3 Dividend Stocks Raising Payouts—and Backing It Up With Results

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the importance of selecting companies with solid fundamentals that can sustain dividend increases, contrasting them with companies that may overpay dividends temporarily to attract investors [1][2]. Group 1: Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) - Clorox has a current dividend yield of 3.97% with an annual dividend of $4.96 and a dividend payout ratio of 76.07% [4][5]. - The stock has fallen to 72% of its 52-week high, making its attractive dividend payout more appealing [4]. - Clorox's latest quarterly earnings showed a net EPS of $2.87, significantly beating the expected $2.24, indicating potential for higher future valuations [7]. Group 2: Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) - Wells Fargo has a dividend yield of 2.06% with an annual dividend of $1.60 and a payout ratio of 27.40% [9]. - The bank's management has increased its dividend payout to $1.80 per share, reflecting confidence in future earnings as the market anticipates lower interest rates [11]. - Analysts expect Wells Fargo's EPS to rise to $1.73 for Q2 2026, a 12% increase from the current $1.54 [10]. Group 3: Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) - Sunoco offers a high dividend yield of 6.89% with an annual dividend of $3.59 and a payout ratio of 176.85% [13]. - The company has increased its dividend payout to $3.63 per share, providing an annualized yield of 6.68% [14]. - Analysts have rated Sunoco as a Buy, with a target price of $67 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 25% from current trading levels [15].