Monthly dividend stocks are growing in popularity. They offer investors all the benefits of traditional dividend-paying stocks, like predictable income, capital appreciation potential, and a buffer against market volatility.
But they send out payments each month rather than on a quarterly basis.
A growing number of companies recognize the value of delivering dividends to shareholders on a more frequent schedule.
Monthly dividend stocks are growing in popularity. They offer investors all the benefits of traditional dividend-paying stocks, like predictable income, capital appreciation potential, and a buffer against market volatility.
But they send out payments each month rather than on a quarterly basis.
A growing number of companies recognize the value of delivering dividends to shareholders on a more frequent schedule.
Here are four monthly dividend stocks to consider...
Stocks that pay dividends are a top choice for income in today's low-interest environment.
Compare dividend stocks to the income alternatives. U.S. Treasury yields sit near historic lows. Nearly 22% of total developed market countries' debt carries a negative yield.
Meanwhile, most stocks that pay dividends have increased yields. And they offer investors the chance at capital appreciation.
Special dividends - separate one-time payouts in addition to a company's regular (if any) dividend - are on the rise. Special dividend payment amounts jumped 49% from January through September 2014.
Special dividends are typically larger than normal dividend payouts. Companies usually declare them after an especially strong quarter or year, or when their cash reserve grows significantly.
Here are the nine companies that announced special dividends during the week ending Feb. 6.
Dividend Investing News, Feb. 9, 2015: Stocks that sport attractive and growing dividends are still the best option for income seekers as interest rates remain low.
More than half of S&P 500 companies currently yield more than the 10-year Treasury note's 1.93%. Plus, dividend stocks offer an added bonus of potential capital appreciation.
Last week's Dow Jones performance is yet another reason to buy stocks that pay dividends. The index shed nearly 500 points.
Dividend payers tend to be less volatile than nonpayers and hold up better when the market slips. In 2008, dividend-paying stocks lost an average of 39% on a total-return basis. But nonpayers shed 45.4%. In 2002, nonpayers plunged 30.3%. Dividend stocks lost just 10.9%.
Here's a list of 33 notable payout hikes and special dividends from the week ending Jan. 30, 2015...
It's still a great time to look for more value in dividend-paying stocks as interest rates remain low.
Indeed, more than half of S&P 500 stocks sport a dividend yield above the 10-year Treasury's 1.82%. Further, dividend stocks offer capital appreciation potential. Investors can't get that from Treasuries.
Dividend Investing News, Jan. 19, 2015: Pilgrim's Pride (NYSE: PPC) surprised investors last Thursday when it announced it's returning some $1.5 billion to shareholders via a special cash dividend.
Investors of record Jan. 30 will receive $5.77 a share payable on Feb. 17. PPC shares surged nearly 10% on the news.
FY2014 saw a total of $54.8 billion in dividend increases, and 3,308 dividend-paying stocks hiked payouts last year. That's a 14.3% increase over the number of payouts in 2013.
2015 could set another record for dividend payments. But investors do need to be aware of the effect of plunging oil prices.
There are no signs of a yield slowdown just yet - dividend boosts were robust last week.
Following are the 23 dividend stocks that raised payouts during the week ending Jan. 9.
Dividend hikes continue to roll in as 2014 comes to a close - just take a look at our new dividend-paying stocks list.
Over the last two weeks, 58 companies sweetened payouts, including AT&T (NYSE: T), Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).
Following are 25 of the most notable, recent dividend stock hikes.
It's been a bigger-than-average year for special dividends. These one-time payouts have jumped a whopping 49% year to date through September (Q3), to 559 from 375.
Paid separately from a company's regular recurring (if any) dividend, special dividends are typically larger than normal dividend payouts.
Following are the six special dividends announced during the week ending Dec. 12, 2014.
Amid six years of near-zero interest rates, income-hungry investors have increasingly turned to dividend-paying stocks.
Companies have taken note by sweetening distributions. This year is on track to set a milestone for total dividend payouts.
Forty dividend stocks boosted payouts last week, including Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and General Electric (NYSE: GE).
Following are 25 notable hikes from the week ending Dec. 12.
Our new dividend-paying stocks list for this week includes 25 companies that have just hiked their payouts or delivered a special dividend for investors.
Investing in dividend stocks remains a popular choice as we near 2015. We've now hit six years of near-zero interest rates and an aging bull market.
Following are the notable dividend enrichments from the week ending Nov. 28, 2014.
Stocks that pay dividends continue to dish out payout hikes and special enrichments to reward investors. In fact, dividend increases are forecast to be in the double digits this year.
That would make 2014 the third year in a row dividends have risen by 10% or more.
In addition to payout hikes, another way dividend-paying stocks reward investors is with special dividends - and they're on the rise.
Twenty-seven companies announced special dividends over the last three weeks. Payouts ranged from a few cents to several dollars.
It's still a perfect time to look for more opportunities in dividend-paying stocks. Interest rates will remain low for months.
Money markets and CDs pay next to nothing. Stocks that sport attractive and growing dividends, many with yields high enough to compete with bonds, are the best option for income seekers.
