Dividend Increases, July 16-31, 2014

On the last day of July, the markets took a significant nosedive. The Dow shed more than 300 points and the S&P 500 tumbled nearly 2%. Argentina's second default in 12 years is being blamed, along with fears that yesterday's strong GDP numbers could move the Fed to start raising interest rates.

As dividend growth investors, days like today shouldn't bother us too much. Dividends are not affected by stock market volatility. In fact, lower prices mean greater opportunities to pick up bargains!

Taking a Break

No, I'm not taking a break from DivGro. The title of this post is an encouragement to take a break; to enjoy life; to smell the roses...

We've just returned from a wonderful vacation in South Africa, where I hiked the Otter Trail with two of my sons. It was an amazing experience, despite some difficulty we experienced crossing the Bloukrans river. I took the photo to the left on the morning of the last day of our hike.

After our hike, one of my sons bungy-jumped off the Bloukrans bridge, the world's highest commercial bungy jumping site! We also had day visits to two national parks, Addo Elephant National Park and Kruger National Park. At Kruger, we were fortunate to see Africa's Big Five game animals in a single day, which is quite rare!

Dividend Increases, July 1-15, 2014

Twice monthly I report on dividend increases announced for stocks in my watch list, to see if any dividend increases have been announced for DivGro stocks. If so, I make yield on cost (YoC) and projected annual dividend income adjustments. Recently, one of the stocks I own (COP) announced a 5.8% dividend increase.

Another reason to monitor dividend increase announcements it to identify new candidates for purchase. When companies announce dividend increases, they show confidence in being able to pay increased dividends. Companies that make aggressive increases pique my interest and I usually take some time to research them.

Recent Buy: IBM

Jul 11, 2014: Bought 14 shares of IBM at $187.91 per share.

Incorporated in 1911 and headquartered in Armonk, New York, International Business Machines (IBM) is an information technology company engaged in the development and manufacturing of advanced computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics.

IBM is a Dividend Contender with a streak of 19 years of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends in March, June, September and December. The current dividend is $1.10 per share, so starting yield on cost is 2.34%. IBM's 5-year dividend growth rate is a solid 14.26%.

Midway Review of 2014 Goals

With 2014 halfway over, I want to review the goals I've set for 2014 and where I stand. Doing so not only helps to monitor progress, but allows me to make strategic adjustments if necessary.

I've set some challenging yet attainable goals for 2014. Of the four goals, three are easily measurable and my progress at the midway point can be expressed in percentage terms. As for the fourth goal, I've made good enough progress to give myself a passing grade. 

10 Dividend Growth Stocks for July, 2014

Each month, in an effort to balance my portfolio holdings across all 10 sectors in my watch list, I search for the best available candidates by sector. My purchases since January have diversified DivGro to at least 2 holdings per sector, except for Materials, in which I have a single holding. I'll continue to bias purchases with the goal to improve DivGro's diversification, but only if I can identify candidates with good dividend yields and strong dividend growth rates trading at a discount to fair value.

Quarterly Review, Q2-2014

Its been a busy quarter! We bought a new house and moved in; we're turning our previous home into a rental property; and we traveled to South Africa to visit our families and to hike the Otter Trail.

I'm really looking forward to hiking the Otter Trail again. We did it in 2001 with our oldest son, who couldn't make it this time around. But I'm taking his two brothers, along with some of their cousins and uncles.

Before tackling the Otter Trail, I'd like to report on the second quarter performance of DivGro. This quarter, I contributed capital funds in the amount of $7,500 to DivGro. Dividend income in Q2 totaled $892, up significantly from $581 received in Q1-2014. I added four dividend growth stocks, DLR, SDRL, PMT and WMT. Projected annual dividend income increased from $3,508 to $4,390, an increase of 25.14%.

Monthly Review, June 2014

I'm in South Africa, preparing for another adventurous hike. A year ago, I mentioned our high adventure hike in New Mexico, a 65 miler over 11 days. This time around, we're hiking about 27 miles over 5 days, starting July 3. I'll report on our adventure later this month.

Before we hike, I'd like to report on the month of June. I added one new stock, WMT, and set a new record for monthly dividend income of $395! Compared with $109 earned in June 2013, this months income represents an increase of 262%! Also, DivGro crossed the 6-figure mark this month!

Dividend Increases, June 15-30, 2014

The first half of 2014 is behind us! Before I post my next monthly and quarterly reports, I'd like to report on dividend increases announced for stocks in my watch list.

This information helps me track the yield on cost (YoC) of stocks I own, as I need to make YoC adjustments when dividends increases (or decreases) are announced. I also use the information to properly track DivGro's projected annual dividend income.

Tracking your DGI Portfolio

Last month, All About Interest posted a nice article about using Google Docs for your portfolio. In his article he describes several ways to import data into a Google Docs spreadsheet. The easiest and most convenient way is to use the GoogleFinance function, which fetches current and historical stock information from Google Finance.

The purpose of this post is to explain the content of the above-mentioned article for readers that are not so technically inclined. I'm not presenting anything new here, except for a sample spreadsheet containing the necessary formulas.

Dividend Increases, June 1-15, 2014

Twice a month I report the dividend increases announced for stocks in my watch list. I compile this information to see if any dividend increases have been announced for DivGro stocks. If so, I make yield on cost (YoC) and projected annual dividend income adjustments. Last week, two of the stocks I own (TGT and CAT) announced substantial dividend increases!

Another reason to monitor dividend increase announcements it to identify new candidates for purchase. When companies announce dividend increases, they show confidence in being able to pay those increased dividends. Significant increases pique my interest – I usually take some time to research the company or companies that make such aggressive moves.

Recent Buy: WMT

Jun 13, 2014: Bought 34 shares of WMT at $75.42 per share.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) is the world's largest retailer. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas and founded in 1945, WMT is a multinational retailer consisting of more than 11,300 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries. It is the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees.

WMT is a Dividend Champion with an impressive streak of 41 years of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends in January, April, July and October. The current dividend is 48¢ per share, so starting yield on cost is 2.55%. WMT's 5-year dividend growth rate is a solid 14.15%.

A glimpse of six figures...

This morning when I checked my account balance, it had crossed the six figure mark for the briefest of time! Six figures! After having started DivGro about 18 months ago, this is certainly a great milestone to reach.

In the 18 months of managing DivGro, my deposits totaled $84,000. DivGro has earned near $2,500 in dividend income, so my capital gains are approaching $13,500. I'm quite pleased with DivGro's performance and I'm on track to meeting my goals for 2014.

10 Dividend Growth Stocks for June, 2014

This year, I've shifted focus to balance my portfolio holdings across all 10 sectors in my watch list. Rather than search for the best available candidates, I search for the best available candidates by sector. DivGro has at least 2 holdings per sector, except for Materials, in which I have a single holding. I'll continue to bias purchases with the goal to improve DivGro's diversification, but only if I can identify candidates with good dividend yields and strong dividend growth rates trading at a discount to fair value.

Monthly Review: May 2014

In the month of May I added only one new stock to DivGro. The good news is that I had another good month as far as dividend income is concerned: I earned $330, compared with $126 earned in May 2013, an increase of 162%!

Dividend Increases, May 17-31, 2014

Time again to report on dividend increases announced for stocks in my watch list. I compile this information to see if any of my DivGro stocks have raised their dividends so I can make yield on cost (YoC) adjustments and properly track DivGro's projected annual dividend income. Another reason is to review dividend increases for stocks I don't own.

Diversify!

One of my goals for 2014 is to increase the number of holdings in DivGro to 36 and to balance those holdings across all 10 sectors in my watch list. I reconstructed my watch list, following a similar approach to the one I use every month to identify 10 candidate stocks. In doing so, I arrived at a new target distribution for stocks by sector. This process of diversifying DivGro is going quite well.

Diversification is a way to reduce risk by adding variety to a portfolio. Assuming individual stocks are not perfectly correlated, the positive returns of some stocks should offset the negative returns of others. According to Investopedia, studies have shown that "maintaining a well-diversified portfolio of 25 to 30 stocks will yield the most cost-effective level of risk reduction". Increasing the number of holdings beyond 25 to 30 stocks will reduce risk further, but at a diminishing rate.

Dividend Increases, May 1-16, 2014

Every two weeks I report on dividend increases announced for stocks in my watch list, mainly to see if any of my DivGro stocks have raised their dividends. When that happens, I make yield on cost (YoC) adjustments and recalculate DivGro's projected annual dividend income. Another reason is to review dividend increases for stocks I don't own to see if some likely candidates present themselves.

Recent Buy: PMT

May 9, 2014: Bought 120 shares of PMT at $20.94 per share.

Founded in 2009 and based in Moorpark, California, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) is a specialty finance company that invests primarily in residential mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets. Operating as a real estate investment trust (REIT), the company is not subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders.

PMT is a Dividend Challenger with a 5-year streak of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends in January, April, July and October. The current dividend is 59¢ per share, so starting yield on cost is an impressive 11.27%.

10 Dividend Growth Stocks for May, 2014

This year, in an effort to balance my portfolio holdings across all 10 sectors in my watch list, I've changed the way I look for candidates. Rather than search for the best available candidates, I search for the best available candidates by sector. My purchases since January have diversified DivGro to at least 2 holdings per sector, except for Materials, in which I have a single holding. I'll continue to bias purchases with the goal to diversify DivGro, but only if I can identify candidates with good dividend yields and strong dividend growth rates trading at a discount to fair value.

Monthly Review: April 2014

In April, I added 2 new stocks to DivGro and compiled a new watch list. The additions pushed DivGro's projected annual dividend income above $4,000! This means I'll be earning $4,000 every year in perpetuity, assuming I keep DivGro as is and dividends are not reduced.

According to Wikipedia, a perpetuity is an annuity that has no end, or a stream of cash payments that continues forever. That is exactly what DivGro is for me – a perpetuity.

Of course, I intend to continue adding stocks to DivGro, which will increase the stream of cash payments. Also, since DivGro is a portfolio of dividend growth stocks, I'm expecting the stream of cash payments to increase even if I did not add more stocks to DivGro.

Dividend Increases, April 16-30, 2014

Last month, several stocks in my watch list announced dividend increases. I own shares in no fewer than 6 of these stocks! While ETP's increase is quite small at 1.63%, the other increases vary between 4.76% (APU) and 10% (TRV). Any dividend increase above 7% is great in my mind, as that certainly beats inflation and, therefore, represents real growth.

The reason I compile this information is to monitor dividend increases for stocks I own in DivGro so I can make yield on cost (YoC) adjustments and properly track DivGro's projected annual dividend income. Another reason is to review dividend increases for stocks in my watch list that I don't own, to see if any interesting candidates present themselves.

Recent Buy: SDRL

Apr 25, 2014: Bought 72 shares of SDRL at $34.91 per share.

Established in 2005 as a Bermuda-based company, Seadrill Limited (SDRL) is an offshore deepwater drilling contractor providing worldwide services to the oil and gas industry. The company operates an extensive fleet comprising of drill ships, jack-up rigs, semi-submersible rigs and tender rigs for operations in shallow to ultra-deepwater areas and harsh and benign environments.

SDRL is a Dividend Challenger with a 5-year streak of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends in March, June, September, and December. Starting Yield on Cost (YoC) is an impressive 11.23%.

Recent Buy: DLR

Apr 25, 2014: Bought 48 shares of DLR at $52.73 per share.

Digital Realty (DLR) is one of the 20 largest publicly-traded U.S. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with an equity market capitalization of approximately $7 billion. The company, through its controlling interest in Digital Realty Trust, L.P. and subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, owns, acquires, repositions and manages technology-related real estate.

DLR is a Dividend Contender with a 10-year streak of dividend increases. It pays quarterly dividends in March, June, September and December. The current dividend is 83¢ per share, so starting yield on cost is 6.30%.

My New Watch List of Dividend Growth Stocks

Of all the pages on my blog, I tinker with my Watch List page most. The list contains tickers of candidate dividend growth stocks, organized by sector. It is a subset of Dave Fish's CCC stocks (Dividend Champions, Contenders, and Challengers), plus a small selection of non-CCC dividend paying stocks.

My goal with this post is to reconstruct my watch list by using a similar approach to the one I use every month to identify 10 candidate stocks. Additionally, I want to figure out what sector-balanced really means. I don't think it means having the same number of stocks in each sector.