Microbeads - The Story of Stuff Project

The richest 1% of Indians now own 58.4% of wealth (link)

Stock Purchase - APLE (80 shares, $96 dividend income)

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE), Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in lodging properties operating under the Hilton® and Marriott® family brands. The Company’s portfolio consists of 236 hotels, with over 30,000 guestrooms nationwide.

Despite a short dividend history (~ 1 year), I do like that this company holds an impressive portfolio of properties with only well-known brands. That makes a difference I think in their competitive market place. Their recent earnings was a beat on revenue and if the US economy remains strong (no recession), the lodging business looks promising.

Their monthly dividend of $0.10/shr is a nice feature and I hope to collect that 6%+ annualized dividend for many years to come.

This purchase will add $96 annual dividend income to my dividend stock portfolio

Basic info:

Market CAP: 4B   EPS:$0.48  Dividend: $1.20 (6.75%)

World’s Biggest Real Estate Binge Is Coming to a City Near You (src: Bloomberg.com)

Start Now

BTFD - added more CLDT (50 shares, $66 dividend income)

Yes, I'm Buying-TFD ! :)

Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT) is a real estate investment trust that owns a bunch of upscale hotels. I first added shares of this REIT in May and this week I added more on weakness.

With div yield approaching 7%, it's irresistable for income investors like myself. And any decent growth that comes along with it will be a nice bonus. Yeah, keep on paying those dividends !

Basic info:

Market CAP: 733M   EPS:$0.88  Dividend: $1.32 (6.89%)

Stock Purchase - EXR (15 shares, $46 dividend income)

Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) Inc. is a REIT providing self-storage units nationwide with over 1,370 facilities across 38 states. If you need a space to store your stuff (good junk or not), this company will help you with over 1,400 stores, comprising approximately 910,000 units and 103 million square feet of rentable space.

The current taper tantrum talk from Europe together with market volatility has the whole REIT down so I took this opportunity to add this fast growing income stock to my list of dividend earners.

This purchase will add $46 dividend income to my dividend stock portfolio

Basic info:

Market CAP: 9.4B   EPS:$1.96  Dividend: $3.12 (4.02%)

Speculative Stock Buy - Lithium (GALXF)

Galaxy Resources NPV (OTCMKTS:GALXF) is an Australian lithium producer with 3 projects in Australia, Canada and Argentina. Lithium is essential in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries used for consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

Currently it is still a very speculative play on all consumer things electric with a lithium battery. I'm betting (small one only) this company can become a major supplier of high quality lithium one day :))

 

Happy Planet Index 2016

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

=======================================================================

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%)