Phillips 66 (PSX) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Phillips 66 (PSX). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Phillips 66, spun off from ConocoPhillips in 2012, is one of the largest independent refiners and marketers of petroleum products in the U.S.

10 Stocks With Sustainable Dividend Growth

In the past we have looked at the importance of a company's ability to sustain its dividend. However, as an investor in dividend growth stocks, it is not enough to simply sustain the dividend - I want to own companies that are capable of sustained dividend growth. Needless to say, this is a little more difficult to evaluate, but here are few important things to consider...

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.

5 Confident and Secure Companies Boosting Dividends

If income investing were as simple as picking the stock with the highest yield, everyone would be an expert. Most assume (rightfully so) that yield is heavily influenced by risk, but much more goes into determining yield. The industry the company operates in, legal considerations (REITs and MLPs), maturity and growth potential all have an effect on an individual stock's yield, along with the company's ability to grow its dividend.

Below are several companies confident and secure enough in their business to increase their cash dividends:

Merry Christmas 2016

On this special day...

Weekend Reading Links - December 24, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

Sysco Corporation (SYY) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Sysco Corporation is a large distributor of food and related products, primarily to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry.

12 Dividend Growth Stocks With A Good Yield/Growth Mix

As dividend growth investors we understand the danger of focusing on high yield alone. Many, if not most, high yields are simply not sustainable over the long term. However, we often turn our heads to what can be an equally dangerous metric - high dividend growth rates. Like high yields, high dividend growth rates often are not sustainable. As a company grows and matures, incremental sales and earnings are harder to come by. So what is a good mix of yield and growth?

Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Wells Fargo & Company (WFC). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Wells Fargo & Company, with March 31 assets of $1.85 trillion, is the fourth largest U.S. bank, by global assets, but has the largest U.S. lending footprint.

12 Stocks Sending More Cash To Shareholders With Higher Dividends

We all are looking for the perfect dividend stock. In an utopian world, the perfect dividend stock would be one that is both high-yield and provide a high dividend growth rate. Its share price would appreciate ratably with its increasing dividend. All of this would be driven by increasing earnings and cash flow.

Though they are not perfect, the stocks below did recently rewarded their investors with higher cash dividends:

Weekend Reading Links - December 18, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

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.

Who is Ben Grossbaum and Why Should We Listen to Him?

Ben Grossbaum was born on May 8, 1894 in London and moved to New York with his family when he was one year old. Young Ben was motivated by the death of his father and the humiliation of poverty. Wanting a better life, he became a model student, graduating as the class salutatorian from Columbia University at the age of 20.

McDonald's Corporation (MCD) Dividend Stock Analysis

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 35,000 restaurants in 119 countries.

12 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Payouts And Yields

When you purchase individual stocks, risk is inherent. Sometimes bad things happen to good stocks. Eventually, every investor will hold a stock that falls out of favor and endures a double-digit decline. Understanding this from the onset makes it easier to deal with. To minimize the risk of significant declines, your core portfolio should focus on blue-chip dividend growth stocks.

Listed below are select companies that have recently elected to raise their payout and yield by increasing their cash dividends to shareholders:

Weekend Reading Links - December 11, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

November 2016 Progress Report

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased last month, extending the streak to 50 consecutive months of increases. As noted in the June 19, 2015 post,  I changed to reporting on total dividend income instead of just income from my Dividend Growth Portfolio beginning in July 2015.

Since I began tracking my total income progress, annualized dividend income has increased in 50 of the last 50 months.

Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Johnson Controls Inc. supplies building controls and energy management systems, automotive seating, and batteries.

4 High Yield, High Risk Dividend Stocks

It is not unusual after I publish a list of stocks to get a comment or two asking why those stocks and not these stocks. Often the real thrust of the question is why buy those low yield stocks when you can buy these high yield stocks. The answer involves risk and its management.

Southern Company (SO) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Southern Company is an Atlanta-based energy holding company and is one of the largest producers of electricity in the U.S.

11 Dividend Stocks Raising Their Payouts And Yields

When you purchase individual stocks, risk is inherent. Sometimes bad things happen to good stocks. Eventually, every investor will hold a stock that falls out of favor and endures a double-digit decline. Understanding this from the onset makes it easier to deal with. To minimize the risk of significant declines, your core portfolio should focus on blue-chip dividend growth stocks.

Listed below are select companies that have recently elected to raise their payout and yield by increasing their cash dividends to shareholders:

Weekend Reading Links - December 4, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

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.

Medtronic Inc. (MDT) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Medtronic Inc. is a global medical device manufacturer with leadership positions in the pacemaker, defibrillator, orthopedic, diabetes management and other medical markets.

5 Dividend Stocks To Buy And Hold, Not Buy And Forget

Over the years, I have observed that there are many ways to earn a good return in the market. In addition to buy and hold, some have successfully used various forms of market timing including sector rotation, momentum investing, technical analysis, et. al. Given a person's unique makeup, not all strategies will work for everyone. At the same time, I believe all strategies will fail if the investor is not committed to their selected strategy over the long term.

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: IBM's global offerings include information technology services, software, computer hardware equipment, fundamental research, and related financing.

6 Stocks With A Vision Of Higher Dividends

To succeed as a dividend growth investor you must identify and purchase stocks with sustainable dividend growth. Inertia is powerful force. Once a company has established a track record of growing its dividend over the decades and developed a shareholder base that expects higher dividends each year, it becomes increasing difficult for management to cut or fail to raise their dividend. No Board member or CEO of this type of company wants a dividend cut to occur on their watch.

Here are a few select companies that have recently followed through on their vision of providing increased cash dividends to their shareholders:

Weekend Reading Links - November 27, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

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 the largest U.S. trash hauling/disposal concern.

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!

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 an investor in dividend growth stocks, 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.

All Investments Carry Risk

What is your financial goal? If it is to accumulate wealth for a comfortable retirement, then there is no risk-free path. Throughout time every angle has been tried and failed. However, some approaches carry less risk than others. Let's consider some of the popular paths...

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Apple Inc. is a prominent provider of hardware including iPhone smartphones, iPad tablets, Mac computers, wearables and iPod digital media players.

13 Stocks Growing Future Yield With Increased Dividends

Yield does not come without a price, usually in the form of added risk and/or complexity. Ultimately, dividend growth investors realize that long-term and sustainable high-yield investments are grown over time. This is accomplished by purchasing high-quality dividend investments with a reasonable yield and a long history of growing their dividends, and waiting for the yield on cost to grow.

Below are several companies planting the seeds for future yield by recently increasing their cash dividends:

Weekend Reading Links - November 20, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

The Clorox Company (CLX) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: The Clorox Company is a diversified producer of household cleaning, grocery and specialty food products is also a leading producer of natural personal care products.

Warren Buffett's Two Investing Rules For Dividend Investors

We all like things presented in their simplest terms. Headlines like "Two simple steps to lose that unwanted weight" always grabs our attention, even if it is just to smile and say I wish it were true. I enjoy reading inspiring quotes. They often put life's issues in their simplest terms and in doses that are easy to swallow.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Microsoft, the world's largest software company, develops PC software, including the Windows operating system and the Office application suite.

13 Dividend Stocks Acting Like a Money Machine With Increased Dividends

Readers of this space know that the primary focus of my dividend portfolio is to create ever-increasing income money machine by investing in dividend growth securities. This means that sometimes I will choose a lower yielding security with better dividend growth prospects over a higher yielding security. As one that values diversity, I also invest in some high yield securities. However, any dividend stock that I invest in must have an increasing dividend.

Below are companies that have recently made their shareholders take notice with higher cash dividends:

Weekend Reading Links - November 13, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Qualcomm Incorporated focuses on developing products and services based on its advanced wireless broadband technology.

Dividend Stocks vs. Dividend ETFs

In 1993, State Street Global Advisors launched the first exchange-traded fund (ETF). Now there are literally hundreds of ETFs out there covering sectors, countries, popular indexes and various strategies, including income investing. A frequent question that I get is 'Why do you invest in individual dividend stocks instead of income-based ETFs?' On the surface this seems like a reasonable question since most ETFs are indexed, tax efficient, easily traded, passive and have low expense ratios. However, as we look beyond the ETFs luster, there are several significant reasons why many income investors prefer owning individual stocks...

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 that markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries.

12 Stocks Building Wealth Through Higher Dividends

To ensure a retirement that is free from financial concerns, there are certain things that must be done today. The stock market does not travel in a straight line. There will be times it will behave irrationally. These are the times that try an investors’ patience. Those with clear goals and confidence in their chosen strategy aren't fazed by these market movements. Building a secure future by investing in quality dividend growth stocks is neither complicated nor overly burdensome.

Below are several companies that have recently increased their cash dividends to shareholders:

Weekend Reading Links - November 6, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

October 2016 Progress Report

Once again it is time for a goals/progress update. I am pleased to report that annualized dividend income increased last month, extending the streak to 49 consecutive months of increases. As noted in the June 19, 2015 post,  I changed to reporting on total dividend income instead of just income from my Dividend Growth Portfolio beginning in July 2015.

Since I began tracking my total income progress, annualized dividend income has increased in 49 of the last 49 months.

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Cincinnati Financial Corp. is an insurance holding company that primarily markets property and casualty coverage. It also conducts life insurance and asset management operations.

Managing Risk With Dividend Stocks

When you purchase individual stocks, risk is inherit. Sometimes bad things sometimes happen to good stocks such as the Chicago Tylenol murders of 1982. This shook Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) , but eventually it prevailed. Sometimes it is difficult when a strong leader leaves a company and creates a void that just can't be filled. Consider the performance of General Electric's (GE) after Jack Welch retired and Microsoft's (MSFT) after Bill Gates began relinquishing his responsibilities. So how do you guard against these situations and disasters similar to what BP (BP) and what their shareholders faced?

The 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, and also has a sizable fruit juice business.

12 Stocks Raising Dividends and Expectations

Gregg S. Fisher noted in a 2009 Forbes article that the assumption that investors are rational agents is bunk. He went on to say "We are not rational. We’re human. Even the most brilliant investor can be swayed by emotions into making irrational decisions that result in financial loss." Logic has very little to do with short-term movements in stock prices. Knowing this, there are some things that long-term buy-and-hold investors can do to profit from these irrational moves in the market, such as following a disciplined approach of acquiring stocks that routinely increase their dividends.

Below are several companies that are helping build shareholder wealth through higher their cash dividends:

Weekend Reading Links - October 30, 2016

Each Sunday I highlight any notable articles that I came across over the past week. Though I may not always agree with each of the articles highlighted, they will often provide an interesting argument for their position. We can take some concepts that may or may not align with our vision, then apply them to our framework, and voila, a new idea is born.

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.