Can small-cap dividend growers outperform again in 2014?

Solid results from a solid four-point strategy.

Rising dividends indicate a company's health, confident management and may be a better indicator of success than earnings alone.

Raising dividends year after year can be a good indicator of financial health and confident management.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) hit a new 52-week high Friday as it is currently trading at $94.14, above its previous 52-week high of $94.11 with 36,071 shares traded as of 2:56 p.m. ET. Average volume has been 33,100 shares over the past 30 days.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) hit a new 52-week high Thursday as it is currently trading at $93.85, above its previous 52-week high of $93.43 with 14,059 shares traded as of 11:45 a.m. ET. Average volume has been 31,400 shares over the past 30 days.

The combination of steady share-price appreciation and dividends is the optimal long-term investment.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) hit a new 52-week high Tuesday as it is currently trading at $88.99, above its previous 52-week high of $88.96 with 17,522 shares traded as of 11:06 a.m. ET. Average volume has been 31,200 shares over the past 30 days.

Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) hit a new 52-week high Tuesday as it is currently trading at $82.78, above its previous 52-week high of $82.75 with 22,126 shares traded as of 1:45 p.m. ET. Average volume has been 43,700 shares over the past 30 days.

The 14-week decline in gasoline prices ended while two million people in Florida are still without power.

A new EV would radically change how cars are made and that could be a threat to the market leader.

The fast-food giant has been hesitant to make changes like this, but Wendy's bold move may have forced it to.