The Power of Dividends Part I: Oil and Gas
As we all deal with continued market volatility, inflation, and other economic headwinds, qualified dividends can be a great strategy for your portfolio. This is the first in a two-part series discussing possible dividend strategies. So, what are the main benefits we can expect from qualified dividends?
There are three things you should consider when adding qualified dividends to your portfolio. First, they can be a major contributor to total return. Second, you need to carefully vet the quality. And third, they can have very beneficial tax treatment. There are many types of dividend-paying stocks, but there are two that are particularly timely: bank preferred shares, and oil and gas exploration and production.
The first thing to understand about oil and gas E&P is that these are really just common shares of U.S. or Canadian gas and energy production companies.
Many of these companies paid down debt substantially in the last 5 years, have reduced well costs, and have a break-even price with West Texas Intermediate, or WTI at $30-$35 a barrel. And as all of us know who have bought gas recently, it’s significantly more than that!
These are generating significant free cash flow right now, which won’t surprise most of us who have been to the gas pump recently. But many companies have committed to use this excess cash flow to reward shareholders by raising base dividends, and some are even adding a variable dividend based and have committed to buybacks. As a result, many have mid-to-high single digit yields, even at current levels.
And provided that oil and gas prices remain significantly over $35 a barrel - and West Texas Intermediary, an oil benchmark, is currently over $100/barrel - this can be a very attractive space for quite some time. Even at $50 a barrel, these are still attractive.
So that brings us to our final point about capital gains. Whether you use the two strategies we’ve discussed here, or any other dividend strategy, one of the positive aspects is the beneficial tax treatment.
Qualified dividends are taxed at your long-term capital gains rate – between 0-20%, depending on your tax bracket. In most cases, this is significantly less than your personal income level. This is one of the reasons that this can be a great strategy for higher income and higher net-worth investors.
If you have questions about your dividend strategy, or just want a second opinion on your portfolio, give us a call, we’re here to help!
Dividend yield investing may not be suitable for all investors. Higher dividends are not indicative of the quality of an investment. As dividend yields may not be sustainable, income investors must be sure to analyze an investment carefully and their ability to sustain market fluctuations. Investments paying dividends do not carry lower risk. Dividend payments are not guaranteed by the issuing entity. The issuer can discontinue the dividend at any time.
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclosures
Case studies are intended to illustrate the types of financial issues faced by actual clients. They should not be construed as a testimonial for or endorsement of Lineweaver Wealth Advisors. They do not represent the experience of any advisory client. Each client’s situation is different, and their goals may not always be achieved. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors, LLC, is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Tax information provided is general in nature and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Tax rules and regulations are subject to change at any time.
Crain's Cleveland Business is a print and online newspaper delivering local business news and information to Cleveland's business executives, which is published by Crain Communications Inc. The Crain's 2024 list may employ different methodology than described above for similar designations granted in other years. No clients were consulted and no fees were paid to determine the winners; the award is based on assets under management. Neither the participating candidates nor their employees pay a fee in exchange for inclusion on Crain's 2024 List. However, recipients may pay a fee to Crain, an affiliate, or an unaffiliated third party in exchange for plaques or article reprints commemorating the designation. The publication should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if the recipient is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of the recipient by any of its clients. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 25 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2024. In 2023, Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 15 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2023. In 2021 and 2022, Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 20 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Nominees in the Top 100 Magazine selections are not required to pay a fee for consideration. Individuals appearing in half and full page editorials, have paid a fee for additional exposure. Candidates for consideration are selected utilizing proprietary software. Top 100 Magazine analyzes the results before making their final selections. Financial Professionals and/or wealth managers must also met the following criteria; 1. Be registered with the SEC as a registered investment advisor or a registered investment advisor representative; 2. Have no more than 1 filed complaint with a regulatory agency; 3.Never been convicted of a felony. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the Financial Professional by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation. Participants for the Top 100 in Finance appearance were reviewed in 2022, and recognized in March of 2023. Lineweaver Financial Group appeared in Money magazine in 2015, Fortune Magazine in 2016, WTAM 1100 in 2018, Forbes in 2020, Channel 5 in 2020, and Top 100 in Finance in 2023.
Lineweaver Financial Group ©
Powered by 
Virteom