Dividends are a driving force of the investment world, providing investors with access to company profits and a reliable income stream. Add in the signals provided by insider buying, and the stage is set for market-beating total returns over time. The question is whether insider buying and dividends, on their own, are enough to merit investor confidence—and the answer may be "no." Factors such as growth, profitability, and market interest must also be considered to maximize returns and avoid unnecessary losses.