April 2025 Stock Purchases/Sales

As I'm writing this blog post, it's Friday, April 25th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is set to reach a high of 57 degrees Fahrenheit later today. This weekend is set to log highs reaching into the low-60 degrees Fahrenheit range. Better yet, those days are expected to be sunny.

Now that the month is almost over, I will go over my stock purchases and sales for April 2025. Without further ado, let's dive into it!

Stock Purchase #1: Brookfield Asset Management (BAM)

The first stock that I purchased in April 2025 was 11 shares of Brookfield Asset Management at an average price per share of $48.74. Interested readers can find the gist of my investment thesis in my April 2025 Stock Watch List blog post. This transaction boosted my net annual forward dividends by $19.25, which equates to a 3.59% dividend yield.

Stock Purchase #2: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD)

The next stock that I added to during the month was 16 units of Enterprise Products Partners at an average cost of $34.15 a unit. Again, curious readers can peruse my investment thesis in my April 2025 Stock Watch List blog post linked above. That lifted my net annual forward distributions by $34.24, which works out to a 6.27% distribution yield.

Stock Purchase #3: Nvidia (NVDA)

The third stock that I purchased in April 2025 was five shares of Nvidia at an average price per share of $108.11. The investment thesis for NVDA can also be checked out in my April 2025 Stock Watch List blog post. This raised my net annual forward dividends by $0.20, which is equivalent to a 0.04% net dividend yield.

Bonus Stock Purchase: Microsoft (MSFT)

I added a share of Microsoft at a cost of $379.70. This is the first time that I've added to my position in MSFT since November 2022. Overall, MSFT is a world-class holding. I also believe it's almost as solid of a value now as it was two and a half years ago when I last added to it. This increased my net annual forward dividends by $3.32, which equates to a 0.87% net dividend yield.

Stock Sales: Kinder Morgan (KMI), Southern Company (SO), and Philip Morris International (PM)

I closed out my 52 share position in Kinder Morgan (KMI) for an average price per share of $26.77. I also exited my five share position in Southern Company (SO) for $90.89 a share. In my view, each of these names were moderately overvalued. Their respective dividend growth rates were also quite low, so that played a role in my decisions to sell as well. Overall, these transactions reduced my net annual forward dividends by $75.24.

I also sold 13 shares of Philip Morris International (PM) or nearly half of my position for $163.73 a share. PM is a fundamentally solid company, which is evidenced by its 9.4% annual earnings growth consensus per FAST Graphs. However, the market is more than pricing this into the stock, with it trading at a forward P/E ratio of 22.2. This transaction decreased my net annual forward dividends by $70.20. 

Stock Purchases: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), Microsoft (MSFT), and British American Tobacco (BTI)

I purchased yet another 34 units of Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) at a cost of $30.77 a unit. This is a high conviction holding for me and I don't mind the fact that EPD is nearly 5% of my portfolio now. I also purchased another two shares of Microsoft (MSFT) at a cost per share of $372.16. These transactions added $79.40 to my net annual forward dividends.

I added another 20 shares of British American Tobacco (BTI) at an average price per share of $42.75. My rationale for doing so remains the same as it was in my February 2025 Stock Watch List blog post. I also purchased another three shares of Microsoft at an average cost of $366.44 a share. These moves lifted my net annual forward dividends by $73.38.

Concluding Thoughts:

I deployed $2,002.78 in capital to fresh capital purchases in April 2025. Against the $57.01 in net dividends that was added by these transactions, that equates to a 2.85% net dividend yield. I also increased my net annual forward dividends by $7.34 from my capital redeployment (and built up my emergency fund slightly).

My net annual forward dividends have also increased by $5.43 so far from April 2025 Dividend Increases. As more of these come in, I'll update this figure. Additionally, foreign currency translation adjustments on a few ADRs from a weakening USD also pushed my net annual forward dividends higher by $28.45. This is how my net annual forward dividends rose from just above $5,765 heading into April to nearly $5,870 going into May.

Discussion:

How was your capital deployment during April 2025?

Did you open any new positions in the month?

Thank you for your readership and I welcome your comments below!

Expected Dividend Increases For May 2025

As I'm writing this blog post, it's Good Friday, April 18th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is expected to reach a high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit later today. Though, rain is in the forecast throughout the day. Overall, I'm still stoked that it's Easter weekend!

With that out of the way, the month of April is less than two weeks away from its conclusion. I'll take a look at the dividend raises received thus far. I will also look ahead to the raises that I believe are on tap for May 2025. Let's jump into it!

Actual Dividend Increases for April 2025

Dividend Increase #1: Agree Realty (ADC)

Agree Realty announced a 1.2% increase in its monthly dividend per share to $0.256. This was slightly below my expectation of a 1.7% increase in the monthly dividend per share to $0.257.

Across my 20 shares of ADC, my net annual forward dividends grew by $0.72 due to this announcement.

Dividend Increase #2: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson declared a 4.8% raise in its quarterly dividend per share to $1.30. That was just below my prediction of a 5.6% lift in the quarterly dividend per share to $1.31.

My net annual forward dividends increased by $1.20 as a result of this dividend declaration.

Pending Distribution Increase #1: Energy Transfer (ET)

Energy Transfer has yet to announce its next quarterly distribution per unit. However, I'm sticking by my projection of a 0.8% bump in the quarterly distribution per unit to $0.3275.

Across my 183 units of ET, my net annual forward distributions would grow by $1.83 due to such an announcement.

UPDATE: ET announced a 0.8% increase in its quarterly distribution per unit to $0.3275. My net annual forward distributions increased by $1.83 from this announcement.

Pending Dividend Increase #2: Alphabet (GOOGL)

Alphabet hasn't declared its next quarterly dividend per share. Since it has been four quarters of the same dividend, I'm reaffirming my expectation of a 10% boost in the quarterly dividend per share to $0.22.

My net annual forward dividends would surge $3.36 higher across my 42 shares of GOOGL from such a declaration.

UPDATE: GOOGL declared a 5% increase in its quarterly dividend per share to $0.21. This came in below my expectations. However, after the massive Q1 2025 EPS beat, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. My net annual forward dividends grew by $1.68 across my 42 shares of GOOGL from this declaration.

Pending Dividend Increase #3: RTX Corporation (RTX)

RTX Corporation also hasn't yet announced its next quarterly dividend per share. Even so, I'm reiterating my prediction of a 6.3% raise in the quarterly dividend per share to $0.67.

Across my 12 shares of RTX, my net annual forward dividends would rise by $1.92 due to such an announcement.

Expected Dividend Increases for May 2025

Expected Dividend Increase #1: American Water Works (AWK)

The first dividend hike that I'm expecting in May 2025 will be from American Water Works. My best guess is that AWK will declare a 7.8% raise in its quarterly dividend per share to $0.825.

My net annual forward dividends would grow by $1.92 across my eight shares of AWK from such a declaration.

Expected Dividend Increase #2: Main Street Capital (MAIN)

The next dividend raise that I'm predicting for next month will come from Main Street Capital. I believe that MAIN will announce a 2% increase in its monthly dividend per share to $0.255.

Across my 30 shares of MAIN, my net annual forward dividends would rise by $1.80 due to such an announcement.

Expected Dividend Increase #3: Lowe's Companies (LOW)

The third dividend increase that I'm projecting in May 2025 will be from Lowe's Companies. My guess is that LOW will declare a 4.3% raise in its quarterly dividend per share to $1.20.

My net annual forward dividends would grow by $2 across my 10 shares of LOW from such a declaration.

Expected Dividend Increase #4: Medtronic (MDT)

The final dividend raise that I'm expecting for next month will come from Medtronic. My best guess is that MDT will announce a 1.4% increase in its quarterly dividend per share to $0.71.

Across my 13 shares of MDT, my net annual forward dividends would grow by $0.52 due to such an announcement.

Concluding Thoughts:

The two raises that I have received thus far in April have increased my net annual forward dividends by $5.43. As the other raises are announced, I'll update this blog post.

If the four raises that I'm anticipating in May play out as expected, my net annual forward dividends would grow by $6.24.

Discussion:

How was your April 2025 for dividend hikes?

Did you receive any first-time payout boosts as I expect with GOOGL?

I appreciate your readership and look forward to your comments below!

May 2025 Stock Watch List

As I'm writing this blog post, it's Friday, April 11th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is expected to reach a high of 55 degrees Fahrenheit today on a partly sunny forecast. By the time this blog is published on April 15th, it will be my 28th birthday!

Now that the next month is just a few weeks away, it's a good time to start looking at capital deployment for May 2025. Without further ado, let's jump into it!

Stock #1: Amazon (AMZN)

The first stock on my watch list for May 2025 is Amazon. Interested readers can find my in-depth investment thesis in my March Seeking Alpha article or the gist of it in my February 2025 Stock Watch List.

Essentially, AMZN holds leadership positions in industries with positive long-term outlooks, including cloud computing, digital advertising, and e-commerce. The company's cash and marketable securities balance surpassed $100 billion in Q4 2024. Trading at a forward 12-month P/OCF ratio of just 12.5, AMZN's shares are also substantially undervalued at the current $181 share price (as of April 11th, 2025). My fair value estimate is right around a P/OCF multiple of 21, which would imply a fair value above $300 a share.

Stock #2: Brookfield Asset Management (BAM)

Next on my watch list for next month is Brookfield Asset Management. Curious readers can peruse my Seeking Alpha article from earlier this month for my investment thesis. Alternatively, the gist can also be found in my April 2025 Stock Watch List as BAM is once again on my watch list.

BAM's reputation is highly trusted among alternative asset managers. The industry's share of global AUM is expanding as institutional investors are increasingly turning to alternative assets to diversify, manage volatility, and enhance total return potential. BAM also possessed $1.8 billion in liquidity to close out 2024 and an A- credit rating from S&P. Lastly, I believe shares could be worth $51 each. Compared to the $46 share price (as of April 11th, 2025), this would represent a moderate discount to fair value for the 3.8%-yielding stock.

Stock #3: Realty Income (O)

The third stock on my watch list for May 2025 is Realty Income. Readers can check out my March Seeking Alpha article for my detailed investment thesis. Otherwise, the crux of my thesis can also be found in my March 2025 Dividend Stock Watch List blog post.

O continues to be set up for mid-single-digit annual AFFO per share growth. The balance sheet is A-rated. O's 6% dividend yield is also comfortably covered by AFFO. The forward 12-month AFFO ratio is just 12.6, which is much less than my fair value multiple of 16.5. Relative to the current $54 share price (as of April 11th, 2025), this would be a 24% discount to my fair value estimate of $71 a share.

Concluding Thoughts:

That's all for now. In times of market turbulence, I believe there are always smart investments to be made. These three lend credence to the argument, each possessing strong business models, A-rated balance sheets, and trading at favorable valuations. Overall, allocation to these assets should keep me near my 3% targeted dividend yield.

Discussion:

Are any of AMZN, BAM, or O on your radar for next month?

If not, what stocks are on your watch list for May 2025?

Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave a comment below!

March 2025 Dividend Income

As I'm writing this blog post, it's currently Friday, April 4th. It's going to reach a high of 51 degrees Fahrenheit here in Central Wisconsin with a partly sunny forecast. Needless to say, that's not bad for this time of the year.

Now that March is behind us, I will highlight my net dividend income for March 2025. Let's dive into it!

Net Dividends Are Approaching $600

In March 2025, I collected $583.10 in net dividends (including ADR fees for BAM). Against the $655.90 in net dividends that I received in December 2024, this would represent an 11.1% decline in my net dividend income. Backing out the $99.26 in special dividends that I received from my Capital Income Builder (CAIBX) mutual fund, though, net dividends would have been $556.64. This would be equivalent to a 4.8% quarterly growth rate.

Compared to the $476.12 in net dividends received in March 2024, this works out to a 22.5% year-over-year growth rate. 

In my Charles Schwab portfolio, I collected $359.45 in net dividends from 41 companies. That was a bit less than my $378.16 total logged in December. This is because of stock sales in January 2025, December 2024, and November 2024.

I received $110.35 in net dividends from 12 companies within my Fidelity IRA. Swapping BAM with more ENB accounted for most of higher net dividend income in this account.

I also collected $93.97 in net dividends from my CAIBX mutual fund in this account. That was due to a higher quarterly dividend per share and a greater share count.

Lastly, I received $19.33 in net dividends from seven companies within my Webull portfolio. This was fueled by my February 2025 Stock Purchases (specifically GOOGL).

Concluding Thoughts:

My net dividend income continues to compound at a 20%+ annualized rate. Overall, I'm excited to keep investing fresh capital and reinvesting dividends in world-class businesses!

Discussion:

How was your dividend income for the month?

Did you collect any first-time dividends in March 2025?

Thank you for your readership and please feel free to leave a comment below!