Q1 2022 Review / Q2 2022 Preview

New Year Gremlin here to welcome you all to another monthly review. History is one of my favorite subjects; it was back and school and still is a place where I find the most interesting stories, wildest characters, and craziest twists. I feel the Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of those stories told in modern time. It, following on the heels of Covid and the general issues of our time, has amplified them all like many smaller waves meeting in the ocean to create a giant one. It is also something I never believed I would see in my life; a traditional invasion of one nation by another where one side has nuclear weapons, a single ruler with no succession plan, and plans to ultimately incorporate part of all of the invaded nation into their own. Now yes, plenty of wars have happened including invasions - but none of those were ever planned to be permanent regardless of duration.

The stock market does not exist in a bubble, life in general affects it. As an investor I always look for the best deals available, and now is no different. That said, Ukraine is something different that could create challenges to companies that we've never seen. Not just to companies, but also to the world. I knew when that war started that Ukraine would not just fold, and that Russia has a terrible history of offensive wars. 

I hope for everyone's sake this ends as cleanly as possible. I just don't think it will, and I believe the long arc of history will bend its weight unto Russia as it grapples with being the multinational empire it truly is.

Q1 2022:

Over the last quarter I added shares of my employer and Starbucks (SBUX), in my taxable account. I also added to Cisco (CSCO), Corning (GLW), and Portland General Electric (POR) in my retirement accounts. In addition, I have added a new position to my taxable and have begun building a position in my IRA in Ames National Corp Com (ATLO).

Last quarter I brought in a total of $1,318.99 in dividends ($678.94 taxable, $362.44 Roth, and $277.61 in my IRA).  In total my accounts beat their respective 2021 months by 30.7% for January, 6.39% for February, and 16.1% for March. 

In terms of dividend increases, I realized 23 raises from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Amgen (AMGN), Bank of Montreal (BMO), Scotiabank (BNS), My Employer (B**), CIBC (CM), Canadian National (CNI), Eastman Chemical (EMN), Eaton Corp (ETN), 3M (MMM), Norwood Financial (NWFL), Realty Income (O), Royal Bank of Canada (RY), Toronto Dominion Bank (TD), Waste Management (WM), Union Pacific (UNP), Arrow Financial (AROW), Abbott Labs (ABT), CVS, Yum Brand (YUM), GLW, Prudential (PRU), and T Rowe Financial (TROW). The increases range from just about .02% to more than 25%. This brings my total raises to 23 on the year.

Next quarter I will realize at least 6 dividend increases from American Express (AXP), CSCO, Pepsi (PEP), WalMart (WMT), O, and Kimberly Clark (KMB).  The increases range from 0.2% to around 9%.

In addition, I added about $230 in profits from options and speculation trading.

NOTE: I only count increases when realized, because until that money is delivered any statements or declarations are simply conjecture.

Q2 2022:

The mortgage continues and I am putting extra cash towards the principal monthly - not a huge number, but every little bit counts. Our debts currently outstrip our assets, since I do not count my home as an asset until I own it outright.

The buys shall continue until financial independence improves - with monthly rolling buys of course.

My portfolio page is currently up to date.

I sincerely hope everyone's 2022 has started in the best way possible, despite all of the crazy.

- Dividend Gremlin
- Long all stock tickers mentioned