Dividend Stocks That Make the Grade

The initial criteria I used for my screen were: Return on assets of 1% or more (to eliminate inefficient financials). Dividend yield of 3% or higher. Debt to equity ratio of 50% or less. We don't want high-risk debt-laden companies with dividends likely to be cut or disappear. Five-year dividend growth rates in the 70th percentile. You want companies that have shown a track record of increasing their payouts. Dividends to free cash flow of around 50% or less. This one I check for manually after the initial screening. There were 62 stocks that came up based on the first four criteria. Here are five that passed the final test and are worth a closer look, based on safety of the dividend and long term catalysts.... Read more