December Dividend Stocks For Making Money Off Dividends
The year has flown by, therefore it is time for stocks that pay dividends in December.
Yes. it’s the last month of the year. Thus, it’s your final chance. To fill out your dividend calendar.
With some good December dividend stocks. Here goes…
Stocks That Pay Dividends In December
Here’s the list of December dividend-paying stocks we will review:
- NASDAQ: AEP – American Electric Power
- NYSE: BDX – Becton Dickinson
- NYSE: CMI – Cummins
- NYSE: D – Dominion
- NYSE: DUK – Duke Energy
- NYSE: EMR – Emerson
- NYSE: IBM – International Business Machines
- NYSE: RTX – Raytheon Technologies
- NYSE: O – Realty Income
- NASDAQ: WBA – Walgreens Boots Alliance
Yes, these companies pay dividends in December. And I know I promised 15, but there are only 10.
First, should these 10 be at the top of your income investor watch list? I don’t know, that’s for you to decide.
Shortly, we will go through each of these December dividend payers in greater detail.
And before I wrap up…
I’d like to share a few tips about maximizing dividend income with December dividends. Or, for that matter, any month of the year.
Better yet…
Bonus: 5 More December Dividend Stocks
At the very end, I will give you a bonus. By highlighting 5 more December dividend stocks.
Thus, providing a total of 15 stocks that pay dividends in December for your careful consideration.
So, let’s not delay. And get on with stocks paying dividends in December right away…
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. NASDAQ: AEP – American Electric Power
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 2%
- Increased dividend annually since 2010
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Early November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
AEP is one of those steady dividend stocks. Operating in the utility sector. As a regulated utility.
The company makes money by producing, transporting, and selling electricity. Their service territory is mainly in the mid-western United States.
Get all the facts about the AEP dividend.
2. NYSE: BDX – Becton Dickinson
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 11%
- Increased dividend annually since 1972
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Early December
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Becton Dickinson seems to fly under most dividend investor’s radar. Probably because the stock’s dividend yield tends to be on the low side.
Why is the dividend yield so low? Because the stock price keeps going up.
That’s not a bad tradeoff, in my opinion.
Learn more about Becton Dickinson stock.
3. NYSE: CMI – Cummins
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 17%
- Increased dividend annually since 2006
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Cummins has been a very well-managed company for a long time. The company designs, manufactures, and services diesel engines.
Those engines power trucks and heavy equipment. And keep the economy rolling.
Furthermore, it can be difficult to find good dividend stocks from the industrial sector.
That’s one of the many reasons I like holding Cummins stock in my portfolio.
Much more about the Cummins dividend.
4. NYSE: D – Dominion
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Early December
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Dominion is not my favorite. On today’s list of dividend-paying stocks in December.
Because the company reduced its dividend not long ago. After letting the dividend payout ratio get too high. Although the dividend rate has recovered nicely since then.
Also, there has been a fair amount of uncertainty. First, by announcing the sale of their natural gas business. Second, abandoning that sale over antitrust concerns.
I’m still holding tight to my shares. And expecting dividend growth to continue in the near term.
5. NYSE: DUK – Duke Energy
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 2%
- Increased dividend annually since 2005
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- Investors earn dividends in March, June, September, and December
We will stay in the utility sector. With another stock for dividends in December. It is Duke Energy.
Similar to Dominion, Duke has businesses focused on both electricity and natural gas.
In addition to operating power-generating assets. Partly fueled by renewable energy sources.
Get the lowdown on the Duke dividend here.
6. NYSE: EMR – Emerson
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 5%
- Increased dividend annually since 1957
- Dividend status list: Dividend King
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
And we have another stock from the industrial sector. That has dividends paid in December.
It is Emerson.
A long-time Dividend King. Having one of the longest annual dividend increase streaks on record.
Unfortunately, dividend growth has been lagging. And, I would like to see that change for the better.
So, I will be checking for that. In the company’s upcoming dividend increase announcements.
More about the Emerson stock dividend.
7. NYSE: IBM – International Business Machines
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 13%
- Increased dividend annually since 1996
- Dividend status list: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Good ole’ “Big Blue”. Paying a nice dividend yield for sure. But still struggling to grow its revenues.
And the lack of business growth. Has filtered its way to dividend growth.
But, there have been big changes. With the spinoff of its Managed Infrastructure Services Business.
It will be interesting to see how this impacts the dividend moving forward. I will be watching closely, for sure.
8. NYSE: RTX – Raytheon Technologies
- 20-year annual dividend growth rate: 9%
- Increased dividend annually since 2005
- Dividend status list: Dividend Achiever
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Raytheon has been busy. Working through their integration with United Technologies. From the 2020 merger of the two businesses.
This company is an aerospace and technology heavyweight.
And I’m looking forward to more merger synergies. Working their way into dividend growth going forward.
Get more on Raytheon’s past, present, and future.
9. NYSE: O – Realty Income
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 5%
- Increased dividend annually since 1994
- Dividend status list: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Late November
- The stock pays dividends monthly
I’m a big fan of Realty Income. Also known as the “Monthly Dividend Company.
Its track record of regular and recurring dividend payments. In addition to consistent dividend growth. Speak for themselves.
And it’s good to have some real estate exposure. As part of a dividend stock portfolio.
Structured as a real estate investment trust. You can be sure most of this company’s profit will be paid to stockholders in the form of dividends!
Much more about the Realty Income dividend track record.
10. NASDAQ: WBA – Walgreens Boots Alliance
- 20-year average annual dividend growth rate: 14%
- Increased dividend annually since 1976
- Dividend status list: Dividend Aristocrat
- The ex-dividend date for December dividend: Mid November
- The stock pays dividends in March, June, September, and December
Last, but certainly not least. On today’s list of stocks that pay dividends in December. We have a retail pharmacy chain known as Walgreens.
Part of the company’s strategy is to become your local health destination. By adding full-service doctor offices within their stores.
A big undertaking for sure. But important since so much of the retail and over-the-counter business has moved to online sellers.
Okay. That concludes my list of 9 March, June, September, and December dividend payers. And 1 monthly dividend stock.
They are a great way to start a dividend portfolio. Or, add to an existing portfolio of dividend stocks.
But, don’t go just yet. There’s more…
Tips For Making Monthly Dividend Income In December And Beyond…
Since I promised to cover a few tips on making a solid dividend income. And increasing that income over time.
Let’s do that now…
Finding Stocks That Pay Dividends In December (or any month)
Today, I’ve highlighted 10 companies that pay dividends in December.
But, you might be looking for more stocks. Or, different stocks than I have discussed today.
So, take note. I mentioned the “Dividend Status List” for each stock. Those lists are the dividend…
- Achievers
- Aristocrats
- Kings
They are great resources for finding your new investments. And specifically, stocks that increase their dividends annually.
Another source you may want to consider is the Simply Investing Report.
It covers hundreds of dividend stocks based in the U.S. and Canada. And delivers dividend stock recommendations to your inbox every month.
You can learn more about Simply Investing here.
Analyzing Stocks That Pay Dividends
After you find dividend stocks. Great investors do their research. To make sure the dividend of each company is safe.
I go through a multi-point checklist before investing in a stock. And one of the things I look at closely is dividend growth.
Because, in my opinion, a growing dividend is a safer dividend.
So, you may have noticed I included the 7-year compound annual dividend growth rate. For each stock on today’s list of December dividend payers.
Here is another thing you may want to consider. It is using a service like Motley Fool.
Because Motley Fool has an excellent track record. Of high returns from its stock recommendations.
Motley Fool does the analysis. So you don’t have to.
You can learn more about Motley Fool here.
Valuing Stocks That Pay Dividends
Part of doing your stock research. Before investing.
Includes assessing the value of the stock you are considering. But here’s the rub…
High-quality dividend stocks rarely are available at bargain prices.
Unless the stock market is crashing. And you can find the courage to buy anyway.
So, whenever a good dividend stock, with a safe dividend. Is also trading at a reasonable value.
It’s time to buy.
This is how I like to go about looking at valuation…
And I use a few different tools and resources:
First, the Gordon Growth Model is a fast and easy check.
Furthermore, it never hurts to review a stock’s price-to-earnings ratio.
Finally, I like the valuation measures provided by the Simply Investing Report.
Through an interactive database, the Simply Investing report indicates which dividend stocks are overvalued. And which ones are undervalued.
This saves time. And by buying at a good price. Positions your investments for the greatest long-term return.
Buying And Selling Stocks That Pay Dividends In December (or any month)
Here is another tip for making the most of your dividend income.
Good dividend investors keep investment costs low.
So, never pay a commission when you buy or sell a stock. Since the days of commission-based stock trading are over.
First, I like the Webull app for making free stock trades.
Second, the app has some excellent research capabilities. As I said earlier, good investors do their research.
Thus, trade stocks for free. And take advantage of Webull’s advanced research features.
You can learn more about Webull here.
Minimizing Taxes On Your Dividend Income
Next up, successful dividend investors do everything they can to minimize taxes. Since taxes come right off the top and reduce your income.
But everyone’s tax situation is different. Thus, I can’t offer specific guidance.
But there is one thing I can say for sure…
Buy and hold your dividend stocks in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
And depending on the exact type of account. You can defer taxes until your retirement years. Or, (with a Roth IRA) not have to pay taxes on your dividend income at all.
Furthermore, M1 Finance is a great place to open an online IRA.
So, has saving and investing for retirement been on your mind? Well then, there is no time like the present.
Because the sooner you start dividend investing. The more passive income from dividends you will have. To fund your retirement years.
You can learn more about M1 Finance here.
Finally…
Pay Attention To The Dividend Dates
Most long-term buy-and-hold dividend investors do not pay much attention to dividend dates.
But for newer dividend investors. Just getting started.
Oftentimes, they want to capture that next dividend payment by investing now.
Does that describe you?
Then make sure you invest before the ex-dividend date. To qualify for the next dividend payment.
One of the best ways to do this. Is to check your target company’s investor relations website.
There they will list all of the important dividend dates.
For past payments. And any future payments approved by the board of directors.
Okay. That’s a wrap for today. Next, allow me to close with a summary.
Stocks That Pay Dividends In December
Here are 10 of my favorite December dividend stocks:
- NASDAQ: AEP – American Electric Power
- NYSE: BDX – Becton Dickinson
- NYSE: CMI – Cummins
- NYSE: D – Dominion
- NYSE: DUK – Duke Energy
- NYSE: EMR – Emerson
- NYSE: IBM – International Business Machines
- NYSE: RTX – Raytheon Technologies
- NYSE: O – Realty Income
- NASDAQ: WBA – Walgreens Boots Alliance
As promised, here’s your bonus…
5 More Excellent December Dividend Stocks To Consider
- 3M (MMM)
- Aflac (AFL)
- Chevron (CVX)
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
- McDonald’s (MCD)
Next, a summary of investing tips to keep in mind…
Dividend Investing Tips
- Use dividend status lists to find stocks
- Do your research before investing
- Buy and sell stocks for free
- Minimize taxes with an IRA
- Pay attention to dividend dates
Finally, I use the FREE online tool from Personal Capital.
To pull my monthly expense budget. And investments.
All together in one place for easy money management.
Personal Capital saves me time. And makes personal finance less of a chore!
More Reading About Stocks That Pay Dividends In December (or any month)
- Get ready NOW for January dividends
- How to make $2,000 off monthly dividends
- Investing for dividends vs growth
My Favorite Dividend Investing Resources
In the article, I mentioned several of my favorite resources. For making the most of my dividend income.
But, to make the most of YOUR dividend income. They are summarized here for your convenience.
- Trade stocks for free with the Webull app
- Get dividend stock recommendations from Simply Investing
- Get top stock picks from Motley Fool
- Open an IRA at M1 Finance
- Manage all of your finances with Personal Capital
Author Bio, Disclosure, & Disclaimer: Please join me (Tom) as I try to achieve my goals, find my next place to live, and make the most of my money. However, I am not a licensed investment adviser, financial counselor, real estate agent, or tax professional. Instead, I’m a 50-something-year-old, early retired CPA, finance professional, and business school teacher with 40+ years of DIY dividend investing experience. I’m here only to share my thoughts about essential topics for success. As a result, nothing published on this site should be considered individual investment, financial, tax, or real estate advice. This site’s only purpose is general information & entertainment. Thus, neither I nor Dividends Diversify can be held liable for losses suffered by any party because of the information published on this website. Finally, all written content is the property of Dividends Diversify LLC. Unauthorized publication elsewhere is strictly prohibited.
I currently own all of the stocks with dividends payable in December mentioned in the article.