Core Insights - Blue-chip stocks are recognized for their strong performance and consistent dividend payments, providing a reliable source of passive income for investors [1] - Several blue-chip companies have announced additional dividends, enhancing their appeal to investors seeking income [2] DBS Group (SGX: D05) - DBS Group, Singapore's largest bank, reported a total income of S$11.6 billion for 1H 2025, a 5% increase year on year, driven by a 3.2% rise in net interest income [3] - Net profit decreased by 1% year on year to S$5.7 billion due to a 15% global minimum tax rate, but total income and profit before tax reached record levels for 1H 2025 [4] - The bank declared a core interim dividend of S$0.60 and a capital return dividend of S$0.15, totaling S$0.75, which is nearly 39% higher than the S$0.54 paid out the previous year [4][5] DFI Retail Group (SGX: D01) - DFI Retail Group reported flat revenue of US$4.4 billion for 1H 2025, while underlying net profit surged by 39% year on year to US$105 million [6] - The group declared a special dividend of US$0.443 per share, its first in 18 years, resulting from the divestment of its Singapore food business and a minority stake in Robinsons Retail [7] - The retailer raised its underlying profit guidance to between US$250 million and US$270 million, indicating positive outlook for its core business [7] Singtel (SGX: Z74) - Singtel reported stable operating revenue of S$14.1 billion for FY2025, with underlying net profit increasing by 9% year on year to S$2.5 billion [8] - The company achieved cumulative savings of around S$400 million by FY2025, targeting S$600 million by the end of FY2026 [9] - Singtel declared a core final dividend of S$0.067 and a value realisation dividend of S$0.033, totaling S$0.10, marking a 13% increase from the previous fiscal year's dividend [9][10] Venture Corporation Limited (SGX: V03) - Venture Corporation reported a revenue decline of 8.8% year on year to S$1.26 billion for 1H 2025, with net profit falling by 8.6% to S$113 million [12] - The company declared an interim dividend of S$0.25 and a special dividend of S$0.05, bringing the total dividend for 1H 2025 to S$0.30, higher than the previous year's S$0.25 [13] - Management expressed optimism about future business opportunities despite current volatility [14]

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is favored for its exposure to high-quality dividend-paying stocks, providing both income and growth potential [3][4][5] - The ETF currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.7%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of below 1.2% [6] - The fund's holdings have increased their dividend payments at a compound annual growth rate of over 8% in the past five years, indicating strong financial health [6] Fund Characteristics - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF includes 100 top dividend stocks selected based on a systematic evaluation of dividend quality [4] - Key metrics for stock selection include cash flow to debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and five-year dividend growth rate, ensuring only financially robust companies are included [4][5] - The ETF serves as a complementary investment for those already holding dividend-paying stocks, enhancing overall portfolio diversification [3][8] Notable Holdings - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) is the top holding in the ETF, representing 4.2% of its assets, with a strong history of dividend increases since its spinoff from Abbott Laboratories [9] - AbbVie has raised its dividend by 310% since its separation, currently offering a 3% dividend yield, showcasing the potential for sustainable income [9]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend-paying stocks are favored for their stability during market fluctuations and provide a steady income stream, with a preference for dividend growth stocks highlighted by Goldman Sachs [1][2]. Dividend Performance - Companies that initiate and consistently increase dividends have historically outperformed the broader market, with Dividend Growers and Initiators returning 9.62%, Dividend Payers at 8.78%, and companies with no dividend changes at 6.88% [2]. Shareholder Preferences - Established companies often face pressure from shareholders to distribute dividends, which signal genuine profits and provide a cash cushion during market declines, thus increasing demand for dividend-paying stocks [3]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The article utilized a Finviz screener to identify companies with at least 10 consecutive years of dividend growth, selecting those with dividend yields above 4% as of September 20 [6]. Company Highlights - **Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ:KMB)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.04% - Known for personal care and tissue products, with a focus on product innovation and operational efficiency. The company has raised dividends for 53 consecutive years, currently paying $1.26 per share [9][11]. - **The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.08% - Recognized for a wide range of consumer goods, focusing on brand value, supply chain resilience, and product innovation. The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.24 per share and has increased dividends for 22 years [12][14].

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Core Insights - Many retirees are concerned about the risk of depleting their retirement savings due to poor investment choices [1] - The investment strategy for retirement shifts from growth to focusing on income generation and inflation protection [2] Group 1: Types of Stocks for Retirees - Dividend-Paying Stocks are beneficial for retirees as they provide a steady income through quarterly dividends and often increase payouts to keep pace with inflation [4] - Blue-Chip Stocks are recommended for their historical stability and positive returns, with companies like Johnson & Johnson and Coca-Cola being prime examples [5][6] - Utility Stocks are considered defensive investments, offering essential services and typically higher-than-average dividends, making them a reliable income source [7] - Healthcare Stocks are resilient to economic cycles, with companies like Merck and Pfizer continuing to grow and deliver returns even during economic downturns [8] - Consumer Staples Stocks provide stability as they produce essential goods that remain in demand regardless of economic conditions, ensuring consistent performance [9]

Core Insights - United Parcel Service (UPS) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) have both announced dividend increases this year, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns despite economic uncertainties [1][3][10] - JBHT has shown better price performance compared to UPS, driven by intermodal growth and sustainability initiatives [8][10][19] Dividend Analysis - UPS raised its quarterly cash dividend to $1.64 per share ($6.56 annualized) from $1.63 ($6.52 annualized) [3] - J.B. Hunt increased its quarterly cash dividend by 2.3% to 44 cents per share ($1.76 annualized) from 43 cents ($1.72 annualized) [3] - Concerns about the sustainability of UPS's dividends arise due to its high payout ratio and declining free cash flow [4][6] Financial Performance - UPS's free cash flow has decreased from a peak of $9 billion in 2022, with only $742 million generated in the first half of 2025 against $2.7 billion paid in dividends [5][6] - JBHT's lower dividend payout ratio indicates a stronger ability to maintain dividend payments over the long term [6][18] Market Comparison - JBHT's intermodal volume grew by 6% in the second quarter of 2025, supported by strong performance in its eastern network [12] - UPS's revenue weakness is attributed to geopolitical uncertainty and high inflation, leading to a decline in package shipping volumes [11] Earnings Estimates - Zacks Consensus Estimate for JBHT indicates a 0.3% decrease in 2025 sales, but a 5.8% increase in 2026 [13] - For UPS, the 2025 sales estimate suggests a 3.9% decrease, with a 15.4% decrease in EPS for the same year [16] Valuation Metrics - JBHT is trading at a forward sales multiple of 1.09X, while UPS has a multiple of 0.81X, indicating that JBHT is perceived as more expensive [18] - JBHT has a Value Score of B, whereas UPS has a Value Score of A [18] Conclusion - JBHT's better price performance, environmental initiatives, and strong intermodal volumes position it as a more favorable investment compared to UPS, which currently has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) versus JBHT's 3 (Hold) [19]

Group 1: Archrock (AROC) - Archrock is an energy infrastructure company focused on midstream natural gas compression, with a recent dividend of 21 cents per share for Q2, marking an 11% increase from Q1, resulting in an annualized yield of 3.3% [3][4] - Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen has reiterated a buy rating on Archrock, raising the price target from $31 to $32, while TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating with a target of $27 [4][6] - Moreen highlighted Archrock's strong balance sheet flexibility, allowing for capital returns and dividend expansion, with projected dividend per share growth of 20%, 12%, and 10% for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively [5][6] Group 2: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) - Brookfield Infrastructure Partners declared a quarterly distribution of 43 cents per unit, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, offering a dividend yield of 5.6% [8][10] - Jefferies analyst Sam Burwell resumed coverage with a buy rating and a price target of $35, noting significant acquisitions that have strengthened BIP's midstream, transport, and data businesses [10][11] - Burwell expects BIP's funds from operations (FFO) to grow at a nearly 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and solid distribution growth at about 6.5% CAGR through 2027 [13] Group 3: Permian Resources (PR) - Permian Resources, an independent oil and natural gas company, declared a base dividend of 15 cents per share for Q3 2025, resulting in an annualized yield of 4.3% [15][16] - Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta reaffirmed a buy rating with a price forecast of $17, highlighting operational ramp-up and new agreements to enhance cash flow [16][17] - Mehta emphasized PR's focus on cost optimization and strategic investments, projecting incremental free cash flow of over $50 million in 2026 compared to 2024 [17][18]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry is facing a challenging macroeconomic environment characterized by persistent inflation, tariff-related tensions, and supply-chain disruptions, along with geopolitical issues [1] - The industry has underperformed compared to the Zacks S&P 500 Composite and the broader Zacks Transportation sector, gaining only 1.8% over the past three months, while the S&P 500 increased by 10.1% and the broader sector rose by 3.3% [2] Company Highlights - Companies like The Greenbrier Companies, Ryder Corporation, and Air Lease Corporation are noted for their solid investor-friendly initiatives, including consistent dividend payouts and share buybacks, indicating strong financial health [3][7] - Dividend growth stocks are typically mature companies that provide downside protection against market volatility, supported by strong fundamentals such as sustainable business models, profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, and strong balance sheets [4] Stock Selection Criteria - A dividend payout ratio of less than 60% is considered sustainable, indicating a healthy balance between earnings and dividends [8] - A dividend yield greater than 1% is preferred, with selected stocks showing dividend growth over the past five years and carrying a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better [9] Company Specifics Greenbrier Companies (GBX) - Headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR, Greenbrier has a market capitalization of $1.50 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.32, yielding 2.72% [10] - The company's payout ratio is 18%, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 3.47% [10] - In 2022, Greenbrier paid $35.8 million in dividends and repurchased no shares; in 2023, it paid $36.1 million in dividends and repurchased $56.9 million; in 2024, dividends were $38.4 million with $1.3 million in share repurchases [12] Ryder Corporation (R) - Based in Coral Gables, FL, Ryder has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.91, yielding 1.94% [13] - The payout ratio is 26%, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 9.47% [13] - Ryder returned $123 million in dividends and $557 million in share repurchases in 2022; in 2023, it paid $128 million in dividends and repurchased $337 million; in 2024, it returned $456 million to shareholders [14] Air Lease Corporation (AL) - Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Air Lease has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.22, yielding 1.45% [15][16] - The payout ratio is 17%, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 8.34% [16]

Core Insights - The Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) is a passively managed fund aimed at tracking the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, providing low-cost, income-oriented international exposure with a 3.72% dividend yield [2][3][10] Fund Overview - SCHY was launched on April 29, 2021, by Charles Schwab, with an expense ratio of 8 basis points and approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management (AUM) [3][15] - The fund has an average daily trading volume of 364,000 shares, indicating minimal spread risk for investors [3] - SCHY is fully invested in international equities, comprising 103 holdings, primarily mid- to large-cap stocks [7] Performance Metrics - Cumulative returns for SCHY show a year-to-date increase of 18.60% and a one-year return of 12.14% [4] - The fund's annualized return since inception is 5.57%, which is lower compared to peer strategies [4][15] Index and Stock Selection - SCHY is indexed to the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, which includes mid- and large-cap international dividend-paying companies, excluding REITs [5] - The stock screening process involves evaluating fundamental qualities such as free cash flow, return on equity, indicated dividend yield, and 5-year dividend growth rate [5][14] Portfolio Composition - The top three country exposures in SCHY are the UK (15.36%), Australia (12%), and France (11.65%) [7] - The portfolio is heavily weighted towards financials (15%) and consumer staples (14.84%) [7] - The top 10 holdings account for 40% of the total portfolio weight, with British American Tobacco, Wesfarmers, and BHP Group being the largest positions [8] Distribution and Income Strategy - SCHY pays a quarterly distribution rate of $1.05 per share, yielding 3.72% on a trailing twelve-month basis, and has shown annual growth in distributions since inception [10][12] - The fund is suitable for passive income strategies and can be beneficial for tax-deferred accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s [12] Competitive Landscape - SCHY is noted as the lowest-cost strategy among its peers, with a significant AUM of $1.3 billion, although it has underperformed compared to other international dividend income strategies [15] - The Global X MSCI SuperDividend EAFE ETF (EFAS) is highlighted as a top-performing peer, despite its smaller AUM of $30 million [16]

Market Overview - Volatility has returned to Wall Street, with major indexes experiencing losses due to concerns over the economy's health and uncertainty regarding a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September [1][3][6] - The S&P 500 recorded its fourth consecutive day of losses, while the Nasdaq closed lower for the second day, following a weak jobs report and higher-than-expected wholesale inflation data [3][6] Inflation and Economic Indicators - The producer price index (PPI) rose by 0.9% in July, significantly above the consensus estimate of 0.3%, indicating rising inflation pressures [4][5] - Core PPI, which excludes food and energy prices, also increased by 0.9% month-over-month in July [4] Dividend-Paying Stocks - In light of market volatility, investors may consider dividend-paying stocks for steady income and capital protection [2] - Notable dividend-paying stocks include: - **Chemung Financial Corporation (CHMG)**: Dividend of $0.34 per share, 2.52% yield, 26% payout ratio [8][10] - **M&T Bank Corporation (MTB)**: Dividend of $1.50 per share, 2.84% yield, 34% payout ratio [11][10] - **Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM)**: Dividend of $0.83 per share, 0.52% yield, 18% payout ratio [13][10] - **United Community Banks, Inc. (UCB)**: Dividend of $0.25 per share, 3.07% yield, 39% payout ratio [15][10]