In these volatile times, our focus on fundamentally solid companies will certainly protect us. Just the way a big social network recently made a splash about raising worker wages, we want to own stocks that are going to provide us optimum income.
Facebook (FB) recently required that any company or vendor that has a significant relationship with FB must pay its workers a minimum of $15 per hour, along with other benefit-related stipulations. As I’m sure you’re well aware, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and the debate has been heating up over that amount and whether it is a real living wage.
A number of tech companies and big-box stores have been involved on both sides of the debate, and it doesn’t surprise me that Facebook would make such a move. However, FB’s new policy shouldn’t have any impact on sales or earnings (unless those contractors or vendors pass on the increased costs to Facebook). FB is still a “buy.”
Just the way those workers will benefit from Facebook’s new policy, income investors can look forward to upcoming dividend payments. We have a very steady stream of income via dividend payments coming in the next few weeks.
Let’s preview the next round of ex-dividend dates. I expect there will be others announced in the coming weeks, but here are five dividends to keep an eye out for:
Southwest Airlines (LUV) goes ex-dividend today, June 1. Shareholders of record on June 3 will receive 7 cents per share on June 24. At current prices, LUV has a 0.82% annual dividend yield. I recommend you buy LUV stock, which is moderately aggressive.
CH Robinson (CHRW) goes ex-dividend on June 3. Shareholders of record on June 5 will receive 38 cents per share on June 30. At current prices, CHRW has an excellent 2.46% annual dividend yield. CHRW stock has slipped to a C-rating, so I recommend you continue holding CH Robinson.
VF Corp (VFC) goes ex-dividend on June 5. Shareholders of record on June 9 will receive 32 cents per share on June 19. At current prices, VFC has a 1.83% annual dividend yield. VFC is also garners a C-rating. Hold VF Corp.
Anthem (ANTM) goes ex-dividend on June 8. Shareholders of record on June 10 will receive 62.5 cents per share on June 25. At current prices, ANTM has a 1.49% annual dividend yield. ANTM is a “buy.”
Reynolds American (RAI) is another of our significant yield companies, and RAI stock goes ex-dividend on June 8. Shareholders of record on June 10 will receive 67 cents per share on July 1. At current prices, RAI has a 3.57% annual dividend yield. RAI is a moderately aggressive stock to buy.
Louis Navellier is a renowned growth investor. He is the editor of five investing newsletters: Blue Chip Growth, Emerging Growth, Ultimate Growth, Family Trust and Platinum Growth. His most popular service, Blue Chip Growth, has a track record of beating the market 3:1 over the last 14 years. He uses a combination of quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify market-beating stocks. Mr. Navellier has made his proven formula accessible to investors via his free, online stock rating tool, PortfolioGrader.com. Louis Navellier may hold some of the aforementioned securities in one or more of his newsletters.
