Dividend income for March 2026 totaled $4,037.08, the highest March figure recorded in the six‑year dataset. The continued rise reflects a combination of dividend increases from long‑held positions, the introduction of new high‑yield instruments, and the removal of several underperforming or discontinued payers.
Year‑Over‑Year Performance
March dividend totals have increased steadily:
2021: $1,460.97
2022: $2,037.38
2023: $2,664.57
2024: $3,116.15
2025: $3,633.21
2026: $4,037.08
This represents a 176% increase over the 2021 baseline and an 11% rise from 2025 to 2026. The upward trajectory has remained consistent despite portfolio turnover and market fluctuations.
New Contributors in March 2026
Several securities appear for the first time in the March 2026 column, indicating recent additions:
AVGW – 19.58
NVDW – 45.57
TSLW – 44.84
HOOW – 33.78
HOOY – 58.86
PLTY – 50.09
TOPW – 20.28
GOOG – 25.08 (reflecting the company’s new dividend program)
These positions collectively contributed more than $250 to the March 2026 total, signaling a shift toward higher‑yielding or newly dividend‑initiating assets.
Positions No Longer Contributing
Several holdings that previously generated March income show no dividends in 2026:
BTG – last paid in 2024
BBL (second line) – last paid in 2023
VFC – last paid in 2023
FLO (first line) – no 2026 entry
VIIIX – no 2026 entry
These absences suggest sales, dividend suspensions, or reallocations into higher‑conviction or higher‑yielding positions.
Continuing Core Contributors
A substantial portion of March 2026 income continues to come from long‑held, dividend‑growth companies, including:
Visa, Southern, Johnson & Johnson, Chevron, Target, Microsoft, Union Pacific, Broadcom, Wells Fargo, ADM, Amgen, Lockheed Martin, Home Depot, Honeywell, UPS, Prudential, AFLAC, Discover, Hershey, Consolidated Edison, Dominion, Unilever, PepsiCo, Gilead, Shell
Index and fund positions also remain significant contributors:
VOO, SCHD, VMCIX, VMCPX, VSCPX
Notably, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) delivered $227.07 in March 2026 after showing no March dividends in prior years, becoming one of the largest single contributors.
Trajectory: How the Portfolio Has Evolved
The six‑year record shows a clear structural evolution:
1. From traditional dividend growth to a hybrid model
Early years (2021–2022) were dominated by blue‑chip dividend growers and broad‑market funds. By 2026, the portfolio includes a second layer of high‑yield, cash‑flow‑oriented instruments, significantly increasing monthly income.
2. Rising payouts from long‑term holdings
Companies such as AVGO, LMT, UNP, TROW, HSY, ED, PRU, AFL, AMGN, and VMCIX show multi‑year increases, contributing to steady baseline growth.
3. Reduced reliance on any single payer
The 2026 income stream is more diversified, with contributions spread across dozens of securities rather than concentrated in a handful.
4. Strategic pruning
The removal of BTG, VFC, and other discontinued payers indicates a shift toward higher‑quality or higher‑yielding alternatives.
What March 2026 Suggests About the Next Five Years
Based on the current structure and trajectory, several implications emerge:
1. Income growth is likely to continue
With both dividend‑growth companies and high‑yield instruments in the mix, the portfolio is positioned for continued expansion in monthly income, even if individual positions fluctuate.
2. High‑yield additions accelerate cash recovery
The introduction of AVGW, NVDW, TSLW, HOOW, HOOY, PLTY, and TOPW has materially increased monthly payouts. If maintained, these positions could significantly shorten the time required to recover invested capital.
3. Dividend‑growth names provide long‑term stability
Companies such as MSFT, JNJ, V, UNH, AVGO, HD, HON, UPS, and PEP have long histories of raising dividends. Their continued presence suggests a stable foundation for future income.
4. Fund exposure may become a larger driver
Positions like SCHD, VMCIX, VMCPX, and VSCPX show rising payouts and may play an increasingly important role in smoothing volatility and providing consistent growth.
5. Portfolio resilience has improved
The combination of diversified sectors, multiple asset types, and both growth‑oriented and income‑oriented holdings reduces reliance on any single company or industry.
Conclusion
March 2026 marks a significant milestone in the portfolio’s development. The month’s record dividend total reflects:
consistent year‑over‑year growth,
the introduction of new high‑yield contributors,
the continued strength of long‑term holdings, and
strategic adjustments that removed weaker payers.
If current trends continue, the portfolio is positioned for further income expansion over the next five years, supported by both dividend‑growth companies and high‑yield instruments that enhance near‑term cash flow.