10 Dividend Knights that Beat The Market Last 3 Years

5. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

3-Year Share Price Gains as of  December 4: 107.6%

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is an Arkansas-based retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount stores, and grocery stores across the country. The company is leveraging its competitive advantages to deliver substantial financial gains for its investors. Its improving cash flow and profitability are not only a result of gaining market share but also from the company’s profitable e-commerce segment, which has become successful after significant infrastructure investments. Moreover, strategic actions such as price cuts and more efficient inventory management have contributed to these positive outcomes.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) delivered a 107.6% return in the past three years, significantly outperforming the broader market during this period. In addition, the company experienced growth in customer traffic this year, with a 3% increase in the third quarter compared to the same time last year. This is a favorable trend for any large retailer.

In the third quarter of 2024, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) reported revenue of $168 billion, reflecting a 5.5% increase from the previous year. This performance exceeded analysts’ expectations by $1.4 billion. Known for its strong dividend payouts, the company maintains a healthy cash position. Year-to-date, it has generated $22.9 billion in operating cash flow, up by $3.9 billion compared to the same period last year. Its free cash flow also rose by $1.9 billion year-over-year, reaching $6.2 billion. The company has raised its payouts for 51 years in a row. It currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.2075 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.87%, as of December 5.

As per Insider Monkey’s database of Q3 2024, 88 hedge funds owned stakes in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), compared with 95 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is more than $9.7 billion.