ZACKSยท2025-06-05 19:01Group 1: Dividend Kings Overview - The Dividend Kings group consists of companies that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years, making them ideal for investors seeking steady income streams [1] - These companies have demonstrated resilience through various economic conditions while consistently rewarding shareholders [1][6] Group 2: Philip Morris (PM) - Philip Morris shares have performed well in 2025, surpassing consensus EPS and sales expectations, driven by strong demand and product innovations, particularly in its smoke-free business [3] - Shipment volumes for the smoke-free business rose nearly 15% year-over-year, with sales from smoke-free products growing 27% year-over-year, indicating robust demand [4] - The stock currently offers a market-beating annual yield of 2.9% and has a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 2.8% [4] Group 3: Aflac (AFL) - Aflac, a major supplier of supplemental insurance in the U.S., has an annual yield of 2.2% and a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 15%, showcasing its commitment to shareholders [8] - The company is experiencing a slight growth slowdown, with consensus expectations indicating a 6% decrease in EPS and a 2% decline in sales for the current fiscal year, although growth is expected to resume in FY26 [10] Group 4: Emerson Electric (EMR) - Emerson Electric, a global technology and engineering company, reported positive quarterly results, leading to an updated FY25 outlook [11] - The company experienced a 14% year-over-year increase in free cash flow and margin expansion, supporting its ability to maintain dividend payouts, with shares yielding 1.8% annually [12]