Pfizer: Dividend Dynamo or Blowup?

Let's examine how Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) stacks up in four critical areas to determine whether it's a dividend dynamo or a disaster in the making. 1. YieldFirst and foremost, dividend investors like a large forward yield. But if a yield gets too high, it may reflect investors' doubts about the payout's sustainability. If investors had confidence in the stock, they'd be buying it, driving up the share price and shrinking the yield.... more

8 High-Yielding Dividend Aristocrats Not Afraid To Raise Their Dividends

The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats is the most recognized list of dividend stocks. The Dividend Aristocrats index is designed to measure the performance of S&P 500 constituents that have followed a policy of consistently increasing dividends every year for at least 25 consecutive years. Dividend Aristocrats exhibit the following characteristics: - They are a member of the S&P 500 - The index is equally weighted with constituents re-weighted quarterly - List is reviewed and updated annually in December Make no mistake, Dividend Aristocrats are the blue-blood of dividend growth stocks. When building your core portfolio, this list is where you want to start your evaluation. If you want dividend growth, these stocks have been there, and done that - for decades. This week week, I... more

Nicor Declares Dividend

The Board of Directors of Nicor Inc. (GAS) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 46.5 cents per share, payable November 1, 2011, to stockholders of record on September 30, 2011. This payment continues the annual rate of $1.86 per share and represents the 231st consecutive quarterly dividend payment by the company.... more

HCP Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Common Stock; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Series E and F Preferred Stock

HCP (NYSE: HCP) reported that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.48 per share. The dividend will be paid on August 23, 2011, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 8, 2011.... more

Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. (NYSE: LEO) Declares Dividend

On Thursday, July 28, 2011 the Board of Directors of Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. (NYSE: LEO) declared from net investment income a monthly cash dividend of $0.049 per share of common stock, payable on August 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 12, 2011. The ex-dividend date is August 10, 2011. The previous dividend declared in June was $0.049 per share of common stock.... more

Dreyfus Municipal Income, Inc. (NYX:DMF) Declares Dividend

On Thursday, July 28, 2011 the Board of Directors of Dreyfus Municipal Income, Inc. (NYX:DMF) declared from net investment income a monthly cash dividend of $0.0525 per share of common stock, payable on August 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 12, 2011. The ex-dividend date is August 10, 2011. The previous dividend declared in June was $0.0525 per share of common stock.... more

Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSM) Declares Dividend

On Thursday, July 28, 2011 the Board of Directors of Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSM) declared from net investment income a monthly cash dividend of $0.0475 per share of common stock, payable on August 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 12, 2011. The ex-dividend date is August 10, 2011. The previous dividend declared in June was $0.0475 per share of common stock.... more

The Ryland Group Declares Third Quarter Dividend

The board of directors of The Ryland Group, Inc. (RYL), has declared a third quarter dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on October 31, 2011, to common stockholders of record on October 15, 2011.... more

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust Announces 199th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

WRIT’s Board of Trustees announced today a quarterly dividend of $.43375 per share to be paid on September 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2011.... more

The World's Best Dividend Portfolio

The portfolio has underperformed the S&P 500 in its first few weeks, but it's still net positive despite a rough time for the markets. I'm not particularly concerned about short-term fluctuations, though. This dividend portfolio is designed to do better when the market is performing poorly, and there's a good chance we'll see that theory put to the test later this year, especially if Congress enacts any serious austerity measures. In the meantime, we'll cash our dividend checks and wait for an opportunity to reinvest those proceeds. Dividends and earnings announcementsAlthough we bought into many of these stocks (Southern, Exelon, Frontier, Brookfield) a bit late to get the June dividends, often it's better to purchase dividend stocks when they're not approaching the ex-dividend date.... more