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.
Main Street Capital Hikes Quarterly Dividend 3%
Main Street Announces Dividend Increase New York, NY — Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE:MAIN) announced that its board of directors declared a three percent increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.555 per share for the fourth quarter of 2016. Main.
Office Depot Announces First Quarterly Dividend
Office Supplier Embarks on New Strategy New York, NY — Office Depot Inc (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions, said it plans to start paying a quarterly dividend and close an additional 300 stores. Office.
Dairy Producer Saputo Inc. Sees 30% Jump in Profits
North American Dairy Sales Offsetting Global Decline New York, NY — Saputo Inc. (TSE:SAP), one of Canada’s largest dairy producers, reported on Tuesday a 30% jump in net earnings and boosted its quarterly dividend by 11%. For Saputo’s fiscal 2017.
Mosaic Co Hints Dividend Cut Could Be Coming
Potash Producer Struggling Amid Weak Demand New York, NY — Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) may revisit its dividend policy if the global potash market doesn’t improve. Mosaic’s CEO said the company has no plans to cut dividends but may have to.
Resources Connections, Inc. Announces 10% Dividend Increase
Staffing Company Hikes Dividend Payout New York, NY — On Tuesday, Resources Global Professionals, the operating subsidiary of Resources Connection, Inc. (NASDAQ:RECN), announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend to $0.11 per share. This represents a.
Aqua America Inc Announces 26th Consecutive Dividend Hike
Aqua America Hikes Dividend 7.5% New York, NY — One water utility company has been paying solid dividends for decades. Now, it’s raising its payout again. On Tuesday, August 2, the board of directors of Aqua America Inc (NYSE:WTR) declared.
Williams Companies Slashed Dividend by 69% to Fund Plans
Shares Surge After Energy Provider’s Cost-Saving Measures New York, NY — Williams Companies Inc (NYSE:WMB) said it plans to cut its dividend by 69% starting with the current quarter to help fund its plans to reinvest about $1.3 billion into.
Macquarie Infrastructure Corp Hikes Dividend
Fuel Supplier Benefits from Both Margin, Volumes New York, NY — Macquarie Infrastructure Corp (NYSE:MIC) raised its quarterly dividend by 12.6% to $1.25 per common share as the energy supplier benefited from increases in both volume and margin on fuel.
Saputo Inc. Reports Earnings, Hikes Dividends
Saputo Profits Increase 29% You might not have heard of Saputo Inc. (TSE:SAP), but you’ll likely have seen “Cracker Barrel,” “Dairyland,” “Frigo Cheese Heads,” and “Neilson” branded dairy products at the grocery store. Yep, they all come from Saputo. The.
Energizer Plans 10% Rise in Dividend in 2017
Delivers $0.25 Payout for 4th Quarter New York, NY — Energizer Holdings Inc (NYSE:ENR) announced that its board of directors has declared a dividend for the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2016 of $0.25 per share. In addition, the board.
