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.
NRG Energy Cuts Quarterly Dividend on Losses
Energy Producer Posts $0.61 a Share Loss New York, NY — NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG) reported today that it will pay $0.03 a share quarterly dividend, drastically lower from $0.14 a share it distributed in the same period a year.
Atrion Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRI) Reports Earnings and Hikes Dividends
16.7% Increase in Quarterly Dividend Rate New York, NY—On Tuesday August 9, Atrion Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRI) announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a 16.7% increase from its.
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. Reports Earnings and Hikes Dividends
10% Increase in Quarterly Dividend Rate New York, NY — Information services companies might not sound that exciting, but this one has been increasing its dividend every single year since its initial public offering (IPO). On Tuesday, August 9, Broadridge.
Babcock & Wilcox to Buy Back $100 Million Shares
Energy Technology Maker Reports Second-Quarter Loss New York, NY — Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:BW) said its board has authorized a $100 million share buyback plan as the company reports a $1.25 generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) loss per.
Study: U.S. Dividends Under Pressure
Small, Mid-Cap Energy Firms Lead in Dividend Cuts New York, NY — Dividend cuts over the 12-month period ending June 2016 rose 157%, led by energy companies, according to an analysis by S&P Dow Jones Indices. The amount in slashed.
Black Stone Minerals LP Reports Earnings and Raises Distributions
10% Increase in Quarterly Distribution New York, NY — Commodity prices have been facing strong headwinds, so it’s not every day that you see a distribution hike from an oil and gas partnership. On Monday, August 8, Black Stone Minerals.
Textainer Group Slashes Dividend, Shares Plunge
Container Leasing Company Posts Quarterly Loss New York, NY — Textainer Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:TGH) slashed its quarterly dividend after posting a second-quarter loss today due to a decline in lease rental income, the company said in a statement. The.
Saratoga Investment Declares Special Dividend
Dividend Payout for Current Fiscal Year Jumps to $1.04 New York, NY — Saratoga Investment Corp (NYSE:SAR), a business development company, announced today that its board has declared a special dividend of $0.20 per share. “The payment of this special.
Clarke Ceases Quarterly Dividend on Insufficient Cash
Halifax-Based Investment Firm Swings to Profit New York, NY — Clarke Inc. (TSE:CKI) said it is ceasing the company’s regular dividend payout because its internally generated cash flow has been insufficient to fully finance recent dividend payments as a result.
Telus Beats Profit Forecast, Raises Dividend
Strong Subscriber growth in Wireless Helping New York, NY — TELUS Corporation (TSE:T), one of Canada’s big three telecommunications companies, posted better-than-expected earnings and said it’ll boost its quarterly dividend to CA$0.46 per share, an increase of $0.04 from last.
