you will need to devise a plan to help you reach your goals. My plan includes great dividend stocks that increase their dividends each year.

Below are several companies compounding their shareholder's wealth with increased cash dividends:

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Tags: TXN, GS, KMI, KMP, PAG, VLP, HCSG, WNR,

Weekly Links: October 20, 2014

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.

Verizon Communications Inc. Is Focused On Generating Cash And Lowering Debt

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. is the largest U.S. wireless carrier, Verizon also offers wireline and broadband services primarily in the northeastern U.S.


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Kimberly-Clark Co. (KMB) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Kimberly-Clark Co. (KMB). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Kimberly Clark Corp. is a global consumer products company producing tissue, personal care and health care products. Its brands include Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex and Scott.

Don't Forget: Buy And Hold Is Not Buy And Forget

We have all heard it. Mainstream media pundits talking about 'the lost decade' and that 'buy-and-hold as a strategy is dead and gone, if ever it was a viable strategy.' Sorry folks, but I am not buying or holding their position on buy-and-hold. Buy-and-hold is neither dead, gone or even sick, but I will concede - it is misunderstood.

6 Stocks Focusing On Their Shareholders With Increased Cash Dividends

In one form or another, I get the this question, "What do you think of the market? Where's it headed?" Normally, I politely respond as expected, but occasionally I will startle the person with a reply like, "I don't know. For me it really doesn't matter much." My investing goals are not defined by movements in the market. Instead of looking at the market and its direction, investors in dividend growth stocks should focus on quality, price and ultimate value of individual stocks.

Below are several companies focusing on their shareholders by raising cash dividends.

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Tags: GEL, KRFT, NWN, PAA, RPM, THOR

Weekly Links: October 12, 2014

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.

September 2014 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.

AT&T Inc.: Well Positioned And Trading Below Fair Value

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

Company Description: AT&T Inc. (formerly SBC Communications) provides telephone and broadband service and holds full ownership of AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular Wireless).

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Genuine Parts Company (GPC) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Genuine Parts Co is a leading wholesale distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and supplies, and office products.

5 Stocks With Strong Dividend Growth Metrics

When evaluating a company as a potential income investment I look at its calculated fair value, ability to generate cash, debt position and the net present value of its dividend stream compared to alternative "safe" investments (NPV MMA Differential).

5 Companies Capable And Willing To Raise Dividends

The main focus of investing in dividend growth stocks is finding and buying stocks that will continue to raise their dividends in the future. In making this determination there are many factors to consider such as dividend payout ratio, debt levels, the company's dividend policy and track record. This week several companies have elected to send higher cash dividends to their shareholders...

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Weekly Links: October 5, 2014

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.

Dividend Income Progress Update - September 2014

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased in September, extending the streak to 51 consecutive months of increases after June 2010's decline. Since I began publicly tracking annualized dividend income in November 2007, it has increased in 80 of the last 82 months.

My goals were defined in this December 1, 2007 Investing Goals post and last updated in my 2014 Investing Goals post. Below is an updated version of the table found in the original post.

3M (MMM): An Outstanding Company With An Excellent Future

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.

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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 and life cycle fund complexes in the United States.