Why Atlantic Union (AUB) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now

Company Overview - Atlantic Union (AUB) is headquartered in Glen Allen and has experienced a price change of -9.69% this year [2] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.88%, which is higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.98% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6% [2] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1.28 represents a 4.9% increase from the previous year [2] - Over the past five years, Atlantic Union has increased its dividend four times on a year-over-year basis, achieving an average annual increase of 6.60% [2] - The company's current payout ratio is 43%, indicating that it paid out 43% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [2] Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Atlantic Union's earnings in 2024 is $3.20 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 8.47% from the previous year [3] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [4] - AUB is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4]