How Safe Are These 7 Blue Chip Dividend Yields?

We wanted to get under-the-hood of some blue chips and examine the safety of their dividends and their growth prospects moving forward. Here are 7 stocks we uncovered that offer safe yields for a retirement portfolio. If you’re in to above average yields, double digit dividend growth rates and a strong history of making payouts consider Altria (MO). This tobacco manufacture has not only paid but also increased dividend payments for 42 straight years and has a current yield of 5.8%. Many refuse to hold this smoking giant due to its ‘sinful’ business and after all a bad reputation and price add-ons, or “sin taxes”, can’t be good for business. But then again, with over a billion smokers consistently providing their inelastic demand MO does have significant pricing power. The 81% payout ratio is approaching worrisome, but the 5 year average dividend growth rate nearing 15% and... Read more