Dividend Income Update March 2016

It’s dividend income update time. One of my favorite times of the month as I get to review my previous month of passive income received from my dividend income portfolios.

 

Without rehashing the wild ride we experienced in the market the last quarter, I could find comfort in one thing, my dividends. As we all know, the market may move up and down irrationally and seemingly on a whim while our dividends remain much more stable, reliable and predictable. Sure, dividends may not increase every year and a cut or elimination is even possible but the odds are greatly reduced when you diversify among different companies and sectors and focus on dividend quality (free cash flow, EPS and payout ratios). Forget chasing the high yield unicorns and focus on the boring lower yielding but sustainable dividends. In the long run you’ll be better off. With that being said, let’s take a look at my March dividend totals.

 

Dividend income from my taxable account totalled $444.07 up from $327.67 an increase of 35.5% from March of last year.

 

Dividend income from my ROTH account totalled $77.88 up from $73.36 an increase of 6.2% from this time last year.

 

Dividend income from my IRA account totalled $43.75 up from $0.00 from this time last year.

 

Grand total for the month of March: $565.70 an increase of 41.1% from March 2015.

 

Brokerage Account

Year to date dividends: $903.25

DateDescriptionSymbolAmount
03/01/2016DIVIDEND:GWWGWW$6.32
03/01/2016DIVIDEND:AFLAFL$70.67
03/01/2016DIVIDEND:BMSBMS$6.97
03/01/2016DIVIDEND:WFCWFC$14.23
03/07/2016DIVIDEND:SOSO$19.63
03/08/2016DIVIDEND:ADMADM$52.32
03/08/2016DIVIDEND:JNJJNJ$27.74
03/10/2016DIVIDEND:EMREMR$36.43
03/14/2016DIVIDEND:MMMMMM$26.45
03/15/2016DIVIDEND:DOVDOV$18.74
03/15/2016DIVIDEND:EDED$46.87
03/15/2016DIVIDEND:MCDMCD$20.87
03/18/2016DIVIDEND:VFCVFC$12.35
03/21/2016DIVIDEND:DD$23.00
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:BDXBDX$13.44
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:PEPPEP$17.14
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:ALLEALLE$3.36
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:IRIR$27.54
Total: $444.07

ROTH Account

Year to date dividends: $340.56

DateDescriptionSymbolAmount
03/08/2016DIVIDEND:JNJJNJ$6.42
03/09/2016DIVIDEND:ULUL$15.10
03/10/2016DIVIDEND:EMREMR$25.46
03/14/2016DIVIDEND:MMMMMM$10.50
03/15/2016DIVIDEND:MCDMCD$9.64
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:PEPPEP$10.76
Total: $77.88

IRA Account

Year to date dividends: $131.37

DateDescriptionSymbolAmount
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:CCPCCP$11.46
03/31/2016DIVIDEND:VTRVTR$32.29
Total: $43.75

 

I have to say I’m quite pleased with my March totals. Who can complain about a 41.1% year over year increase? The proof of our dividend investing strategy rests in these real results. After all, dividends don’t lie. It’s real cash being returned to investors. With patience and consistency these results and better can be achieved.

 

Are any of these dividend stocks in your portfolio too? How was your March dividend income? Please let me know below.

 

Disclosure: Long all above

63 thoughts on “Dividend Income Update March 2016”

    • Hi JC,

      Always appreciate your kind words and support. March 2016 was my best month ever and I was very pleased with my year over year growth as well. It’s all about staying the course I feel and so far so good. I know I’m headed in the right direction. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi DG,

      I built my portfolio with the notion of sleeping well at night. For the most part I stay away from volatile stocks and sectors for that matter and as you can see, even the “boring” lower yielding companies can still produce nice year over year returns. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi Tawcan,

      No complaints on my end regarding my March results. The numbers speak for themselves. I plan to stay consistent with my buys no matter how high or low the market goes. As always, I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi EL,

      Thank you for your kind words. I do include my cost basis and gain/loss for each stock in my portfolio. I have not calculated my total portfolio yield though. For now, I just want to continue putting up solid year over year numbers and I’ll be happy. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi IH,

      You said the two key words, “persistence” and “patience.” I think, too often new dividend growth investors get impatient with their early returns which cause them to chase yield in the beginning which often leads to bad buys. Persistence and consistency is also important as I make buys every single month no matter where the market is. That persistence allows me to build positions over time without thinking that I can time the market and buy at only the “best” times. Thank you for your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi ambertree,

      Thank you for your support. As I mentioned in the post, these are real gains from real dollars deposited into my account. That’s why we always say dividends cannot be faked and as long as I can put up nice year over year gains I know I am doing the right thing. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi HHaWG,

      Thank you for your kind words. I don’t think anyone will ever complain about a 41% year over year increase. One quarter down, three to go in 2016. I’m already excited to see how this year will compare to 2015. As always, I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi FV,

      Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! Thank you for the encouragement. Step by step we’ll all get there. I just want to keep showing great year over year numbers so I’ll know I’m headed in the right direction. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi Dividendsdownunder,

      Thank you for your kind words. I always say that as long as I can put up good year over year increases I know I’m headed in the right direction. These end of quarter months are always the most fun to report as they tend to be the biggest payouts for many dividend investors. Thank you for your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi R2R,

      Thank you. As you can imagine I was very pleased with my recent results. Step by step the passive income grows. As always, I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi R2R,

      The race is definitely on. Fresh capital, dividend raises and reinvestment all contributed to that 41% year over year growth. I plan to share baby DivHut’s progress at the half way point of 2016. Not much changes with his account on a month to month basis. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi MGUK,

      Thank you for your kind words and continued support. That year over year increase definitely put a smile on my face once I calculated it. No complaints on my end, that’s for sure. Diversity is key, but diversity within your personal comfort range as well. You’ll notice I hold no tech nor energy stocks because I am not fond of the volatility. I prefer the “boring” lower yielding dividend growers in relatively stable sectors the most. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
    • Hi easydividend,

      Well, my dividend increases will vary from month to month but I wouldn’t complain about jumping by $100 with each passive month 🙂 Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  1. Hi Keith,

    This is some impressive dividend growth. $565 in a month is a very respectable amount – this is equivalent to 78 hours working at a minimum wage job or someone working at an average wage working for 23 hours. You are slowly buying yourself some “time”, one dividend check at a time

    By the way, do you break out the main drivers behind the growth – such as new capital, dividend hikes, perhaps change in timing of those payments etc?

    Best Regards,

    DGI
    Dividend Growth Investor recently posted…Four Lessons Learned from 20 Years of DRIP InvestingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Hi DGI,

      When you equate the dividend income earned as hours working it really drives the point home about how we are all trying to create that little bit of earned time or in other words, freedom. While this figure may not “free” most from a daily grind it does help pay for a lot of monthly bills, that’s for sure which in it’s own way is a little bit of freedom bought from certain things.

      The main driver for this last update was most likely from my ADM buys earlier this year and late last year. As a whole, several things contributed to my year over growth as I focus on 1) dividend raisers primarily, 2) reinvest all my dividends automatically and 3) add fresh capital each month. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
  2. Your increases never fail to impress. And $500+ in pure passive income is downright incredible. When you consider how much money just slides right out of your bank account in bills and debt and how difficult it is to make money at work, having that kind of money just flow INTO your pocket is pretty damn amazing.

    Sincerely,
    ARB–Angry Retail Banker
    ARB recently posted…How Do I Deposit A Check At An ATM?My Profile

    Reply
    • Hi ARB,

      Thank you for your kind words. Those increases are all attributed to fresh cash being deployed, dividend increases and, of course, reinvestment. The trifecta of dividend investing. As long as I can keep putting up good year over year increases I can count on my money flow to grow and cover an ever growing portion of my monthly expenses. That’s what it’s all about. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi vivivanne,

      Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. While only a quarter of the year is done, I am already looking forward to seeing where my dividend income will be at the half way point of 2016. As always, I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
    • Hi RM,

      My portfolio was built with intent. I never chased yield and focused mostly on dividend aristocrats and the consumer staples as a core to my portfolio. I focus on dividend growth more than current yield and do value my sleep. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  3. Great month DivHut! 41% progress is amazing. We own many of the same companies, which puts a big ole smile on my face. It look slike we have a tendency to find those great, reliable dividend paying stocks. Boring…psshhh…..who cares? I get the most excitement/thrill out of receiving that quarterly dividend check.

    Keep up the great work!

    Bert
    Dividend Diplomats recently posted…Lanny’s March Dividend Income SummaryMy Profile

    Reply
    • Hi DD,

      I always am curious to see which companies are paying our fellow dividend bloggers. I’m always happy to see names in common with my portfolio. I am content with my “boring” stocks. Over the years those boring stocks have split, raised dividends, created multiple spin offs and some are up triple digits too. I just love this investing style. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi DL,

      I appreciate your kind words regarding my investing style. My portfolio may not be the highest yielding among our fellow dividend bloggers but it is one of the more reliable ones out there as I focus on dividend sustainability first. Bit by bit we are all adding to our ever increasing passive income stream. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  4. Keep it up Keith. You’re doing awesome. Dividends from ROCK SOLID companies. Great job on on the quality bud.
    Don’t stop and keep up the hard work. Make your family proud.
    I’m with you all the way. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Hi DH,

      Thank you for your continued encouragement. While I want to savor every moment in life, I have to admit that I do enjoy the end of every month and eagerly wait till the 30th or 31st simply to tally up my dividend totals. There’s something magical about being paid without having to actively work. As always, I appreciate your support and comment.

      Reply
  5. That looks great. Your dividend income progress is highly inspiring. You’re doing awesome job and I must say you’ve unique thinking process when you buy dividend from different companies.

    Reply
    • Hi GM,

      I appreciate your kind words regarding my dividend income progress. As you know, the process of generating an ever growing passive income stream can take many, many years till that proverbial snowball really starts to take the compounding of dividends to the next level. I’ll continue to stick with the solid dividend payers and not chase yield and, of course, stay in sectors that allow me to sleep well at night. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi OBFW,

      Thank you for your continued support. These days, it seems that the good values and yield are a little harder to come by but there are still some great U.S. dividend payers out there. I’m still liking the large Canadian banks at this time and with all the volatility we have been seeing in recent months better buying opportunities may be just around the corner. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
  6. I think you can retire comfortably in some foreign country with that dividend paycheck. Nice! I see you also have WFC in your portfolio. I know this is a Warren Buffet company and I should be optimistic, but every time I average down as it declines in price, the price continues to go down.

    At least seeing it in your portfolio gives me hope that others believe in it long term.

    Reply
    • Hi WS,

      No doubt, my March dividend income can already afford me certain lifestyle outside the U.S. but even within the U.S. it can cover a lot of basic necessities. It can cover a food bill, utilities, cel phone, car insurance, etc. The key, of course, is to get that passive income to cover every expense 🙂 I have held WFC in my portfolio since 2007 with no plans to sell. In fact, the only American banks I’d consider for my portfolio are WFC and USB. That’s it. As you know, I also like the large Canadian banks too long term. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi DFG,

      I added to my ADM during the recent price swoon and it has come up a lot since. I would love to add more to that name but not at current levels. If more attractive values and yields appear again, that’s a name I’d consider once more. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
    • Hi DI,

      Thank you for your support. I always say that as long as I can put up good year over year increases I’ll be happy. Look forward to seeing your own dividend progress as well. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi MM,

      Indeed. Every dividend investor loves the end of quarter months as they seem to provide the greatest number of dividend distributions. Appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  7. DH,
    Almost $ 600 in dividend income and 41% year over year increase ,those are great numbers that show the Dividend growth strategy works as intended. Your consistent buys of ADM are definitely paying off.Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Hi Dividendforce,

      As I commented to others, I am quite pleased with my results. I’ll always be happy putting up those nice year over year increases. It just goes to show that this investing strategy can provide a real cash flow to anyone willing to stick it out through all the highs and lows of the market swings as well as buy when values and yields look attractive. ADM was one such case as I added to that name when prices were depressed earlier this year. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi BSR,

      Thank you for your kind words. These monthly updates never get old. It’s always fun to track our dividend income progress and know that with each passing month we are building a better financial future. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  8. Wow 41.1% growth very impressive DH. Thank you for sharing I always enjoy reading how the other bloggers are doing. Those are some solid companies you own I don’t own them yet hopefully soon I will be able to add a couple. Keep up the great work can’t wait to read April’s report.

    Reply
    • Hi MF,

      Always appreciate the kind words and support. These reports just quantify in real dollar terms the progress we make as dividend growth investors. Fresh capital, dividend raises and reinvestment all allow for good year over year gains. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
    • Hi SG,

      I fully agree which is why every stock I have is set to automatically reinvest dividends. Some prefer to take their dividend as cash and deploy as needed. I like the automatic way as it allows for fast compounding in the long run. Thank you for commenting.

      Reply

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