5%+ Dividend Yield Portfolio - 10% Returns For March/April 2016

Capital appreciation was strong, as my portfolio has returned 7.8% YTD in 2016 (versus 1.7% for S&P 500). Dividend payments were strong, though the shifting mix and strong gains have pushed my forward yield down to 5.0%. My portfolio's value tilt continues to reward. On top of my 5% dividend rate, I saw outperformance for both March (7.4%, versus 6.8% for S&P 500) and April (3.4%, versus 0.4% for S&P 500).

STRATEGY: "Enhanced" dividend growth, or DGI, strategy that focuses on a core of diversified holdings (ETFs and individual companies - my general screening criteria: growing companies (YoY EPS growth >0%) with attractive valuations (PEG <1.5 and P/E <20) and strong and safe dividends (yield >3%, payout <90%, and market cap >$500 million... no tobacco stocks or micro caps), supplemented with return-enhancing tools like hedges (derivatives and shorts), commodity exposure, etc., as well as some crazy picks. Blend of ~50% ETFs (domestic and international, often sector-focused) and individual companies (where there is a compelling reason to own).

Source: Seeking Alpha

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