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U.S. DRiPs
Moderator is David Fish
Date: 1/2/2009 12:40:23 AM
Frequently Asked Questions
Author: Rascal 
Subject: 16439/20417 -
Updated U.S. Dividend Champions
Under INfo/Forms/Tools above, the updated version (through 12/31/08) has now been posted.
Of note: There were no dividend decreases during the month, but more companies seem to be delaying their usual increases, so there are a lot more dates in Red. Generally, these companies can still keep their streaks alive by increasing the payout at any time during 2009.
Thanks for the updated chart, Dave, but I'm wondering two things:
Why are most of the companies listed as not having DRIPs, when to my understanding most of them do? Under the DRIP column, they are listed as N. I just purchased AFL and it does have a DRIP, yet it is indicated as not having one. Am I misunderstanding the chart?
Second, could you please tell me what the % INC refers to?
Thanks,
Rascal
Am I misunderstanding the chart?
Yes, you are. The column headings are for DRIP Fees. So an 'N' means No fee...for either dividend reinvestment (DR) or stock purchase (SP). If a compnay doesn't have a DRIP, then the fee columns show it as a dash.
Second, could you please tell me what the % INC refers to?
That's the percent of the latest increase.
Be sure to check the Notes tab for explanations of the columns, etc., and methodology.
The updated U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
Of note this month:
1. Three deletions (Pfizer, Marshall & Ilsley, and Washington Federal) due to dividend cuts, along with one deleted Contender (SunTrust).
2. Recent increases have been small...often a half-penny per share, knocking the average most recent increase down to 9.30% from 9.59%.
3. The average stock price fell from $35.71 to $32.75...led by some sharp declines in the financials...raising the average yield from 3.92% to 4.57%.
4. I've highlighted yields above 10% (there are eight of them) as these tend to indicate risk of a cut. But note that tehre are also a lot of companies yielding 7, 8, or 9%...and many cuts have come at those levels. The highest yielder, Gannett, has already indicated that its board would consider a cut at its February meeting.
5. A number of companies will reach the anniversary of their most recent increase in February, including Diebold, with the longest streak. So these are "on the spot," although they still keep their streaks alive by increasing the payout at any time in 2009, possibly joining the recent trend to pay the same amount for five or more quarters.
Makes you wonder just how much they all value their listings on Dividend Champions and Dividend Aristocrats lists. If they are actually concerned with creating long term shareholder value and being a covetted holding, they should value it very much.
I certainly do. These lists are my shopping lists.
Kev
Doesn't look pretty.
I don't think that most Boards really care much about being a "Dividend Aristocrat."
Cheers -
george
An updated Dividend Champions spreadsheet (through Feb. 27) has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above. (Due to technical difficulties, no PDF version has been created.)
Of note this month...
...Dividend cuts led to 5 deletions, including F.N.B. Corp., GE, Gannett, State Street, and Wilmington Trust. One company was added to the Contenders tab (Progress Energy - 21 years).
...A comparison was added at the bottom for the year-ago period, in this case 2/29/08.
...As of the end of February, the average price, yield, and latest increase % for 120 companies were: $29.80, 4.93%, and 8.77%, respectively, compared with $32.75, 4.57%, and 9.30% one month earlier and $43.72, 3.13%, and 10.15% a year ago.
An updated spreadsheet (and PDF) through 3/31/09 has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been updated through 4/30/09, under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The updated U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) is now available under INfo/Forms/Tools above (on the upper left).
Of note this month:
...With three dividend cuts, the main listing is now down to 109 companies. Although the pace of the cuts seems to be slowing a bit, there are quite a few companies that have delayed their usual, annual increases, paying the same amount for five or more quarters. (Dates in red) So there is a potential for a mass deletion at the end of 2009 of companies that paid the same total in 2008 and 2009.
...the Contenders tab has been expanded to include companies that have increased their dividend for 15 or more years, bringing that listing to 70 companies (up from 27 previously). Even in this group, there are a number of "overdue" companies.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 6/30 and appear under Info-Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been updated as of 8/31/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 9/30/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
Thanks for the update. I am a 42 y.o. about to start dripping and am a n00b at this. I've been doing research on various companies. As part of starting my drips, I'd like to invest in at least 8 companies covering a broad spectrum.
So I have a question about industry sectors. I see there are several different schemes, such as the Industry Classification Benchmark and Global Industry Classification Standard. In addition it seems like financial websites, such as Yahoo and Zacks, use their own schemes? Which classification does the US Dividend Champions use? What do most people use?
Thank you,
Bertman
I use somewhat broad categories (With suggestions)
1) Energy (XOM, XTO, BP)
2) Utilities (EXC, TEG, ATO)
3) Food (PEP, KO, MCD, FLO)
4) Consumer Goods (PG, CLX, CL, WMT)
5) Pharmaceuticals (NVS, JNJ)
6) Medical Devices (ABT, BDX)
7) Transportation (UNP)
8) Industrial (MMM, RPM, EMR)
9) Technology (INTC, HPQ)
10) Banking (BBT, UBSI, BMO)
11) Insurance (RLI, AFL)
12) Mining
Pick stocks across a broad range and jump in. I try to find stocks that have a sustainable dividend that grows 5-10% every year. Using the Dividend Champions List is a great start.
Which classification does the US Dividend Champions use?
Generally, it uses the industry group that appears on Yahoo, although not always, since some companies are in more than one industry.
As MGK points out, the broad industry sectors are generally split into 10-12 groups, depending on the source. But keep in mind that a "sector" is a higher level than industry groupings. In other words, a sector generally includes several industries, or sub-sectors. So the Dividend Champions, for example, does not specify the higher-level sector breakdown, but rather the lower-level (more specific) industry. For example, the Financial sector may include the banking, brokerage, custody, insurance, investment, and real estate industries.
Thank you for the prompt response. Based on those groupings, I am having some trouble finding good companies for dripping in Industrial Goods and Technology.
My preference is to find good drip companies that I have some personal connection with in some way. For example, I've lived in Cincinnati and Minneapolis in the past. I plan to invest in MMM and PG. I knew many people who worked for these companies and they reward their employees and shareholders. This covers my Conglomerate and Consumer Goods.
Aside from that, I'd like to invest companies that are socially responsible and are moving in directions that I like. I would pick BP for Basic Materials because I like their investment in renewable energies. I would pick NVS for Healthcare as they seem to have a good pipeline and investment in research. I could pick MDT instead (Minneapolis connection), but I want to keep fees to a minimum.
I have a few others I'm currently researching, but I'm a little stuck on Industrial Goods and Technology sectors. The big guy in Technology would be INTC (I certainly have bought enough computers with Intel chips) but I'm looking for something else. Industrial Goods, I have no idea. I suppose I could randomly pick one from the Dividend Champions chart and research that.
Any other advice for the n00b?
Thanks,
Bertman
Industrial Goods, I have no idea. I suppose I could randomly pick one from the Dividend Champions chart and research that.
Any other advice?
You might look at...
Emerson Electric (EMR)
Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Parker-Hannifin (PH)
Pentair Inc. (PNR)
Tennant Company (TNC)
Donaldson Company (DCI)
MDU Resources (MDU)
Praxair Inc. (PX)
Raven Industries (RAVN)
Just some research ideas. Also...
In Healthcare...Becton Dickinson (BDX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), or Beckman Coulter (BEC)
I've been thinking about picking up Microsoft. Similar fees as Intel. Although not even close to a dividend champion since they only started paying dividends in '03.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 12/31/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
[Website Address]
OB
Kathy
The updated spreadsheet and PDF of the U.S. Dividend Champions, through 1/29/10, has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 2/26/10 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 3/31/10 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 4/30/10 under the Info/Forms/Tools above.
Notes:
...This month, I've added a tab for DivHistory listing dividends paid by year from 1999 to 2009 and the 5- and 10-year percentage change.
...NACCO Industries "graduated" from Contender to Champion, bringing the number of Champions back up to 100.
...A sub-title was added to include ADRs (American Depository Receipts) that qualify in U.S. dollar increases. The first to be included is ACE Limited at 18 years on the Contenders tab.
The Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 6/30/10 and are available under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated as of Feb. 28 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
Here's an article about this month's update...
[Website Address]
Good article. It reminded me that I wanted to start a DRiP with Vectren so I have filled out the "paperwork" at MoneyPaper and placed my order.
Cheers -
george
Luckily, Thompson Reuters, while being Canadian, pays its dividends in $US.
I've held it in my retirement account for about 12 years. I'm down about 20% and it has moved sideways ever since. I keep waiting. I should just sell it.
Here's a chart comparing it on both the TSX & NYSE. Because of dollar fluctuation it's currently up about 5% US while being down about 15% Canuck:
[Website Address]
OB
Well, TRI lists its headquarters as being in New York City, and I think that a move took place after the merger between Thomson and Reuters. Yahoo only had dividends back about 8 years, so I had listed it as a Challenger, but its latest increase mentioned the 18-year streak and I confirmed that at the company's website.
(I had looked high and low for something to confirm it as a Canadian corporation, intending to put that in teh Note column, but couldn't find confirmation of that and the website only stated that its headquarters are in NYC.)
I attend the AGM, usually held at Roy Thompson Hall - great food.
[Website Address]
That's in Toronto.
Counts as Canadian content in my accounts.
[Website Address]
OB
I found out today that direct stock purchase is possible through the TA (Wells Fargo) with a minimum initial investment of $500 + $10 one time commission.
This will be my next US DRIP
A
(Current Assets - Total Liabilities)/(number of shares out)
Can someone please elucidate and educate me?
Ihor
(Current Assets - Total Liabilities)/(number of shares out)
All that would give you would be the book value per share.
Of note: There were no dividend decreases during the month, but more companies seem to be delaying their usual increases, so there are a lot more dates in Red. Generally, these companies can still keep their streaks alive by increasing the payout at any time during 2009.
Thanks for the updated chart, Dave, but I'm wondering two things:
Why are most of the companies listed as not having DRIPs, when to my understanding most of them do? Under the DRIP column, they are listed as N. I just purchased AFL and it does have a DRIP, yet it is indicated as not having one. Am I misunderstanding the chart?
Second, could you please tell me what the % INC refers to?
Thanks,
Rascal
Am I misunderstanding the chart?
Yes, you are. The column headings are for DRIP Fees. So an 'N' means No fee...for either dividend reinvestment (DR) or stock purchase (SP). If a compnay doesn't have a DRIP, then the fee columns show it as a dash.
Second, could you please tell me what the % INC refers to?
That's the percent of the latest increase.
Be sure to check the Notes tab for explanations of the columns, etc., and methodology.
Rascal on 1/1/2009 10:40:23 PM
Thanks, Dave.The updated U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
Of note this month:
1. Three deletions (Pfizer, Marshall & Ilsley, and Washington Federal) due to dividend cuts, along with one deleted Contender (SunTrust).
2. Recent increases have been small...often a half-penny per share, knocking the average most recent increase down to 9.30% from 9.59%.
3. The average stock price fell from $35.71 to $32.75...led by some sharp declines in the financials...raising the average yield from 3.92% to 4.57%.
4. I've highlighted yields above 10% (there are eight of them) as these tend to indicate risk of a cut. But note that tehre are also a lot of companies yielding 7, 8, or 9%...and many cuts have come at those levels. The highest yielder, Gannett, has already indicated that its board would consider a cut at its February meeting.
5. A number of companies will reach the anniversary of their most recent increase in February, including Diebold, with the longest streak. So these are "on the spot," although they still keep their streaks alive by increasing the payout at any time in 2009, possibly joining the recent trend to pay the same amount for five or more quarters.
VanDrip on 1/31/2009 1:48:43 PM
Very interesting Dave, thanks.Makes you wonder just how much they all value their listings on Dividend Champions and Dividend Aristocrats lists. If they are actually concerned with creating long term shareholder value and being a covetted holding, they should value it very much.
I certainly do. These lists are my shopping lists.
Kev
Doesn't look pretty.
I don't think that most Boards really care much about being a "Dividend Aristocrat."
GLSmyth on 2/1/2009 8:57:31 AM
Good information. I'll probably start buying again in the Spring, and will be using the list as a guide for my purchases. Any company that is able to hold onto their dividend in this atmosphere has my recognition and trust.Cheers -
george
An updated Dividend Champions spreadsheet (through Feb. 27) has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above. (Due to technical difficulties, no PDF version has been created.)
Of note this month...
...Dividend cuts led to 5 deletions, including F.N.B. Corp., GE, Gannett, State Street, and Wilmington Trust. One company was added to the Contenders tab (Progress Energy - 21 years).
...A comparison was added at the bottom for the year-ago period, in this case 2/29/08.
...As of the end of February, the average price, yield, and latest increase % for 120 companies were: $29.80, 4.93%, and 8.77%, respectively, compared with $32.75, 4.57%, and 9.30% one month earlier and $43.72, 3.13%, and 10.15% a year ago.
An updated spreadsheet (and PDF) through 3/31/09 has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been updated through 4/30/09, under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The updated U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) is now available under INfo/Forms/Tools above (on the upper left).
Of note this month:
...With three dividend cuts, the main listing is now down to 109 companies. Although the pace of the cuts seems to be slowing a bit, there are quite a few companies that have delayed their usual, annual increases, paying the same amount for five or more quarters. (Dates in red) So there is a potential for a mass deletion at the end of 2009 of companies that paid the same total in 2008 and 2009.
...the Contenders tab has been expanded to include companies that have increased their dividend for 15 or more years, bringing that listing to 70 companies (up from 27 previously). Even in this group, there are a number of "overdue" companies.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 6/30 and appear under Info-Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet (and PDF) have been updated as of 8/31/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 9/30/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
dfish on 10/31/2009 3:59:36 AM
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 10/30/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.dfish on 11/30/2009 9:17:28 PM
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated under Info/Forms/Tools above.bertman4 on 12/2/2009 3:05:55 PM
Hello,Thanks for the update. I am a 42 y.o. about to start dripping and am a n00b at this. I've been doing research on various companies. As part of starting my drips, I'd like to invest in at least 8 companies covering a broad spectrum.
So I have a question about industry sectors. I see there are several different schemes, such as the Industry Classification Benchmark and Global Industry Classification Standard. In addition it seems like financial websites, such as Yahoo and Zacks, use their own schemes? Which classification does the US Dividend Champions use? What do most people use?
Thank you,
Bertman
I use somewhat broad categories (With suggestions)
1) Energy (XOM, XTO, BP)
2) Utilities (EXC, TEG, ATO)
3) Food (PEP, KO, MCD, FLO)
4) Consumer Goods (PG, CLX, CL, WMT)
5) Pharmaceuticals (NVS, JNJ)
6) Medical Devices (ABT, BDX)
7) Transportation (UNP)
8) Industrial (MMM, RPM, EMR)
9) Technology (INTC, HPQ)
10) Banking (BBT, UBSI, BMO)
11) Insurance (RLI, AFL)
12) Mining
Pick stocks across a broad range and jump in. I try to find stocks that have a sustainable dividend that grows 5-10% every year. Using the Dividend Champions List is a great start.
Which classification does the US Dividend Champions use?
Generally, it uses the industry group that appears on Yahoo, although not always, since some companies are in more than one industry.
As MGK points out, the broad industry sectors are generally split into 10-12 groups, depending on the source. But keep in mind that a "sector" is a higher level than industry groupings. In other words, a sector generally includes several industries, or sub-sectors. So the Dividend Champions, for example, does not specify the higher-level sector breakdown, but rather the lower-level (more specific) industry. For example, the Financial sector may include the banking, brokerage, custody, insurance, investment, and real estate industries.
bertman4 on 12/3/2009 6:03:15 PM
[quote]Generally, it uses the industry group that appears on Yahoo, although not always, since some companies are in more than one industry.[/quote]Thank you for the prompt response. Based on those groupings, I am having some trouble finding good companies for dripping in Industrial Goods and Technology.
My preference is to find good drip companies that I have some personal connection with in some way. For example, I've lived in Cincinnati and Minneapolis in the past. I plan to invest in MMM and PG. I knew many people who worked for these companies and they reward their employees and shareholders. This covers my Conglomerate and Consumer Goods.
Aside from that, I'd like to invest companies that are socially responsible and are moving in directions that I like. I would pick BP for Basic Materials because I like their investment in renewable energies. I would pick NVS for Healthcare as they seem to have a good pipeline and investment in research. I could pick MDT instead (Minneapolis connection), but I want to keep fees to a minimum.
I have a few others I'm currently researching, but I'm a little stuck on Industrial Goods and Technology sectors. The big guy in Technology would be INTC (I certainly have bought enough computers with Intel chips) but I'm looking for something else. Industrial Goods, I have no idea. I suppose I could randomly pick one from the Dividend Champions chart and research that.
Any other advice for the n00b?
Thanks,
Bertman
Industrial Goods, I have no idea. I suppose I could randomly pick one from the Dividend Champions chart and research that.
Any other advice?
You might look at...
Emerson Electric (EMR)
Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Parker-Hannifin (PH)
Pentair Inc. (PNR)
Tennant Company (TNC)
Donaldson Company (DCI)
MDU Resources (MDU)
Praxair Inc. (PX)
Raven Industries (RAVN)
Just some research ideas. Also...
In Healthcare...Becton Dickinson (BDX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), or Beckman Coulter (BEC)
thehof on 12/4/2009 2:02:03 PM
big guy in Technology would be INTC (I certainly have bought enough computers with Intel chips) but I'm looking for something else.I've been thinking about picking up Microsoft. Similar fees as Intel. Although not even close to a dividend champion since they only started paying dividends in '03.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 12/31/09 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
OperaBob on 1/1/2010 9:58:55 AM
Timely article:[Website Address]
OB
kcourt on 1/1/2010 10:19:53 AM
Good - I own PG, WAG, ABT....Kathy
The updated spreadsheet and PDF of the U.S. Dividend Champions, through 1/29/10, has been posted under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 2/26/10 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 3/31/10 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 4/30/10 under the Info/Forms/Tools above.
dfish on 5/28/2010 11:15:16 PM
The U.S. Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 5/28/10 under Info/Forms/Tools above.Notes:
...This month, I've added a tab for DivHistory listing dividends paid by year from 1999 to 2009 and the 5- and 10-year percentage change.
...NACCO Industries "graduated" from Contender to Champion, bringing the number of Champions back up to 100.
...A sub-title was added to include ADRs (American Depository Receipts) that qualify in U.S. dollar increases. The first to be included is ACE Limited at 18 years on the Contenders tab.
The Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated through 6/30/10 and are available under Info/Forms/Tools above.
The Dividend Champions spreadsheet and PDF have been updated as of Feb. 28 under Info/Forms/Tools above.
Here's an article about this month's update...
[Website Address]
GLSmyth on 3/1/2011 6:14:23 PM
Dave -Good article. It reminded me that I wanted to start a DRiP with Vectren so I have filled out the "paperwork" at MoneyPaper and placed my order.
Cheers -
george
OperaBob on 3/1/2011 7:11:02 PM
Interesting that Thompson Reuters made the list when so many much better Canadian co.s have raised their dividends but because of conversion and the plunging US dollar it seems they haven't.Luckily, Thompson Reuters, while being Canadian, pays its dividends in $US.
I've held it in my retirement account for about 12 years. I'm down about 20% and it has moved sideways ever since. I keep waiting. I should just sell it.
Here's a chart comparing it on both the TSX & NYSE. Because of dollar fluctuation it's currently up about 5% US while being down about 15% Canuck:
[Website Address]
OB
Well, TRI lists its headquarters as being in New York City, and I think that a move took place after the merger between Thomson and Reuters. Yahoo only had dividends back about 8 years, so I had listed it as a Challenger, but its latest increase mentioned the 18-year streak and I confirmed that at the company's website.
(I had looked high and low for something to confirm it as a Canadian corporation, intending to put that in teh Note column, but couldn't find confirmation of that and the website only stated that its headquarters are in NYC.)
Get_Rich_DRiP on 3/1/2011 8:09:20 PM
I've held TRI in my RRSP since 2008, and they've increased their dividend every year I've held it. No longer underwater.I attend the AGM, usually held at Roy Thompson Hall - great food.
[Website Address]
OperaBob on 3/1/2011 8:50:52 PM
I attend the AGM, usually held at Roy Thompson Hall - great food.That's in Toronto.
Counts as Canadian content in my accounts.
[Website Address]
OB
asardus on 3/24/2011 1:56:40 PM
"Good article. It reminded me that I wanted to start a DRiP with Vectren so I have filled out the "paperwork" at MoneyPaper and placed my order"I found out today that direct stock purchase is possible through the TA (Wells Fargo) with a minimum initial investment of $500 + $10 one time commission.
This will be my next US DRIP
A
Canuk_in_usa on 6/27/2012 3:45:00 PM
Don't know if this is the place to raise this, but the Graham's number given in the spreadsheet is not the Graham's number according to the definition:(Current Assets - Total Liabilities)/(number of shares out)
Can someone please elucidate and educate me?
Ihor
dfish on 6/27/2012 10:15:51 PM
Graham's number according to the definition:(Current Assets - Total Liabilities)/(number of shares out)
All that would give you would be the book value per share.
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I began dripping in August, 2008
Inv. Style: Buy companies with a history of good dividends. Make regular OCP's, favoring those stocks that are priced lower than usual. I invest in Canada and the US and have some synthetic drips with Scotia iTrade.
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