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Consistency builds wealth. But consistency combined with momentum can be even more powerful. Dividend Kings are the gold standard for long-term dividend growth, having raised their payouts for at least five decades through multiple economic cycles. It might be boring for some, but it is the type of boring that builds a strong income-growth portfolio. When some of these same companies are also delivering strong year to date gains and earning favorable analyst ratings, it highlights businesses that are not ...

Core Viewpoint - The KXI ETF, which focuses on consumer staples, has delivered an 18.1% total return over the past year, supported by strong dividend growth from its underlying holdings, particularly from Dividend Kings and Aristocrats [1]. Group 1: Performance and Yield - KXI has a dividend yield of 2.27% and has returned 18.1% over the past year, with a year-to-date increase of 13.6% as of February 24, 2026 [1]. - The ETF's income primarily comes from companies with a long history of dividend growth, providing a solid income foundation for investors [1]. Group 2: Key Holdings - Walmart and Costco make up nearly 19% of KXI's portfolio but contribute minimal income, with yields of approximately 0.8% and under 1% respectively [1]. - Philip Morris International has a 3.1% yield and raised its dividend by 8.9% in 2025, with smoke-free products generating 41.5% of its revenue [1]. - Coca-Cola has a 2.6% yield and a 67% payout ratio, with a projected free cash flow of about $12.2 billion for 2026, supporting its dividend [1]. - Procter & Gamble has over 60 consecutive years of dividend increases and a 61.7% earnings payout ratio, indicating room for continued growth [1]. - PepsiCo has raised its dividend for over 50 years, recently increasing it by 5.0% to an annualized $5.69, although it carries significant debt that could impact future growth [1]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - The total return profile of KXI, combining the 2.27% yield with the 18.1% price return, offers a more attractive investment case than the yield alone suggests [1]. - Global diversification within KXI helps mitigate concentration risk in any single economy, although it may introduce some foreign exchange drag [1].

Quick Read Stepan (SCL) dropped 18% after reporting a $0.02 adjusted loss versus $0.45 expected due to interest expense on $626.7M of debt. American States Water (AWR) is down 30% from its 2021 peak with net interest losses of $42.5M weighing on profits. Marzetti (MZTI) trades at 23x forward earnings versus its historical 31x multiple with $161M cash against $56M debt. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. ...

Core Insights - Genuine Parts and S&P Global are highlighted as potential investment opportunities due to their current undervaluation and strong dividend histories, despite recent market challenges [1] Genuine Parts (GPC) - Genuine Parts plans to split into two independent companies by Q1 2027, which is expected to unlock value and enhance long-term performance [1] - The stock is down approximately 4% year-to-date, with a consensus price target of $145.67 per share, indicating a potential upside of about 23% from its recent close near $118 [1] - Following a Q4 earnings miss, where adjusted EPS was $1.55 against estimates of $1.82, the stock dropped roughly 15% [1] - The company forecasts adjusted EPS of $7.50 to $8.00 for 2026, with expected sales growth of 3% to 5.5% [1] - Genuine Parts has maintained a 5% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in dividends over the past decade, indicating reliability as an income stock [1] S&P Global (SPGI) - S&P Global shares have declined about 20% year-to-date, with a consensus price target of $566 per share suggesting a potential upside of roughly 35% from its close near $417 [1] - The decline is attributed to fears of AI disruption in the software-as-a-service sector, impacting the company's earnings guidance for 2026 [1] - Despite these concerns, S&P Global's competitive advantages in credit ratings and major indices provide a strong foundation for resilience [1] - Analysts project a 12% CAGR for EPS over the next five years, alongside an 11% dividend CAGR over the last decade, indicating potential for recovery [1]

Core Viewpoint - Medtronic is highlighted as an attractive investment primarily due to its impressive dividend track record, having increased dividends for 48 consecutive years, positioning it to potentially join the ranks of Dividend Kings [1][3]. Dividend Program - The company has a remarkable history of increasing dividends, which is a strong indicator of its reliability and business stability [3][7]. - Achieving 48 years of consecutive dividend increases is a significant accomplishment, suggesting that Medtronic is a steady and reliable business that performs well regardless of economic conditions [4][7]. Financial Performance - Medtronic's revenue growth is consistent, supported by its extensive portfolio in the healthcare industry, although it may not be exceptionally high [6]. - The company has a gross margin of 67.46% and a dividend yield of 2.92%, indicating strong financial health [6]. Business Strategy - Management is divesting from its low-margin diabetes-care business, which is expected to enhance operating margins and profits [8]. - New product launches, such as the Hugo robot-assisted surgery system and pulse-field ablation treatment, are anticipated to drive sales growth in the medium term [9]. Market Position - Medtronic is one of the largest medical device companies globally, with a market capitalization of $124 billion [10]. - The stock is particularly appealing to income-seeking investors rather than those looking for high-growth opportunities [9].

Company Overview - Medtronic is one of the world's largest medical device companies with a diversified portfolio across cardiovascular, neuroscience, and medical-surgical sectors [2] - The company is planning to spin off its diabetes business to refocus on its highest-profit and fastest-growing operations, indicating a strategic shift [2] Innovation and Growth - Medtronic has a proven track record of innovation, exemplified by the Hugo surgical robot, which positions the company in a fast-growing medical market [4] - The company is expected to see revenue growth of 5.5% in fiscal 2026, reflecting its strategic focus on growth [7] Dividend Performance - Medtronic has achieved 48 consecutive annual dividend increases, nearing the status of Dividend Kings, which signifies a strong and reliable business model [5] - The current dividend yield is approximately 2.92%, which is historically high, indicating the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders [7] Market Position - Medtronic has a market capitalization of $124 billion, with a gross margin of 67.46%, showcasing its financial strength [7] - The stock price currently stands at $96.88, with a day's range between $96.46 and $97.86, reflecting market activity [7]

The company invested $210.9 million in infrastructure at its regulated utilities during 2025. Looking ahead, Tang said the company projects $185 million to $225 million of company-funded capital expenditures in 2026.For the full year, American States Water reported earnings of $3.37 per share , compared with $3.17 per share in 2024. Sprowls and Tang emphasized that 2024 included a one-time tax benefit of $0.13 per share at Golden State Water tied to the final water GRC decision. Excluding that item, adjuste ...

Core Insights - Dividend Kings are companies that have consistently increased their dividend payments for 50 consecutive years, showcasing resilience amid economic fluctuations [1] - Investing in Dividend Kings can generate significant passive income, with an example showing a $15,000 investment yielding $578 in annual dividend income [1] Group 1: Federal Realty Investment Trust - Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) is a REIT that has raised its dividend for 58 consecutive years, the longest in the REIT sector [5] - The company focuses on high-quality open-air shopping centers and mixed-use properties, owning 104 properties with 28.8 million square feet of commercial space and 2,700 residential units [6] - Federal Realty's strategy emphasizes quality over quantity, routinely upgrading its portfolio by selling lower-quality assets and reinvesting in better properties, such as the recent acquisition of Village Pointe for $153.3 million [7] Group 2: PepsiCo - PepsiCo has recently increased its dividend by 4%, extending its growth streak to 54 consecutive years [8]

Core Viewpoint - Altria's stock has shown strong performance with a 16% increase in 2026 and a dividend yield of 6.4%, supported by its consistent dividend growth and strategic focus on nicotine products [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Dividend - Altria's stock rose 16% in 2026, outperforming the broader market, and has increased 25% over the past year [1] - The stock offers a dividend yield of approximately 6.4% and is trading less than 2% below its 52-week high of $68.60 [1] - Altria has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years, aiming to pay out about 80% of adjusted earnings per share as dividends [1] Group 2: Market Demand and Product Strategy - The demand for Altria's flagship Marlboro brand remains steady due to nicotine's addictive nature, allowing for price increases even amidst declining cigarette sales [1] - Traditional cigarette sales dropped about 10% in 2025, but Altria is shifting towards smoke-free products, with its on! oral nicotine pouches seeing a 10.9% increase in shipments [1] - Nicotine pouches now account for over 55% of the overall oral tobacco market, with expectations for continued growth through 2036 [1] Group 3: Regulatory Challenges - Altria faced regulatory issues that led to the withdrawal of its NJOY Ace e-vapor product from stores, with no expected return in 2026 [1] - The company is now focusing more on oral nicotine products in response to these challenges [1]