There are three common metrics to evaluate dividend stocks: Dividend yield, dividend payout ratio, and dividend payout growth. Three important metrics can help you choose the best dividend stocks for your portfolio: dividend yield, dividend payout growth rate, and dividend payout ratio. Dividend payout growthThe dividend payout growth, also known as dividend growth rate (DGR), is the average percentage rate of growth a stock's dividend has experienced over a specific period (usually three, five, or 10 years). Dividend payout ratioFinally, look at the dividend payout ratio, or the percentage of a company's earnings or free cash flow used to cover dividend payments. Dividend yield vs. dividend growth rateA high dividend yield may signal a company that's not destined for a lot of growth.

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