Happy Planet Index 2016

The Happy Planet Index (HPI) measures what matters - how does your country compare ? 

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Stock Purchase - FLO (100 shares, $64 div income)

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) produces and markets a wide variety of fresh and frozen bakery foods from breads, buns, and rolls to snack cakes and pastries. Some of their household brands includes Wonder (as in Wonder Bread), Sunbeam, Nature's Own and more...

The company stock price has taken a hit after recent news of lawsuits by truck drivers over their employee status and a review by US Dept of Labor. I think this presents a good entry point to add this stock. I am also comforted by their long history in business with increasing dividends.

This purchase will add $64 dividend income to my dividend stock portfolio

Basic info:

Market CAP: 3B   EPS:$0.88  Dividend: $0.64 (4.22%)

Chasing High Yield - buying LADR (100 shares, $110 div income)

Ladder Capital (NYSE: LADR) is a commercial real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that originates and invests in commercial real estate mortgage loans. It owns approximately 100 single tenant net leased properties along with other properties.

With a fat juicy dividend yielding 8+% and potential capital appreciation, I'm contend to just collect this dividend indefinitely. If mortgage interest rates should ever rise (unlikely for now), their profit margins should improve. For now, this is an attractive high yield income asset.

This purchase will add $110 dividend income to my dividend stock portfolio

Basic info:
Market CAP: 810M    EPS:$1  Dividend: $1.10 (8.42%)

Housing Bubble - Australia version