Investors often categorize companies into different buckets, like growth stocks versus dividend stocks, or large-cap companies versus small-cap companies. And while there are major differences between companies that don't pay dividends and those that do, there's an equally stark contrast between companies with complete capital return programs and those that mainly focus on dividends.

We're talking about stock repurchases -- where companies return capital to investors by buying back (and usually retiring) shares. Fewer shares shrink the pie and make each outstanding share more valuable. The practice is so powerful that Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway doesn't even bother paying a dividend -- choosing instead to reward shareholders by growing the business and repurchasing shares.

Investors looking for quality companies with sizable stock buyback programs have come to the right place. Here, three Fool.com contributors discuss why Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), and Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) are three dividend stocks worth buying now.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com