Another month down. July is always a fun month because it is my birthday month! This year, I finally entered my final year in my 20s and will be enjoying this victory lap before I enter my 30s. The market was interesting this month and there were several weeks where there weren’t any investment opportunities jumping off the screen at me or Lanny. But then the end of the month struck! But I’ll save the details for the article… Here is my July dividend income summary!

July dividend income summary

In July, I received $180.67 in dividend income, an increase of 35.57% compared to last year! The following chart provides a detailed breakdown of the individual dividends received. Please note that a “W” represents a dividend received in my wife’s account.

Here are some highlights and notes from July:

  • Taking a step back, I’ve made several purchases in the last 12 months where I added to my stake in companies that I already owned. This was a HUGE contributor to the 35% increase. This includes additional purchases for Cardinal Health, CM, and O (which I purchased three times in January/February). Interestingly, based on current valuations, I could add to CAH and CM if I were to choose. So who knows, those figures may increase once again!
  • It was really nice to receive my first dividend from Leggett & Platt (LEG), which I purchased in the second quarter. The new dividend was HUGE and helped offset the decrease from DWDP.
  • Speaking of DWDP, I cannot wait to stop discussing this one in these reports soon. DWDP switched the month they paid their dividend.  Thus, it appears that I received $0 from the company this month. Instead, the income was just shifted. Sure it sucks this month, but I pick up a nice benefit elsewhere.
  • July Portfolio News and Dividend Increases

    In this section, I’ll review two different ways that my forward dividend income will increase during the month: dividend increases and investment activity.  The first table I will review is the dividend increases during the month.