Happy Thanksgiving 2019!

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.

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?

7 Stocks Building A Comfortable Retirement With Higher Dividends

Forget about those 'Make 534% On Every Trade' ads that you see on many financial websites. Real wealth is built with sweat equity and a sound financial plan. A long-term buy-and-hold investing approach focusing on quality dividend growth stocks has provided the means for many investors to enjoy a comfortable retirement. If you start early enough, you will go beyond a comfortable retirement into the realm of building long-term wealth.

Below are several companies that are helping their shareholders build a comfortable retirement with higher dividends:

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: United Parcel Service, Inc. is the world's largest express delivery company, UPS has established itself as a facilitator of e-commerce.

If Only I Had Known About These Dividend Stocks...

At one time or another, we all have thought, 'If only knew this when I was younger.' I purchased my first dividend stock for income in 2003. Like many newly converted income investors, I was chasing yield. I quickly built a portfolio consisting of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and high yield, high risk stocks. My portfolio’s yield was consistently in the low to mid-teens. Eventually, after some unnecessary losses, I learned there was a better way to invest in dividend stocks. Here is what I learned...

7 Stocks Raising The Bar With Higher Dividends

Have you ever noticed those that most vehemently attack a buy-and-hold strategy really don’t understand how the strategy works? They confuse a buy-and-hold strategy with day-trading with a longer duration. A true implementation of buy-and-hold includes a focus on blue-chip stocks with a sustainable advantage, along with a reasonable asset allocation framework. One sign of a blue-chip stock is a long string of dividend increases.

Below are several companies that have recently raised the bar by increasing their cash dividends:

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.

12 Dividend Stocks and 3 ETFs To Balance Your Asset Allocation

If you want to lower the risk of your income portfolio and position yourself to increase returns, you can not ignore asset allocation. Many dividend investors loaded up on banks and other high-yield financials, only to see their portfolios collapse along with the financial markets in 2008-2009. So what can you do to protect your portfolio from stock and sector specific declines? Here are some of the steps I take to help protect my portfolio:

7 Stocks Compounding Your Returns With Increased Dividends

Too often we take a short-term approach, to our long-term detriment. There is a reason we don't see infomercials selling dividend growth investment strategies. For those looking to get rich now, a disciplined approach to investing that focuses on the long-term simply isn't appealing. If I knew in my 20's or 30's what I know now about dividend growth stocks, I would likely be retired now. The compounding power of growing dividends is tremendous.

Below are several companies that are demonstrating the power of compounding dividends by increasing their cash dividends:

Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) Dividend Stock Analysis

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

Company Description: Amgen Inc. is one of the world's leading biotech companies with major treatments for anemia, neutropenia, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, cancer and osteoporosis.

3 Communications Services Stocks With Increasing Dividends

Morningstar defines the Communications Services sector as "Companies that provide communication services using fixed-line networks or those that provide wireless access and services. This sector also includes companies that provide internet services such as access, navigation and internet related software and services."

While Some Stocks Cut Their Dividends, These 7 Stocks Are Raising Theirs

Most investors are not surprised when a company cuts its dividend. They see the early warning signs well in advance of the actual cut. Here are three signs that a company is heading toward a dividend cut:

1.) An abrupt or permanent shift in a company’s business model as a result of business conditions.
2.) A dividend yield that is higher than average and/or higher than others in the industry.
3.) Diminishing cash available to pay dividends.

Ultimately, the ability of a company to pay its dividend is determined by its cash position – both cash on its balance sheet and its ability to generate cash flow. Below are several companies that are NOT cutting their dividends, but instead raising them.

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.