Dividend Paying Stocks

I would like to share with the reader an article printed in the financial section of U.S.A. Today on March 7, 2003 which exemplifies the awesome power of a stock dividend.

MICROSOFT TO ISSUE FIRST DIVIDEND TODAY:

Microsoft investors will get their first payday today, when the tech giant shells out its first dividend. At 8 cents a share, the dividend will cost the company $850 million. Co-founder Bill Gates, who owns about 1.2 billion shares will receive a dividend of $96.5 million. The dividend marks a shift for Microsoft, which had long hoarded cash - to the tune of $43.4 billion ? for research, acquisitions and legal claims.

After reading this article I couldn't help thinking about a report, which I believe stated that there were an estimated 33 million people in America living under the official poverty level. Bill Gates, by giving away his Microsoft dividend to those living under the poverty level could begin to create 96 millionaires, year after year after year. What a boost to the economy that would be! Imagine all those new millionaires every year spending money on something other than food, Salvation Army clothing and shelter.

Bill Gates (by giving away his Microsoft dividend) could begin to eliminate all the hardships for those people currently living under the poverty level.

Of course, I would probably start feeling sorry for all those people who were living right at the poverty level. I could almost hear Ma telling Pa now, "If we only didn't sell those $40.00 worth of aluminum cans, we could have been millionaires right now." Then again, those newly created millionaires would probably begin buying computers filled with Microsoft software and Bill Gates would start getting his money back. And, if that wasn't enough, the newly created millionaires probably hadn't read my book! They would probably start using their computers to start day trading in the stock market and end up right back where they started. Holy moly! I better finish this book or they won't stand a chance!

(Note: Bill Gates and family have already given millions and millions to charity. It was announced on CNBC that on April 24, 2003 Bill Gates had just donated 28 million dollars to S. Africa's AIDS program.)

As an individual investor in the stock market for almost 40 years I have found that companies that raise their dividend every year outperform those companies that stop or trim their dividends. For example, Dominion Resources had raised their dividend from 1984 to 1994 every year, and then stopped in 1994. Since then the company continues to pay a 64? cent a share dividend, with a dividend yield of around 4 percent a year. The stocks performance since 1994 has been mediocre, rising in price from the 40 dollar range in 1994 to the 60 dollar range in 2004.

Now compare that stock's performance with Comerica, a company that has raised their dividend for the past 35 consecutive years. In April of 2003, Comerica's stock price was around 37 dollars a share, paying a dividend yield of around 5%. Today, July 20, 2004 the stock closed at $58.28 a share, paying a dividend yield of 3.57%. A $21.00 a share move in the stock in 1 year and 3 months and in March of 2005 the company will probably raise their dividend again for the 36th consecutive year. (By the way, Comerica's stock performance for the past 14? years (just by having the dividends rolled back into the stock) has returned a little better than 15% a year, compounded annually.)

The simple point I'm trying to make is to invest in those companies that have a history of raising their dividend every year. There are hundreds of them. A company that just pays a dividend is not good enough; find those companies with a historical record of raising their dividend every year.

You have permission to this article either electronically or in print as long as the author bylines are included with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (typos excluded.) Please provide a courtesy e-mail to charles@thestockopolyplan.com telling where the article was published. (646 word count)

Charles M. O'Melia is an individual investor with almost 40 years of experience and passion for the stock market. Author of the book 'The Stockopoly Plan', published by American-Book Publishing. For more excerpts from "The Stockopoly Plan' please visit http://www.thestockopolyplan.com

limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.

A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.

Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.

It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.

Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.

A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.

Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.

Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.

A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.

Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.

The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.

Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.

Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

With limited hard drive space, tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers these tips for storing large video files and photos.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the $236,000 Yangwang U9 electric hypercar boasts 1,287 horsepower and can jump obstacles.

Dividend Paying Stocks

Stocks & Mutual Fund