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.
HP May Double Dividend Payout, Says Analyst
Business Spin-Off to Generate Cash New York, NY — Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:HPE) may double its dividend payouts to $0.46 a share as the company frees up more cash after the spin-off of its services business, according to a.
Provident Financial Hikes Dividend 8%
Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises 12% New York, NY — Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PROV), the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B., raised its quarterly cash dividend by eight percent to $0.13 per share as the mortgage market strengthened in its.
Kinder Morgan May Boost Dividend by 25%: Analyst
Dividend Hike Possible as Debt Level Falls New York, NY — Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE:KMI) may increase its dividend payout by 25% as early as 2018 as the pipeline giant tries to cut leverage and return to growth, according to.
Capital Power Boosts Dividend By 7%
Higher Electricity Prices Propel Growth New York, NY — Capital Power Corp (TSE:CPX) announced a seven percent increase in its dividend payout as the Alberta-based company swung to profit on higher prices for electricity sales in the second quarter. The.
Watsco Boosts Annual Dividend by 24%
Dividend Hike Comes Amid Fall in Profit New York, NY — Watsco Inc (NYSE:WSO) said it plans to increase its dividend payout by 24% to $4.20 per share supported by continued positive cash flows and a strong balance sheet. “This.
Skyworks Solutions Raises Dividend by 8%
Maker of Semiconductor Sees Strong Demand New York, NY — Skyworks Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:SWKS), a maker of high-performance analog semiconductors connecting people, places, and things, raised its quarterly cash dividend to $0.28 per share, an eight percent increase from the.
Newmont Mining Hints Dividend Hike Could Be in the Cards
Higher Gold Prices Boost Cash Flows New York, NY — Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE:NEM), the world’s second largest gold miner by market value, may increase its quarterly dividend later this year as bullion prices jump. “It’s certainly worth noting that.
GE to Return $26 Billion in Dividends, Buybacks
GE Capital’s Exit Gives Flexibility New York, NY — General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) plans to return $26.0 billion to investors through buybacks and dividends as the company focuses on its industrial businesses and exits from financial segments. The GE Capital.
Husky Energy Could Resume Dividend, Analyst
Husky Shares Rise 2% Before Earnings Release New York, NY—Husky Energy Inc. (TSE:HSE) surged two percent today amid speculations that the Calgary-based integrated oil and gas producer may resume its dividend later this year and might offload $200 million worth.
Lucara Diamond Corp to Pay $0.45 Special Dividend
Karowe Mine Continues to Generate Cash New York, NY—Lucara Diamond Corp (TSE:LUC) will pay CA$0.45 per share as a special dividend to holders of its common shares. The special dividend will be paid in addition to the company’s existing 2016.
