Mr. Dell, It's Time For A Dividend

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By Jeremy Schwartz: By Jeremy Schwartz, CFA, Director of Research, WisdomTree & Christopher Gannatti, Research Analyst, WisdomTree Traditional Views on Dividends-Challenged

Research Recap submits: More technology companies are paying dividends and increasing dividend payments. But Moody’s does not expect those increases to affect company ratings because by and large, the percentage of discretionary cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) paid in the form of dividends has remained flat, at about 20%, over the last five years as companies’ cash flow has also grown.

By Zvi Bar:Though investors are aware all equities carry risk, many people crave the security of a large corporation. Individuals perceive that established giant businesses are less likely to completely fail, though they may, and that the management will concentrate on long-term existence and continued growth.Additionally, many individuals are now seeking out higher yielding investments.

By Zvi Bar:The dividend payout ratio is the amount of net income that a business pays to its stockholders in dividends. The part of the earnings not paid to investors is left for investment, to provide for future business and earnings growth.

Microsoft this afternoon reported Q3 results that were about in line with Street estimates. Revenue was $17.37 billion, a hair ahead of the Street at $17.25 billion. Profits of 68 cents a share were right in line with the Street consensus. Revenues were up 7% from a year ago. ?We saw customer demand across the ...

Zacks.com submits: CVS Caremark (CVS) reported an adjusted EPS of 80 cents in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago period by a penny. For the full year, the adjusted EPS of $2.69 was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the EPS declined compared to the previous year’s $2.74.

Dividend Growth Investor submits:Aflac Incorporated (AFL), through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), provides supplemental health and life insurance. The company offers cancer plans, general medical indemnity plans, medical/sickness riders, care plans, living benefit life plans, ordinary life insurance plans, and annuities in Japan.