3 Stocks Raising Dividends 4X Higher Than Inflation

Inflation and Investment Opportunities - The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index reported a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.5% in August 2024, impacting low- and middle-income consumers [1] - Companies that increase dividends above the inflation rate are rare, with even fewer raising dividends at more than four times the inflation rate [1] Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) - Hershey raised its dividend by 15% from $1.19 to $1.37 per share, marking the 15th consecutive year of dividend increases, outperforming the three-year annualized growth of 12.21% [2][3] - The current dividend yield is 2.83%, with an annual dividend of $5.48 and a payout ratio of 54.31% [3] - Despite a 4.3% increase in 2024 and a 6.3% decline over the last 12 months, Hershey remains one of the few packaged food companies with positive returns in 2024 [3] Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) - Home Depot's stock has increased by 14.6% in 2024 and 30% over the last 12 months, with a forward earnings valuation of 26x [5] - The company has a dividend yield of 2.24%, an annual dividend of $9.00, and a payout ratio of 60.36% [6] - Home Depot has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years, with an annualized three-year growth rate of 11.69% [6] UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) - UnitedHealth Group has a dividend yield of 1.46%, an annual dividend of $8.40, and a payout ratio of 51.34% [8] - The company has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years, with an annualized three-year growth rate of 14.71% [8] - UnitedHealth's market cap exceeds $560 billion, and its recent acquisition of LHC Group is expected to enhance its home healthcare business [8]