2 Dividend Stocks Heating Up Their Yields, While Several Others Are Cooling Off

Dividends from a quality, well-diversified portfolio are much more predictable than capital gains and best of all, they are passive. You don't have to do anything, they just show up in your brokerage account each quarter. Inflation? Not to worry, the good companies routinely raise their dividends well in excess of the inflation rate.

This week as the weather turns cold the dividend increases heat up. Below are several companies heating up their yields with increased cash dividends:

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.

Are The Dividends Safe For These High-Yielding Stocks?

Everyone wants to earn more. For investors in dividend growth stocks, the quick way to earn more is to select dividend stocks with higher yields. Swap those 2-4% yields in for stocks earning 6-10%, or more. Before making the trade, you should ask yourself the following two questions:

6 Stocks Sending A Strong Message With Higher Dividends

One of the many reasons I like dividend growth 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 reassurance that the strategy is working. When companies like 3M Company (MMM), Emerson Electric (EMR) and Dover Corp. (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 with not quite the legacy of those above, but nevertheless are providing positive feedback to their investors by with higher cash dividends:

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.

3 Dividend Stocks To Avoid The Social Security Blues

As a fiscal conservative, the direction of our country concerns me. I am reminded of the following quote:

7 Stocks Compounding Shareholders' Wealth With Increased Dividends

It is the goal of many people to build enough wealth to put their kids through college, payoff their mortgage, be in a position to help their family and enjoy 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:

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.

Who Owns The Top Dividend Stocks?

The internet provides investors with so much useful and interesting information. I could not imagine going back a decade or so and trying to analyze stocks without the internet - waiting for quarterly reports to be mailed for owned companies and calling the investor relations contacts for information on unowned companies. One of my job responsibilities is the statutory reporting for the corporation I work for. Filing 10-Ks, 10-Qs and other such required reports is often tedious, but it gives me a great appreciation of what information is available, including who owns some of the top dividend stocks...

4 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:

Wealth is a Journey, Dividend Stocks Can Take You There

Fad diets and fad investing plans rarely work. They are primarily designed to separate you from your money and make the seller wealthy. Real wealth is built with sweat equity and a sound financial plan. For most people fortunate enough to be born in the U.S., or any other industrialized country, they have access to the two main ingredients to achieve financial success: 1. Opportunity and 2. Time.

7 Companies Willing and Capable 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: