Kemper (KMPR) Could Be a Great Choice

Company Overview - Kemper is an insurance holding company based in Chicago, operating in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -6.79% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.07%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.72% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6% [3] Dividend Analysis - Kemper's annualized dividend of $1.28 has increased by 3.2% from the previous year, with two dividend increases over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 0.69% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 20%, indicating that it pays out 20% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Kemper anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $6.34 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 7.64% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - While high-growth firms and tech start-ups typically do not provide dividends, established companies like Kemper are viewed as attractive dividend options [7] - Kemper is recognized as a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]