Every issue, we break down one Dividend Aristocrat using the MaxDividends framework to dеtеrminе whеthеr it's а Buy, Hоld, or Sеll.

🎩 IBM — International Business Machines Corp

A global technology company providing hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, consulting, and infrastructure solutions that help businesses and governments modernize operations, manage data, and build mission-critical systems worldwide.

• 💰 Dividend Yield: 2.82%

• 📈 10-Year Dividend Growth: +3.00% CAGR

• 🏆 Dividend Streak: 30 consecutive years

MaxDividends Overview

Let’s answer the questions that matter before investing in IBM:

• Is IBM undervalued, fairly valued, or overvalued today?

• Does IBM deserve a Playing, Watching, or Skip rating at current prices?

• How safe is the 2.82% dividend yield?

• Can dividend growth continue after 30 consecutive years of increases?

• What are the key risks and catalysts that could shape future returns?

• Is IBM still a strong dividend-income opportunity — or is the higher yield signaling greater risk?

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Yep, Benjamin Graham, the godfather of value investing and the guy who basically wrote the playbook for how to grow your money without losing your sanity.

Humble Beginnings: From Poverty to the Ivy League

Born on May 8, 1894, in London, young Ben made the journey across the Atlantic to New York when he was just a year old. Life wasn’t exactly a cakewalk—his father died when Ben was still a kid, leaving the family in financial shambles.

But instead of wallowing, Ben hit the books hard. He graduated second in his class (a “salutatorian” for all you SAT buffs) from Columbia University at just 20 years old.

Fun fact? He could’ve stayed in academia, but nah—he chose Wall Street instead.

Wall Street’s Sharpest Critic

Ben wasn’t your average stock jockey chasing hot tips. Nope, he dug deep into financial statements like an archaeologist searching for gold. He was all about transparency and accountability, even calling out companies for their sketchy, inconsistent financial reports. Graham’s mantra? Numbers don’t lie, but they can sure as heck be manipulated.

And then came 1928. Graham returned to Columbia—this time as a professor—where he didn’t just teach; he built an army of investing legends. His students? Just a few names you might’ve heard of:

• Jean-Marie Eveillard (value investing titan)

• Irving Kahn (a legend who worked until age 109!)

• Walter Schloss (turned pennies into fortunes),

• Charles Brandes, …and the one and only Warren Buffett.

The Father of Value Investing

So, what exactly did Graham teach? In a nutshell:

1. Dividends are king. If a company isn’t paying dividends regularly, maybe rethink why you’re holding it.

2. High prices need high skepticism. Don’t overpay for “potential.” You’re investing in a business, not a lottery ticket.

These lessons, and many others, are immortalized in his book, The Intelligent Investor. Fun fact: Warren Buffett once said it’s “the best book on investing ever written.” Yeah, high praise from the Oracle of Omaha himself.

Graham’s Legacy: The Buffett Connection

Speaking of Buffett, the guy isn’t shy about crediting Graham for shaping his investing philosophy. In fact, Buffett called Graham the second most influential person in his life, after his own dad. The Graham-to-Buffett pipeline is proof that these lessons aren’t just theoretical—they work.

Here’s a gem that Graham passed on to Buffett: “Every day, do something foolish, something creative, and something generous.” Translation: don’t just live to make money; make your life worth living.

Why Graham’s Ideas Still Rock Today

Let’s be real—investing has evolved since Graham’s day, but his principles are timeless. His insistence on solid fundamentals, risk management, and buying stocks like you’re buying a business still hold true, especially for dividend investors.

Ready to Dive In?

If you’re new to Graham, start with The Intelligent Investor. It’s not exactly a beach read, but it’ll change the way you think about money. And who knows? Maybe it’ll spark the inner Warren Buffett in you.

Ben Graham may have been a humble professor from New York, but his lessons have turned countless everyday investors into millionaires. His story proves that anyone can win in the stock market, as long as you follow the right rules and keep your emotions in check. So, are you ready to channel your inner Graham?

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

Intro

In this section, we share ready-made sets of promising dividend growth stocks with strong future dividend potential — built for $300, $500, and $1,000 weekly investment plans.

Each set represents a complete portfolio that grows week by week. We also track performance and provide portfolio links so you can monitor past results and real-time updates.

Easy-Peasy Secret Formula

At MaxDividends, Easy-Peasy isn’t built on opinions or lucky picks. It’s built on a proven income system — the same principles that have created wealth and cash flow for investors for generations.

This is the MaxDividends Income System in action: a safe financial engine designed to turn capital into growing dividend income, week after week, year after year.

Every Easy-Peasy set you see is not “a list of stocks.” It’s the result of a clear, tested process that stands on three pillars:

• Dividend Intelligence — finding businesses with real cash flow, sustainable payouts, and the ability to keep raising income over time.

• Risk & Quality Control — filtering out weak balance sheets, fragile dividends, and companies that can’t survive the next cycle.

• Execution & Momentum — a system that keeps you moving forward even when you’re busy, tired, or not thinking about the market.

That’s how the Easy-Peasy formula comes to life. Everything works together inside the MaxDividends Research Platform:

• Portfolio & Income Tracker — monitor your portfolios, dividends, and passive income in real time.

• Ideas Assistant — discover high-quality dividend opportunities and optimize your portfolio.

• Dividend Eagles List — invest from a curated universe of proven dividend-growth companies.

This isn’t theory. This is a working machine. And you’re already inside it.

You don’t have to wonder whether this works — you can see the dividends landing, month after month. Below you’ll see exactly how that system turns into real money — simple, boring, and incredibly powerful.

More importantly, you’ll see how you can put the same system to work in your own portfolio today, whether you’re just beginning your investing journey or already building wealth.

Read more

WD-40 Company (WDFC)

Business Quality Score: 98 / 99

Quick Tip

WD-40 Company (WDFC) is a San Diego-based maker of maintenance products, best known for its namesake lubricant sold in more than 176 countries. Founded in 1953 as Rocket Chemical Company, it now operates across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, generating most sales from maintenance products while expanding its WD-40 Specialist line.

Dividend engine: 17 years, well covered

WD-40 pays $4.08 per share annually, a 2.04% yield, with a 62.01% payout ratio and a 5-year dividend-growth rate of +40.00%. That payout ratio sits in a healthy middle zone for a high-margin consumer products company, leaving real room to keep growing the dividend. The 17-year streak reflects a business that converts sales into cash consistently, helped by near-zero brand-switching risk.

Q3 fiscal 2026: a blowout quarter

For Q3 fiscal 2026, ended May 31, 2026, WD-40 reported net sales of $195.1 million, up 24% year over year, with diluted EPS of $2.24, up 45%, and adjusted EPS of $2.33, up 51%, per the July 9, 2026 release on BusinessWire. Operating income jumped 47% to $40.3 million, with growth broad-based across all three regions. Management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $6.05-$6.35 and authorized a new $100 million buyback.

Growth story: China, India, and a promo that worked

WD-40’s growth is increasingly international. China is generating double-digit growth, while India, run through a Pidilite partnership, is growing sales over 20% and ranks as the company’s second-largest opportunity. A “King of the Hill” promotional campaign with Disney and Home Depot delivered a 75% incremental sales lift, and Specialist sales grew 22-31% globally.

Forty tries to protect a nuclear missile

WD-40 exists because a Cold War missile contractor needed to stop rust on the Atlas ICBM, and chemists failed 39 times before formula number 40 worked. Convair employees smuggled cans home to fix squeaky hinges, and that unauthorized use became the entire consumer business. The recipe has never been patented and still sits in a bank vault.

Final take

WD-40 offers a 2.04% yield, $4.08 annual dividend, 17 years of hikes, +40.00% 5-year dividend growth, and a 62.01% payout ratio. The business is backed by a blowout quarter, raised guidance, and real momentum in China and India, but premium valuation and reliance on continued international growth are real risks. Business Quality Score: 98. That’s elite territory, though investors should watch whether this growth rate holds before paying up further.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

Intro

Dividend Radar is a weekly updated list of reliable, dividend-growing companies — built on the timeless CCC method first introduced by David Fish.

Dividend Radar — Weekly Edition · 09/09/2026

The legendary method of dividend discipline returns every Wednesday — powered by MaxDividends.

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Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR)

Business Quality Score: 93 / 99

Quick Tip

Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) is a Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based holding company built around Otter Tail Power, a regulated electric utility incorporated in 1907 serving over 133,000 customers across rural Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It also owns Manufacturing and Plastics segments producing PVC pipe and metal parts, making it one of the few utilities where industrial manufacturing meaningfully swings the bottom line.

Dividend engine: 12 years, plenty of room

Otter Tail pays $2.31 per share annually, a 2.56% yield, with a 49.78% payout ratio and a 5-year dividend-growth rate of +42.00%. That payout ratio is comfortably conservative, leaving room to fund both rate-base growth and manufacturing expansion. The 12-year streak actually understates the story: the company has paid dividends for over 85 straight years.

Q2 2026: a legal charge masks a real beat

For Q2 ended June 30, 2026, Otter Tail reported adjusted diluted EPS of $1.66, down 10% year over year but beating the $1.51 consensus, per the August 3, 2026 release on BusinessWire. GAAP results showed a $0.18 diluted loss per share due to a $103.5 million legal settlement charge, while revenue rose to $334.4 million from $333.0 million. Management raised full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $5.68-$6.08 from $5.22-$5.62.

Growth story: pipe volumes and Georgia capacity

Otter Tail’s growth is coming from volume, not price. Plastics posted its highest-ever quarterly sales volume using expanded Phoenix capacity, even as PVC pipe prices fell 14% year over year. Manufacturing segment earnings grew 38% year over year on expanded Georgia capacity meeting rising OEM demand.

Built on a dam a city’s own utility couldn’t finish

Fergus Falls’ municipal dam failed, forcing local businessmen to raise $100,000 in 1907 to build a private hydro dam instead. That project succeeded where the city’s own infrastructure hadn’t, and the company still runs five hydro plants on the same river today.

Final take

Otter Tail offers a 2.56% yield, $2.31 annual dividend, 12 years of hikes, +42.00% 5-year dividend growth, and a 49.78% payout ratio. The business is backed by raised guidance and record plastics volumes, but declining PVC prices remain a real headwind. Business Quality Score: 93. That’s elite territory, but plastics normalization is worth watching before treating this as a set-and-forget holding.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

The Building Blocks of Passive Income

A typical pre‑retiree balance sheet includes several income and asset sources:

• Employer pensions and Social Security, often with built‑in inflation adjustments.

• Tax‑deferred accounts such as 403(b)s, 401(k)s, and traditional IRAs.

• Smaller Roth IRAs or Roth 401(k)s.

• Taxable investment accounts and potential inheritances.

Pensions and Social Security provide a guaranteed, inflation‑linked base. Tax‑deferred and Roth accounts add flexibility: they can generate ongoing investment income (dividends, interest) and fund withdrawals, but each has different tax consequences. The question is how much to shift from tax‑deferred to Roth, and over what time horizon, to create stable passive income with manageable tax and healthcare costs.

Roth Conversions: Three Strategic Paths

Roth conversions move assets from tax‑deferred to tax‑free status by paying income tax today. For households with strong guaranteed income, three broad approaches exist:

1. Aggressive conversion. Converting a large share of tax‑deferred assets over a short period, accepting a high current tax bill to reduce future required minimum distributions (RMDs) and future taxable withdrawals.

2. Gradual, multi‑year conversion. Making smaller annual conversions sized to stay within chosen tax and Medicare premium brackets, using projections to avoid “cliff” effects.

3. Minimal or no conversion. Leaving most assets in tax‑deferred form, letting RMDs drive future withdrawals, and accepting the associated tax profile.

The trade‑off is between paying known tax today and potentially higher—but uncertain—tax later. For retirees already in higher brackets due to pensions, large conversions can push marginal rates and healthcare surcharges significantly higher in the short term, which is why aggressive strategies are often less compelling at this stage.

Tax Brackets, IRMAA, and Healthcare Costs

For Medicare‑eligible retirees, Roth conversion sizing is constrained not only by income‑tax brackets but also by Medicare’s income‑related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). IRMAA surcharges apply when modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds tiered thresholds and can add thousands of dollars per year to Part B and Part D premiums.

Every dollar converted from a traditional account to a Roth counts as ordinary income in the year of conversion, raising MAGI. Because IRMAA uses a two‑year lookback—current premiums are based on income from two years prior—a conversion today can trigger higher premiums later, after the tax decision is irreversible.

In practice, this leads many high‑income retirees to favor gradual conversions that keep total income within a selected IRMAA tier. Converting just enough to stay below the next threshold, and stopping several thousand dollars short to allow for unexpected income, helps avoid sudden premium jumps.

Estate Planning and the SECURE Act

Roth conversions also interact with inheritance rules. The SECURE Act requires most non‑spouse beneficiaries of traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as inherited 401(k)s and 403(b)s, to fully deplete the accounts within 10 years of the original owner’s death.

For inherited traditional accounts, those withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. For inherited Roth accounts, qualified distributions are generally tax‑free, and there are no annual minimums during the 10‑year window. A beneficiary can allow an inherited Roth to compound tax‑free and then withdraw the entire balance in year ten without federal income tax.

This “compressed 10‑year window” often creates a tax spike for heirs of large traditional accounts, especially if those withdrawals stack on top of their own salaries. Converting a portion of traditional assets to Roth during the original owner’s lifetime, especially when outside cash is available to pay the conversion tax, can reduce that future burden.

Opportunity Cost and Market Risk

Roth conversions involve opportunity cost: tax dollars paid now could have remained invested. For retirees with sizable portfolios, market behavior around conversion dates matters. Converting heavily just before a significant market decline means paying tax on a higher balance and then watching that value fall, which reduces the effective benefit of the conversion.

Conversely, converting in weaker markets lowers the immediate tax bill per dollar of future Roth growth. Many planners therefore favor modest conversions later in the tax year—when income is known—and during periods of lower asset values, rather than committing to a single large conversion based on one year’s conditions.

Designing an Account Structure for Passive Income

For U.S. residents approaching or in early retirement, an account structure aimed at passive income and tax control often looks like this:

• Guaranteed‑income layer. Pensions and Social Security form the core, covering essential expenses.

• Tax‑deferred growth and income layer. Traditional IRAs and employer plans hold diversified portfolios, often with a meaningful dividend and interest component to support RMDs and optional withdrawals.

• Tax‑free flexibility layer. Roth accounts are built up gradually through planned conversions, financed where possible by non‑retirement cash, and invested in assets expected to benefit from long‑term, tax‑free compounding.

• Liquidity layer. Taxable accounts and cash reserves manage near‑term spending and unexpected needs, reducing pressure to alter retirement account strategies during volatile periods.

Within this framework, dividends and other investment income contribute to passive cash flow, but they do so inside an intentional tax and healthcare structure. The goal is not to eliminate volatility or taxes, but to ensure that when markets move or rules shift, the household is not forced into reactive decisions.

Why Multi‑Year Planning Often Fits Late‑Career Retirees

For pre‑retirees with strong pensions and large tax‑deferred balances, research generally finds that disciplined, multi‑year Roth conversion plans can add value by smoothing tax burdens and protecting heirs, while aggressive one‑time conversions carry higher risk and fewer advantages.

Sizing conversions to tax and IRMAA thresholds, coordinating them with portfolio risk and expected returns, and viewing them in the context of the entire balance sheet turns Roth decisions into part of a broader passive‑income design. In that design, the most durable outcomes come less from dramatic moves and more from steady adjustments that respect both the math and the constraints of the retirement system.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

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Good news for shareholders — Stewart Information Services Corp just boosted its quarterly payout from $0.525 to $0.55 per share, a 4.76% raise.

That marks 5 straight years of dividend growth.

Steady, reliable, and still climbing — congrats to everyone holding this one.

Good news for shareholders — MGE Energy Inc just boosted its quarterly payout from $0.475 to $0.508 per share, a 7.01% raise.

That marks 38 straight years of dividend growth.

Steady, reliable, and still climbing — congrats to everyone holding this one.

Good news for shareholders — Brady Corporation just boosted its quarterly payout from $0.245 to $0.25 per share, a 2% raise.

That marks 41 straight years of dividend growth.

Steady, reliable, and still climbing — congrats to everyone holding this one.

Good news for shareholders — NBT Bancorp Inc just boosted its quarterly payout from $0.37 to $0.40 per share, an 8.11% raise.

That marks 13 straight years of dividend growth.

Steady, reliable, and still climbing — congrats to everyone holding this one.

My personal life & business column — a mix of life moments, investing insights, and reflections on long-term wealth building.

The other day, we came across an interesting post on Reddit. I’ll leave it here word for word.

I guess we could’ve ended today’s entire episode right there, and it would’ve been pretty effective. But I still want to add my 10 cents before leaving you to think about what you just read.

You know, when I first started training for an Ironman, I had pretty much the same belief — I could do everything myself, I didn’t need a coach. Luckily for me, I was already married at the time, and my wife had other plans for me than just sitting back and calmly watching me burn myself out.

Not because I couldn’t afford to work with a coach. I had two mental barriers — I thought I could do everything myself and... I was embarrassed. Embarrassed to look like I didn’t know something, like I didn’t know what I was doing, embarrassed to ask for help. My wife simply sensed all of that and quietly did what she had to do. She found me a coach. Yep, that’s exactly what she did. She found him, introduced us, and connected me with him.

And you know what? From the standpoint of my sports hobby, it was the best thing that could’ve happened to me at that point in my life. My coach is a certified physical training specialist, a multiple-time full-distance Ironman finisher himself, and an ultramarathon finisher.

Just so you understand, before I met him, I didn’t even know how to swim. Today, I can say that I successfully finished an Ironman several years ago. I’ve finished several half-Ironmans and multiple marathons. My mental and physical health are still intact, I don’t train nearly as hard anymore, and I still love an active lifestyle.

Could I have made it so smoothly from point zero to the point of my dream without taking that step? I don’t know, because I did take it. And along the way, I saw plenty of people who didn’t.

Two important things helped me along that journey — the right people around me (my wife) and a reliable, proven practitioner who had the knowledge I needed in that area (my coach).

P.S.

We don’t brush our teeth with our fingers — a toothbrush is easier, more effective, and simply better. We could wash our clothes by hand and hammer nails in with a rock, but when you have a washing machine and a hammer, it just makes sense to use them.

The right tools and the right people simply make the journey easier. That’s exactly what MaxDividends is all about.

Enjoy your Sunday coffee ☕

With respect for your well-being, Max

MaxDividends Mission: Helping people build growing passive income, retire early, and live off dividends.

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PPG Industries (PPG)

Business Quality Score: 96 / 99

Quick Tip

PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) is a Pittsburgh-based global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, founded in 1883 as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. It operates through three segments, Global Architectural Coatings, Performance Coatings, and Industrial Coatings, serving customers in more than 70 countries.

Dividend engine: 55 years, comfortably funded

PPG pays $2.96 per share annually, a 2.64% yield, with a 42.41% payout ratio and a 5-year dividend-growth rate of +32.00%. That’s conservative for an industrial company, leaving plenty of earnings for acquisitions and buybacks without threatening the payout. The 55-year streak places PPG among the market’s elite dividend growers, built by weathering multiple recessions and inflation cycles without pausing.

Q2 2026: revenue beat, EPS roughly flat

For Q2 ended June 30, 2026, PPG reported net sales of $4.495 billion, up 7.2% year over year, beating the $4.37 billion consensus, with adjusted EPS of $2.23 versus $2.22 a year earlier, per the July 28, 2026 release on BusinessWire. Net income was $439 million, reported EPS was $1.96, and organic growth hit 4%, the sixth straight quarter of organic growth. Management reaffirmed full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $7.70 to $8.10.

Growth story: aerospace and packaging carry the load

PPG’s differentiated businesses are doing the heavy lifting. Aerospace coatings drove much of the quarter’s strength, packaging coatings posted double-digit growth, and Industrial Coatings volumes rose 5%, outpacing the broader industry by 300 basis points. Performance Coatings sales rose 7%, with acquisitions contributing 3 points of that growth.

The company that fought a war over glass prices

Founders John B. Ford and John Pitcairn built their first plate glass factory in Creighton, Pennsylvania, to break America’s dependence on European glass. Their aggressive pricing sparked the “Great Plate Glass War” of the 1880s, which PPG won, becoming the first commercially successful U.S. plate glass maker.

Final take

PPG offers a 2.64% yield, $2.96 annual dividend, 55 years of hikes, +32.00% 5-year dividend growth, and a 42.41% payout ratio. The business is backed by six straight quarters of organic growth and reaffirmed guidance, but soft automotive refinish demand and raw material inflation remain real pressures. Business Quality Score: 96. That’s elite territory, but margin pressure in auto-exposed segments is worth watching before treating this as a set-and-forget holding.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

Inflation concerns tied to tariffs and oil, elevated rate expectations, and a market where the Buffett Indicator has surpassed 233%—the highest level on record—are adding to the case for caution. It’s unclear when the next broad decline will begin, but Warren Buffett, now 96, has offered a consistent framework for this kind of environment.

Bad News Historically Precedes Opportunity

In October 2008, with the S&P 500 down more than 40% over the prior year, Buffett wrote in The New York Times that bad news is an investor’s best friend because it allows a buyer to acquire a stake in future earnings at a discounted price. He argued that while some companies would not survive a downturn, fears about the long-term prosperity of the market’s sound businesses were generally overstated, since most would set new profit records in the years that followed.

The S&P 500 has risen roughly 1,000% since that article was published, and the largest gains accrued to investors who continued buying through the period of maximum pessimism.

Buffett’s Current Position

Buffett’s actions in 2026 reflect the same framework applied selectively rather than uniformly. Berkshire Hathaway held a $373 billion cash position as of April and stated it would deploy capital only in the event of a substantial decline, characterizing the year’s pullbacks as insufficient to act on: “Three times since I’ve taken over Berkshire, it’s gone down more than 50%. This is nothing”.

By July, Buffett described difficulty finding value in a market he characterized as dominated by speculative behavior: “It’s tough to find value when everybody is preferring gambling”. Berkshire nonetheless returned to net buying in the second quarter of 2026 after 14 consecutive quarters as a net seller, indicating selective purchases rather than broad withdrawal from the market.

What the Data Suggests About Staying Invested

Historical drawdown data supports a consistent conclusion: time in the market has outweighed attempts to time the market across every major downturn on record. Exiting ahead of a possible decline risks forfeiting gains if the market continues higher instead, an outcome that has occurred more often than not across multi-year periods.

Buffett’s 2008 observation about investor behavior during the 20th century’s Dow rally remains directly applicable: “The hapless ones bought stocks only when they felt comfort in doing so and then proceeded to sell when the headlines made them queasy”. His stated approach—accumulating shares over long periods and avoiding sales during periods of negative headlines—has applied across the market cycles he has managed through, including the current one.

The Takeaway

Elevated valuations, geopolitical risk from the Iran conflict, and rising yields are legitimate reasons for near-term caution, and Buffett’s own posture—holding record cash reserves and buying selectively—reflects that caution rather than blanket optimism. At the same time, his long-standing framework treats broad market declines as a function of price adjustment rather than a signal to exit, with historical data showing that sustained withdrawal from equities has more often cost investors returns than protected them. The distinction in his current messaging is between avoiding overpriced speculation and abandoning long-term equity exposure altogether.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

Intro

In this section, we share ready-made sets of promising dividend growth stocks with strong future dividend potential — built for $300, $500, and $1,000 weekly investment plans.

Each set represents a complete portfolio that grows week by week. We also track performance and provide portfolio links so you can monitor past results and real-time updates.

Easy-Peasy Secret Formula

At MaxDividends, Easy-Peasy isn’t built on opinions or lucky picks. It’s built on a proven income system — the same principles that have created wealth and cash flow for investors for generations.

This is the MaxDividends Income System in action: a safe financial engine designed to turn capital into growing dividend income, week after week, year after year.

Every Easy-Peasy set you see is not “a list of stocks.” It’s the result of a clear, tested process that stands on three pillars:

• Dividend Intelligence — finding businesses with real cash flow, sustainable payouts, and the ability to keep raising income over time.

• Risk & Quality Control — filtering out weak balance sheets, fragile dividends, and companies that can’t survive the next cycle.

• Execution & Momentum — a system that keeps you moving forward even when you’re busy, tired, or not thinking about the market.

That’s how the Easy-Peasy formula comes to life. Everything works together inside the MaxDividends Research Platform:

• Portfolio & Income Tracker — monitor your portfolios, dividends, and passive income in real time.

• Ideas Assistant — discover high-quality dividend opportunities and optimize your portfolio.

• Dividend Eagles List — invest from a curated universe of proven dividend-growth companies.

This isn’t theory. This is a working machine. And you’re already inside it.

You don’t have to wonder whether this works — you can see the dividends landing, month after month. Below you’ll see exactly how that system turns into real money — simple, boring, and incredibly powerful.

More importantly, you’ll see how you can put the same system to work in your own portfolio today, whether you’re just beginning your investing journey or already building wealth.

Read more

A self-taught investor born in 1917, Stephanie turned her nurse’s salary into millions—not for yachts or mansions but to give it all away. Let’s unravel her extraordinary story, packed with lessons for dividend investors like us.

The Spark: A Beating Heart and a Dead Dog

Stephanie’s investing journey began with a medical breakthrough and a dead dog—yes, you read that right. Working as a nurse, she witnessed inventor Wilson Greatbatch implant the world’s first pacemaker into a dying dog.

The device, later licensed to Medtronic (MDT), brought the dog back to life. Stephanie saw opportunity, bought 50 shares for $250, and let them grow. By 2021, her position was worth $1.15 million. Talk about the ultimate comeback story.

Investing in What You Understand: Nuts, Bolts, and First-Aid Kits

Stephanie had no financial background. She grew up in a poor family, dropped out of school early, and worked as a maid before becoming a nurse. But she knew this: invest in what you understand. When her husband, a machinist, quipped, “You can’t build anything without nuts and bolts,” Stephanie snapped up shares of Snap-On (SNA), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), and other industrial giants.

She also trusted healthcare. With her firsthand knowledge of medicine, she invested in stalwarts like Pfizer (PFE), Merck (MRK), and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)—all of which became dividend juggernauts. Her logic was simple: “People always need medicine.”

A Relentless Reader, A Reluctant Seller

Stephanie wasn’t a fan of financial “gurus.” When an advisor suggested selling Intel (INTC) in the 1980s, she ignored him—and the stock soared. Instead, she turned to self-education, devouring The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and The Economist.

One Economist article about China’s booming population led her to buy Philip Morris (PM) (because, sadly, cigarettes are big in China). Her strategy wasn’t flashy, but it was effective: buy what makes sense, hold forever, and reinvest dividends.

Her patience paid off. Even during market crashes, Stephanie refused to sell. Her motto? “Keep a stiff upper lip.”

The Power of Dividends and Reinvestment

Stephanie’s secret weapon was reinvesting dividends. She didn’t just rely on stock appreciation; she let her portfolio compound over decades. A quick example:

• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): With its 60-year dividend growth streak, Stephanie’s position grew faster than most savings accounts could dream of.

• Medtronic (MDT): Beyond the pacemaker, its rising dividends became a cornerstone of her portfolio.

By focusing on dividend-paying companies and letting compounding do the heavy lifting, Stephanie turned modest investments into a multi-million-dollar portfolio.

A Legacy of Giving

Stephanie wasn’t in it for the money—she gave most of it away. Over the years, she donated millions to causes close to her heart:

• $1 million each to five schools, including the University at Buffalo’s medical and dental programs.

• Scholarships for 30 students of Polish descent.

• Support for veterans, inspired by her Purple Heart award for nursing veterans.

Her generosity came with a mantra: “I can’t take it with me.”

Lessons from the Oracle of Buffalo

Stephanie Mucha’s life is a masterclass in simple, effective investing. Here’s what she taught us:

1. Invest in What You Know: Whether it’s pacemakers, nuts, or toothpaste, stick to businesses you understand.

2. Hold Your Nerve: Selling in a panic locks in losses. Patience rewards the disciplined investor.

3. Reinvest Dividends: The compounding effect is the closest thing to financial magic.

4. Start Small, Think Big: Stephanie started with $250. You don’t need millions to make millions.

5. Give Back: True wealth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the impact you leave behind.

From Nurse to Millionaire: The Power of Persistence

Stephanie Mucha didn’t have a Wall Street pedigree, but she didn’t need one. With common sense, patience, and a commitment to learning, she turned a modest salary into a fortune. Her story reminds us that you don’t need a lot of money to start—you just need the right mindset.

So the next time you doubt your ability to invest, channel your inner Stephanie. Buy what you know, hold what you trust, and reinvest every dime. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the Oracle of your own city.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.

First Merchants Corporation (FRME)

Business Quality Score: 95 / 99

Quick Tip

First Merchants Corporation (FRME) is a Muncie, Indiana-based bank holding company operating primarily through First Merchants Bank, serving commercial and retail customers across Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Founded in 1893 as Merchants National Bank of Muncie, the company has grown through decades of organic expansion and acquisitions into central Indiana’s largest financial services holding company.

Dividend engine: 14 years, plenty of breathing room

First Merchants pays $1.48 per share annually, a 3.55% yield, with a 47.44% payout ratio and a 5-year dividend-growth rate of +38.00%. That payout ratio is comfortably conservative for a regional bank, leaving substantial earnings retained to absorb credit costs and fund continued acquisitions without threatening the payout. The 14-year streak of hikes reflects a management team that treats dividend growth as core to its capital return strategy, even while simultaneously integrating multiple bank acquisitions and navigating credit provisioning cycles.

Q2 2026: a credit charge dents an otherwise solid quarter

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, First Merchants reported net income of $43.5 million, or $0.70 per diluted share (adjusted EPS of $0.74), down from $0.98 a year earlier, missing the $1.02 consensus estimate, per the July 22, 2026 press release filed with the SEC. Revenue rose 19.3% year over year to $196.1 million, total assets reached $21.35 billion, total loans hit $15.5 billion, and net interest margin expanded to 3.38%, but the quarter absorbed a $33 million credit loss provision tied to two problem commercial credits. Year-to-date net income stood at $72.14 million as the newly closed First Savings acquisition began contributing to the balance sheet.

Growth story: acquisitions doing the heavy lifting

First Merchants’ growth engine right now runs almost entirely through M&A. The company completed its $243.22 million acquisition of First Savings Financial Group in 2026, adding roughly $2.4 billion in assets and expanding its footprint into southern Indiana. That deal followed a steady acquisition cadence that has pushed total assets from $19.0 billion at the end of 2025 to $21.35 billion by mid-2026, a jump of more than 12% in half a year driven almost entirely by deal-making rather than organic loan growth.

A schoolteacher started what became a $21 billion bank

First Merchants traces its roots to 1893, when the Merchants National Bank of Muncie was founded by a local former schoolteacher looking to serve his community’s financial needs. More than 130 years and dozens of mergers later, that single Indiana storefront has grown into a multi-state holding company with over $21 billion in assets, proving that small-town banking ambitions can compound into something enormous given enough decades and a willingness to keep buying.

Final take

First Merchants offers a 3.55% yield, $1.48 annual dividend, 14 years of hikes, +38.00% 5-year dividend growth, and a 47.44% payout ratio. The business is backed by a completed First Savings acquisition, expanding net interest margin, and rapid asset growth, but a Q2 EPS miss driven by a $33 million credit provision and ongoing acquisition integration are real near-term risks. Business Quality Score: 95. That’s elite territory, and it suggests a genuinely durable franchise, though the recent credit charge is worth watching closely before treating this as a set-and-forget holding.

*Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s personal opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor. The author may hold positions in some of the stocks mentioned, in line with the views expressed. This is a disclosure, not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities.

As a reader of MaxDividends, you agree to our disclaimer. You can read the full disclaimer here.