The last company on my watchlist reported its quarterly results and dividend declaration on 14-Aug. Along with that, I was able to establish that my dividend yield on cash investment (up to today) is 4.5%. I do not see an issue meeting my 5.0% target by end of the year.

My dividend yield received a boost because I started to increase my use of leverage in shares investment this year via a margin account. I am conscious that i should not over-leverage and I have kept a limit of 30% leverage on total investment as an absolute MAX. I am currently about 10% which I think it is an acceptable risk level. The brokerage company is charging me 3.5% interest rate, an increase from 2.85% at the start of the year. I hope the recent retreat in the US Govt Bond interest rate and SIBOR here will also lead