Core Viewpoint - PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has increased its quarterly cash dividend by 6% to $1.70 per share, reflecting the company's financial strength and confidence in its strategy and outlook [1][6]. Dividend Increase - The dividend will be paid on August 5, 2025, to shareholders of record as of July 15, 2025 [1]. - This increase follows the successful completion of the Federal Reserve's 2025 stress test, with PNC's projected CET1 ratio remaining well above the regulatory minimum [2][9]. - Prior to this increase, PNC raised its dividend by 3% to $1.60 per share in July 2024, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 8.49% [3]. Financial Metrics - PNC's current payout ratio stands at 45% of its earnings, and its current dividend yield is 3.26%, significantly higher than the industry average of 1.87% [3][9]. - As of March 31, 2025, PNC had $38.4 billion in total available liquidity and $60.7 billion in total borrowed funds [7]. Capital Distribution Actions - PNC has an ongoing share repurchase program, with 40.5 million shares available for repurchase under a previously authorized plan of 100 million shares [6][9]. - The company anticipates maintaining a similar level of share repurchases in the upcoming quarters of 2025 [6]. Market Performance - PNC's shares have gained 23.7% over the past year, although this is lower than the industry's growth of 41.1% [8].

Company Overview - PPG Industries is headquartered in Pittsburgh and operates in the Basic Materials sector, specifically in paint and coatings [3] - The company's stock has experienced a price change of -0.98% this year [3] Dividend Information - PPG Industries currently pays a dividend of $0.68 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.3%, which is higher than the Chemical - Specialty industry's yield of 0.94% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] - The annualized dividend of $2.72 has increased by 2.3% from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, PPG Industries has raised its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 5.96% [4] - The current payout ratio is 34%, indicating that the company pays out 34% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPG's earnings in 2025 is $7.89 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 0.25% [5] Investment Considerations - PPG Industries is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] - The company is positioned well for income investors, especially compared to tech start-ups or growth businesses that typically do not offer dividends [6]

Company Overview - Artesian Resources (ARTNA) is a water resource management company based in Newark, operating in the Utilities sector with a year-to-date share price change of 6.8% [3] Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.64%, which is significantly higher than the Utility - Water Supply industry's yield of 2.57% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.52% [3] - Artesian Resources has an annualized dividend of $1.23, reflecting a 4.1% increase from the previous year, and has increased its dividend five times over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 4.17% [4] Earnings Growth and Future Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projects earnings of $2.16 per share, indicating a 9.09% increase from the previous year [5] - Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth and the company's payout ratio, which currently stands at 58%, meaning 58% of its trailing 12-month EPS is paid out as dividends [4] Investment Appeal - Artesian Resources is characterized as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for cash returns in the Chinese market, with expectations for aggregate dividends and buybacks to reach Rmb3.0tn and Rmb0.6tn respectively in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 10% and 35% [1][11]. Core Insights - Chinese listed companies are experiencing record-high cash returns, driven by strong policy support and conservative cash return practices, with a significant increase in dividends and buybacks anticipated in the coming years [1][11]. - The report highlights a preference among investors for "Old China" companies that prioritize shareholder returns, with a correlation between cash spending on dividends/buybacks and increased company valuations [2][45]. - There is a growing appetite for cash return strategies among various types of Chinese investors, as these strategies are perceived as offering superior returns compared to bonds in a low-interest rate environment [3][53]. Summary by Sections Cash Returns Growth - Following the "Nine Measures" policy released in April 2024, over 4300 companies recorded Rmb2.7tn in dividends in 2024, with a dividend payout ratio of 39%, up from 37% in 2023 [11][12]. - The expectation for total dividends in 2025 is Rmb3.0tn, supported by high-single digit earnings growth and an increase in payout ratios [11][12]. Buybacks and Financial Incentives - A-share and offshore companies repurchased approximately Rmb160bn and Rmb300bn worth of shares in 2024, marking increases of 56% and 79% year-on-year [20][31]. - The re-lending program for corporate buybacks has seen strong adoption, with over 620 A-share firms announcing credit agreements totaling Rmb133bn [31][25]. Investment Strategies - The GS China Shareholder Returns Portfolio has been refreshed to include 30 GS-Buy rated companies, which are actively returning capital to shareholders [63][64]. - The GS Chinese Prominent 10 portfolio focuses on large-cap companies investing heavily in growth while also providing decent cash returns, appealing to investors seeking a mix of growth and income [64][65]. Sector Analysis - Companies in traditional sectors like Financials and Utilities tend to favor dividends, while those in New Economy sectors like TMT and Healthcare are more inclined towards buybacks [37][46]. - The report categorizes over 6700 Chinese listed companies into "New China" and "Old China," noting differing investor preferences for capital allocation between these groups [46][45].

Global Research Risk and Alpha amid Rising Volatility Cathy Fang Analyst S1460518100001 cathy.fang@ubs.com +86 21 3866 8891 July 2025 This document has been prepared by UBS Securities Co. Limited. UBS does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision. ...

Core Insights - The indicated dividend net changes for U.S. domestic common stocks increased by $7.4 billion in Q2 2025, a decline from $15.3 billion in Q1 2025 and $16.0 billion in Q2 2024 [1][6] - For the 12-month period ending June 2025, the net dividend rate increased by $44.1 billion, down from $54.6 billion for the same period in 2024 [2][6] - Dividend growth has declined due to concerns over cash commitments amid uncertainties regarding tariffs and their economic impact [3][4] Dividend Increases - In Q2 2025, U.S. common dividend increases totaled $9.8 billion, a decrease of 49.8% from $19.5 billion in Q1 2025 and down 52.1% from $20.4 billion in Q2 2024 [6][7] - For the 12-month period ending June 2025, total dividend increases were $57.6 billion, down 26.8% from $78.7 billion in the previous year [8][6] - A total of 480 dividend increases were reported in Q2 2025, compared to 539 in Q2 2024, marking a 10.9% year-over-year decrease [7] Dividend Decreases - In Q2 2025, there were 38 issues that decreased dividends, an 81.0% year-over-year increase from 21 issues in Q2 2024 [15] - Dividend decreases amounted to $2.3 billion in Q2 2025, compared to $4.4 billion in Q2 2024 [15] - For the 12-month period ending June 2025, 155 issues decreased their dividend payments, down from 175 in the previous year [15] Future Outlook - The second half of 2025 may see stronger dividend performance as companies await clarity on economic policies and tariff resolutions [4] - Q3 2025 is expected to show improvements in dividend payments, particularly from large banks following positive stress test results [4] - The S&P 500 is projected to achieve a record in dividend payments for 2025, with a 6% increase anticipated, down from an earlier expectation of 8% [4]

Core Viewpoint - Conagra Brands, Inc. is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings on July 10, with a focus on maintaining profitability amid declining revenue forecasts and market dynamics, while offering an attractive dividend yield for investors [1] Financial Performance - Analysts predict Conagra Brands will report quarterly earnings of 61 cents per share, consistent with the previous year, and quarterly revenue of $2.88 billion, down from $2.91 billion a year earlier [2] - Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander has maintained an Equal Weight rating on Conagra Brands and reduced the price target from $27 to $22 [2] Dividend Insights - Conagra Brands currently offers an annual dividend yield of 6.67%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 35 cents per share, or $1.40 annually [3] - To achieve a monthly income of $500 from dividends, an investment of approximately $89,963 or around 4,286 shares is required, while a more modest goal of $100 per month would need about $17,988 or 857 shares [3][4] Stock Price and Yield Dynamics - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate based on changes in stock price and dividend payments [4][5] - Conagra Brands' shares fell 0.7% to close at $20.99 recently, indicating potential impacts on the dividend yield [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses the author's background in analytics and accounting, highlighting over 10 years of experience in the investment arena, starting as an analyst and progressing to a management role [1]. Group 1 - The author holds a master's degree in Analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting [1]. - The author has a personal interest in dividend investing and aims to share insights with the Seeking Alpha community [1].

Group 1 - AdvanSix Inc. (NYSE: ASIX) is trading at low multiples due to the cyclical nature of its revenue and the industry it operates in, which is considered one of the worst in US markets [1] - The market is believed to be mispricing AdvanSix, indicating potential undervaluation [1] Group 2 - The analysis is grounded in a mix of financial education, including CFA studies and valuation books, focusing on fundamental analysis while considering other relevant perspectives [1] - The investment research approach is primarily bottom-up, covering sectors such as utilities, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, REITs, and materials across the Americas [1] - The focus is on stocks with a mid-term return perspective, specifically within a 1 to 3-year timeframe [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the effectiveness of investing in dividend growth stocks and reinvesting dividends as a strategy for long-term wealth growth [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The individual investor has explored various investment styles over 25 years, concluding that dividend growth stocks are a reliable method for wealth accumulation [1] - The investor has experience with a diverse range of investment vehicles, including stocks, options, ETFs, treasury notes, and mutual funds [1] - The blog, HarvestingDividends.com, focuses on providing information about S&P Dividend Aristocrats and other dividend growth stocks [1]