A DRIP automatically reinvests your shareholder dividends in more shares of the same company’s stock. When you are due a dividend, you are issued more shares of stock instead of a cash dividend payment. In some cases, the issuing company will cover the broker’s fees and may even provide the additional shares at a discounted price. That means you get more bang for your investment buck. These plans allow companies to raise capital without conducting a new public offering of securities.
In addition to those bonuses, you benefit by accumulating shares in the company automatically and incrementally over the long term. In that regard, DRIPs have advantages similar to those provided by automatic investment plans. Periodically, a portion of your income (in this case, dividend income) is automatically invested without the need for you to make a separate investing decision each time.
DRIPs also have some advantages similar to those of dollar cost averaging plans. Your investments are made periodically so that you can take advantage of fluctuations in the market and hopefully achieve an overall lower average share price than if you made a one-time investment at the wrong time. Remember, to achieve the advantages of a diversified portfolio, you do not want to invest all of your savings in only one DRIP. By investing in a number of DRIPs offered by different companies in various industries, you can reduce your portfolio’s exposure to the risk that shares of one of the companies will decline in value.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact the experts at Henssler Financial:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
Disclosures: The following information is reprinted with permission from Forefield, a division of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
