May 2026 Dividend Stock Purchases/Sales

As I'm writing this blog post, it's currently Tuesday, May 26th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is currently 88 degrees Fahrenheit, with the high set to reach 89 later today. The forecast is sunny as well, so it will be as important as ever to stay hydrated!

With the month of May almost complete, now is a great time for me to highlight my dividend stock purchases and sales for the month. Without further ado, let's jump into it!

Dividend Stock Purchase #1: Brookfield Asset Management (BAM)

I added another 22 shares of Brookfield Asset Management at an average cost of $47.89 per share. In my May 2026 Stock Watch List blog post, I provided my investment thesis for BAM. The $44.22 lift in net annual forward dividends equates to a 4.20% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Purchase #2: Carlisle Companies (CSL)

My next purchase was two more shares of Carlisle Companies at an average price per share of $356.11. Interested readers can find my investment thesis in my May 2026 Stock Watch List blog post linked above. The $8.80 in net annual forward dividends added is equivalent to a 1.24% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Purchase #3: Intuit (INTU)

I also added another three shares of Intuit at an average cost of $370.92 per share. Again, readers can check out my investment rationale in my May 2026 Stock Watch List blog post. The $14.40 increase in net annual forward dividends works out to be a 1.29% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Purchase #4: Mastercard (MA)

My next purchase was an additional share of Mastercard for $506.03. The $3.48 in net annual forward dividends added from this purchase equates to a 0.69% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Purchase #5: Meta Platforms (META)

I also added a share of Meta Platforms for $613.72. My investment thesis can be found in my May 2026 Stock Watch List blog post. The $2.10 increase in my net annual forward dividends is equivalent to a 0.34% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Purchase #6: NNN REIT (NNN)

My next purchase was another 31 shares of NNN REIT at an average price per share of $43.64. Curious readers can peruse my May 2026 Stock Watch List blog post for my investment thesis. The $74.40 boost in net annual forward dividends works out to be a 5.50% net dividend yield.

Dividend Stock Sales: Aflac (AFL) and Alliant Energy (LNT)

I also closed positions in Aflac (at a roughly 170% gain before dividends) and Alliant Energy (at a roughly 25% gain before dividends). To be clear, I think these are solid businesses. After years of phenomenal dividend raises from AFL, the most recent left a bit to be desired for me as business growth has slowed. Couple that with what I think is an elevated valuation, and I sold my 11 shares at $118.95 each. 

I like LNT, but the valuation looks a bit stretched to me here as well. Thus, I sold my 13 shares of LNT at $72.27 apiece.

These actions reduced my net annual forward dividends by $54.66.

Dividend Stock Purchase: Genpact Limited (G)

I took my proceeds and pitched in another $316.49 of cash accrued from dividends to purchase a 79 share starter position in Genpact Limited for $32.46 a share. In covering this for Sure Dividend over the years, it has been on my radar for a while. My rationale for the buy is that G is an investment-grade IT services and solutions company with 9% to 10% annual adjusted diluted EPS growth prospects. Yet, generative AI fears have led it to shed roughly one-third of its market value this year.

All the while, its Advanced Technology Solutions segment posted 24.3% net revenue growth (now 27% of total net revenue) in Q1 2026. The core business was stable, edging 1.4% higher in Q1 2026. In other words, instead of being replaced by AI, G's ATS segment is being paid by Fortune 500 enterprises to implement AI.

My entry point represents a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 7.7. For more context, that's less than half of the 10-year average P/E ratio of 17.1 and about half of my fair value P/E ratio of 15. Compared to the high single-digit percentage annual total return potential from AFL and LNT, G has a realistic path to 20%+ annual total returns. The dividend is also very secure, with a payout ratio in the high-teens, which should facilitate roughly 10% annual payout growth over the next several years.

This move added $59.25 to my net annual forward dividends.

Concluding Thoughts:

In May 2026, I deployed $5,667.47 in net capital. Including the $4.59 increase from capital deployment, my net annual forward dividends rose by $151.99 in May 2026. That equates to a 2.68% net dividend yield.

If my remaining two dividend increases play out as anticipated in May 2026, my net annual forward dividends will have risen by $82.20 from dividend raises as well. This would take my net annual forward dividends from $7,385 at the start of this month to roughly $7,625 going into June 2026.

Discussion:

How was your capital deployment for May 2026?

Did you close any positions or open any new positions during the month?

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment below!

Expected Dividend Increases for June 2026

As I'm writing this blog post, it's currently Saturday, May 16th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is already over 70 degrees Fahrenheit and expected to reach a high of 83 degrees later today. Better yet, the forecast is also sunny. Needless to say, I will be spending some time outside!

Now that the month is half over, I figured now would be a good time to discuss the dividend raises that I have received to date (I will update the others as they are declared). I will also be previewing the payout increases that I'm expecting in June 2026. Let's dig into it!

Actual Dividend Increases for May 2026

Dividend Increase #1: Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)

As I predicted in this series' previous blog post, Main Street Capital declared a 1.9% increase in its monthly dividend per share to $0.2650.

Across my 30 shares of MAIN, my net annual forward dividends grew by $1.80 due to this dividend declaration.

Dividend Increase #2: RTX Corporation (RTX)

RTX Corporation announced a 7.4% raise in its quarterly dividend per share to $0.73. This came in a bit below the 8.8% boost to $0.74 that I was anticipating.

My net annual forward dividends rose by $2.40 across my 12 shares of RTX from this dividend announcement.

Pending Dividend Increase #1: Lowe's Companies (LOW)

Lowe's Companies has yet to declare its next dividend. Still, I believe that LOW will do so soon after sharing its latest quarterly results next week. I'm maintaining my forecast for a 4% raise in the quarterly dividend per share to $1.25.

Across my 10 shares of LOW, my net annual forward dividends would edge $2 higher due to such a dividend declaration.

Pending Dividend Increase #2: Medtronic plc (MDT)

Medtronic plc also hasn't announced its next dividend yet. However, I'm sticking with my projection of a 5.6% increase in the quarterly dividend per share to $0.75.

My net annual forward dividends would grow by $2.08 across my 13 shares of MDT from such a dividend announcement.

Surprise Announcement: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)

In stunning fashion, NVIDIA showed the world how dividend growth is done. It declared a whopping 2,400% boost in the quarterly dividend per share from $0.01 to $0.25.

Across my 77 shares of NVDA, my net annual forward dividends soared by $73.92 due to this dividend declaration.

Expected Dividend Increases for June 2026

Expected Dividend Increase #1: FedEx Corporation (FDX)

The first dividend hike that I'm expecting in June 2026 will be from FedEx Corporation. I believe that FDX will declare an 8.3% hike in its quarterly dividend per share to $1.57.

Across my four shares of FDX, my net annual forward dividends would rise by $1.92 due to such a dividend declaration.

Expected Dividend Increase #2: Realty Income Corporation (O)

The next dividend raise that I'm anticipating for next month will come from Realty Income Corporation. My best guess is that O will announce a 1.7% increase in its monthly dividend per share to $0.2750.

My net annual forward dividends would jump $8.262 across my 153 shares of O from such a dividend announcement.

Expected Dividend Increase #3 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

The third dividend boost that I'm predicting in June 2026 will be from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. My guess is that UNH will declare a 6.3% raise in its quarterly dividend per share to $2.35.

Across my 13 shares of UNH, my net annual forward dividends would climb $7.28 higher due to such a dividend declaration.

Concluding Thoughts:

If my remaining two dividend raises play out as anticipated, my net annual forward dividends would rise by $82.20. That would be equivalent to investing $2,740 at a 3% net dividend yield.

If my dividend boosts for June 2026 pan out, my net annual forward dividends would grow by $17.462. This would be like investing $582.07 at a 3% net dividend yield.

Discussion:

How has your May 2026 been for payout raises?

Did you receive any first-time dividend boosts during the month?

I appreciate your readership and welcome your comments below!

June 2026 Stock Watch List

As I'm writing this blog post, it's Monday, May 11th. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is set to reach a high of 61 degrees Fahrenheit today, with a sunny forecast. That's a bit below what's typical for this time of the year, but I'll still take it.

Now that I have executed my stock purchases for May 2026, I will be looking ahead to next month by highlighting several stocks on my watch list. Let's jump into it!

Stock #1: American Water Works (AWK)

The first stock on my watch list for the next month is American Water Works. Readers can check out my most recent investment thesis in this February Seeking Alpha article.

The crux of my investment thesis centers on the $18 billion to $20 billion five-year capital spending plan for 2026 through 2030 (not counting capex from Essential Utilities). The company also had over 1.5 million customer connections in its pipeline that it can acquire to further enhance growth. This is expected to support 7% to 9% annual adjusted EPS growth for the foreseeable future. AWK also enjoys an A S&P credit rating with a stable outlook. The 2.8% dividend yield is also well-supported by underlying profits, which positions it for a high-50% payout ratio in 2026.

GNG Research

Capping off the buy case, the water utility looks to be a solid value. From the current $126 share price, the stock is priced at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 20.1. This is well under the FAST Graphs 10-year average P/E ratio of 29.2 and 16% less than my $150 fair value per share estimate (a fair value multiple of 24). My friends over at GNG Research think the value is even more compelling, with a $176 fair value of their own.

Stock #2: Mastercard Incorporated (MA)

The next stock on my watch list for June 2026 is Mastercard Incorporated. Interested readers can peruse my investment thesis in this Dividend Kings listicle (if you're not subscribed to the service, it will be posted to Seeking Alpha under Treading Softly's account any day now).

The gist of our thesis is that MA is a leading payment processor alongside Visa. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, its payment network handled almost 44 billion switched transactions and $2.7 trillion in gross dollar volume. Recent business wins and the beauty of its business model (e.g., it benefits from inflation through higher gross dollar volumes) have us confident that MA can keep generating mid-teens percentage annual adjusted diluted EPS in the years ahead. The A+ S&P credit rating also gives it the flexibility to complete bolt-on acquisitions that further complement its business. MA's 0.7% dividend yield is very secure, with a payout ratio poised to be in the high-teens in 2026.

For its overall quality, the payment processor looks to be an intriguing value right now. At the current $501 share price, the stock is trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 24.1. That's considerably below the 10-year average P/E ratio of 34.3 and represents a 22% discount to my $645 fair value per share estimate (a fair value P/E ratio of 31).

Stock #3: MPLX LP (MPLX)

The third stock on my watch list for next month is MPLX LP. Curious readers can find my thoughts in a February Seeking Alpha article that I co-produced for Treading Softly.

Basically, MPLX is steadily growing its volumes. The continued integration of Northwind's Delaware Basin assets into its network is another forward-looking catalyst, with the Titan Complex set to come online in Q4 2026. Adding in the BANGL Pipeline expansion (coming into service in Q4 2026 as well) and Harmon Creek III (expected in Q3 2026), this should lead to consistent mid to upper single-digit percentage annual adjusted EBITDA per unit growth beyond 20%+ growth in 2026. MPLX boasts a BBB S&P credit rating with a stable outlook as well. The partnership's 7.9% distribution yield is secure, too.

GNG Research

Units look to be a decent value right now. From the current $54 unit price, MPLX is priced at a forward 12-month P/EBITDA ratio of 7.2. That's moderately below the 13-year average P/E ratio of 8.4 and a 4% discount to my fair value per unit estimate of $57 (a fair value P/EBITDA ratio of 7.5).

Stock #4: Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

The next stock on my watch list for June 2026 is Microsoft Corporation. Readers can pore over my investment thesis in my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post (which is essentially unchanged with the recent release of the Q3 2026 earnings report).

The big picture is very promising, with the cloud computing and enterprise software markets set for robust growth in the coming years. That should power teens mid to upper teens percentage annual non-GAAP diluted EPS growth over the next several years. With the payout ratio set to be in the low-20% range in FY 2026, MSFT's 0.9% dividend yield is quite sustainable. What's more, the company's AAA S&P credit rating makes it the only tech company with a flawless credit rating from the agency.

At the current $412 share price, MSFT is trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 21.7. This is far under the 10-year average P/E ratio of 29 and a 23% discount to my $532 fair value per share estimate (a fair value P/E ratio of 28).

Stock #5: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)

The final stock on my watch list for next month is NVIDIA Corporation. Once again, I would refer interested readers to my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post linked above.

Basically, the 70%+ non-GAAP diluted EPS growth (to $8.12) forecasted for the current fiscal year is mind-blowing for NVDA's sheer size and scale. Beyond this fiscal year, the ongoing hyperscaler capex bonanza is expected to power firmly double-digit percentage growth over the next couple of years as well. The extent of NVDA's free cash flow and its AA- S&P credit rating are undeniable positives, too.

GNG Research

From the current $220 share price, NVDA is priced at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 24.9. That's much less than the 10-year average P/E ratio of 44.3 and the 20-year average P/E ratio of 35.1. Even applying a significant margin of safety (a fair value P/E ratio of 30 and a fair value per share estimate of $265), NVDA is trading at a 17% discount to fair value. GNG Research's fair value is even higher at $295 (a fair value P/E ratio of just above 33), which I could certainly see as being reasonable.

Concluding Thoughts:

There we have it. I don't have my allocations down to science quite yet, but I'm likely going to push my income picks in AWK and MPLX to just above 40%, with the remaining allocation skewed a bit more toward MA and MSFT (to keep my weight in NVDA capped in the high single digits).

Discussion:

Are any of AWK, MA, MPLX, MSFT, or NVDA on your watch list for June 2026?

If not, what stocks are you watching for next month?

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment below!

April 2026 Stock Purchases

As I'm writing this blog post, it's currently Saturday, May 2nd. The temperature here in Central Wisconsin is going to reach a high of 62 degrees Fahrenheit later today with a partly sunny forecast. In other words, it's a somewhat ideal day for this time of the year (although I would gladly take at least another 10 degrees). Better yet, tomorrow is going to hit 72 degrees with a sunny forecast.

With that aside, I want to take a moment to highlight my stock purchases for April 2026. Let's dig into it!

Stock Purchase #1: Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

I purchased another four shares of Automatic Data Processing at an average cost of $203 per share. In my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post, I outlined my investment thesis for ADP. The $27.20 boost in net annual forward dividends works out to a 3.35% net dividend yield.

Stock Purchase #2: Microsoft (MSFT)

My next stock purchase was an additional three shares of Microsoft at an average price per share of $373.26. Once again, readers can check out my investment thesis in my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post linked above. This transaction lifted my net annual forward dividends by $10.92, which equates to a 0.98% net dividend yield.

Stock Purchase #3: NVIDIA (NVDA)

I also picked up another five shares of NVIDIA at an average cost of $175 per share. Curious readers can find my investment thesis in my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post. The $0.20 increase in my net annual forward dividends is equivalent to a 0.02% net dividend yield.

Stock Purchase #4: UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

My fourth stock purchase was an additional three shares of UnitedHealth Group at an average price per share of $273.25. Interested readers can peruse my investment thesis in my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post. The resulting $26.52 rise in net annual forward dividends works out to a 3.24% net dividend yield.

Stock Purchase #5: VICI Properties (VICI)

My final stock purchase was another 35 shares of VICI Properties at an average cost of $27.31. Readers can view my thoughts on VICI in my April 2026 Stock Watch List blog post. The $63 in net annual forward dividends equates to a 6.59% net dividend yield.

Concluding Thoughts:

In April 2026, I deployed $4,582.54 in net capital. This led my net annual forward dividends to jump by $127.84, which is equivalent to a 2.79% net dividend yield.

My net annual forward dividends also rose by $7.15 from the dividend raises that I received in April 2026. This is how my net annual forward dividends climbed from around $7,235 at the start of the month to around $7,385 heading into May 2026 (including modest upward adjustments in net annual forward dividends from my ADR holdings).

Discussion:

How was your April 2026 for capital deployment?

Did you start any new positions or exit any positions in the month?

I appreciate your readership and welcome your comments below!