Get Dividends Every Month

One way for income-hungry investors to keep cash flowing is to assemble a portfolio that shells out dividends every month.

- Jeffrey R. Kosnett

For 10 years, I’ve published such a portfolio in Kiplinger’s Investing for Income (kiplinger.com/go/aboutkii). The idea is to assemble 12 stocks or funds with alternating distribution dates so that you never wait long for cash. This strategy can be a complement to a bond ladder, another time-tested tool for putting cash flow on autopilot.

Because share prices are soaring, the current yields on some former dividend favorites have dipped well below 2%. However, many other dividend aces still yield at or above 3%, headed by AT&T’s 6.9%. So, with the full S&P 500 index priced to yield just 1.4% (down from 2.4% a year ago), let me recast the Dividend-a-Month portfolio into a high-yield edition whose 12 elements average 3% or better on new money. Capital is spread over numerous sectors—a critical diversification advantage over an undisciplined chase for maximum yield. And you have growth opportunities.