This is Why Artesian Resources (ARTNA) is a Great Dividend Stock

Company Overview - Artesian Resources (ARTNA) is located in Newark and operates within the Utilities sector, with a year-to-date stock price change of 7.02% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.63%, which is significantly higher than the Utility - Water Supply industry's yield of 2.64% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.49% [3] Dividend Performance - Artesian Resources has an annualized dividend of $1.23, reflecting a 4.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.18% [4] - The current payout ratio stands at 57%, indicating that the company distributes 57% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth and Future Outlook - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $2.16 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 9.09% [5] - Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth and the payout ratio [4] Investment Considerations - Artesian Resources is considered a strong dividend investment opportunity, especially given its solid dividend yield and growth potential [6] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a stable investment outlook [6]