Updating my Quality Scoring System

I use a quality scoring system modeled after David Van Knapp's Quality Snapshots, an elegant system for assessing the quality of dividend growth stocks.

This article describes my (updated) quality scoring system and how I rank dividend growth stocks by quality scores. It also explains how my system differs from Quality Snapshots.

The main purpose of using a quality scoring system is not to make final buy or sell decisions but to identify candidates for further research. The scoring system is stringent, but that doesn't mean the highest-quality stocks are always suitable for investment. Valuation must be considered after vetting a candidate's suitability through further research.

AbbVie Dividend Increase

On 30 October, AbbVie (ABBV) increased its quarterly dividend by 5.81%, from $1.55 to $1.64 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 15 February 2025 to shareholders of record on 15 January 2025. The ex-dividend date is 15 January 2025.

ABBV's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $36 to $656.

Visa Dividend Increase

On 29 October, Visa (V) increased its quarterly dividend by 13.46%, from 52¢ to 59¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 2 December to shareholders of record on 12 November. The ex-dividend date is 12 November.

V's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $28 to $236.

Brown & Brown Dividend Increase

On 23 October, Brown & Brown (BRO) increased its quarterly dividend by 15.38%, from 13¢ to 15¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 13 November to shareholders of record on 6 November. The ex-dividend date is 6 November.

BRO's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $22.40 to $168.00.

October 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the OCTOBER edition of my DivGro 2.0 newsletter!

I apologize for being late with this edition. Work is getting busy, and we have several looming deadlines. The first is to finish a trailer for our 2025 film, Elio.

In this month's edition, I provide a quick market recap and an overview of my DivGro portfolio (as of 30 September 2024). Check back next month for new top-10 lists.

Starbucks Dividend Increase

On 23 October, Starbucks (SBUX) increased its quarterly dividend by 7.02%, from 57¢ to 61¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 29 November to shareholders of record on 15 November. The ex-dividend date is 15 November.

SBUX's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $27.20 to $414.80.

Rollins Dividend Increase

On 22 October, Rollins (ROL) increased its quarterly dividend by 10%, from 15¢ to 16.5¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 10 December to shareholders of record on 12 November. The ex-dividend date is 12 November.

ROL's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $18 to $198.

Home Run Number 53

Recently, DivGro delivered my 53^rd Home Run stock. When a stock in my portfolio doubles my original investment in total returns, I assign it Home Run status. 

I invest in high-quality dividend growth stocks. Unless the underlying fundamentals change, there's rarely a reason to sell these stocks. And if I hold them long enough, they'll eventually double my original investment in total returns and become Home Run stocks!

Undervalued Dividend Kings: October 2024

Dividend Kings are exceptional dividend companies that have increased their annual dividend payouts for 50 or more consecutive years. This achievement is remarkable because these companies have delivered ever-increasing dividends to investors through economic recessions, market crashes, technological revolutions, and changes in consumer tastes!

In this article, I rank the Dividend Kings by quality score and present undervalued stocks for further research and possible investment. 

To determine if stocks are undervalued, I use these valuation screens:

Lockheed Martin Dividend Increase

On 3 October, Lockheed Martin (LMT) increased its quarterly dividend by 4.76%, from $3.15 to $3.30 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 27 December to shareholders of record on 2 December. The ex-dividend date is 2 December.

LMT's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $24 to $528.

Honeywell International Dividend Increase

On 27 September, Honeywell International (HON) increased its quarterly dividend by 4.63%, from $1.08 to $1.13 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 6 December to shareholders of record on 15 November. The ex-dividend date is 15 November. 

HON's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $16 to $452.00.

Accenture Dividend Increase

On 26 September, Accenture (ACN) increased its quarterly dividend by 14.73%, from $1.29 to $1.48 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 15 November to shareholders of record on 10 October. The ex-dividend date is 10 October. 

ACN's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $60.80 to $473.60.

McDonald's Dividend Increase

On 26 September, McDonald's (MCD) increased its quarterly dividend by 5.99%, from $1.67 to $1.77 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 16 December to shareholders of record on 2 December. The ex-dividend date is 2 December. 

MCD's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $30 to $531.

Microsoft Dividend Increase

On 17 September, Microsoft (MSFT) increased its quarterly dividend by 10.67%, from 75¢ to 83¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 12 December to shareholders of record on 21 November. The ex-dividend date is 21 November.

MSFT's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $25.60 to $265.60.

Realty Income Dividend Increase

On 10 September, Realty Income (O) increased its monthly dividend by 0.19%, from 26.30¢ to 26.35¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 15 October to shareholders of record on 1 October. The ex-dividend date is 1 October.

O's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $1.50 to $790.50.

Broadcom Dividend Increase

On 5 September, Broadcom (AVGO) increased its quarterly dividend by 0.95%, from 52.5¢ to 53¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 30 September to shareholders of record on 19 September. The ex-dividend date is 19 September.

This is an unusually small increase for AVGO, likely aimed at smoothing out its fractional dividend following the company's 10-for-1 stock split. I expect AVGO to announce a more significant increase in December. 

AVGO's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $2 to $212.

Verizon Communications Dividend Increase

On 5 September, Verizon Communications (VZ) increased its quarterly dividend by 1.88%, from 66.50¢ to 67.75¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 1 November to shareholders of record on 10 October. The ex-dividend date is 10 October.

VZ's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $25 to $1355.

September 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the SEPTEMBER edition of my DivGro 2.0 newsletter!

The September Newsletter provides a quick market recap and overview of my DivGro portfolio (as of 31 August 2024). It also reveals four new top-10 lists of discounted stocks!

In August, I added shares to six positions and trimmed four positions. DivGro still contains 76 positions.

I'm continuing to align DivGro more closely to its desired target weights. 

10 Undervalued Dividend Growth Stocks: August 2024

After taking two months off from my 10 Dividend Growth Stocks series, I'm refocusing the series to identify top-ranked undervalued stocks. 

By implication, such stocks are suitable candidates for your dividend growth portfolio because they're high-quality dividend growth stocks trading at or below fair value. 

This month, I'm presenting the ten top-ranked undervalued DG stocks in Dividend Radar. In future articles, I'll use additional screens to focus on other aspects of dividend growth investing. 

Altria Dividend Increase

On 22 August, Altria (MO) increased its quarterly dividend by 4.08%, from 98¢ to $1.02 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 10 October to shareholders of record on 16 September. The ex-dividend date is 16 September.

MO's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $48 to $1,224.

August 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the AUGUST edition of my DivGro 2.0 newsletter!

The August Newsletter provides a quick market recap and overview of my DivGro portfolio (as of 31 July 2024). It also reveals four new top-10 lists!

In July, I opened two new positions and added shares to three existing positions. Additionally, I closed two positions and reduced my holdings in two positions.

I'm continuing to align DivGro more closely to its desired target weights. 

Illinois Tool Works Dividend Increase

On 2 August, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) increased its quarterly dividend by 7.14%, from $1.40 to $1.50 per share.

The dividend will be paid on 11 October to shareholders of record on 30 September. The ex-dividend date is 30 September.

ITW's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $34.00 to $510.

American States Water Dividend Increase

On 1 August, American States Water (AWR) increased its quarterly dividend by 8.30%, from 43¢ to 46.56¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 3 September to shareholders of record on 16 August. The ex-dividend date is 16 August.

AWR's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $34.08 to $446.88.

Mondelez Dividend Increase

On 1 August, Mondelez (MDLZ) increased its quarterly dividend by 10.59%, from 42.5¢ to 47¢ per share.

The dividend will be paid on 14 October to shareholders of record on 30 September. The ex-dividend date is 30 September.

MDLZ's contribution to DivGro's projected annual dividend income will increase by $36 to $376.

Home Run Number 52

Today, DivGro delivered my 52^nd Home Run stock. When a stock in my portfolio doubles my original investment in total returns, I assign it Home Run status. 

This is a milestone worth celebrating!

As a dividend growth investor, I invest in high-quality dividend growth stocks. Unless the underlying fundamentals change, there's rarely a reason to sell these stocks. And if I hold dividend growth stocks long enough, eventually they'll double my original investment in total returns and become Home Run stocks!