You know what they say: opinions are like elbows; everyone’s got them

And after the week we’ve had, you’re probably drowning in opinions, predictions, and free advice

Facts are cool, though, so here are a few factual things:

  • There are two types of people: Those who DON’T KNOW they can’t predict the future and those who KNOW they can’t
  • From the WSJ: “…45% of U.S. imports are inputs that go into our own manufacturing production. An import tax on these inputs hurts domestic manufacturing.”
  • You will be happier if you focus on things you can directly control (your money, mind, and time) instead of those you can’t (foreign trade policy)

There’s another saying: When in doubt, zoom out

Mama Mia is that zoomed out! From 1870 to May 1st, 2020.

From 5/1/2020 to 4/3/2025, the S&P 500 is still up 79%, even after the recent big drop.

Without daring to predict the future, the stock market has recovered from every dip, drop, crash, and bubble pop 100% of the time.

Many individual companies have not, but that’s a different story for a different day.

Brian Bollinger from SimplySafeDividends.com published a very insightful newsletter for subscribers, sharing the biggest winners and losers after President Trump’s April 2nd tariff announcements.

I thought it was great info, and I hope he won’t be too upset with me sharing a TLDR summary for you here:

Biggest Winners

  1. Utilities: Companies that provide water, electricity, and gas stay strong because people always need these basics.

    • NextEra Energy (NEE)
    • Duke Energy (DUK)
  2. Consumer Staples: Businesses selling everyday items like food, soap, and toothpaste remain stable because people buy these products regardless of the price.

    • Procter & Gamble (PG)
    • Coca-Cola (KO)
  3. Healthcare: Medical services, insurance, and drug companies have reliable cash flows and necessary products.

    • Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
    • UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
  4. Budget Retail: Stores offering lower prices attract shoppers looking to save money.

    • Costco (COST)
    • Dollar General (DG)
  5. Telecom: Phone and internet companies provide essential services with steady income.

    • Verizon (VZ)
    • AT&T (T)
  6. Defensive REITs: Property companies focused on cell towers, healthcare facilities, and retail with long-term leases.

    • American Tower (AMT)
    • Omega Healthcare (OHI)
  7. Financial Exchanges: These companies often benefit from increased trading during market uncertainty.

    • CME Group (CME)
    • CBOE Global Markets (CBOE)
  8. Gold: Often seen as a safe investment during economic trouble.

    • Franco-Nevada (FNV)
    • Royal Gold (RGLD)

Biggest Losers

  1. Clothing & Footwear: People cut back on buying new clothes when money is tight.

  2. Big-Box & Department Stores: These retailers sell many non-essential items and often rely on imported goods.

  3. Home Furnishings: Big purchases for the home are usually delayed during tough times.

    • Williams-Sonoma (WSM)
    • Ethan Allen (ETD)
  4. Chemicals & Materials: When manufacturing slows, demand for industrial chemicals drops.

    • Dow (DOW)
    • LyondellBasell (LYB)
  5. Tech Hardware & Semiconductors: Companies making computer parts and electronics often have global supply chains impacted by tariffs.

    • Apple (AAPL)
    • Micron Technology (MU)
  6. Banks & Financial Services: These suffer from higher loan defaults and less lending activity.

    • Bank of America (BAC)
    • Goldman Sachs (GS)
  7. Industrial Equipment: Businesses cut back on buying new machines and tools.

    • Caterpillar (CAT)
    • Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
  8. Transportation: Shipping and delivery services see less business as trade slows.

    • FedEx (FDX)
    • Union Pacific (UNP)
  9. Travel & Leisure: Vacations, hotels, and entertainment are among the first expenses people cut.

    • Marriott (MAR)
    • Walt Disney (DIS)
  10. Energy: Oil prices often drop due to lower demand, hurting energy companies.

    • ExxonMobil (XOM)
    • ConocoPhillips (COP)

This pattern follows the classic “recession playbook” – essential services and basic needs win, while luxury items and big purchases lose.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

But above all, it’s best to focus on quality companies and those that can compound their retained earnings at a high pace for many years.

That’s it, and I’d love for you to reply and share what stocks you’re scooping up with this dip. I’ll respond to every reply!

😁THANK YOU to all who responded to the last newsletter!!

Check out the portfolios and podcasts, or see what’s cooking on YouTube.

And now, here is this week’s portfolio activity…

Dividends Received This Week ~$545.20

  • Nike (NKE) | $36.40
  • VICI Properties (VICI) | $138.40
  • Schwab US Dividend ETF (SCHD) | $135.60
  • Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) | $40.40
  • Ares Capital (ARCC) | $194.40

Dividends Received Year to Date~

$1,754.51

Stocks Sold (AVERAGE)

None

Stocks Bought (AVERAGE)

  • 1 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) | $264.25
  • 1 Global X MLP & Energy Inf. Etf (MLPX) | $56.65
  • 11 Schwab US Dividend ETF (SCHD) | $27.05
  • 10 Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL) | $9.50 – This is a short swing trade!!

Presented By: The Early Bird from MarketBeat

Notable Ex-Dividends This Week + SSD Score

  • 4/7 McCormick & Co. (MKC), 2.35% | 80S
  • 4/7 Utz Brands (UTZ), 1.74% | 50BS
  • 4/8 Main Street Capital (MAIN), 5.83% | 62S
  • 4/9 Mastercard (MA), 0.62% | 99VS
  • 4/10 General Mills (GIS), 4.03% | 90VS
  • 4/10 Verizon (VZ), 6.30% | 70S
  • 4/11 General Dynamics (GD), 2.40% | 97VS

🎙️Podcast of the week🎙️

show
Our Portfolios Are DROPPING…
Apr 3 · The Deep End
73:30
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Ryne Williams and Ari Gutman share their thoughts on their portfolios and the rapidly sinking stock market… and why Ari isn’t panicked about a HUGE loss!

🎦If you missed it, I share a simple Cheap Dividend Stock Trick!

video preview

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Special offer: $30 off Premium for the first year. At the end of the free trial (or immediately if you are no longer eligible for a free trial), $269 is charged automatically for the first year of your annual subscription—auto-renews at the then current yearly list price.

🎶Random music from the Dapper Dividends Jukebox🎶

AFI – End Transmission

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🎙️Check out the Dapper Dividends Jukebox!🎶

Are you cursed with too much money? Consider my TIP JAR as a last resort before lighting it on 🔥!

Hey, you made it to the end of the newsletter!

Congratulations!

How did you like it? Do you have any suggestions for improving it? Please let me know here.

That said, have a WONDERFUL week, and I’ll see you in the next one.