Why S&T Bancorp (STBA) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now

Core Viewpoint - Income investors prioritize generating consistent cash flow from liquid investments, with dividends being a significant component of long-term returns [1][2]. Company Overview - S&T Bancorp (STBA), headquartered in Indiana, has experienced a price change of 9.61% this year and currently pays a dividend of $0.36 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.34% [3]. - The company's annualized dividend of $1.44 has increased by 4.3% from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 5.08% over the last five years [4]. Dividend and Earnings Growth - S&T Bancorp's current payout ratio is 41%, indicating that it pays out 41% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's earnings in 2026 is projected at $3.66 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 4.87% [5]. Investment Appeal - S&T Bancorp is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6].