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tom-hutchinson

Tom Hutchinson

Chief Analyst, Cabot Dividend Investor, Cabot Income Advisor and Cabot Retirement Club

Tom Hutchinson is the Chief Analyst of Cabot Dividend Investor, Cabot Income Advisor and Cabot Retirement Club. He is a Wall Street veteran with extensive experience in multiple areas of investing and finance.

His range of experience includes specialized work in mortgage banking, commodity trading and in a financial advisory capacity for several of the nation’s largest investment banks.

For more than a decade Tom created and actively managed investment portfolios for private investors, corporate clients, pension plans and 401(K)s. He has a long track record of successfully building wealth and providing a high income while maintaining and growing principal.

As a financial writer, Tom’s byline has appeared in the Motley Fool, StreetAuthority, NewsMax, and more. He has written newsletters and articles for several of the nation’s largest online publications, conducted seminars and appeared on several national financial TV programs.

For the past seven years, Tom has authored a highly successful dividend and income portfolio with a stellar track record of success. At Cabot, Tom provides monthly Cabot Dividend Investor issues, regular weekly updates on every portfolio position and a weekly podcast discussing goings-on in the market.

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From this author
Cabot Dividend Investor
Cabot Dividend Investor Issue: April 9, 2025
The S&P crashed more than 5% on consecutive days last week for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. The index came within a whisker of a bear market, down 20% from the high on a closing basis.

It’s easy to get spooked out of the market these days. Few people believe the market has hit bottom when it does. Unheeded warnings play over in your mind as Judgement Day seems to have arrived. Stocks were overvalued. The trade war will cause a global recession. Excesses of the last several decades are being called. It’s time to get out of the market and save yourself.

Markets are emotionally driven in the short term. Fear and greed tend to be the dominant forces. But over time, emotions take a back seat to money and profits. When the market tanks, our emotions tell us to run for the hills. But history tells us it’s the best time to invest.

There are some truly stellar stocks in the portfolio that have generated returns comparable to the most successful stocks on the market. The problem is that these stocks are rarely cheap. But the recent market has put these phenomenal investments back within reach.

The recent panic has provided a rare entry point. Even if prices fall further before they rise, these stocks can easily make up for lost time when they move higher again. In this issue, I highlight two of the best stocks in the market to own at valuations not seen in years.
April 9, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Tech Stocks
Verizon (VZ) vs. AT&T (T) Stock: Which Is the Best Telecom Stock?
AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) are perhaps the two most widely recognized telecom stocks. But which is the better stock today?
April 7, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
April 2, 2025
It started off as an ugly week for the market. But things have gotten better. Stocks flirted with the recent low on Monday but held strong and recovered. That’s a good sign. But is it enough?


Big tariff news is on the doorstep. Uncertainty abounds. It is unclear yet how many countries will be included in the reciprocal tariffs scheduled to take effect today and to what extent there will be exceptions. The market may be happier about things by the end of the week. But if it isn’t, stocks might go lower again.
April 2, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
March 26, 2025
The market has been recovering since it fell into correction territory earlier this month. The S&P was up for the week last week for the first time in a month and Monday was a strong day. But we might not be out of the woods yet.

Even if the bottom is in (which it might not be), it is unlikely that stocks can generate lasting upside traction until there is more clarity on the tariff situation. But the market really hasn’t been as bad as it might seem.
March 26, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Income Advisor
Cabot Income Advisor Issue: March 25, 2025
After falling into correction territory earlier this month, the S&P 500 came off the bottom and has been trending higher. Is that the end of the selling? I don’t think the market has decided yet.

Some tariff clarity could arrive soon. Stocks rallied strongly to start the week partially on news that pending tariffs will be more “targeted.” Technology stocks also rallied on the perception of higher-than-expected AI demand. But the market is very headline sensitive. And the headlines are likely to keep on coming.

If I had to bet, I would say the market probably made the bottom for now and is more likely to trend higher. But I don’t have a high degree of confidence right now. A couple of negative headlines could send stocks plunging to new lows.

There are some select stocks that are actually near the 52-week high. I’m more comfortable selling a covered call on a stock with recent strong performance than initiating a new stock position at this point. In this issue, I highlight a covered call for the biopharmaceutical company AbbVie Inc. (ABBV).

March 25, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
March 19, 2025
Last week the S&P 500 index plunged into correction territory. The Nasdaq was already there. Has the market bottomed out or is there more downside to go?

It’s been a while since selling has gotten this ugly. The last market correction was in October of 2023. This is the second of this bull market, which began in October of 2022. That’s not unusual. Corrections are normal in a bull market. The S&P had run up about 75% in a little over two years and was due for a consolidation, especially the technology sector. But is that all this is or is it something more?
March 19, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
Cabot Dividend Investor Issue: March 12, 2025
This is the worst market we’ve seen in a while. And the ugliness could last a while.

Tariff talk is all the rage. The economy is slowing. Nobody is sure about inflation or interest rates. It all adds uncertainty. The market had been riding high for more than two years. A comeuppance has arrived. How long will it last and how deep will it be?

During times of maximum uncertainty like this, healthcare stocks are a great place to be. That was the topic of last month’s exquisitely crafted issue. But there is another industry with both defensive and growth characteristics that’s ideal for uncertain times – garbage.

We live in the garbage capital of the world. This country generated 292 million tons of waste in 2018, up from 251 tons in 2012, and nearly double the waste produced in 1980. That’s enough waste to produce a pile long enough to go to the moon and back – 29 times. And that’s every single year. Waste services are big business. In 2023, the U.S. waste management services industry generated $145 billion in revenue. That was up from $137 billion the prior year and that number is likely to keep rising.

Garbage will continue to pile up regardless of where interest rates go, the level of economic growth, or the fallout from tariffs. The market could soar, or the world could go to Hell in a handbag. Either way my wife will nag me every week to take out the garbage.

Bank on a company with certain earnings and revenue in uncertain times. Defensive stocks tend to outperform during and after volatile markets. In this issue, I highlight a company that is the unquestioned leader in waste services. The stock has a strong track record which could get even better in the years ahead.
March 12, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Dividend Stocks
The Best Utility Stock and ETF to Buy Today
People will always need electricity, gas and water. And that’s what makes utility stocks so reliable. Here are three that I like right now.
March 7, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
March 5, 2025
Tariffs have officially arrived. And the market doesn’t like them one bit.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and raised the level from 10% to 20% on China. Stocks fell as of midday on Tuesday, but not dramatically. It’s unwelcome news to a market that was already dealing with still-sticky inflation and diminished economic growth expectations.
March 5, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Income Advisor
March 4, 2025
As I mentioned in this week’s update, CEG has some technical support around the $225 per share range. The stock had been flying high but has been under considerable pressure recently. CEG (currently around $227 per share) is down over 35% from the high made in late January.
March 4, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
February 26, 2025
Stocks are taking a hit. It was an ugly day last Friday and there was more of the same on Tuesday. Should we expect more?
February 26, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Income Advisor
Cabot Income Advisor Issue: February 25, 2025
The market is sputtering. While the S&P is still up slightly for the year, it’s at the same level it was three months ago.

After two glorious years of being up over 20%, stocks may be expensive and due for consolidation. While that’s certainly possible, it’s normal and healthy in a bull market. And stocks may not be as expensive as they seem.

This bull market has been driven higher by technology and the artificial intelligence catalyst. Without a handful of large technology companies, the bull market returns so far would be quite lame. But things are changing. There are good reasons to believe the relative returns of the rest of the market should vastly improve.

The rally has broadened out. Other stocks are picking up the slack while technology is wobbling. The grossly lopsided performance couldn’t last. And there’s more to the story than just sector rotation. Earnings are catching up.

The energy sector in particular is likely to benefit from the shared bounty going forward.

There are powerful reasons to believe certain energy stocks will benefit from increasing natural gas demand, more oil and gas drilling, and friendlier regulations. Some of these stocks have pulled back from the highs and offer an attractive entry point. In this issue, I highlight two energy stocks that are likely in a multi-year bull market that historically generate high call premiums.

February 25, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Stock Market
The Dividend Aristocrats ETF: Own the 68 Best Dividend Growers
Buying this Dividend Aristocrats ETF is a way to own the 65 best dividend growth stocks on the market. But there are other alternatives too.
February 25, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
February 19, 2025
While the S&P 500 has stalled at about the same level since late November, it’s been more exciting under the hood.

The market indexes have stalled mostly because of technology. Those stocks still haven’t fully recovered from the DeepSeek plunge in late January. At the same time, earnings for the rest of the market are catching up.
February 19, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
Cabot Dividend Investor Issue: February 12, 2025
Other stocks are picking up the slack while technology is wobbling. The grossly lopsided performance that dominated this market for so long couldn’t last. And there’s more to the story than just sector rotation. Earnings are catching up.

I’m still bullish on the portfolio AI stocks. But other sectors of the market are overdue for stronger relative performance. These stocks are taking over and likely to post much better relative performance over the course of the year.

Healthcare is perhaps the best of all sectors that aren’t technology. It’s an all-weather industry that offers a very seldom-found combination of safety and growth. Plus, these stocks are poised ahead of the megatrend of the rapidly aging population. Healthcare demand is skyrocketing. And the best stocks should get a great ride.

In this issue, I highlight four healthcare stocks currently in the portfolio. Despite the lopsided bull market returns so far, a couple of these stocks have been among the very best performers. And now they should be poised for a strong run in 2025.
February 12, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
February 5, 2025
The market is continuing its bumpy ride higher. Despite a barrage of concerns, 10 of the 11 S&P 500 stocks sectors are higher year to date.
February 5, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Dividend Stocks
The Best Conservative Dividend Stocks in 2025
Despite a broadly solid market, dividend payers lagged in 2021, but things are looking up. Here are 4 conservative dividend stocks for 2022.
February 3, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
January 29, 2025
The catalyst that has driven this market higher for more than two years got punched in the face on Monday. Is it the end of the gravy train or just an overreaction?

Stocks came crashing down on Monday. The S&P 500 was down almost 2% and lost most of this year’s gains in one day. The tech-laden Nasdaq index fell more than 3%. It was all because of some upstart Chinese company.
January 29, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Income Advisor
Cabot Income Advisor Issue: January 28, 2025
January was shaping up to be another stellar month for stocks. The S&P 500 closed last week 3.73% higher for the month.

But stocks came crashing down on Monday when a Chinese start-up claimed that its highly popular AI assistant performs equally as well as leading models at much cheaper prices and using far less data. It calls into question the anticipated demand growth for AI.

But the selloff is probably an overreaction. This is the problem with high-flying stocks. Any bad news gets dramatically amplified because euphoria is so easy to disappoint. The AI catalyst is still very real. But it may have gotten ahead of itself. A day like Monday was bound to happen. It also creates opportunity.

In this issue, I highlight one of the best technology stocks on the market. It was riding high for good reasons, rapidly growing profits. Monday’s overreaction prompted the worst selloff of the stock in years. There is likely to be a bounce back and the stock can generate very high-priced calls.
January 28, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Dividend Stocks
Qualified Dividends Explained: When Are Dividends Qualified?
What are qualified dividends? It’s important to know what makes a dividend qualified for tax purposes. Here’s what you need to know.
January 22, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
January 22, 2025
While the market news is inundated with Trump stories as he has issued a massive number of executive orders on his first day in office, the real market catalyst right now actually started last week.

There were a slew of executive orders affecting the energy industry but no real surprises. The improving story remains essentially the same since the election. There was likely some relief that large tariffs have not been announced, at least so far. But the Trump news is overshadowing last week’s market-altering news.
January 22, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Dividend Stocks
How to Use an Ex-Dividend Date Calendar
If you want to spread out your dividend payments, an ex-dividend date calendar is a handy way to keep track of all your payments.
January 16, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
January 15, 2025
Things are getting dicey in the market.


The problem is interest rates. Growth expectations are strong following the election. At the same time, inflation has been sticky and not moving lower. Investors were already expecting higher rates for longer when they got a gut punch with last week’s strong jobs report.
January 15, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Dividend Stocks
Midstream Energy Stocks: The Best Place for Dividends in 2025
An energy-friendly Trump administration in the White House should help make midstream energy stocks the best place for dividends in 2025.
January 13, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
Cabot Dividend Investor Issue: January 8, 2025
While the outlook for 2025 is positive, things are changing.

Sure, this bull market has driven the S&P 500 nearly 70% higher. But most of the gains are from technology stocks. Until this past summer, nearly all the bull market returns were driven by technology. The rest of the market had done very little.

But the rest of the market is waking up. While artificial intelligence (AI) will likely continue to be a powerful growth catalyst, its dominance over everything else might not be as pronounced in 2025 as it has been in the past. Earnings for other stocks are catching up.

The earning growth difference between the “Magnificent 7” companies and the other 493 S&P 500 companies is expected to plummet from 27.8% last year to 8.3% this year. The rest of the market is cheap, has momentum, and will likely get hot this year as stocks experience an earnings growth spike that could last for years.

In this issue, I highlight a healthcare stock that looks highly promising in 2025. It is poised in front of the aging population megatrend, which makes a successful pick so much easier, and it will likely experience a sizable earning spike in the years ahead. It is an existing portfolio stock of which half the shares were sold last year. It’s a great time to buy back the other half.
January 8, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
January 2, 2025
The year 2024 was another great year for stocks. The S&P was up over 23% for the year. It’s a nice addition to the 26% return last year. It is the first back-to-back 20%-plus return years for the index since 1998.

But the year ended on a sour note. Usually, good years in the market finish strong. But not this time. True, the S&P 500 was down less than 2% in December. But that’s only because the big tech companies are still doing okay. The rest of the market had a terrible month.
January 2, 2025
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
December 18, 2024
It looks like the election euphoria has run out of gas. The market has digested the election and is now back to business as usual.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost ground for nine consecutive sessions. Most of the S&P 500 sectors have been down over the past month. Of course, the S&P is still within a whisker of the high. It hasn’t pulled back. But it hasn’t gone up in a while either.
December 18, 2024
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Income Advisor
Cabot Income Advisor Issue: December 17, 2024
By most measures, 2025 looks pretty good for stocks.

The Fed has begun a rate-cutting cycle that should last for the next two years. Historically, stocks do well when the Fed is cutting rates and there is no recession. And the economy has been solid. This bull market is just 25 months old and has returned 65%. Bull markets usually don’t just run out of gas after two years. In fact, the average bull market has lasted 50 months and returned 152%.

But stocks are expensive. The S&P currently sells at 22.3 times forward earnings compared to an average of 16 times over the last twenty years. The market returned 26% in 2023 and about 28% this year with two weeks to go. It might be tough for stocks to deliver another consecutive year of 20%-plus returns.

It may be that a lot of the easy upside is behind us. Stocks can still perform well, but they’ll probably have to earn it in 2025.

In this issue, I highlight a stock that is poised for a strong earnings rebound in 2025. It is a stock that bounces a lot between the highs and lows. And it is currently well below the high. It is also one of the best healthcare companies on the market at a time when the population is older than ever before and aging at warp speed.
December 17, 2024
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Tom Hutchinson
Income Investing
2 Stocks Made for 2025
We’re in the midst of a bull market and knocking on the door of a new year. Here are two of my favorite stocks that look made for 2025.
December 16, 2024
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Tom Hutchinson
Cabot Dividend Investor
Cabot Dividend Investor Issue: December 11, 2024
It’s been a great year in the market with the S&P up 27%. And there is good reason for optimism about 2025.

We are in a bull market that began in October of 2022. Bull markets don’t usually run out of gas after just two years, especially recent ones. The Fed has begun a rate-cutting cycle that is likely to last for the next two years. Plus, the economy is solid and expected to get stronger. Rate cuts in a strong economy are unusual, but the combination should be great for stocks.

One sector may have a better 2025 prognosis than the overall market: Financial stocks have been on a tear since the summer. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) is up 33% YTD and 22% since early August. Despite the recent spike, many financial stocks are still cheap after a decade and a half of underperformance.

Financial stocks are dependent on yield spreads, economic growth, and relaxed regulations. All those areas are improving or expected to improve as a result of the election.

In this issue, I highlight one of the highest-growth companies in an industry that is on the rise. It is the leading all-digital bank in the country. Unlike many other industry-leading stocks, it is still well below the high because of a recent temporary stumble which has likely only delayed its price spike.
December 11, 2024
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Tom Hutchinson