September 29, 2017

Notable Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades for Week of September 25, 2017




Upgrades:


Deutsche Bank AG upgraded shares of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $51.00 price objective on the auto manufacturer’s stock, up from their previous price objective of $36.00. Several other equities analysts have also commented on GM. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of General Motors in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued a market perform rating and a $33.00 target price on the stock. BidaskClub lowered shares of General Motors from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, June 24th. Read more …

J P Morgan Chase & Co upgraded shares of Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report released on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has $74.00 price target on the apparel retailer’s stock, up from their previous price target of $65.00. A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. BidaskClub lowered shares of Ross Stores from a sell rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Saturday, June 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $67.00 target price on shares of Ross Stores and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 19th. Read more …

J P Morgan Chase & Co upgraded shares of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report report published on Monday morning. The firm currently has $70.00 price objective on the basic materials company’s stock. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and issued a $84.00 price objective on shares of Compass Minerals International in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. BidaskClub upgraded Compass Minerals International from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Read more …

Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE:KIM) was upgraded by analysts at J P Morgan Chase & Co from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report issued on Tuesday. A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Zacks Investment Research lowered Kimco Realty Corporation from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) upgraded Kimco Realty Corporation from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $18.70 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Argus lowered Kimco Realty Corporation from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 28th. Read more …

BF-B (NASDAQ:BF-B) was upgraded by equities researchers at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Societe Generale reiterated a “sell” rating on shares of BF-B in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Citigroup Inc. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $58.00 price target (up previously from $54.00) on shares of BF-B in a research note on Friday, September 1st. Read more …


Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE:PM) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) from a “buy” rating to a “conviction-buy” rating in a report issued on Thursday. The firm currently has a $135.00 price target on the stock. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)’s price target suggests a potential upside of 20.96% from the company’s current price. Several other research analysts have also recently commented on PM. SBG Securities upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $118.00 to $119.00 in a report on Friday, August 11th. Berenberg Bank set a $96.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 24th. Read more …

Longbow Research upgraded shares of McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday morning. They currently have $183.00 target price on the fast-food giant’s stock, up from their prior target price of $154.05. “Our expectations for MCD to report better than expected U.S. same-store sales growth in 3Q17 should drive both earnings and multiple upside,” the analyst concluded. “Furthermore, the company has a couple of key initiatives that could drive further comp upside in coming quarters.,” the firm’s analyst commented. Read more …

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Thursday. A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. Barclays PLC initiated coverage on T. Rowe Price Group in a report on Friday, September 8th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $79.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Group LLC restated a “buy” rating and issued a $96.00 price objective on shares of T. Rowe Price Group in a report on Sunday, August 20th. Read more …

Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO) was upgraded by Royal Bank Of Canada from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm presently has a $53.00 price target on the utilities provider’s stock. Royal Bank Of Canada’s price objective would indicate a potential upside of 8.30% from the company’s current price. SO has been the topic of a number of other reports. Zacks Investment Research cut shares of Southern Company (The) from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Monday, September 11th. Deutsche Bank AG raised shares of Southern Company (The) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the company from $50.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Read more …



Downgrades:


AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) was downgraded by equities research analysts at UBS AG from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report released on Monday, 247wallst.com reports. They currently have a $92.00 price objective on the stock, up from their prior price objective of $79.00. UBS AG’s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 5.17% from the stock’s previous close. ABBV has been the subject of several other reports. Vetr upgraded AbbVie from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $76.28 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank AG reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $66.00 price objective (up from $65.00) on shares of AbbVie in a research note on Monday, July 17th. Read more …

Citigroup Inc. cut shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday. The brokerage currently has $77.00 price target on the financial services provider’s stock, down from their prior price target of $82.00. AFL has been the topic of a number of other reports. Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of Aflac from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. ValuEngine raised shares of Aflac from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 1st. Barclays PLC lifted their target price on shares of Aflac from $73.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 11th. Read more …

Invesco PLC (NYSE:IVZ) was downgraded by investment analysts at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday. They currently have a $37.00 price objective on the asset manager’s stock. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 7.56% from the stock’s current price. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on IVZ. Jefferies Group LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $41.00 target price on shares of Invesco PLC in a research note on Sunday, July 30th. Read more …



September 28, 2017

3 Blue Chip Dividends To Buy Now And Hold Forever



Dividend and growth fanatics have argued tooth-and-nail about who backs the superior strategy for decades. But time and time again, deep research shows that investors like you and I that prefer collecting quarterly checks come out on top.

The formula is simple: Plow your money into healthy-yielding dividend stocks – like the three no-brainer buy-and-hold equities I have on tap for you today – and let the outperformance roll in.

However, time and time again I stress the importance of substantial dividend yield. Low, begrudging payouts simply won’t do.

A study published by C. Mitchell Conover, CFA, CIPM, Gerald R. Jensen, CFA, and Marc W. Simpson, CFA examined whether there’s any tangible difference between holding dividend stocks and non-dividend-paying stocks – and the results show several very real benefits.



September 27, 2017

The 10 Safest Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks for the Rest of the Year

Improve your chances of generating safe income and preserving capital with these companies



With interest rates remaining near record lows and many stocks around the world trading near record highs, plenty of conservative income investors who are in need of a return feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Fortunately, hundreds of companies in the market still offer dividend yields in excess of 4% as we head into the fourth quarter.

However, many of these high dividend stocks are at risk of cutting their payouts in the future because they have dangerously high payout ratios, too much debt, weak free cash flow generation or less-proven management teams.

With many dividend investors seeking safe income and capital preservation, these risky qualities are unacceptable.

To find the best high-dividend stocks available today, we used our Dividend Safety Scores to identify reliable sources of income for the rest of the year and beyond.

Our Dividend Safety Scores look at a company’s most important financial metrics to help investors identify and avoid stocks that are most at risk of cutting their dividends.

Let’s take a closer look at 10 of the safest dividend stocks to consider for the rest of the year. Several of these high quality stocks are trading near record high dividend yields.



September 25, 2017

When Investors Wake Up from This Party, AT&T Shareholders Will Have The Worst Hangover



This bullish stock market is like a wave; it brings all the garbage to the top of the ocean.

Many companies enjoy the ride while doing nothing to acknowledge their price going up, and AT&T is one of them.

A juicy yield and a stellar dividend growth history is masking T’s weaknesses.


AT&T (T) doesn’t need presentation. It is the largest telecom in the world by revenue. With over $160 billion in revenue, a 5%+ yield, and 33 years with consecutive dividend increases, the big T is a favorite among income seekers. Really, what’s not to love?

Unfortunately, we can say that the stock performance hasn't impressed anyone in the past 5 years. Even by including its juicy payout, T is behind the market by 60%:




September 24, 2017

This Week's Most Significant Insider Trades: September 18-22, 2017




Disposals:


Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) CEO Omar Ishrak sold 140,407 shares of Medtronic PLC stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.63, for a total transaction of $11,461,423.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 668,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,569,899.89. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Read more …


UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) insider Larry C. Renfro sold 50,574 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.11, for a total value of $10,019,215.14. Following the sale, the insider now owns 195,625 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,755,268.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Read more …



Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) VP Robert Stuart Franklin sold 22,656 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.76, for a total transaction of $1,807,042.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 231,572 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,470,182.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Read more …


Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) SVP Mark D. Chandler sold 65,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.43, for a total transaction of $2,107,950.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Read more …





Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) Director Douglas Wayne Johnson sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.58, for a total value of $125,370.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,733 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,147,804.14. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Read more …


Gap, Inc. (The) (NYSE:GPS) Director William Sydney Fisher sold 666,849 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.99, for a total value of $18,665,103.51. Following the sale, the director now owns 12,237,873 shares in the company, valued at approximately $342,538,065.27. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Read more …


Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) CFO Michael S. Ciskowski sold 53,012 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.88, for a total value of $3,863,514.56. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 67,413 shares in the company, valued at $4,913,059.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Read more …


Acquisitions:


Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) Director Trian Fund Management, L.P. bought 889,561 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $53.68 per share, for a total transaction of $47,751,634.48. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $296,796.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.  Trian Fund Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s): Read more …


September 23, 2017

Notable Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades for Week of September 18, 2017



Upgrades:


Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE:CAT) was upgraded by stock analysts at UBS AG from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Monday. Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Vetr raised shares of Caterpillar from a “strong sell” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $120.03 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 10th. Read more …

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) was upgraded by equities research analysts at BMO Capital Markets from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday. Several other analysts have also issued reports on BP. BidaskClub raised shares of BP p.l.c. from a “strong sell” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. TheStreet lowered shares of BP p.l.c. from a “b-” rating to a “c” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 10th. Read more …



Gap, Inc. (The) (NYSE:GPS) was upgraded by analysts at Credit Suisse Group from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has a $30.00 target price on the apparel retailer’s stock, up from their prior target price of $23.00. Credit Suisse Group’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.37% from the company’s current price. Read more …




Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE:PFE) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report published on Wednesday morning. They currently have $39.00 target price on the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, up from their prior target price of $35.00. Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Jefferies Group LLC set a $35.00 price target on shares of Pfizer and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Read more …


Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV) was upgraded by investment analysts at J P Morgan Chase & Co from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $105.00 price target on the industrial products company’s stock, up from their prior price target of $80.00. J P Morgan Chase & Co’s target price points to a potential upside of 13.78% from the stock’s previous close. Read more …



Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) was upgraded by investment analysts at SunTrust Banks, Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued on Friday, The Fly reports. The analysts noted that the move was a valuation call. A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on LEG. Piper Jaffray Companies initiated coverage on Leggett & Platt, in a report on Monday, June 5th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. Read more …

Astrazeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) was upgraded by research analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports. AZN has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Piper Jaffray Companies reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca PLC in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. BidaskClub lowered Astrazeneca PLC from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Read more …


Downgrades:


Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) was downgraded by investment analysts at Piper Jaffray Companies from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a $78.00 target price on the stock. Piper Jaffray Companies’ price target would suggest a potential upside of 18.42% from the company’s previous close. The analysts wrote, “real threat” to food companies. The firm’s Michael Lavery downgraded Kellogg’s stock rating from Overweight to Neutral with a price target slashed from $78 to $72. Read more …

Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report published on Tuesday morning. They currently have $13.00 price target on the stock, down from their prior price target of $17.00. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Vetr downgraded Under Armour from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and set a $21.02 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 17th. Read more …


J P Morgan Chase & Co cut shares of 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning. They currently have $201.00 target price on the conglomerate’s stock, up from their previous target price of $185.00. A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a hold rating and set a $209.00 target price on shares of 3M in a report on Friday, September 15th. Read more …

Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI) was downgraded by investment analysts at Instinet from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report released on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. They presently have a $26.00 price objective on the textile maker’s stock. Instinet’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 5.52% from the stock’s current price. Several other analysts also recently weighed in on HBI. BidaskClub upgraded Hanesbrands from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Read more …


BofA Merrill has downgraded Ventas (NYSE:VTR) from Buy to Neutral in a report released on 9/22/2017. Yesterday Ventas (NYSE:VTR) traded -1.14% lower at $67.52. The company’s 50-day moving average is $67.37 and its 200-day moving average is $66.32. The last closing price is up 0.64% from the 200-day moving average, compared to the S&P 500 which has increased 0.04% over the same time. 312,552 shares of the stock were exchanged, down from an average trading volume of 1,470,620. Read more …

BofA Merrill has downgraded HCP (NYSE:HCP) from Buy to Neutral in a statement released on 9/22/2017. Having a price of $28.57, HCP (NYSE:HCP) traded -1.19% lower on the day. The last stock close price is down -8.89% from the 200-day moving average, compared to the S&P 500 which has increased 0.04% over the same time. The company has recorded a 50-day moving average of $29.61 and a 200-day moving average of $30.98. 591,576 shares of the stock were exchanged, down from an average trading volume of 3,372,000. Read more …



September 22, 2017

Brookfield Renewable Partners LP Is Down Over 6%: Buy the Dip?


Throughout September, shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners LP  (TSX:BEP.UN)(NYSE:BEP) have given up nearly 6.5% of their value. This presents a great opportunity to load up on a company that is perfect for investors hungry for income.

But why are shares down? If this month were July, you could explain it; Brookfield sold additional shares to its parent, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. But since then, shares have increased in price quite comfortably. Based on my analysis, the recent drop is an example of the market being irrational. It happens. But it’s a good opportunity for you to take advantage.




September 20, 2017

OHI Stock: A High Yield Stock Paying 7.9% That’s Actually Safe

Collect Rock-Solid Dividends from This High-Yield Stock



Finding a balance between yield and safety seems to be a perpetual theme in income investing. It’s easy to find stocks with ultra-high yields; all you need is to use one of the dozens of stock screeners available on the Internet. What’s more difficult is finding high-yield stocks that are actually worth owning, because as income investors, the last thing you want is to buy a high-yield stock before its dividend is cut.

And that’s why Omega Healthcare Investors Inc (NYSE:OHI) is special. The company pays generous dividends with a 7.9% yield, and its payout is more than safe.

As the name suggests, Omega is in the healthcare business. But the company does not actually manufacture drugs or run hospitals. Instead, Omega invests in healthcare real estate. In particular, the company provides financing and capital to operators of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

Right now, OHI stock’s portfolio consists of investments in 986 facilities located in 42 states and in the U.K. The company’s business is done through triple-net leases. This means healthcare operators, rather than Omega, are responsible for paying the property taxes, insurance, and maintenance on these buildings.



September 19, 2017

Digital Realty (DLR): A Tech REIT Benefiting From E-Commerce And Growing Dividends 12 Straight Years


Digital Realty Trust (DLR) is a fast-growing real estate investment trust (REIT) that has raised its dividend every year since going public in 2004.

While the company is still far from having a long enough dividend growth history to qualify as a member of the dividend aristocrats list, it has numerous attractive qualities for investors seeking income and growth.

Digital Realty is a direct beneficiary of the rapidly growing use of data by businesses and consumers alike. As the data center business continues booming, the company is positioned to continue rewarding investors with rising dividends.

Let’s take a closer look at Digital Realty to see if this quality REIT can keep pace with the evolving technology landscape and whether or not its stock looks attractive today.




September 17, 2017

5 Versatile Dividend Stocks No Matter Your Age

Dividend stocks are not just for your retirement



When you think of a “retirement” stock, certain things come to mind. Retirees need income, so their portfolios tend to be chock full of dividend stocks. They also tend to prefer stable, established companies over new and unproven up-and-comers. Growth is important, but safety and stability are more important. Leave the flashy growth stocks to the kids.

But while we tend to think of retiree stocks in this light, investors of all ages would be smart to take the same balanced approach. After all, value stocks have massively outperformed growth stocks over time, and dividend stocks outperform their non-dividend-paying peers … and with less volatility to boot.

The outperformance of dividend stocks is not random. Paying a dividend forces company management to be more disciplined. Every dollar paid out to investors is a dollar that isn’t retained in house, so management is forced to prioritize and, ideally, eliminate value-destroying empire building via acquisitions.

Furthermore, in investing you win by not losing. By limiting your portfolio to dividend stocks, you immediately exclude younger and unproven companies — or those most likely to spectacularly blow up.

The safest dividend is the one that was just hiked. If management was confident enough to raise the dividend, it generally means that company is bringing in ample cash for future dividends. So, by further limiting your list of dividend stocks to those with a good recent history of raising the payout, you better increase your odds for outperformance.

So, today we’re going to take a look at five dividend stocks that would be every bit as appropriate for a young investor just starting to save as for a retiree living on the golf course.



September 14, 2017

Choosy Investors Choose J.M. Smucker And The Dividend Adds Value


The J.M. Smucker Company (SJM) is a “Dividend Contender” that has increased its dividend for 20 consecutive years. After being overvalued for most of fiscal year 2017 (fiscal year ends in April) the company has since fallen into attractive valuation territory. As a result, the company is available at a low P/E ratio relative to historical norms and offers a current dividend yield of 2.9%. Moreover, the company has consistently increased its dividend in line with its historical 10% earnings growth.

“The J. M. Smucker Company engages in manufacturing and marketing branded food and beverage products on a worldwide basis.

The majority of the company’s sales are in the U.S. Its operations outside the U.S. are principally in Canada, although products are exported to other countries as well. The company’s branded food and beverage products include a portfolio of primary brands that are sold to consumers through retail outlets in North America.

The company has three segments: U.S. Retail Coffee, U.S. Retail Consumer Foods, and U.S. Retail Pet Foods. The U.S. retail market segments represent a major portion of the company’s strategic focus – the sale of branded food and beverage products with primary positions to consumers through retail outlets in North America. Within the company’s segment results, International and Foodservice represents a combination of the strategic business areas not included in the U.S. retail market segments.




September 13, 2017

7 Dividend Aristocrats to Buy for Growth, Too

Dividends aren't the only thing these Aristocrats bring to the table



Dividend Aristocrats are an elite group of S&P 500 companies that have raised their payouts for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. To make it on to this list, you must operate your business efficiently over almost three decades — a feat that’s not easy for any company.

Income investors love buying Dividend Aristocrats because these companies are committed to paying dividends through thick and thin. However, it’s harder to do this if you’re not growing your business sufficiently, either on the top line, the bottom line or both.




September 11, 2017

The Top 10 Dividend Growth Stocks For Young Investors


Dividend stocks can generally be separated into two groups. The first group is made up of high-yield stocks. Think telecoms and utilities, which offer higher dividend yields of 4%+. Their high yields are attractive, but the trade-off is that they tend to have low dividend growth rates. Sometimes, their dividend increases barely beat inflation.

The second group is made up of stocks that have lower dividend yields, in the ~2% range, but have high dividend growth rates. These companies typically distribute a lower percentage of their earnings today, so that they can invest in the business to generate growth. The trade-off with these stocks, is that they can raise their dividends 10% each year or more, in some cases.

Investors on the hunt for high-quality dividend growth stocks should review the list of Dividend Achievers, which have raised dividends for 10+ years in a row. You can see the entire list of all 265 Dividend Achievers here.

Dividend growth stocks with lower yields may not appeal to retirees, who might want more income right now, but they are well-suited for young investors with longer time horizons. Over time, a portfolio of these stocks can build higher dividend income streams than stocks with high current yields, but low dividend growth rates.

This article will discuss the top 10 dividend stocks for young investors.



September 10, 2017

This Week's Most Significant Insider Trades: September 4-8, 2017



Disposals:


Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc (NYSE:DPS) insider Angela A. Stephens sold 7,700 shares of Dr Pepper Snapple Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.12, for a total transaction of $701,624.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,053 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $551,549.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Read more …



Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) insider Joseph R. Hinrichs sold 40,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.34, for a total value of $453,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 532,435 shares in the company, valued at $6,037,812.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Read more …



TJX Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:TJX) CEO Ernie Herrman sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.52, for a total value of $1,450,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 480,821 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $34,869,138.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Read more …



Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) CEO Hubert Joly sold 106,942 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $5,847,588.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 645,222 shares in the company, valued at $35,280,738.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Read more …


Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) EVP Lawrence J. Pope sold 43,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.66, for a total transaction of $1,705,380.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Read more …





Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) SVP Joseph C. Caldarella sold 9,340 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $560,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 46,297 shares in the company, valued at $2,777,820. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Read more …



Parker-Hannifin Corp (NYSE:PH) Director Candy M. Obourn sold 1,241 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.46, for a total value of $200,371.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Read more …

Acquisitions:


Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC) CFO Brian H. Oswald acquired 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $6.73 per share, for a total transaction of $336,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 493,373 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,320,400.29. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Read more …