Market Commentary

Insights on the market's performance each month from the perspective of a long-term dividend investor.

The Case for Boring Dividend Stocks in a Growth-Hungry Market

There is much to rejoice about in December. The possible end of rate hikes is at the top of the list for investors as the latest readings on the ec...

Dec 6, 2023 Market Commentary

The Drawback of Money Market Funds as Uncertainty Rises

The S&P 500 lost ground for a third straight month, dipping 2.2% in October to narrow its year-to-date return to about 10%. The stock market has no...

Nov 6, 2023 Market Commentary

Are High-Yield Stocks Good Bets Following September's Sell-Off?

The S&P 500 slumped to its lowest level in four months after falling 4.7% in September. With the selloff continuing through the first week of Octob...

Oct 9, 2023 Market Commentary

Soft Landing, Hard Landing...Just Stick With the Coca-Cola's

The S&P 500 posted its first monthly decline since February, falling by 1.6% in August. The stock market was down as much as 5% during the month as...

Sep 6, 2023 Market Commentary

Waiting Is the Hardest Part: Staying the Course With Dividends

The S&P 500 jumped another 3% in July, bringing its year-to-date gain to 20%. U.S. stocks have logged their longest monthly winning streak in two y...

Aug 7, 2023 Market Commentary

A Tough First Half for Dividend Investors, But the Tide Can Change Fast

The S&P 500 surged 6.5% in June to bring its year-to-date return to 16.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has done even better, notching its best first half...

Jul 9, 2023 Market Commentary

Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hype for Dividend Investors

The tale of two markets continued in May. The S&P 500 finished the month up 0.5% despite losses of 4% to 6% for the utilities, health care, consume...

Jun 3, 2023 Market Commentary

Continued Rate Hikes, Banking Stress Weigh on Dividend Outlook for Weaker Firms

The S&P 500 increased 1.6% in April, extending its year-to-date return to 9.1%. But if your dividend portfolio has mostly flatlined in 2023, you ar...

May 5, 2023 Market Commentary

Markets Rally in March Despite Bank Stress but Some Stocks Face New Challenges

The S&P 500 rallied 3.7% in March, bringing its year-to-date return to 7.4% despite the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. T...

Apr 1, 2023 Market Commentary

V.F. Corp's Dividend Cut Provides Important Lesson as Uncertainty Rises

Fresh inflation fears gripped the market in February, pulling the S&P 500 down 2.5%. Data out last month showed upward wage pressure may continue a...

Mar 3, 2023 Market Commentary

Trusted by thousands of dividend investors.

Track your portfolio now

Our tools and Dividend Safety Scores™ at your fingertips.