Nine Quality Dividend Stocks Purchased for the Roth IRA in November

Back in September, I started making contributions for my Roth IRA. I bought shares the following ten companies in September, these nine in October, and a few more in November. The purpose of this series of posts is to prove that it is possible to create a diversified dividend portfolio even if you do not have a lot of starting capital, while also keeping costs as low as possible. The low costs were possible because I used Sharebuilder, which allows you to make 12 purchases per month for $12. The first month after you sign up is a trial month, meaning that all twelve transactions are free. Therefore, if you make 12 trades/month for three months, the most you are going to pay is $24. That comes down to less than 0.50% of the investment amount, if you contribute the 2013 maximum contribution of $5,500. If you were putting more money than that to work however, the initial set up cost would be an even much lower percentage.

The more challenging part of the portfolio building process was uncovering quality dividend stocks, which were also attractively valued. Given the fact that stocks are hitting all-time-highs every day, it is difficult to find quality companies that are not overvalued.

As a result, I was able to purchase shares in the following dividend paying companies in November:

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM), through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products. The company has consistently raised dividends since being spun off from parents Altria Group (MO) in 2008. Over the past 5 years, PMI has managed to boost distributions by 13%/year. The company is really cheap at 16.20 times earnings and yields 4.40%. This is my second largest holding, which is why it does not make sense from a diversification standpoint to keep adding money there for me. Check my analysis of Philip Morris International.

General Mills, Inc. (GIS) produces and markets branded consumer foods in the United States and internationally. I initiated a small position in the stock. This dividend achiever has raised distributions for 10 years in a row. Over the past decade, General Mills has managed to boost dividends by 8.70%/year. The company is selling for 17.40 times forward earnings, and yields 3%. Check my analysis of General Mills.

Target Corporation (TGT) operates general merchandise stores in the United States. This dividend champion has raised distributions for 46 consecutive years in a row. Over the past decade, Target has managed to boost dividends by 18.60%/year. The company is selling for 17.20 times earnings and yields 2.70%. The big opportunity behind the company is international expansion, which could reward shareholders immensely, if it is done right. Check my analysis of Target.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and manufacture of petroleum products. This dividend champion has raised distributions for 31 years in a row. Over the past decade, Exxon Mobil has managed to raise dividends by 9%/year, and has also managed to repurchase stock consistently for decades. Currently, the stock is trading at 12.25 times earnings and yields 2.70%. The stock popped on news Warren Buffett initiated a large position in it, which is why adding to Exxon on dips might be a good strategy. Check my analysis of Exxon Mobil.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), together with its subsidiaries, provides financial and banking services in North America and internationally. The stock is selling for 13 times earnings and yields 3.60%. The company started raising dividends in 2011, after freezing them in 2008.

Royal Bank of Canada (RY), a diversified financial service company, provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services worldwide. The stock is selling for 12.10 times earnings and yields 3.90%. The company started raising dividends in 2011, after freezing them in 2007.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) provides various financial products and services in Canada and internationally. The stock is selling for 10.20 times earnings and yields 4.30%. The company started raising dividends in 2011, after freezing them in 2007.

The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal, commercial, corporate, and investment banking services in Canada and internationally. The stock is selling for 12 times earnings and yields 3.90%. The company started raising dividends in 2011, after freezing them in 2008.

Bank of Montreal (BMO), together with its subsidiaries, provides various retail banking, wealth management, and investment banking products and services in North America and internationally. The stock is selling for 11 times earnings and yields 4%. The company started raising dividends in 2013, after freezing them in 2007.

Overall, I am very bullish on Canadian banks for the very long term. None of the five largest Canadian banks cut dividends during the financial crisis, although they did freeze them for a few years. I think that the Canadian economy is in a unique position to deliver population growth, economic growth, that would trickle down to bolster long-term earnings for the largest banks in the country. This is a bet that Canada in 50 years will be very prosperous, which would trickle down to huge amount of rising dividends from those banks. In addition, while Canadian dividends face a 15% withholding for taxable accounts, there is no withholding in retirement accounts such as Roth IRA's. I plan on writing an article specifically outlining my thesis behind a core long-term holding of these five Canadian banks. Please stay tuned.

UPDATE 2/5/2014 : Sharebuilder is still withholding Canadian taxes on dividends, despite the fact that it is in a ROTH IRA. They seemed unwilling to accommodate my needs as a client, which is why I would not recommend them for buying Canadian dividend paying stocks in tax-deferred accounts.

With this, my allocations for 2013 Roth IRA are complete. I would wait to make my 2014 Roth IRA, until I make my SEP IRA contributions in the first quarter of 2014. Given the fact that I am trying to put away as much as possible in tax-deferred accounts, ( 401K, Sep and Roth IRA’s), I am not going to be able to make as many investments in taxable accounts as before. Therefore, my dividend income would grow merely as a result of organic dividend increases and dividend reinvestment. I expect this to lead to a 10% annual increase in dividends for the next five years. Let’s see if this can be done.

Full Disclosure: Long all companies mentioned in this article

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