December 2019 Dividends
Hello everyone,
It's been quite the hiatus for me, as my last dividend update was for June 2019. I wish I had amazing excuses for this, but I don't unfortunately. Just various things getting in the way, which I allowed to stop me from posting consistent updates.
We did manage to close on our new house at the end of August, with a few minor projects to take care of shortly afterward. However, other than that, any other reasons I can muster for my hiatus would be laughable at best. I hope to get back on track going forward with regular updates.
With these particulars out of the way, let's get to the numbers for December:
So this is my first month where I crossed the $300 threshold for dividend income! One major factor behind this is that I was fortunate to have some bonds mature that were kept in my name, which were bought while I was growing up. I cashed these in, deposited some in my savings account for upcoming house work and expenses, and invested the rest in November.
Many of the dividends from this infusion just started to get paid out in mid-December. When I later show the dividend history, December will show a big increase from previous months for exactly this reason (no complaints here!).
With this additional investment, I added to some existing positions, but also made some new buys of stocks that I had been eyeing which did drop to present a good value for me to jump in
Recent New Buys
3M Corp. (MMM) - For a while I wondered if this would be my white whale, as it always seemed to be priced higher than I wanted to buy it. Recently however, with some struggles, the price had come down to where I considered it to be a fair value. I currently hold 30 shares.
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) - I saw this as a way to get a piece of all current Dividend Aristocrats, while avoiding some of the risk of going all into a particular company. It has been well documented that Dividend Aristocrats have performed well in relation to broader overall market, while offering the benefit of growing dividends. Therefore, alongside my other positions, I decided it would be a good thing to invest in this ETF as well.
Bank OZK (OZK) - This is a regional bank serving the Southeast U.S. experiencing higher growth and expanding into other areas. They have had 23 consecutive years of dividend increases. It appears to be undervalued, so I decided to start a position. I hold 181 shares.
PepsiCorp. (PEP) - No introduction needed for Pepsi. I like how they have branched out into food products as well as beverages, to give a more well-rounded offering in the food industry. Their price recently entered into what I considered fair value territory, so I started a position. I hold 37 shares.
Snap-On (SNA) - Snap-On is a tool company that I had also been eyeing, just waiting for a good entry price. Although not undervalued, they did come into my fair value range, so I decided to start a position with them also. I currently hold 31 shares.
December Transactions
During the month of December, I just made some additions to current positions of Cummins (CMI) - 7 shares, Lazard (LAZ) - 23 shares, and Walgreens - Boots Alliance (WBA) - 11 shares. I did not have any sells.
Now let's take a look at my dividend history...
It definitely feels good to have eclipsed the $300 mark for the first time in a month.
With this additional investment, I added to some existing positions, but also made some new buys of stocks that I had been eyeing which did drop to present a good value for me to jump in
Recent New Buys
3M Corp. (MMM) - For a while I wondered if this would be my white whale, as it always seemed to be priced higher than I wanted to buy it. Recently however, with some struggles, the price had come down to where I considered it to be a fair value. I currently hold 30 shares.
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) - I saw this as a way to get a piece of all current Dividend Aristocrats, while avoiding some of the risk of going all into a particular company. It has been well documented that Dividend Aristocrats have performed well in relation to broader overall market, while offering the benefit of growing dividends. Therefore, alongside my other positions, I decided it would be a good thing to invest in this ETF as well.
Bank OZK (OZK) - This is a regional bank serving the Southeast U.S. experiencing higher growth and expanding into other areas. They have had 23 consecutive years of dividend increases. It appears to be undervalued, so I decided to start a position. I hold 181 shares.
PepsiCorp. (PEP) - No introduction needed for Pepsi. I like how they have branched out into food products as well as beverages, to give a more well-rounded offering in the food industry. Their price recently entered into what I considered fair value territory, so I started a position. I hold 37 shares.
Snap-On (SNA) - Snap-On is a tool company that I had also been eyeing, just waiting for a good entry price. Although not undervalued, they did come into my fair value range, so I decided to start a position with them also. I currently hold 31 shares.
December Transactions
During the month of December, I just made some additions to current positions of Cummins (CMI) - 7 shares, Lazard (LAZ) - 23 shares, and Walgreens - Boots Alliance (WBA) - 11 shares. I did not have any sells.
Now let's take a look at my dividend history...
It definitely feels good to have eclipsed the $300 mark for the first time in a month.
The total mark for 2019, however, did go down in comparison with 2018. The main reason for this was that I did some selling of stocks to help come up with the down payment for the house. Also, I didn't do much adding to the portfolio, as much of the money left over after expenses went into the savings for said down payment.
That is now behind me, and I look forward to what will come in 2020, as far as dividend income.
Now, let's take a look at the graphical representation.
With December 2019 being my highest dividend income month to date, I am definitely looking forward to 2020!
A look at the change over the last quarter and year shows that significant increase:
It's been a while since I've seen percentages this high, if ever.
Conclusion
Who knows what 2020 will bring, but the only major expenses beyond house-related work that I can see from where I sit would be that I will probably be getting a new vehicle, as the current one is likely on its last legs (or wheels). No loans for me, as I intend to be paying for it via cash.
Now, let's take a look at the graphical representation.
With December 2019 being my highest dividend income month to date, I am definitely looking forward to 2020!
A look at the change over the last quarter and year shows that significant increase:
It's been a while since I've seen percentages this high, if ever.
Conclusion
Who knows what 2020 will bring, but the only major expenses beyond house-related work that I can see from where I sit would be that I will probably be getting a new vehicle, as the current one is likely on its last legs (or wheels). No loans for me, as I intend to be paying for it via cash.
So I am hopeful that we'll see a steady growth for this portfolio, and I am here for it.
How was your December, and your 2019?
I'd love to hear it!
Let me know in the comments below.
How was your December, and your 2019?
I'd love to hear it!
Let me know in the comments below.
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