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 last month, 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 May 2017 dividend totals.
Dividend income from my taxable account totaled $296.58 up from $247.21 an increase of 20.0% from May of last year.
Dividend income from my ROTH account totaled $196.06 up from $180.26 an increase of 8.8% from this time last year.
Dividend income from my IRA account totaled $91.74 down from $97.44, a year over year decrease of -5.8%.
Grand total for the month of May: $584.38 an increase of 11.3% from May 2016.
Brokerage Account
Year to date dividends: $1,650.70
| Date | Description | Symbol | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/01/2017 | DIVIDEND:GIS | GIS | $45.09 |
| 05/05/2017 | DIVIDEND:YUM | YUM | $17.84 |
| 05/05/2017 | DIVIDEND:CLX | CLX | $11.24 |
| 05/08/2017 | DIVIDEND:APD | APD | $38.47 |
| 05/12/2017 | DIVIDEND:BCR | BCR | $1.05 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:HRL | HRL | $2.44 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:ABBV | ABBV | $81.61 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:ABT | ABT | $20.88 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:CL | CL | $7.13 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:PG | PG | $13.25 |
| 05/22/2017 | DIVIDEND:CAT | CAT | $57.58 |
| Total: $296.58 |
ROTH Account
Year to date dividends: $768.67
| Date | Description | Symbol | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/02/2017 | DIVIDEND:TD | TD | $77.02 |
| 05/05/2017 | DIVIDEND:YUM | YUM | $5.20 |
| 05/15/2017 | DIVIDEND:PG | PG | $7.81 |
| 05/22/2017 | DIVIDEND:CAT | CAT | $49.89 |
| 05/25/2017 | DIVIDEND:RY | RY | $56.14 |
| Total: $196.06 |
IRA Account
Year to date dividends: $253.32
| Date | Description | Symbol | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/22/2017 | DIVIDEND:HCN | HCN | $49.66 |
| 05/23/2017 | DIVIDEND:HCP | HCP | $40.16 |
| 05/31/2017 | DIVIDEND:LTC | LTC | $1.92 |
| Total: $91.74 |
Looking at the figures above I cannot complain as my dividend train keeps chugging along churning out that passive income despite currency headwinds, economic headwinds, terror across the world, saber rattling from North Korea, Russian troops in Ukraine, The Nigerian delta under attack curbing the flow of oil, floods, earthquakes etc. etc. I think you get the point. There will ALWAYS be negative financial, civil, health news and more. Even during the best economic times there will always be an opinion citing concerns. The question is will you react to the headlines or stay the course?
Are any of these dividend stocks in your portfolio too? How was your May dividend income? Please let me know below.
Disclosure: Long all above
11 pct YOY increase is great. That is an encouraging number and shows that your plan actually works
Amber tree recently posted…Sumer thoughts – your thoughts on our questions
Hi At,
Seeing a double digit year over year gain is always a happy metric to achieve. It just highlights the very real results of being a dividend growth investor. As you stated, it’s a plan that actually works. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Awesome job DivHut. You’re completely right about staying the course. May was a wild ride for me with purchasing another rental property (unexpectedly), so you’re right in saying you never know what is going to happen! Great work and thanks for sharing!
Passive Income Dude
Dan recently posted…My 4th Rental Property Is Under Contract!
Hi Dan,
I think staying the course, when it comes to being a dividend growth investor, is probably the most sound advice one could take. There are always negative headlines no matter what’s going on in the world and it’s “never” a good time to own stocks, real estate, precious metals or whatever asset class you want to mention. Stick with your plan and have a long term horizon. It has worked for me and I plan to keep doing more of the same while posting monthly year over year gains. As always, I appreciate your comment.
Staying the course! Great results for this month. It looks like it’s really paying off like this.
We received a surprise special dividend which boosted our dividends, which is always a good thing to happen.
I agree with going along with the lower yielding and sustainable dividends. But don’t leave out the growth rate here, which is even more important than the yield. And is being preferred to be sustainable as well of course.
Hi Divnomics,
I’m happy being able to post a double digit year over year gain. It always motivates me seeing these results every month. Those special dividends are also a welcome “surprise” when they come. Just goes to show that it can be fun investing in boring, old dividend paying stocks. For now, and the foreseeable future, my mantra will be ‘stay the course.’ If you have been following me for a while you know that I still make my monthly buys no matter what’s going on in the market nor the world. As always, I appreciate your comment.
Well done! I always love these dividend updates. And I think you did a great job explaining why: even with all the crazy headline news stories and never-ending stock market oscillations, a well-crafted diversified portfolio of dividend stocks can just keep chugging along increasing payouts year after year. Very appealing approach to building wealth!
Thanks again and have a great week!
Jay recently posted…Trend Following Trade Ideas for June 2017 (Part 1)
Hi Jay,
It can be tough to stay the course as time goes by. Sometimes those headlines and world events can be very compelling and distract you from your original investing thesis. Of course, the very nature of dividend growth investing dictates that you should ‘stay the course’ no matter what. We already know the benefits of staying invested in the market even when things turn sour. Dividends, compounding and time can really work its magic if you just leave it alone. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Stay the course 🙂 Identify a set of stocks (or mutual funds) and stay invested … that’s the only way to go AFAIK. Nice growth in your dividend. I am looking forward to June, as my funds pay dividend on a quarterly basis.
dividendgeek recently posted…Portfolio Update – May 2017
Hi dividendgeek,
Believe me, the mantra of staying the course is burned in my brain. I already have many years of experience staying the course, through high and low times and in either case I simply continued on my same merry way. As you see, I continue to make monthly buys even when the markets are hitting all time highs and when we went through the meltdown of 2008/09 I also continued to make monthly buys. Staying the course indeed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Dhut,
Another solid month for you. I agree, the world is a roller coaster, but dividends is a slow and steady march.
Gremlin
Dividend Gremlin recently posted…May Review / June Preview, 2017
Hi DG,
Tell me about it. Slow and steady is the drumbeat of being a dividend growth investor. I always say it’s a marathon rather than a sprint and what we’re really doing is setting ourselves up for a brighter financial future decades down the road rather than days. No complaints about my May results. Let’s keep moving along! Thank you for commenting.
Nice work Keith. You beat me. I came in at $477. Congrats on another fine month.
Investment Hunting recently posted…Lending Club Month 4 Update
Hi IH,
You brought in an impressive total yourself. Simply staying invested and buying quality names makes it seem too easy to sit just back and collect those monthly payments but that’s really what dividend investing is about. Setting yourself up to generate an ever growing passive income stream. Thank you for your continued support and comment.
Choo Choo. lol the dividend train is chugging along. Nice month. Hopefully, this month is even better!!
FiscalVoyage recently posted…How Serious Are You About Early Retirement? (Quiz)
Hi FV,
It is chugging along indeed 🙂 Just let it do it’s thing and stay out of the way. I think too many investors like to fool around too much with their portfolios buying and selling. Buy quality and just hold. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Awesome job! Not sure if they hit yet, but all the buys you have been making lately are proving their worth. And if I read that right, you received one third of your yearly dividends in May? That is impressive to hit $500 in a single month and a good YoY% increase. Keep that snowball rolling.
Dividend Daze recently posted…Dividend Update – May
Hi DD,
The snowball continues to grow. Believe me, I was very pleased seeing an 11% year over year gain. I’m still on track to exceed my 2016 totals. June will be very interesting as the half way point of the year and will give me a clearer picture of my total 2017 passive income potential. As always, I appreciate your comment.
With an 11% increase I’m guessing that organic dividend growth and/or reinvestment did the heavy lifting as far as your increase is concerned. The true test for the dividend growth investor, or any investor for that matter, is how they react when the markets don’t cooperate. Can you really just sit back and collect/reinvest the dividends and even invest new capital when the markets are going haywire? Since I’ve been investing I’ve done just fine with that and imagine I will in the future. I know you were investing/ed during the GFC so you have a leg up on a lot of investors as far as knowing that you have your emotions in check. Looks like a solid May for you. We had a solid and steady May and should be turning the corner as far as YoY comparisons as the year progresses. All the best.
JC recently posted…Weekly Roundup – June 3, 2017
Hi JC,
I still have all my investments set to reinvest automatically which I’m sure at this level already starts to produce results on its own. Just one of the benefits of being a dividend growth investor. Regarding how I’ll react to a market meltdown is easy as you have guessed. I was already fully invested back in 2008/09 watching my entire portfolio go deep into the red. As you know, I sold nothing, simply held on and continued to buy every month averaging down on all my positions. I already see that several of our DGI peers have sold some or all of their holdings in anticipation of a correction. To me, that’s not being a true long term investor. Nothing wrong with that, but just know that a better description for someone like that would be a trader. Believe me, it won’t be nice seeing 30%, 40%, 50% or more shaved off my portfolio value during the next meltdown but as long as those dividends continue to roll in I’ll be happy and know that my automatic reinvestments will average down my costs all on their own. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Excellent increase over the month, keep up the great work. You seem to be doing really well lately! Keep up the excellent work, I love following your updates. Thanks for sharing!
Buy, Hold Long recently posted…Net Worth Update – May 2017
Hi BHL,
Once I decided to start blogging, sharing became the new normal for a topic that a few years ago was very taboo to speak about. Now it seems more people are OK with sharing their real world financial state and so it’s always my pleasure to share these real world results. Thank you for your continued support and comment.
Almost $600! That’s great, and what an increase from before. Love to see such progress.
I will get there one day. One step after the other will complete any journey.
MrDoublingDollars recently posted…$11,000 in Recent Stock Purchases – Find Out What I Now Own
Hi MDD,
These passive income reports are always very motivating to write and read. Almost $600 coming in passively is definitely a nice amount that can already cover many small monthly expenses. As you stated, it’s all about taking one step after the other. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Great progress, keep it up, I can only dream of these dividend income numbers.. 😉
Dividend Dolphin recently posted…May 17: Dividend income
Hi DD,
Keep dreaming. It will come. It just takes a lot of patience and consistency with your investing. We all started by earning cents and a few dollars. The key is to stay motivated throughout this long marathon investing process. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
It is a great return and month when you realized 11% return. The good thing I like about dividend stocks is no ongoing fee for this great train ride. Keep up the motivation and good luck as June will be a new record breaker for me.
EL recently posted…Does Buying Luxury Brand Products Enslave you to Them?
Hi EL,
Your comment brings up a great point about dividend investing. It’s essentially free to manage. Once you buy a stock there is no maintenance or “expense ratio” to contend with. It’s just cash that simply gets deposited into your account and, even better, brokerages allow for free reinvestment which is essentially commission free trading. Thank you for commenting.
Good progress on Div growth. I bought Grainger at $190, felt it was a bargain then but now wish I had been more patient to see $170. You snagged it at a great price, but the wait and watch game continue for me. I hope it recovers to its mid 200’s high as the uncertainty clears up. They are a great company and execute well.
Ten Factorial Rocks recently posted…Stress-test Your Financial Independence
Hi TFR,
Slowly but surely the dividends continue to roll in each month with year over year gains being posted. As you can imagine, that makes me happy and it just reinforces my belief in this investing method. It may take some time for GWW to recover but I wouldn’t worry too much about buying at $190. I would reinvest those dividends automatically and average down given the chance. I plan to keep my GWW for the foreseeable future. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Awesome job you keep churning out those dividends. Keep it up.
Doug recently posted…May Dividends
Hi Doug,
Thank you for those kind words. Churning and chugging along is the way of the DGI. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Hut –
Pumped up every time I read your posts. I forgot how much you beefed up your positions within your ROTH account, it’s fricken awesome, gets me pumped to see large smackers, such as your TD. Further – your taxable account only has a few “higher” dollar individual companies paying, and guess what – they are AWESOME companies with strong brands and further – aren’t too far away from where the average per company is. Keep it up, love the progress and motivation.
-Lanny
Dividend Diplomats recently posted…Just Go For It
Hi DD,
I think we “pump” each other up with our monthly updates. It’s been a while since I added to my Canadian banks. If you remember, there was a time when I kept adding to my TD, BNS and RY. All three have run up quite nicely since which is why I have been focusing more on my taxable account these days. Still, seeing the continued year over year progress makes me happy and keeps me on track. Thank you for commenting.
Nice job Keith, a solid increase compared to last year. I love seeing your awesome portfolio deliver win after win for you. Can’t wait to see how much it’s increased next year 🙂
Mr DDU
Dividends Down Under recently posted…Saving for the future: May 2017
Hi DDU,
As long as I can put up a year over year increase I am happy. This just goes to show what staying invested in the market can achieve with regular purchases, dividend increases and reinvestment. As always, I appreciate your comment.
DH,
Good job getting double digit increase year-to-year. Out of curiosity, any reason why there was a dividend decline in your IRA of 5.8%. Obviously not a big deal as you are up overall, but was just curious.
Also, I definitely agree with you. It’s awesome not having to worry too much about the ups and downs of the stock market, or what negative news is happening in the world at any given moment. Investing in a diversified portfolio of dividend stocks is definitely a viable strategy for the long term.
Dividend Portfolio recently posted…May Dividend Income Report
Hi DP,
The few dollars decline in my IRA was a result of the HCP spin off of QCP. After that deal was done the HCP dividend was reduced. I’m still waiting for the announcement from QCP about their distribution policy. When VTR spun off CCP it paid a dividend right away so there wasn’t any “decline.” No big deal, as you mentioned, since I’m still showing a double digit year over year gain on the whole and that’s the point of being a dividend growth investor. By staying diversified in quality dividend payers, even if a cut or elimination occurs your portfolio on the whole should still provide a growing passive income stream. Just stay the course, follow your plan, ignore all the headlines and talking heads and in the long run you should do just fine. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
You’re absolutely right with your fact of boring lower yielding but sustainable dividends. Sustainability is the key to any investment return even though the dividends are low but provide a longer run of steady success. You seemed to be doing great at 11.3% but you still call it a low yield which I don’t vouch for, in all the returns you are at facing better profitability and there is a lot to learn from your work. Keep going and wish you all success.
Finance Clap recently posted…4 Things Every Small Business Should Outsource
Hi FC,
Thank you for your kind words. You know the saying, ‘slow and steady wins the race,’ and being a long term dividend growth investor, slow and steady is the only sustainable way to run this race. No need to chase high yielding stocks that are prone to dividend cuts. Sometimes in our eagerness to grow our passive income stream we forget that. As you can see by my portfolio I focus mostly on the ‘boring’ safe and known dividend payers. Thank you for commenting.
Hey DH,
Great YoY increase in your taxable account. Keep up the good work!
Hi DIS,
Achieving a double digit year over year growth rate is always something to be happy about. Thank you for your comment.
500 in an “off” month, nothing to complain about with that. Looking forward to this big month of June!!
Hi DS,
You said it. No complaints coming from my end regarding my May results. Like you, I’m also very curious to see how we all do in June. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing many new records being made this month. As always, I appreciate your comment.
Those are great numbers for an off month buddy! I’m excited for June too.
timeinthemarket recently posted…Life!
Hi timeinthemarket,
Thank for those kind words and your continued support. I love how we all constantly encourage one another. Look forward to an insane June!
DivHut, You’re rocking these dividends!
Your totally right, even with the random political headwinds, these dividends keep chugging along. I don’t have any of these same dividends, but I’ll stay on the look out for deals.
Awesome Job! =)
-Andrew
Hi WS,
That’s the great thing about being a dividend growth investor… those dividends keep coming in no matter what’s going on in the market or world for that matter. I hope that during the next big sell off people will not dump their shares in panic. Simply holding on will continue to provide an income stream even when times are tough. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
DivHut
You are killing it with these dividends! I love how the short and sweet posts prove the point of DGI investing. Nothing else needs to be said other than that sweet YoY increase. It has been a nutty last few months in the world but those dividends and great companies keep doing great things.
Awesome job as always!
Save Splurge Deny Debt – Cameron recently posted…To Create Wealth, Stop Worrying about Pennies and Focus on the Dollars
Hi SSDD,
Well said. No matter what’s going on in the world, those dividends keep rolling in. While never guaranteed, dividends provide a very reliable and predictable source of income and these monthly updates show real world examples of how that passive income stream not only rolls in but also grows over time. Thank you for your comment and continued support.
Nice set of companies. killing with over 10% growth. Keep up the nice work, DH.
Race2Retirement recently posted…Dividend Income Update – May 2017
Hi R2R,
Thank you for those kinds words and continued support. Double digit year over year gains will always put a smile on my face.
Love it ! another good month and tremendous progress. I love seeing totals increase and I share your love for beginning of the month dividend update posts! Keep on ‘plugging’ along.
-Brian
Brian recently posted…Portfolio Spotlight Series – CINF
Hi Brian,
For me it’s ‘steady as she goes’ when it comes to dividend investing. Just keep finding those “deals” each month, reinvest dividends and look forward to those raises to keep that dividend machine rolling along. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Divhut,
As always, JUST CRUSHING IT! Amazing portfolio, amazing stocks, amazing results. Keep up the great work!
Bert
Hi DD,
Consistency is the key when it comes to being a long term dividend growth investor. I’ll keep plugging away each month and slowly build up that passive income stream from quality names. As always, I appreciate your comment.
Nice dividends for the month from some solid dividend payers. I’m looking to own ABBV and ABT eventually at some point as well. What caused the YOY decrease in your IRA?
Hi ACI,
No complaints from me about my May passive income. ABT and ABBV have been hot lately. I’d like to add more to those positions but will wait for a dip in pricing. In the IRA account it was all about an HCP reduction after their spin off of QCP. I’m still waiting for QCP to initiate a dividend to make up for that HCP “decrease.” Thank you for commenting.