April 29, 2016

Top 10 Financial Ratios for Successful Dividend Investing

These numbers are keys to our investment strategy



Dividend investing is part art, part science. Financial ratios make up most of the science behind investing.

What exactly are financial ratios? For the purposes of this article, we define financial ratios as any number or calculation used by dividend investors to better understand an investment opportunity. Financial ratios are found throughout a company’s financial statements, annual reports, investor presentations, and more. Some examples of common financial metrics include return on equity, payout ratios, and price-to-earnings multiples.


While there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of different financial ratios, understanding a handful of the most important indicators can help investors make better informed decisions and sidestep avoidable mistakes.


Let’s take a close look at the financial ratios that are most helpful for evaluating different businesses...


Source: InvestorPlace

4 Elite Dividend-Growing Stocks All Retirees Should Own


Investors have different needs in (or near) retirement. Earlier in life, total return is what matters. Later in life, investing becomes more about rising income and safety. Retirees know they need the income from their portfolios to at least keep pace with inflation to maintain purchasing power. In an ideal world, retiree portfolio income would grow faster than inflation. Who doesn't want extra "walking-around money" every year?

There is an elite group of dividend-growth stocks that all retirees should own: the 50 Dividend Aristocrats. A Dividend Aristocrat is a stock that has paid increasing dividends for 25 or more consecutive years.

Only the best-of-the-best can become Dividend Aristocrats because a business must have a strong and durable competitive advantage to increase its dividends for 25 or more consecutive years.

The four elite dividend growers analyzed below are excellent choices for retirement portfolios...

Source: TheStreet

4 Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy Now, Even as the Market Gets Extended


The way 2016 started off, it looked like we were in for a very dreary year. By mid-February the market had dropped a stunning 11.4% in six short weeks. The second market correction in six months and the kind of market volatility and action that brings all the perma-bearish commentators like David Tice out for a while. The question is whether it is time to follow tradition and “sell in May and go away”?
The answer to that question is probably no. With yields still at historic lows, and looking to stay that way, and dollar strength waning, it’s probably time to rotate into stocks that pay a solid dividend, have a global footprint and reported solid first-quarter numbers. We screened the Merrill Lynch research universe database for stocks that have those traits and found four stellar ideas. All are rated Buy.
Let's look those four...

Source: 24/7 Wall St.


Bank of America Downgrades Ford Motor Company (F)


Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) was downgraded by investment analysts at Bank of America from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on F. Zacks Investment Research raised Ford Motor Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $13.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 27th. Vetr lowered Ford Motor Company from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $14.37 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, April 13th. Buckingham Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Ford Motor Company in a research report on Thursday, March 3rd. TheStreet lowered Ford Motor Company from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 26th. Finally, Craig Hallum reduced their price objective on Ford Motor Company from $14.00 to $13.00 in a research report on Friday, January 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $15.56.

Source: Web Breaking News

Maxim Group Downgraded Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)


Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) was downgraded by research analysts at Maxim Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Friday, The Fly reports.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) opened at 97.00 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $132.58 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.14. Gilead Sciences has a 52-week low of $81.89 and a 52-week high of $123.37. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $95.09 and a 200-day moving average of $97.31. 

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 28th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $3.13 by $0.10. The business earned $7.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.08 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.94 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Gilead Sciences will post $12.33 EPS for the current year.

Source:  Web Breaking News

April 28, 2016

Is Wells Fargo the Best Bank Stock for Dividend Investors?

When it comes to the consistency and predictability of its quarterly payout, it's hard to beat Wells Fargo.



Banks have historically been popular dividend stocks, and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC)continues in that tradition. But is the nation's third-biggest bank by assets the best bank stock for dividend investors? There are two reasons to think that it is, and one to think that it isn't.
The main reason income-seeking investors should like Wells Fargo's stock is because of its yield, which measures how much a stock pays out via dividends relative to its share price.

Deutsche Bank Downgraded Prospect Capital (PSEC)


Deutsche Bank analyst Stephen Laws downgraded Prospect Capital (NASDAQ: PSEC) to Hold today. The company’s shares closed yesterday at $7.55, close to its 52-week high of $7.70.
Prospect Capital has an analyst consensus of Moderate Sell, with a price target consensus of $6.50.

The company has a one year high of $7.70 and a one year low of $4.77. Currently, Prospect Capital has an average volume of 3.06M.

Source: Analyst Ratings

Societe Generale Downgraded Schlumberger Limited. (SLB)


Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB) was downgraded by research analysts at Societe Generale from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Thursday, The Flyreports.

Several institutional investors have made changes to their positions in the stock. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited. by 75.4% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 35,732,039 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,492,310,000 after buying an additional 15,360,356 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Schlumberger Limited. during the fourth quarter worth approximately $846,136,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited. by 14.0% in the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 20,956,930 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,461,745,000 after buying an additional 2,580,900 shares during the last quarter. Northern Cross LLC boosted its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited. by 23.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Cross LLC now owns 13,104,637 shares of the company’s stock worth $914,048,000 after buying an additional 2,467,374 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited. by 51.2% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,618,198 shares of the company’s stock worth $322,119,000 after buying an additional 1,562,838 shares during the last quarter.

Source: Mideast Time.

April 27, 2016

4 Bargain Stocks You Can Buy Today

A tech giant, a drugmaker, an energy company, and a travel site may all be on sale.



The market is always offering up stocks in its bargain bin, but that doesn't necessarily mean every stock that's on sale is worth buying. We asked some of our top Motley Fool contributors to weigh in with their top bargain-bin buys, and they came back with four companies that make everything from travel reservations to pain medicine. Read on to find out whether or not these special deals may make sense to own in your portfolio...

Source: The Motley Fool

7 Dividend Stocks With “Hidden” Yields


In this low-interest-rate environment, it’s only natural for investors to want to chase dividend yield to generate enough income to meet whatever commitments those cash flows are used for. The problem is that high yield often translates into high risk, and the closer you are to retirement, the less you can afford to see your income flushed down the toilet.

Investing in dividend stocks doesn’t mean you have to go down that road to meet your income goals. Investors who’ve refrained from playing this game over the past five years by accepting reasonable dividend yields from companies whose businesses were growing have easily been able to replace the income lost by opting for 2% yields instead of 5%.

Here are seven dividend stocks with “hidden” yields that you should own...

Source: InvestorPlace

A Distinctive Dividend-Growth ETF

This quality strategy looks beyond past dividend growth.


WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth ETF (DGRW) is a solid strategy that emphasizes profitable companies with the potential for strong dividend growth. It tracks an index that targets 300 dividend-paying stocks with high returns on assets and high returns on equity during the past three years and strong expected earnings growth. This creates a portfolio of highly profitable names with durable competitive advantages, such as Coca-Cola (KO)Microsoft (MSFT), and Apple (AAPL). The fund's holdings consistently generate higher average returns on invested capital than the constituents of the S&P 500. While the fund has a short record, its tilt toward highly profitable, dividend-paying companies should give it an edge over its peers in the long term.

This strategy attempts to select stocks that can offer high dividend growth in the future, regardless of whether they have done so in the past. Many of these names would not pass a demanding screen for past dividend growth, similar to those that Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY)employ. There are pros and cons to each approach. A record of dividend growth is evidence that a firm's managers are committed to a shareholder-friendly payout policy and is a sign of strong and stable profitability. But restricting stock selection to this criterion excludes many emerging dividend-paying firms and ignores forward-looking information about the sustainability of dividend growth...


Source: Morningstar


Sanford C. Bernstein Upgrades Pentair (PNR)

Pentair plc. Ordinary Share (NYSE:PNR) was upgraded by stock analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report released on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Several hedge funds and institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in shares of Pentair plc. Ordinary Share by 4.5% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 6,296 shares of the company’s stock worth $342,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Pentair plc. Ordinary Share by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 9,412 shares of the company’s stock worth $466,000 after buying an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Capstone Asset Management Company raised its position in shares of Pentair plc. Ordinary Share by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Capstone Asset Management Company now owns 13,233 shares of the company’s stock worth $655,000 after buying an additional 747 shares in the last quarter.
Source: American Banking and Market News

BTIG Research Downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) was downgraded by equities research analysts at BTIG Research from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report issued on Wednesday, StockTargetPrices.comreports.
Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) opened at 445.92 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $468.68 and a 200-day moving average of $523.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.40 billion and a PE ratio of 29.53. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 52 week low of $399.14 and a 52 week high of $758.61.

Oppenheimer Downgraded Apple Inc. (AAPL)


Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was downgraded by research analysts at Oppenheimer from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports.
A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on AAPL. Credit Agricole restated a “buy” rating and set a $128.00 target price on shares of Apple in a report on Thursday, April 14th. Deutsche Bank restated a “hold” rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Apple in a report on Thursday, April 14th. Citigroup Inc. restated a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Apple in a report on Tuesday, April 5th. BTIG Research reduced their price target on shares of Apple from $141.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 7th. Finally, Raymond James restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Apple in a research report on Tuesday, April 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, forty-four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $136.27.

Piper Jaffray Upgraded Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (KORS)


Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:KORS) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Piper Jaffray to an “overweight” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. William Blair restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Michael Kors Holdings in a report on Tuesday, February 2nd. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Michael Kors Holdings from $45.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 19th. Jefferies Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Michael Kors Holdings in a research report on Monday. Wedbush reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $48.00 price objective on shares of Michael Kors Holdings in a research report on Tuesday, January 5th. Finally, Vetr raised Michael Kors Holdings from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $54.31 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 8th. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $55.00.

Source: American Banking and Market News

April 26, 2016

Are Low Oil Prices Hurting Canadian Banks?


As oil prices fell, many analysts warned that Canadian banks could suffer. Over one-third of Canada’s economy is related to the energy sector, so as the space weakened, many predicted that numerous companies wouldn’t be able to pay back billions in bank debt. Consumers, especially oil and gas workers, were also expected to get hit.

Now that we are roughly two years into the downturn, are major financial institutions feeling the pain? The CEO of Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO) recently commented on the situation.

Nothing to report … 

Source: The Motley Fool

The Top 10 S&P 500 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

These stocks offer nice to great yield, but more importantly, they can provide Street-beating returns



We’re taking a different tack with the top S&P 500 dividend stocks for the month this time around. Very few people found use in a look at simply the highest yielders, so to better help our readers out, we’re only looking at the best dividend stocks in the index instead.


The trouble with the old way of doing things is that a very high dividend yield often is a sign of a troubled stock. After all, yields rise as share prices fall … and share prices usually decline for a reason.


This month, we decided to look at the best S&P 500 dividend stocks based not just on yield, but on the strengths of their fundamentals and balance sheets. Yes, the yields are a little less spectacular on this list, but the potential for better returns is arguable much higher.


With that, here are the top 10 S&P 500 dividend stocks to buy now... 


Source: InvestorPlace

4 Top Dividend Industrial Stocks to Buy for a Weaker Dollar


After an extended run higher that lasted over a year, it’s starting to look like the move higher for the U.S. dollar may be just about over. With a very dovish Federal Reserve talking the dollar down, and looking to hold rates until June at the earliest, dollar bulls have been rushing to get out of the trade that was a big winner for a long time.


A recent Jefferies research report noted that in March, the Diffusion Index that attempts to predict economic growth showed one of the biggest positive turns in the years they have been monitoring it. The report also had a list of industrial stocks that will benefit from a weaker dollar. We found four that also pay solid dividends.


Let's take a closer look...



Source: 24/7 Wall St.

4 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks to Buy Regardless of Earnings Season Mania


Earnings season is upon us, as many of the world's largest and most influential corporations are turning in their quarterly report cards. Earnings season can make the stock market feel like a casino more than anything else, because investors who demand outperformance every single quarter are focused on the short term.

Long-term investors focus on buying high-quality dividend stocks trading at fair or better prices. These are stocks like the 50 Dividend Aristocrats, which have 25 or more years of increased dividend payments.
Let's look at four rock-solid dividend growth stocks that are good buys regardless of short-term earnings season mania...

Source: TheStreet

Bank of America Downgraded Canadian National Railway (CNI)


Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Bank of America to an “underperform” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports.
A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on CNI. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday. RBC Capital boosted their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $89.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Cowen and Company boosted their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $61.50 to $69.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $63.00 to $57.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 12th. Finally, TD Securities restated a “buy” rating and issued a $88.00 target price (down from $89.00) on shares of Canadian National Railway in a report on Wednesday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Canadian National Railway currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $74.18.

April 25, 2016

Will Chevron Raise Its Dividend in 2016?

Chevron has raised its annual dividend for 28 straight years. With crude prices below $50 per barrel, will the company raise its payout again in 2016?



Chevron (NYSE: CVX) is in very select company when it comes to its dividend. The integrated supermajor has increased its annual payout for 28 straight years and has consistently paid an annual dividend every year since 1926. Chevron also raised its annual dividend last year, when Brent prices averaged just $52 per barrel, paying an annual dividend of $4.28 per share, versus $4.21 per share in 2014. Given the company's history, will Chevron raise the annual payout again this year?


This is a very good question ...

Source: The Motley Fool

5 Dividend ETFs to Pad Your Portfolio

Get your dose of dividends with dividend ETFs like VYM, DGRO, DWX, SDIV and DES



There’s a lot to like about dividend stocks.

For one thing, dividend stocks and their payouts have driven long-term returns. Over time, dividends have played the single largest role in the overall gains in the stock market. Since 1930, dividends have accounted for nearly 42% of the total returns of the S&P 500. Without dividends, we would have significantly less in the way of total market returns.


At the same time, stock dividends carry lucrative tax advantages and offer the ability to beat inflation as companies raise their payouts. That’s something that the interest from bonds can’t do.


Here are five dividend ETFs that investors should consider today...


Source: InvestorPlace

Goldman Sach's 5 Large-Cap Pharma Stock Favorites Ahead of Earnings


Large-cap pharmaceutical stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 this year, pressured by the political climate and earnings estimate revisions, according to Goldman Sachs.

"While a challenging macro environment including pricing scrutiny is likely to persist, we expect in line [first-quarter] results with FX (foreign exchange) reversal tailwinds driving upside to guidance," Goldman analysts led by Jami Rubin wrote in a note on Friday, noting that investors in pharmaceuticals have been too distracted by currency issues, which seem to finally be subsiding.

Here's a look at Goldman's top picks for the pharma sector as the group gets ready to report quarterly earnings results...

Source: TheStreet

Better Buy: The Home Depot, Inc. vs. Target

Which of these big-box retailers is the smarter pick right now?



Retail's evolution toward larger store footprints reached its peak before the rise of e-commerce, but big-box stores still have a major presence in the industry. The Home Depot (NYSE:HD) has revolutionized the way homeowners and professional contractors get the supplies and materials they need, having become the largest retailer of home-improvement goods in the nation. Target (NYSE:TGT) has taken a more general approach, offering its department-store format in a way that tries to cater both to shoppers looking for discounts and to those wanting a bit more style than some of its peers give their customers. Investors looking at these two major retailers want to know which stock is the better buy right now. Let's compare Home Depot and Target on several important measures to see which one looks more favorable...

Source: The Motley Fool

BB&T Corp. Downgraded VF Corp (VFC)


VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) was downgraded by analysts at BB&T Corp. to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, AnalystRatings.Net reports.

In other VF Corp news, CFO Scott A. Roe sold 6,512 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.48, for a total transaction of $426,405.76. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 57,184 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,744,408.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, COO Steven E. Rendle sold 53,800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.13, for a total value of $3,557,794.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 248,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,411,812.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

Source: American Banking and Market News 

Goldman Sachs Upgraded Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)


Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) was upgraded by equities researchers at Goldman Sachs from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued on Monday, StockTargetPrices.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $78.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $62.00. Goldman Sachs’ target price would indicate a potential downside of 0.41% from the stock’s current price.

In other news, insider Denise C. Johnson bought 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $62.20 per share, with a total value of $217,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,967 shares in the company, valued at $433,347.40. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Source: American Banking and Market News 

Deutsche Bank Downgraded Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB)


Kimberly Clark Corp (NYSE:KMB) was downgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Monday, StockTargetPrices.com reports.

Other hedge funds have made changes to their positions in the company. Reynolds Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Kimberly Clark Corp during the fourth quarter valued at $255,000. Bridges Investment Management acquired a new stake in shares of Kimberly Clark Corp during the fourth quarter valued at $264,000. Armstrong Henry H Associates Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kimberly Clark Corp by 6.7% in the fourth quarter. Armstrong Henry H Associates Inc. now owns 2,398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $305,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. QUANTRES ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Kimberly Clark Corp during the first quarter valued at $363,000. Finally, Campbell Newman Asset Management increased its stake in shares of Kimberly Clark Corp by 7.5% in the fourth quarter. Campbell Newman Asset Management now owns 3,333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $425,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the last quarter.

Source: American Banking and Market News 

RBC Capital Downgraded International Paper Co (IP)


International Paper Co (NYSE:IP) was downgraded by investment analysts at RBC Capital to a “sector perform” rating in a research note issued on Monday, Analyst Ratings Network.com reports.

Other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Honeywell International Inc. boosted its position in shares of International Paper by 13.0% in the fourth quarter. Honeywell International Inc. now owns 713,700 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,906,000 after buying an additional 82,000 shares in the last quarter.

Source: American Banking and Market News 

April 24, 2016

The Rockefeller Family Fund Thinks Investing in Oil Is a Mistake.

The Rockefeller Family fund recently announced its intention to divest from fossil fuels. Why does the Rockefeller fund want to divest, and is there an investment case for fossil fuel stocks for buy-and-hold investors?



The Rockefeller name is synonymous with oil. John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil more than a century ago, making him at a time the richest man in the world. Standard Oil eventually gave birth to large parts of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), which are three of the largest energy companies in the world today.

While the original Rockefeller made his fortune from oil, the Rockefeller Family Fund, which is a fund the Rockefeller family created, has evidently moved on. The fund recently said in no uncertain terms that it makes little financial sense to continue holding fossil-fuel companies. Given the statement, is holding fossil-fuel companies a mistake? 


Is It Right?...

Altria Group vs. Reynolds American: Which Is Better for My Portfolio?



Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) and Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) are North America’s two largest producers and marketers of tobacco products. The two companies are high dividend yielding, defensive, consumer-oriented stocks that are extensively owned by dividend-oriented mutual funds, institutional investors and individual investors. Both companies have sold or spun off international operations to focus solely on the North American market. Despite an environment of lawsuits, increasing government regulation, excise taxes and advertising campaigns designed to reduce smoking, both companies continue to grow sales and dividends.

Let's take a closer look...

Source: Investopedia

3 Dividend Stocks That Are Yield Traps

GasLog Partners, Summit Midstream Partners, and Plains All American Pipeline are three dividend stocks to avoid.



For dividend investors, there is nothing worse than buying into high-yield stocks that are subsequently cut. While there are some companies with high yields that can make for decent investments, there are many out there that will lure you in with that high yield only to burn you down the road. Today, GasLog Partners (NYSE:GLOP)Summit Midstream Partners(NYSE:SMLP), and Plains All American (NYSE:PAA) are showing signs of being yield traps. Here's why...

Source: The Motley Fool

April 23, 2016

Warren Buffett’s 3 Safest Dividend Stocks Yielding 3% or More


Warren Buffett needs no introduction as arguably the world's greatest investor.


With his Berkshire Hathaway Inc.(NYSE:BRK.A, NYSE:BRK.B) portfolio valued at more than $130 billion, Buffett has more than proven his ability to successfully pick the best blue-chip stocks.


However, many investors don't realize that the majority of Warren Buffett's stock picks pay dividends, including nine of his 10 largest positions.

Even better, almost a third of Warren Buffett's dividend stocks offer a high-yield dividend in excess of 3%.


We studied each of Buffett's high-yield dividend stocks and identified the three that offer the most reliable payments. Here they are, in order of yield:..


Source: Nasdag

8 Bargain Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

These eight dividend stocks to buy have high yield, cheap, and will perform well regardless of the market.


The markets are doing everything they can to crack into fresh all-time highs, and investors are rushing up the momentum mountain to capitalize on the bull run.


However, if the market has taught us anything over the past decade, it’s that a market can turn back from high levels at the drop of a hat, and with it go the momo stocks. That’s why it’s always wise to make sure you’re also targeting some high-yield, low-beta dividend stocks to buy.


These are stocks that belong in any portfolio, in order of yield:...


Source: InvestorPlace