This is Why Investar (ISTR) is a Great Dividend Stock

Company Overview - Investar (ISTR) is headquartered in Baton Rouge and operates as a holding company for Investar Bank, with a current stock price change of -1.18% this year [3] - The company is currently distributing a dividend of $0.11 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.03%, which is lower than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.36% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.48% [3] Dividend Performance - Investar's annualized dividend of $0.44 has increased by 7.3% from the previous year, with a historical average annual increase of 11.29% over the last five years [4] - The current payout ratio for Investar is 20%, indicating that the company pays out 20% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Investar's earnings in 2025 is projected at $1.93 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 2.12% [5] - The company is expected to experience earnings expansion this fiscal year, which will influence future dividend growth [5] Investment Considerations - Investar is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile, despite the general trend of high-yielding stocks facing challenges during rising interest rates [6] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a stable investment outlook [6]