Historically, dividends and dividend growth have provided a consistent and growing cash flow return to investors. We emphasize companies possessing above-average dividend yields with the financial flexibility to grow dividends in the future. This stream of cash flow can provide opportunity for reinvestment, a steady stream of income for investors, or a portfolio cushion in weak markets.

What Makes Our Dividend Approach Different

Valuation - We recognize that valuation history is important in equity selection. Companies are analyzed based on historical valuation ranges of price/sales, price/book, price/cash flow, price/earnings, as well as dividend yield. Equity selection is focused on companies which are trading at a discount to historical valuation ranges and at the upper end of their dividend yield range. Purchasing companies at historically depressed valuation levels provides capital appreciation upside to the portfolio.

Business Analysis - Identifying quality companies with secure and growing dividends is the focus of our business analysis discipline. Company outlook, balance sheet strength, liquidity, margin trends, cash flow generation and payout ratio are a few of the fundamentals researched by our investment team. Fundamental research is critical in identifying dividend growth opportunities where increasing payouts enhance the value of the shares over time.

Diversification - Broad portfolio diversification provides investors the opportunity to participate throughout the market cycle. In addition, diversification also provides both offensive and defensive characteristics important to portfolio total return.

Covered Call Options - By utilizing a covered call option strategy, portfolios benefit from incremental cash flows as well as portfolio protection in periods of market weakness. In addition, writing covered calls provides a disciplined exit strategy at attractive prices, thereby enhancing total return.

Portfolio Construction - Portfolios are well diversified within the 10 economic sectors with individual companies selected based upon a combination of yield, valuation analysis, business analysis and appreciation potential. Portfolios typically will have 40-45 equity holdings with representation in each sector.