This Outperforming Dividend Stock Increased Its 2026 Payout by 20%: Should You Buy?

Core Insights - General Motors (GM) stock gained over 50% last year, significantly outperforming the market and doubling over the last two years, surpassing legacy automakers like Stellantis and Ford [1] - Despite challenges such as vehicle sales slowdown, tariff costs, and losses in the electric vehicle sector, GM's performance remains strong [1] Financial Performance - GM's 2025 financial results were robust, with expectations for even better performance in 2026, targeting adjusted pre-tax earnings between $13 billion and $15 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion from 2025 [2] - The company anticipates North America adjusted pre-tax margins to return to the 8% to 10% range in 2026, indicating a significant improvement [2] Cash Flow and Capital Allocation - GM is projected to generate adjusted automotive free cash flows of between $9 billion and $11 billion this year, focusing on buybacks and U.S. production capacity investments [3] - Since November 2023, GM has repurchased $23 billion worth of shares, reducing its outstanding share count by 35%, and announced a new $6 billion buyback program alongside a 20% dividend increase [5] Market Comparison - GM's dividend yield has risen to approximately 0.90%, which, while lower than Ford's, is complemented by superior total returns due to effective capital allocation strategies [5] - Over the last three years, GM's stock has performed significantly better than Ford, which has only increased by about 5%, attributed to GM's better execution and capital management [5]