The Benefits of High-Dividend Yielding Stocks (2024)

There are many benefits to investing in companies that pay dividends, especially if you plan to invest in them for the long-term.In addition to providing consistent income, many dividend-paying stocks are in defensive sectors that can weather economic downturns with reduced volatility. Dividend-paying companies also have substantial amounts of cash, and therefore, are usually strong companies with good prospects for long-term performance.

A dividend is a regular payment distributed from a company's earnings and paid to a class of its shareholders. Although cash dividends are the most common, dividends can also be issued as shares of stock or other property.But not all stocks pay dividends.

Dividend-paying stocks allow investors to profit in two ways. First, through appreciation in the price of the stock, and secondly, through distributions made by the company. Most companies pay dividends on a quarterly basis. Investors who are nearing retirement or are already retired many gravitate toward dividend stocks as a source of income.

Key Takeaways

  • Dividend-paying stocks allow investors to profit in two ways: through appreciation in the price of the stock and through distributions made by the company.
  • In addition to providing consistent income, many dividend-paying stocks are in defensive sectors that can weather economic downturns with reduced volatility.
  • Dividend-paying companies also have substantial amounts of cash, and therefore, are usually strong companies with good prospects for long-term performance.

How to Identify High Dividend-Yielding Stocks

When trying to identify stocks that pay high dividends, investors sometimes use a measure called the dividend yield. The dividend yield is a financial ratio, expressed as a percentage, that shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its stock price. The dividend yield is calculated by taking the annual dividend per share and dividing it by the price per share.

For example, if a stock trades at $25 and a company's annual dividend is $1.50, thedividend yieldis 6% ($1.50 divided by $25). You can also identify companies with high dividend yields by using a stock screening service.

Dividend Reinvestment Plans

It is common for people to reinvest the passive income from dividends back into the stock. Many companies have dividend reinvestment plans that allow investors to use dividends to buy more shares in the company. This allows investors to build a larger position in a company over time.

Many companies do not charge commissions for these additional share purchases. Some even offer discounts of one to five percent off the share price. Companies may choose to offer dividend reinvestment plans because they benefit from having a base of long-term investors who are involved in the future of the company.

Dividend Stocks Based in Defensive Sectors

Many companies that pay dividends are in defensive sectors. Defensive sectors are considered noncyclical and are therefore not as dependent on larger economic cycles. They are more likely to keep their value during periods of economic instability, and they generally have less volatility than the overall market, making them a good fit for more risk-averse investors. These companies can typically pay more than what investors could earn with U.S. Treasury bills or other types of bonds.

Common defensive sectors include food and beverage stocks, utility and housing companies, and pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Even during times of economic uncertainty, demand for these goods doesn't typically go down because people still consume food and beverages, heat their homes, and demand medical care. Healthcare stocks like Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are favorites of investors who are seeking dividends. On Feb. 18, 2022, the dividend yield for Johnson & Johnson was 2.63%.

Companies That Pay Dividends Are Strong Performers

Many companies that pay dividends are strong performers, and they are able to make distributions to investors because they have a great deal of cash. Companies like Proctor & Gamble and Coca-Cola are two examples of strong performing companies that pay dividends. (As of Q1 2022, Proctor & Gamble has a dividend yield of 2.23% and Coca-Cola has a dividend yield of 2.73%).

Dividend-paying stocks have been shown to deliver relatively better performance during the period 1927 to 2014. Dividend-paying stocks averaged 10.4% per year, while non-dividend-paying stocks only returned 8.5% per year during this period. Dividend-paying stocks also enjoyed lower volatility during this time period. The standard deviation for non-dividend-paying stocks was 30% during this time frame, while dividend-paying stocks only had a volatility of 18%.

Risks of Investing in Dividend-Paying Stocks

Despite all these benefits, there are still some risks involved in investing in dividend-paying stocks. They are still subject to changing prices in the marketplace. If a company experiences a downturn in its market performance, there is always a chance it will reduce the amount of its dividend or eliminate its dividend entirely.

Why Do Some Stocks Pay Dividends?

Paying dividends distributes corporate profits to shareholders. Some shareholders seek dividends for income purposes or to reinvest them back into more shares of the company. Consistent and growing dividend payments can be a positive signal that a company is financially stable and strong.

Why Don't Some Companies Pay Dividends?

Newer ventures, tech, and growth companies often prefer to reinvest their profits into expanding the company and seeking new opportunities. As a result, they refrain from paying dividends. But, due to growth expectations, they can instead return capital gains as share prices appreciate. Once a company has matured, it may begin to pay dividends (e.g., AAPL or MSFT).

Which S&P 500 Stocks Pay the Highest Dividends?

As of Q1 2022, the top 5 stocks in the S&P 500 index with the highest dividend yield included:

  • AT&T (T) - 9%
  • Lumen (LUMN) - 9%
  • Altria (MO) - 7%
  • Kinder Morgan (KMI) - 6.2%
  • ONEOK (OKE) - 5.5%
The Benefits of High-Dividend Yielding Stocks (2024)

FAQs

The Benefits of High-Dividend Yielding Stocks? ›

“Companies that have consistently increased their dividends tend to be more stable, higher quality businesses, which historically have weathered downturns and are more likely to have the ability to pay dividends consistently.”

Is it good to buy stocks with high dividend yield? ›

A high dividend yield isn't always a good thing — some are unsustainable, and others are just the result of a low stock price.

What are the advantages of dividend paying stocks? ›

First, they provide a regular income stream, which can be especially attractive to income-focused investors such as retirees. Second, dividends are often seen as a sign of a company's financial health and stability, as they indicate that it's generating enough profits to distribute at least some to shareholders.

What is the downside of high dividend stocks? ›

In some cases, a high dividend yield can indicate a company in distress. The yield is high because the company's shares have fallen in response to financial troubles. And the high yield may not last for much longer. A company under financial stress could reduce or scrap its dividend in an effort to conserve cash.

What are the benefits of dividend yield funds? ›

Advantages of dividend yield mutual funds
  • Diversification. Dividend yield funds invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, which helps to reduce the risk of investing in a single stock.
  • Lower risk. ...
  • High yield in the long term. ...
  • Ideal for new investors.

Is there a downside to dividend stocks? ›

Another potential downside of investing primarily for dividends is the chance for a disconnect between the business growth of a company and the amount of dividends the company pays. Common stocks are not required to pay dividends. A company can cut its dividend at any time.

Is a high dividend yield risky? ›

A high dividend yield can be appealing since you're getting more income per dollar invested, but a high yield isn't always a positive thing. It could mean that the company's stock price has been falling or dividend payments have been increasing at a higher rate than the company's earnings.

Is it smart to invest in dividend stocks? ›

Dividend investing can be a great investment strategy. Dividend stocks have historically outperformed the S&P 500 with less volatility. That's because dividend stocks provide two sources of return: regular income from dividend payments and capital appreciation of the stock price.

Are dividend stocks considered fixed income? ›

Though not traditionally considered part of the fixed income family, mutual funds holding dividend-paying stocks can potentially be a source of income for investors.

What are the benefits of monthly dividends? ›

Monthly dividends have their advantages. For one, they're better than quarterly dividends for covering living expenses. You only have to budget the income 30 days at a time, rather than 90. Monthly payouts are also convenient for reinvesting.

Should I invest in CD or dividend stocks? ›

Key Takeaways. CDs are low-risk, low-return financial vehicles that are best suited for short-term savings and risk-averse investors. Stocks have higher potential returns and higher potential losses. They are suited to long-term investors who can ride out price fluctuations.

Why shouldn't you invest in dividend stocks? ›

“One mistake to avoid,” Cabacungan says, “is to buy a company's stock simply because it issues a high dividend.” If the company has leveraged excessive debt to fund the dividend, it could come at the expense of future profitability and hurt growth prospects.

Do you pay taxes on dividends? ›

Dividends can be classified either as ordinary or qualified. Whereas ordinary dividends are taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividends that meet certain requirements are taxed at lower capital gain rates.

What is considered a good dividend yield? ›

Dividend yield is a percentage figure calculated by dividing the total annual dividend payments, per share, by the current share price of the stock. From 2% to 6% is considered a good dividend yield, but a number of factors can influence whether a higher or lower payout suggests a stock is a good investment.

How often are dividends paid out? ›

Dividends are typically issued quarterly but can also be disbursed monthly or annually. Distributions are announced in advance and determined by the company's board of directors. Companies pay dividends for a variety of reasons, most often to show their financial stability and to keep or attract investors.

Which is better dividend or dividend yield? ›

While the dividend rate shows the absolute amount of dividend paid per share, the dividend yield factors in the stock's current price, offering a more insightful measure of the return on investment.

Is it good to buy stock before a dividend? ›

No. If you're being serious – the dividend's simply subtracted from the price on the ex-div date, so there's no possible way to benefit from timing your buying or selling .. You're just as good selling the fund the day before the ex-div date – makes absolutely no difference. All a dividend is is self-liquidation ..

How many dividend stocks should I own? ›

There is no hard and fast rule for how many dividend stocks to start a portfolio, but a good starting point is to aim for a minimum of 10. This will give you a good mix of different companies and sectors and help to diversify your risk.

Does raising dividends increase stock price? ›

After the declaration of a stock dividend, the stock's price often increases; however, because a stock dividend increases the number of shares outstanding while the value of the company remains stable, it dilutes the book value per common share, and the stock price is reduced accordingly.

Are monthly dividend stocks worth it? ›

Monthly dividends make budgeting easier by providing more frequent cash flow to income investors. May 6, 2024, at 2:50 p.m. Stocks are this list reward investors with a healthy, steady flow of additional income through dividends.

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