Lakeland Financial (LKFN) is a Top Dividend Stock Right Now: Should You Buy?

Company Overview - Lakeland Financial (LKFN) is headquartered in Warsaw and operates in the Finance sector. The stock has experienced a price change of 0.84% since the beginning of the year [3]. Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.5 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.88%. This yield is slightly below the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.9% but significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3]. - Lakeland Financial's annualized dividend of $2 has increased by 4.2% from the previous year. Over the last 5 years, the company has raised its dividend 4 times year-over-year, averaging an annual increase of 12.70% [4]. - The current payout ratio for Lakeland Financial is 55%, indicating that the company distributes 55% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4]. Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $3.70 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 6.63% [5]. Investment Appeal - Lakeland Financial is viewed as an attractive dividend investment, supported by its strong dividend history and growth potential. The company holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a compelling investment opportunity [7].