I review the list of dividend increases every week as part of my monitoring process.
Dividend increases provide signaling value to me in my process of evaluating dividend growth companies. I believe it is an important tool in my toolset.
This exercise also helps me quickly review and scan large quantities of companies in order to narrow down the list to the most desirable candidates for further research.
I typically focus my attention on companeis that have managed to increase dividends for at least a decade.
Last week, there were 27 companies that increased dividends in the US. Eight of them have managed to increase dividends for at least a decade. The companies include:
CareTrust REIT, Inc.’s (CTRE) primary business consists of acquiring, financing, developing and owning real property to be leased to third-party tenants in the healthcare sector.
The REIT raised its quarterly dividend by 15.52% to $0.34/share. This is the 12th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 24.85%.
The company managed to grow FFO from $0.94/share in 2015 to $1.50/share in 2024.
The company is expected to generate FFO/share of $1.78/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 16.10 times forward FFO and yields 4.68%.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to $0.52/share. This is the 62nd consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend king. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 3.38%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $1.53/share in 2015 to $3.53/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $3.71/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 24.35 times forward earnings and yields 2.30%.
Independent Bank Corp. (INDB) operates as the bank holding company for Rockland Trust Company that provides commercial banking products and services to individuals and small-to-medium sized businesses in the United States.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 3.51% to $0.59/share. This is the 15th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 9.17%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $2.51/share in 2015 to $4.52/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $5.43/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 11.62 times forward earnings and yields 2.32%.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Consumer & Community Banking, Commercial & Investment Bank, and Asset & Wealth Management.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 12% to $1.40/share. This is the 15th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 11.42%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $6.05/share in 2015 to $19.79/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $18.29/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 13.21 times forward earnings and yields 2.32%.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) engages in the development and commercialization of foundational technologies for the wireless industry worldwide. It operates through three segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, Qualcomm Technology Licensing, and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4.71% to $0.89/share. This is the 23rd consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 7.60%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $3.26/share in 2015 to $9.09/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $11.73/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 13.36 times forward earnings and yields 2.27%.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. (SCVL) operates as a family footwear retailer in the United States.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 7.14% to $0.15/share. This is the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 15.90%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $0.73/share in 2015 to $2.72/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $1.94/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 21.52 times forward earnings and yields 2.79%.
Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (SOMC) operates as the bank holding company for Southern Michigan Bank & Trust that provides a range of commercial banking services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and governmental agencies primarily in the southwest Michigan communities.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.67% to $0.16/share. This is the 14th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 7.74%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $1.21/share in 2015 to $2.28/share in 2024.
The stock sells for 8.33 times earnings and yields 3.37%.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 15.79% to $0.59/share. This is the 20th consecutive annual dividend increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to increase dividends at an annualized rate of 12.73%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $1.71/share in 2015 to $8.91/share in 2024.
The company is expected to earn $8.53/share in 2025.
The stock sells for 19.19 times forward earnings and yields 1.61%.
