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{{username}} - Investment Portfolio & Dividend Tracker | Snowball Analytics

Benchmarks

 Outstanding nominal value as of the current date

Average price of a bond, in % of face value

The current yield indicates the ratio of the accrued coupon to the current market price of the bond. It can be used in cases where attachments are considered for a short period of time. In this situation, the change in the market price can sometimes be neglected.

Bond duration is a way of measuring how much bond prices are likely to change if and when interest rates move.

Effective yield to maturity. It considers both coupon income and profit/loss due to the difference between the purchase price and the repayment price. Effective yield shows the investor the return on invested funds with reinvested coupons and depreciation.

Listing level — stock exchange assessment of securities reliability.

The ratio of the annual coupon to the "dirty" price of the bond, including the accrued interest. This type of yield can be used in the case of short-term investments, when the investment horizon is within one coupon period.

Average purchase price of a bond, in % of face value

Up to 2 years - short-term, up to 5 years - mid-term, more than 5 years - long-term

Bond type - goverment, municipal or corporate

Coupon yield % per annum of nominal value (coupon amount per year/nominal value)

 Simple yield to maturity. It considers both coupon income and profit/loss due to the difference between the purchase price and the repayment price. Simple yield shows the investor the return on invested funds without reinvested coupons.

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The fund expense ratio is the annual fee expressed as a percentage of a mutual fund or ETF's average assets, covering management, administrative, and other operational costs. It directly reduces investors' returns.

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year to date

I’ve been investing consistently for almost six years now, and the more I learn about the stock market, the more I realize how little I actually know.

One thing I do know for sure, though, is that the stock market is not like the weather. You can’t just wake up, check the 10-day forecast, and know exactly whether there’s going to be rain or shine.

The market is a mystery every single day. And because we genuinely have no idea what’s going to happen next, the only investing approach that makes sense to me is to prepare for anything.

That’s why I’ve really leaned into building what I call an 

. In the chaotic and unpredictable world that we live in, I want to know that my portfolio can persevere through whatever the market throws at it.

Practically speaking, building an all-weather portfolio just comes down to owning different types of stocks across the dividend spectrum. Some holdings will perform well in certain environments, while others will carry the load in different ones.

Not every position needs to win at the same time. In fact, it’s likely that they won’t. They just need to co-exist and create balance.

 where I go through my entire portfolio. But at a high level, my holdings each fall into one of four buckets: stalwarts, high-growth stocks, high-yield stocks, and what I call “double trouble” stocks.

Each of these four categories has a different financial profile. They all have different strengths and weaknesses. And they all play a different role in my portfolio. That’s the point.

I’m not really a big sports guy, but it’s actually not unlike forming a football team.

In building out your roster of players, you’re not going to draft 53 quarterbacks. Yes, you need offense. But you also need defense and special teams.

The thing that makes investing different from football, though, is that it’s not about winning the game. You can’t actually win the game of investing because there is no finish line. There is no limit to how big your portfolio can grow.

And this especially matters to me because I’m only 32 years old. I still have decades of compounding ahead of me, and to make sure I can actually play this game for the rest of my life, there’s one thing I absolutely can’t afford to do: I can’t get taken out of the game.

The first rule of compounding is to never interrupt it unnecessarily. And if you’re forced out of the game — financially or emotionally — the compounding stops.

But if I continue building out my collection of high-quality companies across different categories — and continue pursuing this all-weather approach — I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to play the game for a long time.

Having said all of that, now I want to hear from you: If the market dropped 20% tomorrow, would you feel confident in your portfolio exactly as it is today? Let me know in the comments below!

My All-Weather Investing Strategy

High-yield ETFs have become increasingly popular among income investors seeking consistent cash flow, but they also attract criticism and confusion. Many investors assume that falling prices, large distributions, or reverse splits are red flags. In reality, most of these concerns stem from misunderstandings about how these funds operate.

Let’s clarify three of the most common myths around Net Asset Value (NAV), Return of Capital (ROC), and reverse splits, using clear examples and simple logic.

When investors see a fund’s price drop right after a dividend payout, they often assume the ETF is “eating itself” or destroying its NAV.

When a fund pays a dividend, the NAV naturally declines because cash leaves the fund and enters the investor’s account. This isn’t a loss, it’s simply the transfer of value from the fund’s holdings to the investor.

Think of it as moving money from your left pocket to your right one, your total wealth hasn’t changed.

Look at total return, the combination of price movement and dividends (after taxes and fees). Price alone doesn’t tell the whole story. A fund can show a falling price chart yet deliver strong income once dividends are included.

Personally, I like using Snowball Analytics for this because it shows my 

, factoring in both taxes and fees. It gives a clear, realistic picture of how my investments actually perform.

Let’s take $ULTY as an example for 2025 YTD:

These two charts tell the story perfectly, focusing only on price would suggest a massive loss, but the total return (including dividends) shows that the fund is actually up strongly this year.

Return of Capital (ROC) often sparks confusion among investors, especially in high-yield ETFs. Many assume it means the fund is “paying back your own money,” but that’s not always true. In reality, there are two very different forms of ROC  and $ULTY offers a perfect real-world case study.

According to YieldMax’s official data from August 29 2025:

This composition clearly indicates that $ULTY’s ROC is constructive, not destructive. The majority of payouts come from the fund’s options income, while the small ROC portion simply adjusts for timing and tax treatment.

Weekly Payout Stability: More Evidence of Constructive ROC

Another way to identify constructive ROC is by checking the consistency of distributions over time.

Snowball Analytics’ payout history shows $ULTY has maintained steady weekly dividends around $0.09 – $0.10 per share throughout 2025  with no sign of shrinking payments.

If ROC were destructive, those payouts would decline month after month as capital eroded. Instead, they’ve stayed stable, reinforcing that ULTY’s ROC classification reflects tax treatment, not a deteriorating strategy.

When ROC appears alongside stable or rising distributions and positive total returns, it’s constructive, a tax-efficient way to deliver income.

When ROC coincides with declining NAV and shrinking payouts, it’s destructive, a sign of real erosion.

With Snowball Analytics, investors can easily distinguish between the two by tracking both income stability and total-return performance side-by-side.

3. Reverse Splits: Cosmetic, Not Catastrophic

Reverse splits often sound alarming, but they’re sometimes just cosmetic adjustments.

A reverse split reduces share count and increases share price proportionally.

For example, in a 1-for-2 reverse split, 1,000 shares at $5 become 500 shares at $10, the total value remains the same ($5,000).

Real-World Example:  $TSLY (YieldMax Tesla Option Income ETF)

In February 2024, $TSLY executed a 1-for-2 reverse split, meaning every two shares became one while the price doubled.

An investor who held 1,000 shares at $5 each ($5,000 total) ended up with 500 shares at $10 each, still $5,000 in value.

The split itself doesn’t affect your investment’s value, it’s simply an accounting change.

What really matters is the performance of the underlying assets, the stability of distributions, and the total return of the fund over time.

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 Focus on total return after taxes and fees, that’s the real scoreboard.

Remember that price charts alone can paint an incomplete picture.

Learn the difference between constructive and destructive ROC.

 Reverse splits can be cosmetic, not a death sentence for a fund.

Snowball Analytics makes all of this easy to see by combining income, price movement, and tax effects into one clear total-return view.

High-yield ETFs aren’t as mysterious as they seem. Once you understand NAV, ROC, and reverse splits, you see that the real power lies in total return, the complete picture of income and growth working together.

High-Yield ETFs: The Truth About NAV, ROC, and Reverse Splits

Inflation is the silent wealth killer. While your savings account balance might look steady, the real value of that money shrinks year after year. For investors seeking income, this poses a critical challenge: how do you generate returns that not only provide cash flow today but also keep pace with—or ideally exceed—the rising cost of living?

The answer lies in dividend growth investing, a strategy that combines current income with the power of compounding increases. Unlike bonds with fixed payments or high-yield stocks with stagnant dividends, dividend growth stocks offer something unique: an income stream that rises over time, helping you stay ahead of inflation while building long-term wealth.

Whether you're a beginner learning the fundamentals or an experienced investor looking to optimize your strategy, this guide will walk you through building a dividend growth portfolio designed to beat inflation. And with tools like 

, tracking, analyzing, and optimizing your portfolio has never been easier.

Understanding Inflation: The Hidden Tax on Your Wealth

Before diving into portfolio construction, let's understand what we're up against. Inflation measures how much prices for goods and services increase over time. In the United States, inflation has averaged around 2.5% annually since 2000, with significant spikes in recent years. As of September 2025, the annual inflation rate stands at 3.0%.​

Here's the sobering reality: since 2020, cumulative inflation has risen by approximately 25%. That means if you had $100,000 in cash five years ago, you'd need $125,000 today to maintain the same purchasing power.​

Many investors gravitate toward high-yield dividend stocks, thinking a 5-6% yield will protect them from inflation. But here's the problem: if those dividends don't grow, inflation steadily erodes your real income.

Consider this comparison over 10 years with $100,000 invested:

The difference is dramatic. While static income loses ground to inflation, dividend growth not only keeps pace but pulls ahead, creating a true hedge against rising prices.​

Core Principles of Dividend Growth Portfolios

Building a portfolio that beats inflation requires understanding several fundamental principles. Let's break down what separates successful dividend growth investors from those who struggle.

The biggest mistake dividend investors make is chasing the highest yields. A 7-8% yield might look attractive, but it often signals trouble: either the company's stock price has crashed, or it's paying out more than it can afford.​

Instead, focus on companies with these characteristics:

: Look for companies that have consistently raised dividends for at least 10 years, preferably 25+ years (Dividend Aristocrats). The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats have delivered average annual dividend growth of 6% over the past decade, significantly outpacing inflation.​

: A healthy payout ratio—dividends as a percentage of earnings—typically falls between 40-60%. This leaves room for dividend increases and provides a cushion during economic downturns. Payout ratios above 70-80% raise red flags about dividend sustainability.​

: Companies that can grow dividends through recessions have solid balance sheets, strong cash flow, and competitive advantages (economic moats). They're not just paying dividends; they're investing in growth while rewarding shareholders.​

: Target companies increasing dividends by 5-10% annually. Since 2020, top dividend growers have increased payouts by more than 40%, far exceeding the 25% inflation over the same period.​

Diversification: Building a Resilient Portfolio

Concentration can amplify returns, but it also amplifies risk—especially when it comes to dividend income. If you're overweight in one sector and it faces headwinds, your entire income stream could be at risk.​

A well-diversified dividend growth portfolio should include:

Consider this sample allocation framework:

 emphasize stability with higher allocations to defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples. 

 tilt toward sectors with higher dividend growth potential, accepting slightly more volatility.​

Understanding dividend metrics is crucial for making informed decisions. Here are the most important ones:

: Annual dividends per share divided by current stock price. The S&P 500 currently yields around 1.5%, while dividend aristocrats average 2-3%.​

: How fast the dividend increases annually. The S&P 500 has grown dividends by 6.4-6.9% annually in recent years, while top dividend growers often exceed 9%.​

: Dividends divided by earnings. Safe ratios typically range from 40-70%, depending on the industry.​

: Your annual dividend divided by your original purchase price. This reveals the true return on your initial investment as dividends grow over time.​

Here's a powerful example: If you bought a stock at $50 with a $1.50 dividend (3% yield), and the company grows its dividend by 7% annually, your yield on cost looks like this:

This is why long-term dividend growth investors often see double-digit yields on cost after holding quality companies for years.​

One of the most powerful wealth-building tools is dividend reinvestment (DRIP). Historical data shows that approximately 40% of the S&P 500's total return since 1930 came from reinvested dividends, and some studies suggest it's even higher—up to 84% when accounting for compounding.​

Consider this example: Starting with 100 shares at $50 each, with 6% annual price appreciation and 6% dividend growth:

Over 25 years, reinvesting dividends more than 

 your portfolio value compared to taking cash. This is the compounding snowball effect in action.​

 makes dividend tracking and reinvestment planning effortless with its comprehensive dividend calendar, showing projected income and payment dates for all your holdings.​

Designing a Portfolio That Outpaces Inflation

Now that you understand the principles, let's put them into practice with a step-by-step framework.

Step 1: Identify Quality Dividend Growers

There's a natural trade-off between current yield and dividend growth rate. Higher-yielding stocks often grow dividends more slowly, while lower-yielding stocks may offer faster growth.​

 with 2-3% starting yields and 7-10% annual growth often outperform high-yield stocks with minimal growth. Research shows that dividend growth factors have consistently outperformed high-yield factors since 2010.​

Once you've selected your holdings, project how your income will grow relative to inflation. Here's a realistic scenario:

After 20 years, your dividend income has more than doubled in real purchasing power, while a static 3% dividend would have lost over 25% of its real value.​

This is the core advantage of dividend growth investing: your income not only keeps pace with inflation but accelerates past it over time.

Step 4: Utilize Snowball Analytics for Portfolio Construction

Building and tracking a dividend growth portfolio manually can be overwhelming. 

: Link 1,000+ brokers worldwide and automatically import your holdings​

: View projected annual income, dividend growth rates, payout ratios, and dividend safety ratings all in one place​

: See exactly when dividends are paid and forecast future income based on your current holdings​

: Get one-click recommendations to maintain your target allocations​

: Compare your portfolio's performance against the S&P 500, dividend aristocrats indices, and hundreds of other benchmarks​

These features give you institutional-grade analytics without the complexity, making it easy to build and optimize a dividend growth portfolio designed to beat inflation.​

Building the portfolio is just the beginning. To ensure it continues beating inflation, you need ongoing monitoring and periodic adjustments.

: Are your holdings still increasing dividends at their historical rates? According to recent data, 71% of dividend growth portfolio holdings declared increases averaging 10% in 2025. If your holdings are lagging significantly, investigate why.​

: Rising payout ratios can signal trouble. If a company's payout ratio climbs from 50% to 80%, its dividend may be at risk.​

: Dividend safety depends on underlying business performance. Use Snowball Analytics' company fundamentals feature to track revenue growth, profit margins, and free cash flow.​

: Snowball Analytics provides proprietary dividend ratings based on 13 fundamental parameters, helping you identify which holdings might cut dividends before it happens.​

Don't wait for annual reviews to catch problems. Set alerts for:

 can help automate this monitoring, ensuring you stay informed about portfolio health.​

How often should you rebalance? Research shows that 

 is optimal for most dividend investors. It's frequent enough to maintain your target allocations without generating excessive transaction costs or taxes.​

Quarterly rebalancing typically doesn't improve returns enough to justify the added costs. Waiting longer than a year allows your portfolio to drift too far from your risk targets.​

: When adding money, direct it to underweighted positions rather than selling and triggering taxes​

: If rebalancing in taxable accounts, look for opportunities to offset gains with losses​

: Some investors rebalance when allocations drift 5-10% from targets, rather than on a fixed schedule​

Focus on categories, not individual stocks

: Rebalance at the sector/category level to maintain diversification without micromanaging every position​

Snowball Analytics' rebalancing tool considers multiple factors including tax implications and transaction costs, providing smart recommendations that optimize your portfolio efficiently.​

Not every stock deserves a permanent spot in your portfolio. Consider selling when:

: Unless there's a clear path to restoration, a cut signals fundamental problems​

: The dividend is likely unsustainable​

: If a company stops growing its dividend or growth slows to 1-2% annually, it's no longer serving your inflation-beating goal​

: If you find significantly higher-quality dividend growers, it may make sense to rotate capital​

: Declining revenue, shrinking margins, or rising debt levels all threaten future dividend capacity​

Even experienced investors make mistakes with dividend growth strategies. Avoid these common traps:

Building a Dividend Growth Portfolio That Actually Beats Inflation

Investing in dividends goes hand in hand with proffering long-term wealth and passive income generation. As your portfolio grows and spreads out over different brokers, markets, and payout dates, it may soon become a hard task to monitor each and every dividend, reinvestment, and payout trend—especially when using spreadsheets for the entire management.

However, the bright side of the situation is that nowadays, investors’ monitoring, reinvesting, and compounding of incomes have been radically changed by the dividend tracking apps and analytic dashboards. No matter the reasons, whether you are seeking to maximize yield-on-cost, project annual passive income or visualize the “snowball effect” in real time, the digital tools allow you to do all this and much more all within the easiest way ever.

—without the hassle of endless manual updates.

Why Tracking Dividends Matters More Than Ever

Dividend investing isn’t just about which stocks you buy; it's about what you 

If you’re serious about passive income, every dividend dollar should have a purpose—and a data trail.

The Major Pain Points of Manual Dividend Tracking

Most investors start with a spreadsheet. It feels efficient at first—until the complexity of dividend investing catches up.

Here are the most common issues with using Google Sheets or Excel to manage dividends:

A single error can make months of updates unreliable. That’s why thousands of dividend investors are shifting toward automated 

 that handle the data updates, analytics, and reinvestment logic for you.

In the same way stock screeners transformed how traders find opportunities, 

 now give income investors a new edge. Automating your record-keeping unlocks better analytics, simplified tax prep, and a clear picture of your compounding returns.

Key features that set dedicated tools apart from spreadsheets include:

 each provide versions of these features, helping investors replace clunky spreadsheets with intuitive dashboards.

Inside the Dividend Snowball Dashboard: Tracking Reinvestment Compounding in Real Time

—a dividend tracking app known for its reinvestment visualization—as an example of how investors can modernize their income tracking.

With Snowball’s dashboard, dividend investors can:

The “snowball” name reveals the principle behind the design: reinvested dividends add incremental shares, which in turn increase future dividends. The larger your snowball gets, the faster it grows downhill.

This visual model keeps investors emotionally engaged—something spreadsheets rarely achieve.

What Smart Dividend Trackers Help You Analyze

Dividend investing thrives on two disciplines: 

 Great tools reinforce both by giving you accurate, easy-to-digest analytics.

Here are the critical metrics every dividend investor should track:

 tells you how much dividend income you earn each year compared to the amount you originally invested in a stock. It’s calculated as:

YoC = (Annual Dividend Income ÷ Initial Investment) × 100

For example, if you bought shares for $1,000 and they pay $50 in dividends per year, your YoC is:

The interesting part is that YoC can grow over time, even if the stock price doesn’t rise. This happens because when you 

, you buy more shares. These extra shares generate additional dividends, so your total income relative to your original investment increases. This is basically 

: your money keeps generating more money.

Not all dividends are equal. Tracking payout stability over time reveals which companies reliably return cash to shareholders and which fluctuate or risk cuts.

Look for tools that chart years of dividend history, payout ratios, and management’s consistency in increasing distributions.

The DGR tells you how quickly your income expands annually, independent of price swings.

Apps that automatically calculate the 3-, 5-, and 10-year DGRs let you see whether your portfolio’s income potential is accelerating or stagnating.

Reinvestments power true compounding. The best apps let you isolate returns generated solely by reinvested dividends versus price appreciation.

You can visualize how many extra shares and additional income each reinvestment generated—vital for understanding compounding velocity.

Knowing what’s already earned is less useful than seeing what’s 

Forward income projections help you plan for financial independence milestones, from covering monthly bills to replacing a full salary.

It's All About Total Return - But What Does That Mean?

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