Ventas (VTR) is a Top Dividend Stock Right Now: Should You Buy?

Company Overview - Ventas (VTR) is headquartered in Chicago and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 16.56% since the start of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.48 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.8$1.92 has increased by 6.7% from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, the company has increased its dividend once on a year-over-year basis, with an average annual increase of 0.37% [4] - The current payout ratio for Ventas is 56%, indicating that it paid out 56% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Ventas expects solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $3.44 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 7.84% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - High-growth firms or tech start-ups typically do not provide dividends, while larger, established companies are often viewed as better dividend options [7] - Ventas is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]