As part of my monitoring process, I review the list of dividend increases every week. This exercise helps me to monitor existing portfolio holdings, and to identify promising companies for further research.
I tend to focus my attention on companies with at least ten years of annual dividend increases. This activity helps me to focus on companies with a higher chance of delivering sustainable dividends, and lets me identify the companies with a long runway for future dividend increases.
I review each company, in order to determine if it can continue raising its dividends for the foreseeable future. I believe that rising earnings per share are the fuel behind future dividend increases.
I look at rising earnings per share, in conjunction with trends in the dividend payout ratio. A high payout ratio is generally a warning sign, unless the business model is highly predictable or earnings are growing faster than dividends. I generally prefer if earnings and dividends grow at roughly the same long-term rate. Sometimes there are changes, and reasons for why that’s not the case, especially if a company just recently started growing dividends from a low base.
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Nine Companies That Are Raising Dividends
I like to review trends in dividend growth too, and check if it is accelerating, decelerating or just keeping pace at a constant rate.
I also like to review the valuation in terms of P/E and yield. While these are viewed as old-fashioned today, I have found them to be useful yardsticks to follow, along with dividend growth, payout ratio and earnings growth. Valuation is part art, part science.
American States Water Company
American States Water Company (AWR) provides water and electric services to residential, industrial, and other customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Water, Electric, and Contracted Services.
American States Water raised its quarterly dividend by 9.80% to 33.50 cents/share. This marked the 66th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend king. During the past decade, this dividend king has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 8.70%.
Between 2009 and 2019, American States Water grew earnings from 81 cents/share to $2.28/share.
The company is expected to earn $2.29/share in 2020.
The stock is overvalued at 33.60 times forward earnings. The stock yields 1.75%.
Community Trust Bancorp
Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) operates as the bank holding company for Community Trust Bank, Inc. that provides commercial and personal banking services to small and mid-sized communities.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.30% to 38.50 cents/share. This marked the 40th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend champion. During the past decade, this dividend champion has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 3.10%.
Between 2009 and 2019, the bank grew earnings from $1.50/share to $3.64/share. The company is expected to earn $3.10/share in 2020.
The stock is attractively valued at 9.90 times forward earnings and yields 5%.
McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation (MCK) provides pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Pharmaceutical, Prescription Technology Solutions, International, and Medical-Surgical Solutions.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.45% to 42 cents/share. This marked the 13th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend achiever. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 12.65%.
The company has managed to grow earnings from $2.95/share in 2009 to $4.95/share in 2019. The company is expected to earn $14.40/share in 2020.
McKesson sells for 10.40 times forward earnings. The stock yields 1.10%.
Portland General Electric Company
Portland General Electric Company (POR) is an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. The company operates seven thermal plants; seven hydroelectric plants; and two wind farms.
Portland General Electric raised its quarterly dividend by 5.85% to 40.75 cents/share. This marked the 15th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend achiever. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 4.10%.
This utility managed to grow earnings from $1.31/share in 2009 to $2.39/share in 2019.
The company is expected to earn $2.39/share in 2020.
Portland General Electric sells for 18.50 times forward earnings. The stock offers a dividend yield of 3.70%.
Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) provides non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, disposal, recycling, and environmental services in the United States.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4.95% to 42.50 cents/share. This marked the 18th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend achiever. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 7.25%.
Republic Services managed to grow earnings from $1.30/share in 2009 to $3.33/share in 2019. The company is expected to earn $2.85/share in 2020.
The stock is not cheap at 30.60 times forward earnings. Republic Services yields 1.95%.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) manufactures, markets, and sells consumer lawn and garden products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne, and Other.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.90% to 62 cents/share. This marked the 11th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend achiever. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 16.30%.
The company managed to grow earnings from $2.32/share in 2009 to $8.18/share in 2019. The company is expected to earn $6.37/share in 2020.
The stock sells for 24.90 times forward earnings. The stock offers a dividend yield of 1.55%.
W.W. Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) distributes maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 6.25% to $1.53/share. This marked the 49th consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend champion. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 12.30%.
Between 2009 and 2019, W.W. Grainger managed to increase earnings from $5.62/share to $15.32/share. The company is expected to earn $15.94/share in 2020.
The stock sells for 21.40 times forward earnings and yields 1.80%.
Altria Group
Altria Group, Inc. (MO) manufactures and sells cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.40% to 86 cents/share. This marked the 51st consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend king. During the past decade, this dividend king has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 9.70%.
Altria earned $1.87/share in 2010 and is expected to earn $4.31/share in 2020.
The stock is cheap at 9.50 times forward earnings. The stock yields 8.35%.
Eagle Bancorp Montana
Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (EBMT) operates as the bank holding company for Opportunity Bank of Montana that provides various retail banking products and services to small businesses and individuals in Montana.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.60% to 9.75 cents/share. This marked the 21st consecutive year of annual dividend increases for this dividend achiever. During the past decade, this dividend achiever has managed to grow distributions at an annualized rate of 3.30%.
The bank grew earnings from 52 cents/share in 2009 to $1.69/share in 2019. The company is expected to earn $2.36/share in 2020
The stock sells for 6.55 times forward earnings and yields 2.50%.
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