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Market Volatility: Investors urged to Consider Dividends

Market plunge causes investor concern. Experts suggest focusing on dividend-paying stocks as a safer investment choice during volatility. Dividend-paying companies show solid long-term performance.

Date: 
AI Rating:   7
Dividend Payouts and Performance
According to the report, dividend-paying stocks are highlighted for their stability and solid performance over time. Specifically, stocks classified as 'dividend growers and initiators' have shown an average annual total return of 10.19% from 1973 to 2023. This is higher compared to other groups, with average returns reported as follows: 'dividend payers' at 9.17%, 'no change in dividend policy' at 6.74%, and 'dividend non-payers' at a mere 4.27% and even negative returns for 'dividend shrinkers and eliminators' at (0.63%). These statistics indicate that dividend-paying stocks are considerably more profitable over the long term, thus, they could positively impact stock prices as investors seek reliable income streams, especially in volatile markets.

ETF Performance Comparison
The Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) is also touched upon, showing a recent yield of 2.69% with three-year and five-year average annual returns at 12.71% and 15.76%, respectively. This performance is slightly behind that of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) but still demonstrates a solid alternative for income-focused investors. The ETF tracks large and mid-cap companies with a reliable dividend history, which could lead investors to view it favorably, further stabilizing its share price in fluctuating market conditions.

Market Sentiment
The report suggests a change in sentiment towards dividend stocks, especially during economic uncertainty. As investors prioritize income stability, companies that exhibit consistent dividend growth tend to attract more investment, potentially leading to upward pressure on their stock prices. Conversely, the overall market decline noted may dampen enthusiasm, but shifts towards safer investment choices can offset that risk for dividend-focused securities. As such, dividends not only serve as a source of income but also indicate financial health and growth potential, both of which could have a positive effect on stock valuations as investor confidence returns.
Overall, investors should closely monitor dividend-paying stocks as they present a compelling opportunity amidst current market volatility.
Stocks:  FDVV VOO AVGO XOM KO PM PG AAPL NVDA MSFT JPM V