Friday, April 4, 2025

2025 March Dividend Report

The month of March 2025 has been a significant period for dividend income, with a total of $3,633.21 received across various stocks. This performance reflects steady growth in dividend payouts from multiple companies, but there is still a considerable gap to achieve the annual dividend goal for 2025.

Key Highlights for March 2025

  • Total Dividends Received in March 2025$3,633.21

  • YTD Dividends for 2025 (as of March)$5,094.78

  • 2025 Dividend Goal$22,978

  • Remaining Amount to Achieve Goal$17,883.22

Performance Analysis

The dividends received in March came from a diverse portfolio of stocks, with notable contributions from high-yielding companies and funds. Here's an analysis of some key performers:

Top Dividend Contributors (March 2025)

  1. VMCPX: $529.47

  2. VSCPX: $403.26

  3. VMCIX: $383.71

  4. LMT: $90.82

  5. HD: $91.91

  6. AVGO: $129.57

These stocks and funds represent a mix of growth-oriented and stable dividend-paying investments, showcasing the portfolio's balance.

Biggest Dividend Growth (Year-over-Year)

  • LYB: Increased by $13.07 compared to 2024.

  • VMCPX: Increased by $94.47 compared to 2024.

  • VSCPX: Increased by $109.59 compared to 2024.

  • AVGO: Increased by $15.74 compared to 2024.

These increases highlight the impact of reinvestments and dividend hikes across the portfolio.

Declining or Eliminated Dividends

  • BTG and BBL: Both companies paid no dividends in March 2025, reflecting significant declines compared to prior years.

  • MMM: A sharp drop in dividends from $95.50 (2024) to $46.99 (2025), indicating challenges with this stock.

Progress Toward the 2025 Dividend Goal

As of March, the portfolio has achieved approximately 22% of the annual goal ($22,978), leaving a gap of $17,883.22 to be closed over the remaining months of the year.

Strategies to Close the Gap:

  1. Focus on High-Growth Dividend Stocks:

    • Stocks like LYB, AVGO, and VMCPX have shown strong growth potential and should remain central to reinvestment strategies.

  2. Reinvest Dividends Wisely:

    • Reinvesting dividends into high-yielding or growing stocks can compound returns and accelerate progress toward the goal.

  3. Monitor Underperformers:

    • Stocks like MMM and BBL need closer evaluation to determine if they align with long-term goals.


Conclusion

March 2025 was a solid month for dividend income, with notable contributions from both individual stocks and index funds like VMCPX and VSCPX driving growth. However, achieving the ambitious annual target requires sustained focus on reinvestment and identifying high-growth opportunities while managing underperforming assets.

The portfolio's "dividend snowball" is rolling steadily forward—let’s keep it growing!

Monday, February 10, 2025

January 2025 Dividends: A Promising Start to the Year

 As we usher in the new year, it's time to reflect on the dividends received in January 2025. This month has been especially noteworthy with several stocks showing remarkable performance and contributing significantly to your investment portfolio. Let's dive into the details and analyze the dividends from various stocks.

January 2025 Dividends Summary

Here's a look at the dividends earned in January 2025:

StockDividend
WMT12.48
MO43.86
LADR0.00
O11.74
CSCO28.95
VTR17.21
BNS46.85
MO47.41
ITW20.48
STWD36.26
DG28.59
CSCO13.71
IRM8.33
PEP21.58
MO13.73
AGNC10.53
STWD77.74
CINF50.04
NLY13.44
JPM15.20
DOX95.80
QYLD9.92
Fundrise52.09
Total Dividends675.94

Key Highlights

Outstanding Performers

  • DOX: With a substantial dividend of $95.80, DOX stands out as the top performer this month.

  • MO: With multiple entries and impressive dividends, MO continues to be a strong contender in your portfolio.

  • STWD: A notable dividend of $77.74, contributing significantly to the overall total.

Consistent Contributors

  • CSCO: With dividends from both regular and additional entries, CSCO has shown consistent growth.

  • DG: A significant dividend of $28.59, reflecting steady performance.

Areas to Watch

  • LADR: With no dividend this month, it's essential to monitor this stock and evaluate its future potential.

  • Fundrise: While it has a decent dividend of $52.09, there's a need to keep an eye on its performance.

Conclusion

January 2025 has started on a high note with substantial dividends from various stocks, marking a promising beginning for the year. The total dividends for the month amount to $675.94, reflecting a healthy and growing investment portfolio. As we move forward, it's crucial to continue monitoring the performance of these stocks, make informed decisions, and adapt to market changes to maximize returns.

Happy investing!

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Riding the NVIDIA Wave: Options Play

 Today, I'm excited to share a recent win from my options trading playbook. Buckle up as we dive into a day trade that turned out to be quite the rollercoaster ride!

The Setup

On January 24, 2025, I had my eyes set on NVIDIA (NVDA), a stock that's been making waves in the tech world. With AI advancements and chip demand soaring, NVDA has been a hot ticket. I decided to play this momentum with a deep in-the-money call option.Here's the nitty-gritty:
  • Option: NVDA $200 Call
  • Expiration: January 16, 2026
  • Contracts: 1

The Play

9:57 AM ET: Sold 1 contract at $1,438.00
2:10 PM ET: Bought back 1 contract at $1,240.00

The Result

Profit: $198.00
Return on Investment: 15.97%That's right, folks! A cool 15.97% return in just over 4 hours. Not too shabby for a day's work, eh?

Breaking It Down

Now, you might be wondering, "How did you pull this off?" Well, let me spill the beans:
  1. Market Timing: I sold the option early in the trading day when optimism was high.
  2. Patience: Instead of panicking, I waited for the right moment to buy back.
  3. Deep In-The-Money: These options are less volatile, providing some cushion.

The Takeaways

While this trade worked out well, it's crucial to remember a few things:
  1. High Stakes: We're talking about options priced over $1,200 each. That's not chump change!
  2. Risk Management: Always have an exit strategy. I was prepared for the trade to go south.
  3. Market Knowledge: Understanding NVIDIA's position in the tech landscape was key.

Final Thoughts

This trade is a testament to the potential of options trading when done with careful planning and execution. However, remember that with great potential comes great risk. Always do your homework, never risk more than you can afford to lose, and stay humble – the market has a way of teaching even the most seasoned traders new lessons.So, what do you think? Have you had similar experiences with options trading? Any NVIDIA fans out there with insights to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!Until next time, happy trading and may your charts always be green! 📈🚀

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