Analyzing April Dividends: A Look at Dividend Growth from 2021 to 2024
As we progress through 2024, it's good to look back at the dividend trends over the past few years. The following analysis highlights the dividends received in April for various stocks from 2021 to 2024, along with the differences in these dividends over the period.
Dividend Growth Overview
Here's a detailed table showing the dividends received in April from 2021 to 2024, along with the growth difference for each stock symbol:
| Stock Symbol | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Difference |
| MO | 22.02 | 26.62 | 28 | 39.57 | 11.57 |
| JPM | 9.9 | 11.27 | 11.635 | 13.75 | 2.115 |
| MO | 8.71 | 9.64 | 10.895 | 12.38 | 1.485 |
| NLY | 12 | 12.98 | 10.5975 | 12.175 | 1.5775 |
| CINF | 35.44 | 39.67 | 44.1725 | 49.1 | 4.9275 |
| STWD | 56.64 | 59.89 | 65.6075 | 72.32 | 6.7125 |
| AGNC | 6.17 | 7.11 | 8.12 | 9.44 | 1.32 |
| DG | 4.21 | 11.05 | 12.45 | 20.6 | 8.15 |
| FXAIX | 75.15 | 85.19 | 100.86 | 117.58 | 16.72 |
| IRM | 6.17 | 6.43 | 6.76 | 7.41 | 0.65 |
| BCS | 5.9 | 22.44 | 27.46 | 31.39 | 3.93 |
| KO | 9.39 | 10.56 | 10.63 | 12.89 | 2.26 |
| WMT | 9.4 | 10.28 | 11.4 | 12.36 | 0.96 |
| VTR | 15.15 | 15.53 | 15.75 | 16.77 | 1.02 |
| LADR | 4.67 | 4.91 | 6.44 | 7.2 | 0.76 |
| O | 6.26 | 7.33 | 7.08 | 8.91 | 1.83 |
| CSCO | 22.14 | 24.13 | 25.74 | 27.8 | 2.06 |
| BNS | 42.18 | 46.87 | 48 | 50 | 2 |
| MO | 25.98 | 28.8 | 37.63 | 42.76 | 5.13 |
| CSCO | 10.44 | 11.48 | 12.66 | 13.39 | 0.73 |
| ITW | 7.28 | 15.61 | 17.2 | 18.8 | 1.6 |
| STWD | 25.97 | 27.97 | 30.59 | 33.73 | 3.14 |
| WDS | 0 | 0 | 36 | 15 | -21 |
| Fundrise | 25.7 | 48.77 | 50.14 | 54.31 | 4.17 |
| 446.87 | 544.53 | 635.8175 | 699.635 | 63.8175 |
Key Insights
Top Performers
FXAIX:
- 2021: $75.15
- 2024: $117.58
- Increase: $16.72
FXAIX shows the highest growth, with a substantial increase of $16.72 over three years. This indicates strong performance and a robust investment return.
MO (First Entry):
- 2021: $22.02
- 2024: $39.57
- Increase: $11.57
Altria Group (MO) also demonstrates impressive growth, with dividends rising by $11.57.
DG:
- 2021: $4.21
- 2024: $20.60
- Increase: $8.15
Dollar General (DG) has shown significant growth in dividends, reflecting its expanding market presence and profitability.
Consistent Performers
STWD:
- 2021: $56.64
- 2024: $72.32
- Increase: $6.71
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) maintains steady growth, a sign of stability in the real estate sector.
CINF:
- 2021: $35.44
- 2024: $49.10
- Increase: $4.93
Cincinnati Financial (CINF) continues to provide reliable returns, indicating its solid position in the financial sector.
Fundrise:
- 2021: $25.70
- 2024: $54.31
- Increase: $4.17
Fundrise shows a consistent increase, representing the benefits of investing in real estate crowdfunding.
Areas of Concern
WDS:
- 2021: $0.00
- 2024: $15.00
- Decrease: $-21.00
Despite having no dividends in the initial years and a substantial increase in 2023, Woodside Petroleum (WDS) experienced a sharp decline by 2024, indicating potential volatility or market challenges.
IRM and WMT:
- IRM: Increase of $0.65
- WMT: Increase of $0.96
These stocks show minimal growth, which could suggest limited dividend growth potential or a conservative dividend policy.
Tracking Dividend Income: Achieving the 2024 Goal
As we progress through 2024, tracking our monthly dividend income is essential for understanding our investment performance and working towards our annual financial goals. Here’s a detailed look at the dividend income received so far this year and our progress towards the 2024 target.
Monthly Dividend Income in 2024
Below is the dividend income received from January to April 2024:
| Month | 2024 |
| Jan | 572.46 |
| Feb | 765.00 |
| Mar | 3116.15 |
| Apr | 699.64 |
Progress Towards 2024 Goal
Our goal for 2024 is to achieve a total dividend income of $19,500. Given the current YTD total income of $5153.24, we can calculate the remaining amount needed and assess our progress.
To understand our progress better, we can break it down into monthly targets for the rest of the year.
Monthly Targets for the Rest of the Year
With 8 months remaining, here’s the average monthly dividend income needed to meet the goal:
Analysis and Insights
YTD Performance:
- The total income up to April is $5153.24, which is 26.42% of our annual goal of $19,500.
Monthly Breakdown:
- January: $572.46, providing a modest start to the year.
- February: $765.00, showing a significant increase.
- March: $3116.15, indicating a remarkable spike, possibly due to quarterly or special dividends.
- April: $699.64, a slight decrease but still maintaining a healthy dividend income.
Strategic Actions Moving Forward
To ensure we reach our annual goal, we can adopt several strategies:
Reinvest Dividends:
- Utilize dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) to purchase more shares, compounding income over time.
Diversify Holdings:
- Spread investments across various sectors to mitigate risks and capitalize on different growth opportunities.
Focus on High-Yield Stocks:
- Include high-yield dividend stocks in the portfolio to boost overall income.
Monitor and Adjust:
- Regularly review the portfolio to identify underperforming stocks and reallocate investments as needed.
Stay Informed:
- Keep abreast of market trends and company performance to make informed investment decisions.
Conclusion
With $5153.24 in dividend income accumulated by April, we need to focus on generating an average of $1793.345 per month for the rest of the year to reach our 2024 goal of $19,500. This challenge requires strategic investment choices, reinvestment of dividends, and diversification of holdings.