Danaher Rewards Shareholders With 18.5% Dividend Increase

Core Insights - Danaher Corporation has increased its quarterly dividend by 18.5% to 32 cents per share, reflecting strong financial health and commitment to shareholder returns [1] - The company reported adjusted free cash flow of $5.3 billion in 2024, a 3.5% year-over-year increase, and paid out$ 768 million in dividends [2] - Danaher repurchased 28 million shares for $7 billion in 2024, indicating operational strength and a focus on enhancing shareholder wealth [3] Financial Performance - Danaher has a market capitalization of$ 150.3 billion and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [4] - The company is experiencing a sales decline in its Life Sciences segment, particularly in mass spectrometry and lab automation, with expectations of mid-single-digit revenue decline year-over-year for Q1 2025 [5] - Over the past six months, Danaher's shares have decreased by 23.1%, compared to a 14.3% decline in the medical services industry [7] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Danaher's 2025 earnings is $7.63 per share, reflecting a 7.3% decrease from the previous estimate [7]