Best High Yield Dividend Stocks for 2009-1Q Update

Back in December 2008 several US and Canadian Bloggers provided four of their best stock picks for 2009. The rules of the stock-picking contest do not allow actively trading stocks. The performance of the individual bloggers’ picks is reviewed every quarter.
You might recall that I selected four high yielding dividend stocks from different sectors which I believed have sustainable dividend payments for 2009. Check out my original post for the rationale behind my picks.

Realty Income (O) closed 2008 at $23.15. At the current price of $18.82 plus the $0.42525 in distributions collected during the first quarter the investment in the owner of commercial retail real estate properties in the US is underwater by 16.90%. This dividend achiever, which has consistently increased its distributions multiple times/year since 1994, currently spots a very attractive 9.50% yield. Check out my analysis of Realty Income.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP) finished 2008 at $45.75. At the current price of $46.72 plus the $1.05 in distributions collected during the first quarter the investment in the owner of energy transportation and storage assets in the US is up by 4.40%. This dividend achiever, which has consistently increased its distributions several times/year since 1997, currently spots a very appealing 9.00% yield. Check out my analysis of Kinder Morgan.

Consolidated Edison (ED) ended 2008 at $38.93. At the current price of $39.61 plus the $0.59 in dividends collected during the first quarter the investment in this provider electric, gas, and steam utility services has gained 3.30%. This dividend aristocrat, which has consistently increased its distributions several times/year since 1975, currently spots an attractive 6.10% yield. Check out my analysis of Consolidated Edison.

Phillip Morris International (PM) finished the year at $43.51. At the current price of $35.58 plus the $0.54 in dividends collected during the first quarter the investment in manufacturer of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States of America is underwater by 17%. This dividend stock currently spots an attractive 5.60% yield.

Overall the four dividend stocks that I picked lost 8.30% so far in the first quarter of 2009; if you add in the dividends received over the first quarter of the year the total return improves to a negative 6.50%. In comparison S&P 500 lost 11.25% in the first quarter of 2009.

Check out the performance of the other bloggers year to date returns in the table below:

Rank

1 Intelligent Speculator 4.33%

2 The Financial Blogger -0.94%

3 FourPillars -2.67%

4 Million Dollar Journey -2.96%

5 Dividend Growth Investor -8.27%

6 WildInvestor -8.90%

7 Wheredoesallmymoneygo -21.77%

8 ZachStocks -24.19%

9 My Traders Journal -27.54%

I would like to reiterate the fact that in order to generate dividend income for the long run, a more diversified portfolio consisting of at least 30 stocks should be constructed. Check out the Best Dividend Stock for the Long Run list, which is a good addition to today's post.

Full Disclosure: Long ED, KMP, O, and PM

Relevant Articles:

- Best High Yield Dividend Stocks for 2009
- Best Dividends Stocks for the Long Run
- Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP) Dividend Analysis
- Realty Income (O) Dividend Analisys
- Consolidated Edison (ED) Dividend Analysis