Group 1 - Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance declared a base quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share, unchanged from the previous distribution, resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.88 per share, which equates to a 13.52% dividend yield [1] - The mortgage REIT has maintained this base quarterly dividend, indicating stability in its dividend policy [1] Group 2 - Pacifica Yield focuses on long-term wealth creation by targeting undervalued yet high-growth companies, high-dividend stocks, REITs, and firms in the green energy sector [1]

Company Overview - First Busey (BUSE) is based in Champaign and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -15.15% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.6% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.68% [3] Dividend Analysis - First Busey's current annualized dividend of $1 represents a 4.2% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend three times, averaging an annual increase of 2.21% [4] - The company's payout ratio stands at 46%, indicating that it distributes 46% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Busey's earnings in 2025 is projected at $2.54 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 22.12% [5] Investment Considerations - First Busey is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Company Overview - Reinsurance Group (RGA) is headquartered in Chesterfield and operates in the Finance sector, specifically in reinsurance [3] - The company's stock has experienced a price decline of 19.3% year-to-date [3] Dividend Information - RGA currently pays a dividend of $0.89 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.07%, which is higher than the Insurance - Life Insurance industry's yield of 1.47% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.73% [3] - The annualized dividend of $3.56 represents a 2.3% increase from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 6.02% over the past five years [4] - The current payout ratio for RGA is 16%, indicating that the company pays out 16% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RGA's earnings in 2025 is $22.84 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 1.20% [5] Investment Considerations - RGA is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Core Insights - The preferred stock of Chimera (NYSE: CIM.PR.D) was recommended for its 10.0% dividend yield and a significant margin of safety in the dividend [1] Group 1 - The preferred stock has provided outstanding returns since the initial recommendation [1] - The author has a background in chemical engineering and economics, indicating a strong analytical foundation for investment decisions [1] - The author emphasizes the importance of fundamental and technical analysis in investment strategies, particularly using options for both investing and trading [1]

Group 1 - Below-average loan growth is expected to be the main earnings driver for Farmers National Banc Corp. in the current year [1] - The company's bottom line will receive support from subdued margin expansion [1] - Earnings are projected to be $1.43 per share, reflecting a 17% increase [1]

Company Overview - ACNB is headquartered in Gettysburg and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 3.09% since the start of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.12%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.16% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.59% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of ACNB is $1.28, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, ACNB has increased its dividend four times on a year-over-year basis, achieving an average annual increase of 6% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 34%, indicating that it pays out 34% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, ACNB anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate projecting earnings of $4.28 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 14.75% [5] Investment Appeal - ACNB is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7]

Core Viewpoint - OGE Energy Corp. presents a strong investment opportunity in the Zacks Utility Electric Power industry due to rising earnings estimates, strategic investments, effective debt management, and a solid dividend history [1] OGE's Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OGE Energy's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 0.4% to $2.27 per share over the past 60 days [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OGE's 2025 revenues is projected at $3.01 billion, reflecting a growth of 0.8% from the 2024 reported figure [2] - The company's long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 6.1% over the next three to five years [2] Debt Position of OGE - OGE's total debt to capital ratio stands at 54.34%, which is better than the industry's average of 60.82% [3] - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio for OGE at the end of Q4 2024 was 2.9, indicating the company can comfortably meet its interest payment obligations [3] Dividend History of OGE - OGE Energy has consistently increased shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of 42.125 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $1.685 [4] - The current dividend yield for OGE is 3.8%, significantly higher than the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's average of 1.27% [4] OGE's Systematic Investments - OGE Energy plans to invest $6.25 billion in infrastructure from 2025 to 2029 to enhance the safety, resiliency, and reliability of its distribution and transmission grids, as well as its generation fleet [5] OGE Stock Price Performance - Over the past three months, OGE shares have increased by 7.4%, outperforming the industry's growth of 2.8% [6]

Company Overview - BOK Financial (BOKF) is headquartered in Tulsa and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of -3.57% since the start of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.57 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.22%, which is higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.16% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.57% [3] Dividend Performance - BOK Financial's current annualized dividend of $2.28 represents a 2.7% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, the company has increased its dividend 5 times, averaging an annual increase of 2.01% [4] - The current payout ratio is 28%, indicating that the company paid out 28% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOK Financial's earnings in 2025 is $8.60 per share, with an expected increase of 4.37% from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - BOK Financial is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7] - Income investors are generally attracted to dividends for various reasons, including tax advantages and reduced portfolio risk [6]

Company Overview - 1st Source (SRCE) is based in South Bend and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 11% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.36 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.22%, which is lower than the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.99% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.55% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of 1st Source is $1.44, reflecting a 2.9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, 1st Source has increased its dividend 4 times year-over-year, achieving an average annual increase of 5.14% [4] - The company's payout ratio stands at 26%, indicating that it paid out 26% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - 1st Source is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $5.82 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 6.01% [5] Investment Appeal - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - Established firms with secure profits are typically viewed as the best dividend options, while high-growth businesses and tech start-ups rarely offer dividends [7] - 1st Source is recognized as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]