Key Takeaways LAMR shares climbed 18.4% in three months, outpacing the industry growth of 10.1%. The expansion of digital billboards and recent acquisitions support long-term growth. Five-year annualized dividend growth of 24.17% and active buybacks lift investor confidence.Lamar Advertising (LAMR) shares have risen 18.4% in the past three months compared with its industry’s growth of 10.1%.The company’s impressive footprint of outdoor advertising assets across the United States and Canada positions it we ...

Key Takeaways DAL raised its quarterly dividend to 18.75 cents, marking its second increase since resuming payouts in 2023. The stock trades at a low 0.52 forward price/sales ratio, below the sector average and five-year median. Q1 labor costs rose 8% to $4.1B, while DAL's low 0.38 current ratio signals mounting liquidity concerns.Delta Air Lines’ (DAL) board of directors recently announced a 25% hike in its quarterly dividend payout, raising this airline heavyweight’s quarterly cash dividend to 18.75 cen ...

Core Insights - Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) has made significant strides in improving its balance sheet and enhancing shareholder returns since acquiring Anadarko in 2019, reducing debt by $6.8 billion in the last 10 months, which has decreased annual interest expenses by $370 million and boosted net income [1][8] - The company has a strong free cash flow supported by low-cost, high-margin operations in the Permian Basin, which, along with contributions from international assets, allows for a dual focus on debt reduction and shareholder returns [2][8] - Occidental's diversified asset base, including its OxyChem segment and carbon capture initiatives, provides resilience and optionality to earnings, positioning the company as a potential player in the long-term energy transition [3][4] Financial Performance - In 2024, Occidental increased its dividend by 22%, reflecting management's commitment to sustainable and disciplined capital returns [2][8] - The company's operational efficiency and broad cash flow streams create a strong foundation for maintaining and gradually increasing dividends over time, despite exposure to commodity price fluctuations [4][8] - Occidental's earnings have consistently beaten estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 24.34% [7][9] Market Position - Occidental's return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 6.26%, slightly below the industry average of 6.61% [9] - The company's stock has gained 8.4% over the last three months, outperforming the Zacks Oil and Gas-Integrated-United States industry's rise of 8% [11]

Company Overview - Hershey Co. is positioned as a strong dividend growth stock, with a focus on domestic production to mitigate risks from international tariffs and geopolitical issues [4][5] - The company operates 14 plants in the U.S. and has additional facilities in Brazil, India, Canada, and Mexico, which provides insulation against potential retaliatory tariffs [4][5] Financial Performance - Cocoa prices, which account for approximately 20% of Hershey's cost of goods sold, have been volatile, impacting stock performance [7] - Hershey's stock is down about 1.4% this year, while the S&P 500 has gained approximately 4.4% [8] - Despite rising cocoa prices, they are forecasted to decline by 13% in 2026, which could benefit Hershey in the long term [8] Product Strategy - Hershey is adapting to changing consumer preferences by launching new products that reduce reliance on chocolate, such as the Reese peanut-butter-filled pretzels [11] - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including two plants from Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, to diversify its product offerings and mitigate cocoa price fluctuations [11] Cost Management - Hershey is implementing a two-year restructuring plan aimed at saving $300 million through automation and streamlined production, which has positively impacted free cash flow [12] - The increase in free cash flow has enabled a 32% boost to Hershey's dividend in 2024, highlighting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders [12][13] Dividend Outlook - Hershey's current dividend yield is 3.3%, which is more than double the S&P 500 average, with a focus on payout growth as a key investment driver [13] - The stock's price has historically tracked the dividend payout, suggesting potential for a "snap back" in stock performance as cocoa prices retreat and cost-cutting measures take effect [13][14] Market Stability - Hershey is characterized by low volatility, with a five-year beta rating of 0.28, indicating it is less volatile than the S&P 500, making it an attractive option in uncertain market conditions [14]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a hybrid investment strategy that combines classic dividend growth stocks with Business Development Companies, REITs, and Closed End Funds to enhance investment income while achieving total returns comparable to traditional index funds [1]. Investment Strategy - The investment approach focuses on high-quality dividend stocks and assets that provide long-term growth potential, which can significantly contribute to income generation [1]. - A balanced portfolio that includes both growth and income-generating assets can lead to efficient investment income while maintaining a total return aligned with the S&P [1].

On September 1, 2024, I started tracking an investable universe of what I believe to be 50 high-quality dividend growth stocks. You can find out more about the formation of this investable universeI have a masters degree in Analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelors degree in Accounting. I have worked in the investment arena for over 10 years starting as an analyst and working my way up to a management role. Dividend investing is a personal hobby and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with th ...

This up-and-coming dividend growth stock has surged over 40% in the past year. Brookfield Asset Management (BAM -0.60%) has been on a bit of a tear, surging over 40% in the past year. The company, part of several subsidiaries of the sprawling Brookfield ecosystem, deals in managing investments in alternative assets. It's a relatively new stock, created by a spinoff a few years back. Investors may not yet fully appreciate the company's lucrative business model or the growth opportunities ahead. Here is what ...

2019 Earnings Overview - The company reported 2019 earnings of $272.3 million, compared to $335.5 million in 2018[17] - 2019 EPS was $1.39, compared to $1.69 in 2018[17] - The Electric & Natural Gas Utility reported record earnings of $94.3 million in 2019, a 11.3% increase from $84.7 million in 2018[20, 21] - The Construction Services group reported record earnings of $93.0 million in 2019, a 44.6% increase from $64.3 million in 2018, with record revenue of $1.85 billion compared to $1.37 billion in 2018[27, 28] - The Construction Materials group reported earnings of $120.4 million in 2019, a 29.9% increase from $92.6 million in 2018, with record revenue of $2.19 billion compared to $1.93 billion in 2018[30, 31] - The Pipeline & Midstream group reported earnings of $29.6 million in 2019, a 3.9% increase from $28.5 million in 2018[23, 25] 2020 Guidance and Outlook - The company initiated 2020 EPS guidance of $1.65 - $1.85[48] - The Construction Services group expects 2020 revenue in the range of $1.85 billion to $2.05 billion[44] - The Construction Materials group expects 2020 revenue in the range of $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion[47] - The Electric & Natural Gas Utility expects to grow rate base by 5% compounded annually over the next five years and customer base to continue growing by 1-2% annually[37]

I started blogging about my journey to financial independence back in 2011. By living well below my means and intelligently investing my hard-earned capital, I went from below broke at age 27 to financially free at 33 years old. I regularly create content on dividend growth investing, living off of dividends, undervalued high- quality dividend growth stocks, high-yield situations, and other long-term investment opportunities. Founder of Dividend Mantra. Founder of Mr. Free At 33. Co-Founder of Dividends & I ...

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Asset Management is positioned as an attractive dividend growth stock with a projected 3.1% yield and a 15% annual dividend growth rate through the end of the decade [1][4]. Company Overview - Brookfield Asset Management is a large Canadian asset manager with a historical focus on infrastructure and a broad global investment universe, recently expanding into bond management and private equity [1][3]. Business Platforms - The company operates across five platforms: renewable power, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and private equity, aiming to benefit from long-term trends such as clean energy, digitalization, and de-globalization [3]. Growth Targets - Brookfield aims to increase its fee-bearing assets from $550 billion to $1.1 trillion by the end of the decade, which is expected to drive higher revenues and earnings [3][4]. Dividend Projections - If Brookfield meets its dividend growth goal, the quarterly dividend could rise from $0.44 to $0.88 by 2030, potentially increasing the yield from 3.1% to 6.3% if the stock price remains stable [5][6]. - In a scenario where the dividend continues to grow at 15% until 2035, the quarterly dividend could reach $1.77, suggesting a yield of 12.6% and a stock price of $224 if the yield remains at 3.1% [6]. Alternative Growth Scenario - If dividend growth slows to 7.5% from 2031 to 2035, the quarterly dividend would be $1.26, resulting in a yield of 9% and a stock price of approximately $160, still indicating an attractive investment [6]. Execution Dependency - The future performance of Brookfield Asset Management is highly dependent on its execution capabilities and market conditions, but achieving its goals could make it a compelling investment over the next decade [7].