2018 Second Quartile High Dividend Yield Portfolio

In 2018, what were the companies that paid the highest dividend yield?

I don't want the actual top – I want the 2nd quartile (to get rid of anomalies)

Here's a summary of the companies that paid the highest dividend yield in 2018, specifically focusing on those within the second quartile:

2018 Dividend Yield Analysis (Second Quartile)

Ticker	Dividend Yield (%)	Price Date	Quartile Bucket
VKQ	5.978	2018-12-31	2
VLT	5.964	2018-06-19	2
VMO	5.946	2018-12-31	2
VPV	5.944	2018-12-31	2
ETX	5.941	2018-12-31	2
LCNB	5.914	2018-12-31	2
MFM	5.912	2018-12-31	2
KRO	5.903	2018-12-31	2
GNE	5.876	2018-12-31	2
FCPT	5.872	2018-12-31	2
KOP	5.869	2018-12-31	2
AKR	5.861	2018-12-31	2
ARR	5.845	2018-12-31	2
OIA	5.839	2018-12-31	2
KHC	5.809	2018-12-31	2
CZNC	5.791	2018-12-31	2
PPL	5.789	2018-12-31	2
KFFB	5.789	2018-12-31	2
CEV	5.786	2018-12-31	2
EPC	5.785	2018-12-31	2
LVS	5.764	2018-12-31	2
VTN	5.762	2018-12-31	2
UBSI	5.738	2018-12-31	2
FHB	5.735	2018-12-31	2
INVA	5.731	2018-12-31	2

This table presents 25 companies that exhibited strong dividend yields in 2018, specifically falling within the second quartile of all dividend-paying stocks for that year. The dividend yields for these companies ranged from approximately 5.73% to 5.98%, indicating a consistent band of high payouts. Most of these yields were recorded at the end of 2018, reflecting the latest available data for that period.

Pros:

• Identifies Strong Dividend Payers: The list highlights companies that offered substantial dividend income in 2018.
• Filters for Sustainable Yields: By focusing on the second quartile, the analysis aims to exclude potentially unsustainable "extreme anomalies" often found at the very top of dividend yield lists, which can sometimes indicate underlying company distress.
• Historical Context: Provides a snapshot of dividend performance for these companies in a specific historical year.

Cons:

• Outdated Information: The data is from 2018, which is significantly historical. Dividend yields and company fundamentals can change drastically over several years.
• Limited Scope: The analysis only considers dividend yield and does not include other crucial financial metrics (e.g., earnings, debt, growth prospects) necessary for a comprehensive investment decision.
• No Industry Context: Without knowing the industries these companies operate in, it's hard to assess if these yields were typical or exceptional for their respective sectors.

Unusual Observations:

• The consistency of the price_date being '2018-12-31' for most entries suggests that the dividend yield data was primarily captured at the year-end for many of these stocks. The single exception, VLT with a price_date of '2018-06-19', stands out.
• The narrow range of dividend yields (5.73% to 5.98%) within the second quartile indicates a relatively tight clustering of high-dividend stocks in 2018, just below the absolute highest payers.

Cautions and Disclaimers:

• This analysis is based on historical data from 2018. Past dividend yields are not indicative of future performance, and companies may change their dividend policies or financial health over time.
• The results are derived from a specific dataset and methodology. Different data sources or analytical approaches might yield different results.
• AI analyses, while powerful, can be inaccurate or incomplete. It is crucial to conduct your own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. I am an AI and cannot provide financial advice.

Create a portfolio to buy and hold these stocks

Description:
This portfolio is designed to implement a buy-and-hold strategy for the 25 stocks identified as being in the second quartile of highest dividend yields in 2018. The strategy aims to invest in these companies for the long term, capitalizing on their historical dividend-paying strength. The portfolio will start with an initial value of $10,000, with each of the 25 selected stocks receiving an equal allocation of 4% of the buying power. This approach provides diversification across these high-dividend-yield companies from 2018, allowing for potential capital appreciation and continued dividend income over time.
The stocks included in this portfolio are: VKQ, VLT, VMO, VPV, ETX, LCNB, MFM, KRO, GNE, FCPT, KOP, AKR, ARR, OIA, KHC, CZNC, PPL, KFFB, CEV, EPC, LVS, VTN, UBSI, FHB, and INVA.
JSON:

backtest them from 01/01/2019 to today

I'll create a backtest configuration for your "2018 Second Quartile Dividend Yield Buy and Hold" portfolio, running from January 1, 2019, to today (August 30, 2025).
Here is the backtest configuration: