Dan:

I agree---many people have not studied / researched investment returns and this all too often causes them to miss out and not understand what is available on a risk-reward basis. They often use standard data that is widely available and sometimes a little digging will uncover the realities that provide one with an advantage. 

You are correct that 1998 and 2002 were not stellar years for this dividend-growth portfolio. However I would not characterize these years as being "particularly tough" or that these stocks were "hit hard".   The TSX was down in both of those years. Here are dividend-growth portfolio returns for those two years:

1998: +7.2%

2002: +7.5%

The four stocks I listed were for illustrative purposes of the types of companies I own but I do not own all of the ones mentioned.   

SFI