Core Insights - Philip Morris International has returned $74 billion to shareholders over the last decade through dividends and buybacks, achieving a 30% year-to-date return in 2025, outperforming the broader market [2] - The company announced an 8.9% dividend increase in September 2025, raising the quarterly dividend to $1.47 per share, marking the 18th consecutive year of dividend increases since its public listing in 2008 [2] - In the first half of 2025, Philip Morris reported revenue and earnings that exceeded expectations, with smoke-free products now accounting for 42% of total net revenues [3] Financial Performance - Philip Morris has paused share repurchases in 2025 to focus on strategic investments and dividend growth, maintaining a disciplined approach with an industry-leading dividend yield of approximately 3.84% [4] - The company has achieved a revenue growth of 7.2% over the last twelve months and a 7.1% average over the last three years, with a free cash flow margin of almost 23.0% and an operating margin of 36.4% [12] Shareholder Returns - Philip Morris ranks as the 31st largest company in history for total capital returned to shareholders, reflecting management's confidence in financial stability and consistent cash flows [6] - The total capital returned to shareholders as a percentage of the current market cap appears inversely proportional to growth prospects for reinvestments, with companies like META and MSFT showing faster growth but returning a smaller portion of their market cap [8] Valuation Metrics - Philip Morris has a P/E multiple of 29.0, providing higher valuation, greater revenue growth, and improved margins compared to the S&P [12]

All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a ...

Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC) is included among the 12 Best REIT Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. The Appeal of Agree Realty Corporation (ADC) for Long-Term Investors in REIT Dividend Stocks Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk on Unsplash Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC) operates only in the retail space and owns a smaller portfolio than its competitors. Although its properties are adequate for diversification, its comparatively smaller size is an advantage in itself. The company is able to grow more rapidly ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three companies—Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobil, and Starbucks—that are expected to grow their dividends in the near future, making them attractive options for investors seeking passive income [2]. Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin is known for its consistent dividend increases, having raised its payout for 22 consecutive years, with expectations for another increase this fall [3][4]. - The company has a high dividend yield of 2.7% and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.2, indicating good value despite recent growth challenges [4]. - Lockheed's backlog stands at $166.5 billion, more than double its projected 2024 revenue, which is expected to generate significant free cash flow to support dividend growth [5]. ExxonMobil - ExxonMobil has a strong track record of dividend increases, having raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years, and is projected to continue this trend due to its focus on production quality [7]. - The company aims to increase earnings by $20 billion and operating cash flow by $30 billion by 2030, with a capital expenditure plan of $28 billion to $33 billion annually from 2026 to 2030 [8]. - ExxonMobil plans to return value to shareholders through $20 billion in stock buybacks and over $17 billion in dividends this year, with a current yield of 3.4% [9]. Starbucks - Starbucks has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years, but faces challenges from competition and changing consumer preferences [10][12]. - The company is undergoing a turnaround strategy under new CEO Brian Niccol, focusing on improving the in-store experience while managing costs [12][13]. - Despite recent struggles, Starbucks maintains a dividend yield of 2.9%, making it a potential passive income opportunity for investors who believe in the brand's resilience [14][15].

Company Overview - Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) is headquartered in Honesdale and has experienced a price change of -6.56% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.31 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.88%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.62% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.49% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1.24 represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, NWFL has increased its dividend 5 times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.67% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 57%, indicating that it pays out 57% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth and Future Outlook - NWFL is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $2.68 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 38.86% [5] - Future dividend growth will depend on earnings growth and the payout ratio [4] Investment Considerations - NWFL is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] - Income investors are attracted to dividends for their potential to enhance stock investing profits and reduce overall portfolio risk [5]

Core Insights - Regency Centers Corp. (REG) is strategically positioned with a portfolio of premium shopping centers located in affluent suburban areas and urban trade zones, catering to consumers with high spending power [1] - The company's focus on grocery-anchored shopping centers ensures consistent traffic, supported by strategic acquisitions and a promising development pipeline for long-term growth [1][5] Positive Factors - REG's premium shopping centers attract top grocers and retailers, with anchor tenants making up 42.3% of its portfolio as of June 30, 2025 [3] - Over 85% of REG's centers are grocery-anchored, which typically draw reliable traffic due to necessity-driven shopping [4][9] - The company is actively enhancing its portfolio through acquisitions, such as the $357 million buyout of five suburban shopping centers in Orange County, CA, and has a development pipeline with estimated costs of around $518 million [5][9] - Regency Centers maintains a strong balance sheet with $1.5 billion in capacity under its revolving credit facility and approximately $154.8 million in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2025 [6] - The company has consistently grown dividends per share since 2014, with a CAGR of 3.7% from 2014 to Q4 2024, indicating a commitment to shareholder wealth [7] Negative Factors - The rise of e-commerce poses a threat to traditional brick-and-mortar retail, potentially impacting REG's market share [2][8] - A significant portion of REG's portfolio is concentrated in California and Florida, which accounted for 23.1% and 20.5% of its annual base rents, respectively, exposing the company to regional risks [10] - As of June 30, 2025, REG's consolidated debt stood at approximately $4.80 billion, with interest expenses increasing by 16.4% year-over-year [11]

Income funds can be an efficient way to offset the market volatility and uncertainty that traditional equities expose investors to. As market indexes continue to trade near their all-time highs, high quality income funds may still trade at an attractive valuation. IFinancial analyst by day and a seasoned investor by passion, I've been involved in the world of investing for over 15 years and honed my skills in analyzing lucrative opportunities within the market.I specialize in uncovering high quality dividen ...

Income focused funds can be an efficient hedge against the volatility and uncertainty that traditional equities may expose investors to. This is especially the case as the indexes continue to hover near their all-timeFinancial analyst by day and a seasoned investor by passion, I've been involved in the world of investing for over 15 years and honed my skills in analyzing lucrative opportunities within the market.I specialize in uncovering high quality dividend stocks and other assets that offer potential fo ...

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is included among the 11 Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. Aflac Incorporated’s (AFL) Dividend Growth History and its Place in Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is an American insurance company, and its main business focuses on supplemental health and life insurance. It is especially recognized for policies that provide cash benefits directly to policyholders, such as cancer, medical, and accident coverage in Japan, and accident, c ...

Company payouts are stronger compared to previous years, despite brewing macro risksA weaker dollar and resilient consumer spending support record earnings and stock prices, even amid cautious CEO sentimentWe spot key events as the calendar flips to October, along with happenings at the biggest U.S. bankDividend-increase announcements are on the rise. According to the Wall Street Horizon research team, 71.9% of all dividend changes have been positive so far in 2025. That tops the comparable year-to-date f ...