Core Viewpoint - CRH has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per Ordinary Share, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year, demonstrating its commitment to long-term dividend growth [1] Dividend Announcement - The dividend will be paid on April 8, 2026 [1] - This marks a continuation of CRH's long-standing practice of consistent dividend payments since its formation in 1970 [1]

Core Insights - The S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index has expanded to 155 holdings, adding eight companies that have raised dividends for at least 20 consecutive years [1] - The State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) have shown different performance metrics over the past year, with SDY returning 10.7% year-to-date and 18.5% over one year, while SDOG returned 11.1% year-to-date and 20.3% over the same period [1] Fund Performance - SDY focuses on companies with a long history of dividend growth, while SDOG selects the five highest-yielding stocks from each of 10 sectors [1] - SDY includes 102 stocks from the S&P 500, 38 from the S&P MidCap 400, and 15 from the S&P SmallCap 600, with a current yield of 2.60% and annual expenses of 0.35% [1] - SDOG maintains equal weightings across sectors, with a yield of 4.03% and annual expenses of 0.36% [1] Sector Exposure - Energy stocks have gained 19.9% year-to-date, while technology stocks have fallen by 2.7%, contributing to the performance gap between SDY and SDOG [1] - SDOG's balanced approach allows it to benefit from energy sector gains, holding stocks like Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips, while SDY has heavier weightings in industrials, consumer staples, and utilities [1] - Among SDY constituents, approximately 33% have raised dividends for 20 to 24 years, and 32% have done so for 45 years or more [1]

Core Insights - PepsiCo has maintained a dividend increase for over 50 consecutive years, earning it the title of Dividend King, which is highly regarded among income investors seeking reliable returns in retirement portfolios [1] - The company recently paid a quarterly dividend of $1.4225 per share, with an annualized dividend yield of approximately 3.5%, which is competitive compared to the current 10-year Treasury yield of 4.04% [1] - PepsiCo's free cash flow payout ratio reached 99.6% in fiscal 2025, indicating a tighter cash flow coverage compared to historical norms, but the dividend remains fully covered by free cash flow [1] Dividend Growth - Over the past decade, PepsiCo's quarterly dividend has increased from $0.7025 in 2016 to $1.4225 in 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.3% [1] - The five-year CAGR stands at 6.8%, showcasing consistent mid-to-high single-digit growth through various economic cycles [1] - The most recent dividend increase was 5% year-over-year, indicating a commitment to sustainable growth rather than aggressive hikes [1] Cash Flow and Financial Health - In fiscal 2025, PepsiCo generated $7.67 billion in free cash flow while paying out $7.64 billion in dividends, resulting in a payout ratio of 99.6% [1] - Historical averages from 2015 to 2021 showed a free cash flow payout ratio of 60-85%, providing a cushion for reinvestment and unexpected challenges [1] - Operating cash flow of $12.09 billion offers substantial room for the company to manage its dividend obligations despite tighter free cash flow coverage [1] Management Commitment - CEO Ramon Laguarta emphasized a balanced approach to capital allocation during the February 3, 2026 earnings call, indicating expectations for growth in volume, net revenue, and operating margin [1] - The company announced a $10 billion share repurchase program for 2026-2030, reflecting confidence in its ability to return capital while maintaining dividend growth [1] Insider Confidence - In December 2025, five board members purchased shares at $149.51, indicating strong insider confidence in the company's long-term prospects [1] Investment Proposition - PepsiCo presents a compelling option for income-focused investors, offering a current yield competitive with investment-grade corporate bonds and a long track record of annual increases [1] - The stock has delivered a total return of 17.4% over the past year and 43% over five years, demonstrating that reliable dividends can coexist with capital appreciation [1]

Core Viewpoint - 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 company advocates for a diversified approach to investing, focusing on high-quality dividend stocks that provide long-term growth potential and reliable income [1]. - By integrating various asset classes, the company aims to create a balanced portfolio that maximizes income and total return, aligning with the performance of the S&P index [1].

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway holds a significant 9.32% stake in Coca-Cola, benefiting from a 63-year dividend growth streak, with the latest quarterly dividend of $0.51 per share paid on December 15, 2025 [2][3][7] - The annualized dividend of $2.04 per share generates approximately $816 million annually for Berkshire Hathaway from its 400 million shares, translating to about $204 million per quarter [4][5][9] Dividend Growth and Performance - Coca-Cola has raised its dividend for 63 consecutive years, achieving Dividend King status, with a recent increase of 5.2% from $0.485 to $0.51 per share in 2025 [7] - Over the past five years, Coca-Cola's dividend has increased from $1.60 in 2019 to $2.04 in 2025, representing a cumulative increase of 27.5% [7] Dividend Sustainability - In 2025, Coca-Cola paid out $8.78 billion in dividends against an operating cash flow of $7.41 billion, resulting in a payout ratio of 118.5%, indicating that the company distributed more cash to shareholders than it generated from operations [8][9] - Coca-Cola projects a free cash flow of $12.2 billion for 2026, following two years of dividend payouts exceeding operating cash flow [9]

Core Insights - Chesnara PLC has acquired Scottish Widows Europe for €110 million, expected to generate approximately €250 million in lifetime cash [1][2] - The acquisition is part of Chesnara's strategy to enhance cash generation, with around €100 million forecasted within the first five years [2] - This marks Chesnara's 16th acquisition in nearly 20 years, with a notable acceleration in M&A activity in recent years [2] Acquisition Details - The acquisition represents Chesnara's first entry into Luxembourg, providing a local administrative platform for future consolidation opportunities in Europe [3] - The company sees a significant opportunity in the M&A pipeline, driven by a more active market and strategic focus from large financial institutions [3] Financial Performance - Chesnara currently manages 1.4 million policies and administers approximately £18 billion in assets [4] - The company boasts a strong dividend growth track record, planning a 6% increase for the full year 2025 [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses a revised retirement portfolio strategy focusing on the growth-to-income mix, indicating a shift in investment approach to enhance returns through dividends and high-quality compounders [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The strategy emphasizes a combination of macro analysis and bottom-up stock research to identify durable businesses with strong cash-flow potential [1]. - The author, Leo Nelissen, is characterized as a long-term investor with a focus on dividend growth and structural investment themes [1]. Group 2: Research and Analysis - Leo Nelissen publishes deeper-dive research and actionable investment ideas for long-term investors through Main Street Alpha [1].

Core Insights - Broadcom announced a 10.2% increase in its dividend to $0.65 per share alongside record fourth-quarter revenue of $18 billion [1][2] - The company's future dividend growth is heavily reliant on the continuation of the AI spending boom [2] - Broadcom has successfully raised its annual dividend from $0.19 per share in fiscal 2016 to $2.42 per share in fiscal 2025, marking a significant growth trajectory [2] Dividend Performance - Broadcom has increased its annual dividend for 15 consecutive years since initiating dividends in fiscal 2011, with the latest increase reinforcing this trend [3] - The company returned $17.5 billion to shareholders in fiscal 2025, comprising $11.1 billion in dividends and $6.4 billion in share buybacks [5] - The new quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share implies an annual dividend of $2.60 per share, resulting in a yield of approximately 0.8% [5][9] Financial Metrics - Broadcom generated $26.9 billion in free cash flow in fiscal 2025, reflecting a 39% year-over-year increase [5] - Analysts forecast free cash flow to grow from $26.9 billion in 2025 to $107 billion in 2029, while the annual dividend is projected to increase from $2.42 per share to $4.60 per share [8] - The payout ratio is expected to improve from 46% in 2025 to 20% in 2030 [8][9] Share Repurchase Program - The board approved an extension of the share repurchase program, with $7.5 billion remaining through the end of calendar year 2026 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Accenture has raised its quarterly dividend by 10.1% to $1.63 per share, despite a 41% decline in stock price over the past year, indicating a need for investors to assess the sustainability and growth potential of the dividend amidst slowing revenue growth projections [1][2]. Dividend Growth - The dividend increase from $1.48 to $1.63 reflects a disciplined capital allocation strategy, resulting in an annualized dividend of $6.22 per share, a 12.1% year-over-year increase [1]. - Over five years, Accenture's dividend has increased by 85.1%, and the ten-year growth rate is 510.8%, showcasing a long-term commitment to dividend growth [1]. Cash Flow Coverage - In fiscal 2025, Accenture generated $11.47 billion in operating cash flow, leading to a free cash flow of $10.87 billion after capital expenditures, which covered the dividend 2.94 times [1]. - The payout ratio stands at 53.8%, significantly below the typical 60-70% threshold, indicating room for future dividend growth [1]. Valuation and Market Performance - Accenture's stock trades at 20 times trailing earnings, down from a 52-week high of $383.40, with analysts suggesting a target price of $292.42, indicating a potential 30% upside [1]. - The stock has underperformed the S&P 500, which gained 14.8% over the past year, while Accenture's stock declined by 41% [1]. Strategic Positioning - Accenture has secured significant contracts, including a multi-billion dollar mandate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a $1.4 billion task order for the Army Corps of Engineers, reinforcing its position in digital transformation [1]. - The company is also positioned in the growing AI infrastructure market through partnerships, indicating potential for future revenue growth [1]. Capital Allocation - In fiscal 2025, Accenture repurchased $4.62 billion of stock, contributing to total shareholder returns of $8.32 billion, which is approximately 71.6% of operating cash flow [1]. - The company maintains a cash reserve of $11.48 billion and has a $5 billion share buyback authorization, providing flexibility for future capital allocation [1]. Dividend Scorecard - Institutional investors continue to support Accenture, with a moderate buy rating from analysts, reflecting confidence in the company's fundamentals despite stock underperformance [2]. - The dividend is rated highly for sustainability, with a current yield of 2.6%, which is above the S&P 500 average but lower than some technology peers [2]. Future Outlook - Accenture's dividend remains secure, backed by strong cash flow and conservative payout ratios, but growth expectations are tempered by the need for revenue acceleration beyond the projected 2-5% range [2]. - The company's ability to leverage generative AI consulting revenues will be critical in offsetting weaknesses in traditional IT services spending, impacting total return potential for investors [2].

Core Viewpoint - HP Inc. has raised its quarterly dividend to $0.30 per share, marking 10 consecutive years of increases since its separation in 2015, but there are underlying concerns regarding future growth due to rising memory costs and a soft consumer PC market [1][2]. Dividend and Financial Metrics - The annual dividend has increased from $0.50 per share in 2016 to $1.20 per share in 2026, reflecting an annual growth rate of over 9% [4]. - HP's free cash flow for fiscal 2025 was $2.9 billion, resulting in a sustainable payout ratio of approximately 41% [5]. - Analysts project free cash flow to rise to $3.60 per share by fiscal 2030, with the annual dividend expected to grow to $1.43 per share in the same year [7]. Challenges Facing the Company - HP is facing significant headwinds from rising memory costs, which are expected to reduce earnings by about $0.30 per share in the second half of fiscal 2026, impacting Personal Systems margins by approximately 90 basis points [9]. - Memory costs currently account for 15% to 18% of a typical PC's total cost, and the recent surge in prices has prompted HP to adopt a more cautious approach to its financial guidance [9][10]. - Despite having long-term agreements with suppliers, the current memory cycle presents unique challenges that differ from previous cycles [10].