Dividend Stock News

As the stock market appears to be on the downturn, dividends stocks look more appealing.  Moreover, the value of such stocks regardless of market conditions has improved since 2000.   John Gin writes:

Since the dividend resurgence started early in the new millennium, stocks that pay dividends have steadily overcome their reputation as lackluster performers. In fact, according to Standard & Poor’s, dividend-paying companies returned 18.4 percent in 2006, compared with 13.7 percent for stocks of companies not paying dividends. That means, dividend-paying investments are not only offering the potential for steady income, capital gains have become an added bonus.

S&P tracks high dividend Asian stocks with it S&P Pan Asia 50 High Dividend Index:

The S&P Pan Asia 50 High Dividend Index is designed to measure the performance of 50 Pan-Asian stocks that have high dividend yields. Only high dividend paying stocks from Japan, Australia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore are eligible for membership.

Stratton Monthly Dividend REIT (STMDX)

Stratton Monthly Dividend REIT Shares (SMDS) may be for investors who desire an investment that focuses on income and are investing for retirement or other long-term goals.

The Fund is managed to provide a high level of monthly income to its shareholders and therefore looks for companies that have strong dividend payouts. The Fund needs higher yielding securities to attempt to maintain its dividend payout. Real Estate Investment Trusts or REITs satisfy this income requirement, while also offering the potential for dividend growth and capital appreciation.

Initial Investment: $1000

Expense ratio: .95%

Blackrock Dividend Achievers Trust (BDV)

BlackRock Dividend Achievers Trust (the Trust) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Trust may invest substantially all, but not less than 80%, of its total assets in common stocks that are included in the Mergent, Inc.’s universe of Dividend Achievers. To qualify as a Dividend Achiever, an issuer must have raised its annual regular cash dividend, on a pre-tax basis, for at least each of the last 10 consecutive calendar years. The Trust invests in sectors, such as financial institutions, energy, consumer products, healthcare, telecommunications, real estate, conglomerates, basic materials, automotive, industrials and technology.

Expense ratio of .84% and is heavily weighted in financial and utility, so is sensitive to interest rate changes.

Here is a list:

• ING Global Equity Divid.&Premium Opp (IGD)
• iShares DVY
• SPDR Dividend
  
• PowerShares High Gr. Rate Div Achv
• PowerShares Intl. Dividend Achiev
  
• PowerShares High Yld. Dividend Acheivers
  
• SPDR Dividend (SDY)

Ave Maria Rising Dividend (AVEDX)

The investment seeks increasing dividend income over time, long term growth of capital, and a reasonable level of current income. The fund invests at least 80% of net assets in common stocks of dividend-paying companies that the advisor expects to increase their dividends over time and also provide long-term growth of capital. It invests in companies that do not violate the core values and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Invest morally!

Minimum investment: $1000.

Ivy Dividend Income A (IVDAX)

The investment seeks to provide income and long-term capital growth. The fund normally invests in dividend-paying common stocks that demonstrate favorable prospects for long-term capital growth. The fund primarily invests in domestic securities but may also invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities.

Minimum initial purchase: $500

iShares Select Dividend Index (DVY)

The iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Dow Jones Select Dividend Index.

Waddell & Reed Advisors Dividend Inc Y (WDVYX)

The fund invests primarily in dividend-paying common stocks that demonstrate favorable prospects for long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80% of net assets in dividend paying equity securities of domestic, and to a lesser extent, foreign companies which may include without limitation dividend paying common stocks, preferred stocks or convertible preferred stocks.

Franklin Rising Dividends A (FRDPX)

“The fund invests at least 80% of net assets in equity securities of financially sound companies that have paid consistently rising dividends.”

Initial Investment Required: $1000