Company Overview - Gorman-Rupp (GRC) is located in Mansfield and operates within the Industrial Products sector, experiencing a price change of -2.35% since the beginning of the year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.19 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2%, which is significantly higher than the Manufacturing - General Industrial industry's yield of 0.21% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.54% [3] Dividend Performance - Gorman-Rupp's annualized dividend of $0.74 has increased by 2.1% from the previous year, with a total of five dividend increases over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 4.62% [4] - The current payout ratio stands at 39%, indicating that the company distributes 39% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts earnings of $1.99 per share, reflecting a 13.71% increase compared to the previous year [5] - The company is viewed as a strong dividend investment opportunity, particularly in the context of rising interest rates, where high-yielding stocks may face challenges [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 - First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) is based in Indiana and operates in the Finance sector, with shares experiencing a price change of -5.85% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.14 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.39%, which is 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 $0.54 represents a 4.9% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past 5 years, FCF has increased its dividend 4 times, achieving an average annual increase of 4.10% [4] - The company's payout ratio is currently 39%, indicating that it paid out 39% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, FCF anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $1.43 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 2.14% [5] Investment Appeal - FCF is considered an attractive dividend play and a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Core Viewpoint - Science Applications International (SAIC) presents a compelling investment opportunity following a significant decline in share price, attributed to initial uncertainties regarding government spending, which have since been alleviated [2][8]. Financial Performance - SAIC reported net revenue of $1.88 billion for Q1 2025, marking a 1.6% increase year-over-year, slightly surpassing consensus estimates [8]. - The company anticipates revenue for the year to be between $7.6 billion and $7.75 billion, with a projected organic growth rate of 2.5% [10]. Shareholder Returns - The company offers a dividend yield of 1.43% with a payout ratio of 16%, complemented by aggressive share buybacks, which are expected to total approximately $375 million, or about 7.6% of market capitalization [5][6]. - Share buybacks reduced the share count by an average of 8.25% in FQ1 2026, with plans to maintain this pace through the end of the year [6]. Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings - Analysts have mixed responses to SAIC's results, with price targets ranging from $100 to $137, indicating a potential upside of 20% to over 30% from recent lows [13][14]. - The overall analyst rating for SAIC is currently a Hold, with an improving sentiment trend over the past year [10][14]. Strategic Positioning - The company's growth trajectory aligns with the White House's budget proposal, which emphasizes critical segments such as the Navy, Air Force, and Space Development Agency [12]. - SAIC's business is well-positioned to benefit from ongoing government contracts, with a favorable book-to-bill ratio indicating strong future business prospects [10].

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]

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 ...

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]

Company Overview - Kemper is an insurance holding company based in Chicago, operating in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -6.79% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.07%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.72% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6% [3] Dividend Analysis - Kemper's annualized dividend of $1.28 has increased by 3.2% from the previous year, with two dividend increases over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 0.69% [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, Kemper anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $6.34 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 7.64% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - While high-growth firms and tech start-ups typically do not provide dividends, established companies like Kemper are viewed as attractive dividend options [7] - Kemper is recognized as a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]