Dividend Stocks
Stocks that provide dividends are an excellent way to build long-term wealth. Not only do dividends provide investors with regular income, but dividend stocks can also help investors weather market volatility. How? Whether the markets are going up, down, or sideways, dividends provide investors with a steady income stream.
Having said that, while dividends are usually paid out quarterly, at the discretion of the company’s board of directors, they can be raised, cut, or eliminated.
Not all dividend stocks are created equal. As a result, there are a number of factors investors need to consider when looking at dividend stocks.
Dividend yield is one of the most important factors to consider when investing in dividend stocks. It might be tempting to just invest in a stock with the highest dividend yield, but there is a risk/reward trade off when it comes to dividend-yielding stocks—the higher the yield, the greater the risk.
Stocks that provide an annual dividend of 10% or more tend to be very risky. Because they are risky, there is a greater chance the dividend could be cut—or worse, the share price could plummet. This means investors lose out on dividend growth and capital appreciation.
History is another important factor to consider. Look for stable companies that have a long history (five, 10, or even 25+ years) of both paying an annual dividend and increasing that dividend annually. Those stocks that offer annual dividend growth as part of their corporate culture are more likely to continue that trend.
The best way to determine whether or not a company can continue to provide an annual dividend and raise its yield is to look at the company’s free cash flow. Free cash flow is the amount of free cash, or money left over after it pays for operations and necessary capital expenditures. The more money a company has in the bank, the greater the chances are that it can sustain or increase its high dividend yield.
United Parcel Service, Inc.: Is UPS Stock a Top Dividend Stock?
UPS Stock: A Dividend Growth Stock Rewarding Shareholders United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) stock is one that dividend investors may want to consider owning as a dividend growth stock that continues to reward long-term, buy-and-hold investors. UPS is a company.
This Is Why Marathon Oil Is Surging Today
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This Could Be a Trigger Event for ConocoPhillips Stock
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American Eagle Outfitters: Why is AEO Stock Plunging Today?
AEO Stock Down 10% American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) stock is down 10% due to poor holiday season guidance. American Eagle’s management held a conference call on Wednesday morning, following the release of its third-quarter earnings. According to the company, sales.
Kinder Morgan Inc: Why is KMI Stock Soaring Today?
KMI Stock Up 4% Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE:KMI) stock is up four percent on Wednesday due to expansion plans for the Trans Mountain Pipeline receiving conditional approval. On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced that it has given the thumbs-up to.
EQM Stock (NYSE:EQM) Doubled Its Payout in Just 3 Years
EQT Midstream Partners: A Rare Find in the Oil and Gas Industry There is no other way to put it; the past year-and-a-half has been terrible for the energy industry. Many companies are deep in the doldrums, and some are.
Boeing Co: Is BA Stock a Top Dividend Stock?
BA Stock: A Dividend Growth Stock Rewarding Shareholders Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) may be the market leader in the commercial airplane segment, but the company isn’t resting on its laurels. Rather, it’s working hard to increase shareholder value. If you need.
Outfront Media Inc: Earn 5% from this “Cash Cow”
Can OUT Stock Benefit Dividend Investors? Patient dividend investors are always interested to hear about a business that would be classified as a “cash cow.” However, it can be a difficult task, given how many investment opportunities are available. Businesses.
WMT Stock: Massive Upside for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.?
Walmart Stock: Another “Not-As-Bad-As-You-Think” Opportunity Regular readers of this column would know that I’m a big fan of what I call “not-as-bad-as-you-think” opportunities because of their huge upside potential. Today I would like to add another one to that list:.
Bank of America Corp: 3 Reasons to Be Bullish on BAC Stock
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