Dividend Portfolio Update - February 2015

Dividend Portfolio Value
As of February 28, 2015 my dividend portfolio balance is at $19,731.50, up by about $970 from the previous month. The main increase in portfolio value was caused by the new contribution of $800 to my Tax-Free Savings Account. The net result of stock fluctuations had a little effect on portfolio balance.

Dividends
For the month of February, I received a total of $105.38 in dividends vs $83.23 for the same period a year ago. That's an increase of $22.15 or 26% on year-over-year basis. My total Year-to-Date dividend income for 2015 is $213.06. For the past 5 months, my dividends were over $100 per month and I hope that it will continue to go higher.

Contributions
During the month of February, I contributed $800 to my TFSA. My objective for 2015 is to contribute $6,000. So far, the total contribution is $1,600. If I continue to put $800 per month, I will reach my contribution objective by August 2015.

Transactions
First National (FN.TO)
I purchased 35 shares of FN at $22.87 per share. First National is Canada’s largest non-bank lender for both commercial and residential mortgages. This is the great way for me to get into the mortgage play and take advantage of future interest increases. First National has a 6.85% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $4.35 per month in dividend income.

Milestones
During the month of February, my portfolio reached two milestones. It crossed the 19K mark and then the 20K mark. It’s back down under 20K. Also, on February 3, I had the best 1 day gain of $486.

Dividend Portfolio Update - January 2015

Dividend Portfolio Value
As of January 31, 2015 my dividend portfolio balance is at $18,759.35, up by about $700 from previous month. The main increase in portfolio value was caused by the new contribution to my Tax-Free Savings Account. The net result of stock fluctuations had a little effect on portfolio balance. The loss from energy stocks was offset with gains from real estate stocks. In January alone, my REITs have gone up in value from 10% to 12%. I think the decrease in interest rates played a major role for REITs to go up.

Dividends
For the month of January, I received a total of $107.68 in dividends vs $87.30 for the same period a year ago. That's an increase of $20.38 or 23% on year-over-year basis. My total Year-to-Date dividend income for 2015 is $107.68. For the past 4 months, my dividends were over $100 per month and I hope that it will continue to go higher.

Dividend increases
CT Reit has increased their distribution by 2%, so my monthly income from CT is up by 5 cents to $2.49 from $2.44. Insignificant amount but better than nothing.

Contributions
During the month of January, I contributed $800 to my TFSA. My objective for 2015 is to contribute $6,000. If I continue to put $800 per month, I will reach my contribution objective by August 2015.

Transactions
Dream Office REIT (D.UN.TO)
I added 15 shares to my existing position at $26.88 per share. Dream Office has a 8.25% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.80 per month in dividend income.

Regal Lifestyle Communities (RLC.TO)
I added 50 shares to my existing position at $8.95 per share. RLC has a 7.92% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.90 per month in dividend income.

Milestones

On January 16, 2015, my portfolio gained $466.55 - the best 1 day gain ever. This amount is still shy from the worst 1 day loss which is $597.60.

Dividend Portfolio Update - December 2014

Happy New 2015 Year!

To all my readers, I would like to wish you a happy new year. May the new year set a positive trend for your portfolios. May all your wishes come true sooner than later.

 

Dividend Portfolio Value

As of December 31, 2014 my dividend portfolio balance is at $18,036.00, down by about $900 from the previous month. My portfolio value is down amid my energy stocks. I did not make new contributions in December so I didn't have new capital to offset the decline of energy stocks. Hopefully my energy stocks will gain some value in the next couple of months.

 

Dividends

For the month of December, I received a total of $115.11 in dividends vs $97.64 for the same period a year ago. My dividend income increased by 18% on year over year basis. My total Year-to-Date dividend income for 2014 is $1,133.86.

Portfolio Value Update - November 2014

Market overview




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


November was a tough month for the markets, especially for the energy sector. Last month, I was speculating that TSX would rebound and it did advance by 600 point by mid-November, but then it pulled back by about 400 points mainly due to the oil sector. The past couple of weeks, the price of crude dropped by another $10 to close at around $65 per barrel.

I don’t want to talk about oil too much, but in my opinion, the recent drop in oil prices is just fundamentally unjustifiable. Yes, ok… the OPEC people decided to keep the current production rate at 30 m barrels of oil per day. So I decided to do a little research about how much oil we produce and consume globally. Here’s what I found out. The global oil production in 2014 is average at 91.95 mbpd vs global oil consumption of 91.38 mbpd. I do not see an oversupply of oil here. Where is the oil glut that most analyst refering to? To me those numbers are at par. What OPEC is doing is a price war. They want the small players out of the market and then the prices will go up again.

I see oil prices rebounding like a "V" shape for a few good reasons. First of all, oil is not natural gas. When natural gas prices collapsed, there was an abundance of supply and very low demand. For oil, the demand is still strong and it’s growing, maybe not at the rate as everybody was anticipating. And second, were are approaching winter season and the temperatures are going down no matter what. When temperature goes down, the energy consumption goes up. And last but not least, the job growth in the States is increasing by 200,000 per month, thus, more people are driving to work.
 

Dividend Portfolio Value
As of November 30, 2014 my dividend portfolio balance is at $18,964.35, up by $444 from a previous month.

 
Dividends
For the month of November, I received a total of $110.32 in dividends vs $97.64 for the same period a year ago. My dividend income increased by 13 % on year over year basis. My total Year-to-Date dividend income for 2014 is $1,018.75.

I reached my dividend goal of a $1,000. Additional dividends in December will be considered as a surplus.
 
 
Dividend increases
So far, no dividend increases were announced and I don't expect any increases in the 4th quarter due to the correction that we had in October and November.
 

Contributions
During the month of November, I was able to contribute a total of $1,000 to my TFSA. My objective for 2014 was to contribute $5,000 inside TFSA and I reached my goal this month.
 
The total contribution room for TFSA in 2014 is 5,500. I already invested $5,000 and the rest $500 I plan to contribute next year. If in 2015 the contribution room for TFSA stays the same, at $5,500, then I will contribute a total of $6,000 for 2015.
 
In December, I will take a break from investing and will just collect my dividends.
 
 
Transactions

RioCan Real Estate (REI.UN.TO)
I added 20 shares to my existing position at $27.00 per share. RioCan has a 5.2% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.35 per month in dividend income.

 
CT Real Estate (CRT.UN.TO)
This is a brand new position for me. I bought 45 shares at $12.19 per share. CT Reit has a 5.2% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.40 per month in dividend income.


Milestones
On November 26, my dividend portfolio surpassed $19,000 mark for the first time, closing at $19,366.20. The following day it dropped by $597.60 when oil prices collapsed. This was the worst day for me. Very soon, my portfolio should rebound and stay above $19,000 for good.
 

Market outlook
As the weather cools down for the next couple of weeks, the oil demand should pick up and drive the prices up. However, we are entering the tax loss season and there will be additional selling pressure on bear stocks.

Dividend Portfolio Update - October 2014

Market overview
So far, October has lived up to its reputation as the most volatile month of the year for the stock markets. Global markets have witnessed a dramatic sell-off over the last four weeks. We saw irrational selling of pipelines and utilities, energy and financials. But corporate earnings remain strong, interest rates stays low for longer than expected, and the U.S. economy continues its course of recovery. Oil prices have dropped to $80 range, but lower crude prices are beneficial for consumers. The less we spend at the pump, the more money left in our pockets.

OIL (Black gold)
We are told by the news media that the main cause for the recent decline in oil price is based on short term over supply. However, the fundamental demand remains quite strong. I think the main reason for oil drop is to damage Russia financially as it relies heavily on oil for its income. Russia needs oil to be around $100 to balance their budget, while other oil export countries could balance their budget with $80 oil. Canadian oil produces will be hurt badly as well if oil stays at $80 price range. The world leaders will have to find a compromise and oil producers will have to cut production to stabilize the price.

I'm posting below the chart of the TSX composite index. The chart demonstrated a steep decline by mid-October and then a bounce back. Back in September I was predicting that the market would rebound by 50%, but because of falling oil prices that I did not oversee, the market continued to slide further. Since mid-October the market did recover by about 800 points or around 40% from the bottom.


Dividend portfolio value
As of October 31, 2014 my dividend portfolio balance is at $18,520.30. It's is higher by $300 from previous month mainly due to new funds that were contributed to my "TFSA" account.


Dividends
For the month of October, I received a total of $108.15 in dividends vs $101.84 for the same month a year ago. My dividend income increased by 6.19 % on year over year basis. My total Year-to-Date dividend income for 2014 is $908.41.


My goal for 2014 is to receive $1,000 in dividend income and I'm on track to meet my goal. In fact, I will reach my dividend goal in November. Anything earned in December, will be considered as a surplus :)

Dividend increases
So far, no dividend increases were announced and I don't expect any increases in the 4th quarter due to the correction that we had in October and November.

Contributions
During the month of October, I was able to contribute a total of $1,000 to my TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account). My objective for 2014 is to contribute $5,000. So far, $4000 was contributed in 2014 and I will need to save and contribute another $1,000 before the end of the year.

What is a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)? (for non-Canadian readers)
In 2009, the government introduced a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) that allows Canadians to put aside $5,000 per year. Investment income, including capital gains and dividends, earned in a TFSA is not taxed, even when withdrawn. From 2009 to 2013, the maximum contribution room was $5,000 per year. In 2014, the contribution room was raised to $5,500 per year.


Transactions
Crescent Point (CPG.TO)
I added 10 shares to my existing position at $34.05 per share. All energy shares got beaten down, but I believe the selling was exaggerated. I never bought Crescent Point before for such a low price. Crescent Point has a 7.4% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.30 per month in dividend income.



Baytex Energy (BTE.TO)


I added 10 shares to my existing position at $33.65 per share. The story with BTE is the same as with CPG. So I decided to take advantage of the low stock price. Baytex has a 8.3% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.40 per month in dividend income.

Wajax (WJX.TO)


I added 10 shares to my existing position at $34.20 per share. Wajax has a 6.6% dividend yield and this purchase will bring additional $2.00 per month in dividend income.



Milestones
No milestones were reached this month. If we get a rally in November then I should surpass $19,000 mark. I'm looking forward to it.


Market outlook
Usually November and December are good months for stock and I expect that to be the case this year. Since winter is around the corner, the price of oil should strengthen as energy demand increases. The recovery of energy stock will help the TSX to rebound.