A Dutch Dividend Challenger, Acomo: Slightly Too Expensive Right Now?

Most if not all the Dividend Growth Investors on Seeking Alpha have used the so called CCC-list, maintained by David Fish. On this list are companies which have increased their dividend payout for at least 5 years (challengers), 10 years (contenders) or 25+ years (champions). Even though these companies are American based, a lot of these companies on this list have global exposure. However, in any case, they are still listed on American stock exchanges, valued in American dollars and also pay regular dividends in American dollars. For someone based in other areas of the world (in this case Europe), this poses a risk due to changes in the EUR.USD-rate.

As a DGI I would like to diversify my dividend income stream between companies listed in Europe and the USA. Of course the most important thing is that I want to invest in great companies with solid business fundamentals, good history of earnings and dividends and shareholder friendly management. Acomo is certainly one of them!

Monthy Update: May 2014

The month has passed and it's my favorite time, giving an update of my dividend portfolio. I've updated my benchmarks to include the total return indices, instead of only the stockprice indices. This seems like a better comparison.

Indicator	As of 28-4	As of 31-5	% change
S&P 500 Total Return	3.400	3.474	+2.2%
Dow Jones Industrials Total Return	32.629	32.981	+1.1%
AEX GR	1.144	1.178	+3.0%
USD.EUR	0,7209	0,7348	+1.9%
Portfolio value	€ 16.506	€ 16.899	+2.4%

What to buy this month?

I've deposited another 1.200 euros to initiate a new position. However, since markets are at all-time highs it's getting harder to find decent valued companies which fit the bill. Right now my watchlist consists of the following stocks: Microsoft, Aflac, Visa and Acomo.

Deere raises quarterly dividend with 18%!

Great news, Deere & Company raises the dividend with 18%. This adds roughly $6.5 to my annual forward dividends. What did I do for it? Nothing really, just being a patient shareholder!!

Monthly update: April 2014

The month has passed and it's my favorite time, giving an update of my dividend portfolio. I've updated my benchmarks to include the total return indices, instead of only the stockprice indices. This seems like a better comparison.

Indicator	As of 28-3	As of 28-4	% change
S&P 500 Total Return	3.349	3.400	+1.5%
Dow Jones Industrials Total Return	32.084	32.629	+1.7%
AEX GR	1.142	1.144	+0.2%
USD.EUR	0,7272	0,7209	-0.9%
Portfolio value	€ 15.945	€ 16.506	+3.5%

The Dutch market was more or less flat (+0.2%), and the American markets were up this month (+1.5 - 1.7%). The dollar lost some ground against the euro. And what did my portfolio do? It gained 3.5% which is great. Even though I am focused on dividend income and growth, It's always nice to see portfolio value increase. There seems to be a bit of a rotation going on from different asset classes towards dividend paying stocks, because investors are looking for yield and safety.

Monthly update: March 2014

The month has passed and it's my favorite time, giving an update of my dividend portfolio. I haven't done anything this month in terms of buying or selling stocks. I have deposited €1.000 a few days ago which enables me to open another position in the next week. More on that later. So how did the last month go?

Indicator	As of 28-3	As of 28-3	% change
S&P 500	1.859	1.858	-0,1%
Dow Jones Industrial Average	16.322	16.323	+0,0%
AEX	399	402	+0,9%
USD.EUR	0,7234	0,7272	+0,5%
Portfolio value	€ 14.554	€ 14.945	+2,7%

American markets were more or less flat, the Dutch AEX gained almost 1% during the last month. The dollar gained some ground against the euro, which is good for my portfolio since the majority is listed in American dollars. And what did my portfolio do? It gained almost 3% which is great. Even though I am focused on dividend income and growth, It's always nice to see stock prices rise.

Monthly update: February 2014

The month has passed and it's my favorite time, giving an update of my dividend portfolio. I haven't done anything this month in terms of buying or selling stocks. I might be able to come up with new funds to invest in a new company next month! So how did the last month go?

Indicator	As of 31-1	As of 28-2	% change
S&P 500	1.783	1.859	+4.3%
Dow Jones Industrial Average	15.699	16.322	+4.0%
AEX	387	399	+3.0%
USD.EUR	0.7418	0.7234	-2.5%
Portfolio value	€ 14.415	€ 14.554	+1.0%

Markets were up across the board! However, USD.EUR declined alongside rising stock prices. Considering the majority of my portfolio is listed in US dollars, it didn't advance with numbers as seen in US markets.