Dividends can account for a material portion of total stock returns in your portfolio over time. Depending on your financial goals, you could either:

• Reinvest them to help generate additional account growth.
• Use them for income, such as to boost your cash flow during working years or help cover essential expenses in retirement (without tapping into investments).

Here are considerations to discuss with your Ameriprise financial advisor.

Dividend reinvestment

A company’s board of directors may decide to pay shareholders a portion of its profits through the form of a dividend. While most companies strive to pay a stable dividend, during uncertain economic periods such as the current one, dividends might be reduced, suspended or eliminated. However, many high-quality companies with stable businesses and predictable profits can generate dividends across a range of market environments.

As the following chart illustrates, it’s not just about how much a stock price increases. Over the long term, dividends account for a sizeable portion of total returns.

When a company pays dividends, you can use them to buy more shares of that stock — this is known as dividend reinvestment. Over time, your investment has the opportunity to compound in value and potentially generate more dividends.

Dividend income

Selling investments for income when the stock market is under pressure and volatile can detract from long-term investment success.

Instead, you might consider dividend income to help meet your needs. A broadly diversified portfolio should continue to produce some income, even while the prices of securities are down. In addition, bonds in the current environment should continue to pay interest, which is income coming into your account.

Instead of reinvesting the dividend income, consider transferring it into a different account. In retirement planning, this is called sweeping income. A well-designed dividend income strategy can help reduce the likelihood you’ll need to sell as many securities in times of market stress and to meet spending needs.

Revisit your long-term investment strategy

Your Ameriprise financial advisor will continue to help you navigate uncertainties and stay on track to achieve your financial goals. If your goals, risk tolerance or financial picture have changed in the current conditions, talk to them. Your advisor will make balanced, diversified portfolio recommendations that are personalized to your financial goals and needs. Your advisor can also help you evaluate your cash situation if you are facing reduced income or future concerns resulting from recent economic conditions.