Dividend Watchdog: How Safe Are These 8 Yields?

Continuing our Dividend Watchdog series at Investment Underground, we examined a few dividend stocks. Today, we uncovered 8 stocks with rock solid yields. In today's volatile markets, income investors should take a look at the list below. As always, use the list below as starting point for your own due diligence. Abbott Labs (ABT): Long deemed a "dividend champion" having not only paid but also increased its payouts for 39 straight years. The 3.74% current yield is well above average and the 62% payout ratio suggests future sustainability. In recent years the dividend growth rate has slowly been increasing, from an 8.8% average increase in the 10 year average to the 10.6% average increase in the 3 year average. It might not be poised for huge growth, but ABT does allow for a strong combination of a high current yield and steadily increasing payouts. If you believe the heath care... Read more