By Carla Pasternak
---
Dividend Payments on the Rise
Dividend Increases Are Only One Side of the Story
Time to Play Defense
---
--- Advertisement ---
Unlock the Secrets of Options Trading
Leverage your investments in both up and down markets with our newest publication, Cabot Options Trader. Get top options trading picks each week that can help you make money in any market. A new issue is released every Monday—don’t miss the next one! Click here to order now.
http://www.cabot.net/info/cot/cotki04.aspx?source=wc01
---
Note from Cabot Wealth Advisory Editor Elyse Andrews: Occasionally, we bring you articles from guest editors that we think you will enjoy and benefit from. Today, you’ll hear from Carla Pasternak, Editor of High-Yield Investing at StreetAuthority, as she discusses why now is the time to play defense. I hope you enjoy it!
---
I doubt you’ve ever heard of Howard Silverblatt.
Mr. Silverblatt is a senior analyst at Standard and Poor’s (the “S&P” in S&P 500). He covers a lot of topics when it comes to his work at S&P, but what’s made him a hot commodity for reporters (and why I like to keep tabs on him) is his knowledge of dividends of S&P 500 components.
His position offers access to the raw data behind payments, and he compiles this information so we can know how many dividend cuts or increases S&P companies have announced and how much total cash that means for investors. In addition, he regularly gives forecasts on where dividend payments are headed. Given his background and unrivaled access, I always think his view is worth a listen.
Fortunately, it’s currently good news for us income investors. Nearly 140 S&P companies have raised or initiated payments so far in 2010—with only two decreases (last year there were a total of 78 decreases).
And Howard Silverblatt predicts the good times will keep rolling for dividend increases. He sees a 5.6% increase in dividend payments this year over 2009—including a surge in announcements as we get closer to year-end.
But what’s going to drive these payments? After all, we’re still not even sure the recovery will hold.
Well, you may not realize it, but corporate America is currently sitting on its biggest pile of cash in history. The S&P 500 components are holding about $840 billion in their coffers—an increase of +26% over the first quarter of 2009. (For reference, that amount of cash is equal to the GDP of South Korea.)
There’s no doubt these companies will hang on to a lot of that money to ride out the storm, but eventually some of it will find its way to investors in the form of share buybacks and more dividend increases.
--- StreetAuthority Advertisemente ---
Earn Double-Digit Yields from the Rarest Securities on Earth
We’ve discovered a small group of consistent double-digit yielding investments that are so unusual people don’t even know what to call them. You can buy them at any brokerage... but you need to find them first. That’s why we prepared the report Earn Double-Digit Yields from the Rarest Securities on Earth to give you all the details.
Go here to get your copy now.
http://web.streetauthority.com/m/hyi/j/ehya16/06-29-10-idsfull.asp?TC=HY0650
---
As income investors, however, we all know our total returns don’t just rely on increasing dividends. They also take into account the appreciation of our capital. Dividends can rise sharply, but it means nothing if the value of our holdings falls.
With the market losing about 15% from its April 26 peak and volatility on the rise over the past few months, ensuring the safety of your investment looks more important than ever. That’s why despite the rosy outlook for dividend increases, I think the time may have come to rotate from speculative to more “boring” high-yield plays.
The recent correction may be just a garden-variety pullback after a long advance. Still, concerns about a weak global recovery amid austerity programs in Europe, tightening in China, and continued high unemployment in the U.S. continue to weigh on the market.
With the economy still not robust, I recently wrote to my High-Yield Investing subscribers that I think now’s a good time to be playing “defense.” I’d suggest the same to you. (Just to be clear, I’m not saying that we’re sure to see a prolonged downturn. Instead, I simply think it’s a good time to start looking toward more defensive names.)
You can start by looking to stocks that have a long history of steady or rising dividend payments as they tend to hold up better in down markets (as a bonus, look for companies with a large cash stockpile). As well, “non-cyclical” income stocks—those backed by companies that don’t rely on the momentum of the broader economy—may be a good place to invest over the next few months.
Good Investing!
Carla Pasternak
Editor of High-Yield Investing
P.S. As I mentioned above, I told High-Yield Investing subscribers in my July issue that it’s time to start looking toward defensive names. To get them started, I uncovered two non-cyclical stocks I like in this market. While they yield a little less than I’m used to (both pay close to 6%), the added safety they provide is invaluable. Visit this link to learn how to read my July issue.
http://web.streetauthority.com/m/hyi/j/ehya16/05-dividend-sample.asp?TC=HY0649
---