The Retirees' Dividend Portfolio: John And Jane's March Taxable Account Update

The Taxable account generated $1,307.57 of dividends in March of 2020 compared with $1,017.34 of dividends in March of 2019.
A total of two stocks/funds in the Taxable portfolio paid increased dividends or paid a special dividend during the month of March.
John and Jane have used about half of their cash position to acquire shares after they lot a tremendous amount of value over the last six weeks.
We are focusing the cash available to the strongest companies, but we are also directing some funds towards more speculative purchases that we believe will emerge stronger.
Normalcy will return but even with positive news about the decline in COVID-19 I still believe there are significant challenges ahead.
March is the final month where we will see dividends from companies like Apple Hospitality REIT (APLE) that have paid monthly ever since the inception of this portfolio. Under normal circumstances, we would need to evaluate whether or not we should continue to hold a company like APLE because a dividend elimination from any REIT would be considered alarming.
John and Jane's accounts have long been focused on dividend-paying stocks that demonstrate the following characteristics:
Provide an above-average yield but do not offer significant annual increases (or have not increased the dividend amount substantially). Provide a below-average yield but offers consistent annual increases that make the stock much more attractive for a dividend investor. APLE falls under the first description while other companies in the Taxable Account like Clorox (CLX) or McDonald's (MCD) fall under the latter description. It is important to distinguish the difference in companies like this because when companies that fall under the first description begin to show signs of trouble it is not nearly as concerning as when companies under the second description begin to falter.
When investing funds in companies that fall under the first description, investors need to be aware of... Read more