Best in Breed Dividend Stocks: Core Holdings for the Long-Term Investor

There are many factors to consider when creating a long term buy and hold dividend portfolio. First and foremost is obviously diversification. As I have stated in previous articles, a properly diversified portfolio can better withstand the occasional sell-off in certain sectors. Second, it is important to accurately identify ‘Best in Breed’ stocks within each sector. These stocks should always be the core of your portfolio. Every investor has different ideas on what constitutes a good investment, here is what I look for. What constitutes a ‘Best in Breed’ dividend stock?... more

28 Dividend Stocks Acting Like a Money Machine

Readers of this space know that the primary focus of my investing efforts is to build an ever-increasing income stream by investing in dividend growth securities. This means that often I will choose a lower yielding security with better dividend growth prospects over a higher yielding security. As one that values diversity, I also invest in some high yield securities. However, any dividend stock that I invest in must have an increasing dividend.... more

The Most Promising Dividends in Agricultural Products

Dividend payers deserve a berth in any long-term stock portfolio. But seemingly attractive dividend yields are not always as fetching as they may appear. Let's see which companies in the agricultural products industry offer the most promising dividends. 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.... more

Two Undervalued Apparel Dividend Stocks With High Options Yields

If you're looking for the crossroads between dividend paying stocks and undervalued earnings growth, one corner of the market to check out is the Consumer Goods sector, more specifically, the apparel stores sub-industry. Although you won't find high dividend stocks in this group, you will find some dividend stocks with good sales and EPS growth in 2011, and further into the future, that should benefit from the continuing recovery. This week we screened this sub-industry for dividend paying stocks with low PEG values, strong ROE and profit margin, plus high options yields. We came up with two firms: Limited Brands (LTD), which owns Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works and many other brands; and Guess (GES), the owner of the Guess? and Guess Jeans brands, and others as well. (More info at... more

American Campus Communities (ACC) Declares $0.3375 Quarterly Dividend; 4.2% Yield

American Campus Communities, Inc. (NYSE: ACC) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3375 per share of common stock, $1.35 annualized. The dividend is payable on February 25, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 10, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 4.2%.... more

Donaldson (DCI) Declares $0.13 Quarterly Dividend; 0.9% Yield

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), announced today that its Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.13 per common share, $0.52 annualized. The dividend is payable March 18, 2011, to shareholders of record as of February 25, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 23, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 0.9%.... more

Family Dollar Stores: Dividend Stock Analysis

Company Overview: Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (FDO) operates a chain of more than 6,800 general merchandise retail discount stores in 44 states, providing consumers with a selection of low priced merchandise in neighborhood stores. Its merchandise assortment includes consumables, home products, apparel and accessories, and seasonal and electronics. Most items sell in the $1-$10 range.*Note: Family Dollar's fiscal year ends in August. So Fy 2010 ended in August, 2010. All calculations in this analysis are based on the latest annual report, released August 2010, except for expected eps and current dividend yield.... more

RockTenn (RKT) Declares $0.20 Quarterly Dividend; 1.2% Yield

RockTenn (NYSE: RKT) today reported that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.20 per share, $0.80 annualized. The dividend, which will be paid on February 21, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 8, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 4, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 1.2%.... more

Tellabs (TLAB) Declares $0.02 Quarterly Dividend; 1.5% Yield

Tellabs (Nasdaq: TLAB) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per common share, $0.08 annualized. The cash dividend is payable on February 25 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 9, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 1.5%.... more

Entergy (ETR) Declares $0.83 Quarterly Dividend; 4.6% Yield

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per common share, $3.32 annualized. The payment date is March 1, 2011, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2011. The ex-dividend date is February 8, 2011. Yield on the dividend is 4.6%.... more