Core Insights - The author transitioned from a traditional financial career to focus on personal finance education through online platforms [1] Group 1: Background and Experience - The author has a background in finance-marketing, holding a bachelor's degree, CFP title, and an MBA in financial services [1] - The author worked in private banking for five years before deciding to pursue a different path [1] Group 2: Career Transition - In 2016, the author left the financial industry to travel across North America and Central America with family, which was a transformative experience [1] - In 2017, the author quit the financial job to help others with personal finance through investing websites [1]

All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it b ...

Inflation and Tariffs - Inflation in the United States accelerated in June, with the Consumer Price Index growing 2.7% year over year, up from 2.4% in May, marking the highest level since February [1] - Month over month, inflation climbed 0.3%, an increase from a 0.1% rise the previous month [1] - Tariffs imposed under President Trump are raising costs for everyday goods, with core prices (excluding food and energy) increasing to 2.9% from 2.8% [2] Impact of Tariffs - The inflation increase coincides with tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, including a 10% levy on all imports, 50% duties on steel and aluminum, 30% on Chinese goods, and 25% on imported automobiles [3] - Gasoline prices rose 1% from May to June, grocery prices climbed 0.35%, and appliance prices increased for the third consecutive month [3] - Major companies like Walmart, Nike, and Mitsubishi have acknowledged passing higher costs onto consumers, with some firms previously stockpiling inventory to delay price hikes [4] Dividend Investing Strategy - Dividend investing is highlighted as a viable strategy due to its income generation, providing a steady stream of income even amid market volatility [4] - Companies with a strong history of dividend growth may continue to increase dividends, which can help offset rising interest rates [5] - Dividend-paying stocks are often found in defensive sectors such as utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare, which can provide stability during economic downturns [6] Benefits of Dividend Stocks - Reinvesting dividends can enhance compounding returns, leading to exponential growth over the long term [7] - Dividend-paying stocks can serve as a hedge against inflation, as companies that can pass on increased costs to customers may maintain or increase profitability [7] ETFs for Dividend Investing - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is the largest in the dividend space with an AUM of $93 billion, holding 337 stocks and charging 5 bps in annual fees [9] - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has an AUM of $61.8 billion, holding 582 stocks and charging 6 bps in annual fees [11] - iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) tracks 397 companies with sustained dividend growth, has an AUM of $32.5 billion, and charges 8 bps in fees [12] - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) provides exposure to high dividend income stocks with an AUM of $7 billion, holding 77 stocks and charging 7 bps in annual fees [13] - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers exposure to 103 high-dividend-yielding U.S. companies, with an AUM of $71.3 billion and charging 6 bps in annual fees [14]

Although I consider myself a pretty savvy investor, something I've struggled with is trimming stocks to take profit after a strong rally. As a buy-and-hold investor who only seeks to buy and own stocks that I consider to be high-quality, I've lostContributing analyst to the iREIT+Hoya Capital investment group. The Dividend Collectuh is not a registered investment professional nor financial advisor and these articles should not be taken as financial advice. This is for educational purposes only and I encoura ...

Group 1 - The article highlights the importance of access to regular current income streams for financial independence planning [1] - Roberts Berzins has over a decade of experience in financial management, assisting top-tier corporates in shaping financial strategies and executing large-scale financings [1] - Berzins has contributed to institutionalizing the REIT framework in Latvia to enhance the liquidity of pan-Baltic capital markets [1] Group 2 - The article mentions Berzins' involvement in developing national SOE financing guidelines and frameworks for channeling private capital into affordable housing [1] - Berzins holds a CFA Charter and an ESG investing certificate, indicating a strong background in investment and sustainability [1] - He has participated in "thought-leadership" activities aimed at supporting the development of pan-Baltic capital markets [1]

Group 1: Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola is a mature beverage company with a global presence, selling drinks in over 200 countries [4] - In the first quarter, Coca-Cola's sales grew by 6% after adjusting for foreign currency and acquisitions, with price/mix contributing 5 percentage points and higher volume accounting for the rest [5] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by more than 5%, marking 63 consecutive years of dividend increases, solidifying its status as a Dividend King [6] - Coca-Cola has a dividend yield of 2.9%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2%, and a payout ratio of 77%, indicating secure dividend payouts [7] Group 2: Home Depot - Home Depot is the leading company in the home improvement retail sector, benefiting from strong brand recognition and economies of scale [9] - The company's fiscal first-quarter same-store sales fell by 0.3%, impacted by lower traffic and economic factors, with adjusted diluted earnings per share decreasing from $3.67 to $3.56 [10] - Home Depot's stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 25, down from 27 at the beginning of the year, which is more favorable compared to the S&P 500's P/E of 30 [12] - The company has raised its dividend annually since 2010, with a recent increase from $2.25 to $2.30 per quarter, and maintains a payout ratio of 61% [13]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 dividend yield is nearing a record low of approximately 1.2%, prompting investors to seek higher-yielding dividend stocks for better income opportunities [1][2]. Group 1: Enbridge - Enbridge offers a substantial dividend yield of 6%, supported by three decades of dividend increases, making it an attractive option compared to the S&P 500's yield [4][7]. - The company operates a reliable oil and natural gas pipeline network, generating consistent cash flows through customer fees, independent of commodity price fluctuations [5]. - Enbridge is transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, including natural gas and renewables, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and a distribution payout ratio of 60% to 70% of distributable cash flows [6][7]. Group 2: Plains All American Pipeline - Plains All American Pipeline boasts a high dividend yield exceeding 8%, nearly seven times that of the S&P 500 [8]. - The company generates stable cash flow, with 80% of its income derived from predictable fee-for-service agreements, expected to rise to 85% post-sale of Canadian NGL assets [9][10]. - Plains All American plans to grow its dividend by approximately 10% annually until reaching a targeted payout ratio of 160%, with an expected ratio of around 175% this year [11][12]. Group 3: Brookfield Renewable - Brookfield Renewable offers a dividend yield of 4.6% and has consistently increased its dividend since its formation in 2011, with funds from operations covering its payouts [13][14]. - The company is a major player in the renewable energy sector, with over 35 gigawatts of operational capacity and a diverse asset pipeline [14][15]. - Brookfield Renewable plans to invest $8 billion to $9 billion over the next five years, targeting annual returns of 12% to 15%, including a 5% to 9% annual increase in dividends [16].

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has slightly underperformed compared to the S&P 500 in 2025 but remains a strong investment option due to its attractive dividend yield and potential for dividend growth [1] Investment Strategy - The focus is on constructing investment portfolios that generate additional income through dividends by identifying companies with competitive advantages and strong financials [1] - A combination of high Dividend Yield and Dividend Growth companies is emphasized to reduce dependence on broader stock market fluctuations [1] - The strategy includes diversification across various sectors and industries to minimize portfolio volatility and mitigate risk [1] - Incorporating companies with a low Beta Factor is suggested to further reduce overall investment risk [1] Portfolio Composition - Suggested investment portfolios typically consist of a blend of ETFs and individual companies, emphasizing broad diversification and risk reduction [1] - The selection process for high dividend yield and dividend growth companies is meticulously curated, focusing on total return, which includes both capital gains and dividends [1] - This approach aims to maximize returns while considering a full spectrum of potential income sources [1]

Core Insights - Procter & Gamble is currently ranked in the top 25% of dividend stocks, indicating strong fundamentals and attractive valuation for investors [1] - The stock has entered oversold territory with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 27.3, suggesting potential buying opportunities [2][3] - The recent annualized dividend of $4.2272 per share translates to an annual yield of 2.69% based on a share price of $157.05 [3] Group 1 - Procter & Gamble's shares traded as low as $152.86, indicating a significant drop in price [2] - The average RSI for the universe of dividend stocks is 57.1, highlighting that Procter & Gamble is underperforming relative to its peers [3] - A bullish investor may view the low RSI as a sign that selling pressure is diminishing, presenting potential entry points for investment [4] Group 2 - The company's dividend history is a critical factor for investors to assess the sustainability of its recent dividend payments [4]

Group 1 - The stock market has experienced significant growth over the past five years, driven by emerging technologies and tech-focused rallies [1] - Dividend investors can achieve substantial returns by making informed investment choices in dividend-focused stocks [1] - The analysis emphasizes a combination of fundamental and technical approaches to forecast market trends for both short- and long-term horizons [1]