Core Viewpoint - The article highlights two companies, Dover and Illinois Tool Works, which have maintained a long-standing history of increasing their dividends, qualifying them as Dividend Kings, having raised their payouts for at least 50 consecutive years [1][2]. Group 1: Dover - Dover announced a dividend increase of less than 1%, raising its quarterly payout to $0.52 per share, marking the 70th consecutive year of dividend enhancement [4]. - The company reported a 5% year-over-year revenue growth to $2.05 billion and a 16% increase in non-GAAP net income to $337 million for the second quarter [5]. - Dover is focusing on higher-margin products and cost management, and it has also made an acquisition of Site IQ to enhance its fueling solutions unit [6]. - Despite its strong management and Dividend King status, Dover's low dividend yield of under 1.2% and concerns about sustaining growth rates suggest it may not be a compelling investment [7]. Group 2: Illinois Tool Works - Illinois Tool Works raised its quarterly dividend by 7%, increasing it to $1.61 per share, reflecting its diversified operations across various industrial sectors [8]. - The company experienced only a 1% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.1 billion, with adjusted net income also declining slightly [9]. - ITW's revenue guidance indicates a potential maximum growth of 3% for the year, with ongoing pricing actions to mitigate tariff and foreign exchange impacts, suggesting a defensive posture rather than aggressive growth [10]. - The new dividend yield for ITW stands at approximately 2.5%, making it an attractive income stock despite limited expectations for significant fundamental growth [11].
2 Dividend Kings Just Declared Dividend Raises. Is Either a Buy?