Just over 4 years ago I decided to start looking into dividend stocks as a way to boost income in my investment and retirement accounts. CAT (Caterpillar) kept catching my eye. I'm sure a random internet article or two convinced me. I took the plunge with 215 shares at $195. I think it's still the most I've ever paid per share for any stocks in my portfolio.
Fast forward to last year, I was shocked when my investment had doubled! Doubled in under 4 years? A stock purchased for dividends? Wow. Then US tariff bullshit started and it dropped a good bit. Slow climb back up but by Nov 2025 it had tripled from my original investment!
I just couldnt imagine the price was sustainable and with how it took so long to recover from the tariffs, I decided to lock some of the earnings to pay off our mortgage. I decided I would rather regret missing out on an upside than miss an opportunity and watch the stock sink. So I sold 140 shares and kept 77 and change (some dividend reinvestment along the way). Paid off the house on my birthday in November and celebrated being debtfree.
And then the stock kept rising. CAT has benefitted from the global data center builds planned. Even as AI stocks are starting to struggle, CAT just had another spike after a strong quarter. Purchased at $195, sold 140 at $579, currently flirting with $900 (closed at $889 01May).
Unfrickin believable. It's not keeping me up at night, but just wanted to share that, seriously, sometimes a solid stock you think will just be a good soldier in your portfolio can end up being a superstar. Of course now the dividend yield at current pricing is pretty crap, but Im not mad about it.