Company Overview - Investar (ISTR) is headquartered in Baton Rouge and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of 0.23% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - Investar currently pays a dividend of $0.11 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2% [3] - The dividend yield of the Banks - Southeast industry is 2.38%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.49% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $0.44 has increased by 7.3% from the previous year [4] - Over the last 5 years, Investar has raised its dividend 4 times, averaging an annual increase of 11.29% [4] - The current payout ratio is 20%, indicating that the company pays out 20% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is $1.93 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 2.12% [5] - Earnings growth appears solid for Investar in the current fiscal year [5] Investment Considerations - Investar is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile [6] - The stock holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [6]

Company Overview - Zions Bancorporation (ZION) is headquartered in Salt Lake City and has experienced a price change of -2.01% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.43 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.24%, which is higher than the Banks - West industry's yield of 3.1% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.5% [3] Dividend Performance - Zions has an annualized dividend of $1.72, reflecting a 3.6% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Zions has increased its dividend three times year-over-year, with an average annual increase of 5.20% [4] - The current payout ratio is 31%, indicating that the company pays out 31% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth and Future Outlook - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $5.78 per share, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 16.77% [5] - The future growth of dividends will depend on earnings growth and the payout ratio [4] Investment Considerations - Zions is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [6] - The company is positioned well as a dividend option, especially compared to high-growth businesses or tech startups that typically do not offer dividends [6]

Company Overview - Veritex Holdings (VBTX) is based in Dallas and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of 13.51% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.22 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.85%, which is higher than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.38% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.51% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of Veritex Holdings is $0.88, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend two times on a year-over-year basis, with an average annual increase of 3.74% [4] - The current payout ratio is 39%, indicating that the company paid out 39% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Veritex Holdings' earnings per share for 2025 is $2.23, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 2.76% [5] - The company is positioned as a strong dividend play, appealing to income investors seeking consistent cash flow [6] Investment Considerations - Veritex Holdings is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend performance and solid earnings growth prospects [6] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a stable outlook [6]

Company Overview - Woori Bank (WF) is headquartered in Seoul and operates in the Finance sector, with a stock price change of 70.24% since the beginning of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.34 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.57%, which is lower than the Banks - Foreign industry's yield of 3.2% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.48% [3] Dividend Performance - Woori Bank's annualized dividend of $1.37 has increased by 50.2% from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, the company has raised its dividend three times, achieving an average annual increase of 11.20% [4] - The current payout ratio is 17%, indicating that the bank paid out 17% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Woori Bank's earnings in 2025 is $8.74 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 0.58% from the previous year [5] - The company is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6]

Company Overview - Peoples Financial Services (PFIS) is based in Dunmore and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -4.47% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.62 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.05%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Northeast industry's yield of 2.82% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.55% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $2.47 represents a 20.2% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, PFIS has increased its dividend four times, achieving an average annual increase of 9.97% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 52%, indicating that it pays out 52% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $5.97 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 58.36% [5] Investment Appeal - PFIS is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7]

Company Overview - Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) is headquartered in San Antonio and operates in the Finance sector [3] - The stock has experienced a price change of -3.75% since the beginning of the year [3] Dividend Information - The company currently pays a dividend of $1 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.1%, which is significantly higher than the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.27% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.53% [3] - The annualized dividend of $4 has increased by 7% from the previous year, with a total of 5 dividend increases over the last 5 years, averaging an annual increase of 7.80% [4] - Cullen/Frost's current payout ratio is 42%, indicating that it paid out 42% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is projected at $9.21 per share, reflecting an expected increase of 2.56% from the previous year [5] Investment Appeal - The company is viewed as an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [7]

Company Overview - Hancock Whitney (HWC) is based in Gulfport and operates in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -2.7% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.45 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.38%, which is higher than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.41% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3] Dividend Performance - Hancock Whitney's annualized dividend of $1.80 has increased by 20% from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend twice on a year-over-year basis, achieving an average annual increase of 9.80% [4] - The current payout ratio is 33%, indicating that the company distributes 33% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hancock Whitney's earnings per share for 2025 is $5.51, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 3.57% [5] Investment Considerations - HWC is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Core Insights - Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY) has a monthly dividend yield of 14.83%, surpassing the industry average of 12.9%, with a payout ratio of 101% [1][4] - The company recently increased its dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share, marking its first hike in five years, indicating confidence in its cash flow and growth prospects [4][10] - Annaly maintains a strong liquidity position with $7.5 billion in total assets available for financing, including $4.7 billion in unencumbered Agency MBS, providing a competitive edge [5][10] Dividend Yield - Annaly's dividend yield is significantly high at 14.83%, while AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) has a yield of 15.93% and Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) has a yield of 12.66% [1][7][8] - AGNC has a payout ratio of 81% and a liquidity of $6 billion, while ABR has a payout ratio of 115% and recently reduced its dividend by 30.3% [7][8] Share Repurchase Program - Annaly's board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, set to expire on December 31, 2029, although no shares have been repurchased yet [6][10] Price Performance - NLY shares have increased by 6.7% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 1.4% [9][10] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - Annaly trades at a forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 0.96X, slightly above the industry average of 0.95X [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NLY's earnings indicates a year-over-year growth of 6.3% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026, with estimates remaining unchanged over the past 30 days [15][16]

Company Overview - Investar (ISTR) is headquartered in Baton Rouge and has experienced a price change of -12.3% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.1 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.18%, which is lower than the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 2.4% and higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3] Dividend Performance - Investar's current annualized dividend of $0.42 has increased by 2.4% from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Investar has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 12.44% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 20%, indicating that it pays out 20% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Investar anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $1.95 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 3.17% [5] Investment Considerations - Investar is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]

Company Overview - Ventas (VTR) is a Chicago-based real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on seniors housing, with a year-to-date price change of 10.46% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.48 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.95%, which is lower than the industry average of 5.19% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.56% [3] Dividend Performance - Ventas has an annualized dividend of $1.92, reflecting a 6.7% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend once on a year-over-year basis, with an average annual increase of 0.37% [4] - The current payout ratio for Ventas is 59%, indicating that it pays out 59% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $3.44 per share, representing a 7.84% increase from the previous year [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including tax advantages and risk reduction in portfolios [6] - High-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates, but Ventas is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile [7] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [7]