Dividend Portfolio Analysis: Decent Yield, Dividend Growth Spell Quality Return

When I updated my 'Portfolio' tab for the month of March, I also mentioned that I would do an in depth analysis of my Dividend Income Portfolio... more

4 Solid Utility and Energy Stocks With Superb Dividends

In this article I will describe some stocks that I believe have upside potential, and more importantly, very sizable dividends to build your wealth over time. These companies will not only enjoy market growth from increasing demand for energy in the long run, but will pay you a great dividend on the side. I feel that these are long-term plays, which will allow for an investor to take full advantage of dividends while watching the stocks appreciate in value. 1) Exelon (EXC) Exelon is the largest nuclear energy provider in the United States, and consists of PECO Utilities and ComEd, which generate its massive cash flow. This company's exposure to nuclear power gives investors a chance to reap the benefits of the post-Japanese earthquake selloff which is still depressing the price of uranium... more

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of April

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called "Buying Dividends." This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500... more

High-Yield Short Squeeze Plays

Investors in dividend paying stocks might want to take a different approach to looking for stocks. Many stock traders look for short squeeze plays. These are stocks that have a large number of shares that have been shorted. Traders are hoping that on any good news, the short sellers will jump at buying in their shares, driving up the stock's price. Short interest in a stock could indicate that the stock is well positioned for a short squeeze in the event a positive catalyst occur. A short squeeze takes place when a heavily shorted stock is quickly bought back in by the short-sellers in order to cover their bearish positions, driving the price of the stock up sharply. The most common measurement for short interest is the short ratio, which measures the numbers of days it would take the... more

FLIR: Another Dividend-Paying Energy Efficiency Stock

FLIR Systems' (FLIR) IR cameras save energy not just by spotting leaks, but by spotting intruders in the dark. When I published my list of dividend paying energy efficiency stocks in January, I missed one, and it is a long-time favorite. FLIR business is focused around thermography, and I picked FLIR as a stock likely to benefit from the stimulus in March 2009 because FLIR's cameras are used by energy raters. (Click to enlarge) FLIR did benefit from the stimulus, rising 56% by the end of 2009 from the $21 price when I made my call, but the stock has been basically flat since then, despite continued earnings and cash flow growth, and the declaration of a $0.06 (0.8% annual) dividend which was first paid in February, just two weeks too late to be included in my dividend paying... more

A Diversified Power Company Paying a 4.4% Dividend

Most publicly traded utilities have the distinct advantage of paying investors a dividend. This dividend significantly enhances the equities' total return over time. As I've stressed before, every portfolio should include dividend-paying stocks as part of a diversification strategy. So when I came across a diversified energy company that was paying a 4.4 percent yield to investors, I had to write about it. This regulated power business is an oil and gas producer, but it also dabbles in coal and some energy marketing too. The company is Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) and it just finished the first quarter with a comfortable 13 percent increase in share price, as you can see in this chart. Black Hills, which now has a market cap of $1.3 ... more

Dividend Scan: ALG, GG, IEX, SVT, MHR, BPOP

Amid the upward swing of the US market, several companies declared their future dividend plans. Some notable dividend payers are discussed here. Alamo Group Inc (NYSE: ALG) declared a quarterly dividend of six cents per share. Shares of the company gained 0.50 percent or 14 cents to $28.30. Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) announced to maintain its monthly dividend of 3.4 cents per share. Shares of the company gained 1.57 percent or 83 cents to $53.01. IDEX Corp. (NYSE: IEX) declared a 13 percent increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend of 17 cents per common share, payable on April 29, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2011. Shares of the company lost 0.16 percent or 7 cents to $45.09. Servotronics, Inc (AMEX: SVT) announced a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per... more

The Most Promising Dividends in General Entertainment & Travel

Yields and growth rates and payout ratios, oh my!Before we get to those companies, though, you should understand just why you'd want to own dividend payers. These stocks can contribute a huge chunk of growth to your portfolio in good times, and bolster it during market downturns. As my colleague Matt Koppenheffer has noted: "Between 2000 and 2009, the average dividend-adjusted return on stocks with market caps above $5 billion and a trailing yield of 2.5% or better was a whopping 114%. Compare that to a 19% drop for the S&P 500."... more

10 Dividend Stocks With With A 10%+ Dividend Growth Rate

The difference between an income investor and a dividend growth investor is time and the understanding of how compound growth works. If you are 67 years old and need income today, you will likely select a different group of stocks than an enlightened 27 year old that doesn't necessarily need the income today. The 27 year old has the the luxury of time to grow a superior yield, while the 67 year old may be forced to assume additional risk to buy a higher current yield. Here are some of the reasons an investor might forgo current yield in hopes of future gain… Dividend Growth Provides For Inflation Inflation is the silent killer for many retirement portfolios. Over time, prices tend to increase. If you rely solely on a portfolio of long-term fixed income securities, you will lose... more

Dividend Macro Trends: The Baby Boomer Retirement Investment

There are millions of baby boomers retiring and needing financial advice. I expect them to use financial advice from certified planners, which would pre-sell open and closed-end funds and other financial products. While I am a big fan of dividend investing in retirement, I understand that most investors would probably end up relying on the four percent rule. Once a product has been sold to investors, it creates a recurring income stream to the provider of funds. The revenues that investment managers generate are realizable in cash almost instantaneously, which is a big plus. New product offerings could also contribute to growth. Acquisitions to obtain companies that target high-net worth individuals could be a big driver for future growth, as would be expansion internationally.... more