The Little Book of Big Dividends by Charles B. Carlson Summary
Discover the secret to reliable wealth in Carlson's dividend investing masterpiece. While 40% of stock market returns come from dividends, his BSD formula outperformed the S&P by 6% annually - a post-2008 crisis lifeline that transformed retirement planning forever.
About the author
Charles B. Carlson, bestselling author of The Little Book of Big Dividends: A Safe Formula for Guaranteed Returns, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and veteran authority on dividend investing strategies. With an MBA from the University of Chicago and decades as CEO of Horizon Investment Services, Carlson blends academic rigor with practical insights to help individual investors build wealth through low-risk, high-yield dividend stocks. His expertise is further honed through editorship of the DRIP Investor newsletter, which reaches over 300,000 subscribers, and regular contributions to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC.
Carlson’s work emphasizes accessible, systematic approaches to income investing, exemplified by his proprietary BSD (Big, Safe Dividends) formula detailed in the book. A prolific author, his other titles include Eight Steps to Seven Figures and No-Load Stocks, both acclaimed for demystifying wealth-building strategies.
The Little Book of Big Dividends has become a cornerstone of modern investing literature, praised for its actionable framework to identify sustainable dividend payers across global markets. The book is part of Wiley’s bestselling “Little Book” series, widely recommended by financial advisors and translated into multiple languages for international investors.
FAQs About This Book
The Little Book of Big Dividends outlines a strategy for generating reliable dividend income through Carlson’s BSD (Big, Safe Dividends) formula. It emphasizes selecting stocks with stable payouts using metrics like payout ratios and his proprietary Quadrix scoring system, while advocating dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) to compound returns.
This book suits income-focused investors seeking low-risk dividend strategies, beginners interested in DRIPs, and those prioritizing long-term wealth building through compounding. It’s particularly valuable for readers wary of market volatility.
Yes—Carlson’s BSD formula reportedly outperformed the S&P 1500 by 6% annually from 1994–2008 with lower risk. The actionable advice on avoiding dividend cuts and leveraging DRIPs, paired with real-world examples, makes it a practical guide for dividend investors.
The BSD formula evaluates dividend safety using two criteria: payout ratio (dividends/earnings) and Quadrix scores (ranking stocks on 100+ variables across six categories like momentum and value). The advanced BSD formula adds metrics like dividend-growth consistency and cash-flow stability.
Quadrix ranks 4,000+ stocks across six weighted categories:
- momentum (price trends)
- quality (profitability)
- value (valuation)
- financial strength
- earnings estimates
- relative performance
Stocks with high Quadrix scores are considered stronger dividend candidates.
DRIPs allow investors to buy shares directly from companies, often with low fees and fractional shares. Reinvesting dividends accelerates compounding, and some plans offer discounted shares, enhancing long-term returns.
Key factors include a sub-65% payout ratio, consistent dividend growth, strong cash flow, and low debt. Carlson’s research shows these metrics helped avoid dividend cuts during the 2008 crisis.
From 1994–2008, the advanced BSD formula returned 6+ percentage points annually over the S&P 1500, with lower volatility. In 2008, only 2 of its recommended stocks cut dividends.
Avoid chasing high yields (often a red flag for cuts), ignoring payout ratios, and neglecting diversification. Carlson also warns against cashing dividends instead of reinvesting them.
Unlike Buying Stocks Without a Broker (focused on DRIP mechanics), this book emphasizes dividend strategy and risk management. It expands on his earlier themes with updated data and the BSD framework.
With market volatility and rising interest rates, Carlson’s focus on dividend stability and DRIPs remains timely. The BSD formula’s emphasis on financial strength helps navigate economic uncertainty.
Some argue the Quadrix system may overfit historical data, and the BSD formula’s reliance on specific ratios could miss sector-specific nuances (e.g., REITs or utilities). However, Carlson provides flexibility for adjustments.
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
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25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
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