Recent Buys for My Dividend Portfolio (ASR, IWDA, BIPC, MPWR)

As part of my ongoing strategy to build a strong and growing dividend portfolio, I’ve made some recent additions that I believe will contribute to long-term wealth accumulation. Here’s a quick breakdown of my latest buys:

• ASR Nederland (ASRNL): ASRNL is a solid Dutch insurance company with a strong track record of dividend payments. With its recent acquisition of Aegon’s Dutch operations, the company has positioned itself for further growth. I see ASRNL as a stable income-generating asset with an attractive yield. I bought 40 shares for about € 49 per share, resulting in an annual dividend of € 125.
• iShares Core MSCI World (IWDA): While not a direct dividend play, IWDA provides global diversification and exposure to high-quality companies worldwide. This ETF adds stability and growth potential to my portfolio, complementing my dividend-focused investments.
• Brookfield Infrastructure Corp (BIPC): BIPC operates in essential infrastructure sectors like utilities, transport, and energy. The company has a strong dividend history, and I expect steady income growth over the long term. Infrastructure is a defensive sector that performs well in different market conditions, making BIPC a great addition. I bought shares last year as well. With my recent addition of 40 shares after the share price drop of last week, I added $70 in dividend income.
• Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR): MPWR is a high-growth semiconductor company with increasing dividend payments. While its yield is relatively low, its strong capital appreciation potential and consistent dividend growth make it an exciting long-term hold. It's a more risky play but I wanted to increase my tech holdings a bit. These two shares will only deliver $12 in forword annual dividend income. 

With these additions, my portfolio continues to balance income generation and long-term growth. I’m excited to see how these investments perform in the coming years. Let me know what you think—are you adding any of these stocks to your portfolio?

Monthly update: February 2025

As February comes to a close, it's time to review how the global markets performed, analyze the biggest winners and losers in my portfolio, and assess my monthly dividend income growth compared to the previous year. Let’s dive into the details.

Global Market Performance in February 2025

The financial markets experienced mixed movements throughout February, with some indices posting gains while others showed slight declines:

• AEXGR: Gained +1.4%, reflecting a modest rise in Dutch stocks.
• SX5E (Euro Stoxx 50): Strong +4.9% increase, indicating a solid month for major European stocks.
• IWDA (Global Equity Index ETF): Slight -0.6% decline, showing global markets faced some pressure.
• DJITR (Dow Jones Industrial Total Return Index): Fell by -2.5%, suggesting weakness in large-cap U.S. industrials.
• S&P 500: Declined by -2.2%, reflecting some turbulence in the broader U.S. stock market.

The Euro Stoxx 50 led the way with a nearly 5% surge, while the U.S. markets struggled. A weaker dollar and concerns about economic data may have contributed to the declines in American indices.

Top 3 Gainers in My Portfolio

Despite market volatility, some stocks in my portfolio performed exceptionally well:

• MPW (Medical Properties Trust): +23%. A strong rebound in healthcare REITs contributed to MPW’s impressive performance this month.
• PM (Philip Morris International): +19%. Solid earnings and resilient dividend growth helped drive PM’s stock price higher.
• KO (Coca-Cola): +12%. Continued strength in consumer staples amid market uncertainty kept KO on an upward trajectory.

Top 3 Losers in My Portfolio

On the flip side, a few stocks struggled in February:

• MRK (Merck & Co.): -8%. Weak guidance for the upcoming quarter led to a decline in the stock price.
• APD (Air Products & Chemicals): -6%. Concerns over industrial gas demand and macroeconomic factors weighed on the stock.
• ASML (ASML Holding): -4%. Some profit-taking and semiconductor sector headwinds resulted in a slight decline.

Winners vs. Losers Ratio

With nearly four times as many winners as losers, my portfolio showed strong resilience despite broader market fluctuations.

Dividend Income Growth – February 2025 vs. February 2024

Comparing this February’s dividend income to last year:

• Total dividend income at constant FX: €230, up 4.6% YoY
• Total dividend income after FX effects: €239, up 8.2% YoY
• After-tax income: €203, reflecting 8.0% growth

My dividend income continues to show healthy year-over-year growth, reinforcing the benefits of my dividend growth investing strategy. The most important factor in my dividend growth is Deere. Last year I bought two extra shares but the company also raised its dividend by over 10%.

Final Thoughts

Despite some headwinds in the U.S. markets, my portfolio performed well in February. The high ratio of winners to losers highlights the importance of diversification, and my dividend income growth remains steady. As Warren Buffett once said:

“If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.”

Dividend investing continues to be my path to financial independence, and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds. How did your portfolio perform in February? Let me know in the comments!