More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!  The corporate lifecycle is an important yet often overlooked factor in investing. Like all things, companies age over time, with each phase having its own pros and cons. In this episode, Greg explores the corporate life cycle's impact on dividend growth investing. Using research from Morgan Stanley and Aswath Damodaran, he covers various stages of a company's life, including startup, young growth, high growth, mature growth, mature stable, and decline— with examples from companies like Rivian, Nvidia, Microsoft, PepsiCo, GE, IBM, Intel, AT&T, and Tesla. Highlights include the prolonged profitability in maturity phases, industry-specific aging rates, and risks associated with corporate debt and large acquisitions. Greg emphasizes understanding a company's phase for strategic investment decisions and the critical role of suitable CEOs.00:00 Introduction01:12 The Importance of Understanding the Corporate Life Cycle02:10 Morgan Stanley's Five Stages of the Corporate Life Cycle02:58 Key Metrics in the Corporate Life Cycle05:39 Profitability and Debt in Different Stages08:37 Cost of Equity and Capital in Mature Companies11:10 Aswath Damodaran's Six Stages of the Corporate Life Cycle14:08 Examples of Companies in Different Life Cycle Stages20:15 Dividend Investing: High Growth to Mature Growth21:48 Mature Stable Phase: Dividend Income and Growth22:56 Challenges in Mature Stable Phase24:24 Decline Phase: Managing Declining Cashflow25:44 Narrative vs. Numbers in Company Growth29:08 Pricing and Valuation Across Growth Phases31:59 CEO Roles in Different Growth Phases35:59 Conclusion: Investing Across Lifecycle StagesSend us a textNotes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

 More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter! When a company’s stock price has struggled for years, a change in management may be just what it needs to get back on track. Even still, new management can’t fix everything.  Historically, Starbucks has been an impressive growth story, generating phenomenal wealth for investors. Despite its profitability and strong cash flows, recent challenges have raised questions about whether those days are long gone. In this episode, Greg analyzes the Starbucks story as a potential dividend growth candidate and what the future may hold. He discusses the implications of Starbucks' new CEO (who previously turned around Chipotle), and the company's strategy to address operational inefficiencies. Later, Greg transitions to an update on Chevron which has been part of the model portfolio since 2010. Although higher dividend yields can signal problems for a company, Chevron’s resilience makes it worth considering adding to the position.  00:00 Introduction to Dividend Mailbox00:47 Starbucks: A Familiar Name with a Compelling Story03:33 Starbucks' Financial Performance and Challenges05:22 Evaluating Starbucks as a Dividend Growth Investment11:33 Starbucks' Debt and Cash Flow Analysis27:10 Conclusion on Starbucks and Transition to Chevron28:04 Chevron: A Reliable Dividend Growth Story29:41 Chevron's Financial Health and Future Prospects35:41 Final Thoughts and Wrap-UpSend us a textNotes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!  In our August episode, Greg interviews longtime friend and fellow financial advisor Kent Hughes. Kent has worked in the industry for over 40 years, focusing his investment strategy on quality and market indices. During his career as an advisor, Kent's expertise has earned him placement on both the Forbes and Barron's Top Wealth Advisor lists.  Greg and Kent begin the episode by discussing the evolution of the investment industry over the past four decades, the impact of technological advances on market information, and investor behavior. The duo also delves into market expectations, secular bull markets, and the potential effects of AI on investing.   Following their conversation, Greg mentions that he was able to speak with the investor relations department at Snap-on, and concludes the episode by providing answers to the questions we had about the company from the previous episode.    Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to The Dividend Mailbox 00:45 Interview with Kent Hughes: A Journey Through the Financial Industry 03:33 Changes in the Financial Industry Over 40 Years 05:35 Lessons Learned and Biggest Mistakes 08:13 Impact of AI and Investor Expectations 12:29 Economic Outlook and Market Predictions 17:21 Commercial Real Estate Concerns 19:25 Forecasting Future Returns 25:50 Investment Strategies and Dividend Growth 32:36 The Importance of Dividend Growth 34:07 Historical Performance and Market Trends 36:27 Understanding Compounding and Market Sentiment 39:37 Favorite Investment Books and Influential Figures 43:40 International Investing Considerations 49:20 The Competitive Advantage of Patience 55:43 Snap-on: A Potential Investment Opportunity 01:00:53 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways Send us a Text Message.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!In this episode of The Dividend Mailbox, Greg takes an in-depth look at Snap-on (SNA), a company with a rich history of tool innovation and consistent dividend payments since 1939.  He discusses the company's evolution from automotive tools to specialized equipment for various industries, its unique franchise model, and its financing arm. By examining Snap-on's business model, financial performance, valuation, management discipline, and potential risks, he makes the case that this seemingly "boring" business checks almost all the boxes and is a compelling investment idea for dividend growth investors.  Send us a Text Message.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter! To start our fourth year of The Dividend Mailbox, Greg is joined by Daniel Peris, author of The Ownership Dividend: The Coming Paradigm Shift in the U.S. Stock Market and Head of the Income and Value Group at Federated Hermes. Daniel's deep historical perspective and expertise offer valuable insights into the future of dividend growth strategies and the importance of sustainable dividend investing.Their conversation covers a range of topics including:Historical context and the evolving dynamics of dividend growth investing.Challenges and opportunities in the dividend space, including the impact of interest rates and market cycles.The role of stock buybacks and their effectiveness in shareholder returns.Strategies for managing dividend cuts and maintaining a high and rising income stream.The foundational importance of cash flow for all investors.Follow Daniel on X/Twitter @HistoryInvestorSend us a Text Message.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!In today's episode, Greg dives into a practical application of our dividend growth strategy by discussing a recent buy, a watch, and a sell. He starts the episode with Hershey (HSY), exploring why this classic chocolate maker made it into our portfolio despite soaring cocoa prices. Although it may sound like a boring name,  companies like this can generate outsized long-term returns. For the watch candidate, Greg turns his attention to CVS Health (CVS). Despite its financial strength and attractive valuation, he discusses CVS's coming headwinds. Sometimes when there is a lot of negative sentiment surrounding a company, there is potential to make a lot of money. Lastly, Greg explains his decision to trim our position in Emerson Electric (EMR). Even though it is a long-time dividend growth stalwart and it has seen strong price performance recently, it no longer meets our dividend growth criteria.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Between immediate information from the internet and minute-by-minute stock quotes at your fingertips, investors appear to be more infatuated with price appreciation than anything else. In contrast, prior to the 1990s, investors primarily focused on earning returns through a cash flow of dividends. Even though there has undoubtedly been a shift from cash-focused investing to a market fixated on price performance, dividends play a critical role in assessing the true value of businesses.In this episode, Greg examines wisdom from "The Ownership Dividend: The Coming Paradigm Shift in the US Stock Market." Through several excerpts, he exposes how important dividends are to the structure of the market, investor goals, and company valuation. In the second half of the episode, Greg looks at Williams-Sonoma which has appreciated 300% since we first bought it two years ago. He analyzes whether its recent outperformance should warrant selling it to lock in gains.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Check out our Union Pacific Investment ReportIn most cases, holding quality stocks for the long term tends to play out in favor of the investor. However, if a company’s prospects change, there are situations where exiting a position can be warranted. In this episode of the Dividend Mailbox, Greg outlines our decision-making process behind selling off a portion of our IBM position. What started as a turnaround play transformed into a potential value trap. Using IBM as an illustration, Greg provides insight into the complexities of owning dividend growth investments and taking advantage of opportunities to exit the ones that don't meet your expectations. Plus, get a sneak peek into next month's episode featuring a success story with Williams Sonoma, highlighting the potential rewards of high-conviction investments in the dividend growth landscape.Notes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Check out our Union Pacific Investment ReportIn this episode, Greg analyzes the wisdom of renowned economist, Jeremey Seigle. Between his investing classic "Stocks for the Long Run," and "The Future for Investors," Siegle maintains that you don't need high growth numbers or a flashy industry, only consistent growth. Although it is seemingly counterintuitive, Seigle presents the power of compounding from a new perspective. Most investors would hope stocks go up, and the quicker the better. But there is an argument for how a stock that goes sideways, or even downward, can be beneficial to your long-term total return.Later, Greg provides an update on Emerson ($EMR) where faster dividend growth seems to be on the horizon. In case you missed it, the original Emerson Electric ($EMR) story is linked here: EP 17 - The Dilemma with Slow GrowNotes & Resources:DCM Investment Reports & ModelsIf you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Check out our Union Pacific Investment ReportOver the past decade, the oil industry has become increasingly controversial and subsequently neglected by investors. No one knows when the industry's expiration date will come due, but there are great value and dividend growth investments to be made in the meantime. Even in declining industries there can still be big winners. For episode 31, Greg focuses on Chevron's resilience in a politically incorrect landscape, including its recent Hess acquisition. He explores the intersection of environmental concerns and the indispensability of oil in everyday life, with investing as the backdrop. Despite the industry's challenges, he makes a compelling case for Chevron's sustainable dividend growth and long-term potential.DCM Investment Reports & Models**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter! Check out our Union Pacific Investment ReportDo you feel confident that the dividends in your portfolio are healthy? What techniques can you use to get a clearer picture of a company's long-term dividend growth prospects? This month, Greg examines a simple 3 decision model from Aswath Damodaran to determine how companies create value for shareholders, and what it means for you as a dividend growth investor. He draws the line between companies that pay a healthy dividend and companies that are in a dysfunctional dividend mindset. As part of that, Greg gives you two simple models to employ when you're considering a company's dividend-paying capability. Later he takes a moment to discuss some of the wisdom of the late Charlie Munger.  Models used in today's Episode:ROIC Model - (Excel download) Excess Cash Flow Model - (Excel download)DCM Investment Reports & Models - (Website)Happy Holidays from The Dividend Mailbox!**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

There is a huge difference between understanding compounding, and actually understanding the numbers behind it. As a blanket term, compounding is thrown around in the investment arena often. Yet few investors are actually patient enough to experience its full potential. Creating real wealth takes time, discipline, and strategy.In this episode, Greg uses our model portfolio to look at a couple of examples that expose just how significant your portfolio income can be when you have the discipline to let it grow. Moreover, he makes the case that income growth, rather than price growth, has a larger impact on the long-term value of your portfolio. Later, he likens the mindset of dividend growth investing to Odesseyus's voyage.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!To most investors, big returns are associated with exciting stories or cutting-edge technology. Since everyone is in the market to make as much money as possible, “boring” companies can be easily dismissed without much second thought. That line of thinking is straightforward enough but it may be misguided. Truthfully, some of the better-performing companies out there are actually pretty boring. When it comes to achieving attractive returns, it is not what a company does that is important, it is how well they do it. In this episode, Greg embarks on a deep dive into Union Pacific Railroad ($UNP) and the broader railroad industry. He makes the case that railroads are extremely predictable, well run, and have provided investors with decades of market-beating returns. Railroads are probably not your first idea for building wealth, but these companies are cashflow-compounding machines. This episode is a little bit deeper than we have gone in the past, but it makes for a compelling story. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Is there a difference between being intelligent and being smart? Most people would think o those concepts as one and the same. Although it may be abstract, these are two separate schools of thought entirely. You may go so far as to characterize intelligence as left brain thinking, and smarts as right brain reasoning. How does that apply to investing? If you’ve ever regretted an investment decision before, it may have been due to an over reliance on numbers, data, or rules, and not enough on vision.For our 27th episode, Greg takes a step back and examines a recent blog post from Morgan Housel. He starts out by contrasting intelligence vs. smarts, then uses several examples to show how it relates to investors. He applies this mindset to everything from analyzing America’s deficit problems, to honestly reflecting on his own thought process when he sold Intel ($INTC) several months ago. Greg wraps up the episode by introducing a new stock idea, United Pacific ($UNP), and sets the stage for a deeper dive next month.Links referenced in today’s episode are below:Morgan Housel's blog -> Intelligent vs. SmartGreg's newsletter on America's Debt and Deficits -> Debt, Denial, & Illusions: America Has a Spending Problem**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Do you ever find yourself looking for that one crucial piece that would make you a better investor? When you look at the impressive track record of great investors, it can feel as though they know something you don’t. Being active in the market naturally drives investors to want to compare notes. Is there a formula? What’s the silver bullet?  In this episode, Greg reveals seven key factors that he looks for in a good dividend growth story. He explains what they are and why they are important to achieving 7% dividend growth per year. Later on, he applies them to Dover Corporation ($DOV) which is a company that appears to check all the boxes. But before you go out and buy stock in it, you may want to listen to the whole episode.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Even though dividend growth stocks typically have a high degree of predictability, that doesn’t mean you can’t end up with surprises. Outside dividend cuts, some of the most significant surprises can come from legal liability - often arising from the distant past. Companies routinely face challenges in the courtroom and are well-equipped to handle their cases, but occasionally they are forced to cut a check with a lot of zeros. The problem for investors is that there is no quantifiable way to know what legal exposure a company may have lingering out there. This episode is packed with specific companies as Greg dives into two stocks from the tobacco industry and two from the telecom sector. He examines the legal history of British-American Tabacco ($BTI) and Altria ($MO), alongside the potential future liability of AT&T ($T) and Verizon ($VZ). In doing so, he also breaks down their performance as companies and gives you a snapshot of how we analyze dividend growth candidates. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!If you want to be successful as a long-term investor, you must know your discipline and be willing to stick to it. All investing strategies come in and out of favor in the marketplace and they ebb and flow over time. In 2022, we saw high growth and tech companies underperform, while dividend growth companies held up well. So far in 2023, we’re seeing the opposite. However, switching your investment strategy based on short-term performance is almost always ill-advised. Of course, having discipline is easier said than done, but gaining perspective can help.  In this month’s episode, Greg zeros in on how discipline and dividend growth are one and the same. He breaks down some of the largest wealth creators in the market and examines what exactly is driving the current market rally. He discusses the importance of knowing why your portfolio is performing the way it is but stresses that short-term performance is unimportant for the bigger picture. Later, he looks at a few dividend growth ETFs and finishes the episode with a listener’s question about investing from abroad.  **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

By now, almost everyone has heard of the turmoil in the banking sector. The current scenario is much different from that of 2008 yet investors are nevertheless on edge.  That has allowed the opportunistic investor to scoop up well-managed banks at an attractive price. But buyer beware, there is a big difference between the haves and the have-nots. Although there may very well be more turbulence in the short term, there are a few ideal candidates that are worth analyzing.  Considering the sell-off in the banking sector, Greg presents a new investment idea to add to our model portfolio. He makes the case that M&T Bank ($MTB) is conservatively managed and poised for continued dividend growth, even in rough seas. Later he explains why we sold a third of our Clorox ($CLX) position and addresses a listener’s question about cash investments. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

In this month’s episode, Greg sits down with Jeff Weniger, Head of Equity Strategy at WisdomTree. For the unfamiliar, WisdomTree is a fund and ETF manager with roughly $90 billion in assets under management. What makes WisdomTree’s funds special is that most of them focus on dividend and dividend growth strategies. One of their largest funds is the US Quality Dividend Growth Fund ($DGRW), which incidentally is our largest core position and is one we have mentioned over past episodes. Among their other funds, $DGRW is exceptional for gaining exposure to quality dividend growth.  Jeff has spent decades in the finance world and specializes in the management and creation of strategy-focused ETFs. Prior to joining WisdomTree, he was Director & Senior Strategist at BMO, working directly with the CIO of the firm from 2006 to 2017. He is a CFA charterholder, and earned his MBA from Notre Dame.  As head WisdomTree’s equity strategy, Jeff has invaluable experience in equity markets and provides unique perspectives for long-term investors and the macro environment. During Greg and Jeff’s discussion, they cover the history of dividends, the difference between US and overseas dividend culture, why “boring” actually performs well, and why having a lottery ticket mindset can lead to mistakes. The interview is full of topics that the dividend investor should keep in mind and ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of why dividend growth investing is a long-term strategy that works.EDIT: This episode was originally uploaded with an hour of silence that followed the episode. The current audio file has been edited and corrected. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

In this month’s episode, Greg sits down with Jeff Weniger, Head of Equity Strategy at WisdomTree. For the unfamiliar, WisdomTree is a fund and ETF manager with roughly $90 billion in assets under management. What makes WisdomTree’s funds special is that most of them focus on dividend and dividend growth strategies. One of their largest funds is the US Quality Dividend Growth Fund ($DGRW), which incidentally is our largest core position and is one we have mentioned over past episodes. Among their other funds, $DGRW is exceptional for gaining exposure to quality dividend growth.  Jeff has spent decades in the world of finance and has specialized in the management and creation of strategy-focused ETFs. Prior to joining WisdomTree, he was Director & Senior Strategist at BMO, working directly with the CIO of the firm from 2006 to 2017. He is a CFA charterholder, and earned his MBA from Notre Dame.  Currently, as head WisdomTree’s equity strategy, Jeff has invaluable experience in equity markets and provides unique perspectives for long-term investors and the marco environment. During Greg and Jeff’s discussion, they cover the history of dividends, the difference between US and overseas dividend culture, why “boring” actually performs great, and why having a lottery ticket mindset can lead to mistakes. The interview is chalked full of topics that the dividend investor should keep in mind, and ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of why dividend growth investing is a long term strategy that works.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Most of the time, using the screening criteria that are characteristic of good dividend growth companies weeds out the bad apples. When you buy companies that have low debt, attractive yield, high return on invested capital, etc., it can feel like you’ll be cashing those dividends forever. However, companies inevitably run into challenges, and you might get a surprise. If you invest long enough, you’ll eventually find yourself with a dividend that’s been cut and a once attractive investment that has soured. The good news is if your portfolio is structured properly, not even dividend cuts get in the way of growing your income every year.On another note, one factor that greatly influences the security of a dividend is debt. Given everything that has happened in the market recently, and with a liquidity crisis in the banking sector, debt has become a hot topic. It is extremely important to understand how debt functions for a company, especially in an environment with rising interest rates.In this month’s episode, Greg takes you on a deep dive into Intel ($INTC). He looks at why we originally bought it, the problems they ran into, and why they recently cut their dividend. He even lays out why it may do better in a couple of years. Later, He uses a couple of different examples to show how debt can be good, bad, or indifferent.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!When the goal is to compound wealth for decades, there is a significant difference between dividend growth and sustainable dividend growth. While the difference is obvious enough, they are two distinctly different investments and should be treated as such. Although we believe that sustainable dividend growth is ultimately what builds wealth over time, that doesn't mean that other investment ideas should be ignored altogether. When a stock gets cheap enough, even if its dividend is questionable, sometimes you have to jump on it.In this episode, Greg builds on the premise of Episode 18 and examines Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation ($OCSL), a business development company with a 10%+ yield. At the risk of contradicting himself and the case he made against high yield, he argues that there comes a time when value beats dividend sustainability. While the risks of high-yield investments remain, he uses OCSL to compare dividend growth vs. sustainable dividend growth. Later on, Greg provides updates on companies we have covered in past episodes, and where we view them post-Q4 earnings. If you are interested in the original episodes where we went in-depth into each story, they are linked below:The Clorox Company ($CLX): Ep. 8 - Dirty vs. Clean Opportunities & Ep. 9 - Greater Volatility and More Uncertainty...Emerson Electric ($EMR): Ep. 17 - The Dilemma With Slow Growth3M Co ($MMM): Ep. 15 - You Don't Need A "Winner" to 10x Your IncomeUnited Parcel Service ($UPS): Ep. 19 - Do Dividends Care About Recessions?**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Heading into 2023, it seems as though the word recession is on the tip of everyone's tongue. At first thought, a recession might make you grimace, but what do they actually mean in real terms for an investor? Truth be told, you never know you're in a recession until after the fact, but it is essential to understand how they affect the economy. If you're a long-time investor, 2008 and 2001 were painful examples of just how fast your portfolio's value can change. So we know recessions are bad for the stock market... are they that bad for dividends?Good news for the dividend growth investor — dividends are resilient through even the worst of downturns.In this month's episode, Greg takes a page out of the market history book to dive into just how recessions affect GDP, earnings, the stock market, and especially dividends. He makes the case that dividends are a much more stable, if not the most predictable, factor to focus on when things get rough. Later he examines UPS as a potential dividend growth candidate. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!If you spend much time managing your own money or researching companies, odds are you have been exposed to high-yielding opportunities. From stocks to bonds to real estate, there are plenty of investments out there that present themselves as quality investments while simultaneously generating large income streams. 7%+ yields seem hard to beat, but there is usually a reason why the yield is so high. In a way, the market is essentially showing the investor a blinking warning light, one that indicates that there is risk built into the price of the company. This is not to say that these opportunities don't work, just that dividend growth investors need to be wary of what they entail.In the year's final episode, Greg answers a listener's question about prioritizing dividend growth or yield when nearing retirement age. That opens the door to examining the pitfalls of investing in high-yielding companies, where he provides a framework for analyzing the risk embedded within such investments. Later he compares Williams-Sonoma and Restoration Hardware in response to Berkshire Hathaway's recent addition of the company to its portfolio. Finally, Greg wraps up the episode with some food for thought.Happy Holidays!**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!Constructing an attractive yet sustainable dividend growth portfolio is no easy feat, especially one that meets your expectations. As much as you try, you will eventually invest in a company whose dividend growth rate doesn't meet your expectations. For us, we want to attain a dividend growth rate of at least 6% a year on average, and ideally faster than that. Every investor needs a process for evaluating whether a company is a net positive on their portfolio, or if it’s weighing it down. But it’s not black and white. If the dividend growth hasn’t been there, but the stock price has done well and you've owned it for a long time, reaching a decision can be complicated. The dilemma is: do you sell the company and move on, or can you see a clear path for the company to get back on track? For our 17th episode, Greg looks at Emerson Electric (EMR), a company we have owned for over 10 years. While the stock has returned over 150%, the dividend growth rate has not met our expectations. Faced with the dilemma of selling the company, he takes you through our process of how we figure out what to expect going forward. Later he contrasts this story with Hanes Brands, a company that we eventually sold.Within the show, we use a simple dividend growth model as a starting point. If you would like to follow along, it is linked below:EMR Simple Dividend Growth Model**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our market newsletter!It's safe to say that the stock market faces some daunting problems currently. To some investors, it's enough to make them change their strategy, seek alternate investments, or pull out entirely. Regardless of the negative consequences those actions can have on your portfolio, haven't investors always faced challenges? As Morgan Housel brilliantly states:  "Every past market decline looks like an opportunity, and every future decline appears to be a risk." Understandably, if you were to listen to all the noise out there, it'd be hard to look past your nose. That is why in environments like this, one of the best things you can do is take a step back and gain some perspective.  In this episode, Greg shares a couple of reassuring stories that illustrate how important it is to stay the course. In fact, if you stay on track long enough, it could result in immense wealth. He examines how a rental property investment might perform decently well, but falls short in comparison to dividend growth. Later he takes a look at NASA's recent D.A.R.T. mission success, drawing a comparison to long-term investing.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our newsletter!For most investors, if their portfolio went up by X amount in Y years, they'd be satisfied. Yet simultaneously, those same investors secretly hope they bought the next big thing, waiting for the stock's price to grow 10x. In truth, 10x-ing a stock price is challenging. It requires resources, unique ideas, and a willingness to go above and beyond fellow market participants. To the average investor, expecting every investment to go up tenfold might be wishful thinking. But what about growing your portfolio income 10x? Now that is much more attainable... In this month's episode, Greg examines 3M, a company that has been in our portfolio for over a decade. Although the company's stock has recently seen a decline, he makes the case that it is much easier to 10x a stock's income than it is to 10x a stock's price — all it takes is a mindset. Later, he explores if there is any value in market predictions and forecasts. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

More on dividend growth investing  -> Join our newsletter!What do you do when one of your investments has rapid success? Do you sell it for a quick gain hoping to buy it back later? Anytime you buy or sell you have to make a decision, and with every decision comes another chance of being wrong.  Large jumps in stock prices are tempting, but they put investors at a crossroads. You have to decide if your goal is to make money... or to create wealth.In this month's episode, Greg outlines the best way to execute the dividend growth strategy, and specifically, how to stay disciplined when things go well. He dives into Williams-Sonoma, a specialty retailer with a nearly flawless balance sheet that has rallied almost 45% in just a couple of months. It has proven to be a lucrative opportunity, but it poses unexpected challenges to the individual investor. Using 4 different scenarios, he walks through why selling early might put some cash in your pocket but is counteractive to building wealth.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

When the only streak in the market seems to be a losing one, it's easy to wonder if you should jump ship. Bear markets test the resolve of even the most seasoned investors. But the investors that achieve next-level success have unwavering faith in their strategy, standing strong regardless of market conditions. One of these exceptional investors is Ronald Read; a simple man, with a simple lifestyle, and a simple strategy. Yet, there was nothing simple about his discipline over the course of more than 70 years of market events.In this month's episode, Greg takes you through the complete story of Ronald Reed. You may not know his name now, but his story is one to remember when the going gets rough. He also takes a look at current market conditions and provides some brief updates on companies we have covered in past episodes.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

In this month’s special episode, Greg interviews Simeon Hyman, the Global Investment Strategist and Head of Investment Strategy at ProShares. With over $60 billion in managed assets across more than 100 different ETFs and funds, ProShares is a large-scale player in the financial markets. Their second-largest fund, The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Fund (Ticker: NOBL), is a testament to the power of dividend growth and showcases just how effective compounding returns over time is. During the interview, Greg picks Simeon’s brain about dividend growth investing and how NOBL executes this strategy extremely well. Later, Greg and Simeon dispel some misconceptions some investors may have.As June marks the 12th monthly episode of TDM, a full year of growing dividend checks is in the rear-view mirror. Considering everything we’ve covered so far; we hope you enjoy this special interview! **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

There are many factors to blame for the ongoing bear market. While 2022 appears to have never-ending red days, the topic that hits closer to home is red-hot inflation. It may be challenging to invest in an environment like this, but you will undoubtedly lose purchasing power if you don't. It seems investors are between a rock and a hard place.In this episode, Greg eases the dilemma of choosing where to put your assets during high inflation. It shouldn't come as a surprise that a growing income stream of dividends is an excellent place to start. Later on, he looks at the market's overall valuation and takes a different approach toward speculation (contrary to what Warren Buffet may say). At the end, we introduce our first official segment, "Right, Wrong, or Who Cares?" to ensure we're staying up to date with our investments.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

On the surface, a lot of companies may look like they fit the dividend growth model and could be good candidates. But you have to be careful, they could be duds. As with all investment ideas, it's never a bad thing to dig a little bit deeper into the company. At a minimum, you have to get a clear picture of how the company can sustain its operations, margins, and dividends. If it is hard to see how the company gets from point A to point B, that is a red flag. In this episode, Greg uses Whirlpool as an example of a company that deceptively appears to fit the bill, but probably has a high chance of falling short. Later, he takes a look at how much you pay for growth versus value and why it is critical to pay attention.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

A lot has happened in the span of a month, especially in regard to inflation, interest rates,  and the Ukrainian War. These events have only added to the downward momentum of the stock market so far this year,  painfully reminding investors that not every year can be like 2021.Last month we took an in-depth look at two investment ideas: Chevron and Clorox. Has the recent market volatility really changed the long-term prospects of these companies? It is never fun to watch your account value sink, but in this episode, Greg argues that only more opportunities have presented themselves. He also examines how to determine whether to buy, hold, or sell, when dividend growth is the key goal. It is only natural to have anxiety about the market right now, but by adopting the dividend mindset, you can sleep better at night. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

Normally, finding investments that fit the sustainable dividend growth strategy is challenging on its own. With the high valuations in this current market, it becomes even more difficult to find those companies at an attractive price. In this episode, we explore the future of the energy sector (dirty) and recent developments with Clorox (clean) while Greg shares why he thinks both could be great opportunities.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

Some investors may think that investing for dividends comes at a sacrifice. In this episode, we discuss how that couldn't be further from the truth.  However, there is an important caveat− investing for growth is NOT the same as investing for yield.  We'll also look at AT&T  to see this distinction and recognize that not all dividends are built the same.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

Putting together everything we've learned so far, we make the case that not only is 6% dividend growth attainable, but it can be reasonably expected in a variety of market environments. Stay tuned for a Q&A segment that goes deeper into the ins and outs of the dividend growth strategy.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

If I offered you $10 million right now, or a penny that doubles in value every day for a month, which would you choose? In this episode, we explore this question and how it applies to your investment portfolio.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

This month, we analyze the returns of top-performing stocks over the past few decades with and without dividends. The catch? If you have the will to hold on for the second decade, your returns will be staggering. **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

It is easier for a company to simply pay a dividend than it is for them to grow it consistently. In this episode, we look at four factors that are regularly characteristic of sustainable dividend growers.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

Building on the previous episode, this month's installment looks at two contrasting types of dividends. Is investing in a growing, or a high-yielding dividend better? SHOW NOTES FOR GROWTH VS. YIELD **NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review

In this episode, we examine the importance of dividends in a portfolio and how they have affected market history.**NEW** If you submit a question to us and we use it in an episode, we will send you an official The Dividend Mailbox Yeti® Tumbler -> Email us at [email protected] our website to learn more about our investment strategy and wealth management services.Follow us on:Instagram - Facebook - LinkedIn - TwitterIf you enjoy the show, we'd greatly appreciate it if you subscribe and leave a review