Dividend Stocks Solid Choice Short and Long Term, Regardless of Tax Rates

• Dividend-based investment strategies should produce superior total returns on a multi-year basis, given tepid global economic growth and moderate price appreciation.

• That said, the outlook for dividends varies markedly across countries and sectors, and some seemingly appealing dividend opportunities break down upon closer scrutiny. 

• Some of the sectors we currently favor include consumer staples, health care and energy, given reliability and growth prospects.