(This was originally published in the July 2017 version of The Dividend Growth Newsletter. It is available here.)
When it comes to investing, the old adage is that past performance does not indicate future performance. While that is certainly true, past history isn’t completely worthless. Both the stock market and the events of world history move in cycles, so what happens in the past can happen again. Forward looking statements are educated guesses at best, but, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Consider this article by investor Nick McCullum, who showcases a chart (left) by Ned Davis Research that shows the historical return of dividend-growing stocks (9.6%) outpacing both non-dividend stocks (1.7%) and the S&P 500 (7.3%).
Dividend aristocrats also experienced lower volatility compared to the index, and because only established companies with enough cash flow can consistently pay (or raise) dividends, they’re also considered to be safer investments as well. Considering that stocks are at record highs, dividend stocks remain a prudent investment.