24/7 Wall St. Quick Read Primerica’s 19.1% earnings payout ratio and 6.0x cash flow coverage indicate substantial dividend safety. Q3 2025 revenue rose 8.1% to $839.8M while earnings surged 31.4% to $206.8M. Management returned $163M to shareholders in Q3 through $129M in buybacks and $34M in dividends. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here ...

Core Insights - Emerson Electric has maintained a dividend payment for 68 consecutive years, with a current yield of 1.54% and recent earnings volatility prompting a deeper analysis of its dividend sustainability [1][9] Dividend Overview - The annual dividend is $2.11 per share, with a recent increase of 5.2% in November 2025, marking the company's status as a Dividend Aristocrat for over 25 years [2][9] - The dividend yield stands at 1.54%, reflecting a conservative approach to payout increases with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.1% [2][10] Payout Ratios and Cash Flow - The earnings payout ratio for fiscal year 2025 is 35.2%, indicating a healthy level of earnings retained for growth [3][4] - The free cash flow (FCF) payout ratio is 44.7%, with $1.19 billion paid in dividends against $2.67 billion in FCF, leaving $1.48 billion for other uses such as debt reduction and share buybacks [3][4] - Operating cash flow coverage is strong at 2.60 times the dividend, providing a substantial cushion even after accounting for capital expenditures [3][4] Historical Performance and Anomalies - Fiscal year 2023 saw a significant drop in operating cash flow to $637 million and FCF to $274 million, with the dividend exceeding FCF by more than four times due to a strategic spinoff [6][8] - The company managed to maintain its $1.2 billion dividend commitment during this transition year, demonstrating management's resolve [8][9] Future Outlook - Cash flow has normalized in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with both years generating over $2.6 billion in FCF and healthy coverage ratios between 2.2x and 2.4x [8][9] - The overall assessment indicates that the dividend appears secure, supported by a free cash flow payout ratio of 44.7% and a resilient balance sheet [9]

Core Viewpoint - Kraft Heinz is undergoing a business breakup, raising concerns about the sustainability of its dividend and overall business performance [1][6][10] Dividend Analysis - Kraft Heinz offers a dividend yield of approximately 6.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, providing recurring income for investors [1] - The stock has declined over 20% in the past year, and total returns, including dividends, are negative at -16% [2] - The company's earnings per share for the most recent quarter were $0.52, exceeding the quarterly dividend of $0.40, resulting in a payout ratio of around 77%, which is considered manageable [4] - Free cash flow for Kraft Heinz over the trailing 12 months was $3.6 billion, well above the $1.9 billion paid in dividends, indicating that the dividend appears safe for now [5] Business Breakup and Future Outlook - Kraft Heinz is splitting into two entities, focusing on sauces and spreads, and core food brands, with completion expected by mid-2026 [6][7] - The company reported revenue of $25.8 billion last year, a decline of 3% from the previous year, highlighting struggles in generating growth [7] - Despite the breakup, the company intends to maintain its current dividend level, but future growth initiatives may pressure dividend payments if results do not improve [8] - Over the past five years, Kraft Heinz's stock has declined by about 23%, with total returns remaining negative at -3% even with dividends [10]

Group 1 - The article discusses Ford Motor Company's recent dividend declaration and raises concerns about the safety of its dividend [1] - The previous coverage of Ford's stock was on June 3, indicating ongoing monitoring of the company's financial health [1] Group 2 - The investment strategy mentioned aims to help members outperform the S&P 500 and mitigate risks during market volatility [2] - The service offers a trial to assess its effectiveness in providing actionable investment insights [2]

Core Viewpoint - Hershey faces significant challenges including tariffs, recession, and increased competition, which may impact its financial performance and dividend safety [1] Group 1: Challenges Facing Hershey - Tariffs are creating additional costs for the company, affecting profit margins [1] - The potential for a recession poses a risk to consumer spending on non-essential items like candy [1] - Increased competition in the candy market is putting pressure on Hershey's market share and pricing strategies [1] Group 2: Dividend Safety - The discussion revolves around whether Hershey's dividend remains secure amidst these challenges [1]