The Fear Factor and Royal Dutch Shell

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- There are two emotions that affect all investors and traders -- greed and fear.

Which of the two do you think is the most powerfully influential when it comes to our investment decisions?

If you answered fear, you are absolutely correct. Sometimes that fear is rational but most of the time it isn't.

Recently, I've been reading a fascinating book titled "The Fear Project" authored by Jaimal Yogis.

The book's official synopsis speaks to everyone who has ever invested:

Who among us has not been paralyzed by fear? In "The Fear Project," award-winning journalist and surfer Jaimal Yogis sets out to better understand fear, why does it so often dominate our lives, what makes it tick, and is there even a way to use it to our advantage?

Fear is also what makes us tick.

Recently, one of my readers wrote about wanting to buy shares of Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) but "I'm afraid it's overpriced and it scares me that they're not an American company."

My response was brief and to the point: Don't let fear dictate your investment decisions. Do your due diligence and be looking for good information about the company so you can invest with confidence.

As Jaimal's book reminds us, fear can motivate us to be careful and that we can all "...learn how to move through fear and unlock a sense of renewed possibility and a more rewarding life."

The rewards of owning RDS begins with its better-than-average dividend. At $71.45-a-share (class A) the current $2.92 dividend gives an investor a yield to price of 4.09%. When you look at the yield on a 10-year U.S. Treasury bond, which reached 1.95% on Friday, the Shell dividend looks quite compelling.

The reader was concerned about the price of RDS. Let's take a look at a one-year chart of the stock price and the company's cash and cash equivalents. When we do we can see why this global powerhouse has seen its share price continue to gradually move higher from its June 1, 2012, lows.

RDSA data by YCharts

1 2 3 Next › Last »