Why Horace Mann (HMN) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio

Company Overview - Horace Mann (HMN) is based in Springfield and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 6.07% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.35 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.36%, which is significantly higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.68% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.62% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Horace Mann is $1.40, reflecting a 2.9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 3.18% [4] - The current payout ratio stands at 43%, indicating that the company distributes 43% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Horace Mann's earnings in 2025 is projected at $3.80 per share, with an expected increase of 19.50% compared to the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - While tech start-ups and high-growth companies rarely offer dividends, established companies like Horace Mann are more likely to provide consistent payouts [7] - The stock is currently rated with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a compelling investment opportunity, particularly for income investors [7]