In addition, I look at four other metrics that individually may not be as important as the above, but collectively provide great insight into the potential success of a stock as a dividend investment. Here are the four other key metrics that I look at when evaluating a dividend stock:
I. Dividend Growth Rate:
The dividend growth rate is a key metric in many calculations. As such, I use a conservative estimate as follows: The minimum dividend growth rate of the 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 year compound annual growth rate or 15%, if dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year periods, within the last 10 years of history. You can see how this is calculated in my D4L-PreScreen.xls model. This metric is True if the dividend growth rate is 12% or above.
II. Years of Div. Growth:
Years of consecutive dividend growth. How long a company has increase its dividend is a strong indication of how committed the company is to continue doing so in the future. This metric is True for 15 or more years.
III. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%:
Dividends will double every 5 years if they grow by 15%. This test is True if dividends grew on average in excess of 15% for each consecutive 4 year periods, within the last 10 years of history.
IV. Years to >MMA:
The number of years until dividend earnings exceed the earnings from a hypothetical money market account earning an average 20 year Treasury rate. This metric is True if the number of years is less than 5.
When taken together, these are tough metrics. Of the 150+ stocks that I currently follow, only three had all the above metrics true. They were:
Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of semiconductors, this company also produces scientific calculator products and DLP products for TVs and video projectors.
- Yield: 2.4%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 15.0%
- Years of Div. Growth: 18
- Yield: 2.4%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 15.0%
- Years of Div. Growth: 18
T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW) operates one of the largest no-load mutual fund and life cycle fund complexes in the United States.
- Yield: 2.5%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 12.0%
- Years of Div. Growth: 33
MEC Industrial Direct (MSM) is a direct marketer that offers a range of industrial products to customers throughout the U.S.; it focuses on maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) supplies.
- Yield: 3.5%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 12.9%
- Years of Div. Growth: 17
These metrics focus on compound dividend growth, which is highly important for the successful investor in dividend growth stocks. In my dividend analysis worksheet, a company will earn a Star if two of the above metrics are True.
Full Disclosure: Long TRO, TXN.
Related Articles
- Yield: 2.5%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 12.0%
- Years of Div. Growth: 33
MEC Industrial Direct (MSM) is a direct marketer that offers a range of industrial products to customers throughout the U.S.; it focuses on maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) supplies.
- Yield: 3.5%
- Dividend Growth Rate: 12.9%
- Years of Div. Growth: 17
These metrics focus on compound dividend growth, which is highly important for the successful investor in dividend growth stocks. In my dividend analysis worksheet, a company will earn a Star if two of the above metrics are True.
Full Disclosure: Long TRO, TXN.
Related Articles
