Over the past week, there were four companies which raised dividends and also had at least a ten year record of annual dividend increases. The companies include:
The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 20.20% to 31.25 cents/share. This marked the 22nd consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. The ten year dividend growth rate is 22%/year. Earnings per share increased from 83 cents/share in 2008 to $3.46/share in 2017. The company is expected to earn 3.91/share over the next fiscal year. Currently the stock is selling for 19.50 times forward earnings and yields 1.70%. Check my analysis of TJX Companies for more information about the company.
Unilever PLC (UL) operates in the fast-moving consumer goods market. The company operates through Personal Care, Foods, Home Care, and Refreshment segments. Unilever announced its plans to raise dividend by 12%, reflecting increased confidence in the outlook for profit growth and cash generation. The amount of the next quarterly dividend will be announced in our Q1 trading statement on 20th April. A share buy-back programme of €5 billion will be launched over the remainder of this year. Using the latest quarterly payment of 32 eurocents/share, I would expect the new payment to be in the 35 – 36 eurocent/quarter range. This marks the 22nd consecutive annual dividend increase for this international dividend achiever. The company earned 1.82 euro/share in 2016, and is expecting to earn 2.07 euro/share in 2017. This is up from 1.23 euro/share that Unilever earned in 2007. Currently, the stock is overvalued at 23 times forward earnings and has a forward yield of 2.90%. I would consider the company to be attractively valued in the 36.50 – 40 euro range (equivalent to 20 times earnings for 2016 – 2017). At the current exchange rates, this is equivalent to $39 - $42/share. Check my analysis of Unilever for more information about the company.
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products. The company operates through NGL Pipelines & Services, Crude Oil Pipelines & Services, Natural Gas Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services segments. This master limited partnership raised its quarterly distribution to 41 cents/unit. The ten year distribution growth rate is 5.90%/year. Enterprise Product Partners is one of the best master limited partnerships out there and has raised distributions to unitholders for 20 years in a row. This MLP yields 6%. Slow and steady wins the race in the long run.
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (SKT) is a real estate investment trust. The firm invests in the real estate markets in United States. It focuses on developing, acquiring, owning, operating, and managing outlet shopping centers. The REIT raised its quarterly dividend by 5.40% to 34.25 cents/share. This marked the 24th consecutive annual increase for this dividend achiever. The ten year dividend growth rate is 6.50%/year. The company grew FFO/share from $1.12 in 2006 to $2.37 by 2016. Currently the REIT sells for 13.7 times FFO and yields 4.20%.
Full Disclosure: Long UL, TJX,
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