Stocks with a high dividend yield are given preference by traders and investors alike. Since stock yields tend to change over time, you should always do your research on a high stock yield company's financial trends.
Identification
Yield and dividends are variably interchangeable terms in the financial arena. According to the Rogue Investor website, stock yield is a regular dividend paid by a company divided by the price of the stock purchased. Mutual funds, annuities and other types of investments also have a yield value, but stock yields in particular deal with shares in a company.
Range of Stock Yields
The price range of a stock yield tends to fluctuate and allows you as the investor to make certain predictions. Higher stock yields are usually indicative of companies that are cash cows, paying out large dividends to its shareholders. Low stock yields could mean a company is operating out of the red and the stock might be overpriced.
Fluctuating Dividends
A company's board of directors is responsible for setting the price of stock yields. Shareholder dividends are usually distributed annually but sometimes decisions regarding stock prices are even made quarterly. Stock yields are therefore considered a fluctuating dividend in the public market.
References
- Stock Yield: The Meaning of Stock Yield
- Rogue Investor: Yield Stock Investing
- Corporate Finance Institute. "What Is Dividend Yield?" Accessed March 20, 2020.
- Robinhood. "What Is Dividend Yield?" Accessed March 20, 2020.
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. "How Companies Use Their Cash: Dividends." Accessed March 20, 2020.
- Heartland Advisors. "The Case for Dividend Payers - Yield Traps." Accessed March 20, 2020.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)." Accessed March 20, 2020.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Updated Investor Bulletin: Master Limited Partnerships – An Introduction." Accessed March 20, 2020.
Writer Bio
Frederick S. Blackmon's love for fiction and theater eventually led to a career writing screenplays for the film and television industry. While living in Florida, Blackmon began exploring issues on global warming, health and environmental science. He spent two years as a Parkour and free-running instructor as well. Now he writes everything from how-to blogs to horror films.