Dividend Investing

Income strategies using dividend-paying stocks with comprehensive analysis.

Overview

Dividend investing focuses on generating passive income through regular dividend payments while maintaining capital appreciation potential. This guide leverages the 3,522 available fields in the TradingView Screener API to analyze dividend sustainability, payout ratios, growth history, and financial strength.

Sustainable High-Yield Screen

Find high-yield dividends with strong sustainability metrics:

typescript

import { StockScreener, StockField } from 'tradingview-screener';

const screener = new StockScreener();

screener
  // Strong yield
  .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.gte(4))

  // Sustainable payout ratio
  .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM.between(25, 75))

  // Profitability
  .where(StockField.NET_INCOME_TTM.gt(0))
  .where(StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY.gt(10))

  // Cash flow coverage
  .where(StockField.FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM.gt(0))

  // Financial health
  .where(StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY.lt(1.5))
  .where(StockField.CURRENT_RATIO_FQ.gt(1.2))

  // Size
  .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(1e9))

  .select(
    StockField.NAME,
    StockField.PRICE,
    StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
    StockField.DPS_COMMON_STOCK_PRIM_ISSUE_TTM,
    StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM,
    StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY,
    StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY,
    StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION
  )
  .sortBy(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD, false);

const results = await screener.get();
console.table(results.data);

Dividend Growth Aristocrats

Companies with strong dividend growth and continuous payments:

typescript

async function dividendGrowthScreen() {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    // Attractive but sustainable yield
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.between(2.5, 6))

    // Continuous dividend growth
    .where(StockField.CONTINUOUS_DIVIDEND_GROWTH.gte(10))

    // Reasonable payout ratio (room to grow)
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM.lt(70))

    // Strong profitability
    .where(StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY.gt(12))
    .where(StockField.NET_MARGIN_FY.gt(8))

    // Positive revenue growth
    .where(StockField.REVENUE_TTM_YOY_GROWTH.gt(0))

    // Size and liquidity
    .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(5e9))
    .where(StockField.VOLUME.gt(500000))

    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.CONTINUOUS_DIVIDEND_GROWTH,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM,
      StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY,
      StockField.REVENUE_TTM_YOY_GROWTH,
      StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION
    )
    .sortBy(StockField.CONTINUOUS_DIVIDEND_GROWTH, false);

  return await screener.get();
}

Safe Dividends with Quality

Financial strength and dividend sustainability:

typescript

async function safeDividendScreen() {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    // Attractive yield
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.between(3, 8))

    // Safe payout ratio
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM.lt(80))

    // Strong profitability
    .where(StockField.NET_INCOME_TTM.gt(0))
    .where(StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY.gt(12))
    .where(StockField.OPERATING_MARGIN_FY.gt(10))

    // Strong free cash flow
    .where(StockField.FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM.gt(0))
    .where(StockField.FREE_CASH_FLOW_MARGIN_TTM.gt(8))

    // Low debt
    .where(StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY.lt(1))

    // Good liquidity
    .where(StockField.CURRENT_RATIO_FQ.gt(1.5))

    // Positive revenue growth
    .where(StockField.REVENUE_TTM_YOY_GROWTH.gt(-5))

    // Large cap for stability
    .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(2e9))

    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM,
      StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY,
      StockField.FREE_CASH_FLOW_MARGIN_TTM,
      StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY,
      StockField.CURRENT_RATIO_FQ
    )
    .sortBy(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD, false);

  return await screener.get();
}

Dividend Value Combo

Combining dividends with value and quality metrics:

typescript

async function dividendValueScreen() {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    // Dividend
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.gte(3))
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM.lt(75))

    // Value
    .where(StockField.PRICE_TO_EARNINGS_RATIO_TTM.lt(15))
    .where(StockField.PRICE_TO_BOOK_MRQ.lt(2))
    .where(StockField.PRICE_TO_FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM.lt(18))

    // Quality and profitability
    .where(StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY.gt(12))
    .where(StockField.OPERATING_MARGIN_FY.gt(10))
    .where(StockField.NET_INCOME_TTM.gt(0))

    // Financial health
    .where(StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY.lt(1))
    .where(StockField.CURRENT_RATIO_FQ.gt(1.5))

    // Size
    .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(2e9))

    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM,
      StockField.PRICE_TO_EARNINGS_RATIO_TTM,
      StockField.RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY,
      StockField.OPERATING_MARGIN_FY,
      StockField.DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY
    )
    .sortBy(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD, false);

  const results = await screener.get();

  // Calculate comprehensive dividend score
  const scored = results.data.map(stock => {
    let score = 0;

    // Dividend yield (0-3 points)
    if (stock.dividend_yield_fwd > 5) score += 3;
    else if (stock.dividend_yield_fwd > 4) score += 2;
    else if (stock.dividend_yield_fwd > 3) score += 1;

    // Valuation (0-3 points)
    if (stock.price_earnings_ttm < 10) score += 2;
    else if (stock.price_earnings_ttm < 12) score += 1;
    if (stock.price_book_mrq < 1.5) score += 1;

    // Profitability (0-3 points)
    if (stock.return_on_equity_fy > 18) score += 2;
    else if (stock.return_on_equity_fy > 12) score += 1;
    if (stock.operating_margin_fy > 15) score += 1;

    // Financial health (0-2 points)
    if (stock.debt_to_equity_fy < 0.5) score += 2;
    else if (stock.debt_to_equity_fy < 1) score += 1;

    // Payout sustainability (0-2 points)
    if (stock.dividend_payout_ratio_ttm < 50) score += 2;
    else if (stock.dividend_payout_ratio_ttm < 65) score += 1;

    return { ...stock, dividendScore: score };
  });

  return scored.sort((a, b) => b.dividendScore - a.dividendScore);
}

Dividend Portfolio Builder

typescript

async function buildDividendPortfolio(targetYield: number = 4) {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.gte(targetYield))
    .where(StockField.NET_INCOME_TTM.gt(0))
    .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(1e9))
    .where(StockField.VOLUME.gt(200000))
    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.DPS_COMMON_STOCK_PRIM_ISSUE_TTM,
      StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION
    )
    .sortBy(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD, false)
    .setRange(0, 50);

  const results = await screener.get();

  // Calculate portfolio yield
  const avgYield = results.data.reduce((sum, s) => sum + s.dividend_yield_fwd, 0) / results.data.length;

  return {
    stocks: results.data,
    count: results.data.length,
    averageYield: avgYield.toFixed(2) + '%',
  };
}

// Usage
const portfolio = await buildDividendPortfolio(4);
console.log(`Portfolio: ${portfolio.count} stocks`);
console.log(`Average Yield: ${portfolio.averageYield}`);
console.table(portfolio.stocks);

Dividend Screening by Yield

Screen stocks by dividend yield ranges:

typescript

async function screenByDividendYield() {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    .where(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD.gte(3))
    .where(StockField.MARKET_CAPITALIZATION.gt(1e9))
    .where(StockField.NET_INCOME_TTM.gt(0))
    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.DPS_COMMON_STOCK_PRIM_ISSUE_TTM,
      StockField.DIVIDENDS_YIELD_FY
    )
    .sortBy(StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD, false);

  const results = await screener.get();

  // Categorize by yield
  const categories = {
    moderate: results.data.filter(s => s.dividend_yield_fwd >= 3 && s.dividend_yield_fwd < 5),
    high: results.data.filter(s => s.dividend_yield_fwd >= 5 && s.dividend_yield_fwd < 8),
    veryHigh: results.data.filter(s => s.dividend_yield_fwd >= 8),
  };

  return categories;
}

Dividend Monitor

Track dividend portfolio:

typescript

async function monitorDividendStocks(symbols: string[]) {
  const screener = new StockScreener();

  screener
    .where(StockField.SYMBOL.isin(symbols))
    .select(
      StockField.NAME,
      StockField.PRICE,
      StockField.CHANGE_PERCENT,
      StockField.DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD,
      StockField.DPS_COMMON_STOCK_PRIM_ISSUE_TTM
    );

  for await (const data of screener.stream({ interval: 60000 })) {
    if (data) {
      console.clear();
      console.log('=== Dividend Portfolio Monitor ===');
      console.log(`Updated: ${new Date().toLocaleTimeString()}\n`);

      let totalValue = 0;
      let totalYield = 0;

      data.data.forEach((stock, i) => {
        const change = stock.change_percent > 0 ? `+${stock.change_percent}%` : `${stock.change_percent}%`;
        console.log(
          `${(i + 1).toString().padStart(2)}. ${stock.name.padEnd(25)} ` +
          `$${stock.price.toFixed(2).padStart(7)} ` +
          `${change.padStart(7)} ` +
          `Yield: ${stock.dividend_yield_fwd.toFixed(2)}%`
        );

        totalValue += stock.price;
        totalYield += stock.dividend_yield_fwd;
      });

      console.log(`\nAverage Yield: ${(totalYield / data.data.length).toFixed(2)}%`);
    }
  }
}

// Usage
await monitorDividendStocks(['JNJ', 'PG', 'KO', 'PEP', 'MCD']);

Best Practices

Diversification: Spread across sectors and companies
Yield Analysis: Compare forward yield (DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD) with fiscal year yield (DIVIDENDS_YIELD_FY)
Payout Ratio: Use DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM to assess sustainability (< 75% is safer)
Dividend Growth: Look for CONTINUOUS_DIVIDEND_GROWTH to identify aristocrats
Cash Flow Coverage: Verify FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM covers dividend payments
Financial Health: Check DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY and CURRENT_RATIO_FQ
Profitability: Verify positive ROE, operating margin, and net margin
Yield Trap Avoidance: Avoid extremely high yields (>10%) without thorough research
Size Matters: Focus on larger cap companies for dividend stability

Available Dividend Fields Summary

Dividend Metrics:

DIVIDEND_YIELD_FWD - Forward dividend yield
DIVIDENDS_YIELD_FY - Fiscal year dividend yield
DPS_COMMON_STOCK_PRIM_ISSUE_TTM - Dividend per share
DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_TTM - Payout ratio (sustainability)
DIVIDEND_PAYOUT_RATIO_FY - Annual payout ratio
CONTINUOUS_DIVIDEND_GROWTH - Years of consecutive dividend growth

Profitability & Returns:

RETURN_ON_EQUITY_FY, RETURN_ON_ASSETS_FY
OPERATING_MARGIN_FY, NET_MARGIN_FY, GROSS_MARGIN_FY

Cash Flow:

FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM, FREE_CASH_FLOW_MARGIN_TTM
CASH_F_OPERATING_ACTIVITIES_FY

Financial Health:

DEBT_TO_EQUITY_FY, CURRENT_RATIO_FQ

Valuation:

PRICE_TO_EARNINGS_RATIO_TTM, PRICE_TO_BOOK_MRQ
PRICE_TO_FREE_CASH_FLOW_TTM

Fundamentals:

REVENUE_TTM, REVENUE_TTM_YOY_GROWTH
NET_INCOME_TTM, EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_DILUTED_TTM
MARKET_CAPITALIZATION

With 3,522 total fields available, you can perform comprehensive dividend analysis and build highly optimized income portfolios.

Next Steps

Value Investing - Finding undervalued stocks
Market Scanning - Daily scans
Basic Usage - Core concepts

Dividend Investing ​

Overview ​

Sustainable High-Yield Screen ​

Dividend Growth Aristocrats ​

Safe Dividends with Quality ​

Dividend Value Combo ​

Dividend Portfolio Builder ​

Dividend Screening by Yield ​

Dividend Monitor ​

Best Practices ​

Available Dividend Fields Summary ​

Next Steps ​

Dividend Investing

Overview

Sustainable High-Yield Screen

Dividend Growth Aristocrats

Safe Dividends with Quality

Dividend Value Combo

Dividend Portfolio Builder

Dividend Screening by Yield

Dividend Monitor

Best Practices

Available Dividend Fields Summary

Next Steps