Recent Dividend Increases

Boeing raised their dividend today 12/16/13 by 50% from $0.485 to $0.73 per share quarterly.  Additionally approved a $10B stock buyback plan expected over next 2-3 years.  I'm a happy shareholder in BA!

Pfizer raised their quarterly dividend today 12/16/13 by 8.3% to $0.26 from $0.24 per share per share quarterly.  That is their 301st consecutive quarterly dividend.  Not a bad record.

General Electric raised their quarterly dividend 16% from $0.19 per share to $0.22 per share.  Another raise I am happy to receive as a shareowner.

Prospect Capital Corporation continues their fractional dividend raises every month through June 2014.  This company is a BDC that pays monthly dividends of $0.113 a share currently.

Walt Disney Company raised their annual dividend 15% from $0.75 per share to $0.86 per share.  A happy owner in a seperate ESPP account from a few years ago.  I wish I had more shares and at the prices I paid in the past.

AT&T raised their quarterly dividend last Friday 2.2% from $0.45 a share to $0.46 per share.

Mastercard raised the quarterly dividend 83% to $1.10 a share.  Also announced was a 10 for 1 stock split with the quarterly dividend being paid at a rate of $0.11 post split.  Mastercard also approved a buyback of $3.5 Billion worth of Class A common shares.

Archer Daniels Midlan raised their quarterly dividend 26% also today from $0.19 to $0.24 per share.  Citing strong cash flow generation an future earnings power.  They plan on changing the policy of paying out 20-25% of earnings in dividends to targeting 25-30% in the future to more directly let shareholders participate in the success.  ADM also announced the intention to buyback 18 million shares or $725 million at current prices back from shareholders by the end of 2014 to offset dilution.

Sources: Etrade Financial Corporation

Disclosure: Long DIS, PSEC, GE, BA

Dividend Update-November 2013

As we enter the final month of the year I am happy to report my November dividend total.  I thank God I am able to work and be in good health and provide these updates.  The markets have been rising throughout most of the year, but the plan remains intact to acquire income producing assets that one day cover all my expenses.  When this happens I can choose whether I want to work more, less, or not at all.  December has started off with a welcome pullback maybe a bit overdue.  Realty Income, BP, TGT, Prospect, ARCP, and WMT are some names I've been watching.  Although I keep an eye on a large list of companies in my portfolio my interests can change based on the value or discounts I can find.  I hope these updates provide inspiration for others to take control of their own portfolios and be responsible for their own actions instead of relying or blaming others when their returns are not met.  I continue to be inspired by my other fellow bloggers I have listed in my Blogs I follow page.

Dividend Update-October 2013

October has passed and I am glad to report my dividend income for the month. I received some money for owning a portion of the some of the World's top companies. Some of these companies I purchased years ago and some more recently, but all provided me the opportunity to just let the shares sit in my account while they continue to meet their operations and grow their business. In the process of growing the business they decided to reward me as a loyal shareholder. I feel blessed and appreciated to be rewarded with this passive income. I agree with companies decisions to pay out dividends to shareholders, because I would rather have a portion of the earnings then trust a manager to have the opportunity to squander it or reinvest it in ways that for whatever reason don't work out during an uncertain economy. I continue my plan with the structure being to reinvest it back into the businesses that paid the dividend and compound my shares and dividend income month after month and year after year. My October 2013 dividend income was as follows:

Exciting week in the markets so far!

It has been a good few days for me so far this week in the markets.  Yesterday Kimberly Clark rallied big on earnings and followed through today.  Today Boeing smashed the estimates and soared like their famous new plane that has been delayed many times the 787.

Then also this morning ARCP announced a proposed merger with COLE.  I own shares in both companies and they had been fighting over COLE turning down a couple offers from ARCP in the past that resulted in ARCP CEO Nicholas Scorsch calling a COLE executive a liar I recalled reading in the past.  There is a offer on the table and I would have the option to receive a specified amount of cash per share for my COLE shares or 1.0929 shares worth of ARCP for every COLE share owned.  I think I would likely take the shares as with all the ARCP acquisitions and mergers this will make them the World's largest REIT. It would result in an enterprise value of $21.5 Billion Market Cap and the dividend will be raised again to boot.  I can't argue as a shareholder with raises in my monthly dividend income and a stronger portfolio and company for leverage in the REIT industry.  I am considering trying to add to these positions in the future as both plan to continue normal operations and dividend payments until the merger is completed.  I'm still trying to read and learn about the details of this merger, but also looking for attractive income producing securities to welcome to my account.

What about you?  Having a good week with earnings?  Own any ARCP or COLE?

Fidelity 403(b) plan holdings

My employer retirement plan is through Fidelity and I do not receive a match.  I contribute to the plan at varying percentages over time depending on many factors.  These are my current funds holdings and prices as of 10/18/13:


Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)  $97.53/share
Fidelity Diversified International (FDIVX) $35.82/share
Fidelity Cash Reserves (FDRXX)  $1.00/share
Fidelity Freedom Index 2050 W (FIPFX)  $14.67/share
Spartan Long Term Idx Adv (FLBAX)  $11.53/share
Fidelity Select Gold (FSAGX)  $20.55/share
Fidelity Select Defense (FSDAX)  $115.48/share
Fidelity Select Energy (FSENX)  $64.52/share
Fidelity Select Healthcare (FSPHX)  $185.81/share
RS Partners A (RSPFX)  $42.69/share
Fidelity High Income (SPHIX)  $9.37/share
Vanguard Total BD MKT IDX (VBTIX)  $10.70/share
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund (VINIX)  $159.93/share

Dividend Update-September 2013

September has passed and I am glad to report my dividend income for the month.  I received some money for owning a portion of the some of the World's top companies.  Some of these companies I purchased years ago and some more recently, but all provided me the opportunity to just let the shares sit in my account while they continue to meet their operations and grow their business.  In the process of growing the business they decided to reward me as a loyal shareholder.  I feel blessed and appreciated to be rewarded with this passive income.  I agree with companies decisions to pay out dividends to shareholders, because I would rather have a portion of the earnings then trust a manager to have the opportunity to squander it or reinvest it in ways that for whatever reason don't work out during an uncertain economy.  I continue my plan with the structure being to reinvest it back into the businesses that paid the dividend and compound my shares and dividend income month after month and year after year.  My September dividend income was as follows:

Watchlist

I apologize that it has been a while since i have posted anything here.  I continue to follow all the wonderful bloggers out there, but have been busy with work and school.  The markets are still up big from QE being extended again.  Some stocks have performed exceptional the last couple weeks.  Good to be a part owner of companies like 3M and Boeing .    I will be watching for one of the largest REIT IPO's in history in early October in Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT).  I will also be scouring through multiple stocks and sectors looking to narrow down watch lists.  STAG and Chambers Street (CSG) are switching to monthly dividends in Q4.  Some REIT's and BDC's look attractive for price and yield if can correctly analyze them and management to make sure the yield is safe in the foreseeable future.  I am looking to diversify eventually further and see KMI as a favorite amonst everyone.  Going to have to try and look into the opportunities of income that may generate if I initiate a position.  While many solid favorites of Dividend Investors are expensive I hope to find the bull market with dividends.  It is always nice to get capital appreciation and have the cake and eat it, but a temporary correction would also be welcome to average down on some equities while reinvesting and producing even higher dividends through lower stock prices/total cost.  What is on your watchlists?