Recent Buy: Philip Morris International

Sep 25, 2015: Bought 34 shares of PM at $81.27 per share.

Headquartered in New York City, Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE:PM) is the leading international tobacco company, with 7 of the world's top 15 international brands, including Marlboro, the number one cigarette brand worldwide. The company’s products are sold in more than 180 markets outside of the United States. PM was incorporated in 1987.

PM is a Dividend Challenger with a streak of 7 consecutive years of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends of $1.02 per share in the months of March, June, September and December.

Monthly Review: August 2015

In January 2014, I wrote a post on the balcony of our mini suite on the Norwegian Epic, en route to the Caribbean. My wife and I were celebrating our 28th anniversary by taking our first ever cruise as a married couple.

Last week we did our second cruise, this time an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Jewel. What an amazing experience! Alaska sure is a beautiful state! What made this cruise even more special is that we were accompanied by my parents and celebrating their 80th and 79th birthdays!

So, this post reflecting on August's portfolio performance is somewhat late...

7 Dividend Increases, September 7 To September 18, 2015

Includes: AIZ • ATNI • MSFT • O • PM • TXN • WPC

Summary

• I monitor dividend increases for stocks on my watch list of dividend growth stocks to identify candidates for further analysis and to make yield on cost adjustments for stocks I own.
• In the past 2 weeks, 7 companies on my watch list announced dividend increases, including 3 holdings in my DivGro portfolio. 
• Companies that regularly increase dividends show confidence in future earnings growth potential.

8 Dividend Increases, August 16 To September 4, 2015

Includes: BANF • BNS • EAT • HRS • ITC • NJR • SLH • VZ

Summary

• For dividend growth investors, regular dividend increases are important. Dividend increases that match or exceed the rate of inflation are preferred.
• I track dividend increases for stocks in my watch list to identify candidates for further analysis and possible investment.
• In the last 3 weeks, 8 companies on my watch list announced dividend increases.

Recent Buy: Apple Inc

This article originally appeared on The DIV-Net on Wednesday, 2 September 2015. 

Jul 30, 2015: Bought 22 shares of AAPL at $121.98 per share.
Aug 10, 2015: Bought 22 shares of AAPL at $118.43 per share.

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. The company also sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content. AAPL was founded in 1977.