Author Archive: Brett Owens

Most investors live in the past and fixate on dividend track records rather than a payout’s forward prospects. That’s too bad for them, but it provides opportunity for us to bank big returns that shouldn’t be available in any “efficient” market.

By looking ahead, we can identify the dividends that are likely to grow the fastest. And when we identify payouts that are poised for yearly raises of 15%, 20% or even 25% or more, we should buy those stocks and enjoy annual stock price gains in that neighborhood.

Sure, it isn’t quite that simple. But it’s pretty close. Let me explain my entire dividend growth strategy first – and later, I’ll also share my 7 dividend payers with 100% to 200% price upside with you.… Read more

You and I both know that dividends just don’t get much respect from most folks.

But most folks have it all wrong. I’ll show you why in a moment (I’ll also reveal 2 “accelerating” dividends to put on your buy list now).

First, it’s easy to see why dividends are (way too often) an afterthought: it’s tough to get excited about them when the typical S&P 500 name dribbles out the measly 1.9% yield it does today.

It gets worse when you look at the US inflation rate: 2.1% as of March.

So at best, you can hope your dividends offset inflation, while you hope the underlying stock price soars.… Read more

Business development companies (BDCs) are the kings of yield right now, and it’s not even close. As I write, the average yield in the space is 9.5%, and more than half of all publicly traded BDCs boast a yield in the double digits.

That’s thanks to a long drubbing among these companies – but for the first time in a while, things are starting to look up in this high-yield arena. And right now, I have my eye on three glimmers of hope in the space that are throwing off 9% to 10% dividends.

2017 was a downright dreadful year for BDCs, which managed to even underperform bonds despite their high yields.… Read more

Eric Ervin was making his rich client so much money that he suggested: “Hey, why don’t you just quit your job?”

The investor saw the opportunity to scale Eric’s “secret strategy” – and he wanted to help invest!

Both guys knew the power of dividend growth investing. But Eric’s second-level insight is what made them both a boatload of cash. He figured out a way to bet purely on the higher payouts – as close to a “sure thing” as you’ll ever see in stocks. Here’s what I mean.

Blue chip stocks tend to raise their dividend every year. Even if it’s a token increase, it keeps shareholders happy.… Read more

Make no mistake: The “Mallpocalypse,” the “Retailpocalypse,” whatever you want to call it, is very real, and its shockwaves are being felt in just about every corner of the brick-and-mortar retail world. In fact, there are only a few true havens left – including a few higher yielders in the 5%-6% range. We’ll get to those in a minute.

Every other week, it seems like there’s another story about a retailer going bankrupt or shuttering locations. Just consider some of the store closings lined up for this year:

• Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) is going to shut down 60 of its 868 locations in 2018.

Blue chip stocks are among the worst retirement investments you can make.

There are several blue-chip stocks that will actually cost you thousands of dollars each year. We’ll discuss three in a moment.

Sure, the financial media might lionize these stocks. But blue chips are simply big companies. When the term first came into being, it was simply an homage to the blue poker chip – at the time, the most valuable chip on the table. Before purples, oranges and grays began to grace the baize.

However, now the term comes with a boat load of perks – the simple assignment of the term “blue chip” is practically a buy recommendation.… Read more

17.1%.

If you only pay attention to only one number this earnings season, this should be it.

It’s the first-quarter profit gain the suits at FactSet have S&P 500 companies pegged for. And if that’s where the final number lands, it’ll be the biggest profit bonanza in 7 years!

Better yet, the S&P 500 trades at around 16.5 times its next 12 months of forecast earnings. That’s way down from 18.5 in January.

The upshot?

Ignore the terrifying headlines battling for your attention day in and day out. This market is ripe for buying. And dividend-growth stocks should top your list—as should the 7.4%-paying fund I’ll show you shortly.… Read more

Want more yield and price upside in your portfolio? You can get both from bonds – if you think a little contrarian, of course.

Just avoid the four common mistakes most bond investors make, and you’ll probably do better than most stock jockeys!

“First-level” financial advisors tell you to sell some stocks and buy more bonds as you get older. Their reasoning is that you should be trading upside for yield and security as you go.

You could actually trade all of your stocks for bonds today and retire comfortably on as little as $500,000. If you buy the right bonds.… Read more

While most income investors are reaching for big yields right now, a small group of “hidden yield” stocks are quietly handing smart investors growing income streams plus annual returns of 12%, 27.1% and even 54% or more per year.

So if you want to double your money every few years – and double your income as well – then you need to focus on the seven stocks I’m about to share.

(All seven are about to hike their dividends. Yet the “forward-looking market” hasn’t yet priced in these payout raises. This is free money the market is giving us, thanks to the most “underrated” shareholder return vehicle.)… Read more

“First-level” investors – those who buy and sell on headlines – mistakenly believe that real estate investment trust (REIT) profits will suffer if rates continue to rise. They’re wrong. This is actually an ideal time to buy the strongest names in the sector.

Note that I said strongest. The sector’s popular proxy is something you should avoid, despite its popularity. I’ll call it out in a moment.

Overall, rising rates are actually good for the best REITs because it signals a rolling economy. These landlords have no problem raising their rents when their tenants are making money.

Unfortunately, the business world is increasingly becoming a neighborhood of “haves” and “have nots.”… Read more