It's time for our check-in on companies that are likely to raise dividends in the next month. Read on for details... Read More

It's time for our check-in on companies that are likely to raise dividends in the next month. Read on for details... Read More

The excess froth has been removed from the market and this group is priced more attractively than it has been in recent memory... Read More

The excess froth has been removed from the market and this group is priced more attractively than it has been in recent memory... Read More

In an earlier article, I discussed an emerging trend that should make income investors take notice. In short, it has to do with the way companies pay dividends — particularly in the resources and energy sectors. It’s called a variable return of capital (VROC), and it works like it sounds. Rather than peg their dividend at a fixed rate and praying that the price of the commodity the company is reliant on producing doesn’t crater, more companies are moving to a payment based on operating results and cash flow. As I explained earlier, dividend policies like this are… Read More

In an earlier article, I discussed an emerging trend that should make income investors take notice. In short, it has to do with the way companies pay dividends — particularly in the resources and energy sectors. It’s called a variable return of capital (VROC), and it works like it sounds. Rather than peg their dividend at a fixed rate and praying that the price of the commodity the company is reliant on producing doesn’t crater, more companies are moving to a payment based on operating results and cash flow. As I explained earlier, dividend policies like this are common in Europe, but haven’t really caught on here in the U.S. until recently. Sure, it’s nice to know exactly what kind of payment you’re going to get every 90 days. But sometimes the business cycle has other plans — especially the energy sector (or any other commodity for that matter). Fortunately, one of our big winners over at High-Yield Investing recently implemented a policy that strikes a balance between the two approaches. The result: investors will enjoy a reliable, stable dividend while being rewarded in up cycles with an extra bonus. What’s not to like about that? The… Read More

Most of us are used to getting paid dividends at a fixed rate. But some companies in cyclical businesses are taking a different approach... Read More

Most of us are used to getting paid dividends at a fixed rate. But some companies in cyclical businesses are taking a different approach... Read More

Suffice it to say, this story is far from over. And there will be plenty of ways for investors of all risk appetites to profit... Read More

Suffice it to say, this story is far from over. And there will be plenty of ways for investors of all risk appetites to profit... Read More

As a new CEO steps in and takeover rumors mount, who will win the bidding war: Amazon, Nike, Apple -- or someone else? Read More

As a new CEO steps in and takeover rumors mount, who will win the bidding war: Amazon, Nike, Apple -- or someone else? Read More

Back in the summer of 1996, and I had a few months to relax before starting my senior year of college. I wasn’t really looking for work, but like most students, was a little short on funds. So when I saw a poster for a marketing intern position (this was long before internet job sites), I decided to turn in an application. A few days later, I was the newest hire at Premier Bank, a Baton-Rouge-based lender with 150 branches scattered throughout Louisiana. The position had nothing to do with my chosen fields of finance and investment management. But it… Read More

Back in the summer of 1996, and I had a few months to relax before starting my senior year of college. I wasn’t really looking for work, but like most students, was a little short on funds. So when I saw a poster for a marketing intern position (this was long before internet job sites), I decided to turn in an application. A few days later, I was the newest hire at Premier Bank, a Baton-Rouge-based lender with 150 branches scattered throughout Louisiana. The position had nothing to do with my chosen fields of finance and investment management. But it was an easy gig. My primary responsibility was to rotate from branch to branch instructing customers how to deposit checks using the ATM. How things change. Today, you can make an electronic deposit from your mobile phone without ever leaving the house. I came onboard during a time of transition. Premier Bank had been recently acquired by Bank One. So with new branding inside and new signage outside, much of my workday also consisted of informing customers of the switch and assuring them that their accounts were still in good hands. I’ve probably still got an old Bank One checkbook… Read More

One of my favorite income machines has just acquired one of its smaller cross-town neighbors. It’s a master limited partnership (MLP) that’s grown payouts year after year, not to mention serious long-term capital gains. For those who missed it, I made the case for why income-hungry investors should take a serious look at MLPs in 2022 in this article. It’s one of the few areas of the market that still offer high yields – not to mention serious upside. The thing is, the market seems to be completely uninterested in this (and other) MLPs right now. You might even… Read More

One of my favorite income machines has just acquired one of its smaller cross-town neighbors. It’s a master limited partnership (MLP) that’s grown payouts year after year, not to mention serious long-term capital gains. For those who missed it, I made the case for why income-hungry investors should take a serious look at MLPs in 2022 in this article. It’s one of the few areas of the market that still offer high yields – not to mention serious upside. The thing is, the market seems to be completely uninterested in this (and other) MLPs right now. You might even think the days of growing payouts are in the rearview mirror. But thanks to this new acquisition, the prospects for even higher dividends in the future are looking brighter than ever. I’m talking about Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD). EPD is one of the first names that come to mind when you think of the MLP space. Of course, when you own 50,000 miles of pipelines (enough to circle the planet twice) just about all other rivals will look small in comparison. These vital conduits transport crude oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, and refined products such as gasoline. EPD’s network serves… Read More