How Safe Are Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold's Dividends?

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, you can't overstate the importance of purchasing stocks that pay dividends. Not only do companies that have quarterly or annual payouts provide you with a steady stream of income, but they also hold the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can you give your portfolio what almost no other investment can -- both income and growth. At The Motley Fool, we're avid fans of dividends -- and not just because we like that steady stream of cash. Studies have shown that from 1972 to 2006, stocks in the S&P 500 that didn't pay dividends earned an average annual return of 4.1%, while dividend stocks averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. That is an incredible difference -- one that you'd be crazy to not take advantage of!... Read more