As a long-term buy-and-hold investor, most of my evaluation efforts are aimed at determining when to buy a stock. Sometimes it is necessary to sell a stock and we need to be equally adept at identifying those times. I have stated on numerous occasions that I have one hard and fast sell rule for my individual dividend stocks: When an individual stock held as a dividend investment lowers its dividend, immediately sell it. However, there are other times it makes sense to sell. Consider these:
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Wed. Aug. 25, 2010
classics, commentary
When To Sell A Dividend Stock *
Wed. Mar. 3, 2010
classics, commentary
Increasing Dividend Yield Part I: Utilities *
This is the first installment in a multi-part series that looks at various options used by income investors to boost their yield while waiting for dividend growth to lift their portfolio’s overall yield-on-cost. This week we are looking at Utilities – those investments long considered as a safe harbor for “orphans and widows.”
Tue. Oct. 13, 2009
classics, commentary
High-Yield Dividend Stocks: A Safer Approach *
When people learn that I am an income investor, the reaction is often a desire to discuss high-yield investments. The uninitiated commonly confuse income investing with high-yield investing. The two are not the same.
Wed. Jul. 29, 2009
classics, commentary
Are REITs and Utilities Good Dividend Investments? *
Dividend stocks. When you hear those two words what do you think of? Many people think of widows and orphans, along with their stereotypical investment in utility stocks. While others may think of maximizing income by finding the highest yielding stocks available like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). But are utilities and REITs really good dividend investments?
Mon. Apr. 13, 2009
analysis
Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN) Stock Analysis *
This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net April 6, 2009.
Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:
Company Description: Progress Energy, Inc. is a diversified energy company that owns two electric utilities serving approximately 3.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
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Fri. Feb. 13, 2009
commentary
3M (MMM) and Manulife (MFC) Answer The Leadership Call *
When the world appears to be collapsing in around you and things look their darkest, it is then when character is determined and leaders rise to the top. On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner called for a new program that combines public and private capital to be used in a fund that will buy troubled assets of up to $1 trillion, aimed at unfreezing credit markets. The the markets were underwhelmed. Many companies, such as Harley-Davidson (HOG) and Dow Chemical (DOW), used this smoke screen to slash dividends, but in the midst of the turmoil, an American Aristrocrat and a Canadian Achievier stood tall.
Fri. Dec. 12, 2008
commentary
10 Companies Increasing Dividends and Long-Term Returns *
It is well-documented that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000. They determined that performance in any given year was driven by capital appreciation, but long-term returns were largely the result of reinvested dividends.
Here are 10 companies looking to increase their long-term returns by raising their cash dividends:
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Thu. Dec. 4, 2008
commentary
Five Dividend Stocks To Watch *
Blue chip dividend stocks usually carry a premium. Often this premium is in excess of what I am willing to pay. With Monday’s market slide followed by Tuesday and Wednesday’s subsequent recovery, it appears that good stocks can fall into an after-Thanksgiving mark-down sale at anytime. Here are five stocks that I am watching closely, with their Risk Quality (RQ) rating and other information as of 12/1/2008:
Mon. Oct. 1, 2007
data
Progress Energy, Inc. (PGN)
Description: Progress Energy, Inc. is a diversified energy company that owns two electric utilities serving approximately 3.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
List of 195 Dividend Stocks Every Income Investor Should Know About *
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