Lanny’s February Dividend Income Summary

Another month down and 1/6th of the way there for the full year.  It was 64 degrees in Cleveland during the final days of February and I cannot believe the weather is acting the same as the market – just never know what you’ll get!  February was a very rollercoaster month, first with the news from BBL’s dividend cut that definitely left me feeling some pain, but also new inspiration to get back on the horse and trudge forward, because that’s all we can do!  Without further-a-do, let’s see how February played out for me!

dividend income

Dividend income

This month, I received a total of $275.79, which is a whopper once you dive into the analysis of the year.  This is also with a heavily reduced Kinder Morgan (KMI) dividend, as they as well – cut their dividend by 3/4!  The agony!  However –  the other hard working companies continued to pay resounding dividends and you also will see new names on the list below.  In total – 11 companies paid me this month, not too shabby, here are the stats:

February income

As you can see above, the big hitter was good old AT&T (T) – which I recommend as a foundation stock for any dividend investors portfolio.  They’ve been strong and a huge benefit to my portfolio since I’ve owned them.  I essentially picked up two shares of them as well with this reinvestment.

Similarly, I have split out between the individual stock amounts and the retirement accounts, as the ” – R” indicates a Roth IRA dividend (or the furthest column to the right).  I separate these two, as I like to know what portion of my dividend income is coming from those retirement accounts that I cannot touch until 59.5 (barring any other usage rule I could use).  Here, it shows that I received a huge total of $119.44 or 43% of my income from retirement accounts and the other 57% was from my individual taxable account portfolio.  We all know my set it and forget it mentality to keep that retirement income going, but also pumped to see that I had 10 companies pay me in my taxable individual account.  To see my portfolio – one can go to our portfolio summary page.

Comparison

Something that I like to do now is attach in prior year’s dividend income, which the image is copied in below, with 2015 first and 2016 to follow.

2015: Feb Div Inc 2016: February income

To begin, I had only 8 companies in February’s of 2015’s income summary and I had 11 total in this year’s post.  Always a plus here.  What’s funny is that each company has paid me more except …. ding ding ding – you called it, KMI.  I went from receiving $28.69 from them to receiving $17.39; and this is in between further stock purchases and the glooming dividend cuts.  Most of these companies had higher dividend amounts through reinvestment and increases, some were due to additional purchases, such as Norwfood Financial (NWFL).  Year over year (YOY), my income grew by 59.67% from dividends received – always a pleasure having that large of an increase, thank you all again.

Dividend income increases

One of my other favorite areas, as this is a big reason why we are dividend income investors!  Let’s see the summary of activity below, worth noting:

Increases

Not the biggest impacts here but, since I purchased ADM again, the 7% increase added over a double digit income growth to the portfolio at $11.20.  Canadian Imperial (CM) – has been increasing their dividend quarterly, but with the exchange/conversion rate, the overall impact wasn’t as large – it’s essentially a 1 cent per quarter increase here; but if they continuously do that throughout the year, that’s fine by me!  They are a high yielder to begin with, so an increase is an increase nonetheless.  However, with the growth from ADM – my strategy of making larger investments actually looks like the impacts are even greater from the dividend income increases… I like it.  I believe the same will be for my latest purchase of T. Rowe Price (TROW).  Time will tell!

Conclusion & Summary

As I discussed back then with my normal monthly expenditures at the moment, this $275 would cover 29% of my average $942 monthly expense for my house, including utilities.  This % is dramatically higher than last year.  All of the investing from last year and moves this year, show being frugal to save 60% of my income help me in achieving lofty goals that I set in place for my 2016 year.  What do you guys think of my month of February?  Seeing nice YOY growth or did you also get heavily burned by KMI and/or BBL?  See anything off or something I should be on the look out for?  How did ya’ll do?  Always an exciting post to read from others.  Please share your insight and comments and thank YOU again for stopping by!

-Lanny

35 thoughts on “Lanny’s February Dividend Income Summary

  1. Great stuff Lanny! Especially considering the KMI cut that you had to deal with. We had a bit of decline from last February due to KMI as well but overall it was a solid month once you factor in how little investing we did last year. Keep up the good work!

    • JC,

      Thank you so much. KMI loves to haunt us right? Funny thing is – they may even be back on increasing that dividend sooner than we think, based on those recent investor calls. We live and learn, and that’s part of the fun of life. All in all, was very lucky to have a solid “off” month. Youre kicking butt over there, I’m just trying to keep up. Thanks again as always for stopping by!

      -Lanny

  2. Solid month for the quarter! The 2nd month of the quarter is my lowest payout month…although I did make enough to cover my water bill this month. I too had the KMI cut, but no big deal. Happy investing.

    • Chad,

      Now that’s what it’s all about. You can break it down to bills essentially. My 275 covers my car at the moment, something that makes my stomach hurt! Goal is to try and have it cover a bill at a time. Guarantee next year it’s more than just the water bill. Great job C and keep it up.

      -Lanny

  3. keep it up Lanny! You’re doing well and I can only imagine where you’ll be in 5 years time. Just financially secure and wealthy. Keep up the great work and don’t stop the hustle. Happy for your progress bud. Cheers.

    • Hustler,

      Slow it down over there!! Haha, just kidding but man.. 5 years from now… I know 5 years ago I was just really starting to get into investing. 4 years ago I was heating up and the rest is history. I cannot imagine right now, can you? Always positive thoughts DH and thank you. As always.

      -Lanny

  4. Hey Lanny,

    Nice income man. Don’t worry too much about KMI, you’ll make it up. T is definitely propelling you forward, such a nice income stock. Really like the CM quarterly raises too, awesome! Keep it up.

    DB

    • DB,

      Thank you and I won’t. Whata funny is KMI and BBL are on quite an appreciation year,it’s quite amusing if you ask me. T has been a big income producer, and it’s funny I always look at them and think, should I grab more? Just may later on this year!

      Thank you again DB, talk soon!

      Lamny

  5. Congrats on a solid month Lanny. An increase of 59.67% pretty awesome. We’ve seen a few dividend cuts and freezes with our portfolio as well (I outlined it in our dividend update). Having said that, we did see a bunch dividend increases this month as well. Keep up the great work.

    • Tawcan,

      Its funny. When bad news hits, other good news can fill the spots. It’s been a bull market so far this March and have sat on the sidelines all week. Gains unrealized are happening all over the place. Excited to read your article, no doubt.

      Thank you again tawcan, hoping to relax and read this Sunday. Keep it going.

      -Lanny

  6. Even with the 75% dividend cut by KMI, because of more shares, you only lost about 11%, which was more than offset by other increases. A 60% increase overall is pretty amazing. Onward and upward.

    • Chris,

      Onward and upward, definitely the direction I want to be heading. I think the overall portfolio should represent your actions and I think the dividend increase year over year was stung by KMI but other purchases and positions helped to heal that, eh? Thanks again for stopping by! Pumped for March. That’s for sure.

      -Lanny

  7. Thanks for sharing another inspiring dividend income report despite the cloud of KMI/BBL. But as you stated, that’s why you have 11 great companies paying you and not one for the month. The beauty of staying diversified and absorbing those inevitable dividend cuts when they occur. I still think there is a lot of 2016 still left to make your goals for the year. Stick to the safe payout stocks and you should be fine.

    • Hut,

      I think I agree with you. 10 full months to play it smart and you’re spot on with the benefits of a diversified portfolio. Pumped to read yours and others monthly articles and posts, time is flying by wayyyy too fast on us. Cheers to another month DH, Thank you for coming by.

      -Lanny

  8. Look at you, 29% covered this month of your basic expenses and counting! Nice YOY increase by the way. We won’t know those until with hit August, which would be our first full year of dividend investing.
    Guess you should think about KMI this way, it was only one of 11 stocks that saw a decrease, could be worse 🙂 ok, maybe that is too optimistic, a cut still sucks, but you have to keep smiling if life throws a curve ball.
    Are all dividends already reinvested? Or can you draw some of the profits and get yourself a beer? 😉
    Happy weekend.

    • CF,

      I hope to keep the track record of covering more expenses.. Cannot wait for consecutive months of 100% coverage, that’ll be amazing, wondering if March can bring a 100% coverage month.

      Ah… I was wondering where you were going with the dividends being reinvested, and to answer – yes, all are being reinvested, but I still could have a beer right? Maybe I’ll have one tmrw night after working my Saturday in busy season… Can’t wait until these are over.

      Thanks again CF looking forward to celebrating the 1 year mark for you!

      -Lanny

  9. Hey Lanny,

    Nice job owning some great businesses. That’s some great growth since last year you’ve done. I think the most pleasing thing is how much of your expenses it covers, because that means more of your dividends can get ploughed back into more shares. Can’t wait to see your March results.

    Tristan

    • Tristan,

      Thank you and what I can’t wait for is to finally read everyone’s articles, makes me so happy seeing how hard everyone works and the fruit they are able to grow and eat! Excited to keep the snowball rolling and to make it bigger, let’s keep at it! Thanks again Tristan.

      -Lanny

  10. Lanny,

    Nice YOY growth there, especially considering the dividend cut from KMI. Always unfortunate to see a company we like and own have to cut its payout to shareholders, but that’s exactly why we focus on quality and diversify. All in all, I expect to see solid aggregate dividend growth this year, even after accounting for some recent dividend cuts. It’s been an almost unprecedented period with a lot of commodities, but most companies are still handing out healthy raises. I’m happy. 🙂

    I came in at almost $750 for the month, which was almost a 100% increase from last February. Just love dividend growth investing.

    Keep it up, bud!

    Cheers.

    • Jason,

      Now that’s what I’m talking about!! Having the triple digit growth ah! Also,March then it set to be a screamer for you, that’s for sure. Specially March 10th is when most pay out, funny on a ways. But you hit it on the head. Diversification has never been more helpful with commodity prices and the rollercoaster ride of the market. Talk about weird open and finish to the first week of March.

      Thank you Jason and congrats to you my man! Cheers to a good rest of March!

      -Lanny

  11. Lanny,
    Well done. Even with the KMI cut you improved your YOY, and I am in that same boat. Also the Canadian banks definitely deserve some praise. CM has raised their payout 7 of the last 8 quarters, and BNS has raised the dividend 2x per year for the last few years. Simply amazing what quality, patience, and persistence can do for small time investors like ourselves.
    – Gremlin

    • Gremlin,

      I have noticed that Nova Scotia has been kicking more and more back,multiple times during the year. CM has just been on a tear, but not sure how much currency translation has anything to do with it, but I’ll gladly take it. Thank you so much for coming by, excited to check out your monthly recap! Talk soon.

      -Lanny

  12. Great job, Lanny! You made tremendous progress since last year. KMI was a big dampener for all of DGI bloggers, but, lately energy stocks are rebounding nicely; we will see if this is just dead cat bounce or a rising trend. Any case, we need to take our lump sometimes and move on. Keep on racing!

    • R2R,

      Thank you for coming by! It is much appreciated. The energy stocks did surge back, especially BBL… I want to say they’ve been up $6/share since the cut? The heck?!?! What is going on? We do take our lumps, but that’s why the majority of the portfolio continues to pick up the pieces, right? Almost like a family! Talk soon and keep it up!

      -Lanny

  13. You beat my by a little more than $5 this month. Nice work. Ok, it’s a March-off; who can earn more in dividends – DD vs IH; Hopefully we tie at $900!!!

    • IH,

      Okay, round 3 is up – March is on!!!! $5 short eh? I’ll read your article here in a second. Screw $900, let’s go for $1K, eh?!?! Why the heck not? Joking, but let’s battle this month out, you are ON.

      -Lanny

  14. Congrats on the dividend income Lanny. Although it is less than last year, you now hold more companies which is always great.
    On a side note, have you kept your shares in BBL after the cut?

  15. Hi, I just started investing last year. Unfortunately, with kids expense and so on, I am not sure i can save like you but I am trying to invest as much spare cash as I can. I hope to be avle to follow your path!

    • Hkfooty,

      That you can!! There is always time and my mom is a great example. You can do this! You are very smart and you can be dedicated; you;ve got it! Please let us know if there’s anything you’d like to talk about or if we could help in any way.

      -Lanny

  16. Hi Lanny,

    Congrats on these solid results for February. The income and yoy increase are both very impressive, especially considering the KMI cut. It looks like you’re going to keep excelling with all your recent purchases adding even more passive income each month. I look forward to seeing how your March results stack up in a couple of weeks. Cheers

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