7 Stocks Increasing Dividends Like A Champion

There are winners and there are champions in every walk of life. The difference is subtle, but very real. A champion is driven for success and will not let anything stand in its way. Some dividend stocks can be classified as champions. A bad economy, tight credit markets and a dark cloud of uncertainty are enough send some dividend companies running for the exit. However, these are the times that champions stand firm.

This week several companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Apple Inc. (AAPL). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Apple Inc. is a prominent provider of hardware including iPhone smartphones, iPad tablets, Mac computers, wearables and iPod digital media players.

How To Know When To Sell A Dividend Stock

When I add a stock to my dividend portfolio, it is my intention to hold the stock forever. When stock prices start dropping, our primal instinct of flight kicks in and we want to sell. In many cases that is the time to be buying.

7 Stocks Building A Higher Yield On Cost With Increased Dividends

Most casual income investors focus on current yield, which is important. However, if your objective as an income investor is to build a portfolio of securities with increasing income, then Yield on Cost is an excellent metric to measure your progress. Yield on Cost is simply the annual dividend rate times number of shares owned divided by what you paid for the investment (basis). As companies increase their dividend, your yield-on-cost goes up.

Working to increase their shareholders Yield on Cost, these companies recently announced higher cash dividend payments:

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Dividend Stock Analysis

Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis:

Company Description: Microsoft, the world's largest software company, develops PC software, including the Windows operating system and the Office application suite.

Your Greatest Wealth Building Asset

You may think your greatest wealth building asset is the stock that has appreciated more than 15% from the beginning of the year and pays you a 3% dividend. Even though that stock has treated you kindly for the last several years, it is not your greatest wealth building asset.

The traditionalist would say your home is your greatest wealth building asset. This is getting closer, but it is not your greatest wealth building asset.