Will These Dividends Last Forever?

Whether you're a beginning investor or a near-retiree, it's vitally important to pursue dividend-paying stocks. Companies with quarterly or annual payouts not only provide you with a steady stream of income, but also have the potential for capital appreciation. Simply put, dividend stocks can 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 don't pay dividends have earned an average annual return of 4.1%. Dividend stocks, however, have averaged a whopping 10.1% per year. You'd be crazy not to take advantage of that incredible difference!... Read more