Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of low payout ratios in dividend stocks and highlights companies with strong upside potential and sustainable dividends [1][2][3] Dividend Payout Ratios - A high payout ratio indicates that a large portion of earnings is distributed to shareholders, leaving less for reinvestment [1] - Historical data shows that companies in the second quintile of payout ratios (averaging 40%) have outperformed those in the first quintile (averaging 75%) over multiple decades [2] - Companies with lower payout ratios are less likely to cut dividends during earnings declines, as they have more margin for error [3] Investment Methodology - The selection process involved screening for companies with a 5-year average payout ratio below 60%, indicating a strong cash position [6] - Stocks were further filtered to include those with a minimum upside potential of 25% based on analysts' targets as of December 24 [6] - The final list included 15 companies favored by hedge funds, as per Insider Monkey's database for Q3 2025 [6][7] Company Highlights - **Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 40.94% - Upside Potential: 26.3% - Recent revenue of $659 million, up from $575 million year-over-year, with net income rising to $112 million [9][10][11] - **Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 59.1% - Upside Potential: 32.1% - Recent initiatives include a joint venture with Aymium to produce sustainable biocarbon, with plans to convert over 7 million tons of wood fiber annually [13][15][16][17] - **Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 22.6% - Upside Potential: 33.2% - Recent earnings per share reported at $0.86, with adjusted segment EBIT rising to $924 million [18][20][21]

Core Insights - The Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) offers a high dividend yield of 9.7%, significantly higher than the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (2.5%) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (3.7%) [1] - SDIV's high yield is primarily derived from its holdings in mortgage REITs and international stocks, but this comes with sustainability concerns due to high payout ratios [2][3] Group 1: Yield and Performance - SDIV's yield is more than triple that of VYM and over double that of SCHD, tracking 100 of the highest-yielding equities globally [1] - The fund has a high expense ratio of 0.58%, nearly ten times that of its peers, and a portfolio turnover rate of 93%, indicating frequent trading [2] Group 2: Dividend Sustainability - The monthly dividend has decreased from $0.255 in early 2023 to $0.19, marking a 25% reduction, which highlights structural challenges within the fund [2] - Key holdings like Annaly Capital Management, AGNC Investment, and Invesco Mortgage Capital exhibit unsustainable payout ratios, with Annaly at 122%, AGNC at 215%, and Invesco at 296% [3][4] Group 3: Alternative Options - For investors seeking more sustainable income, the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) offers an 8.2% yield through a covered call strategy, with a more manageable payout ratio of 61% [6][7] - JEPI's monthly distributions have been more consistent compared to SDIV, providing better downside protection without the risks associated with emerging markets [7]

Core Viewpoint - Lincoln Electric Holdings (NASDAQ: LECO) has declared a quarterly dividend increase of 5.3% to $0.79 per share, marking its 30th consecutive year of dividend growth, supported by strong financial metrics and a healthy payout ratio [2][8]. Financial Performance - The annual dividend is $3.04 per share, with a current yield of 1.23% [3]. - The earnings payout ratio is 32.6%, indicating a healthy balance between dividends and retained earnings for reinvestment [4][6]. - In Q3 2025, Lincoln Electric generated $205.1 million in free cash flow, with a free cash flow payout ratio below 50%, demonstrating strong cash generation capabilities [5][6]. Debt and Balance Sheet - Total debt increased by 13.8% year over year to $1.32 billion, primarily due to the Alloy Steel acquisition [8][9]. - Net debt stands at $939 million after accounting for $377 million in cash, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.15x, indicating manageable leverage despite an upward trend from 0.91x in 2023 [9][10]. - The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.99, and total liabilities rose by 14.8% year over year, suggesting increased financial obligations [10].

Company Overview - National Bank Holdings (NBHC) is located in Greenwood Village and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -17.3% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.30 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.37%, which is higher than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.41% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1.20 represents a 7.1% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, NBHC has increased its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 8.98% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 37%, indicating that it pays out 37% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Outlook - NBHC is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $3.30 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 2.48% [5] Investment Appeal - NBHC is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6]

Company Overview - TowneBank (TOWN) is based in Portsmouth and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 1.09% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.27 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.14%, which is higher than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.28% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.5% [3] Dividend Performance - TowneBank's annualized dividend of $1.08 has increased by 8% from the previous year [4] - Over the last five years, the company has raised its dividend four times, achieving an average annual increase of 8.72% [4] - The current payout ratio is 41%, indicating that the company pays out 41% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $3.00 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 37.61% [5] Investment Considerations - TowneBank is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and favorable earnings growth outlook [6] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting a stable investment position [6]

Company Overview - COPT Defense (CDP) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) based in Columbia, specializing in suburban office properties [3] - The company has experienced a price change of -3.91% this year [3] Dividend Information - CDP currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.1%, which is lower than the industry average of 4.65% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] - The annualized dividend of $1.22 represents a 3.4% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, CDP has increased its dividend three times, averaging an annual increase of 2.33% [4] - The current payout ratio is 46%, indicating that the company pays out 46% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CDP's earnings in 2025 is $2.67 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 3.89% [5] - Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth and the payout ratio [4] Investment Appeal - CDP is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - Income investors are drawn to dividends for their potential to enhance stock investing profits and reduce overall portfolio risk [5]

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer offers a high dividend yield of 6.8%, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, raising questions about the sustainability of this yield given its high payout ratio of around 90% [2][4]. Financial Metrics - Pfizer's payout ratio is approximately 90%, indicating a potential risk to dividend sustainability [4]. - The company's free cash flow for the trailing 12 months was $12.4 billion, exceeding the $9.6 billion paid out in dividends, suggesting the dividend is safe [6]. - In the most recent quarter, Pfizer reported revenue growth of 10% year-over-year, with sales reaching $14.7 billion and diluted earnings per share of $0.51, which is higher than the quarterly dividend payment of $0.43 [9]. Strategic Developments - Pfizer is actively working to reduce costs while expanding operations, including a significant $43 billion acquisition of oncology company Seagen in 2023, which is expected to create new opportunities [8]. - The company is adapting to declining demand for its COVID-19 vaccine and pill while continuing to focus on cost reduction [9]. Market Position - Despite a 5% decline in stock price year-to-date, Pfizer's financials do not indicate any immediate concerns regarding its dividend [7][10]. - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 13, suggesting it is relatively cheap compared to its earnings potential [10].

Company Overview - Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) is headquartered in Honesdale and has experienced a price change of -7.26% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.91%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.69% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.5% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Norwood Financial is $1.24, reflecting a 3.3% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, the company has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.67% [4] - The current payout ratio is 57%, indicating that the company pays out 57% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $2.68 per share, with an expected increase of 38.86% from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - NWFL is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend yield and strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6]

Company Overview - Univest (UVSP) is headquartered in Souderton and operates as a finance stock with a year-to-date price change of -0.14% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.22 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.99%, which is higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.67% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.48% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $0.88 represents a 4.8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Univest has increased its dividend two times on a year-over-year basis, averaging an annual increase of 1.61% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 32%, indicating that it pays out 32% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Univest's earnings per share for 2025 is $2.76, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 10.40% [5] - The company is positioned as an attractive dividend play, supported by solid earnings growth prospects [6] Investment Appeal - Univest is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend yield and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6]

Company Overview - Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) is located in Honesdale and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -9.5% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.04%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.67% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.45% [3] Dividend Performance - The annualized dividend of Norwood Financial is $1.24, reflecting a 3.3% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.67% [4] - The current payout ratio stands at 57%, indicating that the company distributes 57% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $2.71 per share, which corresponds to a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 40.41% [5] Investment Considerations - NWFL is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and the current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] - Income investors are attracted to dividends for various reasons, including tax advantages and reduced overall portfolio risk [5]